Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Aug 19

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Friday, Aug 19.


TEL3 on track to open this year: What to do near the 11 new MRT stations

Here are the stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line that are set to open this year, and the landmarks near them.

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NDP 2022 signals S'poreans' desire to return to normalcy: Ng Eng Hen

Almost three million people tuned in to the NDP telecast online or on their televisions.

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US, Taiwan push to deepen trade ties amid China tensions

Trade talks will focus on 11 areas, including expanding trade in agriculture and digital industries.

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Singaporean man and girlfriend charged in Malaysia with drug trafficking

They face the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted of the offence.

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China's drought could last until September as it races to protect harvests

A severe heatwave across the Yangtze basin has now lasted more than two months.

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40% disability employment rate may be ambitious but can spark change

The Enabling Masterplan has set out clear and specific targets that it intends to reach by 2030.

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$1.8 billion collective sale tender for People's Park Centre closes without bids

The reserve price for People's Park Centre works out to a land rate of $2,620 per square foot per plot ratio.

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Nurse who went beyond the numbers

Florence Nightingale was a data scientist long before the world knew what a pie chart was.

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Scientists find simple, safe method to destroy 'forever chemicals'

Chemicals used in nonstick pans, water-resistant textiles accumulate in the environment.

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ZoukOut boss Andrew Li is not afraid of Covid-19

Mr Li says Zouk sees around 1,500 to 2,000 patrons on one weekend night now, up from 1,000 patrons prior to the pandemic.

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