TOP OF THE NEWS
The spat between Kuala Lumpur and Pyongyang over the alleged assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half-brother has escalated, with Malaysian police naming a North Korean diplomat in connection with the case and demanding that he surrender for questioning. The North Korean Embassy hit back, citing diplomatic privileges.
TOP OF THE NEWS
While starting monthly pay for fresh graduates from Singapore's three universities hit a new high of $3,360, a lower proportion had full-time jobs. A joint graduate employment survey of 10,904 fresh graduates done last November showed that 80.2 per cent secured permanent full-time jobs compared with 83.1 per cent in 2015.
WORLD
US President Donald Trump (photo) has directed his administration to enforce the nation's immigration laws more aggressively - to find, arrest and deport those in the country illegally, regardless of whether they have committed serious crimes. Research shows lower levels of crime among immigrants than among native-born Americans.
WORLD
HK eyes taxes to boost coffers
Unveiling Hong Kong's annual Budget yesterday, new Financial Secretary Paul Chan said he will be setting up a tax policy unit to study ways to make Hong Kong more competitive and increase its revenue through taxation.
OPINION
The increased CPF housing grants for young resale-flat buyers are welcome news for Rachel Au-Yong, who is flat-hunting with her fiance. But will the extra $20,000 tilt the balance for those who cannot decide between a new or a resale flat?
Perhaps not, she says.
HOME
When it comes to urban tree density, Singapore stands at the crown. The City in a Garden outshone 16 cities in a study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the World Economic Forum.
BUSINESS
Genting Singapore had a blow-out fourth quarter, raking in a net profit of $159.2 million. This was a sharp reversal from a net loss of $7.8 million in the same period last year. The recovery was largely due to a jump in gaming revenue, and a focus on growing the regional premium mass business.
SPORT
Australia is lobbying to be included in the Asian Games, hoping to convince the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to include it in the quadrennial event. But while OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah is said to be open to the idea, Australia is likely to meet with resistance from at least a few Asian nations.
LIFE
I'm no journalist: TV show host
John Oliver, the host of a popular late-night talk show, is known for well-researched, hard-hitting commentary on current affairs, but he insists he is not a journalist. He says he cannot compare himself to journalists who put their lives on the line doing their jobs. And without the work of journalists, he would not have grist for his mill.
VIDEO
Flat for rent
Thinking of renting out your apartment? Journalist Rachel Au-Yong outlines the rules and penalties at http://str.sg/rentrules
INTERACTIVE
Crunch the numbers
Find out if you qualify for the schemes and rebates with our Budget 2017 calculator. http://str.sg/budgetcalculator
