News Today

Actor Fiennes in mile-high scandal
BRITISH movie star Ralph Fiennes (right) is at the centre of a mile-high sex scandal involving an Australian flight attendant, a report said yesterday.A 38-year-old Qantas stewardess has been suspended and could lose her job after fellow crew members allegedly spotted... [Read more]

Kim Jong Il turns 65, with no successor in sight
SEOUL - RAINBOWS fill the sky and frost flickers like fireworks as North Korea prepares for the birthday of its 'Dear Leader', who is reaching an age when many retire, yet is reluctant to name his successor. Mr Kim Jong Il... [Read more]

It's all in the family in Filipino politics
MANILA - THE coming midterm polls in the Philippines could see candidates from just three families fill a quarter of the Senate. Dynasties are a political reality in most countries, but few - if any - can top the Philippines for... [Read more]

Solution to cyberspace criticism lies within Reach
WITH regard to 'PAP moves to counter criticism of party, Govt in cyberspace' (ST, Feb 3), the simple solution is to improve reach.gov.sg, the feedback portal.The original site was a lot easier to use and all it needed was a little... [Read more]

Shetty a star in UK Parliament
THE winner of Britain's reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother, Shilpa Shetty, was awarded VIP treatment on a visit to Parliament. During the visit, she thanked British Prime Minister Tony Blair for supporting her in the show's 'racist bullying' row. Shetty,... [Read more]

Crowd attacks accused in rape-murder case
NEW DELHI - AN ANGRY crowd outside a courthouse severely beat a wealthy man and his servant yesterday after they attended a hearing on charges of raping, killing and dismembering over 20 women and children. Television footage showed the crowd, including... [Read more]

Thai-language media cries foul, reflects bitterness over loss
BANGKOK - THAI-LANGUAGE media yesterday cried foul over the country's loss to Singapore in Wednesday's Asean Football Championship match. Singapore beat Thailand 2-1 in the first-leg of the final, a match marred by a 15-minute walkout by the Thais, who were... [Read more]

Masako book 'selling very well' after ban
THE Australian author of a controversial book about Japan's royal family said yesterday that Tokyo's attempts to censor his work had backfired spectacularly and made it more popular than Harry Potter. Mr Ben Hills, one of Australia's most respected investigative journalists,... [Read more]

Woman minister killed for not wearing Islamic garb
ISLAMABAD - A SUSPECTED Islamic militant on Tuesday shot dead a Pakistani female provincial minister and supporter of President Pervez Musharraf because she was not wearing Muslim clothing, officials said. Zilla Huma Usman, 35, the Punjab province minister for social welfare,... [Read more]

Do the people deserve a greener Singapore?
I LAUD the PUB's efforts to transform drains, canals and reservoirs into streams, rivers and lakes with lush greenery, floating boardwalks and natural habitats for fish and birds. It will most certainly add to the ongoing enhancements to make Singapore a... [Read more]

Abdullah hits back at bloggers, websites out to 'rubbish' him
KUALA LUMPUR - PRIME Minister Abdullah Badawi has hit out at bloggers and websites for spreading 'lies after lies' to discredit his government. He says they have exaggerated issues and want to 'rubbish' his administration. 'I know there are people who... [Read more]