As Singapore Turns 50, A Proud Nation Prepares To Party

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Festooned with countless red and white flags, Singapore launched an extravagant celebration of its 50th anniversary on Sunday, an occasion of national pride the city state's ruling party is expected to exploit to call an election next month.

It will be the second time this year that Singaporeans have come together to reflect on the extraordinary success of a tiny nation, after they mourned the death of first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew in late March.