WASHINGTON - US CONSUMER confidence fell sharply in October amid growing worries about rising unemployment and job security in the recession-wracked economy, the Conference Board reported on Tuesday.

The private research firm's consumer confidence index declined for the second month in a row, to 47.7 in October from a revised 53.4 in September. The September reading initially was reported at 53.1.

SINGAPORE does not seek to ban press criticism of the Government or policies, but demands the right of reply, Law Minister K. Shanmugam has said.

If factual allegations are made, a libel suit will follow and those accusations must be proved.

Speaking to some 200 lawyers from around the world at an event on Monday, he said there was a pervasive feeling that the Government was out to silence the press.

WASHINGTON - MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew began the second leg of his US trip by calling on two key Cabinet members of the Obama administration - top diplomat Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

Meeting Mrs Clinton at the State Department on Monday afternoon, Mr Lee said his 10-day visit came at a critical moment when the United States was looking to further engage South-east and East Asia.

WORKER bees at Raffles Place will have more shops and restaurants to choose from next year, when a new underground mall opens at the upcoming Marina Bay Financial Centre.

The Marina Bay Link Mall will feature upmarket tenants that will cater to the 62,000 working professionals and affluent residents in the immediate area.