News Today

Taking off
ST Engg's strong results were led by its aerospace division, whose pre-tax gains rose 21 per cent to $305.3 million. Turnover jumped 35 per cent to $1.67 billion, helped in part by the rise of low-cost carriers which outsource maintenance services,... [Read more]

What it should have been
In our report, 'Non-Indonesian sand arrives as prices start to rise' on Tuesday, we reported that we spoke to ready-mix concrete supplier Supermix Concrete. This is wrong. It was Alliance Concrete and not Supermix Concrete. We are sorry for the error.... [Read more]

IPOs 'private' offers in disguise
I look at the recent IPOs (Initial Public Offerings) with great amazement. Take, for instance, KSH Holdings Limited's offer of one million shares to the public out of its total of 25 million new shares on offer. This represents only 4... [Read more]

Malaysia backs Musharraf's Mid-East plan
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA, the chair of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), denied yesterday that a new Middle East peace initiative driven by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf would undermine the grouping. General Musharraf has proposed bringing together leaders of influential... [Read more]

Poor better off, Middle-incomers puzzled
For some, it was the Great Singapore Puzzle.When the Budget was announced on Thursday, it left quite a few people scratching their heads. A few savings here, a few goodies there. Different permutations, based on age, income and housing type. But... [Read more]

Health items law can enforce after-sales scrutiny
A NEW law on health products for human use, approved yesterday, sends 'a strong signal' that products made or sold here are of the highest standards. Madam Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC) said when debating the Health Products Bill, that it will... [Read more]

Pilot shortage forces Jetstar to cancel over 80 flights
A PILOT scarcity and the grounding of planes for routine maintenance has forced low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia to cancel more than 80 flights in the past six weeks. Passengers hit by the cancellations - more than 15 per cent of the... [Read more]

When distance learning offers a second chance
MR LAU Chin Loong's letter, 'Beware distance-learning degrees offered by private education organisations' (ST Online Forum, Feb 16) warns potential enrollees that most of these credentials 'are not worth the paper they are printed on'. They 'will not be accorded the... [Read more]

Arenas earns his first All-Star start
NEW YORK - TWO seasons ago, Gilbert Arenas filled out National Basketball Association All-Star ballots, in an unsuccessful effort to earn a starting spot. Last season, when the league announced the All-Star reserves, Arenas knew his name would not be called.... [Read more]

Chinese New Year crackdown on fake goods
HONG KONG - VENDORS selling fake Hello Kitty and Disney products beware. Undercover Customs officers will be among the hordes of shoppers thronging Chinese New Year fairs here this week as the authorities extend their anti-piracy crackdown over the festive season.Customs... [Read more]

Tough measures to curb violence sought
ROME - THE Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) held an emergency meeting yesterday, as soccer stadiums fell silent for the second day after a policeman died following fan violence.All soccer matches, from children's leagues to the national team's friendly against Romania on... [Read more]