TODAY’s brief, Thursday, March 3

Sumatra quake aftermath

Aftershocks are expected to continue rattling the Indonesian island of Sumatra today, less than a day after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck 808km southwest of the coastal city of Padang. While Indonesian and Australian authorities called off their tsunami alerts within two hours of the tremor, the extent of the damage was still unclear last night with communications 

Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference begins annual meeting

Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a group of hundreds of Chinese politicians, business leaders, cultural figures and academics, begins its annual, two-day meeting today. The conference is expected to help lay the groundwork for the annual gathering of the National People’s Congress – which is set to approve a new five-year development plan once it convenes this weekend.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan visits Australia

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will be making a two-day introductory visit to Australia from today, where he will call on his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, as well as the ministers for the environment, trade and industry among others. Dr Balakrishnan is expected to follow-up on the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which was signed last year.

S.League action

It’s Irfan Fandi vs Jermaine Pennant as Home United takes on Tampines Rovers at the Bishan Stadium. Meanwhile, second-placed Geylang International welcomes back winger Amy Recha from suspension as it hosts a Balestier Khalsa side still without injured foreigners Emir Lotinac and Robert Pericic at the Bedok Stadium.

Weather forecast

Thundery showers are expected mainly over northern and western Singapore in the afternoon. Temperatures to range from 25°C to 33°C.