Tonight's Summary

Four new lifestyle groups for members
'AKAN datang'' (Malay for coming soon) will be more affordable and fun activities for workers.That was what the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC) new secretary-general Lim Swee Say promised as part of the organisation's workplan this year to care for its... [Read more]

Staff: Lam was confident until the end
UNTIL the day he quit, the now-beleaguered Youth Challenge founder Vincent Lam was confident, optimistic and chatty.Mr Goh Aik Chuan, 19, an intern with the charity, said the boss had seemed 'very positive' throughout the probe into Youth Challenge's books, which... [Read more]

Why HDB should ban cat and dog ownership in flats
I refer to the letter 'Ruling on cats in flats not fair to responsible owners' by Mr Jereme Ooi (Online Forum, Jan 22). I do not agree with Mr Ooi's opinion. I feel that the HDB is fair and responsible in... [Read more]

Companies in brief
COURTS SOUNDS PROFIT WARNING DUE TO THAI LOSSESTHE furniture and electronics retailer Courts (Singapore) issued a profit warning yesterday, flagging losses incurred by its operations in Thailand.The group said it expects to be in the red for the third quarter ended... [Read more]

Davos turnout reflects shifting power equation
MISSING at Davos this year are regulars such as former US president Bill Clinton, as well as marquee names from the Bush administration. But on the list are Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam, the newest member of the club... [Read more]

Technorati
Technorati Profile... [Read more]

US and EU 'close to deal on global trade'
LONDON - TRADE negotiators from the United States and European Union are edging towards a deal that could restart stalled world trade talks, according to people familiar with the discussions.The progress follows a meeting of high-level officials that finished at the... [Read more]

Growing trend
AD AGENCY Y&R Singapore stepped up its PR efforts this month by hiring Mr Justin Low, 30, from Grayling Public Relations to manage its publicity affairs. Mr Charles Sng, who specialises in marketing communications at headhunting firm Aquent, says it is... [Read more]

Give Rooney a break, even if he doesn't want it
THE roar whenever Wayne Rooney receives the ball has now become a murmur. This season, he has not quite lived up to the standards of his first two terms at Manchester United. The goals return is good, the latest of the... [Read more]

Mahathir takes more potshots at Abdullah
IN KUALA LUMPUR - TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad has resumed his attack on the Abdullah administration.Giving answers dripping with sarcasm, the former premier gave his take yesterday on several hot issues faced by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's government.Tun Dr Mahathir had... [Read more]

Beckenbauer backs England to host 2018 Cup
LONDON - FRANZ Beckenbauer has named England as the best country to host the 2018 World Cup, claiming 'there is no other choice'.The German was the organiser of last year's successful event in his home nation. He has become more powerful... [Read more]