Top stories from The Straits Times on Wednesday, March 7

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kickstart your Wednesday, March 7.


Insurers want all patients to pay part of hospital bills

Six companies selling MediShield Life-linked health insurance have appealed to MOH to make it compulsory for existing as well as new policyholders to pay part of their hospital bills, even if they buy riders that now cover the entire amount. PHOTO: ST FILE

The six companies selling MediShield Life-linked health insurance have appealed to the Ministry of Health to make it compulsory for existing as well as new policyholders.

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Video: Two Koreas to hold summit, North willing to denuclearise with conditions

In a rare meeting with South Korean envoys, the North affirmed its commitment to denuclearise if its security is guaranteed and expressed willingness to resume dialogue with the US.

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Buses behaving like taxis may hit the road by year end

Mr Arthur Chua (left) and Mr Jarrold Ong (right), co-founders of Ministry of Movement, an 18-month-old start-up which aims to launch a dynamic service for buses in Punggol, Joo Koon and Shenton Way in the fourth quarter. PHOTO: CARL ZENO TAN

Start-up Ministry of Movement, which operates under the Swat brand name, aims to launch an on-demand bus service in Punggol, Joo Koon and Shenton Way.

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Company director admits to rape and sexual assault of 12-year-old son's ex-girlfriend

The man, now 47, had sexually abused the girl over a period of 1½ years, when she was between 11 and 13 years old.

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Video: The Lives They Live: Tales of a veteran driving tester

Mr Richard Quek became a driving examiner in 1975 and retired as the Chief Tester of Traffic Police (TP), the top driving test honcho, in 2009 at age 62. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

For more than 30 years, Mr Richard Quek had one of the most feared but least understood jobs in Singapore - a driving tester.

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Trump's top economic advisor Gary Cohn resigns in protest of trade tariffs

White House chief economic adviser Gary Cohn speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, US, on Sept 28, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Mr Cohn's resignation came as US President Donald Trump said he would impose hefty tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

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Video: Britain threatens to pull out of World Cup if Russia behind spy's mysterious illness

Former Russian spy colonel Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in southern England.

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Sarawak gains full control over state's oil and gas sector as Malaysia election nears

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg signing on a monitor to symbolically launch Petros. Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas (far left) and Petros chairman Hamid Bugo (third from left).
Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg signing on a monitor to symbolically launch Petros. Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah Embas (far left) and Petros chairman Hamid Bugo (third from left). PHOTO: BORNEO POST

Prime Minister Najib Razak is seen to be pulling out all the stops to ensure that the gas-and timber-rich state remains loyal to the ruling Barisan Nasional government.

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Amazon chief Jeff Bezos tops Forbes world's rich list as Trump wealth drops

Jeff Bezos and wife MacKenzie attending the Vanity Fair Oscars party on March 4, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS

Mr Bezos snatched the top spot from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, having doubled his fortune to US$120 billion (S$158 billion).

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Football: Ronaldo does it again as Real Madrid dump PSG out of Europe

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (right) celebrates scoring with Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

The reigning Champions League holders won 2-1 away to a Paris Saint-Germain side missing Neymar to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

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