Today's Briefs

Pakistan orders probe into suicide bombing near Shi'ite centre
PESHAWAR (PAKISTAN) - PAKISTAN yesterday ordered a federal investigation into a suspected suicide bombing that killed 15 people, including a police chief and other officers, and beefed up security in this north-western city. It was the second such attack in two... [Read more]

Bomb-maker wounded
ONE of the most wanted militants in Asia, an Indonesian bomb-maker wanted for the 2002 Bali attacks, was wounded last week in a clash with Philippine troops, the military said yesterday.Dulmatin, a member of the radical Jemaah Islamiah (JI) network, was... [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]

Let agencies deal with errant maids
I REFER to the letter, 'No go for employer when maid refused to go' (ST, Jan 19), by Ms Phyllis Christe. Ms Christe should have returned her maid to the agency instead of taking action of her own. She must appreciate... [Read more]

China's economic boom throws up new challenges
BEIJING - THE Chinese economy has been surpassing growth expectations for years and its 2006 gross domestic product figures even beat the confident predictions made by senior officials.Last year's 10.7 per cent increase in output, which topped Beijing's forecast of 10.5... [Read more]

Imperial treasures
TAIWAN'S National Palace Museum is home to some of finest treasures owned by China's emperors.Among the more notable exhibits are: Four of the best-known Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) landscape paintings, shown together for the first time.One of them is on loan... [Read more]

Bush makes sales pitch for ethanol
WILMINGTON (DELAWARE) - PRESIDENT George W. Bush made a big deal about ethanol, the fuel derived from plants, in his State of the Union address this week. The next morning, he got up close and personal with it, poking his head... [Read more]

What it should have been
In our report, 'Asean Music Festival in S'pore' yesterday, it was stated wrongly that the five-day event at the Hard Rock Cafe Singapore will coincide with the Asean Tourism Forum, which will be held in Singapore from Jan 29 next year.In... [Read more]

STOMP: Win Lions-signed Nike jerseys
WHO will be Singapore's best player against Thailand in their final first leg tomorrow and why?Post your comments at www.stomp.com.sg/talkback/ and win Lions-autographed replicas of their jerseys.Four Nike jerseys - two home and two away - will be given out for... [Read more]

Marines sent to crush Abu Sayyaf
MANILA - THE Philippines will deploy a brigade of marines to the southern island of Basilan, hoping to finally eradicate the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremist group this year, officials said yesterday.The brigade would be moved from Mindanao, one of the bastions... [Read more]

Move to prevent 'cheap sale' of state assets
SHANGHAI - CHINA yesterday announced new rules aimed at guaranteeing that state assets identified as key to the nation's economic security are not sold too cheaply to foreigners.Private deals will be strictly controlled and will require approvals from national and provincial... [Read more]