Singapore  - Singapore is preparing to deal with casino-related offences, such as cheating and prostitution, ahead of the opening of two casino-anchored resorts, the first of which is due to open in December, media reports said Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng noted that newly opened casinos are often the subject of syndicate scams, and to combat such schemes, the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) would increase its staff to 116 by the end of the year from a current 75.

Washington  - The captain of a US-operated ship who was abducted by Somalian pirates for several days returned home to the United States on Friday.

A smiling Richard Phillips was greeted by his family shortly after his plane touched down in Burlington, Vermont, his home state. After spending some moments alone with his wife, son, daughter and mother, Phillips addressed reporters.

"I just want to thank you for your prayers and support," Phillips, 53, said.

Singapore - Singapore police coast guards chased away 58 illegal immigrant boats from landing along the shores of the city state in the first three months of this year, more than double the 27 boats detected during the same period last year, according to a Straits Times report Friday.

The police coast guard commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Teo Kian Teck, said the intruders resorted to dangerous manoeuvering in darkness when they wee being pursued.

The police caught 35 illegal immigrants during January-March 2009 compared with 46 a year ago.

Durban, Apr. 17: An Indian-origin store manager, Krish Pillay, was killed in Durban while heroically saving his staff and customers from gunmen, who had stormed into the Shoprite supermarket.

The drama began when five armed robbers burst into the store and held staff and customers at gunpoint while they demanded money from the cash tills.

The store, on the corner of Kenyon and Howden Roads, soon became a battleground when police snipers and hostage negotiators entered the store.

Manila  - A 60-year-old Belgian man killed his 37-year-old Filipino wife and then shot himself in a fit of jealous rage in a northern Philippine town, a police officer said Thursday.

Constant Van Girt allegedly shot dead his wife Rosaly during a heated argument inside their house in Iguig town in the northern province of Cagayan on Wednesday.

Senior Inspector Wilfredo Dupaya said that after killing his wife, Van Girt shot himself.

The couple was rushed to hospital, but Van Girt was declared dead on arrival. Rosaly died two hours later.