ANOTHER hospital in the east will be developed in about 10 years' time when the cohort of baby boomers will cross into their 70s.

This will ease the burden on Changi General Hospital (CGH), whose emergency department is one of the busiest now, possibly because of an overflow of patients from other hospitals, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Sunday. He reiterated this need for an additional hospital at a National Heart Centre's 10th anniversary celebrations event, a day after he spoke about it at a nursing awards ceremony.

TAIPEI - PRO-INDEPENDENCE groups rallied in Taiwan's capital on Saturday in support of former president Chen Shui-bian, who has been detained over corruption allegations.

Protesters, wearing yellow headbands reading 'political persecution,' demanded justice for Chen, who has gone on hunger strike to protest what he says are politically motivated allegations against him.

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S top Islamic body on Saturday banned Muslims from practicing yoga, saying the Indian physical exercise contains elements of Hinduism and could corrupt Muslims.

The National Fatwa Council, which has the authority to rule on how Muslims must conduct their faith, issued a fatwa, or edict, saying yoga involves not just physical exercise but also includes Hindu spiritual elements, chanting and worship.

BANGKOK - A GRENADE blast wounded eight protesters near the Thai prime minister's office on Saturday, raising tensions on the eve of a major rally billed as a 'final battle' to oust the government.

Two of the eight wounded members of the People's Alliance for Democracy were in critical condition after the early morning blast near Government House, occupied by the PAD since August.