News Today

Jail terms of copper wire thieves upped on appeal
ARGUING that the theft of copper wire had become a widespread problem, the prosecution won its appeal yesterday to have deterrent sentences imposed on two men described as 'career criminals'. One had his jail term doubled from nine months to 1-1/2... [Read more]

OCBC to buy Indonesian debt underwriter
JAKARTA - OCBC Bank has agreed to buy a 29.5 per cent stake in Trimegah Securities, Indonesia's third-biggest debt underwriter, for 172.52 billion rupiah (S$29.16 million).OCBC, the smallest of Singapore's three banks, separately said its wholly-owned unit, Excel Holdings, has reached... [Read more]

Buyers of 10% of One Shenton units back out of deal
PROPERTY speculation may seem like a good way to make a quick buck, but not all would-be profiteers manage to pull it off.The Straits Times understands that buyers of more than 30 units at luxury condominium One Shenton in Shenton Way... [Read more]

Fliers playing it safe - slow pick-up in duty-free sales
PLAY-IT-SAFE passengers flying from Changi Airport are still wary of having duty-free items aboard - five months after anti-terror restrictions were slapped on by certain countries.Duty-free sales at Changi Airport on the affected routes have picked up, but only marginally.The Civil... [Read more]

3 charged over wave of violence in Thai south
PATTANI - THAI security forces have arrested three men in connection with a wave of violence that left eight dead and 69 injured across the Muslim-dominated far south at the weekend. Southern Army commander Viroach Buacharoon told a news conference yesterday... [Read more]

SPCA took in fewer animals last year
THE number of animals taken in by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) last year fell 6 per cent compared to the year before. Last year, it gave shelter to 9,706 animals, more than half of which... [Read more]

Bond in China at last
Three women in Shanghai strike the same pose as James Bond in Casino Royale, which made its debut in cinemas around China yesterday. Casino Royale is the first of the 21 Bond films to earn approval from censors in China, and... [Read more]

New twist to baby greens
These capsules with miniature plants growing in colourful solutions are sold as mobile phone accessories or key chains at a flower market in Yinchuan, the provincial capital of western China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.... [Read more]

Review of 12 health-sector charities out
THE report card on 12 of Singapore's largest charities in the health sector is out - and while there are no shocking revelations, three key areas have been identified for them to work on. They have a six-month deadline to fix... [Read more]

I feared for my family, says Mikel
LONDON - CHELSEA midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed why he defied manager Jose Mourinho and played for his country last Tuesday. It was because the Nigerian feared for his family's safety back home. Mourinho wanted Mikel to pull out of... [Read more]

Sirens to be sounded today
SIRENS will sound islandwide today at 12.05pm, as part of Total Defence Day.The exercise also serves to familiarise people with the Public Warning System (PWS) and the three emergency signals.When the sound is heard, people can tune in immediately to any... [Read more]