TODAY’s brief, Wednesday, March 9
Mazda showroom in Singapore. TODAY file photo
COE bidding ends
The first COE exercise this month ends at 4pm on Wednesday, with eyes on whether prices will continue on its downward trend as traders had predicted. In the last exercise, COE premiums for big cars rebounded by more than 20 per cent while the other categories saw continued dips. Closing prices at the last exercise: Cat A S$43,000; Cat B S$46,970; Cat C S$45,001; Cat D S$6,353; Cat E S$46,970.
Man to be charged over use of fake casino chips
A 40-year-old Malaysian man will be charged in court for being part of a syndicate that used counterfeit casino chips at Marina Bay Sands in 2011. He was arrested by Malaysian police and handed over to the Singapore authorities on Tuesday. His four alleged accomplices in the syndicate were charged in court previously.
US presidential election
The final results of Democratic and Republican party nominating contests in the four states of Michigan, Mississippi, Hawaii and Idaho in the United States will be known on Wednesday. With 147 Democratic Party delegates at stake in the Michigan polls, a victory by Mrs Hillary Clinton in the state would ensure that she would have 50 per cent of the delegates needed to win the party’s nomination as a presidential candidate.
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister in S’pore
New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully concludes his two-day trip in Singapore with a lecture at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, where he will share New Zealand’s agenda for the year ahead, and discuss key global security challenges.
Tensions in Korean Peninsula
Heightened tensions are likely to persist in the Korean Peninsula after China has barred a North Korean freighter from one of its ports and South Korea announced a unilateral crackdown on individuals and companies linked to Pyongyang’s weapons program, stepping up sanctions against the isolated state. Another North Korean vessel has recently been banned from leaving port in the Philippines until safety deficiencies, found during a security and safety inspection of the vessel, are rectified.
Champions League
English champions Chelsea face a win-or-bust match against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday night’s Champions League last-16 second-leg clash, where they must win to stay in Europe’s elite club competition. Blues manager Guus Hiddink is already playing mind games by saying his men are the underdogs against the French champions, who hold a 2-1 lead from the first match.
Weather
Thundery showers are expected in the afternoon, with the day’s temperatures ranging between 24°C and 34°C.
