What's News: December 03, 2015

Launch of SG Enable's Enabling Village, which is a one-stop place for people with disabilities. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

TOP OF THE NEWS

Enabling Village launched

A new community space offers a range of facilities and services for people with disabilities. But others too can make use of the amenities like a supermarket and food outlets in the Enabling Village near Redhill MRT. Singapore must continue to build a more inclusive society that values every person, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at its opening.

TOP OF THE NEWS

Live music for Thaipusam

Permission has been given for the first time since 1973 for live music to be played at next year's Thaipusam procession. Musicians have been given approval to play specified traditional instruments at three points along the route.

PHOTO: REUTERS

WORLD

Smooth transfer promised

Myanmar President Thein Sein has assured opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (both above) of a smooth transfer of power at their first meeting since landmark elections in Myanmar last month. Later in the day, she also held talks with the powerful commander in chief of the armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in Naypyitaw.

WORLD

Nato invites Montenegro

Nato has formally invited Montenegro into its military alliance, defying Russian warnings that expansion of the bloc led by the United States further into the Balkans was a provocation. It will be the first new entry into the military grouping since 2009.

OPINION

Embracing the arts

When the Esplanade opened in 2002, it was called a $600 million elitist extravagance. But few, if any, have decried the $532 million cost of the National Gallery. This shows how far we have come in embracing the arts and culture, says arts correspondent Huang Lijie.

HOME

Anti-myopia smartwatch

A new smartwatch has been launched that aims to prevent myopia in children. FitSight displays the amount of time users spend in the sun each day - which is believed to reduce the incidence of shortsightedness.

HOME

More special grant recipients

The number of households receiving the Special CPF Housing Grant more than tripled in the last financial year, according to the Housing Board's latest annual report. It comes after changes in July 2013 raised the income ceiling for the grant and also extended it to four-room flats.

BUSINESS

S'pore ports take a hit

Weakening global demand and growing competition are taking their toll on Singapore's ports. A Fitch Ratings report notes that freight rates are at multi-year lows amid the collapse in commodity prices as well as slowing growth in China and lacklustre demand from the United States, Europe and Japan.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is pulling out of the International Premier Tennis League after a tiring season. PHOTO: REUTERS

SPORT

Djokovic to skip Singapore event

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is pulling out of the International Premier Tennis League after a tiring season, depriving local fans of a chance to watch him play for the OUE Singapore Slammers. But the team has added Stan Wawrinka, who will feature in the Republic, and Andy Murray.

PHOTO: ERIC KHOO

LIFE

No go for Khoo's erotic film

Singapore film-maker Eric Khoo's erotic drama In The Room, which premiered at the Singapore International Film Festival on Tuesday, is not allowed in cinemas here. Khoo said the film was passed uncut with an R21 rating for the festival, but was not classified for commercial release due to its explicit depictions of sex.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 03, 2015, with the headline What's News: December 03, 2015. Subscribe