TOP OF THE NEWS
The Manpower Ministry has announced tougher penalties against firms whose workplace safety and health standards do not pass muster, in response to recent workplace fatalities. Among other things, companies issued with a stop- work order now have to suspend work for at least three weeks, up from two weeks previously. A1
TOP OF THE NEWS
Beijing slams dispute tribunal
China says the international tribunal that has taken up the Philippines' case over their South China Sea dispute has abused its power. It is the first time the Chinese government has turned from attacking Manila to criticising the tribunal and its members.
WORLD
Criticism of the electability of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump may not be warranted, judging by new polls that show him neck and neck with his likely Democratic challenger, Mrs Hillary Clinton. The polls are forcing many to rethink whether the polarising tycoon can win.
WORLD
Countries yesterday pledged at an anti-corruption summit in London to set up public registers to make it harder to launder the proceeds of corruption. But critics say the impact will be limited unless tax havens are made to disclose ownership of offshore companies.
OPINION
Japan may possess cutting-edge technology but several factors hamper its bid to increase its arms exports, since that is a business which is as much art as science, writes associate editor Ravi Velloor.
HOME
A 63-year-old man underwent minimally invasive surgery at the National University Hospital in February to remove a heart tumour and carry out a bypass, in what is said to be the first such operation in Asia. It is often hard to use minimally invasive procedures for cases with more than one problem.
HOME
A cultural space for migrant workers that has been facing a shortage of funds has received an offer of help from the National Trades Union Congress. The centre, Dibashram, is used for activities such as exhibitions.
BUSINESS
This year's first initial public offering on the Singapore Exchange mainboard was launched yesterday. Manulife US Reit, the first United States office real estate investment trust to be listed in Asia, aims to raise gross proceeds of US$519.2 million (S$711.7 million).
SPORT
Another injury blow for Tampines midfielder
Tampines midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman has had bad luck at the National Stadium, where he suffered a horror injury during the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2014 that kept him out of action for six months. Then, on Tuesday, at the same venue, he suffered a hairline fracture of his fibula during Tampines' 1-0 AFC Cup win over Selangor, and will be out for 12 weeks.
LIFE
The Singapore Writers Festival has commissioned an interactive four-course dinner event centred on Singapore's first novel - If We Dream Too Long - that runs over three weekends till May 29. Unlike other dinner theatre shows, the audience will not remain in one location, but will move through five rooms representing the primary hang-outs of the protagonist
LIFE
An almost four-year deadline for arts practitioners to receive training in teaching skills is coming up. If instructors who conduct school workshops do not meet the pedagogical skills requirement by this year, they will not be accepted for the next round of programmes, which will be offered from next year to 2018.
