IN SINGAPORE'S multi-racial and multi-religious society, it is 'potentially dangerous' for religion to 'descend into the fray of petty politics', warned the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports on Sunday.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan made it clear it is not a good idea to mix religion and what he calls the hurly-burly of politicking on the ground.

THE Government has modified its maternity leave subsidy scheme to allow companies to receive their payments earlier.

Starting next month, employers will no longer have to wait until a worker uses up all her maternity leave before being reimbursed. They will get part of the subsidy as long as half of the 16 weeks of leave mothers are entitled to, has been taken.

KUALA LUMPUR - PRIME Minister Najib Razak has named veteran politicians to help him regain voter support, but analysts on Sunday expressed doubts that the old guard can provide new direction for Malaysia's embattled ruling party.

Mr Najib, who took over the premiership early this month, appointed several high-profile but old-time politicians Friday to help lead the United Malays National Organisation.

BEIJING - ENVOYS from China and Taiwan agreed on Sunday to expand air links and promote mainland Chinese investment on the island in the latest step forward in rapidly improving ties.

Taiwan envoy Chiang Pin-kung and his Chinese counterpart Chen Yunlin agreed on the measures in the eastern China city of Nanjing in the latest in a series of talks that have reversed six decades of hostility.