0:00 - THE BIG STORY

IN PARLIAMENT
0:32 - MPs DEBATE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE BILL
Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam on Monday (Oct 4) described the covert escalation of foreign interference tactics targeting Singapore's multicultural makeup as one of the most serious threats faced by the Republic, with its people remaining largely oblivious to the dangers. Read more: https://str.sg/3qJP

In a speech extending over two hours to open a parliamentary debate on the proposed Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (Fica), he also said such issues have been discussed at length and in depth for more than three years now - since 2018 when a select committee was set up to study the issue of fake news.

That process eventually led to the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) being passed the next year.

4:37 - WILL HOME-BASED LEARNING BE EXTENDED?
Meanwhile, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said an announcement will be made later this week on whether home-based learning will be extended for primary schools. https://str.sg/3qoK

He explained that the announcement is not being made immediately because school staff should focus on the ongoing PSLE, and his ministry wants to inform educators first.

8:26 - COVID-19 SINGAPORE UPDATE

10:16 - ASKST: HOME RECOVERY
Separately, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that Singapore’s home recovery programme was not fully ready to deal with the surge in Covid-19 patients. We answer some frequently asked questions on the programme. Read more: https://str.sg/3qJN

13:42 - TAIWAN REPORTS CHINA AIR FORCE INCURSION
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence, more than 90 Chinese military planes entered the island’s air defence zone over the weekend. This comes as China marked its National Day on Oct 1. China correspondent Danson Cheong weighs in. Read more: https://str.sg/3qoo

An earlier version of this video reported that 0.5 per cent of those who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been infected with Covid-19. Mr Ong did not say this in Parliament. We are sorry for the error.

#thebigstory #parliament #shanmugam #covid19

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