Top stories from The Straits Times on Wednesday, June 20

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kickstart your Wednesday, June 20.


1Wall Street falls, Dow gives up 2018 gains on US-China trade war fears

US stocks fell on Tuesday as a sharp escalation in the trade dispute between the US and China rattled the markets.

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Immigration investigators bust one of the biggest sham marriage syndicates; 17 involved

A barbecue at East Coast Park nearly four years ago was where two men hatched a plan that spawned a series of sham marriages between Singaporean men and Vietnamese women.

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US withdraws from United Nations human rights council, calling it 'cesspool of political bias'

The announcement came after Washington was criticised for separating migrant children from their parents who are seeking asylum after crossing into the country from Mexico.

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'You have to take the children away': Trump doubles down on family separations as border crisis rages

Criticism has swelled from international rights groups, Christian evangelicals, former US first ladies and the US President's own Republican Party.

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Russia on brink of last 16, Japan's historic win: World Cup results and fixtures at a glance

Hosts Russia secured their second win after beating Egypt 3-1, while Japan's 2-1 victory over Colombia marked the first time an Asian side has beaten a South American team at the World Cup.

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Generation Grit: Just hearing the words 'KK' made her cry


Diagnosed with leukaemia when she was six, Keller Chai spent her childhood in the hospital. Weak and sickly for many years, the national archer decided four years ago she would be weak and sickly no more.

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Window still open for US-China trade talks, but there's risk neither will back down

A worker cutting steel at a factory in Huaibei, in China's Anhui province. US President Donald Trump's threat of additional tariffs on US$200 billion (S$272 billion) worth of Chinese goods comes after the US announced 25 per cent additional tariffs o

Analysts note that the latest trade salvo by US President Donald Trump may make it hard for both sides to back down, though there is still time for negotiations as the tariffs have yet to take effect.

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ST photojournalist's Trump-Kim shots make media splash


ST's Kevin Lim, the only Singaporean photojournalist who had a chance to capture the historic meeting, had his photos featured on top news publications such as Time magazine.

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MyTurf: MacPherson Lane residents bound by food, friendships and familiarity


These bonds, however, may come under test as Blocks 81 to 83 have been designated to be demolished under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers).

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Osteria Francescana crowned world's best restaurant; Singapore's Odette ranked No. 28 on top 50 list


Chef Massimo Bottura's restaurant in Modena, Italy, reclaimed the top spot from last year's winner, New York's Eleven Madison Park.

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