News In Brief

Bustling Singapore marks quarter-century of self-rule

Singapore celebrates 25 years of self-rule this week. Against heavy odds, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and other leaders turned the unpromising former British colony into a commercial success. Singaporeans enjoy the highest standard of living in Southeast Asia and the second best in all of Asia, after Japan. Per capita income is more than $5,300 a year.

The population is more than 76 percent ethnic Chinese, with Malay, southern Indian, and Eurasian minorities. Official languages are Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, and English.