Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Aug 28

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Friday, Aug 28.

Suntec Singapore retrenches nearly half its employees, with events suspended since April

It will have a remaining workforce of 89 local staff and four foreign staff.

READ MORE HERE

BTO flat buyers in Punggol face one-year delay after HDB terminates building contractor's services

This means home owners may now get keys to their flats only in the first or second quarter of 2022.

READ MORE HERE

New hiring requirements will raise costs for some businesses: Experts

Job seekers will have to change their mindset towards certain industries that must hire foreigners because locals shun those sectors, said analysts.

READ MORE HERE

No obligation under Ceca for S'pore to grant Indian nationals PR status or citizenship: MTI

It is not true that Ceca requires Singapore authorities to automatically grant employment passes to professionals, managers and executives from India who want to work here.

READ MORE HERE

Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi casts doubt on coronavirus originating in China

"Who is patient zero? It is still unknown," said Mr Wang.

READ MORE HERE

Coronavirus: A glimpse into global vaccine race

31 vaccines are in clinical trials - but experts have warned that first is not always the best.

READ MORE HERE

Sheng Siong outlet at Elias Mall, Our Tampines Hub among new places visited by infectious Covid-19 patients

There were 77 new coronavirus cases confirmed on Thursday, taking Singapore's total to 56,572.

READ MORE HERE

F&B outlets in China Square, Prinsep Street among those penalised for breaching safe distancing rules

At some outlets, patrons in large groups intermingled across tables and there was alcohol consumption on the premises after 10.30pm.

READ MORE HERE

Singapore Literature Prize: Marylyn Tan is first woman to win for English poetry

Her debut collection, Gaze Back, took on taboos from menstruation to sexuality.

READ MORE HERE

More distance themselves from Singapore's Loh cousins behind Newcastle bid after Obama photo controversy

Actor and host Allan Wu has ended his partnership with one of BN Group's entities, Novena Global Lifecare.

READ MORE HERE

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.