CONSUMER confidence continues to rally in the run-up to Christmas with figures out on Monday showing that credit card spending is up while payment delinquency rates at record lows.

The latest numbers from the Credit Bureau Singapore (CBS) show that spending patterns have stayed steady despite the recession.

TODDLER Natalie Nikie Alisyia Sallehan had 58 bruises and abrasions on her head, body and limbs, a forensic pathologist told the High Court on Monday, the fifth day of her father's murder trial.

But what caused her death was a tear in a major vein that let 40ml of blood collect inside the heart sac and prevent the heart from pumping.

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA and New Zealand signed a free trade deal on Monday after four years of negotiations, in an agreement Malaysia hopes will see it become a gateway to investment in Southeast Asia.

Witnessed by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak, trade officials signed the pact which covers goods, services and investment, and which was struck in May after 10 rounds of talks.

KABUL - PRESIDENTIAL candidate Abdullah Abdullah demanded on Monday the firing of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief and suspension of three cabinet ministers ahead of a run-off poll.

Mr Abdullah called for the 'immediate dismissal' of Azizullah Ludin and his replacement with another member of the IEC, which critics slammed as biased in favour of President Hamid Karzai during fraud-tainted August elections.