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1.  Leading the news, Singapore and Indonesia mark another milestone in close economic cooperation with the opening of the Karimun Marine and Industrial Complex. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong expressed confidence that there'll be more such new business ventures. While President Suharto noted that through cooperation, neighbouring countries could create a peaceful and prosperous region. Maria Siow reports from Karimun.

2.  Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has arrived in Wellington for the first leg of his 5 day visit to New Zealand. Brigadier General Lee, an honorary adviser to New Zealand's Asia 2000 Foundation, will be attending its special board meeting tomorrow. The Foundation was set up in 1994 as part of a New Zealand initiative to strengthen the country's ties with Asia. DPM Lee will also have talks with Prime Minister Jim Bolger and New Zealand leaders.

3.  In South Korea, a close aide of President Kim Young Sam has implicated top presidential advisors in a loans scandal involving the failed Hanbo group. A court today heard Hong In Kil testify that former presidential advisors helped Hanbo get billions in improper loans. Hong is one of ten high profile figures standing trial for graft and other charges. Analysts say his testimony adds weight to opposition charges that presidential office had been directly involved in the scandal. Hanbo collapsed in January under a 5.7 billion U.S dollar debt.

4.  North Korean defector Hwang Jang-Yop is believed to be still sheltering in South Korea's embassy in Beijing. South Korean media quoted government officials as saying Mr Hwang would leave China this week, but not today. Earlier, a Japanese television station said he left the country this morning and added that three vans were spotted leaving the South Korean embassy. But China has denied the report. It's believed Mr Hwang's destination, if and when he does leave, will be the Philippines, where he's to stay in transit before flying to Seoul. Philippines Foreign Minister Domingo Siazon has confirmed his country was involved in talks to help Mr Hwang leave China.

5.  Over in Hongkong, another 18 people arrested today in a widening probe into illegal gambling and race fixing. The arrest brings to 36 the number netted by anti-graft police in what's set to become the biggest scandal ever to hit the Hong Kong racing scene. Police also searched 55 premises and seized computers and documents. The arrests follow an investigation after tip offs from the Hongkong Jockey club and the public.

6.  A summit between Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat, is expected this week. Both sides are likely to discuss the tension resulting from Israel's plan to build Jewish homes in East Jerusalem. And Jordan's King Hussein who has a hand in arranging this meeting, hopes his talks with Israeli leaders will keep peace process alive.

7.  Another Summit this one between President Clinton and his Russian counterpart Boris Yeltsin, will focus on NATO's expansion plans. But that meeting in Helsinki has been delayed by a day because of the American leader's knee surgery.

8.  A warning to motorists: traffic police are about to get tougher on parking. From next month, vehicles illegally parked will be clamped. And getting them back will cost more. Lionel Skinner reports the warning comes a day before the release of then annual road traffic statistics.

9.  Over two thirds of all workers retrenched in the first 3 quarters of last year found jobs by December. The Labour Ministry in a report released today, said the average time taken to secure alternative employment is under 2 months.

10. There's reported to be a growing interest among tertiary graduates in continuing their studies. And more are taking postgraduate courses in their free time. According to local institutions, the student enrolment has been increasing by 10 percent a year.

11. Tennis - American Michael Chang has won the Champions Cup Tournament in Indian Wells, California. Chang beat unseeded Czech Bohdan Ulihrach 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 for his 28th career title.

12. English Premier League Soccer - Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle all secured good wins in matches over weekend. League leaders Manchester are now three points clear of Liverpool and Arsenal.

13. The case of an injured Bangladeshi worker allegedly dumped in a drain went to court today. Clarence Chang reports that two men - 38 year old Koh Tiong Watt and 44-year-old Lau Chin Hock have been charged with committing an act endangering human life and safety.

14. A third group today made known its intentions to bid for Singapore's two basic telephone licences. They are Maritime Group Sembawang Corporation and the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit. The two local partners say they're now in discussions with potential foreign players.

15. Sembawang Corporation, Indonesia's Salim Group, and Japan's Tomen Group will invest over 200 million dollars in an oil terminal at the newly opened Karimun Marine and Industrial Complex. Tomen takes 25 percent stake, the other 75 percent jointly held by Salim and Sembawang. Romen Bose with the story. news, karimun indonesia Dur: 1'04

16. In a bid to capture a slice of the global machines tool market. Homegrown precision tool-maker Excel is making a cashcall through a mainboard listing. Its launching its IPO tomorrow, which is believed to be about 40 to 50 million shares.

17. An impressive performer meanwhile for debut sesdaq stock, Gul Technologies. The printed circuit board maker hit an intra-day high of 90 cents before closing at 79 cents. That� a premium of 21 cents or 36 percent over its offer price of 58 cents. Gul took top volume with 15 million shares traded. Its IPO of 40 million shares had earlier been 135 times subscribed.

18. Malaysia Electric Corporation City, a multi billion dollar electronics project was launched today. A brainchild of the Malaysian Prime Minister, the project's aimed at spearheading Malaysia's entry into the global electrical appliances industry. Located near Kuantan, the 4 billion ringgit project, will house plants making electrical goods under the MEC brand name. MEC hopes to export 70 percent of its products within three years. Kuala Lumpur Industries Holdings has a 60 percent stake, the government's investment arm, Khazanah Holdings 30 percent and Pahang state government the rest.

19. ST Aerospace is back in the black. Its full-year net profits up some 27 million dollars against 48 million in losses the year before. The company expects the market to remain highly competitive this year, and will aim at keeping costs low.

20. Meanwhile, hotel and property group Apollo reported a dip in net profits, down some 19 per cent to 4.2 million dollars.

21. Sime Darby Singapore has sold its general and health insurance business to AXA, a leading international insurer, for fifty-seven million dollars. AXA was Sime Darby's joint venture partner with already a fifty percent stake in the operations. Proceeds from the sale will be used to pay down debt and for expansion of company's business,

22. Indonesian chemical manufacturer, Eterindo launched its IPO here today, with plans to raise some 140 million dollars when it gets listed on Indonesian stock exchange in May. Temasek Holdings along with seven other investment groups, jointly own a 20 percent interest in the company.