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]

China and Japan in show of camaraderie
TOKYO - VISITING Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing expressed hope yesterday that a rapprochement in ties with Tokyo would stay on course, but also mentioned the wartime past that haunts relations. On the second day of his visit to Tokyo, he... [Read more]

Iran 'at least 5 years away from N-bomb'
LONDON - IRAN may be able to enrich uranium on a mass scale in just six months, but it is still at least five years away from having the capacity to build a nuclear bomb, according to the chief UN monitor.... [Read more]

Planned missile shield triggers Russian wrath
WARSAW - A US proposal to base a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic has moved ahead with both countries indicating agreement, while a top Russian general warned the plan could lead Moscow to target the former allies with... [Read more]

More Chinese going abroad instead of heading home
BEIJING - CLUTCHING plane tickets in the teeming departure hall of Beijing airport, Mr Wang Wei is happy he is not going to his hometown for Chinese New Year. The 36-year-old engineer is one of thousands escaping China's frosty northern winter... [Read more]

Soccer Shorts
BARTON MAY FACE POLICE, FA PROBELONDON: Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton may face police and Football Association enquiries for making abusive gestures at Portsmouth fans, the Daily Star said.However, the club insist that he did no such thing in Saturday's 1-2... [Read more]

Peek into history
The Prime Minister of Laos, Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, learns about a manual ice-shaver used to make ice balls in the 1950s and 1960s at the National Museum. Explaining it to him is Ms Wong Hong Suen, an assistant curator at the... [Read more]

Drogba reveals Chelsea differences
LONDON - DIDIER Drogba has confirmed one of football's worst-kept secrets - that there are problems between Chelsea's manager Jose Mourinho and his superiors.That is why the Premiership champions have faltered in the title race this season, the striker added, pointing... [Read more]

British, US kids the worst-off in rich world
LONDON - BRITAIN is the worst country among 21 wealthy nations in which to be a child, closely followed by the United States, according to a study by the United Nations. The Netherlands is the best, the study says, followed by... [Read more]

News In Brief
Tokyo, New York bourses on track for tie-up dealTOKYO - THE Tokyo and New York stock exchanges are expected to reach an agreement on their tie-up when bourse officials meet in New York at the end of the month, said a... [Read more]

Don't wait for complaint, act against law-breakers
WHERE there has been violation of any law or rule, the authorities do not take action unless someone complains (or writes to The Straits Times' Forum page), which is disappointing.There are many instances where laws have been flouted with impunity, for... [Read more]