Top stories from The Straits Times on Wednesday, June 13

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kickstart your Wednesday, June 13.


Kim Jong Un stressed at Trump-Kim summit that US, North Korea should halt hostilities

US President Donald Trump listens to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the expanded bilateral meeting as part of the historic summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

North Korean state news agency KCNA - in its first report on the summit - also said Mr Kim had invited Mr Trump to come to Pyongyang while also agreeing to visit the US.

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Trump-Kim summit: First step on long road to peace

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump meeting at the Capella hotel on Sentosa yesterday, in a moment described as "historic" and "epochal" by the joint statement both leaders signed later on. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

On Sentosa, an island named after peace, the US and North Korea signed a deal they said would defuse decades of hostility between the two countries.

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Trump-Kim summit: Singapore's improbable role in the North Korean imagination

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un strolling through the courtyard of Capella Singapore, on June 12, 2018. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Perhaps Singapore can fire the imaginations of North Korea's leaders and people on what is possible when a country puts its mind and will to build a peaceful and prosperous nation, says ST's Chua Mui Hoong.

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Donald Trump discloses that Hollywood-style video was shown to Kim Jong Un during summit

The video had opening credits with the phrase "A Destiny Pictures production" and portrayed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump as the main stars. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

The four minute-long clip pitched a possible future to the North Korean leader, one in which he could choose to "advance his country and be part of a new world".

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Hosting Trump-Kim summit a worthwhile venture despite concerns over outcome, say analysts and Singaporeans

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un strolling together through the grounds of the Capella Singapore hotel after their working lunch, during the historic summit at the hotel on Sentosa Island, on June 12, 2018. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Some say the $20 million spent as well as the efforts expended in hosting the summit have been worthwhile, as Singapore has reaped various benefits from the event.

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KL-Singapore high-speed rail postponed, not scrapped: Malaysian PM Mahathir

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad a Japan World Cup team jersey with the number 7, to show he is his country's seventh premier. PHOTO: AFP

"In a way, it's postponed. At this moment, we need to re-study and, if we are short of funds, we can delay the implementation of the project or reduce the scope of project."

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Eye-disease cases in Singapore may spike in next two decades, study shows

Researchers have estimated that the prevalence of certain eye conditions among specific ethnic groups could more than double, such as diabetic retinopathy among Chinese and Malays. ST FILE PHOTO

Researchers also estimated that the prevalence of certain eye conditions among specific ethnic groups could more than double.

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Designer handbags, branded shoes, jewellery seized from house allegedly linked to ex-Malaysian PM Najib

Police loading boxes into a van during the raid on a house at Precinct 10 in Putrajaya. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Malaysian police are still in the midst of figuring out the estimated value of the new haul of luxury goods after the two-hour raid on Monday.

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Chinese Qing dynasty vase found in attic sells for S$25.5 million

Discovered in a shoe box, a Chinese Qing Dynasty vase was sold for €16.2 million (S$25.5 million), which is more than 30 times the estimated price. PHOTO: AFP

The vase, discovered in a shoe box in a French attic, was sold for more than 30 times the estimated price of 500,000 euros.

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Football: World Cup fever sweeps through Moscow as Russia welcomes the world

People attend the opening ceremony of the Fifa Fan Fest in Saransk, on June 12, 2018, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup. PHOTO: AFP

An estimated one million fans are expected to visit Russia during the month-long tournament, which kicks off on Thursday.

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