News Today

Investors go the whole hog, pushing STI to new record
INVESTORS could barely wait to get back to business on the first trading day of the Year of the Pig yesterday, immediately propelling the local bourse to yet another all-time high. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) ended yesterday at its... [Read more]

Ex-detainee Ho Toon Chin dies in London
FORMER political detainee Ho Toon Chin died in London on Tuesday from a stroke. He was 70.Mr Ho was a manager in a small media company, said his undergraduate son Hehao, 21, yesterday, declining to disclose its name.He had a stroke... [Read more]

Thailand steps up security for match against S'pore
BANGKOK - BOMB detectors, police dogs and some 500 police officers will be deployed tomorrow when Singapore meets Thailand in the Asean Cup final. 'There will be a special area for the 2,000 Singaporean fans expected, and they will be separated... [Read more]

Blair's top fund-raiser rearrested while on bail
THE top fund-raiser for British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour Party was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, a police source said.Lord Michael Levy was arrested when he returned to a London police station... [Read more]

Keppel issues in demand after record annual profits
WARRANTS on Keppel Corp are now the flavour of the week, after the conglomerate's better-than-expected full-year results released on Tuesday.Keppel's net profit rose 33 per cent to a record $750.8 million, outperforming analysts' expectations.Warrants on stocks such as Keppel allow investors... [Read more]

Tonight's Headlines
Retirement planning low on S'poreans' priority listMOST Singaporeans are prepared for short-term financial emergencies and big expenses such as their mortgage and children's education. However, such planning falls well short in other areas like retirement.Those were the key findings of a... [Read more]

Group pays $884m for rest of Marina plot
THE consortium that is developing the prime Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) has disclosed the sum - $883.8 million - that it is paying for the second phase of the site, on nearby land. And for the first time, the consortium,... [Read more]

Brokers' Choice
MERRILL EXPECTS CDL TO SET UP OFFICE REIT MERRILL Lynch believes that City Developments (CDL) 'will look to establish an office Reit this year, following its successful initial public offer of CDL Hospitality Trusts', referring to a real estate investment trust.... [Read more]

Old Changi hospital gets new life as spa-resort
THE former Changi Hospital will undergo a $20-million makeover to become a rustic spa and resort for Singaporeans and budget travellers by year's end. Property company Bestway Properties, which won a recent tender to lease the Halton Road site, wants to... [Read more]

Killer molested his high school hostages
He sexually assaulted some of the six girls before killing one and then himselfBAILEY (COLORADO) - THE gunman who killed a student and committed suicide during a high school stand-off methodically selected six girls as hostages - apparently favouring blondes -... [Read more]

Wall St expects rate cut in third quarter or later
NEW YORK - ANALYSTS on Wall Street expect the United States Federal Reserve to keep interest rates on hold for some time as growth rebounds and inflation moderates, with many holding out for a rate cut later in the year. A... [Read more]

Extend senior-citizen concessions to visitors

I REFER to recent letters urging the extension of travel concessions to the whole day. I agree fully with the writers. It is an appropriate way to show respect to seniors.

Many First World countries extend such concessions to senior citizens of all countries.

Many, if not all, European Union countries extend concessions on train and ferry travel and to local attractions to seniors.

In Japan, if you look like a senior, the receptionist will tell you of the concession, which is zero payment in some instances.

In the United States and Australia, you are told of concessions in a large number of eating places as you enter. All this is done without asking for proof.

In Singapore, such privileges are not extended to foreigners and locals are often required to produce proof of their age.

We are not very trusting, are

we?

I hope that as we aspire to become a First World country in many respects, we should also show respect to people of other countries and extend to them the courtesy that they so freely bestow upon seniors of all countries.

I can assure organisations that there will be no great rush to Singapore by seniors to avail themselves of the concessions and that the organisations will not be bankrupted by the senior tourists.



Murali Sharma

Leaders capitalise on friendlier Classic

THE leaderboard after yesterday's opening round of the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters 2007 tells the whole story.

Golfers who teed off on the more generous Classic Course at Laguna National Gold and Country Club occupy the top 14 spots.

Australian Marcus Fraser and China's Liang Wenchong were tied for the lead, after both carded solid bogey-free eight-under 64s.

Said Fraser, 28: 'The fairways on the Classic Course are pretty generous. The greens are pretty good over there.

'So if you're giving yourself a chance, you're going to shoot a good score.'

Look further down and the names who teed off at Laguna's other course - the more challenging par-72, 7,207-yard Masters - pop up.

Among them, in an 18-way tie for 15th spot, was Singapore's No 1 and defending champion Mardan Mamat.

He shot the day's lowest Masters Course score of 68, along with France's Jean Van de Velde, Scot Simon Yates, India's Guarav Ghei and New Zealander Richard Lee.

The pre-event talk was that the Classic, with its shorter holes, gentler mounds and fewer water hazards, would be the easier course.

The players have decided the winning formula here is to score on the Classic and maintain that lead on the Masters.

This week's Clariden Leu Singapore Masters is the first professional event to be held on the Classic Course since the Nations Cup in 2003.

The course, usually used for corporate tournaments, club competitions and members' social games, had been employed to accommodate the record 204-strong field.

Said Liang: 'I know the Masters is going to be tough.

'I find the Classic Course a lot easier, and that is why I was a bit more aggressive.'

Japan No 1 Shingo Katayama, who shot seven-under 65, agreed.

The world No 30 was joint-third with Scotland's Barry Hume and India's Jyoti Randhawa.

Of the 102 players who played on the Masters, only 42 shot even-par or lower.

At the Classic, however, 72 of 102 players managed those scores.

Australia's Unho Park, who was tied-11th with three others on 67, noted: 'It definitely gives you more peace of mind, having played well here and then going onto the Masters.'

For Mardan, though, it did not matter.

He said: 'It was better to have started on the Masters than the Classic...'

Because the hard part is - for now - out of the way.

Exhibitions of nude artworks allowed

I REFER to the letter, 'Ban on nude art hurts bid to be arts hub' (ST, March 6), by Mr Toh Han Shih in Hong Kong.

Exhibitions of nude paintings and photographs are allowed in Singapore.

Such exhibitions have taken place in the past without difficulty. For example, in 2004 the Federation of Art Societies organised an exhibition entitled 'Figure Arts 2004'. This exhibition was held in the atrium of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (Mica) building. The Ngee Ann Cultural Centre held exhibitions in 2005 and 2006 featuring nude photographs.

The Singapore Art Museum has also featured many figure paintings in its exhibitions. This week, the museum will have an exhibition featuring figure paintings by Singapore abstract expressionist Wong Keen.

The organisers of these exhibitions had accepted the need to display nude artworks in an enclosed area with an advisory at the entrance to alert the public to the content.

In the recent case of a display of a nude painting in the Mica atrium, the gallery owner was requested to adopt similar guidelines for display in a public area. Mica offered the gallery owner a solution to display the painting in the atrium. However, the gallery owner chose not to accept the solution offered.

The Mica atrium is a public area which is visited by members of the public, including school children. Display of artworks in such a public space should be done with sensitivity.

The Government strongly encourages and supports the arts. We are also mindful of the prevailing values and sensitivities of our multiracial and multi-religious society. We are confident that the arts will continue to flourish and Singapore will become a global city for the arts.

K. Bhavani (Ms)
Director of Corporate Communications
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts

Gade demands more prize money

BIRMINGHAM - PETER Gade, Denmark's top player, has criticised the badminton tour's prize-money structure.

He is bidding to win the men's singles title at the All-England Championships, which start here today.

The 30-year-old Dane's career-best form has coincided with the inaugural Super Series - the 12-tournament 32-draw series which was started this year.

He won the series' first tournament, the Malaysian Open, in Kuala Lumpur six weeks ago.

He likes the new elite format, but is not happy with the rewards given to leading players.

'We still have the same prize money as 10 years ago. You can't look at many sports and say that,' he said.

'There should be a huge possibility in badminton.

'The series is a beginning, but it has a long way to go.

'With better prize money it should be different, especially as men's singles is much tougher than other events.

'They give prize money for the early rounds now, but in women's singles and women's doubles, the players are not pushed in the early rounds.

'Bao Chunlai got only US$6,400 (S$9,700) for being runner-up in Malaysia . Something is wrong, we need to fix that as soon as possible.

'The prize money for a tournament should be £300,000 (S$885,000) to £500,000.

'We could easily have set the minimum prize-money level at £300,000.

'Maybe three or four tournaments could have less, but this is what the prize-money levels should be.

'Hopefully it's a start, but if the Badminton World Federation can't show that this is working, we have to do something to change it.'

The All-England is offering a total prize money of US$200,000, the same as the Malaysian Open.

For the first time, first-round losers will get US$300.

Previously, prize money was available from only the quarter-finals.

This total is a US$75,000 increase on last year's, but significantly less than the Korean Open's US$300,000 or other major Asian tournaments.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Runner who collapsed still in a critical condition

HONG KONG - A MAN who collapsed while running the Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday was still in a critical condition yesterday.

The 28-year-old was being treated for heat stroke after he fell ill during the annual race.

More than 30 runners were treated at the hospital.

Aside from the 28-year-old, four others needed to remain in hospital overnight.

A 53-year-old man collapsed and died, and 5,000 more needed medical treatment during last year's race, which took place in high levels of pollution.

A record 44,000 braved the haze and high humidity to join Sunday's race.

However, some 6,200 runners were taken ill.

A spokesman from the Auxiliary Medical Service said that 80 per cent of the runners developed muscle cramps. Some suffered from dehydration and blisters.

Said Chan Yiu-wing: 'Whether it's related to air quality inside the cross-harbour tunnel where part of the marathon is held, we will review it.'

Pollution levels were at the medium to high range, according to Hong Kong's air pollution index.

Relative humidity reached 95 per cent in temperatures of about 25 deg C.

Worsening air pollution has become a key political and social issue in the Chinese territory bordering Guangdong, one of the mainland's major industrial areas.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

News Today

Saving the planet, one degree at a time
ACCORDING to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore was ranked 15th in the world in electricity consumption in 2004, but jumped to 11th in the Economist Pocket World In Figures 2007.I wonder how many of us complain that the temperature in offices,... [Read more]

Nasdaq fails in bid for London Stock Exchange
LONDON - NASDAQ Stock Market suffered a resounding defeat in its £2.7 billion (S$8.1 billion) bid for the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on Saturday, winning just 0.41 per cent of acceptances. Added to the 28.75 per cent shareholding it already owns,... [Read more]

Add another criterion to formula for GST rebate
I UNDERSTAND the formula to arrive at the final amount an individual gets in goods and services tax (GST) rebate is determined by two factors: His income; and The type of housing he lives in.I would like to address the second... [Read more]

Quick-thinking pilot, passengers foil hijack
LAS PALMAS (SPAIN) - PLUCKY passengers of a Mauritanian plane overpowered a suspected armed hijacker with help from a quick-thinking pilot. The Air Mauritania Boeing 737 was on an internal flight in the north-western African country on Thursday when the hijacker,... [Read more]

Israeli police clash with protesters at mosque
JERUSALEM - ISRAELI police stormed the compound of Islam's third-holiest shrine yesterday, firing stun grenades and tear gas to disperse hundreds of Muslim worshippers who hurled stones, bottles and trash. The worshippers were in an uproar over Israeli renovation work near... [Read more]

Oilfield gear supplier wins $68m in deals
OILFIELD equipment supplier Aqua-Terra Supply has won $68 million worth of contracts from Chinese state-owned oil giant China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC).The mainboard-listed company will be involved in providing services such as project management for the building of oil tankers,... [Read more]

Wing Tai's mid-year gains more than double to $85m
STRONG home sales helped property and retail group Wing Tai Holdings double its first-half net profit. Earnings jumped 103 per cent to $84.6 million for the six months ended Dec 31 last year, the mainboard- listed group said yesterday. This was... [Read more]

SM's call to wealthy: Give 0.5% of annual pay to needy
THIS is a call from Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong: If you are wealthy, donate at least 0.5 per cent of your annual income to help the needy. Mr Goh made it yesterday, saying he hoped Singapore will one day become... [Read more]

In the 50s, it was a passion
Mr Wong Ming Yan, 62, has been selling wonton noodles in Jalan Bukit Merah with his wife for more than 20 years. He told The Straits Times in Mandarin that he started lion dancing at 16. A member of the Singapore... [Read more]

Why the deal with N. Korea is unique
IGNORING criticism from neo-conservatives at home, US President George Bush hailed this week's deal over North Korea as 'unique', bringing the world closer 'to a Korea peninsula that is free of nuclear weapons'.The term 'unique' in this context can have two... [Read more]

Foreign investors wary despite asset growth
LONDON - FOREIGN investors are looking at Japan with a mixture of craving and consternation. Those with Japanese assets are seeing them forge ahead as the economy shows signs of real recovery, earning returns that had been promised for so long... [Read more]

Bicycle bomb blast kills three in Pakistan

A BICYCLE bomb exploded near a flyover in the central Pakistan city of Multan on Friday, killing three policemen and injuring others, including an anti-terrorism judge, police and hospital officials said.

Six policemen and two passers-by were also wounded by the remote-controlled device that appeared to target the judge's car, Inspector General of Police Mirza Mohammad Ali said.

'The bomb was planted on a bicycle and went off as the car of the judge, Mr Bashir Ahmed Bhatti, passed by,' he said.

'Judging by the impact of the blast, it appears to (have involved) very heavy explosives. I would call today's attack religious terrorism.'

Pakistan is in the midst of a security scare following a series of suicide bomb attacks that started after a military air strike in mid-January against compounds used by Al-Qaeda and Taleban fighters in the country's tribal lands, close to the Afghan border.

Intelligence officials have linked some of the attacks, that have killed nearly 50 people this year, to Islamist militants seeking to destabilise President Pervez Musharraf's government and weaken his resolve to confront the Taleban, Al-Qaeda and their allies.

REUTERS

Pakistan pull out duo after ICC hardens doping stand

DUBAI - THE International Cricket Council (ICC) will step up its battle against doping by testing individual players at the World Cup, starting on March 13.

It follows the 'embarrassment' caused by Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, who played for Pakistan a few months after testing positive for nandrolone.

The ICC's chief executive Malcolm Speed said yesterday: 'We want to make absolutely sure the players are free from banned substances.'

The Pakistani fast bowlers tested positive last September. But they had their lengthy doping bans quashed on appeal by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in December, after they claimed they took the banned substance unknowingly.

Seven hours after the ICC made it clear that players suspected of taking drugs would be singled out in the West Indies, where the World Cup is being held, both men were withdrawn from the Pakistan squad.

The PCB insisted the duo were injured.

Said Speed: 'These target-tests will be in addition to the ICC's commitment to randomly test four players - two from each side - in 17 of the tournament's 51 matches.

'Shoaib and Asif have played for Pakistan over the past few months despite testing positive for prohibited substances last year.

'That is a fact neither player has disputed. It has caused the game a high level of embarrassment.'

The PCB said that Akhtar is suffering from knee and hamstring problems and Asif has an elbow injury.

They were replaced by Yasir Arafat and Mohammad Sami.

The team are still reeling from the loss of all-rounder Abdul Razzaq to a knee injury.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Holyfield, 44, eyes return to the top

NEW YORK - EVANDER Holyfield is trying to do more than become the first five-time heavyweight champion.

At 44 years old, he is trying to show he is still a force, less than three years after New York boxing officials revoked his licence because of diminished skills and poor performance.

'I want to be the undisputed heavyweight champion again,' he said on Tuesday.

He began his comeback last year with two wins, and will next fight Vinny Maddalone on March 17 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Holyfield (40 wins, eight draws, two losses, 26 knockouts) is treating the fight as part of his effort to unify the heavyweight titles, and retire next year.

It has been nearly 17 years since he held the undisputed title, after he defeated James 'Buster' Douglas - holder of the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association crowns - in three rounds.

He said: 'My mother taught me you have to have a beginning, and you have to have an end.

'She said, 'What is your end?' I said, 'My end is to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world'.

'In my 35-year career, I'm just trying to end like I'm supposed to.'

How does his family feel about his return to the ring?

'I don't ask them that question,' he said. 'I would think they know that there's nothing I'm going to do that I'm not going to prepare myself for.'

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Aide keeps budding journalists enthralled

SOME 220 secondary students from 27 schools were frantically scribbling down Aide Iskandar's secrets yesterday.

They were attending a Straits Times Media Club workshop for subscribers of IN - a tabloid-sized paper targeted at youths.

Singapore's football skipper took questions from these aspiring journalists as part of the celebrity interview section, as they put to use the interviewing tips given earlier by the club.

For many, it was a chance in a lifetime to meet the only captain to have lifted two consecutive Asean Football Championship titles.

Said 13-year-old Nur'Amiah from CHIJ Katong Convent: 'He's my idol, so I was a little intimidated at first, but I plucked up enough courage to ask him a question.'

The students whipped out their mobile phones and jostled for a good shot of Aide, as he entered the SPH auditorium.

The affable footballer entertained more photo requests during the tea session after the interview.

Noticeably, more girls than boys were waiting patiently in line.

Others, like the 12 Pei Hwa Secondary students who were with their teacher-in-charge Tan Aik Fong, saw it as a good opportunity to sharpen their journalistic instincts.

Said Tan: 'We recently set up the Pei Hwa Times, our school's first student publication. This was a very good session to get the students started.'

Added Pei Hwa student Veronica: 'Journalism is my first choice for a career. I came to learn more in this area, and it was great.'

The students queued up behind microphones, while Aide stood alone in the firing line, answering each question with little hesitation.

That is, until 16-year-old Bhareth Rex asked how Singapore could give more recognition to sportsmen, leaving Aide momentarily stumped.

The 31-year-old also revealed a secret - he has yet to go on a honeymoon with his wife of seven years.

He also told the crowd that he is thinking of entering the entertainment scene after retiring from football.

However, his priority is to take the Lions to a third successive Asean win.

When asked what he thought of the budding journalists, Aide had plenty of compliments.

He said: 'They asked some rather difficult questions.

'This is my second time participating in this event, and I really enjoyed talking to the kids here.'

News Today

Selling Singapore: Stories from the EDB trenches
MR KO Kheng Hwa, the managing director of the Economic Development Board (EDB), shares stories from the frontline in the battle for multinational investments: Wooing Shell with tenacity IT TOOK 'generations' of EDB officers to persuade petrochemical giant Shell to invest... [Read more]

China's stock market base 'not strong'
SHANGHAI - CHINA'S top securities regulator said the foundation for a long-term, stable development of the domestic stock market is not strong and it remains an arduous task to further push market reform forward.In a speech published in the front page... [Read more]

Britain's Iraq troop withdrawal plan fuels debate in US
IN WASHINGTON - BRITAIN'S timetable for withdrawing forces from Iraq has stirred a heated debate in the United States. The White House declares it a sign of progress, but critics charge that the US is becoming increasingly isolated in its war... [Read more]

Knocking out crime
PHOTO: REUTERS The police in Tokyo want these boxers to join their ranks. This job seminar held last week attracted 80 retired or active prize-fighters who want a job that allows them to stay active.... [Read more]

Two-tier pricing system at golf course unfair to Employment Pass holders
While the new Marina Bay Golf Course (MBGC) is a welcome addition to the list of courses in Singapore, I feel the management should justify their pricing system. Unfortunately I have not been able to get a satisfactory response from officials... [Read more]

M-cycle trip to help pal ends in tragedy for best friends
TWO grief-stricken families yesterday buried their young sons, killed in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident in Malaysia while on their way to help a friend. Childhood buddies Roslan Rahim and Muhammad Redhuan Hussain, both 24, died on Tuesday night near the Malaysian... [Read more]

How to attract and retain dedicated social welfare workers
I commend the Government's move to pump in $11 million to increase the salaries of social workers. In his letter, 'Pay increase for social workers lauded' (ST, Jan 25), Mr Edmund Lim Wee Kiat aptly compares teaching with social work, and... [Read more]

Spike in flu cases: 16,950 caught bug last week
THE flu bug is back and it is biting hard this time.The number of people visiting polyclinics to get treatment for acute respiratory infections (ARI) - which include flu - jumped from 7,684 in the first week of last month to... [Read more]

Business leaders back fast track for Bush
WASHINGTON - THE Bush administration and American business have begun a campaign to convince a sceptical Democratic-controlled Congress to renew the President's trade negotiating authority when it expires this year.In an event to kick off their efforts on Monday, top US... [Read more]

Scent of a HK apartment building
HONG KONG - FIRST, movie stars launched their own ranges of perfume, then pop stars joined the act. Now Hong Kong has given the trend a twist with an upmarket housing estate producing its own scent. Residence Bel-Air, part of a... [Read more]

StarHub's annual income rises 63%, beating estimates
STARHUB surpassed market expectations by nearly doubling its fourth-quarter net profit, boosted by a tax credit and double-digit growth across all its businesses. Singapore's No. 2 telco posted net profits of $141.7 million for the three months to Dec 31 -... [Read more]

News Today

No happy return for Iverson
SAN ANTONIO - THE San Antonio Spurs were happy to play at home again finally. Allen Iverson was happy just to be playing again. The Spurs returned home for the first time in more than three weeks on Tuesday night, and... [Read more]

Cash for tribal women who bear over 12 children
GAUHATI (INDIA) - TRIBAL leaders in India's remote north-east are offering cash rewards to women who bear more than a dozen children in a bid to keep from being outnumbered by settlers from elsewhere.In the past two months, Khasi tribal chieftains... [Read more]

Is there an offset plan for defence spending?
THE letter, 'Hefty spending on defence justified' (ST, Jan 30), by Mr Goh Khee Kuan says, and I agree, that a decisive deterrence is critical. He concedes that the defence expenditure is large and at the expense of many other areas,... [Read more]

Expect heavy rain, floods over Chinese New Year
IT COULD be a wet Chinese New Year - and one that comes with flash floods at that. The weatherman has warned that high tides of 3.1m, along with heavy afternoon rain, can be expected from Feb 18 through 21.Flash floods... [Read more]

Wrong speech at the wrong time
GEN Sonthi Boonyaratkalin spoke unwisely last week in his speech to young volunteers about the nation and its military. The vow to recapture national assets sold to Singapore in the Shin Corp deal was as poorly phrased as it was incorrect.... [Read more]

TV times
BASKETBALL: Atlantic Coast Conference: Duke v Boston College (Live, Ch23, 10am).GOLF: Asian Tour Indonesian Open: Day 1 (Live, Ch24, 3.30pm). Nissan Open: Day 1 (Live, Ch22, tomorrow, 4am).... [Read more]

Rare orchid found in Cameron jungles
IPOH - A MYSTERIOUS orchid picked up by two environmentalists deep in the jungles of Cameron Highlands has turned out to be the rare Monomeria barbata. Mr Embi Abdullah, 59, who stumbled across the orchid with his friend while trekking in... [Read more]

Soccer Shorts
ITALY THE NEW LEADERS IN FIFA RANKINGS ROME: World champions Italy have replaced Brazil at the top of the Fifa rankings. It is the first time the European country have been ranked No 1 in the world since November 1993, and... [Read more]

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]

Saving the planet, one degree at a time
ACCORDING to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore was ranked 15th in the world in electricity consumption in 2004, but jumped to 11th in the Economist Pocket World In Figures 2007.I wonder how many of us complain that the temperature in offices,... [Read more]

Screen baby for rare disorder
BABY Sage, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder known as maple syrup urine disease, is now one year old and doing well. He is one of the 7,500 babies screened for genetic metabolic diseases since a pilot programme began in... [Read more]

Hosts Inter's poor defence allows Valencia to draw 2-2

MILAN - INTER Milan may be 14 points clear at the top of the Italian Serie A after 16 consecutive wins, but their Champions League hopes hang in the balance after a 2-2 home draw against Valencia.

Inter's domestic domination counted for nothing as their poor defending at set-pieces was cruelly exploited by quality opposition in a gripping last-16 first leg at the San Siro on Wednesday.

Valencia, beaten Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001, survived a first-half onslaught before fighting back twice to earn a precious draw. The result made the Spaniards favourites to reach the quarter-finals.

Esteban Cambiasso put Inter ahead with a close-range header, only for David Villa to equalise with a superb 25-metre free kick.

Brazilian defender Maicon restored Inter's lead, but David Silva levelled the score with a low drive after the home defence had failed to clear a corner.

Inter must now win or get a higher-scoring draw at the intimidating Mestella Stadium in a fortnight to progress.

But the Italian champions remain confident.

'We go to Spain to win and we feel we can do it,' said Inter captain Javier Zanetti.

'Tonight, we had the majority of chances. They had us in trouble from only two dead-ball situations. If we play in Spain like we did tonight, we'll go through.'

Inter's Portuguese winger Luis Figo was equally optimistic.

'We know it will be very difficult, but we're confident,' he said.

Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores refused to get carried away, given the quality in Inter's expensively assembled squad.

'For me, our chances are 50-50,' he said. 'I was satisfied with our performance and the result. The thing that pleased me most was the way we reacted after twice going behind.'

Inter's dynamic French midfielder Patrick Vieira missed the match owing to a thigh strain, but should be fit for the return match.

Cambiasso went off with a right leg injury shortly after scoring and is doubtful for the trip to Spain.

Valencia's joy at scoring two away goals was soured slightly by a yellow card for captain David Albelda.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Mourinho taunts Wenger

OPORTO - JOSE Mourinho did not waste time. He taunted Arsene Wenger's lack of Champions League success, just 24 hours after the Arsenal manager criticised Chelsea.

The teams meet in the League Cup final on Sunday.

The verbal war between them has not reached the level of two years ago, when it provoked warnings from the Premier League, a government minister and the police. But the rivalry ahead of the Cardiff meeting is rising to a higher intensity, reported The Telegraph.

Wenger had pointed out, on Monday, the injustice of the financial situation at Stamford Bridge, that permits them to absorb an £80 million (S$240 million) annual loss.

Yesterday, the disparity was clear. The Gunners reported a first-half season loss of just £6.2 million, despite having to finance a new stadium, reported Bloomberg News.

When asked if he would be judged on whether Chelsea win the Champions League this season, Mourinho compared his record with Wenger's.

Mourinho said: 'Many great managers in the world have never won it. The big example is not far from us. Wenger is a top manager in the world.

'He's a big manager in the world of football and he never did it. I did it once. I have that.

'If you judge my Chelsea career on whether I win the Champions League, you have to judge all the other coaches in the Champions League who have never won it. I have nothing to prove to anyone.'

In 1992, Wenger was the coach of the Monaco side that lost to Werder Bremen in the Cup-Winners' Cup final.

Arsenal lost on penalties to Galatasaray in the 1999 Uefa Cup final, before suffering a 1-2 defeat by Barcelona in the final of the Champions League last season.

Unity is the key for Liverpool

DEFINITIONS of opposition have tended to focus on teams in different colours.

But, when Barcelona and Liverpool meet tonight, some participants will harbour stronger, and hardly friendly, feelings towards their colleagues.

Teamwork and friendship can be very different things. After recent events at both clubs, they have to be.

The disturbances at Liverpool were more unexpected, even if there was a predictability about Craig Bellamy's name coming to the fore.

The combustible striker reportedly attacked left-back John Arne Riise with a golf club for refusing to join in a karaoke session, a claim surely too implausible to have been invented. It happened on a supposed team-bonding trip to Portugal.

However, it has been suggested that Bellamy has been made a scapegoat, with others behaving worse. The police apparently had to calm down Robbie Fowler, Jermaine Pennant and Jerzy Dudek.

Manager Rafael Benitez, a noted disciplinarian, has promised: 'We will take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached the club's rules.'

And yet, at Barcelona, the rivalries are more long-standing and, potentially, more destructive.

For the 2006 Champions League winners, it pits the double World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, against the triple African Footballer of the Year, Samuel Eto'o.

With their creative inspiration on one side and their clinical goal-scorer on the other, talk surrounds the club that both will depart.

Eto'o, his season disrupted by a knee injury, is unlikely to start at the Nou Camp tonight. Controversy has followed him to the bench, with manager Frank Rijkaard revealing that he refused to come on as a replacement against Racing Santander.

A rebuke from Ronaldinho was in turn interpreted as hypocrisy, for the Brazilian is granted more leeway than his teammates in his behaviour.

Indeed, Eto'o has said: 'If I was called Eto'odinho, I might be a bit more appreciated.'

Without the sulking Cameroonian, Ronaldinho - whose 16 Primera Liga goals make him Spain's second-highest scorer - is likely to be joined by Eidur Gudjohnsen and Lionel Messi in the Barcelona attack.

It could be an opportune time for Liverpool to face them.

Barcelona, after appearing unstoppable for the best part of two years, have won only one of their last four games. They were insipid in the defeat by Benitez's former side, Valencia, on Sunday, when Deco was dismissed.

But they remain Europe's most talented team, overflowing with playmakers.

It means the return to fitness of Liverpool's Mohamed Sissoko, who made his comeback 11 days ago at Newcastle, is well-timed.

The Reds require their premier defensive midfielder to be at his best if they are to emulate the team of 2001, who drew 0-0 at the Nou Camp.

Steven Gerrard, one of the three survivors, feels he has a point to prove at the Nou Camp.

'The last time we went there, I was just excited to be playing a great side like Barcelona,' he said. 'I was a bit overawed, and I never got involved in the game.'

His preference is for a central role as it enables him to be more involved. But, with Sissoko's availability alongside Xabi Alonso, it could mean a return to the right flank for the Liverpool captain.

Riise is the only one of the alleged miscreants in the probable team. Yet, there are other reasons why Benitez is likely to bench Bellamy.

The combination of Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch is usually preferred against shorter teams. And much of the Barcelona side appear more suited to facing Lilliput than Liverpool.

The strike duo also received a resounding endorsement from Johan Cruyff, arguably Barcelona's greatest player and most successful manager.

'They form an enormously good partnership,' he said. 'Crouch is technically better than people think, and Kuyt is good in positional play. And, in the air, nobody wins anything against them.'

Such is Barcelona's mastery of passing football that it suggests a direct route would be most profitable for Liverpool.

But, even if it becomes a damage-limitation exercise, their record at Anfield means defeat in Catalonia need not be a fatal blow to their hopes of a second Champions League title in three years.

The one certainty is that Liverpool will need to be, as they were not in Portugal and Barcelona have not been for several months, united. It will be tough enough for Benitez's team if their only opponents are in red and blue.

stsports@sph.com.sg

Barcelona v Liverpool
Live, Ch23, tomorrow, 3.30am

Local index falls as trading slows ahead of long weekend

WHEN traders have the prospect of a long weekend in front of them, not even a pro-business Budget can keep them on the job.

Skipping out early was the game plan yesterday and the market showed the indifference with volume dipping to 1.65 billion shares, a far cry from the two billion-plus that has become the norm of late.

The value traded was down to $1.78 billion with the 357 losers pipping 328 gainers.

It did give the Straits Times Index (STI) a breather after investors welcomed the corporate tax cuts on Budget Day to send the market rocketing 70.28 points to a record 3,252.49.

The STI was more sedate yesterday with a 15.56-point decline to 3,236.93 although it still ended the week higher, as it had done for the past four weeks.

Pine Agritech was the most active, rising three cents to 71 cents on a volume of 51.5 million shares.

FirstLink Investments, which rose 23.5 per cent or two cents to 10.5 cents on a volume of 41.1 million shares, was the runner-up.

Some recent initial public offerings struggled in the quieter market.

Singapore electronics manufacturer Kinergy, which listed on Thursday, fell back from its first day close of 63 cents to 52.5 cents.

China Farm Equipment and construction player KSH Holdings have also fallen from first-day highs.

Some of the blue chips gained, thanks to optimism that the tax cut will boost their bottom lines.

DBS Group Holdings closed 10 cents up at $23 on a volume of 7.6 million shares.

It announced profits of $2.18 billion for the full year on Thursday, up from $1.65 billion previously.

OCBC Investment Research calculated that local banks will benefit from the 2 percentage point tax cut as a lot of their profits still come from their Singapore operations.

DBS, for example, derived about 65 per cent of pre-tax earnings from Singapore last year.

United Overseas Bank earned 78 per cent of its earnings locally. It rose 20 cents to $20.90 yesterday.

CapitaLand rose 10 cents to $7.50, still buoyant from its $1 billion-plus profit report earlier this week.

But OCBC Investment Research indicated that many China stocks are unlikely to benefit from the tax cuts because the bulk of their revenue is derived from China. But some will enjoy preferential rates.

DBS Vickers Securities totted up the gains from the tax cut and found that net profits for corporate Singapore will rise 2.49 per cent this year.

Companies with huge tax bills and earnings from Singapore operations, including the telcos, property and industrial companies, appear best placed to benefit.

'Overall, we believe that the 2007 Budget brings cheer for the stock market, with positive changes for the economy,' said DBS Vickers Securities.

It expects CapitaLand, Allgreen, Keppel Land, Singapore Land, ComfortDelgro and Singapore Airlines to be among the big winners.

sushyan@sph.com.sg

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