News Today

Climate change 'calls for better disaster tracking'
GENEVA - GLOBAL warming would require more robust monitoring of hurricanes, typhoons and other disasters, mirroring systems in place to watch for tsunamis, a top UN official said.Mr Salvano Briceno, director of the United Nation's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, said... [Read more]

Qantas suitor rules out higher offer
SYDNEY - A PRIVATE equity consortium bidding for Australia's iconic airline Qantas Airways yesterday rejected speculation that it would increase its A$11 billion (S$13 billion) takeover bid. In lodging its offer with Qantas shareholders, Airline Partners Australia (APA) confirmed that the... [Read more]

Repair delayed due to rare fault in plasma TV set
WE REFER Mr Li Jianming's letter, 'Philips' after-sales service a big letdown' (ST, Feb 15). We would like to clarify that the fault detected on Mr Li's plasma TV is indeed a very rare intermittent fault and hence a longer period... [Read more]

Drunk Thai worker attacked man at friend's bidding
DRUNK on rice wine and beer, Phengprom Wanna did not hesitate when a friend asked him to beat up another man, even though he had no idea what the victim was supposed to have done.The 31-year-old Thai construction worker leapt into... [Read more]

Rescued: 2 women who jumped into sea
TWO women in their mid-20s brought some unwelcome excitement to Merlion Park at One Fullerton yesterday. After what witnesses said was a heated quarrel at the pier, one of them jumped into the sea, followed by the other. Passers-by, who saw... [Read more]

NTUC Income-Yeo's S-League
THE S-League begins on March 4, and The Straits Times looks at the interesting faces in the league. Today, we feature the league's youngest professional, who earned his first pay cheque last month.Format: 12 clubs, 33 matches each.Teams and home stadiums:... [Read more]

I'm the target of witch-hunt: Israeli President
JERUSALEM - IN A speech tinged with rage, Israeli President Moshe Katsav attacked the police, the state prosecution and the media as he declared his innocence on charges of rape and sexual harassment levelled against him. 'Citizens of Israel, don't believe... [Read more]

Forget sex, clothes come first for US women
NEW YORK - GIVEN a choice between sex and a new wardrobe, most women will go for the clothes.In a survey spanning 10 cities in the US, women on average said that they would be willing to give up sex for... [Read more]

The first electric guitar
PHOTO: AP It looks somewhat out of proportion, but this guitar is the priceless 'Frying Pan', the first ever electric guitar, which was made in the 1930s. It is one of the highlights of the 'Born To Rock' exhibition, which opened... [Read more]

Citibank goes couture
The new lunar year means a new outfit for Citibank, which has given its uniforms for service staff a chic and cheerful makeover. Designed by top local couturier Francis Cheong, the sparkling new look was showcased in a catwalk show starring... [Read more]

Peanut butter made 290 ill in US
ALL varieties of the popular Peter Pan brand of peanut butter have been recalled from the shelves of Singapore shops following a salmonella scare in the United States.ConAgra, the manufacturer of Peter Pan, initiated the recall last Friday. The Agri-Food and... [Read more]