Singapore - The number of visitors to Singapore declined in June, the first drop in 51 months amid the weakening economic climate, tourism board data said on Saturday.

Last month's arrivals were down 4.1 per cent from a year earlier, a sharp drop that followed a slow 0.8 per cent growth in April and May.

A total of 5.1 million people visited the city-state in the first half of this year, spending an estimated 6.5 billion Singapore dollars (4.8 billion US dollars) during their stay.

Singapore - Asia's main security forum on Thursday urged the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China to expedite the formulation of guidelines governing the conduct in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

The ministers attending the 27-country ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) encouraged all countries which stake claims on the area to exercise self-restraint.

Singapore - Asia's top security forum said Thursday a disaster-hit country should facilitate assistance from other nations and international organizations for "prompt and effective disaster management and relief" where needed.

The foreign ministers from the 27-member Association of South-East Asian Nations Regional Forum (ARF) also agreed that external assistance should be provided with the consent of the affected country.

"Disaster relief efforts should be under its overall control and supervision," said the recommendations included in a "chairman's statement."

Singapore - Asia's top security forum began its annual meeting on Thursday to discuss measures that will make member- countries more responsive in dealing with the challenges in the region, especially in the area of disaster response.

Foreign ministers of the 27-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ARF) were to focus on improving disaster planning and response in the wake of the deadly cyclone that devastated Myanmar and the earthquake that wrecked havoc in China.

The group was also scheduled to discuss concrete and practical cooperation among member countries in dealing with common security challenges.

Taipei - Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission approved Polaris Securities Company's application to set up a branch in Singapore, a newspaper reported Thursday.