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Synopsis :

1.  Singapore: Certain Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers, such as those involved in enforcement actions against immigration offenders, will be issued with firearms. Other amendments in the Immigration Act included stiffer penalty for offenders using forged passports. Housing agents will also be fined and jailed if they rent out houses to immigration offenders. (00:03:37)

2.  Singapore: There will be no fare hike for public transport for now despite higher oil prices. However, the fare review exercise in May next year may see an increase in public transport fares. (00:05:39)

3.  Singapore: The unemployment rate in Singapore will reach an all time low since 1999. Employment is highest in three years. 60 000 jobs have been created in the last five quarters. (00:07:25)

4.  Singapore: Minister of Manpower Dr Ng Eng Hen said the increase in employment is for both local and foreign workers, adding that the government's stand on employment of foreign workers is right. (00:07:54)

5.  Hong Kong: More children in a hospital are infected with a mysterious respiratory illness. Tests have ruled out Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and influenza. The children have been moved to an isolation ward. Doctors say the virus attacks people with low immunity especially children. (00:08:46)

6.  Australia: A high speed train carrying mostly elderly passengers derailed in Australia, injuring hundreds of them. None was killed. The black box which might shed light on the cause of the derailment has not been recovered. (00:09:30)

7.  Business: S$2 billion will be pumped into a tourism development fund which will invest in world class infrastructure and tourism products in the next ten years. The government will also start talks with potential investors on integrated resorts with gaming facilities. (00:13:16)

8.  Business: PSA Corp is expanding its container handling capacity by 57%. Minister of State for Transport said it aims to handle around 31 million standard containers by 2011. (00:13:45)

9.  Singapore: More than 90% of parents and students believed it is important to study Chinese in a ministry survey. The Chinese Review Committee hopes to introduce Chinese literature and Chinese culture and thought but demand from higher Chinese students seems to be low. (00:14:44)

10.  Singapore: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and a delegation are going to Turkey for an official visit. Singapore sees economic potential in Turkey. A delegation from the Singapore Business Federation will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Turkish Chambers of Commerce to explore further business opportunities. (00:15:41)

11.  Sports: Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Championship - Maria Sharapova beat Serena Williams 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 to clinch the title. (00:19:35)

12.  Sports: David Beckham has denied rumours that he is quitting football after a British paper reported that he plans to quit after the 2006 World Cup. (00:20:30)

13.  Sports: National Basketball Association (NBA) - Houston beat New Jersey with a score of 80-69. (00:20:53)

14.  China: Traditional toys inspired by Chinese classical tales are fast disappearing in the age of Game Boy and Play Station. However, these traditional toys will still be around as long as souvenir shops continue the tradition. (00:21:47)