Today's Singapore News

The following are stories that are making the headlines over at Topix Singapore News today, edited by yours truly.

-Singapore opens up to law firms: Changes to the Legal Profession Act will now open up the hitherto protected legal sector to allow foreign firms more leeway to operate here.
-More DIY check-in kiosks at Changi: More self-service kiosks may soon be available at Changi Airport for travellers to do their own check-ins.
-Upset karaoke operators told to pay up: Large karaoke operators will have to pay up to $30,000 to Innoform Entertainment for the songs’ video rights.
-16 gantries on KPE for safety: When it opens on Sept 20, the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) will have 16 new Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries along its 12 kilometres, of which 9km are underground.
-Some S'poreans say parenthood package not enough: One resident wanted paternity leave and another wanted more infant care services.
-Dr Lily Neo explodes in Parliament: Halfway through the marathon parliamentary session, Dr Lily Neo (Jalan Besar GRC) walked to the rostrum and stopped the Speaker from moving on to the next question.
-Singapore salon infuses tea with new level of luxury: At Singapore's only luxury tea boutique and salon you'll be spoiled for choice, with 600 fragrant blends ranging from classic breakfast pick-me-ups to rare yellow varieties.
-Singapore is world's top brand: Singapore is the best, based on how the Republic is perceived in leading international media.
-Trials on new system of buying electricity start soon: The EVS aims to bring down household energy bills by giving customers the freedom to choose different electricity packages from suppliers.
-Car numbers up despite driving costs: Singapore's car population continues to rise, although higher fuel prices, parking charges and road tolls were expected to have put the brakes on growth.
-No rise in the number of suicides among the young in Singapore: Among Singaporeans aged 10 to 24, the suicide incidence rate was 7.2 per 100,000 in 2003 and 6.7 last year.