TOP STORIES Singapore Singapore Botanic Gardens declared UNESCO World Heritage Site It is Singapore's first World Heritage site and the third Botanic Gardens to be listed as a World Heritage Site, after Kew Gardens in England and the Padua Gardens in Italy. »

Asia Pacific Japan pledges US$6 billion to Mekong nations as China prepares new bank Japan said on Saturday it would extend around US$6 billion in development aid to Mekong region countries, as China prepares to launch a new institutional lender seen as encroaching on the regional clout of Tokyo and ally Washington. » Asia Pacific Crew, owners of sunk ferry charged with murder: Philippine police The death toll from a capsized Philippine ferry rose to 56 on Saturday (Jul 4). » Singapore Move to nuclear power needed if Singapore wants to cut emissions: Panellist TODAY reports: “In the end, if we’re really serious about climate change, then we’re facing one alternative. And that one alternative that we actually have is nuclear power,” says business strategist Peter Schwartz, who was a panellist at an Institute of Policy Studies conference.  »