Aussie Pete said:

On Saturday, 14th June, Five suspected drug-traffickers were arrested and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) seized $1.3M worth of drugs in an Islandwide operation. This is the second-largest drug haul in Singapore for 2008.

Recommended by AussiePB: "These people are risking the welfare of our children and society in general - is the death penalty appropriate?"

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eyetoeye said:

Andrew Cheah was quiet, loved computers, a fan of The Matrix and Final Fantasy, his family was in too much grief to say much. I guess the newspapers are grieving too. His name appears only in passing, as if it was an unfortunate coincidence that he left the world only the day before Clifton.

I am not in any way putting down the tragedy of both their deaths. Both were young, both were full of potential. Both will be equally missed by the family and their friends. It is clear, however, who Singapore mourns for more. And that, i think, is sad also.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "I think it is sad that both NSMen died, but this blogger does have a point."

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Paul said:

Full-time National Serviceman Lance Corporal (LCP) Chow Han Min Calvin, 19, who was air-lifted back to Singapore from Taiwan on 12 May 07, passed away in Singapore General Hospital (SGH) at 6:37 am after his condition took a turn for the worse early this morning.

Recommended by iworkforthem: "Follow-up post on the SAF Overseas Incident.
"

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Speranza Nuova said:

You can enrol yourself in a course on CPR. You can also encourage your employer or institution to organise CPR training... Just giving CPR (while waiting for the ambulance to arrive with a defibrillator) improves the victim's survival to 8%.... These odds improve further to 20%, if the defibrillator arrives sooner on the scene...

You too can make a difference today, by educating yourself in CPR and how to help save a life.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "A very nice look at the scientific evidence in favour of defibrillators in public places. Also emphasises how important it is that Singaporeans know how to give CPR if somebody's heart stops."

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ShaolinTiger said:

Yah..being there upset me, even just writing this and remembering being there upsets me.

And yes, it effects us closer to home.

SINGAPORE STILL PRODUCES LAND MINES.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "Sickening isn't it? Why exactly do Singapore need landmines?"

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voctir said:

To achieve its much-vaunted deterrent effect the death sentence should be carried out in public, in full view of all citizens. It should be broadcast on television, announced on the radio, published with detailed case reports in the Shit Times, in all its g(l)ory and splendour. It should be the staple of our highly praised educational curricula, made a central component of 'civics and moral education', to scare the wits out of students. Why aren't we doing as the Japanese did during World War II, when they exhibited the decapitated heads of thieves and petty criminals in front of Fullerton Hotel? We say there are good reasons for not going public (is disgust a reason?), yet we justify the death sentence on these grounds. This is the biggest lie we tell ourselves.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "More thoughts on the futility and hypocrisy of the death penalty."

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Channel NewsAsia said:

Former Singapore President Devan Nair has died. He was 82.

Mr Nair, who was President from 1981 to 1985, died in Canada.

Recommended by yuhui: "A former communist, he became Singapore's third president, only to resign from office in shame. RIP."

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mr brown said:

Sondra, aka Idler of Idle Days passed away yesterday, from a rare blood disorder. I was informed of this by her sister.

Our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.

Sondra, you will be dearly, dearly missed.

The wake is today ONLY (1st December 2005) at Block 830, Yishun St 81. Service is at 8pm tonight. The funeral procession will leave for Mandai Crematorium at 9am on Friday morning (2nd December 2005).

Recommended by yuhui: "Sondra was a Tomorrow editor and prominent local blogger. She will be missed."

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ABC said:

Singapore's Lasalle College of Art invited students from around the world to spend two weeks observing life before showcasing their work.

ANNOUNCER: From Slovenia, Matija.

(Sound of applause)

LISA MILLAR: Matija Milkovic Biloslav from Slovenia produced a piece featuring a dozen nooses hanging from the ceiling, beneath them upturned stools.

Only one chair was standing, on it a rope and a card that read C856 - Van Nyugen's prison number.

Tonight's 7.30 Report reveals just how sensitive Singaporeans are about the death penalty. We were stopped from speaking to the artist. And the school's director objected, saying she wasn't dressed well enough for an interview.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "Censorship at work. "

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Singabloodypore said:

Semi-retired: Darshan Singh, Singapore's chief executioner, wants to quit, but suitable replacements are hard to find. Financial remuneration is low as the 73-year-old grandfather lives in a modest, government-owned apartment and chances of advancement may be difficult as the possibility of finding a replacement is rather difficult.

Recommended by Anonymous Coward: "It appears that there maybe a future vacancy about to open at Changi. All those tough talking commentators should apply as soon as possible before the death penalty is abolished."

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The Age said:

In the island metropolis to our north, a place that admires itself through a polished veneer of modernity and sophistication, the city-state's brand of justice will be delivered with all the subtlety and compassion of the Middle Ages.

Recommended by Tym: "An analysis of the key details in the case against Australian Nguyen Tuong Van, who has been sentenced to death by Singapore for drug trafficking. Interestingly, it concludes with a call for Australians to boycott Singapore-owned companies."

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Singaporeist said:

Graffiti, thought to be thoroughly defanged here, it did make a much applauded reappearance during THAT scandal, and those teeth are leaving bite marks elsewhere. Some graffiti against the death penalty has been seen at Jurong West and apparently quickly removed, but not lost.

More pictures at the link.

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Hecate relates how exemplary the late Wee Kim Wee's presidency was:

In short, it is hard to imagine anyone who would be like Mr Wee, someone who has the ability to command enough respect and authority, yet being able to relate so closely to his people. Unfortunately in his case, little power lies in the hands of a President, otherwise it would've been interesting to see the kind of changes he would've made in Singapore and the kind of effects it would have.

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serialdeviant said:

Does Singapore needs to reform its policy on the death penalty? Hell yes. Is he the best person to be the poster boy for the ills of the system? No. He is guilty of the crime, there’s no frame-up, there’s no mistaken identity here. He doesn’t have a legal leg to stand on. True, he has young kids who will practically be orphans if he is executed, but he should’ve thought of that before he agreed to smuggle the drugs.

[Ed: Agree? Disagree?]

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