News Today

Sheikh turns to Arsenal
ARSENAL could be a &pound450 million (S$1.35 billion) target for Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al-Maktoum. The world's fifth-richest man, with a personal fortune of &pound7 billion, is reportedly eying the Gunners. He had been snubbed by Liverpool last week in favour of... [Read more]

Blowing hot and cold
WASHINGTON - UNITED States President George W. Bush and Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have sparred - albeit separately on American television - as both sought to defuse speculation about an impending military confrontation between the two countries. Mr Bush dismissed talk... [Read more]

Serving up a hot, steamy cup of coffee in foreign lands
IN UKRAINE, sex sells coffee. That's what Singapore company Food Empire discovered. One of the most popular television commercials for the company's MacCoffee product features a beautiful, long-haired woman in red hot pants driving up to a bar in the middle... [Read more]

Putin throws down gauntlet to West
THE annual security conference in the southern German city of Munich is traditionally a venue where defence leaders showcase their plans for making the world a more stable place. Not the one held last weekend, however. For in a speech which... [Read more]

Leadership courses for social workers
SOCIAL workers will soon be able to take paid leave to attend leadership training courses. It is part of a $1 million Social Work Professionalisation package, aimed at helping social workers develop and grow their professional skills. Minister for Community Development,... [Read more]

Thigh strain rules Vieira out of Valencia match
MILAN - INTER Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira will not play in today's Champions League first-leg match against Valencia after aggravating a thigh strain in training.The French international, who missed Inter's 1-0 win over Cagliari at the weekend because of the injury,... [Read more]

Tighter laws on handling bomb-making chemicals
TERRORISTS are increasingly using certain industrial chemicals such as ammonium nitrate to make explosives. In view of the security risk, Parliament passed a new law yesterday that requires businesses or individuals dealing in and handling such chemicals to get a licence... [Read more]

SCCCI looks at club to cultivate bicultural Chinese S'poreans
IT MAY be 100 years old, but the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) is open to ideas as to how it can continue to remain relevant. And top government leaders have provided some suggestions in a book, entitled... [Read more]

Shorter lead time for GST hike may cost more for firms
THE bad news: Singapore firms may have to pay more to implement the latest hike in the goods and services tax (GST) given the shorter deadline than for the last rise. The good news: Many firms have already started gearing up... [Read more]

Fate of sand importers hangs in the balance
BARGES carrying thousands of tonnes of sand are unloaded every day at landing terminals in Pasir Ris and Tuas. But in just over a week, this could grind to a halt as Indonesia's ban on land sand exports kicks in after... [Read more]

Thai-language media cries foul, reflects bitterness over loss
BANGKOK - THAI-LANGUAGE media yesterday cried foul over the country's loss to Singapore in Wednesday's Asean Football Championship match. Singapore beat Thailand 2-1 in the first-leg of the final, a match marred by a 15-minute walkout by the Thais, who were... [Read more]