Wednesday, February 28, 2007

TV times

SOCCER: Italian Serie A: Lazio v Catania (Live, Ch24, 9.55pm). FA Cup, 5th rd replay: Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal (Live, Ch24, tomorrow, 3.55am).

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

News Today

Breathing easy
These people at a hospital in Xian, in China's Shaanxi province, are being treated in an oxygen chamber for carbon monoxide poisoning. The poisonous gas from coal-fired heaters was trapped in people's homes by unusually low atmospheric pressure.Coal is the main... [Read more]

Report perverts immediately to facilitate follow-up action
I refer to the letter, 'Please advise women how to deal with MRT perverts' (Online forum, Jan 23) by Mr Nelson Quah.Indecent exposure is an offence punishable under the law. In addition, under the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations, it is stipulated... [Read more]

Inappropriate time slots for prime-time trailers
I am a regular viewer of Ch5 and I am bothered by some of the commercials and shows aired by the channel. Being the premier English channel in Singapore, I expect MediaCorp to be more in tune with the larger English-speaking... [Read more]

India celebrates cosy ties with Russia
NEW DELHI - INDIA toasted visiting President Vladimir Putin yesterday by putting on a display of mostly Russian-made military equipment.A day after the two nations signed several agreements signalling that their close ties endured, New Delhi rolled out T-90 and T-72... [Read more]

Parking fine unjustified - is there no grace period?
On Feb 11, I went to see a Chinese physician at People's Park Centre. On reaching the car park beside the building, I displayed a parking coupon with the tabs torn to indicate 11.25 although the car clock showed 11.24.I thought... [Read more]

Widow struggles to care for kids, mum-in-law
IN AN HDB flat in Block 17, Toh Yi Drive, the start of the Chinese New Year brings back terrible memories. On Jan 26 last year, the family's breadwinner, lorry driver Lim Kah Sim, was crossing the carpark just below the... [Read more]

Minister doubts eavesdropping claims
THAI Minister of Information and Communication Technology Sittichai Pokai-udom has cast doubts on the junta's claims that Singapore was eavesdropping on Thai military conversations.In an interview on a Thai-language TV talk show, Siam This Morning, on Tuesday, Mr Sittichai said eavesdropping... [Read more]

CapitaLand earns $40m from sale of office space
CAPITALAND has sold all its entire interest in the Samsung Hub office block to two different buyers for a gain of $40 million.The entire divestment of space in the central business district building amounted to $152.9 million.Property company Ho Bee Development... [Read more]

Space tourist taking books in his pack
THE world's next space tourist, Hungarian-born American software developer and billionaire Charles Simonyi (below), has said he would like to see a library in outer space. 'Everywhere where humans are, I think there should be a library,' the 58-year-old Mr Simonyi,... [Read more]

Second offer for CK Tang fails to get enough support
RETAILER CK Tang looks set to remain a listed company for now after chief executive Tang Wee Sung was unable to garner enough shareholder support for his privatisation bid.At the close of yesterday's offer of 65 cents a share, for which... [Read more]

SingTel staff to be more attentive when giving info
I REFER to the letter by Ms Liew Chuen Li (ST Online Forum, Feb 13).We have contacted Ms Liew and apologised for the service lapse she and her mother experienced.Upon receiving feedback from Ms Liew, we successfully turned on her mio... [Read more]

Monday, February 26, 2007

News Today

Social workers ought to get higher pay with extra funding
I REFER to the letter, 'Pay increase for social workers lauded' (ST, Jan 25), by Mr Edmund Lim Wee Kiat. We agree with Mr Lim that social workers play an important role in maintaining and improving the well-being of our society.In... [Read more]

Goodie bag has magazine with questionable contents
MY HUSBAND participated in the recent Safra Sheares Bridge Run. Participants of all ages took part in the event and they were given a free goodie bag. In it was a magazine with an article entitled 'What to do if she... [Read more]

It's showtime when Grossman's angry
MIAMI - SUPER Bowl XLI is a classic match-up of the Peyton Manning-led Colts scoring machine and a Bears defence that has long been the pride of Chicago gridiron fans. It is also time for Rex Grossman to make his critics... [Read more]

Russia may pull out of arms treaty over US missile shield
MOSCOW - RUSSIA has threatened to pull out of a landmark arms control treaty unless the United States backs away from plans to install its missile defence shield in Eastern Europe.General Yuri Baluyevsky, head of the Russian general staff, said Russia... [Read more]

Office rents, prices soar in supply crunch
OFFICE owners and landlords enjoyed impressive gains last year as prices and rentals of office space surged after years of sluggishness. Rentals jumped 30.3 per cent to hit their highest level in at least eight years, according to new Urban Redevelopment... [Read more]

Two-way race for HK's Chief Executive post
HONG KONG leader Donald Tsang will announce today his candidacy in the coming Chief Executive election, which is shaping up to be the city's first-ever contested leadership poll. The election is likely to be a two-way race after barrister-cum-lawmaker Mr Alan... [Read more]

Pyongyang nuke deal 'template for Teheran'
WASHINGTON - THE US reached a deal with North Korea with its sights set on a bigger problem: Iran. It held up as a model for Teheran the six-party agreement where Pyongyang will take steps towards giving up nuclear weapons. White... [Read more]

JB floods unleash pent-up sentiment against S'pore
KUALA LUMPUR - THE ripples began during the second wave of floods that submerged hundreds of villages and towns in Johor last month. It all started with a brief report on the nightly news bulletin on popular private TV station TV3... [Read more]

French naval vessel sails in
The French navy's oldest helicopter carrier, FS Jeanne d'Arc, sailed into Changi Naval Base yesterday. On board the 12,000-tonne carrier was a French Army Gazelle chopper. A team of French officers and airmen are here to share their experiences operating naval... [Read more]

News? Simi lancheow! Go Fuck yourself!
India to review policy on SEZ projectsNEW DELHI - INDIA is reviewing its policy on special economic zones as opposition to them grows.A panel of senior ministers will examine all new plans for the zones, which are intended to attract billions... [Read more]

S'pore army chief's China visit
Singapore's Chief of Army, Major-General Desmond Kuek, exchanging mementoes with People's Liberation Army's Chief of General Staff, General Liang Guanglie, during his four-day introductory visit to China.Singapore's Ministry of Defence said yesterday that Maj-Gen Kuek, who returned on Thursday, was hosted... [Read more]

Friday, February 23, 2007

Roma's physical tactics upset Lyon

LYON have accused Roma of rough play during Wednesday's 0-0 Champions League match.

'It was quite a rough match with unfair behaviour by the Roma players,' said Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, after the game in Rome.

'There was some verbal abuse too. Several Italian players came to apologise after the game for insults.'

Referee Mike Riley handed out 11 yellow cards - eight of them to Roma.

The first of the Roma players to be booked was defender Philippe Mexes, after three minutes, for a tackle on Lyon playmaker Juninho.

Aulas said: 'Mexes didn't go for the ball, he tried to get me out of the game. French clubs are not respected in the Champions League. We saw it with Lille on Tuesday.'

Lyon coach Gerard Houllier said: 'I was wondering about a 'contract' Roma could have put on Juninho's head.'

REUTERS

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Real to protest over van Bommel's gestures

MADRID - Real Madrid will reportedly protest to Uefa over two insulting gestures made by Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel, after he scored in the teams' Champions League game.

The Spanish club considered Tuesday's actions 'an intolerable provocation'.

Van Bommel, a former player with Madrid's arch-rivals Barcelona, apologised, but said he had been insulted by a Madrid player about his Barcelona connections. He did not name the player.

'It's the first time I've played at the Santiago Bernabeu and I have nothing against the crowd - although I do have something against a player,' he told Catalunya Radio.

Newspaper Marca reacted with indignation to the incident, with its front page accompanying a photo of van Bommel gesturing with the headline: 'They're going to have to swallow this'.

The paper advised Madrid players to 'cut the photo out, stick it in the dressing room and don't stop looking at it until the return leg'.

Sports daily As added that Madrid will also protest that Bayern substitute Hasan Salihamidzic spat at supporters behind the goal straight after van Bommel's goal.

Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos said van Bommel and Salihamidzic's actions were 'disgraceful' and 'do soccer no good'.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Roma's hopes rest on an improved performance

ROME - IF ROMA want to progress in the Champions League, they will have to play better than they did last Saturday.

Then, they produced one of their worst performances in recent times in their 0-1 loss to Empoli.

The result left them 14 points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

But manager Luciano Spalletti believes the Champions League will bring out the best in his faltering team.

They face Lyon in the last 16. Today, they host the first leg.

Lyon are on course for a record sixth consecutive French league title, while Roma's Serie A challenge has faded dramatically in recent weeks.

But Spalletti is confident his players will be highly motivated for today's match.

'Lyon are mentally and physically strong, but I am convinced we will give them two great matches,' said the 47-year-old coach.

His team are unbeaten in their last eight European matches at Rome's Olympic stadium.

Lyon's coach Gerard Houllier expects an evenly-balanced tie, despite watching Roma's poor performance against Empoli.

'It wasn't the real Roma,' he said. 'Our chances of going through are 50 per cent.'

Lyon have an impressive away record in the Champions League - eight wins in their last 13 matches.

But, despite being tipped by many as potential winners of the competition, they have never gone beyond the quarter-finals.

Roma, who reached the final of the old European Cup in 1984 only to lose to Liverpool on penalties, have never qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Group pays $884m for rest of Marina plot

THE consortium that is developing the prime Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) has disclosed the sum - $883.8 million - that it is paying for the second phase of the site, on nearby land.

And for the first time, the consortium, which includes Singapore's Keppel Land, disclosed that residential apartments, as well as offices, will be built in phase two.

The upmarket residential component of phase one of the 99-year leasehold site was a big hit among property investors.

The announcement comes amid tightening office supply, which is not expected to ease until MBFC's phase one is ready in 2010.

Office rents have climbed significantly in the past year and they look set to continue the climb. Indeed, prime rents may rise to as much as $20 per sq ft in two years, from the current high of about $13 psf, predicted property consultancy Savills Singapore's Mr Ku Swee Yong.

In a statement yesterday, the consortium said that it had exercised its option to buy phase two of the site in the new downtown from the Government. The price works out to about $423 psf, excluding 5 per cent GST (goods and services tax). In 2005, it took up an eight-year option for the buy.

Phase two will add 194,000 sq m of gross floor area to the 244,000 sq m of space that is being developed under phase one.

Assuming construction starts immediately, the new offices and homes may hit the market only by 2011, market watchers say.

'The consortium indicated it would develop both Grade-A office and high-end residential components in the new phase, details of which will be revealed in due course after discussions with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA),' the consortium said.

It comprises Keppel Land, and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Holdings and Hongkong Land.

The general manager of the venture's asset management firm Raffles Quay Asset Management, Mr David Martin, said: 'The purchase of phase two demonstrates the consortium's confidence in Singapore's property market and its continued development as a key financial centre in Asia.'

Just last week, the Government said it plans to launch more development sites at Marina Bay.

For the consortium, its move is timely, coming less than a fortnight before the URA unveils its six-monthly review of development charges on March 1.

Given the rise in values in the area, property consultants expect significant increases in the commercial development charges for Marina Bay of up to 100 per cent.

The first phase of MBFC comprises two office towers and the 428-unit Marina Bay Residences, which sold out before its launch last December.

Phase two of the MBFC is made up of two separate sites - one is behind The Sail @ Marina Bay and the other is behind Marina Bay Residences.

joyceteo@sph.com.sg

Friday, February 16, 2007

News of the Day

Have separate blood bank for those who visited UK
WITH reference to the article, 'Supply at blood bank runs low, elective surgery put off' (ST, Jan 19), may I suggest that those who have visited the United Kingdom be allowed to donate blood here.I understand that UK visitors cannot donate... [Read more]

Cash in pension fund scandal 'recovered'
BEIJING - SHANGHAI has retrieved 'every cent' siphoned from its social security fund in a scandal that shook China's largest city last year, its mayor said yesterday.'We have secured retrieval in full amount of the embezzled social security fund in line... [Read more]

Fergie doubts unsettled Blues
LONDON - LIVERPOOL received a boost ahead of tomorrow's match with Chelsea at Anfield from an unlikely source - Alex Ferguson.The Manchester United manager believes that the speculation over Jose Mourinho's future could unsettle the defending champions.He compared the effect of... [Read more]

Jakarta top cop wants ISA-style anti-terror law
WASHINGTON - INDONESIAN national police chief Sutanto has called for tougher laws to fight terrorism, suggesting that Jakarta adopt the Internal Security Act (ISA) that is in place in Singapore and Malaysia.He said that current legislation impeded investigations.'We need something like... [Read more]

Wung Yew fires first Olympic salvos
THE Olympics is just 19 months away. And Lee Wung Yew, who is taking no-pay leave, is wasting no time in his bid for Beijing 2008 glory.A month after the Asian Games, the Singapore trap shooter has already met his new... [Read more]

Technorati Profile
Technorati Profile... [Read more]

CIA spy in Watergate scandal dies
THE veteran CIA spy who helped plan the break-in at Washington's Watergate complex which brought down President Richard Nixon has died in Miami.Mr Howard Hunt, 88, had reportedly battled pneumonia.He plotted the night-time burglary on June 17, 1972 at the Watergate... [Read more]

'Study causes of floods before blaming S'pore'
MALAYSIA'S Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has called for a full study to be done into the causes of the recent flooding in Johor before fingers are pointed at Singapore. 'There have been all kinds of claims, but we cannot... [Read more]

Upset over handling of bus passenger who failed to pay
ON FRIDAY Jan 19 at around 8.20pm, I witnessed a person taking a free ride on an SBS bus - SBS 7401G. This person was then reported to the police by the bus driver, after he stopped the bus along the... [Read more]

Case file
CHARGED WITH CANNABIS TRAFFICKINGAN AUSTRALIAN man was yesterday charged with two counts of trafficking in cannabis. On Jan 9, 189g of cannabis and 248.38g of cannabis mixture were found in the Pasir Ris flat Michael Karras, 38, shares with Singaporean Ngo... [Read more]

Split over Reds and Blues
FANS are divided when it comes to today's Liverpool v Chelsea match. However, they are favouring Arsenal to beat Manchester United tomorrow. Out of 160 entries submitted as at 6pm yesterday for the 'Predict and Win' contest, participants are split evenly... [Read more]