News Today

Bush to intervene to boost Doha trade talks
WASHINGTON - US PRESIDENT George W. Bush is expected to intervene today in a bid to ensure the resurrected Doha Round of world trade talks succeeds.In a speech on the economy, Mr Bush will urge Congress to extend its deadline on... [Read more]

Woods shoots 67 at Dubai Desert Classic
DUBAI - TIGER Woods shot a five-under-par 67 in round two of the Dubai Desert Classic yesterday.But the world No1 was eclipsed by the little-known Ross Fisher, who once fetched golf balls for him at a driving range. Woods, who had... [Read more]

China's stock market base 'not strong'
SHANGHAI - CHINA'S top securities regulator said the foundation for a long-term, stable development of the domestic stock market is not strong and it remains an arduous task to further push market reform forward.In a speech published in the front page... [Read more]

Opting out of Hota: It?s a matter of wresting back control over our persons
I wonder how Dr Lee Wei Ling, 'Organ transplant: Unease over last-minute opt-out' (ST Forum, Feb 22), came to the conclusion that 'given a choice, the vast majority of families would object strongly if they thought this could prevent their loved... [Read more]

Disease threat in Jakarta
A medical team treats a Jakarta flood victim amid a deepening crisis brought on by the worst floods to hit the Indonesian capital in five years.At least 44 deaths have been blamed on the flooding, and officials fear that toll could... [Read more]

What's cooking? Help for the needy
EIGHT hundred dollars may be a pittance to some, but to widow Madam Lijah Ahamed, 47, this modest salary she gets each month from baking pastries means food on the table for her five children, aged 14 to 21, and being... [Read more]

Terry out again, as Chelsea jinx strikes
OPORTO - IT HAS been the story of Chelsea this season: Every budding hope tempered with more bad news. Their 1-1 draw at Porto in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday was a perfect example. Andriy... [Read more]

Yong: Durai wrote own bonus letter
A LETTER written by former NKF chairman Richard Yong to Mr T.T. Durai - praising his work and offering him an eight-month bonus - was actually drafted by the then chief executive himself. Mr Yong admitted this in court yesterday -... [Read more]

US trade deficit hit record high of $1.17 trillion last year
WASHINGTON - THE United States trade deficit surged to a record US$763.6 billion (S$1.172 trillion) last year owing to new highs for oil prices and the commercial shortfall with China, a report said yesterday.The US Commerce Department report said that the... [Read more]

Six-party talks 'not threatened'
ALLEGATIONS that North Korea misused United Nations development funds should not cloud talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons drive, said the United States. The State Department said the allegations made by the US delegate to the UN, Mr Mark Wallace,... [Read more]

OCBC's net earnings cross $2b mark
OCBC Bank yesterday reported a 54 per cent rise in its full-year bottom line, as hefty divestment gains propelled its net profits past the $2 billion mark for the first time. Excluding gains of $559 million from the sale of OCBC's... [Read more]