S’pore NOL’s cargo up 63 pct yr/yr in 6 wks to Feb 5

SINGAPORE, March 1 (Reuters) – Singapore’s Neptune Orient Lines (NEPS.SI) (NOL), the world’s fifth-biggest container shipping firm, said on Monday it carried 63 percent more containers in the six weeks to February 5 versus a year ago.

Industrials

NOL said in a statement it carried the equivalent of 307,400 40-foot containers (FEUs) on its ships in the period, up from 188,400 a year earlier. However, this was down slightly from 312,500 in the six weeks to December 25.

The average revenue from each container fell 9 percent from a year ago to $2,417.

“The improvement in volume was due to higher volumes lifted in all trade lanes and stronger pre-Chinese New Year shipments. Lower average revenue per FEU YoY was due to lower core freight rates, particularly on the Transpacific,” the firm said in a statement. (Reporting by Neil Chatterjee; editing by Saeed Azhar)

Peter Andre once accused Rebecca Loos of having lesbian fling with Jordan

London, May 18 (ANI): Television personality Rebecca Loss has revealed that she was once accused by musician Peter Andre of having a lesbian frolic with his estranged wife Jordan.

Rebecca, who met the couple at a New Year party, said that Peter became “insanely jealous” when he thought Jordan enjoyed a lesbian encounter with Loos.

“I was at Andrew Wong’s Chinese New Year party in 2006 and I got chatting to Katie and Peter. They were really lovely. I remember Kate and I went to the toilet and did our make-up together. She was pissed and I was pissed. She was very pissed. We put our makeup and lipstick on,” the Daily Star quoted Rebecca as saying.

“Then we came out and started dancing together. It was all completely innocent. We were just having a laugh. The next thing I know is that Pete is convinced I made a pass at Kate in the bathroom. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m not nearly as bad as people think I am,” Rebecca added.

However, at that time, Peter tried to defend himself by claiming that he thought Rebecca was taking advantage of Jordan.

“Kate was so smashed she didn’t have a clue what was going on. Rebecca kept asking her to go to the toilet because girls always go together. I had this horrible feeling she was taking advantage of Kate. It can’t take that long to powder your nose,” Peter said earlier.

Though Peter Andre accused Rebecca of having a lesbian fling with Jordan, she holds no grudges against him, and is actually upset by the couple’s separation.

“I would say Kate and Pete were a lovely couple. They always appeared really close. I’m sad to hear they have split up, especially as they have two young children,” Rebecca added. (ANI)

Kolkota celebrates Chinese New Year today.

Kolkota, Jan 26 (ANI): The Chinese New Year kicked off with a majestic show at the Old China Town in Tirreti Bazaar at Kolkota.

According to the President of the Indian Chinese Association, Mr. Paul Chung, the year of the Ox, starting January 26, would be a year in which patience will play a major role. He advised against impetuosity and told to wait for the right move.

According to Chinese culture, the Ox and the Cow portray peace and patience.

Chung further said that in India, the cow is worshipped as a holy animal and therefore, the year of Ox has added sentiment here. This year will carry the message of harmony to the whole world.

The festivities included Chinese cuisine and drinks along with a cultural show, which included the famous dragon dance and Chinese songs and dances. Several youngsters who had left Indian shores in search of better opportunities returned to their families in Kolkata to ring in the New Year together.

A majority of the Indian Chinese population resides in Kolkota, mainly in China Town at Tangra. However, a considerable number of Indian-Chinese still live in the Old China Town near Poddar Court.

Most of them moved to West Bengal shortly after the end of the Second World War.

Customs of this festival, observed by millions of Chinese communities around the world, link back to the idea of inviting good fortune and prosperity.

The Lunar New Year is the longest and most important celebration for the Chinese. Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each day beginning on the darkest day. (ANI)