News Today

No need to shut new Thai airport: Panel
BANGKOK - THAILAND does not need to close its new international airport to repair cracks on taxiways and runways, a panel of investigators said yesterday, blaming the damage on underground water. Cracks have been found across 78,000 sq m, or roughly... [Read more]

Fresh round of clashes in Gaza
GAZA CITY - FIGHTING between rival Palestinian forces erupted again yesterday in the Gaza Strip, where 23 people have been killed in the fiercest bout of internecine violence since Hamas won elections a year ago. Three Palestinians died overnight as militants... [Read more]

Beijingers to be warned of harmful haze
BEIJING - RESIDENTS in Beijing will be warned in daily weather forecasts of the presence of haze, one of city's first steps to evaluate its air quality.>From Thursday, the municipal meteorological authorities will include such information on hazy days when humidity... [Read more]

I feared for my family, says Mikel
LONDON - CHELSEA midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed why he defied manager Jose Mourinho and played for his country last Tuesday. It was because the Nigerian feared for his family's safety back home. Mourinho wanted Mikel to pull out of... [Read more]

US plans to put on a more welcoming face
WASHINGTON - THE US government and private sector are launching a massive effort to reshape America's image for foreign visitors amid concerns that tightened security measures have made the country inhospitable. The campaign comes as the number of visitors to the... [Read more]

Bellamy a 'scapegoat' for Liverpool's training-trip fracas
LIVERPOOL - CRAIG Bellamy has been made a scapegoat for Liverpool's training-camp ruckus in Portugal. Sources within the club suggest the 27-year-old Welsh international's bad-boy reputation was exploited to deflect blame from a large number of players involved in breaches of... [Read more]

What it should have been
In our article yesterday, '2 Aztech directors exercise options', we erroneously said that Aztech Systems' full-year earnings was $2.04 million.It should be $20.04 million. We are sorry for the error.... [Read more]

Shortest time in womb - now she leaves hospital
MIAMI - A PREMATURE baby who spent less time in the womb than any other surviving infant was to leave a South Florida hospital for her home yesterday. Amillia Sonja Taylor was just 24.13cm long and weighed 284g when she was... [Read more]

No longer noted
PHOTO: AFP Mount Everest will replace this picture of King Gyanendra on Nepalese 10 rupee (20 Singapore cents) notes, the country's government said yesterday. King Gyanendra was stripped of nearly all his powers following mass protests last year that ended nearly... [Read more]

Comeback kid Griselda wins top Sports School award
FOR someone used to cutting cleanly and smoothly through the water, the past year has been a roller-coaster ride for Griselda Khng. The national Optimist sailor ended 2005 with a South-east Asia Games gold medal after a tense deliberation by the... [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]