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Synopsis :

1)  Singapore: The government announces that it will stagger the increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) over 12 months. It has also decided not to cut the rebate, offsets and cash shares it promised. Retailers, union leaders and the public reacted positively to the news. Sound bite of the President of the Singapore Retailers Association, Jannie Tay. (00:03:08)

2)  Business: The business community reacts positively to news that the government plans to stagger the increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) over 12 months, although most prefer no increase at all. Sound bite of the Executive Director of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, Graham Hayward. (00:05:35)

3)  Business: Many retailers say they are willing to absorb the 1% Goods and Services Tax (GST) increase for the first 3 months, which will lead to higher business costs. (00:06:53)

4)  Singapore: Highlights from the parliament where the details on the decision to gradually raise the Goods and Services Tax (GST) were discussed. Sound bite of Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (00:07:10)

5)  Singapore: Minister of Health (MOH) Lim Hng Kiang announces that the 1/3 quota for women wanting to study medicine has been scrapped and the government is also prepared to recognize more overseas medical schools. Sound bite of Mr Lim; the President of the Association of Women Doctors, Dr Anne Tan Kendrick; Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Dr Lily Neo. (00:09:05)

6)  Singapore: 8 local and foreign banks are set to provide basic banking accounts for low-income Singaporeans. (00:10:50)

7)  Business: Indonesian tycoon Oei Hong Leong announces that he wants 3 seats on NatSteel's board. (00:14:42)

8)  Business: MobileOne (M1) goes into its second day of trade and underwriters continue to buy out its shares in the open market to stabilize the stock price. (00:15:12)

9)  Australia: Prime Minister (PM) John Howard refuses to apologize to Asian countries for threatening pre-emptive strikes against terrorists residing in Asian countries. (00:16:23)

10)  Australia: Firefighters battle to save homes from raging bushfires in Sydney. (00:17:20)

11)  US: Scientists publish the genetic code of the mouse revealing that mice and humans share similar genes. (00:17:53)

12)  World: Muslims around the world like Egypt and Palestine celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. (00:18:35)

13)  Sports: Singapore coach Jan Poulsen announces the final squad of 20 players that are set to compete in the Tiger Cup. (00:23:20)