(31/8) France redoubles its diplomatic efforts to save two French journalists who have been held hostage in Iraq. Meanwhile the militants in Iraq claiming to be from a group calling itself the Islamic Army of Iraq, have given Paris another 24 hours, till late Tuesday, to scrap a controversial ban on Islamic headscarves in public schools. RSI's Bharati Jagdish speaks to political analyst, Dr Brian Farrell from the National University of Singapore about the situation. >>>

(30/8) Indonesia's former president Abdurrahman Wahid has endorsed candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the Sept. 20 run-off for the Presidency. What is the significance of Wahid's endorsement of Yudhoyono? Augustine Anthuvan put this question to Aldo Borgu, Military analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra. >>>

(27/8) The Indonesian government has expressed concern about Australia's plan to equip its fighter jets with long-range cruise missiles, which according to Australia will give it "the region's most lethal" air combat capacity. Indonesia claims that it was not consulted about Australia's plan and is questioning Australia's intentions in beefing up its offensive capabilities. For more on this, Bharati Jagdish spoke to Dr Ron Huisken from the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre in Canberra. >>>

(26/8) Indonesia's naval commander says piracy in the Malacca Straits has decreased as a result of three-nation patrols which began in the waterway last month. In his report, Vice Admiral Didik Herupurnomo said the attacks are down from an average of nine a month to four. RSI's Bharati Jagdish speaks to Dr Andrew Tan from the Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore for his take on the situation. >>>

(25/8) Prime Minister John Howard has said that Australia would leave no stone unturned in pushing Indonesia to lay fresh charges against a militant after he was acquitted of involvement in the Bali bombings which took place in 2002. According to analysts, Australians in general are disappointed with the court's decision to acquit the self-confessed conspirator, as it could mean that all 32 militants previously convicted of involvement in the Bali bombings could ultimately be acquitted on appeal. For more on this, Bharati Jagdish spoke to political analyst, Dr Damien Kingsbury from the Deakin University in Australia. >>>

(25/8) Come September this year, many departments within Singapore's Civil Service will implement a new work schedule for its employees. However, a five-day work week does not mean shorter working hours. What is the impact of a five-day work week on a company's productivity? Melanie Yip speaks to David Ang, Executive Director of the Singapore Human Resources Institute. >>>

(25/8) The Singapore government gave details today, of the pro-baby package highlighted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 22 August 2004. The measures are aimed at addressing Singaporege’s falling birth rate and strengthening the family unit. They touch on reducing childcare costs, as well as providing more time for parents to bond with their children. How will the incentives actually resolve these issues? RSI's Yvonne Gomez poses the question to Associate Professor Paulin Straughan from the National University of Singapore. >>>

(24/8) Civil society members have lauded new moves by the government to make it easier for Singaporeans to speak up. However, the question is will Singaporeans really step up? RSI's Bharati Jagdish speaks to Nominated Member-of-Parliament, Chandra Mohan Nair who explains why the government decided that it is now the right time to relax public speaking rules. >>>

(24/8) Efforts to make marital rape a statutory offence in Malaysia has come up against opposition. The mufti of Perak state, Harussani Zakaria, has declared that such a move is against Islam. He believes that intimacy in marriage is a husband’s right. Women’s groups in the country have been angered by this, and have given their support to the government’s human rights commission’s efforts to legally protect women from marital rape. RSI's Yvonne Gomez speaks to Ms Peck Lin from the All Women’s Action Society, or AWAM, in Kuala Lumpurr for her take on the situation. >>>

(23/8) The upcoming Legislative Election in Taiwan has seen the major political parties diverting their attention away from Taiwan's international relations, and future. Instead, Taiwan's Pan-Green and Pan-Blue parties are more pre-occupied with domestic issues. To what extent is this pre-occupation with domestic politics affecting the way Taiwanese view cross-strait relations Melanie Yip speaks to Associate Professor Bo Zhi-Yue (BZY) from the Saint John Fisher College in Rochester, New York to find out. >>>

(20/8) An investigation into pro-Japanese collaborators and sympathizers has led to the resignation of South Korea’s ruling Uri Party’s chairman, Shin Ki-nam. What are some reasons for starting this probe on Korea’s colonial past now? Yvonne Gomez speaks to Professor Lee Jung-hoon from Yonsei University in Seoul to find out. >>>

(19/8) Nepalese authorities are seeking talks with Maoist rebels in order to end the rebels' siege of the capital, Kathmandu. Peace talks last year collapsed after the government rejected a rebel demand to draft a new constitution to decide the future of the monarchy. RSI's , Bharati Jagdish speaks to Dr Ajai Sahni, Executive Director of the South Asia Terrorism Portal for more on the current blockade. >>>

(19/8) In a news commentary in TODAY, Tisa Ng asks that Daddy be granted long leave to care for baby. >>>

(18/8) RSI's Yvonne Gomez speaks to Dr Rohan Gunaratna from the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore about the implementation of national anti-terrorism strategy here in Singapore. >>>

(18/8) RSI's Melanie Yip speaks to Dr Chandra Muzaffa (CM), President of the International Movement for a Just World in Malaysia about the likelihood of Malaysia appointing its first Muslim woman as deputy mufti. >>>

(18/8) Siew Kum Hong says that S'poreans, speaking up is like buying 4D; if you don't, you definitely won't win. If you do, there is a chance of success and things could change. >>>

(18/8) In a TODAY news commentary Dr Eric Teo talks about Beijing's two trying tests - the upcoming polls in Hong Kong and Taiwan which may not come up to China's expectations. >>>

(17/8) RSI's Yvonne Gomez speaks to Caroline Brassard from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore about the newly-launched school. >>>

(13/8) Lee Hsien Loong was sworn in as Singapore’s third Prime Minister last night. In his inaugural speech, he spoke of an “open and inclusive Singapore”. He encouraged Singaporeans to “feel free to express diverse views” and to “engage in robust debate”. Just what is this idea of an “open and inclusive Singapore”, and how can Singaporeans contribute to it? Yvonne Gomez finds out. >>>

(12/8) Instilling pride in the hearts of my countrymen may help ensure they stay Singaporean, so says Dharmendra Yadav in a TODAY news commentary. >>>

(12/8) In a TODAY commentary, Zofeen T Ebrahim talks about Pakistan's sex workers who help break taboo about Aids and promote condom use. >>>

(11/8) Political veteran, Professor S Jayakumar will be promoted to Deputy Prime Minister when Prime Minister-designate Lee Hsien Loong takes over the leadership reins Thursday, August 12. With this Cabinet reshuffle, what new direction will Singapore’s foreign policy take? RSI's Yvonne Gomez finds out. >>>

(11/8) Singapore's outgoing Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew takes on the role of Minister Mentor in the new cabinet. So what is the significance of this new porfolio? RSI's Melanie Yip speaks to Associate Professor Hussin Mutalib from the National University of Singapore's Political Science Department. >>>

(11/8) Women are back on the front benches of Singapore Government and RSI's Bharati Jagdish speaks to Member-of-Parliament, Madam Ho Geok Choo about the signal that this development will be sending about women's role in politics. >>>

(10/8) What will Singapore's new leadership face in the years ahead? RSI's Bharati Jagdish put this question to political analyst Dr Ho Khai Leong (HKL) from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. >>>

(10/8) RSI's Melanie Yip spoke with Dr Suzaina Kadir (SK), Assistant Professor of Political Science at the National University of Singapore about the new appointments in the Singapore Cabinet. >>>

(6/8) Singapore will have a new leader on August 12, when Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong takes over the reins from Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. RSI's Yvonne Gomez finds out how young Singaporeans view this political transition. >>>

(5/8) Under the International Ship and Port Security Code, or ISPS Code, ship owners need to comply with a set of security measures for big vessels. But Singapore's Transport Minister, Yeo Cheow Tong, says that the ISPS Code must extend to smaller vessels as some pose equal maritime threats. So what forms of maritime threats can smaller vessels pose? >>>

(4/8) The Philippines is drafting measures to lift a ban on civilian workers going to Iraq for work. However, more than 3,000 civilians still working there, and many more crossing over despite the dangers. If the government decides to officially lift the ban, what measures can it possibly take to ensure the safety of its workers? >>>

(3/8) Lawyers for Indonesia's first-round presidential candidate, Wiranto, have demanded that Indonesia's highest court award him one of the two spots in the presidential election runoff next month. They said polling irregularities were to blame for his poor showing. Does Wiranto have a chance at overturning results? >>>

(3/8) If there is one lesson already learned from Iraq, it is that the US is neither invulnerable nor omnipotent. It needs international legitimacy and allies. But whether it will have them in the future depends on what people and governments abroad think of the administration that takes power in January. >>>

(2/8) President Megawati Sukarnoputri finished second in the Indonesian presidential polls behind Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. And while many argue that she could just snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, Karim Raslan feels that Indonesians want change and as such, it will be difficult for her to stage a comeback. >>>