Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Singapore Straits Times

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Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will start the campaign as favourite because of his high approval ratings and strong lead as preferred prime minister over rival Bill Shorten.

Australia's Malcolm Turnbull stakes future on July 2 election

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Experts say Senator Jeff Sessions (above), who seems to get along with Mr Trump and has some national defence experience, is a possible vice-presidential candidate. Senator Joni Ernst (below left) of Iowa and Governor Susana Martinez (below right) of

Who will be Donald Trump's running mate?

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20:52

Singaporean writer wins prize for unpublished novel

Sharlene Teo Wen-Ning's unpublished work Ponti - inspired by the haze which shrouded Singapore in 2003 - beat 884 other entries from writers in the British Commonwealth and Ireland to become the first winner of the £10,000 (S$19,650) Deborah Rogers Writers' Award. http://str.sg/44jX PHOTO: JOAN CHAN

British author Shena Mackay, who chaired the panel of judges, lauded the 29-year-old's "strange and compelling evocation of a misfit adolescent girl growing up in sultry, sweaty Singapore".

20:35

Blind American woman regains sight after fall and neck surgery

Ms Mary Ann Franco, 70, gradually became blind after injuring her spine in a car accident in 1993, Britain's The Independent reported.

More than two decades later, a fall and a subsequent operation appear to have led to the recovery of her sight, baffling doctors. http://str.sg/44VM PHOTO: WPBF 25 NEWS

20:29

Crude up 2% as wildfires threaten Canada supply, Saudi replaces veteran oil minister

Oil prices rose in early Asian trading on Monday as supply outages persisted over the weekend from Canada's wildfires, while analysts were also digesting news of Saudi Arabia's appointment of a new energy minister, said to be a believer in reform and low oil prices. http://str.sg/44j8 PHOTO: REUTERS

20:20

Singapore diners still fare poorly in returning trays
On how Singapore fares in various aspects of hygiene, Public Hygiene Council chairman Edward D'Silva rated tray return the most poorly, giving it just four marks out of 10.

Other areas - like personal hygiene, adoption of dirty areas to keep them clean, litter disposal and clean toilets - fared better at six or seven out of 10. http://str.sg/44VV

20:05

Greek parliament approves controversial pension and tax reforms in face of protests, strike

Lawmakers bowed to creditor demands in a bid to unlock the text tranche of badly-needed bailout funds. The unpopular reforms will reduce Greece's highest pension payouts, merge several pension funds, increase contributions and raise taxes for those on medium and high incomes. http://str.sg/44jm PHOTO: AFP

19:59

15 cases of GST evasion by online retailers and importers in last 2 years

The seven cases in 2014 and eight last year involved more than $440,000, with the offenders usually Singaporeans who import branded goods like handbags, wallets, shoes and apparel, and household goods such as robotic vacuum cleaners for sale locally. http://str.sg/44jP PHOTO: LOVETHATBAG/FACEBOOK

19:39

North Korea congress adopts decision to improve nuclear arsenal: Report

The country's first ruling party congress for nearly 40 years has enshrined the decision to "boost self-defensive nuclear force both in quality and quantity," its KCNA news agency said. http://str.sg/44jd PHOTO: AFP

19:21

Voting begins in the Philippines as polls point to win by controversial Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

Besides electing a new president, voters will also be choosing candidates for more than 18,000 posts in the Senate, House of Representatives and local governments. http://str.sg/44jx ST VIDEO/PHOTO: RAUL DANCEL

Click here for more on the poll

19:05

Weather & traffic update

Warm. Thundery showers mainly over northern, western and central Singapore in the afternoon.

Vehicle breakdown on Jurong Town Hall Road (towards Pandan Gardens) after AYE. Avoid left lane. Drive safe!

18:58

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