TOKYO (REUTERS) – Japanese musician Keigo Oyamada, who described in magazines decades ago how he had bullied his classmates, decided to step down as a composer for the Tokyo Olympics’ opening ceremony, Nippon Television said on Monday (July 19), in the latest blow to the Games. Oyamada told Quick Japan magazine published in 1995 how […]
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will announce plans to ease restrictions for those who have been full-vaccinated against Covid-19, after the Hari Raya Haji celebrations. While the regulations are still under review, this could mean that 4.5 million people, or about 20 per cent of the adult population, may be allowed to travel beyond the current […]
SINGAPORE – Food and beverage outlets are implementing the new dine-in regulations from Monday (July 19) in their own way. Until Aug 8, unvaccinated people without valid negative Covid-19 test results can dine out only alone or in pairs. But those who are fully vaccinated can be in groups of up to five. Those who […]
JAKARTA (REUTERS) – As coronavirus surges in the Indonesian capital, volunteers like Badie Uzzaman are pitching in to help, delivering food to people who have tested positive but are forced to quarantine at home as hospitals run short of beds. The 26-year-old driver of a three-wheeler, Mr Badie drops off the packages in front of […]
HONG KONG (REUTERS) – A senior official of Chinese developer Evergrande Group appeared in a Hong Kong court on Monday (July 19) to face a charge of attempted rape, media reported. The case has attracted significant attention in Hong Kong, where the defendant is accused of attempting to rape a woman after a dinner at […]
SEOUL (REUTERS) – South Korean President Moon Jae-in has decided not to visit Japan for the Tokyo Olympics, his office said on Monday (July 19). The announcement comes after plans to hold the first in-person summit between the leaders of both nations hit a snag over a disparaging comment by a Japanese diplomat about the […]
SINGAPORE – For Madam Norlizah, a visit to the Hougang Village Market is a weekly ritual, during which she takes her time to buy a whole week’s worth of groceries for her family. The 52-year-old, who goes by only one name, made a trip to the market on Monday morning (July 19) to get lemongrass […]
SINGAPORE – Markets and food centres were quiet on Monday (July 19), following the detection of Covid-19 cases among stallholders and their assistants. Some of the wet markets The Straits Times visited were closed, as part of their regular weekly schedule. At the markets that remained open, such as Yew Tee Market and Hougang Village […]
SINGAPORE – Users of electric vehicles (EVs) will have easier access to chargers soon as Singapore steps up its push to get more motorists to choose this less polluting option. Applications open this month (July) for a grant that subsidises the installation of charging points in non-landed private residences. Electric car maker Tesla has set up […]
TOKYO (REUTERS) – Two-thirds of people in Japan do not believe the country can host a safe and secure Olympics amid a fresh wave of coronavirus infections, according to a survey published by the Asahi newspaper just four days before the opening ceremony in Tokyo. In the poll, 68 per cent of respondents expressed doubt […]