Today's Singapore News

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

-Convenient NRIC registration for students at school: From this year, Singaporean students who are turning 15 can register for their National Registration Identity Card or NRIC at their own schools.
-A tenants’ market downtown: Tenants for office space are beginning to enjoy more bargaining power as increased supply for such commercial property and a weakening economy drive rents lower.
-S'pore needs more diversity to cater to different strengths of students: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said the country needs to become a more diverse economy, providing students with different outlets that fit their strengths and interests.
-Singaporeans unfazed by Thai blaze: Even after last week’s blaze — which has now claimed the lives of 64 people, including three Singaporeans, and injured more than 200 — Singaporean revellers say they will still party in the Thai capital.
-Consumers still wary of China-made milk products: It has been three weeks since China-made milk products were allowed back onto shop shelves, but some retailers have cut their stock of these products.
-Parents cutting back on school spending: It was the first day of the new school year last Friday, but more than half the students spotted by Shin Min Daily News were wearing their old uniforms and toting their old school bags due to recession woes.
-Retain and Retrain Local Staff, but What About Foreigners?: Send local workers for re-skilling as a way to ride out this downturn - that's what a forum today tried to persuade 150 employers from the F and B sector to do. But turns out, the greater concern from participants was why can't training grants be extended to foreign workers?
-Singapore ratifies protocol on children in war: Singapore today ratified the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on the involvement of children in armed conflict.
-Survey shows most firms still hiring fresh graduates: Thousands of fresh graduates are expected to enter the Singapore job market this year, flooding a labour pool that is seeing more retrenchments. Industries that are still hiring include accounting, engineering and sales.
-Sweeter travel deals as jet fuel price falls: With jet fuel trading at nearly half of what it used to cost and with travel demand contracting, air travellers may just be able to grab some pretty sweet deals.
-Budget wish list: The Budget is less than three weeks away and speculation is rife over what the Government will unveil on Jan 22 to help companies and households cope with the recession.