Here is The News

The Sun is a daily tabloid newspaper in the UK and is owned by Rupert Murdoch.

The top-selling British newspaper is the ninth-largest circulation of any newspaper in the world, at times hitting daily readership of 7.3 million.

The arrival of a baby boy for Prince William and his wife Kate triggered the creative juice in the newsroom and the editors decided to changed its name to "The Son" to honour the event.

In the event that some top civil servants who have fingers in the plunder of national resources, the mast head should read as...

It's Bloom Time

As if on cue, the handkerchief trees open up in unique fashion.

The tropical version, Maniltoa browneoides bloom in July.

The other version, Davidia Involucrata, common in China and the temperate countries is also called handkerchief tree.

The Davidia Involucrata bloom in May.

National Day Is Here, Again

Once again, the 9 August 2013 national day is near.

The annual parade display is being rehearsed today.

The Singapore flag is hoisted by a Boeing CH-47 Chinook.

The flag flying behind is the reserved flag, just in case.

 

 

The reserved Chinook and flag return to base once the fly past goes as planned.

Next the F-16D+ jets perform the aerial flypast with the awesome smoke trails.

The jets are part of the 70 F-16 Fighting Falcons in the RSAF.

The smoke trails are produced by injecting diesel into the 400°C exhaust from the jet engine, vaporizing immediately. Some aerial displays emit coloured smoke which are made by mixing dye with the diesel.

There will be another 5 rehearsals before the big day proper.

The rehearsals on 13 July, 20 July and 27 July are known as National Education Shows where all students from primary level through university must attend.

Launched in 1997, it is an exercise to develop instincts that become part of the psyche of every child.

The Year of Protests

It began with the Arab spring.

2013 is the year of protests.

The protests gathered for different reasons.

 Brazil

 

Hongkong

Indonesia

 Turkey

Egypt

The wave of protests has been largely aided by the internet.

The number of protestors is no longer in the mere thousands. Millions can turn out on the streets in a matter of hours.

The Arab governments found out to their horror during the Arab Spring, dictatorships and autocratics lack the experience to address the protesters’ anger.

Every Dog has its Day

There are well over 200 commemorative days used by governments, groups and organizations to celebrate something.

Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.

Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in most countries although in various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March or May.

Children's Day is traditionally celebrated on October 1 in Singapore. It is recognized on various days in many countries around the world.

Valentine's Day also known as Saint Valentine's Day,  is observed on February 14 each year.

May Day also known as International Workers' Day,  is a celebration of the international labour movement although it began as a spring festival.

And yes, the present dengue epidemic reminds us that Mosquito Day is observed on 20 August, to commemorate British doctor Sir Ronald Ross's discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria.

International Nurses Day  is celebrated around the world on 12 May the birthdate of Florence Nightingale.

Easter  is a Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion.

Thinking Day is celebrated annually on February 22 by Girl Guides.
In view of the worldwide conflicts and unnecessary deaths, this date should be promoted.

World Consumer Rights Day 15 March,  is an annual occasion to promote basic rights of consumers.

International Lefthanders Day was first observed on 13 August 1976.
It is meant to promote awareness of the inconveniences facing left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world.

SkyTerrace @Dawson

SkyTerrace is now waiting to install the sky garden bridge.

Windows have been fitted.

The soon to be extinct 3 storey SIT flat in idyllic setting at Tanglin Halt will predictably have to give way to new HDB or private condominiums soon.

And the pigeons will have to find new grounds for their daily meals.

The Hot Issue

Singapore's 'anti-Chinese curry war' 2011 headlined in a United Kingdom newspaper.

Curry is Singapore's iconic dish, loved by all races on the island. You can find it everywhere; in the food centres, in homes of native chinese, malay and indian races.

Yes it is so common and loved you can find it at funeral wakes.

There was an instant uproar across racial lines, when a newly arrived family from mainland China insisted that the smell of curry is offensive.

To make matter worse, the Community Mediation Centre ruled that the Indian family could only cook curry when the Chinese family was not at home.

The judgment incensed Singaporeans.

This year Glen Goei will be presenting a play titled COOK A POT OF CURRY highlighting this red-hot issue. Coming to a theatre near you.