SINGAPOREANS were on Sunday reminded of their role in defending the country through several events held islandwide to mark Today Defence Day.

Sirens wailed at 12.05pm to remind all citizens that the peace today can become violent war tomorrow.

YEARS of combating the problem of contraband cigarettes seem to be paying off - the overall number of buyers, sellers and smugglers caught has registered the first dip since 2005.

The 20,306 offenders nabbed last year was 13 per cent lower than the 23,422 caught the previous year.

START-UP 'incubators' - centres designed to foster the growth of fledgling businesses - are getting a massive boost.

This is coming in the form of more government funding to enhance the suite of services and advice these centres provide to corporate up-and-comers.

HUNDREDS of foreign workers housed on Jurong Island were evacuated by the bus-loads on Sunday morning in the largest evacuation exercise on the island.

It was part of the Jurong Island Healthy Lifestyle, Safety and Security Awareness Day 2009 organised by the police to test a possible plan of action should there be an emergency such as leakage of flammable material or a large storage tank fire.