FOR a company facing the prospect of a 25 per cent drop in business in difficult economic times, the temptation to retrench employees would be hard to resist.

But Seiko Instruments (SIS) opted to cut costs in other areas before even considering retrenchments.

CAR showrooms have reportedly collected at least 3,000 orders over the weekend - three to four times the normal volume - and many have started raising prices.

WHEN Shanti, 17, met Raj, 19, at their neighbourhood McDonald's through mutual friends, she thought she had found her Mr Right.