News Today

The controversial revisions
THE revisions made by the Taiwanese government to the latest editions of its history textbooks include: Volume II , originally titled History Of Our Country, has been renamed History Of China. Ancient Chinese history is given brief mention in Volume II,... [Read more]

Russian concerns behind the handshakes in India
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin was received with great warmth in New Delhi this week. And he signed a raft of new military agreements for hundreds of tanks, as well as new jets. India plans to spend S$15 billion on new defence... [Read more]

Livedoor founder Horie pleads innocence at trial
TOKYO - TAKAFUMI Horie, Japan's disgraced Internet mogul, yesterday tearfully pleaded his innocence in his trial for financial fraud, saying he was working for the good of society.Horie, 34, who riled Japan's corporate old guard with his brash business tactics, has... [Read more]

Born in the Year of the Pig
Some famous people born in the Year of the Pig, and how old they will be this year:Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, 84;MediaCorp artistes Bryan Wong, 36; Patricia Mok, 36; and Joanne Peh, 24;Singers Elton John, 60; Dannii Minogue, 36; and... [Read more]

Ascott nets $22.2m gain from sale of Hotel Asia
SERVICE apartment operator The Ascott Group has sold its Hotel Asia property in Scotts Road for $147 million, from which it will reap a net profit of $22.2 million.The sale price represents a 41 per cent increase over the price of... [Read more]

'Hard to say goodbye to Harry Potter'
BRITISH author J.K. Rowling has said she is both heartbroken and euphoric about wrapping up the final book in the Harry Potter series. But she gave no clues about the boy wizard's fate. On her website, she sidestepped speculation that he... [Read more]

Blair's top fund-raiser rearrested while on bail
THE top fund-raiser for British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour Party was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, a police source said.Lord Michael Levy was arrested when he returned to a London police station... [Read more]

Israel's first Arab minister belies reality of racial ties
LONDON - ISRAEL'S Parliament made history earlier this week by confirming the appointment of the country's first Arab Muslim as a Cabinet minister.Immediately after the vote, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - who has yet to decide on the new minister's responsibilities... [Read more]

$50m overhaul of Changi's runways
CHANGI Airport's 'project runway' has started, with work going on round the clock and clockwork scheduling needed to keep the planes flying. When Terminal 3 opens next year, the airport's two runways will be ready for 'heavier' traffic - in the... [Read more]

Don't Horse around, get act together
THE impeding curtain fall on the Crazy Horse nude revue here only goes to show that Singapore has not got its act together.Singapore's half-hearted attempt at liberalisation is glaring. If not, why allow a class act like the Crazy Horse in... [Read more]

Tata wins Corus with $19b bid
LONDON - INDIA'S Tata Steel is set to become the world's fifth-biggest steelmaker after winning a battle for Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus Group with a &pound6.2 billion (S$18.8 billion) offer.The battle pushed Corus' share price to seven-year highs and pitted 70-year-old Tata... [Read more]