News Today

Ex-immigration officer jailed for taking bribes
A FORMER Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer who took bribes from two men for wrongfully granting 14-day social visit passes to foreign women was yesterday sentenced to two years in jail.Siti Sarina Mohamed Kassim, now unemployed, was also ordered to... [Read more]

Cheney reassures Japan over N. Korea deal
TOKYO - US VICE-PRESIDENT Dick Cheney worked yesterday to ease Japanese concerns about a landmark deal with North Korea and told its Iraq war allies that Washington will never adopt 'a policy of retreat'. With Japan refusing to contribute funds to... [Read more]

Tax rebates for natural parents of illegitimate kids
THE natural parents of illegitimate children can now claim parenthood tax rebates applicable for the second, third and fourth child, if they marry before the child reaches six years of age. This change is to further promote the importance of an... [Read more]

NTUC to sponsor training of SME workers
THE National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is going to step in and sponsor the training of unionised workers in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Labour chief Lim Swee Say made the promise yesterday to these workers who are rarely sent for... [Read more]

India to set up aerospace defence shield
NW DELHI - INDIA will set up an aerospace defence command to shield itself against possible attacks from outer space, officials said.The announcement came three days after Russia backed India's response to a Chinese satellite-destroying missile test that demanded a 'weapons-free... [Read more]

Contracts for shipping sector firms steam ahead
TRADING of covered warrants issued on companies in the shipping sector is steaming ahead of that for their counterparts in other sectors.In the past trading week, turnover for shipping sector warrants cruised past that for traditionally more popular sectors such as... [Read more]

Deal to end N. Korean nuclear crisis may be at hand
BEIJING - A CAUTIOUSLY optimistic US chief negotiator Christopher Hill said last night that a deal could be close that will see North Korea begin to end its nuclear weapons programme. Negotiators yesterday started going through a draft proposal outlining possible... [Read more]

Results
BASKETBALL NBA: Toronto 119 Washington 109, Charlotte 104 New Yorks 87, Atlanta 115 Golden State 94, Orlando 98 Milwaukee 73, LA Lakers 111 Boston 98, Detroit 113 New Jersey 89, Dallas 95 Memphis 94, Philadelphia 89 New Orleans 78, Houston 112... [Read more]

Lions, let's hear you roar again at Kallang
AFTER Saturday's come- from-behind semi-final win over Malaysia, goalkeeper Lionel Lewis offered the victory to the fans who had packed the National Stadium.Thanks Lionel, but the fans would rather you and your mates dedicate the Asean Championship to them.Go beat Thailand... [Read more]

Good chance for Barca to increase league lead
MADRID - BARCELONA'S coach Frank Rijkaard refuses to see his team as the Primera Liga title favourites.He is adamant, despite history showing that the leaders at the half-way point have gone on to win the Spanish championship in 10 of the... [Read more]

Sports World
HARD FOR WILLIAMS: WEBBERMELBOURNE: Former Formula One champions Williams, on Toyota V8 engines this season, are just a Toyota B team now, claimed their former driver Mark Webber.The Australian, who moved to Renault-powered Red Bull at the end of last season,... [Read more]