News Today

McClaren in Becks U-turn?
LONDON - SIX weeks ago, David Beckham was dismissed as a 31-year-old has-been bound for a cushy retirement job in America. Now, he has been resurrected as the man who could rescue England.Even coach Steve McClaren admits he has to consider... [Read more]

Drought-hit Queensland turns to Newater solution
SYDNEY - FACED with an acute water shortage in the middle of Australia's worst drought in more than a century, the state of Queensland has decided to follow Singapore's example and start recycling waste water for drinking. Premier Peter Beattie yesterday... [Read more]

Anti-US feelings among Muslims 'at record high'
NEW YORK - THE war on terror has radicalised Muslims around the world and has raised anti-American feelings to unprecedented levels, according to the largest survey of Muslims ever to be conducted.Debunking the myth that religious radicals were to be found... [Read more]

Reach website now more user-friendly
I THANK Ms Anne Wong Holloway for her letter, 'Solution to cyberspace criticism lies within Reach' (ST, Feb 8).There were some teething problems when Reach, the government feedback portal, revamped the website to complement its new identity. We have resolved many... [Read more]

Jakarta bans sand exports, cutting off S'pore's main supply
JAKARTA - INDONESIA has banned the export of some sand and soil products in what it says are efforts to prevent further damage to its environment and to protect its boundaries.The move would cut off the main supply of land sand... [Read more]

Demand for city-fringe, suburban homes picking up
DEMAND for new homes outside the plush prime districts picked up pace late last year, even though prices there climbed more slowly than in the red-hot central region. This may mean that demand is finally trickling down from the booming luxury... [Read more]

Malay barber?s laudable example of fostering spirit of racial harmony
Four days before Lunar New Year, I had a haircut at a Malay barber shop in Bukit Batok.Typical Chinese New Year decorations, such as lanterns, greeting cards and mandarin oranges, adorned the shop. There was an air of festivity reminding patrons... [Read more]

Indian minister in Iran to discuss gas, nuclear issue
NEW DELHI - INDIA'S External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee begins a two-day visit to Teheran today, during which he will discuss the multi-billion-dollar India-Pakistan-Iran (IPI) gas pipeline and the nuclear issue. While the worsening situation in Afghanistan and Iraq will also... [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]

Abramovich will not leave Chelsea
LONDON - BILLIONAIRE Roman Abramovich, who on Saturday watched Chelsea beat Norwich 4-0 in the FA Cup, has no intention of walking away from the club. But, after pouring in more than &pound500 million (S$1.49 billion), the Russian is no longer... [Read more]

Spurs beat Blues to teenager Parrett's signature
LONDON - TOTTENHAM have beaten Chelsea to sign one of the most highly-rated youngsters in English football.Dean Parrett, 15, was signed from Queens Park Rangers in a deal that could be worth more than &pound1 million (S$3 million), according to how... [Read more]