News Today

Female seminary students in Pakistan sit-in
ISLAMABAD - VEILED in burqas and armed with canes, scores of female seminary students have occupied a children's library in the Pakistani capital to protest against government plans to demolish mosques and madrasahs built without official permission. The unusual protest has... [Read more]

Girl shot by dad in 'honour killing'
AMMAN - A FATHER shot dead his 17-year-old daughter, whom he suspected of having sex, then surrendered to the police in the latest case of so-called 'honour killings' in Jordan that have attracted international censure. An autopsy found the girl to... [Read more]

Britain fears serial letter-bomber at work
LONDON - BRITAIN may be in the grip of a serial letter-bomber. A wave of attacks, described by police as coordinated, is inspiring comparisons with the so-called Unabomber in the US, who waged an 18-year campaign against airlines and universities that... [Read more]

'Heart attack' on minister on Valentine's Day
TOKYO - A PEACENIK organisation sent Japan's Health Minister a giant chocolate urging him to 'Be Our Valentine and Resign!' as the country's sweet-giving tradition took on a bitter tinge yesterday. For most Japanese, Valentine's Day is an occasion when women... [Read more]

Festive plants can bring cheer...and mozzies
THE plants traditionally brought into the home for Chinese New Year may add to the festive feeling - but they could be breeding disease, too. The pots and water plates are potential breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue,... [Read more]

Putting this shop's best face forward
Many people come to the shop daily, during their lunch breaks, 'to soak in the feel and experience'. Ms Peggy Kho, 31, creative director of The Face Shop chain of cosmetic stores, said the combination of attentive sales staff and look... [Read more]

Tokyo records longest snowless winter
TOKYO yesterday set a record for its longest snowless winter amid growing worldwide concern about global warming. The metropolitan area of the capital has not had snow this season, making it the longest snowless winter since statistics were first kept in... [Read more]

Entertaining is out for Japan bank's unit
BANK of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, the Japanese bank which was recently censured over improper lending practices, has asked bankers at its Singapore office to stop entertaining clients as a penance.The bank is part of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, which has about 600... [Read more]

'I feel like a WHORE'
Daring bus stop shoot brings Fann close to 'emotional breakdown' - it's the price of taking on more risky roles CLAD in a short skirt, Fann Wong is sitting at a bus stop, her legs wide apart.She then props one foot... [Read more]

Stop new gas output, Japan tells China
TOKYO - JAPAN has asked China to halt any new production of gas from a field in the East China Sea claimed by both countries, says Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki. China has started supplying gas from the Chunxiao field to... [Read more]

Subsidies for kindergarten fees to be raised
KINDERGARTEN schooling will be made more affordable for low-income families with children.The Government yesterday announced that it will raise the level of subsidy for kindergarten fees under the current Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme.The subsidy will increase from 75 per cent to... [Read more]