GIANT Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp is reportedly in "advanced talks" with US grain and energy trader Gavilon Group to acquire the firm for around US$5.2 billion, in a prospective deal seen as being designed to counter China's aggressive acquisitions of global food and other resources while substantially boosting Japan's own food security. Singapore-based Noble Group, Swiss commodities...

THE Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) yesterday raided a makeshift stall which was selling what appeared to be tiger teeth. This came after a tip-off from the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), a local animal advocacy group. The AVA confiscated three 'tiger teeth', each about 8cm long. It is unclear if the teeth are real, but the woman who sold them claimed they...

THIS year's major trade event for the food and hotel industry has grown to a record size. Comprising two exhibitions, namely Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) and Wine & Spirits Asia (WSA), the biennial trade show takes up nine halls of the Singapore Expo. There are 2,800 exhibitors from 71 countries and regions, spread out over the 92,000 sq m space, each showcasing a few dozen new items. The last...