News Today

Use ATM card in 3 Asean countries
IMAGINE the convenience of being able to withdraw cash from any ATM in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia with your bank card.That will happen within five years once an electronic payment network among the four Asean countries is up and running. Such... [Read more]

Bush makes sales pitch for ethanol
WILMINGTON (DELAWARE) - PRESIDENT George W. Bush made a big deal about ethanol, the fuel derived from plants, in his State of the Union address this week. The next morning, he got up close and personal with it, poking his head... [Read more]

Sports World
DOWIE TO RUN THE SHOW AT COVENTRY COVENTRY: Iain Dowie was hired as Coventry football club manager yesterday, three months after being fired by Premier League side Charlton.Dowie signed a 31/2- year contract with Coventry, who are 17th in the 24-team... [Read more]

STI loses 21 points as Hang Seng plunges
AN INITIAL rally quickly fizzled out yesterday after a strong selldown in Hong Kong sent local traders scrambling yet again for the door. They were spooked so much on Monday by the United States inflation bogey that the Straits Times Index... [Read more]

The campaign begins for Hillary and Obama
IT WAS inevitable, but it came sooner than anyone predicted. After Mr Barack Obama - the one-term senator from Illinois - more or less declared his candidature for the US presidential elections, two-term New York senator Hillary Clinton threw her hat... [Read more]

Delay in CPF fund transfer explained
I REFER to the letter, '10 days later, funds still not with CPF' by Mdm Sek Lay See (ST, Feb 1). DBS received the funds from OCBC on Jan 15 and the funds were transferred to the customer's CPF Investment Account... [Read more]

Champions League
TodayBarcelona v Liverpool Live, Ch23, tomorrow, 3.30am Porto v Chelsea Live, Ch24, tomorrow, 3.30amInter Milan v ValenciaRoma v Lyon... [Read more]

City Hall will make a great art gallery
I READ with interest the article, 'Ideas sought for crafting national art gallery' (ST, Feb 14).As an individual on the arts scene, I look forward to the transformation of City Hall into a permanent art gallery. City Hall is, in fact,... [Read more]

Stop the excessive use of English on Tamil variety programmes
Vasantham Central has done it again. First it was over the beauty contest programme, Miss Vasantham, and now it's about a dance talent programme, Dhool.I am concerned over the excessive use of English on Tamil variety programmes. While there are campaigns... [Read more]

Thaksin: I want to help restore peace in Thai south
BANGKOK - DEPOSED Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he wants to help bring reconciliation to the country's deep south if he eventually returns home.His comments, which appear in the Feb 1 issue of Time magazine, are the latest salvo... [Read more]

Have a test on the history and government for those seeking to be Singaporeans
I agree with Mr Pavin Limanont, 'Pick leaders on merit, not cultural affiliation', (ST, Feb 16) that one should not be xenophobic about the influx of foreigners into Singapore and its benefits. However, there are certain issues that no amount of... [Read more]

Is Singapore ready if bird flu breaks out here?

I AM concerned about Singapore's readiness should avian flu break out here.

While we had been successful in containing the Sars outbreak, there is no certainty that we will succeed with bird flu.

From all indications, the only approved medication is Tamiflu. However, there have been various reports about death caused by taking this drug.

I hope the heath authorities will shed light on our readiness in the event of an outbreak, and its stand on Tamiflu. Has there been any death linked to the consumption of this drug here? What precautions are required for the sale and consumption of this drug? How much of this drug has been stockpiled in Singapore?

If the effectiveness of Tamiflu is uncertain and it has indeed been linked to deaths, should not a more preventive approach be taken?

During the Sars outbreak the people had to fill in forms at immigration points to allow tracing of carriers. Should we not re-introduce all the precautionary measures we implemented during the Sars outbreak now?

There is a need for more education and communication on this potential epidemic by the health authorities.



Kelvin Kwan Chee Hong

Singapore Masters

Dates: Today to Sunday.

Venue: Laguna National G&CC.

Today: Masters and Classic courses.

Tomorrow and Sunday: Masters Course only.

Total prize money: US$1.1 million (S$1.7 million).

Tee-off: 7.40am.

Selected Rd 2 tee-off times:

Classic - 9.30am: Mardan Mamat, Ian Woosnam 9.40am: Anton Haig, Darren Clarke, Nick Dougherty.

Masters course - 10.20pm: Marcus Fraser 12pm: David Howell 12.10pm: Liang Wenchong 12.20pm: Shingo Katayama, Jeev Milkha Singh 12.30pm: Lee Westwood.

Tickets (through Sistic): Today: $15. Tomorrow and Sunday: $40 a day. Season pass: $80. Under-16s: free. U-21s, seniors, women: Today free.

Transport: From S'pore Expo MRT and car park J, 7.30am to 6.30pm

Today: Every 15min. Tomorrow and Sunday: Every 10min.

Live on TV: Ch5, Ch24 (Today - 2.30-5.30pm. Tomorrow, Sunday - 2-5pm).

Fringe activities today: adidas Golf Fashion Show (12pm), wine appreciation by Winston Wine Cellar and Shiseido make-up workshop (3pm) and salsa dance by En Motion Dance School (4.30pm)

Banks should allow assignment of policies

I REFER to the letters by Mr Allen Lim Chen Jye ('How to avoid tax on insurance proceeds'; ST, March 6) and Ms Maria Loh Mun Foong ('Exempt up to full value of main residence'; ST , March 1).

I can attest to Ms Loh's experience, as quite recently I highlighted to my clients the importance of assigning their mortgage insurance reducing-term (MRTA) policies to their mortgagees. One of them told me that her bank doesn't allow assignment of such mortgage policies, despite an ongoing mortgage agreement.

This agrees with a Business Times article, 'Private home loan-holders should assign policy to banks' (Feb 3, 2003), which stated that the majority of the local banks here do not accept assignment of MRTA plans.

The issue of insurable interest which Mr Lim brought up is debatable here. Before any policy can be underwritten, an insurable interest needs to be ascertained. When the MRTA is being underwritten, the insurable interest is established via the latest loan agreement with the lender stipulating the current outstanding loan amount. The insurable interest here is not proven by way of relationship between spouses.

Hence, arranging a cross-life policy whereby one spouse owns the policy of the other on a mortgage policy is near impossible. Usually, when a spouse owns a policy on the life of the other, it is strictly for personal income-protection reasons alone.

That said, may I suggest that banks and lenders consider allowing assignment of MRTA, to encourage homeowners to transfer to or stay with them.

As our country gears up to be a premier financial hub, banks with such foresight, and which are flexible enough to allow such assignment to take place, will be one up on their competitors.

This little flexibility will go a long way to relieve the financial woes of the widowed and their families.

Pearlyn Koh Siew Lin (Ms)

Sports World

SAFFC LOSE 0-2 TO MAHINDRA

SINGAPORE Armed Forces FC lost 0-2 to India's Mahindra United in an Asian Football Confederation Cup Group E match at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium last night.

The visitors scored through Yusif Yakubu (36th-minute penalty) and Andrews Pomeyie (83rd).

Tampines Rovers drew 0-0 with India's Mohun Bagan in a Group F tie in Kolkata.

Singapore's Under-21 side also drew 0-0 with Vietnam in the Asean Youth Football Championship in Brunei yesterday.

They had lost 0-2 to Thailand in their opening game, and take on Malaysia in their final group match tomorrow.

NBA STAR ARTEST ARRESTED

SACRAMENTO: Controversial Sacramento Kings star Ron Artest was suspended indefinitely, after his arrest on Monday on domestic violence charges.

A woman complained he shoved her to the floor inside his home and prevented her from calling the police.

The police would not disclose the woman's relationship with Artest, who posted US$50,000 (S$76,500) bail and was released.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yao back in Rockets' line-up after injury

LOS ANGELES - HOUSTON Rockets centre Yao Ming was cleared to play yesterday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Yao broke his right leg on Dec 23 in a collision with Tim Thomas and teammate Chuck Hayes during a National Basketball Association game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

In a story from Cleveland posted on their website, the Chronicle said Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones and general manager Carroll Dawson had said that Yao would be on the active roster for yesterday's game.

Coach Jeff Van Gundy had said that the Chinese superstar would start as soon as doctors gave the green light.

Van Gundy told the paper on Friday: 'When they say he can play, I'm playing him.'

That go-ahead came on Sunday, after Yao went through a morning work-out attended by team doctor Tom Clanton and test results were examined by specialist doctor Brian Cole in Chicago.

'His work-outs have been tremendous,' Dawson told the Chronicle.

'They were kind of blown away. Clanton was really impressed.

'So we're going ahead as scheduled. He will be on the active list.'

Yao returns to a Houston team who have lost five of their past eight games, including a 74-97 defeat by San Antonio on Saturday.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

News Today

Slew of measures aimed at creating SME haven
THE Government aims to make Singapore the best place in the world for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to start, grow and globalise. A slew of new measures was outlined in the Budget aimed specifically at this sector of the economy.... [Read more]

Dealing with China's rise a key challenge
Will there be a global trade deal? What are the consequences if it fails? Most countries would feel that this is in deep freeze if there are no results in the next three months. The WTO system will still operate and... [Read more]

US seeks Pakistan's help against Taleban
RAWALPINDI (PAKISTAN) - US DEFENCE Secretary Robert Gates sought Pakistan's support yesterday to prevent an expected Taleban spring offensive in neighbouring Afghanistan.The allies had the chance to deal a 'strategic setback' to the militants, said Mr Gates on his first visit... [Read more]

Banking in money for charity
UNITED Overseas Bank (UOB) held a Chinese New Year gala dinner last night for its small and medium enterprise clients, and money was raised for charity.Mr Sim Kok Hwee, 29, a corporate development manager at industrial equipment maker Zicom Group was... [Read more]

Shaking with only one hand uncultured? Not true
I refer to the letter, 'Follow suit and shake hands with both arms, Team Singapore' (Online forum, Feb 6), by Mr Jimmy Teo Nai Heok.I am happy that he is able to partake in the pride and joy of seeing the... [Read more]

Accused teen trio out on bail
THREE teenagers accused of breaking into the Isetan store in Shaw Towers last Thursday were each released on $8,000 bail yesterday. Marcus Wang Yuanhang, 18, and Ethan Khoo Ee Ren and Yuan Wei Jie, both 16, will appear in the Community... [Read more]

11 killed in car bomb attack on Iran elite force
TEHERAN - ELEVEN people were killed yesterday when a booby-trapped car exploded next to a bus carrying members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. An attack of this size and nature - a bomb strike on an elite Iranian force in broad... [Read more]

Lucky bloom for 80-year-old
PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN The Year of the Pig got off to an auspicious start for Mr Tey Buang Chai, 80. The lucky bamboo plant he bought four to five years ago bloomed for the first time on Chinese New Year's... [Read more]

Catch fine arts on last day of Nafa open house
TODAY is the last day of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa) three-day open house. The highlight is a fashion show to be staged by Nafa students who won two major design contests held in conjunction with Singapore Fashion Week... [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]

Smaller property projects sell fast even with little marketing
SMALL residential developments in suburban areas are selling strongly despite putting out almost no publicity - in some cases, not even a show-flat. Property consultants say this is a sign that upbeat home buying sentiment is trickling down from the luxury... [Read more]

Pakistani border sees re-emergence of Taleban-style justice

ISLAMABAD - BARBERS are afraid to shave customers' chins, alleged thieves with blackened faces are paraded through the streets in shame and suspected spies for the United States are found beheaded in a ditch.

Tales of Taleban-style justice in Pakistani border regions are proliferating - a sign that an area already serving as a base for militants fighting in neighbouring Afghanistan is slipping further out of government control.

This week, the United States voiced growing concern that Al-Qaeda was re-grouping in the area. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's recent strategy of seeking peace with pro-Taleban tribesmen appears to have backfired.

'The pro-Taleban militants are making their presence felt in some very ugly ways,' said Ms Samina Ahmed, South Asia director for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group think-tank. 'They seem to be dictating the agenda.'

Residents of Miran Shah, the main town in Pakistan's North Waziristan area and a militant stronghold, say the Taleban runs an office where inhabitants can file complaints and receive a quick ruling based on Islamic law from a 10-member committee.

The committee has reputedly dealt with family feuds and seized suspected thieves.

Shopkeepers say three men accused of stealing cars were driven through jeering crowds in the nearby town of Mir Ali last week, their faces blackened and heads shaved.

Further north, several barbers in the Bajur district recently said they would no longer shave customers' beards after receiving a warning that it was 'un-Islamic' and being threatened with unspecified punishment.

More ominous were the cases of scores of people who were accused of being aligned with Pakistan's government or being foreign agents, and were later found shot or beheaded, their bodies dumped beside country roads.

In the latest such incident, a teacher's body was found on Tuesday in a sack on a roadside in South Waziristan.

A note found with the corpse identified the slain man as 'Akhtar Usman, the one who spied for America'. The word 'hypocrite' was scrawled on the temple of his severed head in Urdu, Pakistan's main language.

There is little indication that the authorities are willing or able to confront such developments in an area steeped in Islamic radicalism since it was a base for the mujahideen war against Soviet troops in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Taleban fighters and Al-Qaeda militants - including Arabs and Central Asians - poured into Pakistan's rugged border zone in 2001 and 2002 as US-led forces drove them from Afghanistan. They found refuge in the fortress-like houses of sympathetic tribes and Afghan refugee communities.

Under US pressure, General Musharraf sent his army into the semi-autonomous tribal areas for the first time in Pakistan's 60-year history to pursue the militants.

Hundreds were killed on both sides in scores of operations in the tribal belt, mostly since 2004.

Gen Musharraf then changed tack.

A peace deal struck with North Waziristan last September demanded that the militants stop attacks in Afghanistan and halt 'Talebanisation' in return for Pakistani troops moving out of towns such as Miran Shah while retaining a presence at the border.

A peace agreement was also signed with South Waziristan in 2005.

But tribal elders who acted as guarantors for the North Waziristan deal appeared powerless to enforce it. Even Gen Musharraf has acknowledged that some of his security forces have been turning a blind eye to militant infiltration.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Results

BASKETBALL

NBA: Philadelphia 99 Phoenix 94, Miami 92 Washington 83, Boston 102 New York 94, Toronto 106 Houston 90, Utah 104 Memphis 88, Chicago 113 Golden State 83, New Orleans 107 Atlanta 100, Denver 111 Orlando 101, Sacramento 135 Charlotte 120, LA Clippers 96 Seattle 91.

ICE HOCKEY

NHL: Ottawa 2 Carolina 0, Calgary 2 Minnesota 1 (o.p.), Nashville 4 San Jose 3 (o.p.).

SOCCER

Dutch Cup, q-finals: Utrecht 1 AZ Alkmaar 2, RKC Waalwijk 1 Roda JC Kerkrade 0, NAC Breda 3 PSV Eindhoven 0, Willem II Tilburg 0 Ajax Amsterdam 2.

English FA, 5th rd replay: Blackburn 1 Arsenal 0.

French Cup, q-finals: Sochaux 2 Paris St Germain 1, FC Montceau Bourgogne 1 Racing Lens 0.

German Cup, q-finals: Nuremberg 0 Hannover 0 (Nuremberg win 4-2 on penalties), Wolfsburg 2 Alemannia Aachen 0, Kickers Offenbach 0 Eintracht Frankfurt 3, Stuttgart 2 Hertha Berlin 0.

Scottish Cup, 5th rd: Motherwell 1 St Johnstone 2.

Spanish King's Cup q-finals, 2nd leg: Real Zaragoza 1 Barcelona 2 (2-2 on aggregate. Barcelona win on away goal rule), Osasuna 1 Getafe 0 (Getafe win 3-1 on aggregate), Real Valladolid (II) 1 Deportivo La Coruna 1 (Deportivo win 5-2), Real Betis 0 Sevilla 1 (match abandoned after 56 minutes).

TENNIS

Acapulco International - Men, 1st rd: Gaston Gaudio (Arg) bt Juan Pablo Guzman (Arg) 1-6 6-3 6-2, Nicolas Almagro (Esp) bt Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (Esp) 6-1 4-6 7-6 (7-2), Jose Acasuso (Arg) bt Jiri Vanek (Cze) 6-1 6-2, Juan Carlos Ferrero (Esp) bt Lukas Dlouhy (Cze) 6-3 7-6(2). Women, 1st rd: Tathiana Garbin (Ita) bt Zsofia Gubacsi (Hun) 6-4 3-0 (ret), Gisela Dulko (Arg) bt Laura Pous (Esp) 7-6(2) 7-6(7), Julia Schruff (Ger) bt Marion Bartoli (Fra) 6-0 6-4, Melissa Torres (Mex) bt Eva Birnerova (Cze) 6-4 6-2, Alize Cornet (Fra) bt Severine Bremond (Fra) 7-6(3) 6-2, Sara Errani (Ita) bt Kaia Kanepi (Est) 1-6 6-3 6-4, Emilie Loit (Fra) bt Martina Mueller (Ger) 6-2 6-2, Flavia Pennetta (Ita) bt Roberta Vinci (Ita) 6-0 6-2.

ATP Dubai Open, 2nd rd: Rafael Nadal (Esp) bt Igor Andreev (Rus) 6-2 3-6 7-6(2), Roger Federer (Sui) bt Daniele Bracciali (Ita) 7-5 6-3, Olivier Rochus (Bel) bt Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) 4-6 6-4 6-2, Novak Djokovic (Scg) bt Rainer Schuettler (Ger) 7-6(5) 6-3, Mikhail Youzhny (Rus) bt Tomas Berdych (Cze) 7-6 (6) 6-3, Tommy Haas (Ger) bt Florent Serra (Fra) 7-6 (5) 6-3, Robin Soederling (Swe) bt Dominik Hrbaty (Svk) 6-3 7-5, Fabrice Santoro (Fra) bt Gilles Simon (Fra) 6-4 6-2.

ATP Las Vegas Open - Group 2: Sam Querrey (USA) bt Julien Benneteau (Fra) 6-2 7-6(3). Gp 3: Juergen Melzer (Aut) bt Michael Llodra (Fra) 6-4 2-6 7-5. Gp 4: Benjamin Becker (Ger) bt Gustavo Kuerten (Bra) 6-4 6-3. Gp 5: Fernando Verdasco (Esp) bt Danai Udomchoke (Tha) 6-1 5-7 6-2. Gp 6: Igor Kunitsyn (Rus) bt Stefan Koubek (Aut) 6-2 6-2. Gp 7: Feliciano Lopez (Esp) bt Nicolas Mahut (Fra) 3-6 6-3 7-6(3).

WTA Qatar Open, 2nd rd: Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) bt Eleni Daniilidou (Gre) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-3, Jelena Jankovic (Ser) bt Maria Elena Camerin (Ita) 6-0 6-1, Martina Hingis (Sui) bt Maria Kirilenko (Rus) 6-2 6-2, Katerina Bondarenko (Ukr) w/o Sania Mirza (Ind), Justine Henin (Bel) bt Alicia Molik (Aus) 6-2 7-6(9), Francesca Schiavone (Ita) bt Mara Santangelo (Ita) 4-6 7-6(6) 1-0 (ret), Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) bt Julia Goerges (Ger) 7-5 6-1, Patty Schnyder (Sui) bt Anabel Medina Garrigues (Esp) 6-3 6-4.

James' shooting wins it for Cavs

ONE big, back-breaking shot was not going to bail out the Cavaliers.

So LeBron James made another.

He dropped two crucial three-pointers in the last minute to help Cleveland beat New Orleans 97-89 in a National Basketball Association game on Tuesday.

James, who finished with 35 points, knocked down a 25-footer from the top of the key with 49.9 seconds left, and then nailed another three-pointer from nearly the same spot with 24.2 seconds remaining.

The Hornets' defensive strategy down the stretch was to force James to take the toughest shots possible.

They were able to do that, but what they did not bank on was James making them anyway.

'We got what we wanted,' Hornets forward David West said.

'He took a three-pointer with a hand in his face. He just knocked it down. We know he's going to take the shot.

'You've got to live with him hitting a 27-footer or whatever it was he hit.'

Cleveland improved to 14-8 against Western Conference teams - the top mark among Eastern squads.

The Hornets have lost six straight in Cleveland.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

No cash, so no plans for throwers

THE Singapore Athletic Association asked for their training and competition programmes. They, in turn, countered: Show us the money.

Choo Chee Kiong, the spokesman for Zhang Guirong and Du Xianhui, yesterday confirmed that the two national throwers will not be submitting any plans to the SAA.

Said Choo, a local freelance coach: 'How can they submit their plans if there is no guarantee of financial assistance? Who will pay for their competitions and training?'

Added Zhang, who is in Shandong: 'How can I focus on my training when I have to worry about basic necessities such as food and housing?'

The national record-holder for the discus, shot put and javelin, the 28-year-old and Du will continue training on their own in China.

Last month, the duo asked for a resumption of funding.

This was stopped at their request last July. They felt that accepting the training grants put them under enormous pressure - from the public and the media - to deliver.

The association used to pay them $1,500 each a month. They also received $900 a month food allowance and free accommodation.

Last October, they were dropped from the Asian Games squad after failing to provide their China address.

Meanwhile, athletes eyeing December's South-east Asia Games in Thailand will have to perform consistently throughout the year.

They will no longer be considered for nomination based on just one performance - even if they qualify.

Said Chan Chee Wei, the SAA vice-president for training and selection: 'This is to ensure that our athletes aren't just one-hit wonders.'

The benchmark for qualification is still the bronze medal-winning performance at the previous Games.

In another move, retired athletes who want to make a comeback will now have to give a year's notice.

Said Chan: 'This is to ensure that all athletes are available for out-of-competition drug testing during the season, which is a requirement by the International Association of Athletics Federations.'

News Today

Comeback kid Griselda wins top Sports School award
FOR someone used to cutting cleanly and smoothly through the water, the past year has been a roller-coaster ride for Griselda Khng. The national Optimist sailor ended 2005 with a South-east Asia Games gold medal after a tense deliberation by the... [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]

SMEs with profits around $300,000 benefit most from tax cuts
WHEN all the business tax permutations are totted up, one specific group scores best - smaller firms with profits around $300,000 - although all firms benefit to various degrees. Cuts and exemptions listed in the Budget will deliver small and medium-sized... [Read more]

Poor better off, Middle-incomers puzzled
For some, it was the Great Singapore Puzzle.When the Budget was announced on Thursday, it left quite a few people scratching their heads. A few savings here, a few goodies there. Different permutations, based on age, income and housing type. But... [Read more]

Lawmakers want Jakarta to get tough with S'pore
JAKARTA - SOME Indonesian lawmakers want Jakarta to put more pressure on Singapore to sign an extradition treaty, saying the ban on sand exports was not enough.'We need to take much tougher measures against them. I don't know, but the government... [Read more]

Biomedical debate: No point pushing it further
TO ADD my two cents' worth to the great biomedical debate between National Neuroscience Institute head Lee Wei Ling and outgoing A*Star chairman Philip Yeo, I note that Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong welcomed the debate as 'healthy' provided 'it is... [Read more]

Just fix it
Just fix it WHEN Changi Airport staff found a pothole in the runway one day in the 1980s, then permanent secretary of the Ministry of Communications Sim Kee Boon, who had taken on the mammoth task of building Changi Airport, went... [Read more]

Williams v Sharapova: Who wants title more will win it
MELBOURNE - SERENA Williams is in the Australian Open final, saving the toughest opponent for last - Maria Sharapova. Before today's final, she had already forced every tennis commentator on the planet to eat his words about how she was a... [Read more]

Malaysia recalls 300 retired police officers
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA has recalled more than 300 retired police officers back to duty as the country faces a shortage of experienced law enforcement officials.The 337 retired officers - to be hired on a contract basis - will be tapped... [Read more]

Rescue at hand
PHOTO: REUTERS A helicopter arriving at the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation building to evacuate five people trapped by the flames on the 11th floor. Nobody was hurt as few were working on Sunday morning, but officials say the fire may have... [Read more]

Austria's Olympian minister dies
AUSTRIA'S first female interior minister Liese Prokop, a former Olympic silver medallist, has died of a ruptured blood vessel. She was 65.Ms Prokop, who was appointed in 2004 to oversee Austria's police and overall security, died on Sunday night as she... [Read more]

News Today

They just want to go home
PHOTO: AP Queuing for a ticket home for Chinese New Year is a bone-chilling task for these folks in Taiyuan in China's central Shanxi province. The heavy snow has blanketed the highways, preventing coach services from running; hence this long line... [Read more]

Landmark deal marks victory for North over US
BEIJING - NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Il received an early birthday gift in the landmark deal reached in Beijing yesterday. Diplomats say the North Korean delegation drastically lowered its demands for energy aid after an ultimatum that the talks would... [Read more]

Organ donation: Treat family members with sensitivity
I COULD NOT agree more with Mr Anthony Yeo in his letter 'Knowing how to handle trauma is important' (ST Forum, Feb 14).In his letter, he rightly stressed the need for medical staff to be better trained in handling procedures leading... [Read more]

Tonight in Summary
Capital flows to emerging markets 'to slip 7%'WASHINGTON - PRIVATE capital flows into emerging markets will drop by 7 per cent this year as economic growth eases, according to projections by the Institute of International Finance (IIF).Projected flows of US$469 billion... [Read more]

Ticket details
Singapore will host the first leg of the Asean Championship final at the National Stadium on Wednesday.Tickets for the match will be on sale today and tomorrow, from noon to 7pm.The prices are: $15 (grandstand), $7 (gallery, adult) and $2 (gallery,... [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]

US Airways withdraws $15b offer for Delta
CHICAGO - US AIRWAYS Group withdrew a hostile bid for bankrupt Delta Air Lines after Delta creditors rejected the offer, taking immediate pressure off rivals to merge. US Airways, the No. 7 United States airline, pulled its US$9.8 billion (S$15 billion)... [Read more]

Apology to journalists
A PRESS conference called to trumpet Singapore's stellar tourism performance ended with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) having to apologise to foreign journalists.They were upset that Singapore - which had decided not to sponsor their stay here during the Asean Tourism... [Read more]

S$ could hit highest in almost a decade
Hong Kong - SINGAPORE will engineer the strongest currency in almost a decade to limit price gains as economic growth improves and inflation pressures mount, said ING Bank NV. Consumer prices may gain when the Singapore Government increases the goods and... [Read more]

BY DAY: A private school; BY NIGHT: Supplier of vice girls
BY DAY, it appeared to be a private school. At night, it was supplying women for vice-related activities. This was how private school group Ritz Everton Academy was believed to have been operating, until it shut down suddenly in the middle... [Read more]

Asean solidarity prevails
THE spirit of football may have taken a knock when the Thais walked out in the first-leg final of the Asean Championship at the National Stadium last night.But the spirit of Asean solidarity prevailed. And a match that had threatened to... [Read more]

Gerrard knows Liverpool's job is not done yet

BARCELONA - STEVEN Gerrard will not underestimate Barcelona ahead of their Champions League second-leg match at Anfield on March 6.

The Reds claimed the upper hand in the last-16 tie with a 2-1 win at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

Liverpool are in a strong position to qualify, but Gerrard told Sky Sports: 'We've got an awful lot of respect for Barcelona, they're a fantastic side.

'We'll show them the same respect.

'We need to put in the same shift in two weeks' time and, hopefully, we'll qualify.'

However, overturning the deficit is maybe more than Barcelona are capable of.

They have never recovered from a first-leg loss at home in the Champions League.

In fact, they have only once overturned a first-leg deficit at home - beating Zaragoza 4-2 in the 1966 Fairs' Cup final after a 0-1 loss.

'It will be hard to go through, but we still have a great chance. Just as they won here, we can win there,' goalkeeper Victor Valdes said.

Coach Frank Rijkaard said: 'We have to keep on working, keep training, and trying to improve. That's what I'm most concerned about.

'We have to get through this suffering together and look forward.'

Barcelona have had a tough time in big games this season. They lost 0-3 to Uefa Cup champions Sevilla in the Super Cup in August. Then, they were beaten 0-1 by Chelsea in the Champions League group stage.

Real Madrid added to their woes with a 2-0 win in the league. Copa Libertadores champions Internacional downed Barcelona 1-0 in the final of the Club World Cup in December.

Wednesday's loss came only three days after Valencia beat them 2-1 in La Liga.

'Right now, the situation is complicated but we have hope,' Rijkaard said.

'We are Barca and we can always score goals. The situation is very difficult, but we mustn't give up hope.'

Barcelona started well on Wednesday, getting a 14th-minute goal from Deco.

But Craig Bellamy responded with a header in the 43rd minute, which was mishandled by Valdes.

The Welshman then set up teammate John Arne Riise in the 74th minute for the winning goal.

Incidentally, Bellamy's golf-swing celebration after his goal cost bookmakers William Hill more than £50,000 (S$150,000).

He had allegedly threatened Riise with a golf club.

After offering odds of 100-1 that the striker would make light of the recent fracas, William Hill were hit with a flood of bets.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Celtic go to Milan all square

GLASGOW - GORDON Strachan has urged his players to believe in themselves and achieve one of the greatest results in Celtic history: To knock AC Milan out of the Champions League in a fortnight's time.

The Scottish champions hung on for a 0-0 draw on Tuesday, continuing a remarkable record of losing only once at Celtic Park in 20 European matches.

But, on the road in four seasons' worth of Champions League games? One draw in 12 games, and a woeful 11 defeats. That means the trip to the San Siro could end in humiliation.

'Not many people will be putting too much money on us to beat them at the San Siro, but stranger things have happened in football,' Strachan said.

'On our will not to get beaten, I give my players 10 out of 10. For technical ability, five out of 10.

'But, if you can draw with Milan, a top side with top players, imagine what you could do with a little more belief in yourselves.

'We need only one lucky goal. We need to believe a bit more but that will come.'

One major positive for Celtic is that they managed to avoid conceding an away goal.

This means a scoring draw would be enough to take them into the last eight.

The other plus was how Strachan's youngsters acquitted themselves. The back four's average age was in the low 20s. And 19-year-old Evander Sno played well in the heart of midfield.

Celtic were resolute, but Milan left the field sure that they belong on a higher plane. Carlo Ancelotti's side were at their most superior in the 26th minute.

Andrea Pirlo robbed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, and the move swept on.

Kaka then sent Alberto Gilardino clear, but goalkeeper Artur Boruc managed to deflect the shot with an outstretched leg.

Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac's work was more routine, dealing with a 40th-minute set-piece from Shunsuke Nakamura.

Celtic's composure would have cracked had former Rangers midfielder Gennaro Gattuso scored, instead of brushing the post with a shot in the second half.

'We have more of a chance after this game and I am confident we can go through,' said Ancelotti.

'I was happy with the performance. We tried everything in attack and that is what I wanted.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Bellamy a 'scapegoat' for Liverpool's training-trip fracas

LIVERPOOL - CRAIG Bellamy has been made a scapegoat for Liverpool's training-camp ruckus in Portugal.

Sources within the club suggest the 27-year-old Welsh international's bad-boy reputation was exploited to deflect blame from a large number of players involved in breaches of discipline.

Other players said to have been involved include Robbie Fowler, Jermaine Pennant and Jerzy Dudek.

Yesterday, the club continued its investigation into how details of the incident were leaked to the media.

It was concerned that Bellamy, who has a history of aggressive behaviour on and off the pitch, may be the victim of deliberate attempts to further damage his name, reported The Liverpool Echo.

The manager Rafael Benitez, while furious, is understood to regard the striker as no more or less guilty than any of the other players involved.

Yesterday, The Mirror reported that the Spaniard read the riot act to all the players and fined 15 of them.

While Bellamy was involved in a bust-up with John Arne Riise, the incident was apparently far less serious than presented by the Sunday newspapers.

Claims have been made that the striker repeatedly swung a golf club at the 26-year-old Norwegian's legs. However, Riise is fit and likely to start today's Champions League match with Barcelona.

Bellamy is also likely to start, while the other players fined by Benitez will at least be in the squad.

The pair clashed after Riise apparently refused to join a karaoke session last Thursday.

When they returned to the team's hotel, a brawl started with Bellamy attacking Riise with a golf club.

The squad, including Riise and Bellamy, were back in training on Monday at Melwood, after the five-day break.

Depending on which British newspaper one reads, Bellamy could be heading out of Anfield or will remain once he promises to be on his best behaviour.

The Sun, for example, claims that the striker is on his way out and Liverpool have already started looking for his replacement.

Benitez has identified Juventus striker David Trezeguet as the ideal substitute.

Said the manager: 'It's true, we are following many players in Italy, and Trezeguet is one of them.'

He also has his eye on Juventus' Valeri Bojinov, Udinese's Vincenzo Iaquinta and Palermo's Amauri.

Where does that leave Bellamy?

Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers are keen to hand him a lifeline, reported Soccernet.

Villa's manager Martin O'Neill is ready to make an £8 million (S$24 million) offer.

He took Bellamy on loan for Celtic two years ago, after the player's fall-out with then-Newcastle boss Graeme Souness.

Bellamy went on to score nine goals in 15 games during his spell at Parkhead.

Blackburn's manager Mark Hughes is also keen to lure his countryman back to the club he left to join Liverpool.

Bellamy also has a supporter in Sunderland's manager, Roy Keane.

Malaysia's Camerlin to give out BIL stock

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN investment firm Camerlin Group unveiled plans yesterday to hand almost all of its 22.3 per cent stake in Singapore investment house BIL International to its shareholders.

Camerlin said the move would allow it to restructure its own share capital, erase all of its accumulated losses and put it in better shape to look for new businesses and assets, reported Reuters.

Camerlin, controlled by Malaysian billionaire Quek Leng Chan, said it had yet to calculate the distribution ratio but that shareholders would receive somewhere between 0.65 and 0.67 of a BIL share for each Camerlin share.

'The proposed capital distribution and proposed consolidation will enable Camerlin's shareholders to have direct equity participation in the BIL shares,' it said in a statement.

'The proposed cancellation of accumulated losses will...provide the company with the opportunity to reconstruct its capital structure to facilitate its future plans.'

BIL, formerly known as Brierley Investments, has a global portfolio of investments in the hotels and resorts, and food and beverage industries. Its major investment is in Thistle Hotels, which runs 49 hotels in the United Kingdom and was privatised two years ago for $1.87 billion.

BIL's other key investments are the Denarau and Bass Strait oil and gas properties. It also owns the prestigious Clermont Club casino in Berkeley Square in London's West End, which it bought from Britain's Rank Group.

BIL, which has secondary listings in London and New Zealand, owns, leases or manages more than 11,000 rooms in Britain and claims to be the London's largest hotel operator with more than 6,000 rooms.

Camerlin plans to distribute up to 303.14 million BIL shares, worth about $500 million at the latter's current share price.

Camerlin and its subsidiaries own 304.6 million shares.

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