What's News: October 21, 2016

Performers of Sago Lane, part of the exhibition Pop-Up Noise: Soul Searching, at Kreta Ayer Square. The event runs until Oct 30.
Performers of Sago Lane, part of the exhibition Pop-Up Noise: Soul Searching, at Kreta Ayer Square. The event runs until Oct 30. PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR
A house destroyed by the typhoon in Isabela province, north of Manila.
A house destroyed by the typhoon in Isabela province, north of Manila. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

TOP OF THE NEWS

Tackling future health needs

A multi-pronged approach will be taken to tackle Singapore's future healthcare needs. Besides ramping up recruitment of healthcare staff, the authorities will focus on preventive care to help people stay healthy longer, upgrade the health workforce, such as by training more doctors who specialise in geriatric care, and tap technology.


TOP OF THE NEWS

IP premium hikes ahead

Insurers Aviva and Prudential are expected to be the first to announce that premiums for Integrated Shield Plans are going up. The rises are tipped to be announced next month after the 12-month moratorium, imposed when MediShield Life was introduced, is lifted.


WORLD

Typhoon hits Philippines

Typhoon Haima, the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, killed at least eight people and caused over 90,000 to be evacuated as it moved towards China after leaving vast areas flooded. Haima struck late on Wednesday night, with winds similar to those of catastrophic Haiyan in 2013, which claimed more than 7,350 lives.


LIFE

Kreta Ayer's past comes alive

The interactive exhibition Pop-Up Noise: Soul Searching - where the space is designed to look like five-foot-ways of old shophouses - has seen elderly folk in Chinatown interacting with its art installations and performances even before it opens today at Kreta Ayer Square. The free event attempts to bring to life memories and histories of Kreta Ayer.


WORLD

Mosul offensive in high gear

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said yesterday that an offensive to seize Mosul back from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is going faster than planned, as Kurdish forces launched a major assault on a town held by ISIS near the city.


OPINION

How China perceives S'pore

There are four areas of misunderstanding in China's perception of Singapore, says Professor Tommy Koh. These include the fact that Singapore is not a Chinese country despite having a majority-Chinese population.


HOME

Drink-driving accidents down

The number of drink-driving accidents in the first half of this year fell to 70, from 81 in the same period a year ago. Likewise, the number of fatalities and arrests in drink-driving cases also fell. This is the result of tougher enforcement and greater public awareness, said the Traffic Police.


HOME

Tiered work passes for maids?

Some researchers have proposed a tiered work pass system for foreign domestic workers caring for the elderly in which those who are more skilful could live in their own accommodation and earn better pay.


BUSINESS

Clues to private home market

Investors reading the tea leaves on the state of the private residential market can expect fresh clues to emerge this weekend with three new projects on preview. They are spread across the main regions and price points, with boutique development 38 Jervois in District 10, Queens Peak on the city fringe, and Parc Riviera in the suburbs.


PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

SPORT

City simply outclassed

At 0-1 down on Wednesday in the Champions League, Manchester City had an uphill task. But goalkeeper Claudio Bravo's hand-ball outside the box after a sloppy pass led to his sacking and, with 10 men, it was game over as Lionel Messi's hat-trick and Neymar's (photo, left) late goal gave Barcelona a 4-0 win.


LIFE

The Voice comes to Singapore

Popular international singing contest The Voice, a related China version of which recently saw Singapore's Nathan Hartono emerge second, will have a Singapore/Malaysia edition. The televised contest that has established stars mentoring up-and-coming singers will air in both countries next year.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 21, 2016, with the headline What's News: October 21, 2016. Subscribe