What's News: September 6, 2016

Underdog Pouille (left) beat Nadal in their fourth-round encounter at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.
Underdog Pouille (left) beat Nadal in their fourth-round encounter at Flushing Meadows on Sunday. PHOTO: USA TODAY SPORTS

TOP OF THE NEWS

No isolation for Zika patients

Confirmed Zika patients will no longer be isolated, the Ministry of Health said yesterday, adding that the authorities will manage the virus the same way that they deal with dengue. This comes as 16 more Zika cases were confirmed yesterday, bringing the total number of cases to 258.


TOP OF THE NEWS

Swiber prospects 'reasonable'

The prospects of saving debt-ridden Swiber Group are "reasonable", but will hinge on support from stakeholders and the group's ability to complete about US$1.67 billion (S$2.3 billion) worth of secured projects, according to its interim judicial managers from KPMG.


PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

WORLD

Heavy loss for Merkel's party

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (photo) has been dealt a fresh blow, with her ruling party pushed into third place in regional elections by a populist, anti-immigrant rival which attracted one in five of all voters. It is no longer possible to ignore people's views on the immigration issue, a senior ally of Dr Merkel said.


SPORT

Nadal rues missed opportunity at US Open

Two-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal said he "lost an opportunity to have a very good event" after he was beaten in a four-hour, five-set match at Flushing Meadows on Sunday by 24th seed Lucas Pouille of France. The 22-year-old underdog won the fourth-round encounter 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) and said: "It took everything. I could not dream better than that."


WORLD

Suspect planned to work here

Indonesian investigators have found out that a terror suspect accused of planning a rocket attack on Marina Bay from Batam had arranged to come to Singapore to work as a cleaner. The authorities are looking into the possible links between the work arrangement and other terrorist activities.


OPINION

Gulf between real and virtual

Do online games like Pokemon Go connect the world or divide it into the peaceful and the war-torn? The app that Farish A. Noor looks forward to is one that connects meaningfully by taking into account human suffering.


HOME

11 bag HDB design awards

Eleven projects, including those with features like sky-high gardens and a "terraced" landscape, were recognised in this year's Housing Board (HDB) Design Awards. Twelve HDB Construction Awards for quality building were also given to construction firms.


HOME

Uproar over Note7 recall

Buyers of the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone are clamouring for exchanges, refunds or help after the tech giant issued a global recall of the model, following reports that its battery can explode while being charged.


BUSINESS

Property titles may go digital

Worries about misplacing one's property title deed may soon be a thing of the past. The Singapore Land Authority is studying the possibility of storing these titles digitally.

That would save property owners the hassle of having to hunt for their physical titles when the time comes to sell.


LIFE

Shots of life under Mao

At the height of China's bloody Cultural Revolution, photographer Li Zhensheng stashed in his drawer the negatives of shots that depicted the harsh reality of life under Mao Zedong's rule. He is in town to launch his exhibition, which is part of the Singapore International Photography Festival.


PHOTO: COURTESY OF BENJAMIN BOO

LIFE

Piano man and businessman

When he was 11, pianist Benjamin Boo (photo) had three albums and a performance with legendary pop pianist Richard Clayderman under his belt. Now 24, he is still going strong. He will be performing at PianoBotanica, a free concert at the Botanic Gardens, with Brazilian soprano Taiana Froes.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 06, 2016, with the headline What's News: September 6, 2016. Subscribe