Top stories from The Straits Times on Wednesday, Oct 23

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Wednesday, Oct 23.

Bishan could get 1,500 new BTO flats near MRT station by 2025

The Housing Board has called a quotation for a traffic impact assessment for a proposed public housing development in Bishan. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

The proposed development, next to the Kallang River, will consist of six residential blocks, from 22 to 39 storeys high. It will also be a 5-minute walk from Bishan MRT station.

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Speak Mandarin Campaign marks 40 years: S'pore must guard against losing bilingual edge, says PM Lee

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at an event to mark the Speak Mandarin Campaign's 40th anniversary, with (from left) National Heritage Board chief executive Chang Hwee Nee, Senior Minister of State for Information and Culture, Community and Youth Sim Ann, Promote Mandarin Council chairman Chua Chim Kang and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

"As our society and context keeps changing, promoting Mandarin will be a continuous, never-ending project," he said.

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Brexit in chaos as British parliament refuses fast decision on PM Boris Johnson's deal

A video grab shows British PM Boris Johnson reacting during debate on the Brexit withdrawal agreement Bill. PHOTO: AFP

Lawmakers voted 322 to 308 against Mr Johnson's extremely tight timetable, which the government has repeatedly said is necessary to reach the target of leaving on Oct 31.

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Thai royal consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi led volunteer group just before her dismissal

Ms Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was stripped of her titles by King Maha Vajiralongkorn for being disloyal to the monarch. She was appointed Royal Noble Consort in July. PHOTO: THAILAND'S ROYAL OFFICE/AFP

Ms Sineenat's whereabouts are unknown.

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Anonymous official who blasted Trump in New York Times op-ed is coming out with book

Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Oct 21, 2019. PHOTO: AFP

The publisher describes the book as a "shocking, first-hand account of President Trump and his record".

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Some condos ban food delivery riders from entering on PMDs

Sky Habitat is one of the at least three condominiums in Bishan and Sengkang that have banned food delivery riders from entering the properties on personal mobility devices. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

The measure has been in place for about two months at these condos, after food delivery riders were found travelling at high speeds inside the compound.

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China planning to replace Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam with 'interim' chief executive: Financial Times

Carrie Lam arrives for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 22, 2019. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Officials in China want a stabilised situation before a final decision can be made on leadership changes, as they do not want to be seen to be giving in to violence, said sources.

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Indonesians angry, disappointed over Jokowi's decision to include Prabowo in new Cabinet

Head of the Gerindra Party Prabowo Subianto and his deputy Edhy Prabowo arrive at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Oct 21, 2019. PHOTO: REUTERS/ANTARA FOTO

Volunteers were concerned as during the past election campaign, Mr Prabowo tended to attack the president personally.

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Veteran coach Loh Chan Pew accused of molesting teenage athlete: Defence turns up heat on investigating officer in trial

Loh Siang Piow faces three more charges involving another 16-year-old athlete, but those were stood down for the trial. PHOTO: ST FILE

The officer denied providing any details about the case or the identity of the alleged victims to Loh during their phone conversation.

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Understanding hoarding: Give hoarders respect, choice in what to discard or keep, say social workers

An overjoyed Madam Leong taking in the state of her home when the volunteers from non-profit group Keeping Hope Alive had finished their work of cleaning up. She says she is thankful that she now has the space to invite her friends over for karaoke again. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

One in 50 people here will display hoarding behaviour in his lifetime.

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