THE man fingered as the main culprit in an organ-trading deal on Wednesday held that he had an accomplice whom he had paid an advance of $20,000 in two cheques.

Wang Chin Sing, 44, who is on home detention for illegal organ trading and lying on oath, denied that the cheques were for a loan.

BOATSMEN who ferry passengers in and out of Singapore to nearby destinations will be put through daily health screening as border checks were stepped up on Wednesday to guard against the swine flu virus coming here.

From Wednesday morning, passengers at all of the island's six ferry terminals and piers were screened for flu symptoms.

SINGAPORE may be going through its deepest recession, but its birthday bash will be no 'cheap show'.

To reporters during a media briefing at the floating platform at Marina Bay, Brigadier-General Tan Chuan-Jin, chairman of this year's organising committee said said costs would be managed, but that 'the bells and whistles will still be there'.