Good evening! Catch up on some of the main headlines on Friday, March 19. US-China Alaska meeting: Contentious tone at opening of talks not surprising, experts say Both sides were trying to stake out positions and lay down markers in a forceful way, says one observer. READ MORE HERE Jokowi calls for Asean high-level meeting on Myanmar crisis He said he would call the Sultan of Brunei, the chair of Asean, to hold a meeting. READ MORE HERE Jail, caning for man who force-fed vodka to 13-year-old and raped her in park Muhammad Alif Ab Rahim hit the victim and repeatedly blocked her when she tried to escape. READ MORE HERE S'pore woman deported from Australia for overstaying student visa, illegal sex work The woman, who was not named, was also found guilty on state charges for engaging in prostitution. READ MORE HERE Man allegedly made false declarations to opt out of serving SHN at dedicated facilities He allegedly ... » Learn More about Evening Update: Today’s headlines from The Straits Times on March 19
Marshmallow vodka
Man gets jail, caning for raping 13-year-old girl at a park in ‘harrowing two-hour ordeal’
SINGAPORE: After talking to a teenage girl about his relationship problems at a park, a 35-year-old man sat on top of her, forced vodka down her throat and raped her over two hours. The 13-year-old girl cried for help and was in great pain, eventually managing to crawl near a toilet where she sent voice messages to her loved ones pleading for help. Muhammad Alif AB Rahim was sentenced on Friday (Mar 19) to 28 years' jail and 24 strokes of the cane for what the judge called "a harrowing two-hour ordeal of rape and repeated sexual assault". The court heard that the victim knew the man "peripherally" through a friend but was not close to him and did not know his name. On the evening of Oct 24, 2017, the victim went to deliver items to a friend and went to Kallang Riverside Park to get some air. She ran into Alif, who suggested that they buy drinks and go to the park to chat. Trusting him, the victim followed Alif to a provision shop where he bought a bottle of cola and plastic ... » Learn More about Man gets jail, caning for raping 13-year-old girl at a park in ‘harrowing two-hour ordeal’
Best nightclubs in Singapore: Where to find underground parties, indie music, alternative scenes
Putting on your fancy pants for a night at one of Singapore's sleek dance clubs is all well and good, but sometimes you just want to get away from the pretentiousness of Top 40s hits, champagne sparklers, and pole-dancing platforms. So if you're not one for mainstream party places, here are some other dance clubs in town to check out instead. CANVAS The former home for hipsters and indie music lovers has turned into a whole different animal. As an industrial club that modularly transforms into an art gallery, Canvas bills itself as a space to spotlight arts, culture, and music, with various nights dedicated to hip hop, EDM, trance, and even stand-up comedy. #B1-01/06, The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd, 8125-0166. Tues 7pm-2am, Wed-Fri 7pm-3am, Sat 7pm-4am. D'UNDERGROUND Orchard Road pretty much gives the opposite of alternative vibes, but when the clock chimes midnight, the International Building (which isn't the shiniest mall on the stretch, anyway) houses parties at ... » Learn More about Best nightclubs in Singapore: Where to find underground parties, indie music, alternative scenes
Best happy hours in Singapore 2021: Where to go for cheap(er) cocktails, beers, and bar bites
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. At least, that’s the excuse you’ll find yourself using after you’re done with these happy hour deals. Tasty tipples and craft beers await – the early half of 2021 marks new go-to happy hour specials in Singapore , as well as some new daily drink deals. CBD 1. Artemis Grill & Sky Lounge Award-winning Artemis Grill & Sky Lounge boasts breathtaking views overlooking Marina Bay with flavours of the Mediterranean sea. While the day away atop the restaurant’s stunning terrace with a few happy hour drinks of classic cocktails ($15++) and premium wines ($15 per glass, $75 per bottle). Not to mention, there’s an impressive selection of G&Ts for any and all gin lovers. Happy hour: 3pm to 10.30pm Monday to Friday, 5pm to 10.30pm Saturday Artemis Grill & Sky Lounge is located at 138 Market Street, CapitaGreen Rooftop (Level 40), Singapore 048946, p. +65 6635 8677. Open Monday to Friday, 11.30 am – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 9pm. Open ... » Learn More about Best happy hours in Singapore 2021: Where to go for cheap(er) cocktails, beers, and bar bites
Savour Thai dishes prepared by experts
TASTES have the power to evoke memories and in my case, it came in the form of a green crab curry with fresh basil leaves. Served with a side of deep-fried convolvulus and rice vermicelli at the Raintree Skybar, a spoonful of this creamy gravy inevitably brought back memories of lunch at a noodle shop in Sithammaraj Road in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, some 20 years ago. Located just a minute away from an 800-year-old temple, the green curry then was memorable for its heady fragrance. Not surprisingly, the noodle shop is still there and continues to be a popular draw with locals and tourists alike. Back to Kuala Lumpur and the present, the fact that the green curry served on the 27th floor of the Dorsett Hartamas Hotel was able to evoke such a strong sense of nostalgia was testament to the authentic flavours of their Thai cuisine. The kitchen is directly managed by the Chakri Palace chain, which has been serving fine Thai cuisine for the past 21 years. We were told that the ... » Learn More about Savour Thai dishes prepared by experts
Thousands flock to Iceland’s erupting volcano
Sunday hikers watch the lava flowing from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano. FAGRADALSFJALL, Iceland: Thousands of curious onlookers have flocked to an erupting volcano in Iceland to marvel at the hypnotic display of glowing red lava, the bravest of them grilling hot dogs and marshmallows over the smoldering embers. The eruption of a fissure near Mount Fagradalsfjall, which began late Friday, was the first in the same volcanic system in about 900 years. The volcano is located only about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the capital Reykjavik and can be reached after a 90-minute hike from the nearest road. "It's absolutely breathtaking," says Ulvar Kari Johannsson, a 21-year-old engineer who spent his Sunday visiting the scene. "It smells pretty bad. For me what was surprising was the colours of the orange: much, much deeper than what one would expect," he tells AFP. The incandescent lava bubbles and spurts from a small cone in the Geldingadalur valley, piling up in the basin ... » Learn More about Thousands flock to Iceland’s erupting volcano
16 best rooftop bars in Singapore for romantic date nights
Looking for somewhere to kick back and relax in the evenings with your significant other? What better way than somewhere sky-high, where you get to feel a chilly breeze in your hair as you sip on a tipple. Even better if you get a gorgeous view of the night sky and city skyline. Check out these rooftop bars for killer views and delicious drinks: 1. VUE For spritz cocktails and grilled meats With sweeping views of Marina Bay and our iconic city skyline as your backdrop, this rooftop bar and grill comprises three sections – a main dining room, a private dining room for 12 and an al fresco pavilion that houses Singapore’s first outdoor spritz bar. It’s where you can relish 14 different types of spritz cocktails, from classic options like the Basil Spritz ($24) that combines dry gin, basil and lemon; to a more fruity option like the Ispahan ($22) that’s made of raspberry-infused gin, lychee and rose; as well as the Geisha’s Gaze ($24) that’s a combination of umeshu, prosecco ... » Learn More about 16 best rooftop bars in Singapore for romantic date nights
11 best places for an egg-cellent easter brunch in Singapore
Wear your Easter finest and dine at these restos for an egg-cellent Easter meal. The long Easter weekend is a great time to spend quality time with your family. With the safety measures slowly easing, restaurants around Singapore are now offering up some of the best Easter brunch specials and feasts. Think brightly coloured, decadent treats like chocolate eggs and many more! Here are 11 of the most - awaited Easter brunch specials around Singapore! 1. 665°F: Usher in the Easter holiday with 665°F‘s Easter Weekend Special! Start off with Butter Poached Lobster, Deviled cage - free eggs, roasted beetroot and green goddess dressing ($36++). For mains, serving up to the table is the Crown Roasted Rack of Lamb ($180++, for 3 - 4 pax). Pair it with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, Aperture Cellars and more. To end it all on a sweet note, indulge in Honey Vanilla ice cream, brownies and chocolate soil ($18++). When: April 3 & 4, 2021 online here or call 6408 1255 665°F, ... » Learn More about 11 best places for an egg-cellent easter brunch in Singapore
Four of Dacera’s friends maintain innocence
Photo from Christine Dacera’s Instagram page MANILA, Philippines — Four of Christine Dacera’s 11 companions on the night she died at a New Year’s party in a Makati hotel asserted their innocence amid claims by the police that the 23-year-old flight attendant was raped and killed. In a news conference on Thursday, Rommel Galido, Valentine Rosales, John Pascual dela Serna III and Clark Rapinan said Dacera died of natural causes and emphasized that there was no foul play involved. The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday ordered the release from police detention of Galido, Dela Serna and John Paul Halili. The Prosecutor’s Office has returned the rape-with-homicide case to the police for further investigation, as confirmed by Philippine National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana. Rosales called the complaint filed by the Makati police “absurd.” “It’s impossible that we raped her because we[‘re] all gay. There is no straight man in that party,” said ... » Learn More about Four of Dacera’s friends maintain innocence
Pledge for responsible liquor e-commerce signed
THE Alcoholic Beverages Alliance of the Philippines (Abapi) and several e-commerce platforms signed a pledge for the responsible sale of wines and spirits online. In a statement on Tuesday, Abapi said the industry pledge aims to put safeguards in place across e-commerce platforms to uphold the responsible sales of alcohol online. It also aims to prevent minors from purchasing liquor online by sharing industry best practices and helping e-retailers in terms of training and capacity-building. Signatories were Abapi members such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy and Brown-Forman, Johnnie Walker, Absolut Vodka, Hennessy, Jack Daniels, and e-commerce platforms, which include Lazada Philippines, Liquor.ph, The Booze Shop, Manila Wine, Winery.ph, Singlemalt.ph and Alcoline/Clink.ph. “This pledge marks a significant milestone in achieving a responsible e-retailing environment for alcohol. Our member- companies actively advocate for responsible drinking and take our obligation to ... » Learn More about Pledge for responsible liquor e-commerce signed