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

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


Singapore team working on test for Wuhan virus

(From left) Home Team Science and Technology Agency scientists Principal Lab Manager Hoo Li Wei; Deputy Lab Manager Dr Oh Hue Kian; Director, CBRNE Centre of Expertise, May Ong; Senior Lab Technologist Zhang Jin Hua; Lab Analyst Fadzilah Salim; and Principal Lab Manager Ngoh Li Ee. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

Scientists with the Home Team have already begun working on a way to test for the virus, after China recently released a draft genome of the newly discovered virus.

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Young people can suggest policy changes or champion initiatives through government programme

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu at the National Youth Council's youth engagement session on Jan 18, 2020. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

They can take part in the Youth Action Challenge, a six-month programme. The best 12 ideas can each get up to $50,000 in grants to kickstart the projects.

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Hydrocarbon contaminants removed from water tanks in Ang Mo Kio block

A resident living on the sixth floor of Block 635 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 had told PUB on Jan 13 that his tap water gave off an oil-like odour. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

Tests showed that while the water quality from the mains was good, the tap points contained amounts of hydrocarbons, the kind of compounds used in anti-mosquito oil.

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Migrants in Singapore mostly from Malaysia

The diverse group of migrants in Singapore has tripled in the last 30 years from 1990 to last year, according to figures from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. ST FILE PHOTO

Malaysians form the biggest group of migrants living and working in Singapore, accounting for 44 per cent of the foreign-born population here, United Nations figures show.

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Umno-BN defeats PH ally Warisan in Sabah by-election by 2,029 votes: Official

Umno candidate Mohamad Alamin (centre), flanked by former Malaysian premier Najib Razak and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, after his victory in the by-election in Kimanis, Sabah. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Umno retained its parliamentary seat in a closely watched by-election in Kimanis, Sabah.

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'I couldn't believe this was real', says sister of man who died in fatal PIE bike accident

Republic Polytechnic student Muhammad Musharraf, 25, was heading to Johor Baru last Sunday (Jan 12) to get necessities for his family when he was hit by a lorry. PHOTOS: SALIMAH RK/FACEBOOK

Republic Polytechnic student Muhammad Musharraf, who celebrated his birthday two weeks ago, died when his motorcycle collided with a lorry last Sunday.

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It Changed My Life: From dating fun to managing funds

Mr Xavier See, seen at the front porch of his house, is the executive director of SDM, a tiling and construction business founded by his father. ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID

It took a family crisis for school dropout Xavier See to junk the Casanova mantle and recalibrate his life.

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Education Ministry pilot project will help disadvantaged students stay in school

A study room of the Marsiling Community Link, which was opened on Jan 18, 2020. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

The Uplift Community Pilot, a component of the Uplift programme, aims to enhance support for disadvantaged students who need more help to attend school more regularly.

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50-year-old K-pop star makes inspiring comeback

Korean-American singer Yang Joon-il performing his songs from 30 years ago on an MBC TV programme earlier this month. PHOTO: COOLASPECT

Rejected three decades ago as 'too different', Yang Joon-il is now seen as having been ahead of his time.

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Jewish-style wedding with lion dance at a void deck

The couple posing with the lion dancers at their void deck wedding in Clementi on Jan 4. PHOTO: RENEE OF JUST LIKE MAGIC CO

Briton Samuel Tournoff, having lived in a Housing Board flat for close to six years, was struck by the community spirit at void deck weddings.

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