International Digest

Singapore Airlines fined for price fixing
SINGAPORE – Singapore Airlines Ltd , the world’s second largest by market value, said yesterday it paid a fine of N$25 million to settle a South African investigation into price-fixing of flights between Johannesburg and Hong Kong.

South African Airways was fined N$18,8 million, the Competition Commission of South Africa said in a statement that described the violations by the two carriers. Singapore Airlines (SIA) did not mention the reason in its statement. Japan signals support for US World Bank pickTOKYO – Japan’s finance minister on Tuesday signalled Tokyo’s willingness to support Jim Yong Kim, the US nominee for the next World Bank chief, a report said.’I think it is quite possible to consider (supporting Kim) if the United States requests us to recommend him,’ Finance Minister Jun Azumi said, according to Kyodo News.Azumi, however, added that Tokyo had not made a final decision on the matter.British tanker drivers close to strikeLONDON – Fuel tanker drivers in Britain on Monday voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike, bringing the possibility of industrial action a step closer, a leading union said.Around 2 000 members of the Unite union at seven companies were balloted for the first national campaign of action in over a decade, with those at five companies supporting walkouts.Unite said industrial action was backed by an average of nearly 70 per cent in the five firms, which deliver fuel to Shell and Esso filling stations as well as to supermarkets.