KPE ranks among world's top tunnels

Singapore's Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) has been ranked among the top international tunnels in a European Tunnel Assessment Programme.

The KPE was also given a top rating under the European Union's Directive on Safety Requirements for Road Tunnels in Europe in July.

NTU solar car in top 10 of World Solar Challenge

A solar car built by NTU students is competing with more than 30 solar cars from countries such as the United States, Malaysia and the Netherlands.

The NTU team is made up of 23 people, comprising undergraduates, alumni and staff meembers from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering & School of Electric and Electronic Engineering.

The Singapore team is now in 10th position.

Global Indian International School wins international excellence award

Homegrown Global Indian International School achieves a first for Singapore with the Asia Pacific Quality Award.

MM Lee Kuan Yew to receive lifetime award in US

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew is embarking on a 10-day trip to the United States, during which he will receive a lifetime achievement award from the US-ASEAN Business Council.

MM Lee is the first person in the entire world to receive this award, which recognises ASEAN's contribution to US economic security.

"History will record few leaders who have accomplished so much for their country and for South-east Asia as His Excellency Lee Kuan Yew," Mr Muhtar Kint, chairman of the US-ASEAN Business Council and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company.

"As a driving force behind the growth and evolution of ASEAN, Mr Lee also helped millions of people across South-east Asia to live in an environment of peace and economic growth."

Special Forces Commanders Conference

350 delegates from 16 countries gathered in Singapore to attend the 3-day Special Forces Commanders Conference. DPM Teo Chee Hean also participated in the conference.

Minister George Yeo hands over water purification tablets to Jaffna camp

Foreign Minister George Yeo, currently visiting Sri Lanka, has handed over 5,000 water purification tablets to help purify drinking water for internally displaced persons at a camp in Kopay, Jaffna.

The Singapore delegation also visited the historic Jaffna Library and Mr Yeo announced the contribution of 500 books from Singapore's National Library.

Singapore's Foreign Ministry says that during his meetings with the Sri Lankan leaders in the various districts, Minister Yeo expressed the hope that once peace was entrenched and trust between the communities restored in the country, there would be opportunities for tourism, education and foreign direct investment.

Mr Yeo told the Sri Lankan leaders that the successful Sri Lankan Singaporean diaspora stood ready to help Sri Lanka in its rehabilitation efforts.

Singapore Slingers beat Philippine Patriots 74-69

The Singapore Slingers won on Sunday evening, unseating the ASEAN Basketball League contender 74-69.

The Philippine Patriots led the first few points but the Slingers quickly fought back and were ahead at the end of the first quarter.

The Patriots played hard though and the teams were neck and neck during the second quarter.

But the Patriots gained ground as they took advantage of fatigue and unforced errors from the Slingers.

The game was watched upon by 2,200 people at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

NTU Business School up 10 spots

Nanyang Technological University's Nanyang Business School has rose 10 places to No. 71 from No. 81 last year in its global MBA rankings according to the latest survey by The Economist magazine.

NBS likely improved its rankings because of two areas - careers and alumni.

On the Financial Times list, Nanyang Business School came in at No. 24.

SAF hands over two medical clinics to Indonesian authorities

Excerpts from News report by Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has handed over the two newly-constructed medical clinics to Indonesian authorities in quake-hit Pariaman, Padang...

... During the handing-over ceremony at Padang Pasir, assistant chief of General Staff (Operations) Brigadier-General Tung said: "The close cooperation between the SAF and TNI allowed the SAF to provide effective medical assistance and construct the two medical clinics in Padang and Pariaman within a short time...

... The SAF medical team attended to more than 1,100 Accident and Emergency cases and performed over 100 surgeries during their stay in Padang.

Tsunami-damaged schools made new with Singapore funds

Reported by Ravi Velloor, The Straits Times

Excerpts from report:

Tangelle Primary, in Sri Lanakan President Mahinda Rajapakse's home district of Hambantota, was one of the three upgraded and refurbished schools in the island's southern province that was inaugurated by visiting Foreign Minister George Yeo yesterday...

... Singaporeans from all races, religions and walks of life contributed ot the Red Cross Society's Tidal Waves Asia Fund. Combined with funds from the Singapore Government, the total project cost for the three schools came to S$5.6million.

Thanks to that effort, some 6,400 students in Hambantota, Galle and Matare are poised to benefit every year. In addition, Singapore's Popular Bookstore will soon deliver various quantities of roller ink pens, school bags and stationery as a donation.

Asia's first Wave-surfing facilities in Sentosa

The Wave House Sentosa will feature a 3 metres high barrelling wave.

Sentosa is the first place in Asia that has such facilities.

Founder and CEO of Wave Loch Mr Tom Lochtefeld hopes to establish Singapore as his headquarters for future expansions in Asia.

The International Flowriding League of the World (FLOW) would be held at the Wave House from 17-18 October 2009.

Singapore Investors most Upbeat in Asia

Positive 24.2% change in confidence among Singapore investors, Q3 over Q2 of 2009, according to survey by Dutch banking giant, ING.

The other countries that trail behind Singapore are South Korea, Phillipines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, India (in ranking).

Interpol General Assembly held in Singapore

The 4-day Interpol General Assembly was held at Raffles City Convention Centre.

NUS team makes cloning breakthrough

Scientists at National University of Singapore took 5 years and $1.5million to develop new cloning capabilities.

They have become the first to clone an animal by fertilising an egg with an embryonic stem cell that mimics sperm.

Their research has the potential to allow scientists to study and treat genes that cause diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The molecular biologists behind the project are Associate Professor Hong Yunhan, Dr Yi Meisheng and Ms Hong Ni.