Indirect talks on Syria start today

United Nations-brokered indirect negotiations are due to begin in Geneva today, the latest international push to find a solution to Syria's five-year civil war, which has killed more than 270,000 people and forced millions from their homes. Analysts say much has changed since the last round collapsed in February as fighting raged, but that the huge regime-opposition divide will complicate a settlement.

Jubi Lee, Singapore's own whale exhibit

Singapore's very own whale exhibit is being launched at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum today. The carcass of the 10.6m sperm whale was discovered floating off Jurong Island on July 10 last year - the first time that the marine mammal has been spotted in Singapore waters. It was named Jubi Lee by museum staff because it had been found during the nation's Golden Jubilee year. The staff worked around the clock for months to preserve the skeleton.

BOJ board may discuss rate exemption

The Bank of Japan's policy board will hold a two-day meeting starting today. Media reports say the BOJ will discuss whether to exempt US$90 billion (S$123 billion) in short-term funds from its newly imposed negative interest rate. The Japanese securities industry has warned that negative rates will cause investment money to be driven into bank deposits instead, defeating the aim of encouraging investments to kick-start growth and defeat deflation.