THE Singapore Zoo has stepped up patrols around animal enclosures and will take extra security measures after a cleaner was killed by two white tigers on Thursday afternoon.

It will be installing warning activation buttons for public to push in an emergency, and asking its zookeepers and staff to report erratic and abnormal behaviour in animals, as well as staff and visitors.

PARIS - THE blast of recession hit Europe on Friday as leaders from more than 20 rich and emerging countries headed for a crisis summit in Washington.

The EU announced that the 15 countries in the eurozone was in recession for the first time ever, with a 0.2 per cent contraction in the second and third quarters.

TWO weeks before all barriers are lifted on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route to allow low-cost airlines free access, the big boys are slashing fares by up to 60 per cent to retain market share.

Malaysia Airlines fired the first salvo on Friday with its offer of $172 nett for a round-trip fare - $89 out of Singapore and RM199 out of KL.

ABOUT 700 people here who invested a total of $26 million in complex structured products look certain to lose their entire stake.

The products - called Pinnacle Notes Series 9 and 10 - have been battered by the financial crisis and are likely to be wound up for little more than small change.

American Investment bank Morgan Stanley, which arranged the notes through its Asian unit, broke the bad news on its website on Friday.