Singapore Local News, 2012-01-31

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SPP clarifies CEC issues, set out 3 goals The Singapore People's Party has issued an official statement clarifying matters surrounding the appointment of its new Central Executive Committee. It also set forward three goals: to build a "sustainable pipeline of talents", continue its........     Higher gas tariffs for households from February onwards Households will see an increase of 1.3 per cent in gas tariffs from February onwards, owing to higher fuel costs. The increase in the average town gas bill for households will range from 13 cents a month for one-room Housing and........ Manufacturing sector pessimistic about 1H12 With continued global economic uncertainty, the manufacturing sector remains pessimistic about business prospects in the first half of the year, with just 7 per cent of firms expecting business to improve, while 18 per cent expect conditions to........ Myanmar looking to tap on Singapore's experience in education Myanmar is keen to tap on Singapore's experience to enhance the quality of its teachers. On the cards - are more exchanges and collaborations between both nations where education is concerned. The country's officials,........ Woman jailed for theft and credit card fraud A Peruvian was Tuesday jailed 15 months for theft and credit card fraud during her multiple one-week visits to Singapore. 45-year-old Maria Elena Tello Espinoza made away with more than S$8,800 in cash and valuables between March........ Services sector gloomier about business for first half of the year: survey More firms in the services sector are expecting business conditions to worsen in the first half of the year, according survey findings released today by the Department of Statistics (DOS). Overall, a net 25 per cent of firms........ Gerard Ee re-appointed chairman of Public Transport Council Accountant Gerard Ee has been re-appointed as chairman of the Public Transport Council for a further two years. Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew has appointed 16 members to the Council for the period of Feb 1 this year to Jan 31........ Teen gets probation for forcing friend to perform oral sex An 18-year-old has been sentenced to 21-months' probation for forcing his female friend to perform oral sex on him. Both the boy and victim were in Secondary 3 when he committed the offence at a staircase landing of a HDB block in........ Independent unit to monitor ASEAN economic situation opens office in Singapore An independent surveillance unit has set up an office in Singapore to monitor the macroeconomic and financial situation of ASEAN member states and China, Japan and Korea (ASEAN+3 countries) and identify emerging vulnerabilities...... Singapore bank lending in Dec up 1.1% from Nov Total bank lending in Singapore rose 1.1 per cent in December from November, central bank data showed on Tuesday. Bank lending in the city-state totalled S$420.4 billion last month, up from S$415.8 billion in November. Bank lending........ Number of property agents falls 11 per cent The number of property agents registered with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) has fallen by nearly 11 per cent since new rules kicked in a year ago. As of Jan 1, there were about 30,600 real estate agents licensed to practice,........ Singapore's unemployment rate hit 14-year low in 2011 Supported by strong employment creation, Singapore's unemployment rate declined to a 14-year low last year. The Manpower Ministry said the median income of Singaporeans also increased over the last five years amid the tight labour........ Fewer traffic fatalities and injuries last year Latest annual road traffic statistics showed a decrease in fatal and injury cases by 8.1 per cent, from 8,625 cases in 2010 to 7,925 last year. According to numbers released this morning, other areas of improvement include a 50 per........ Singapore's unemployment rate hit 14-year low in 2011 Supported by strong employment creation, Singapore's unemployment rate declined to a 14-year low last year. The Manpower Ministry said the median income of Singaporeans also increased over the last five years amid the tight labour........

PUB to pump S$750m into drainage projects Over the next five years, national water agency PUB will spend at least S$750 million on expanding canal capacity and other drainage projects. Under the initiatives, the capacity of six major canals across the island - Bukit Timah........     S'pore PR fined for operating unlicensed employment agency A 30-year-old Singapore Permanent Resident has been fined S$50,000 for operating as an unlicensed employment agency...... S'pore Embassy official to attend Ionescu trial The Deputy Chief of Mission at the Singapore Embassy in Brussels, Ms Jasmine Tan, will attend Wednesday's hearing in the trial of Dr Silviu Ionescu, the former Romanian Charge d'Affaires in Singapore...... Man jailed for molesting woman on bus A former security officer has been sentenced to four months' jail for molesting a woman on a public bus...... Shanmugam visits US for introductory visit Foreign Affairs and Law Minister, Mr K Shanmugam, will be in Washington DC for an introductory visit to the United States from 1-8 February...... 15 arrested for suspected involvement in loansharking activities Ten men and five women, aged between 24 and 68 years, were arrested on Monday for suspected involvement in loansharking activities...... Job vacancies decline, say recruitment agencies Recruitment agencies have said they are seeing fewer employers actively hiring through job advertisements...... Nominations now open for President's Award for Teachers The public can now nominate outstanding teachers for this year's President's Award for Teachers...... Myanmar taps on Singapore's experience in education Myanmar is keen to tap Singapore's experience to enhance the quality of its teachers...... Woman jailed for theft and credit card fraud A Peruvian was Tuesday jailed 15 months for theft and credit card fraud during her multiple one-week visits to Singapore...... Gerard Ee re-appointed chairman of Public Transport Council Accountant Gerard Ee has been re-appointed as chairman of the Public Transport Council for a further two years...... Teen gets probation for forcing friend to perform oral sex An 18-year-old has been sentenced to 21-months' probation for forcing his female friend to perform oral sex on him...... ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office opens in S'pore The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) was opened in Singapore on Monday...... Fewer fatal and injury accidents last year: Traffic Police The total number of fatal and injury accidents decreased by 8.1 per cent last year compared to 2010...... Singapore's unemployment rate hits 14-year low in 2011 Supported by strong employment creation, Singapore's unemployment rate fell to a 14-year low last year......