Prestigious award for Southern Ridges Trail

In the citation, the jury - made up of real estate professionals, planners and architects - was especially impressed by how a rare recreational space was created in a densely populated city-state and how it has 'moved the concept of green links and neighbourhood parks to a new level'.

The URA will go on to compete at the global awards later this year.

Besides the Southern Ridges, condominium Newton Suites by the UOL Group was also selected as one of the winners from 35 entries.

The 118-unit eco-friendly tower has features like sun shading, rooftop plants, cross-ventilation and a green wall spanning the height of the building.

The URA is not new to the ULI Awards, having won the global award in 2006 for its conservation programme and the Asia-Pacific award in 2008 for its master planning of the Bras Basah and Bugis area.

Both Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch have won architectural and engineering awards here and overseas.

Since its opening in May 2008, the Southern Ridges has drawn an additional 50,000 visitors a month.

MM Lee receives top Russian award

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was presented with Russia's highest civilian award, the Order of Friendship at the Istana by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is here on his first official visit.

The Order recognises those who have made a signficant contribution in strengthening friendship, cooperation and relations between nations.

A citation for the award stated that Mr Lee was receiving it for his "outstanding contribution to the development of the Russia-Singapore relationship".

Mr Lee has been a strong supporter of the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management, Russia's first dedicated business school, since its inception in 2006.

Mr Lee became a member of its international advisory board in 2007.

Mr Lee is the second Singaporean to be conferred this award. Businessman, Sudhir Gupta, received the award in 2000. He was the founder of Amtel group, a company which makes tyres, tea, juices and vodka in Russian and the Ukraine.

Singapore honoured for being peaceful nation

At a dinner kicking off the 3-day Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations in Washington on 1 November 2009, Singapore was one of the 18 countries lauded for being a "model for development and urbanisation" that has demonstrated its dedication to peace in a variety of ways.

The list includes Singapore's provision of humanitarian aid overseas, military and police forces to United Nations peacekeeping missions, laws to protect its multi-ethnic society as well as efforts to preserve the environment, such as building an eco-city with Tianjin city in China, according to a citation read out at the dinner.

The event was organised by the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Centre and Alliance for Peacebuilding.

The 18 nations were chosen based on their performance in the 2009 Global Peace Index, which ranks 144 countries by their peacefulness and absence of violence. Using the index, the symposium's organisers looked at nine different regions of the world, and identified two of the most peaceful nations from each of these regions.

Singapore was ranked the world's 23rd most peaceful nation. It moved up from 29th place in 2008's rankings. The index is produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, a global think-tank.

Global Indian International School wins international excellence award

Homegrown Global Indian International School achieves a first for Singapore with the Asia Pacific Quality Award.

MM Lee Kuan Yew to receive lifetime award in US

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew is embarking on a 10-day trip to the United States, during which he will receive a lifetime achievement award from the US-ASEAN Business Council.

MM Lee is the first person in the entire world to receive this award, which recognises ASEAN's contribution to US economic security.

"History will record few leaders who have accomplished so much for their country and for South-east Asia as His Excellency Lee Kuan Yew," Mr Muhtar Kint, chairman of the US-ASEAN Business Council and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company.

"As a driving force behind the growth and evolution of ASEAN, Mr Lee also helped millions of people across South-east Asia to live in an environment of peace and economic growth."