What's News: November 03, 2015

For the first time in three years, South Korea and Japan had a summit yesterday in Seoul, where President Park Geun Hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to speed up talks to resolve the wartime sex-slave issue. Observers, however, cautioned that the two countries could still differ in what they consider a proper settlement.

A 61-year-old man was jailed for 10 years yesterday after he admitted to a charge of culpable homicide for strangling his wife in 2013.

The couple, both Chinese nationals, had fought over whether to return to China.

Indonesia is mulling over the construction of a new prison designed exclusively for convicted terrorists, in the hope of curbing cases where petty criminals become radicalised after staying with extremists in the same cell. In the new prison, convicts will be put in different cells according to their level of militancy.

Turkey's ruling party defied all predictions and surprised political observers by regaining its overall parliamentary majority. But the country's politics remains highly polarised, and Ankara is facing severe security challenges both at home and abroad.

Ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit, Professor John Wong reflects on Singapore's challenge in sustaining its special relations with China. It has to adapt its strategies but what it still has is soft power in terms of public administration and social governance, he writes.

At the All Saints Home in Yishun, staff, visitors and residents get to enjoy the fruits of their own labour - the place has its own fruit trees and vegetables. The home, which started operations in March, had decided on a "Garden of Eden" concept.

South-east Asia now has a research centre to conduct studies and develop cleaner energy sources for the maritime industry. The new $8 million test bed at Nanyang Technological University will also train tertiary students, for instance through internships.

A former United States Navy Seal who assaulted a taxi driver here was yesterday given four weeks' jail and an $800 fine. The 31-year-old American is out on bail, pending his appeal.

All three local banks reported subdued single-digit loan growth in the three months to Sept 30, compared with the second quarter. DBS Group results issued yesterday wrapped up the end of the local banks' earning season.

The year-on-year growth rates were boosted by the impact of foreign currency movements.

Japanese Kohei Uchimura and American Simone Biles cemented their status as this generation's finest gymnasts, with a clutch of golds at the just-concluded world championships to bring their career titles to 10 apiece.

They will no doubt be the hot favourites at next year's Rio Olympics.

Cycle & Carriage will provide a fleet of 78 vehicles in a $660,000 deal to ferry dignitaries, officials and guests during the Asean Para Games, bringing the total sponsorship so far to $6.5 million. With 28 firms on board, the $5 million mark has been surpassed.

A landmark sale of modern and contemporary Singapore master- pieces will take place on Nov 29 at Christie's in Hong Kong. The auction is devoted entirely to Singapore art. The 42 works include paintings by pioneer artists Chen Wen Hsi and Cheong Soo Pieng, as well as pieces by younger artists.