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1.  Report on the inquiry into the abuse of 5 year old Winny Ho. She became retarded after she was repeatedly abused by her mother, who's now in prison. The report released today found no negligence on how Winny Ho's case was managed. However the report made some recommendations on how such cases can be handled.

2.  The latest on the situation in China. The country will push ahead with the far-reaching reforms initiated by the late paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping. Foreign Minister Qian Qichen said China will maintain its stable political atmosphere, rapid economic growth and secure society. Deng was the architect of economic reforms in the late seventies and the changes China into an emerging economic power. President Jiang Zemin who succeeds Deng will have to continue with the reform policies, but in a new setting where a political patriarch is conspicuously missing.

3.  Singapore leaders today paid their respects to the late Mr. Deng Xiaoping, a man they described as a giant among world leaders.

4.  Better coordination among government agencies on child abuse cases can be expected soon. This follows a report released by an Inquiry Committee that looked into how the case of Winny Ho was handled. 5-year-old Winny became retarded after she was abused by her mother, who's now in prison. Releasing its report today, the Committee stressed it found no negligence on how the case was managed. It has however made some recommendations.

5.  The government's anti-speculation property curbs introduced last May are here to stay for now at least. Finance Minister Dr. Richard Hu said that's because the measures have worked effectively.

6.  An express bus service is to be introduced together with the start of road pricing on the Central and Pan Island Expressways on May 5th. Our reporter finds out what motorists can expect from the service and what they themselves would like to see from it.

7.  A brief now at other world news. In North Korea, there's been a change in the top leadership. Premier Kang Song-San has been replaced. His deputy Hong Song-nam has been named acting premier. The move has sparked speculation of a leadership purge following the defection of a top North Korean official last week. While some analysts believe the change was prompted by the Mr. Kang's ill health. Others say he's politically close to the defector Hwang Jang-yop and therefore a likely target of an impending purge.

8.  Indonesian President Suharto is in Myanmar on the last leg of his three-nations Asian tour to strengthen ties. He held talks with Prime Minister Than Shwe this afternoon to sign a memorandum of understanding on economic affairs. Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas is also expected to discuss Myanmar's prospective entry into ASEAN.

9.  Over in Russia, the visiting US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright has held talks with President Boris Yeltsin and she says he's completely in charge despite his ill health. They discussed what both countries hope to achieve in next month's Helsinki summit. Ms Albright is currently in Moscow for talks on NATO enlargement.

10. Continuing an annual tradition, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong joined Johor's Mentri Besar for Hari Raya dinner this evening.

11. The Prime Minister will be making his first official visit to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana from the 24th of February to the 5th of March. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong will hold talks with top leaders of these countries. He'll be accompanied by a delegation of ministers, MPs, officials and businessmen. During his absence, Brigadier General Lee Hsien Loong will be Acting Prime Minister.

12. The High Court has approved an application by PAP leaders to dispense with having to personally serve writs on Mr. Tang Liang Hong. They can now initiate proceedings against Mr. Tang in his absence. Mrs. Tang, who was at the hearing in chambers today, was represented by a new lawyer, Mr. Daniel John of John and Tan. Mr. J.B Jeyaretnam appeared for Mr. Tang. The court has also given both Mr. and Mrs. Tang until 3rd of March to file a full list of their assets. Mr. Tang has applied for an extension through Mr. Jeyaretnam while the court voluntarily granted an extension to Mrs. Tang.

13. Visiting, Argentinian President Carlos Menem has proposed an economic link between Latin American nations, which make up the so-called Mercosur grouping.

14. The Economic Development Board today dished out a hundred and thirty million dollars to get more companies to put on their thinking caps. 90 companies today received awards under the innovation Development Scheme aimed at boosting productivity through innovation.

15. The Public Works Department has won an award for its construction of the two Finger Piers at Changi Airport's Terminal 2. PWD's Director General Dr. Tan Swan Beng received the award from UK's Institutional of Structural Engineers earlier today.

16. Soccer, the Dunhill Cup. Singapore kicked off its campaign in the competition on a losing note, going down 1-3 to Asian powerhouse China at the Merdeka Stadium.