Today's Singapore News

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

-Fewer Jobs in Q4 but govt optimistic about hiring: A poll of about 630 employers across 7 industries here found that few will be actively hiring in the next three months.
-Service professionals wanted in Singapore: Employers in the Food & Beverage, Retail as well as Hotel and Accommodations sectors are recruiting local workers with a passion for service and the right service skills.
-More bosses offer jobs to ex-cons: The number of employers willing to hire them under the Yellow Ribbon project has jumped by nearly a third.
-Many kids not vaccinated against chickenpox: The number of chickenpox cases increased by more than 25 per cent in just one year.
-Holland V valets to close: The two carpark valet services in Holland Village, there for years, were told yesterday that they have to cease operations from today.
-Researchers in Singapore identify another gene linked to colon cancer: Researchers at the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, A* STAR and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology have identified another gene linked to colon cancer which could pave the way for new forms of therapy and screening processes.
-Singaporean men are lonely and shy: Lack of confidence, according to a recent survey, is one of the top reasons for Singaporean men being unsuccessful in love.
-PM Lee confident ISD will prove itself: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is confident the country's Internal Security Department (ISD) will prove itself again, especially in light of new security challenges.
-Transsexuals in Singapore: Transsexuals in Singapore have Bugis Street to blame for this albatross hanging around their necks.
-Residents not happy with having pubs, eateries nearby: A proposal to tweak the rules to make it easier for restaurants, pubs and shops to offer live entertainment and do on-site cooking is making residents of private housing estates nervous.
-US blogger pleads innocent, to stand trial in Singapore: An American blogger charged with insulting a Singapore judge pleaded innocent in court Monday and vowed to contest the allegation.