EVEN as the Government tackles the on-going economic crisis, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong has urged Singaporeans to stay united and focus on the 'longer term vision' of building a globally competitive workforce.

This is 'so that we can seize new opportunities when the economy recovers', he said in a message released on Monday ahead of the commemoration of May Day on Friday.

TWO cases of suspected swine flu in Singapore were refered to the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) for assessment and both tested negative.

One of them is an American from California who was picked up for higher-than-normal temperature by thermal screening at Changi Airport. The other is a local resident who had a travel history to the United States and flu-like symptoms, who presented himself at a polyclinic and was referred to the CDC.

WASHINGTON - TROUBLED US auto giant General Motors announced stepped-up cost-cutting plans on Monday that include an additional 7,000 to 8,000 production job cuts and the phasing out of the Pontiac brand.

The automaker, which is working on a new viability plan to get an extension of US government aid, also said it would seek to restructure US$27 billion (S$40.4 billion) in debt by offering a swap of common stock for bonds.

GENEVA - A WORLD Health Organisation emergency committee could raise its pandemic alert level to phase 4 or 5 as a deadly swine flu outbreak shows no signs of slowing, a spokesman for the agency said on Monday.

Going to phase 4 would mean the WHO believes that a potential pandemic virus has shown it could transmit from person to person and cause large outbreaks.