Good morning! Morning Minutes is a round-up of stories that will break today and which we think you'd be interested in.
It appears on weekdays, available by 7am.
Visual spectacle awaits at the official opening ceremony of the SEA Games
The 28th SEA Games will open officially at the National Stadium on Friday night. Expect a visual spectacle of stunning multi-media projections, light and sound displays, colourful costumes, breathtaking props and puppetry. Some of Singapore's most well-known arts and sports personalities will also be present in the 55,000-strong crowd at the opening ceremony, along with other VIPs. More importantly, the million-dollar question on who will light the SEA Games cauldron will finally be answered. - MAY CHEN
New centre to help students convert passions to professions
A new centre will be launched on Friday to help young people turn their hobbies into possible careers. The centre, run by voluntary group Touch Youth and the Institute of Education (ITE) College East, will hone the skills of students interested in areas such as computer gaming and floral arrangement, and help them find suitable internships and apprenticeships. Minister of State for Education and Communications and Information Sim Ann will officiate the opening. - ARIEL LIM
Ultramarathoners speak about their first rest day after clocking 2,500km in 50 days
Ultramarathon runners Lim Nghee Huat, 62, and Yong Yuen Cheng, 43, who achieved their goal of running 50km for 50 consecutive days to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday, will share how they are spending their first day of rest after their feat. The duo completed their feat on Thursday despite encountering bad weather, illness and injury along the way. - KASH CHEONG
Malaysian PM to participate in townhall
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will answer questions from non-governmental organisations, bloggers and the media at a townhall on Friday. Questions on the controversial government investment fund 1MDB and the Goods and Services Tax are expected to be posed at the Nothing2Hide question-and-answer session at the Putra World Trade Centre. The three-hour event is scheduled to begin at 9am. Malaysian media reported that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, one of 1MDB and Mr Najib's fiercest critics, may attend.
at the Putra World Trade Centre
World Environment Day to be marked today
World Environment Day (WED), a day designated by the United Nations to raise awareness of environmental issues, will be celebrated on Friday. This year's theme is resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production in the context of the planet's regenerative capacity, according to the United Nations. The slogan - Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care - was chosen through voting on social media. Italy is the host this year with celebrations organised at the Milan Expo. Over 140 countries and a significant number of international organisations are expected to attend.
