FORT SILL (Oklahoma) - A NEW rocket artillery weapon system acquired by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to give its ground troops greater reach and firepower went into action on Tuesday.

The US-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, was fired for the first time as part of the Forging Sabre war games being carried out in the rugged scrublands of Fort Sill in Oklahoma, in the United States.

JAKARTA - INDONESIA'S president should censure senior police and prosecutors accused of leading a conspiracy against the anti-corruption agency, an independent fact-finding team recommended on Tuesday.

The so-called 'Team 8' was appointed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to look into allegations that police and prosecutors are trying to frame top anti-corruption investigators with false criminal charges.

BANGKOK - FUGITIVE former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's supporters announced plans on Tuesday for a prolonged street protest beginning in late November and lasting until the government steps down and calls elections.

It would be the first protracted demonstration by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) since their protests in April turned violent and were forcibly ended by the army.

SINGAPORE - A LUXURY Malaysian beach resort has come up with a novel way for guests to actually look forward to a downpour on their holiday: a free night if the rainfall exceeds 3 cms.

The Tanjong Jara resort, owned by the YTL Hotels group, is located on Malaysia's east coast and its 'Everybody Loves Rain' promotion comes during the area's main rainy season, which starts in November and ends in February.