Today's Singapore News

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

-Online shopping is catching on during Christmas: More Singaporeans are spending their time and money online doing their Christmas shopping. Some of the more popular gifts purchased this festive season include gaming console Play Station, branded bags and tech gadgets like iPhone.
-Smaller shops besting department stores: Department stores are facing pressure from cheaper, smaller shops this Christmas as shoppers hunt for value and good bargains.
-Singapore and World Bank join forces: The World Bank Group and the Government of Singapore announced on December 17 the formation of a unique partnership that will bring together the Bank’s global development knowledge and Singapore’s recognized expertise, particularly in urban management.
-Bus operators in a fix: Many bus operators say they do not have enough buses to ferry both schoolchildren and workers at the same time, if more schools start at 8am, the time that many factory workers begin work.
-Flexi working hours catching on in Singapore: The trend of working flexible hours is catching on, albeit slowly, among Singaporeans, be it in the private sector or government.
-More employees taking sick leave: More employers are going beyond the basic statutory requirements to provide various family-friendly leave benefits, reported a survey from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
-Keeping transport costs low: With 2009 shaping up to be a 'difficult year', the Government will try to moderate public transport costs next year, said Transport Minister Raymond Lim yesterday.
-CPF cut not justified at this point in time: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng pointed out that the wage structure in Singapore has enough flexibility such that a CPF cut should be a last resort.
-Singapore students continue to fare well in school: Singapore students continue to perform well in the national examinations. This is according to figures released by the Education Ministry, covering the years 1998 to 2007.
-Australia watchdog sues Singapore Airlines Cargo: Australia's competition watchdog sued the cargo unit of Singapore Airlines on Monday, the third carrier it has prosecuted on allegations they were involved in international price-fixing.