Creative Launches New Sound Blaster X-Fi Go!
Creative Technology, a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, introduced the Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ Go!. Approved by Championship Gaming Series™ and tested by world-renowned gamer Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel, the USB powered Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Go! uses the acclaimed X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity™ audio technology to let users experience ultra-realistic gaming with surround sound over headphones. It delivers compelling audio performance for the enjoyment of music, movies and games on the move.

CNA Awarded $10.4m Contract For Changi Terminal 1 Upgrading
Mainboard-listed CNA Group has been awarded a $10.4m contract for providing an Intelligent Building Management System and Structured Cabling System for Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 1 upgrading initiative. The landmark deal is also the fourth time that the Group has been brought in to be a part of developing Singapore’s world-class aviation infrastructure. In addition to implementing, operating and maintaining the aforementioned systems for Changi Airport’s Terminals 1, 2 and 3, most recently, CNA also provided a turnkey Airport Special System for Terminal 3 to demonstrate its growing expertise in providing complex and customised solutions for the aviation industry.

SingTel Acquires $140m Stake In Singapore Computer Systems
SingTel announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, NCS has acquired approximately a 60% stake in Singapore Computer Systems (SCS) from Green Dot Capital for $1.50 per share for a total consideration of approximately $140m in cash. Following the acquisition, NCS will make a mandatory general offer for the remaining shares of SCS for $1.50 a share in cash. Allen Lew, SingTel Singapore CEO, said: “This move is part of SingTel’s strategy to be a significant solutions provider to business customers in the Asia Pacific region. The combined IT capabilities and capacity of SCS and NCS will extend SingTel’s ability to deepen its relationships with its customers in Singapore and overseas.”

Darco Water To Invest $4.7m In Taiwan Toxic Waste Treatment Plant
Mainboard-listed Darco Water Technologies has increased its investment in solid waste management to $8.3m, up from $3.6m. The new investment of $4.7m is in view of acquiring an existing business and subsequent upgrading of the facility to recycle 3,600 tonnes/year of toxic hazardous waste in Taiwan. Current treatment plant capacity is only standing at 2,160 tonnes/year. The cost of investment also includes the purchase of eight units of specially constructed trucks tasked to collect and dispose off the toxic waste at a third party treatment facility. “Going forward, we expect to see solid waste recycling contributing more to our business on the back of the Taiwanese Government’s regulations to treat the copious amount of solid waste left behind by the industrial community. In this regard, we expect to make further investments in the near term to support the growing demand for our services,” Thye Kim Meng, the Group CEO said. The new investment is expected to positively impact the Group’s revenue in
FY08.

Bond Fundraising Costs Soar Amid Deepening Financial Crisis
Many banks and companies are paying more to raise money in the bond markets than at any time since the recession in the early 1990s amid signs that the financial crisis is deepening. Growing worries about the health of many banks, rising default rates and deteriorating economic conditions across the world are forcing yields up as investors demand higher risk premiums to buy bonds. Spreads for US investment grade banks and companies rose to the highest level last week since the early 1990s, according to Lehman Brothers. In Europe and Asia, spreads for many investment grade companies are at 10-year highs, according to Lehman. One of the biggest concerns is the health of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the US government-sponsored enterprises that have run into trouble because of the US mortgage crisis. The mortgage financiers, which underpin the US housing market, paid the price for these worries when both were forced to pay record high risk premiums on dollar-denominated bonds this month.