News Today

Speculation mounts over form of new Thai charter
BANGKOK - SPECULATION is intensifying in Thailand over the shape of the next Constitution, after the election of a controversial former intelligence chief to chair the 35-member drafting committee.Mr Prasong Soonsiri, 79, was among 10 members of the committee handpicked by... [Read more]

HK group calls for total ban on fa cai
HONG KONG - A GROUP of Hong Kong researchers has called for a total ban on the sale of fa cai - a hair-like sea moss that is widely consumed during Chinese New Year. The team from the Chinese University's department... [Read more]

Indonesia not ready to prevent future disasters
JAKARTA - AS THE flood waters in Jakarta continued to recede yesterday, questions were being raised whether the government is doing enough to protect Indonesia from what seems like an unending series of disasters. The issue has assumed greater urgency in... [Read more]

Quick-thinking pilot, passengers foil hijack
LAS PALMAS (SPAIN) - PLUCKY passengers of a Mauritanian plane overpowered a suspected armed hijacker with help from a quick-thinking pilot. The Air Mauritania Boeing 737 was on an internal flight in the north-western African country on Thursday when the hijacker,... [Read more]

Malaysia's Camerlin to give out BIL stock
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN investment firm Camerlin Group unveiled plans yesterday to hand almost all of its 22.3 per cent stake in Singapore investment house BIL International to its shareholders.Camerlin said the move would allow it to restructure its own share... [Read more]

Scouting out residents in case of emergencies
BEHIND the robust turnout at Sembawang's Emergency Preparedness Day yesterday were people like volunteer coordinator Rafiah Yan and her colleagues. The grassroots volunteers' efforts helped draw about 100 residents from HDB blocks in Madam Rafiah's neighbourhood to witness the annual event... [Read more]

Move bus exit door to rear
ON FEB 12, the Move To The Rear campaign was launched at Pasir Ris Interchange, to remind passengers to move to the rear so more people can board.One reason why passengers don't move to the rear is they have to move... [Read more]

Concerts to bring home 'green' message
LOS ANGELES - ENVIRONMENTAL activists led by former US vice-president Al Gore announced plans for a worldwide string of pop concerts in July to mobilise action to stop global warming.The Live Earth concerts on July 7 will take place in Shanghai,... [Read more]

Jakarta backs down from tough stand
JAKARTA - TOP Indonesian officials yesterday appeared to have backtracked on claims that the recent ban on sand exports to Singapore was linked to negotiations on the extradition treaty and border issues.Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told the Indo Pos daily that... [Read more]

Let?s have a dream match between the New and the Old Lions at Kallang Stadium before it gets torn down
Last Wednesday, nearly 55,000 fans witnessed what seemed like the last competitive match at the Kallang National Stadium between Singapore and Thailand in the first leg of the Asean Football Championship final. The match was highly controversial and was marred by... [Read more]

A reunion dinner for visitors from China
TRAVEL agency boss Lin Deng Li and her family will spend their reunion dinner tonight with more than 100 artists, craftsmen and performers from China and their relatives. Fourteen tables have been booked at Simply Peranakan Cuisine, at the Malay Village... [Read more]