News Today

Deal to end N. Korean nuclear crisis may be at hand
BEIJING - A CAUTIOUSLY optimistic US chief negotiator Christopher Hill said last night that a deal could be close that will see North Korea begin to end its nuclear weapons programme. Negotiators yesterday started going through a draft proposal outlining possible... [Read more]

Seven awards for SPH websites
SINGAPORE Press Holdings' (SPH) efforts to boost online content were recognised yesterday as it won seven awards given out by a company which monitors more than 800,000 websites around the world.Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao's website - which boasts more than four... [Read more]

Key factors
A MAYBANK spokesman said the main contributors to the strong performance were robust growth in both net interest income and non-interest income.Net interest income reflects what banks make from their core lending business and is dependent on how much they widen... [Read more]

Bush's final strategy for Iraq
Any outsider studying the developments in Iraq from American TV reports and print articles could never have predicted President Bush's decision on his final strategic move in Iraq. American opinion on the war became evident in November's congressional elections. The bipartisan... [Read more]

World Quickly
NEGROPONTE TO VISIT EAST ASIA WASHINGTON: US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte plans to visit Japan, China and South Korea soon, but will not go to North Korea, the US State Department said on Wednesday. State Department spokesman Tom Casey... [Read more]

Nowak fund-raiser slammed
AN ITALIAN restaurant has caused outrage by holding a dinner to raise funds for the family of a Nasa astronaut charged with attempted murder. About 70 diners attended the event on Sunday at Silvestro's restaurant in Cocoa Beach, Florida. It was... [Read more]

Passengers on train roof electrocuted
KARACHI - DOZENS of people sitting on the roof of a crowded train were by hit by an overhead power transmission line in Pakistan on Sunday. The accident killed at least 11 people and injured more than 40 others. Minister for... [Read more]

Under fire for calling women 'baby machines'
TOKYO - JAPAN'S health minister has come under fire after referring to women as 'child-bearing machines' in a speech on the country's falling birthrate. 'The number of women aged between 15 and 50 is fixed. Because the number of child-bearing machines... [Read more]

Philippines passes anti-terror Bill
MANILA - THE Philippine Congress has passed anti-terrorism legislation aimed at helping the government combat Al-Qaeda-linked militants.In a special session, the House of Representatives late on Monday approved a watered-down version of the Human Security Act passed by the Senate two... [Read more]

Planned missile shield triggers Russian wrath
WARSAW - A US proposal to base a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic has moved ahead with both countries indicating agreement, while a top Russian general warned the plan could lead Moscow to target the former allies with... [Read more]

Thais burn effigy of S'pore minister
BANGKOK - SOME 200 Thais yesterday burned an effigy of a Singapore leader outside the Republic's Embassy here in yet another protest following a diplomatic spat between the two countries. The protesters said they belonged to several groups, including Ramkhamhaeng University... [Read more]