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Micro-Mechanics profit soars a fifth at half-time
PRECISION tools maker Micro-Mechanics has reported a 20.9 per cent rise in half-time net profit to $4.4 million. Revenue for the six months ended Dec 31 was up 15.2 per cent at $17.7 million. To reward shareholders, the Sesdaq company is... [Read more]

Business leaders back fast track for Bush
WASHINGTON - THE Bush administration and American business have begun a campaign to convince a sceptical Democratic-controlled Congress to renew the President's trade negotiating authority when it expires this year.In an event to kick off their efforts on Monday, top US... [Read more]

Organ transplant: Unease over last-minute opt-out
THE recent incident in which a brain-dead patient's family tried to physically obstruct the operation to harvest his organs for transplant into patients needing them has revived the discussion about brain death and even led to calls to amend the Human... [Read more]

Bras Basah branding: Free ad space for the arts
A TOTAL of 250 lamp posts around the Bras Basah area are helping light the way as the area moves to brand itself as an arts and heritage district. Colourful banners pushing the message have been put up on the lamp... [Read more]

NKF witness questioned
EXAMPLES of the cut-and-thrust exchanges between Mr Bobby Nair and defence lawyers: When Mr Nair was asked about the mistake former NKF chairman Richard Yong made about the charity having more medical than non-medical staff. Mr Chia Boon Teck: Why not... [Read more]

Another safari to Africa
CHINESE President Hu Jintao has embarked this week on an eight-nation tour of Africa. Last year alone, Beijing's top leaders visited no fewer than 23 out of the 48 countries with which they have diplomatic relations. By any yardstick, this represents... [Read more]

Lions bask in the glow of instant fame
TWO days after taking Singapore into the final of the Asean Championship, the Lions are finding that fame has its privileges. As skipper Aide Iskandar and veteran right-back S. Subramani popped into a coffee-joint near their Amara Hotel base, they were... [Read more]

An offence to listen to music while crossing road
NEW YORK - CROSSING the street in New York while engrossed with a cellphone or an iPod could soon get you fined US$100 (S$150) under a draft Bill being presented by a state senator. Senator Carl Kruger blamed 'iPod oblivion' for... [Read more]

SM's call to wealthy: Give 0.5% of annual pay to needy
THIS is a call from Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong: If you are wealthy, donate at least 0.5 per cent of your annual income to help the needy. Mr Goh made it yesterday, saying he hoped Singapore will one day become... [Read more]

British, US kids the worst-off in rich world
LONDON - BRITAIN is the worst country among 21 wealthy nations in which to be a child, closely followed by the United States, according to a study by the United Nations. The Netherlands is the best, the study says, followed by... [Read more]

Muslim convert loses appeal on alimony
KUALA LUMPUR - A MALAYSIAN court has ruled that a man who converted to Islam and then took two Muslim wives must financially support the Hindu former wife he left behind. Mr Abdul Ghani Abdullah and then-wife Ms A. Letchimidevi split... [Read more]