TOP OF THE NEWS
Greater customer engagement by retailers and a recovering economy have contributed to a stronger showing in the retail sector, say experts. Total retail sales rose 2.6 per cent in April from a year earlier - the strongest showing since last July, according to the Department of Statistics.
TOP OF THE NEWS
HK raises security for Xi's visit
Security has been stepped up in Hong Kong ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit this week for the 20th anniversary of the city's handover to China and the swearing-in of the new government. Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong have indicated that they will gather during the handover celebrations.
WORLD
South Korean President Moon Jae In's attempts to cool down soaring tensions with North Korea could complicate the country's ties with the United States, which has stressed denuclearisation above dialogue. Mr Moon will meet US President Donald Trump at a summit later this week.
WORLD
The challenge of securing more than 200,000 inmates in fewer than 500 prisons in Indonesia has been highlighted once again, following a jail break at a Bali facility on June 19. The penitentiaries face twin issues of overcapacity and understaffing.
OPINION
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's statement that Europe can no longer rely on the US for security heralds the advent of a messier world order. Asia too needs to think of what it means if the Americans step back from the region, says Hugh White.
HOME
In the first quarter of this year, 5.15 million people visited cinemas in Singapore, compared with 5.76 million in the same period last year, bucking a two-year upward trend, according to the latest figures published by the Department of Statistics.
HOME
Fertility-check drive launched
Voluntary welfare organisation I Love Children, which advocates pro-family causes, yesterday launched a campaign to get young couples to go for fertility health checks, so that they can scan for any problems and seek help to raise their chances of conceiving.
BUSINESS
Singapore's Keppel Corporation is ramping up its investments in China's commercial hub of Shanghai with a US$368 million (S$511 million) purchase of a 70 per cent stake in a major office and retail building.The move is in line with a push by Keppel Land China - part of its property arm Keppel Land - to boost its presence in high-growth cities such as Shanghai.
SPORT
SA chief calls for cooler heads
Singapore Athletics (SA) president Ho Mun Cheong wants the fraternity to unify and focus on the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
The track and field association holds its annual general meeting today, amid a management committee split and an ugly spat between officials and athletes.
LIFE
Singaporean author Jeremy Tiang had received more than $8,000 of a $12,000 National Arts Council (NAC) grant awarded him. But after he sent the council the first draft of State Of Emergency, which traces leftist movements throughout Singapore's history, the grant was withdrawn. NAC declined to comment on the reasons for withdrawing specific grants.
Straits Times Digital
WEB SPECIAL
Aidilfitri stories
A photo of children sitting on a "carpet" in a Hari Raya Aidilfitri -themed trainhad netizens waxing lyrical about the kampung spirit. str.sg/4Ebq
VIDEO
Being able to stay home a blessing
Two-year-old Syifaa Yasyaa Taufan suffers from a congenital neuromuscular disease which makes it difficult for her to breathe and swallow. str.sg/4EBe
