SINGAPORE'S manufacturing economy shrank in August for the first time after 15 straight months of growth. But economists are not alarmed. They say a winding-down - after production surged earlier this year - was expected.

NEW rules that prevent people from owning both public and private properties appear to have discouraged some permanent residents from buying resale flats here - at least for now.

THE Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) yesterday announced the formation of an Arts and Culture Strategic Review (ACSR) Steering Committee.