News Today

Donald Tsang launches re-election bid
HONG KONG Chief Executive Donald Tsang yesterday launched his bid for a second term with a pledge that he would get the job done. Some of the things he promised to do were to cut taxes, raise government spending and cut... [Read more]

Drought-hit Australia gets $12b water plan
CANBERRA - AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister John Howard yesterday unveiled a radical A$10 billion (S$12 billion) plan aimed at protecting dwindling water supplies in the world's driest inhabited continent. The move was also seen as an attempt by the Prime Minister to... [Read more]

Fashion flair develops into passion for interior design
MS TERRI Tan waited anxiously at an ATM near her Chinatown office, glancing constantly at her watch, wishing that 2pm would arrive sooner so a client's cheque would clear. She had only a few dollars left in her account so that... [Read more]

Hold courtesy drive instead of axing bus bays
THE Land Transport Authority (LTA) plan to do away with bus bays is a step backwards. I agree with readers it would lead to severe traffic congestion and much confusion.Rather than do away with bus bays, the LTA should call for... [Read more]

Call-centre deal done improperly?
THE deal the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) had with Protonweb Solutions to run a call centre was a 'good deal', even though it was sealed without a 'proper' tender exercise. Cross-examined for the third day, former NKF finance manager Raghavan Gopinath... [Read more]

SIA, SilkAir cut fuel surcharges
PASSENGERS on all Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights will pay less from today as the airlines cut fuel surcharges for the second time in four months.This follows a fall in jet fuel prices in recent weeks: A barrel now costs about... [Read more]

Van bursts into flames in Scotts Road
A VAN burst into flames in Scotts Road yesterday, sending passers-by scurrying for cover.Its engine burned for about 10 minutes before a deafening explosion engulfed the entire vehicle in flames, said Madam Rosedah Abdul Karim, 41.The sales executive was on the... [Read more]

World Quickly
BANGKOK'S TOP COP OUSTED BANGKOK: Bangkok's police commissioner was dismissed yesterday, along with 56 other senior officers in the second recent shake-up in the department triggered by its failure to solve a series of deadly New Year's Eve bombings. Acting national... [Read more]

Horse bites man at children's zoo
ON SUNDAY, a father carrying his year-old son in his arms was bitten by a horse in the Children's World Animal Land section at the Singapore Zoo.Mr Karl Verhulst, 39, said: 'It stretched over the 1.3m-tall barrier and in a flash... [Read more]

Regular MRT commuter wins trip to Australia
A REGULAR train commuter received an early hongbao when he won the first prize in the Ride SMRT, Go Places competition, simply for taking the train to work daily. Mr Wong Yeow Fan, 24, won the top prize in the December... [Read more]

Report perverts immediately to facilitate follow-up action
I refer to the letter, 'Please advise women how to deal with MRT perverts' (Online forum, Jan 23) by Mr Nelson Quah.Indecent exposure is an offence punishable under the law. In addition, under the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations, it is stipulated... [Read more]