A BLAZE in a two-room flat in Marine Parade on Monday has left its occupant, a 62-year-old man, fighting for his life.

The fire was raging in the bedroom of his flat in Block 53, Marine Terrace, when officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) showed up and forced their way in.

GENEVA - THE United Nations called on richer governments on Monday to provide a total of US$7.1 billion (S$9.83 billion) in 2010 to fund urgent humanitarian assistance for 48 million people in 25 countries.

It was the largest sum sought for such aid, in what is known as the annual Humanitarian Appeal, since the world body started making consolidated calls for funding to tackle crises in different parts of the world in 1991.

THE Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Monday it does not expect the Dubai debt crisis to affect the financial stability here as Singapore's banking industry's total exposure to the United Arab Emirates is 'well below' 1 per cent of total banking assets.

'MAS has been closely monitoring developments of Dubai World and United Arab Emirates (UAE) and their impact on Singapore's financial sector,' it said in a statement on Monday evening.

BANGKOK - THAILAND'S royal palace announced on Monday the postponement of a speech and military parade to mark the birthday of the nation's revered king, who has been hospitalised for two and a half months.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch who is regarded as a demi-god by many Thais, turns 82 on Saturday and was due to mark the occasion with his annual birthday-eve speech on Friday.