SingaporeSurf

NWC Urges Higher Pay Increase For Low-Wage Workers
by S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

Singapore Hospitals Retrench 108 Staff — Report
by Dow Jones
THe Singapore General Hospital and KK Women's and Children's Hospital are retrenching a total of 108 employees as part of a plan to oursource operations to a unit of Keppel Corp, a Singapore afternoon newspaper said Tuesday.

China Says Detained Reporter For Singapore Newspaper Admits Spying
by Associated press
The Chiense government said Tuesday that a detained reporter for Singapore's Straits Times newspaper has admitted to spying for a foreign intelligence agency.

PTC Approves Fare Increases For Trains And Buses
by Asha Popatlal and Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia
Train fares will go up by between one and three cents if paid by the ez-link card. For buses, these will go up by between one and two cents.

Hong Kong Reporter Being Held By China
by Philip P. Pan, Washington Post
Ching, a Hong Kong citizen and a permanent legal resident of Singapore, is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable correspondents covering China.

Singapore Media Group Says Reporter Detained In China
by Reuters
The chief China correspondent of Singapore's government-linked English-language daily, the Straits Times, has been detained in Beijing, the newspaper's publisher Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. said on Monday.

The Makings Of A President
by Derrick A Paulo, Today
With election looming, some observers urge loosening of eligibility rules.

Lion City Snaps Up Best Sites
by Bernice Han, Hong Kong Standard
Got any prime property to sell for a few hundred million dollars in a major world capital? Try offering it to Singapore, a land-scarce but cash-rich country emerging as a global property titan as it snaps up everything from serviced apartments in Japan to malls in Britain as part of a long-term investment strategy.

Fewer Tourists Visiting Singapore's Heritage And Cultural Attractions
by Channel NewsAsia
In 2003, only 20 to 30 per cent of tourists went to attractions like the Singapore History Museum and the Malay village.

All Da All Night By The River
by Sharlene Tan, Chua Kong Ho, Straits Times
Plans are under way to turn the Singapore River district into a round-the-clock entertainment and dining strip that will attract Asia's high spenders.

Still Greatly Dependent On Foreign Workers
by Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
About 1.2 million — more than a quarter of Singapore's population of 4.6 million — are foreigners, a figure that could rise or fall according to the state of the economy.

Malay Royals Say Singapore Grabbed Ancestral Land
by Reuters
Descendants of Singapore's old Malay royal family are demanding compensation from the city state for using a plot of land they say is theirs, a move that could mar the island's bid to celebrate its Malay heritage.

Bukit Timah Campus To Be allocated To NUS: DPM Tan
by Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia
This comes after months of wrangling by the NUS and the Nanyang Technological University, both laying claims to the campus.

Singapore Says No Climate Of Fear In City-State
by Reuters
Singapore's home affairs minister Wong Kan Seng said in a newspaper interview that citizens in the city-state have spoken up at public forums without reprisals and commentaries critical of government policies have also appeared in newspapers.

Singapore Won't Go The Path Of Dual Citizenship: SM Goh
by Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia
Mr Goh elaborated that dual citizenship could compromise the government's plans, especially when there was a situation of conflicts.

ERP Hours To be Extended For Orchard Road, CTE Areas
by Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia
The Land Transport Authority is adding new Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries along the Central Expressway (CTE) and Orchard Road in an effort to ease peak hour traffic flow in those areas.

Move Takes Retailers By Surprise
by jasmine Yin, Today
"As far as we are concerned, there has been no consultation, and no engagement."

Media Development Authority To Review Controversial Hindi Movie
by Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia
The local distributors said they had not received any complaints, but admit attendance has gone up some 10 percent since the controversy erupted in India.

Green Bags At NTUC FairPrice
by Lee U-Wen, Today
NTUC FairPrice is launching a Green Bag, to encourage the use of fewer platstic bags.

City Government To Investigate Singapore Investment Agency On Alleged Tax Evasion
by Korea Herald
The Seoul metropolitan government said it will investigate whether the government-run Singaporean investment agency evaded taxes in the course of acquiring an office building from U.S.-based Lone Star investment fund.

Singapore Banks Look Abroad Despite Setbacks
by Doreen Siow, Reuters
Undaunted by a string of mistakes over the timing and execution of overseas ventures. SIngapore banks are determined to push ahead, humbled but possibly wiser after their initial costly lessons.

Singapore, Indonesia Reach In-Principle Agreement To Expand Air Rights
by Johnson Choo, Channel NewsAsia

Austrlia's Anderson Expects Singapore Air Decision In 6 Weeks
by Bloomberg
Australia's government will decide whether to grant Singapore Airlines access to the Australia-U.S. route in the next four to six weeks, Transport Minister John Anderson said.

Lee: Futile To Resist China's Growing Clout
by China Daily
Japan and China must tone down the nationalism that has fuelled rising bilateral tensions, while the world must adapt to China's surging growth or be left behind, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

Consumer Prices In Singapore Climb 0.4%
by Amit Prakash, Bloomberg
Consumer prices in Singapore gained 0.4 percent in April over the year-earlier period as the cost of food and education rose, according to government data released Tuesday.

More Women Turn To Abortions Instead Of Using Contraceptives
by Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia
More women are turning to abortions instead of using contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

Cirque du Soleil May Boost Chances At Singapore Bid
by Las Vegas Sun

Still Wary Of Lifting Newspaper Ban
by Joceline Tan, The Star
There is a feel-good sentiment in relations between Malaysia and Singapore, but it looks like the newspapers of both countries will remain on their respective sides of the causeway for a while more.

Ugly Truths That Must Be Told
by Anne-Marie O'Connor, Los Angeles Times
Amnesty International's fourth annual film festival will screen a compelling array of documentaries grappling with social justice issues.

Indonesian Twins Awake After Singapore Separation
by Sebastian Tong, Reuters
The 15-month-old Indonesian conjoined twin girls successfully separated in a risky operation woke up smiling on Sunday and were recovering well, doctors in Singapore said.

Female Scholar Stirs Up Hornet's Nest With Comment
by Chua Kong Ho, Straits Times
Internet forums are abuzz about A*Star scholarship holder Chng Zhenzhi's remarks on Singapore men last week in The Sunday Times.

Teachers Told To Relate To Lesbian Students As Individuals
by Pearl Fross, Channel NewsAsia

Conjoined Babies Separated In Singapore
by Sebastian Tong, Reuters
Doctors in Singapore have physically separated 15-month-old Indonesian twin girls conjoined at the waist and hip, a member of the medical team said on Saturday.

HK Partner Seeks To Pull Out Of Golden Village Cinemas
by Vince Chong, Straits Times
Golden Screen, a subsidiary of Hong Kong entertainment giant Golden Harvest, is clearly unhappy with Singapore's managing director Kenneth tan, whom it singled out for criticism in a writ filed at Hong Kong's High Court.

Singapore Scraps Ceiling On Gaming Revenue At Integrated Resorts: Sands
by Thomas Cho, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore appears to have abolished a ceiling on gaming revenue that it originally imposed on casion operators who want to build integrated resorts here, according to one of the remaining bidders.

Singapore Most Affordable Tourist Destination
by Sify.com
Contrary to the common perception that Singapore is among the msot expensive Asian shopping destinations, the city has emerged as the most affordable tourist shopping destinations in the Asia-Pacific region in a study conducted by Euromonitor International on retail pricing.

Singapore Joins Chorus Against Yasukuni
by Japan Times
Lee Hsien Loong said Koizumi's visits to the war-linked shrine would show a lack of repentance for Japanese military atrocities during the war and possibly hurt the progress of Japan's diplomacy in Asia.

Singapore PM Warns Of Shrine Visit
by People's Daily
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has joined Japan's neighbors in opposing visits by his counterpart Junichiro Koizumi to a shrine to war dead, warning Tokyo it must show it admits its militarist past.

Singapore PM Rebuffs Las Vegas Gambling Magnate Over Casino Project Comments
by Associated Press
Singapore's prime minister is dismissing complaints by Las Vegas gambling magnate Steve Wynn that Singapore is micro-managing a new casino project, saying that the government wants to ensure it can be proud of the resort once it's finished, a newspaper reported Thursday.

Singapore Backs Japan's Bid For UN Council Seat
by Sue-Ann Chia, Straits Times
But PM Lee says it's regrettable Tokyo hasn't come to terms with its wartime past.

The Trump Cards Singapore IRs Would Hold
by Tor Ching Li, Today
Singapore holds a high attraction for high rollers because of the low tax rate here.

Nudes Dressed Up In Light
by Mervin Tay, Today
Eng Wah signs $5m deal to bring world famous Paris cabaret to Singapore.

Nicoll Collapse: Probe On At LTA
by Christopher Tan, Straits Times
A probe is now going on at the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to find out who else failed to carry out their duties properly. Those found wanting will face disciplinary action but not criminal prosecution, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong indicated yesterday.

Government Accepts In Full, Findings Of Inquiry Into Nicoll Highway Collapse
by Dominque Loh, Channel NewsAsia

Mustafa Centre Found Wanting Again
by Patricia Yap, Today
A check at the popular 24-hour shopping centre found that it had labelled food products improperly and concealed the expiry date on a brand of homemade cookies.

Singapore Activist Vow To Persist In Campaign Against Death Penalty
by Martin Abbugao, AFP
The execution of a father of two over 1kg of marijuana has emboldened the anti-death-penalty campaign in this notoriously tightly controlled city-state.

Top Chinese Legislator Applauds Cooperation With Singapore
by People's Daily
Visiting top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo hailed on Tuesday his country's good cooperative relations with Singapore and called for increased exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries.

No Brakes On Fare Hike 'If It Is Justified'
by Christopher Tan, Straits Times

New Uni Admission Criteria From 2008
by Today
A-level students entering university in the year 2008 will have a new set of university admissions criteria to meet.

Singapore Growth Takes A Hit
by Reuters
Singapore has cut its 2005 growth forecast to a range of 2.5 - 4.5 percent from a range of 3 - 5 percent after its economy shrank by a larger than expected annualized 5.5 percent in the first quarter, led by weakness in manufacturing and exports.

Singapore's Presidential Elections To Be Held As Soon As Next Month
by Business Times
Singapore will hold presidential elections between June and August, Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng told parliament on Monday amid expectations that incumbent SR Nathan would retire.

Report: Wynn Slams Singapore's Casinos
by Associated Press
Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn said the Singapore government's direct involvement in designing the city-state's first two casinos was "unsophisticated" and could compromise the outcome.

Singapore 1st-Quarter GDP Probably Shrank At Annual 5.8% Pace
by Bloomberg
Singapore will probably say its economy in the first quarter shrank at a 5.8 percent annual pace after pharmaceutical companies cut production, economists said.

Singapore's Arts Ambitions Caught Up In Rights Debate
by John Burton, Financial Times
The issue of human rights in Singapore has received increased attention in recent weeks after the government appeared to be curbing free speech on the internet, while a local film-maker could face imprisonment for making a documentary about a leading opposition leader.

Singapore Blogger 'Apologised Unreservedly' To A*Star
by Jackson Sawaton, Bernama
A Singapore student has "unreservedly apologised" to the Agency for Science, Technology and Research of Singapore for a number of statements he posted on his blog against the agency.

Singapore Threatens To Sue Internet Dissenter
by John Burton, Financial Times
A threatened libel suit against a blogger by a Singapore government agency has raised concerns among international press freedom groups that the city-state might be cracking down against dissent on the internet.

Singapore Finally Finds A Voice In Death Row Protest
by John Aglionby, The Observer
The Canton meeting room at Singapore's drab Furama Hotel is an unlikely venue for history to be made. But on Friday night this bland setting hosted an unprecendented event for the tightly controlled island republic.

Simple Apology Not Enough, Says A*Star
by Ansley Ng, Today
It wants 'unreserved apology' from PhD student by Sunday.

Dealing With The Political Singaporean
by Jasmine Yin, Today
One of the challenges facing the government is managing the growing political consciousness of Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Singapore Budget Airline Considers Eastern Australia Routes
by Associated Press
Singapore budget carrier Valuair is considering routes to eastern Australia, a move the would put it in direct competition with several major international airlines.

Singapore Falun Gong Practitioners Released
by Li Qun, Epoch Times

Two Falungong Women Released
by Ansley Ng, Today

Low Cost, Not Low Comfort
by Tor Ching Li, Today
Upcoming budget-airline terminal will be 'funa nd comfortable.'

Students Singaporean Experience
by Cootamundra Herald
"We have a lot to learn from Singapore and other countries that practice water conservation."

fair Grounds for Fare Hikes?
by Tor Ching Li, Today
SBS Transit joins SMRT Corp in applying to raise bus, train fees.

Singapore Anti-Terror Minister Visits
by The Australian

"No Indian Guards" Insists Singapore Condominium
by DPA
A condominium in Singapore has drawn sharp criticism for specifying it did not want Indian security guards, with even residents criticizing the policy on Tuesday.

Singapore Leader Sees A China Challenge
by David R. Sands, Washington Times
China's economic explosion is transforming Asia's political landscape, posing problems and opportunities for its neighbors and for the United States, Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo said in an interview yesterday.

Government Urged To Boost 'Clean' TV For Young
by Anjira Assavanonda, Straits Times
Prime time shows seen as unsuitable for children and need change, say academics and producers.

Public Transport Fare Hike Not Justified As SMRT Still Profitable: CASE
by Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia
The Consumers Association of Singapore has said this is not the right time to increase public transport fares, as salaries of the lower income have not gone up.

Singapore's Labor Union Plays Many Roles
by Martin Abbugao, AFP
From cradle to grave, Singapore's National Trades Union Congress provides for the welfare to members under a unique set-up that has seen it grow to probably one of the world's wealthiest labor groups.

Former Singapore President Dies
by Bernama
Singapore's former president, Wee Kim Wee, who scored a worldwide scoop during his journalist days in the 60's, died Monday, aged 89.

Former President Wee Kim Wee Dies At The Age Of 89
by Debra Soon, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore's former President, Wee Kim Wee died early on Monday morning, 5.10 am, at his home from complications due to a relapse prostate cancer. He was 89 years old.

Motor Workshops Upset By Insurer's Move
by Christopher Tan, Straits Times
Motor workshops are steamed up over insurer NTUC Income's persistent moves to cut back on repair bills, the latest of which has been described by their association as 'improper'.

Jailed In Singapore For Handling Out Flyers
by Jan Jeklelek and Max Dobson, Epoch Times
A Singapore judge threw the book at two women for handling out fliers and VCDs exposing Communist China's persecution of Falun Gong.

Singapore Falun Gong Practitioners On Huger Strike Face Prison Punishment
by Epoch Times
Two Falun Gong practitioners who are on a hunger strike in prison to protest their court sentence may be given a written warning or placed in a punishment cell.

SMRT Submits Application To Raise Bus, MRT And LRT Fares
by Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia
Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong has said that any increase in public transport fares would work out to be about 2 cents more per ride.

SingTel Gets It Right In Asia
by Malcolm Maiden, Sydney Morning Herald
While Optus and Telstra face similar growth problems in the domestic market, Optus is only part of the larger, listed SingTel group, and SingTel has better growth prospects than telstra because it expanded more cleverly in Asia several years ago.