But from April, it jumped thrice to reach $1.840 in July. It climbed to $2.030 last week.

This surge in petrol prices brought on by rising crude oil prices - which reached a record of US$98.62 (S$143.11) per barrel last week - has forced some motorists to re-think the way they use their cars.

Of the 30 motorists with whom The Sunday Times spoke, more than half said they avoid making unnecessary car trips.

Ms Huang Li Min, 29, a tutor, said that, instead of driving, she now takes a 10-minute walk to the provision shop near her Ang Mo Kio flat.

Sales executive Alan Ang spends 10 minutes every morning planning his route before leaving his house in Toa Payoh. He makes at least four trips a day to see his clients.

The 31-year-old, who reckons he saves $20 monthly by planning his journeys, said: 'I'll try and schedule all the meetings in one area around the same time.

Deerfield annexation talks begin

Utica's Common Council begins to discuss a Deerfield Annexation bill and the session attracts a large crowd from Deerfield. The southern border of Deerfield extends to Utica's Bagg's Square area. Annexation would move that border about one mile to the north. The advantages to Deerfield, say those who favor annexation, would be that the area of the town annexed would get city police and fire protection, which would result in lower insurance rates. Utica also would extend to the area city water and gas mains as well as school facilities. Among Utica's advantages would be getting room to relocate the Mohawk River away from its current location at Bagg's Square and move it one mile north. That would rid the city of flooding problems along lower Genesee Street and give it room to build factories there and, perhaps, a new railroad passenger terminal. Opponents in Utica say the expense of annexation would be too great for the benefits received. 1908, 100 years ago Billboards banned Common Council members in Utica pass an ordinance prohibiting – under penalty of a $25 fine – the erection of "unsightly" billboards within city limits.

Durston hopes second time is the charm

Because of what he has termed a "virtual lockstep with the Bush administration," Dr. Bill Durston is ready to take another run at incumbent Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) for California's 3rd Congressional District.

This will be the second congressional campaign for the Democrat and political neophyte, who said he wants to end the "career politician's" chokehold on the district and bring a change to the voters. "Politics were never in my game plan," Durston said during an interview with the Ledger Dispatch. "People kept asking me (to run) and I kept asking others to run. I tried to find someone else but they wouldn't, so now it's up to me."

Durston, who has had a long career as an emergency room physician and still pulls six 10-hour days, said he was initially skeptical about running for Congress.

Israel Tour Guide: Will Tourism Survive?

Joseph settled down on a small agricultural village (Moshav) in the Jezreel Valley becoming a tour guide in 1997.

This just in: Grant will help upgrade Crane studio

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