News Today

New Year blues for Jakarta's Chinese
JAKARTA - THE wildly wet weather has put a damper on Chinese New Year in the Indonesian capital. Most of the city's ethnic Chinese live in the west and north, the areas that were among the hardest hit by the worst... [Read more]

Saprang on threats and issues facing Thailand
On the security threats facing Thailand: 'Terrorism is our biggest worry. Beyond that, we are most concerned about drugs and transnational crime, the influx of illegal foreign workers, the environment and destruction of natural resources, and social disorder. Also, if political... [Read more]

Where is the river?
Water hyacinth smothers this river in Chengdu, Sichuan province, as it does waterways across China. The weed was introduced to China in the 1930s and has grown so rampant that it is edging out native plants. China spends millions each year... [Read more]

Move to cut bus bays: Yes, it's time public transport fights back
I'm delighted with the article, 'Bus bays may be axed to help cut travel time' (ST, Feb 13). It's time public transport fought back. The LTA will begin a trial along Jalan Eunos where buses will just stop by the side... [Read more]

Asean must maintain momentum: Arroyo
MANILA - AS THE Philippines prepares to hand over the Asean chairmanship in August, President Gloria Arroyo hopes there will be no let up in the grouping's aim to become an integrated community.President SR Nathan said yesterday that Mrs Arroyo made... [Read more]

Hardline Thai general to head phone corporation
BANGKOK - SAPRANG Kalyanamitr, a top general with a hardline reputation, was on Thursday given additional charge of a major public enterprise when he was appointed chairman of the board of TOT (Telephones of Thailand Plc). TOT has exclusive rights to... [Read more]

Chirac to US: Sign key climate accords
PRESIDENT Jacques Chirac has demanded that the United States sign two key climate-change agreements, warning that a carbon tax would be imposed across Europe on imports from nations who fail to comply. Speaking at a high-profile climate-change conference in Paris this... [Read more]

Rotary's earnings surge to $35.2m
THE red-hot oil and gas sector has been a bonanza for Rotary Engineering, which yesterday reported record earnings of $35.2 million, up a staggering 320 per cent.Rotary helps build and maintain oil storage terminals and other infrastructure for the petrochemical industry.... [Read more]

Lack of play shows in Baihakki's performance
IT WAS a chance for him to distinguish himself, but it seemed Baihakki Khaizan found Aide Iskandar's boots too large to fill. The 22-year-old stood in for the suspended Singapore captain in the Asean Championship semi-final second-leg victory over Malaysia.But, instead... [Read more]

Overflowing hospitals
PHOTO: AFP Indonesian mothers taking care of their kids at a temporary hospital in north Jakarta yesterday. The Health Ministry said that 1,066 of the 1,627 patients warded at Greater Jakarta hospitals are suffering from diarrhoea, and 329 from dengue. More... [Read more]

Sengkang enter final after 4-2 win
SENGKANG Punggol, the S-League's wooden spoonists last season, are banking in some cash - even before the new season starts on March 4. Last night, they reached the final of the SingTel League Cup, thus assuring themselves of a minimum $10,000... [Read more]