Top stories from The Straits Times on Sunday, Feb 18

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kickstart your Sunday, Feb 18.


Pearl Bank Apartments likely to be demolished despite calls to conserve building

Pearl Bank Apartments will likely not be conserved despite the wishes of heritage lovers and the Singapore architect who designed it. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

The iconic building - sold to developer CapitaLand in a collective sale on Feb 13 - will likely not be conserved despite the wishes of heritage lovers and the Singapore architect who designed it.

READ MORE HERE

Expect to pay a lot more to watch World Cup in Singapore: Experts

Football fans celebrating Germany's win in the final of the 2014 World Cup. It is regarded as the planet's biggest sporting event. PHOTO: ST FILE

Analysts predict Singapore football fans can expect a sharp jump from the $112 they paid four years ago if they want to watch this year's live telecast of the World Cup.

READ MORE HERE

Video: On a mission to remove wheelchair roadblocks in the CBD

Ms Nongnuch Maytarjittipun being helped by her boss, Mr Piroon Laismit, to exit the train at Raffles Place MRT station. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

The Disabled People's Association is spearheading a project to map out wheelchair-friendly routes in the CBD, as it finds the area has too many steps and escalators.

READ MORE HERE

Prime mover accident along Jurong Town Hall Road leads to man being charged with murder

The accused (in yellow) allegedly killed Mr Sivakumar Perumal, 43, along Jurong Town Hall Road between 5.30pm and 5.48pm on Feb 15, 2018. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

One of the prime mover's passengers, 31-year-old Saravanan Arimuram, was charged in court with murdering the driver between 5.30pm and 5.48pm on Thursday.

READ MORE HERE

Commentary: Inequality is a threat - name it, and face it

ST ILLUSTRATION: MANNY FRANCISCO

Singapore must not become a society where people feel the system is stacked against them, favouring a minority, writes Opinion Editor Chua Mui Hoong.

READ MORE HERE

An evolving Singapore Chinese identity: Journey to the West - and now, the East

Lawyer Michael Chia, 46, with his parents, Madam Yee Sook Meng, 79, and Mr Chia Kee Chong, 79, at their home in Woodlands. ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO

The Chinese Singaporean of today continues to indulge in local hawker fare and mark Chinese New Year by tossing yusheng - but has the identity evolved into a completely different entity? Insight investigates.

READ MORE HERE

It Changed My Life: He gave up Microsoft job to give kids Room To Read

Mr Wood with students at the first library he built for a school in the village of Bahundanda in Nepal. PHOTO: JOHN WOOD/ROOM TO READ

A visit to a Nepal village school spurred former Microsoft senior executive John Wood to pursue a dream to "reverse the lottery of life" for children denied education in Asia and Africa.

READ MORE HERE

9 ways to get kids to save their hongbao windfall

Mr Amos Lim, 37, and his wife Alvina Tiang, 34, have started saving for their two-year-old daughter Aleia's future via a mix of financial instruments. ST PHOTO: ALVIN HO

Children love getting red packets containing money at this time of the year, but the tradition also presents canny adults with a golden opportunity to educate them on money matters.

READ MORE HERE

Video: Therapy dog trained to obey commands in Hokkien gives special kind of puppy love

Grey and white miniature schnauzer Button has been trained by his "paw-rent" to obey commands in Hokkien so as to better connect with elderly patients at Assisi Hospice. ST PHOTO: ALVIN HO

Button is no ordinary visitor but a grey and white miniature schnauzer on a mission to bring cheer and comfort to the dying at Assisi Hospice.

READ MORE HERE

Winter Olympics: Learning curve for Cheyenne Goh on Olympic debut

Cheyenne Goh during her short track speed skating 1,500m heat at the Gangneung Ice Arena yesterday. She lost momentum after losing her balance and finished fifth, failing to qualify for the semi-finals. PHOTO: REUTERS

The 18-year-old, who made history as Singapore's first Winter Olympian, finished 5th in her short track speed skating 1,500m heat and did not qualify for the semi-finals.

READ MORE HERE

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