News Updates

Getting a warm reception
One year into the job, Four Seasons Hotel's Karene Lim has made a splash internationally - as the world's No. 1 receptionist. Miss Lim, 21 and fresh out of Temasek Polytechnic, beat 11 of the world's best front-desk staff to win... [Read more]

Complex factors at play in spat over Thaksin
BANGKOK - BANGKOK'S Sathorn Road, where the Singapore Embassy is located, is sometimes referred to as 'Little Singapore' because of all the Singapore-owned businesses and buildings in the area. That reflects the fact that Singapore is one of Thailand's largest investors... [Read more]

Pigging out on stamps galore
A SPECIAL stamp exhibition launched yesterday promises to give visitors an insight into the origins and traditions of the Chinese New Year. The Spring Flowers and Autumn Moon exhibition, at the Singapore Philatelic Museum in Coleman Street, will continue during the... [Read more]

Chicks are Us!
What it should have beenThe table of unit trust prices published in page H16 in the Money section yesterday was inaccurate. The correct version is published today.... [Read more]Long drive aheadThe lighted ceiling of the Zhongnan Mountain Tunnel is part of... [Read more]

Bangkok blast suspect 'linked to attacks in south'
YALA - INVESTIGATORS said yesterday that a suspect in the deadly New Year's Eve blasts in Bangkok may have links to the Islamic separatist insurgency in southern Thailand.Until now, the Thai government has denied any link to the southern unrest and... [Read more]

Year of the Pig
Surge expected in number of newborns as those born in pig years are lucky with moneyFor the 1.3-billion strong Chinese people, this Sunday marks the start of the "year of the pig," according to the Chinese lunar calendar.The pig is one... [Read more]

World Quickly
HIGH-TECH EXPORTS TO CHINA 'OK'WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush has certified a private-sector sale to China of high-tech products linked to its railway system and its testing of parts for Boeing aircraft.In a legally required ruling, Mr Bush certified that... [Read more]

Asean Charter a bold step forward, Arroyo says in Davos
DAVOS (SWITZERLAND) - AT A time when the Doha Round of world trade talks appears shaky, Asean is proclaiming it is wedded to global trade. Recounting Asean's evolution at the World Economic Forum (WEF), Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said the association... [Read more]

Honda to recall 45,000 sedans worldwide
TOKYO - HONDA plans to recall 45,335 Civic Hybrid sedans worldwide to repair an electrical defect that could stop the cars' engines, the company said yesterday. Japan's No. 2 carmaker plans to recall 7,219 of the vehicles sold domestically and another... [Read more]

Just 8% of SMEs took govt loan? That's good sign
ONLY 8 per cent of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) last year took a loan under a government scheme to help them.But Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang saw this as a positive sign. 'It's good that our SMEs are... [Read more]

Malaysia-Indonesia ties 'at highest level ever'
JAKARTA - TIES between Malaysia and Indonesia are at their highest point ever, says Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. The close and constructive ties between the two countries, he said yesterday, encompassed almost every area, from diplomacy and trade, to culture... [Read more]