News Today

S'pore-based firm plans shipping trust
FIRST Ship Lease, a Singapore- based ship leasing and financing company, is planning to launch an initial public offering of a new trust.According to a preliminary prospectus lodged on Friday, the company is offering 220 million units in First Ship Lease... [Read more]

Buyer beware
The world of beauty97 No. of complaints (January to December 2006)Most common type of complaints1. Unsatisfactory services2. Pressure sales tactics CASE STUDYA consumer received a call from a vendor, offering a free makeover and photography session. However, during the free session,... [Read more]

Recall Beckham? Experts can't agree
BY LEONARD LIM - DAVID Beckham's sizzling form in Spain has caused ripples in England. The big question: Should England coach Steve McClaren, who dropped the player said to be the world's best crosser last year, welcome him back to the... [Read more]

Thais burn effigy of S'pore minister
BANGKOK - SOME 200 Thais yesterday burned an effigy of a Singapore leader outside the Republic's Embassy here in yet another protest following a diplomatic spat between the two countries. The protesters said they belonged to several groups, including Ramkhamhaeng University... [Read more]

Students celebrate New Year by giving to the needy
Evergreen Secondary 5 students Edmund Fong, Francis Poo, Nur Fathiyah, Haziqah Farhah, all 17, spent yesterday morning wrapping hampers for the needy. They were among 1,500 students who pooled their resources to buy noodles, canned food and other basic necessities to... [Read more]

Duo jailed, caned for fatal bashing at Marina South bar
TWO men who attacked another - who later died - at a Marina South bar last April have been handed jail terms and six strokes of the cane each. The victim, Mr Mohamed Salleh Tukiman, 38, was brutally beaten up at... [Read more]

Saprang on threats and issues facing Thailand
On the security threats facing Thailand: 'Terrorism is our biggest worry. Beyond that, we are most concerned about drugs and transnational crime, the influx of illegal foreign workers, the environment and destruction of natural resources, and social disorder. Also, if political... [Read more]

Shake-out looms in India's airline sector
BANGALORE - INDIAN air travel may be booming but the country's airlines are deep in the red, suggesting closures, mergers and acquisitions are inevitable, says a report. India's air carriers are expected to post a combined loss of about US$500 million... [Read more]

Ascott nets $22.2m gain from sale of Hotel Asia
SERVICE apartment operator The Ascott Group has sold its Hotel Asia property in Scotts Road for $147 million, from which it will reap a net profit of $22.2 million.The sale price represents a 41 per cent increase over the price of... [Read more]

Myriad of problems signing up for the mio plan
Being a SingTel subscriber for more than 10 years, I was happy to learn about the new mio plan last month. But my joy soon turned into a miserable experience even though I took the trouble to read everything about the... [Read more]

Qantas raises full-year earnings forecast again
SYDNEY - QANTAS Airways, target of an agreed A$11 billion (S$13.1 billion) buyout, increased its profit forecast a second time in three months on rising ticket sales and lower fuel prices.It expects earnings to rise as much as 40 per cent... [Read more]