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1.  Malaysia today denied reports that it decided to freeze new bilateral dealing with Singapore. Acting Foreign Minister, Abang Abu Bakar issued a statement this afternoon denying that the Malaysian cabinet made a decision to suspend ties.
2.  In response to media queries, a spokesman of Singapore's Foreign Ministry said Singapore had noted the statement by Malaysia's Acting Foreign Minister that the press reports on a freeze in relations were not quite accurate. And that no decision had been made to freeze relations with Singapore as the Malaysian newspapers had reported. Singapore has also noted the comments of the Malaysian Prime Minister in Tokyo that he does not think this is a major problem and that naturally between neighbours there will be differences off and on but over time this feeling can be overcome.

The spokesman reaffirmed Singapore's continued commitment towards maintaining close bilateral relations with Malaysia. As Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has said Singapore would let Malaysia set the pace and level of bilateral cooperation.

3.  It was a busy day for brokers here and across the causeway, following reports of a diplomatic freeze between the two countries. Both stock-markets saw a fall at the opening, but they recovered later with the denial from the Malaysians.
4.  Malayan Railway is serving notice on squatters occupying its land in Singapore, from tomorrow till Sunday. This was confirmed by the Singapore solicitors acting for Malayan Railway and the Malaysian Federal Lands Commissioner.
5.  Singapore and Australia have signed a new and liberal air services agreement - one that'll boost flights and increase freighter capacity substantially. Visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard has called it a first class agreement.
6.  The Singapore Bus Service has reported a 3 percent drop in net profit for the year ending 31 December 1996. SBS said its net profit last year was $65.3 million. Chairman Wong Hung Khim said high labour costs had continued to put pressure on operating costs. And cost cutting measures introduced will not be enough to contain this. This was why he said the SBS is thinking of applying to the Public Transport Council to increase bus fares this year. However Mr. Wong said SBS will continue to expand investments in property and cab services which have done well.
7.  Chinese police are searching for the man responsible for building a factory dormitory which collapsed on Tuesday night. 35 people died and more than 100 others were injured in the incident. The cause has yet to be determined. But a report by China's state television blamed faulty construction for the collapse of the 2-year-old building. An electronics plant domitory it housed young female workers from all over China. They were just changing shifts when the building came tumbling down.

According to the report the head of the construction firm that built the dormitory was called to the scene to inspect a cracked wall only hours before the collapse. He apparently fled after the incident. This is the latest in a spate of deadly building collapses in China. Last week, a seven-storey building in southern Guangdong province collapsed killing eight people and injuring two.

8.  And in San Diego the deaths of 39 men and women in a wealthy neighbourhood remain a mystery. The bodies were found in a multi-million dollar mansion in what police said was an apparent mass suicide.
9.  Chinese President Jiang Ze-min has warned the US to not interfere in its Taiwan affairs. Mr. Jiang told US Vice-President Al Gore on a visit to China that Taiwan is still a sensitive issue and a potential threat to Sino-US ties. He hopes the issue will not affect the improving Sino-US relations. Both leaders also discussed Human Rights and Trade during their meeting. But there was one particular issue that dominated Mr. Gore's visit in China.
10. US House speaker Newt Gingrich's who is visiting Hong Kong, warned China that even minor changes to the protection of human rights would undermine confidence in the rule of law in Hong Kong. And this would affect the territory's attractiveness as a regional trading centre. While he was in Hong Kong, US House Speaker met various officials including future leader Tung Chee-Hwa and current Governor Chris Patten. With just 96 days before the British colony goes back to Chinese rule, Mr. Gingrich is optimistic the two systems, one country can work. And he added that many people will be watching to see whether China is going to meet its pledge - to give Hong Kong autonomy under Beijing's sovereignty.
11. China has condemned a meeting between the Dalai Lama and Taiwanese President Lee Teng Hui. Beijing warned it will never accept moves to divide China and stressed that Taiwan and Tibet are inseparable parts of the mainland. The meeting with President Lee came at the end of a six day visit by the Dalai Lama to Taiwan. The meeting took place at a guest house to avoid the political sensitivities of a more formal meeting at the nearby presidential office.
12. South-East Asia is now a nuclear weapon-free zone under the Seanwfz (pron. as Shaun-Fez) treaty of 1995 which has been ratified. The law was able to come into effect when the 7th signatory state - Singapore, handed in the ratified treaty.
13. Thai police spent the morning building this giant drug pile of more than a tonne of confiscated drugs. Among the haul - heroin, marijuana and hashish. The drug pyre was organised to quash rumors that police were involved in reselling the drugs. Before the haul went up in flames it was inspected by Thai drug officials and people from the UN International Drug Control Programme. While the destruction of the drugs is seen as a victory, Thailand and much of Asia still face growing problems with narcotics.
14. Thousands of Russians walked-out in a national strike to protest against unpaid wages. Russian workers have not been paid for months¿nion officials predict as many as 17-million people will join the one-day strike. Sixteen thousand police are being deployed in Moscow in case it gets violent. But so far, it has been peaceful. Strikers gathered in Moscow carrying banners demanding the government's resignation. Although Prime Minister Chernomyrdin said he would resolve the crisis, many people find the government's promise to pay their long overdue wages hard to believe. Russia has faced numerous strikes since the collapse of the Soviet Union - but most of them have not won any concessions for workers.
15. A 32 year old man Cyril Lim Boon Chong was charged in court today with the murder of a two year old boy yesterday. The incident took place at 34 Circuit Road. Lim is undergoing psychiatric observation until his case is heard again on the 17th of April.
16. Full-year results for the remaining two of the big four banks are out. With UOB again emerging the most profitable bank of the big four. OCBC, however, put in a healthier than expected performance; its net profits jumping some 17 percent in the past year.
17. More neighbourhood HDB shops will get an image spruce-up and will offer better product quality and service given the latest move by the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board - which today launched five new franchises and economic groupings.
18. A 30-year-old man is rekindling Britain's right-to-die debate after waking up from an eight-year coma.