Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on March 9

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Wednesday, March 9.


Russia ready to open humanitarian corridors from five Ukrainian cities: Report

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The first convoy carrying civilians from Sumy arrived in the central city of Poltava.

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Singaporean Ix Shen leaving Ukrainian capital Kyiv as fighting intensifies

The former actor and his wife are moving to an area west of Ukraine's capital.

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US bans Russian oil imports as fears of energy war grow

The Biden administration is reaching out to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to boost oil production.

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The economic shocks of war

A combination of war and soaring prices could take us back to stagflation, says associate editor Vikram Khanna.

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Can I drive into Malaysia when it reopens its border from April 1?

Malaysia will reopen its borders to international visitors from April 1, allowing travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter the country without quarantine.

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Smoothing the Ethnic Integration Policy’s rough edges with buyback scheme

HDB will buy back, on a case-by-case basis, the flats from households which have difficulty selling them at a reasonable price when ethnic quotas have been reached.

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Removal of mid-year exams brings parents and children some relief, but raises some questions

Many say it depends on how schools implement the changes, and what they do in place of exams.

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S'pore to contribute $20.5m to support efforts by global coalition against future pandemics

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced this in a pre-recorded speech for the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit.

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Sowing the seeds of health: How gardening can boost your physical and mental health

Pruning, watering and planting exercise the muscles and relieve stress.

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'Badge Lady' allegedly spotted walking around Orchard Road without mask, STB investigating

Ms Phoon Chiu Yoke was jailed last year for not wearing a mask in public on numerous occasions.

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