TODAY’s brief, Friday, March 27

Public phase of national mourning enters into third day

The lying-in-state of Mr Lee Kuan Yew at Parliament House continues into its third day, and also the last day where it is open to the public at all hours of the day. Tomorrow (March 28), the public wake will come to an end at 8pm.

In memory of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Archbishop William Goh will be celebrating mass at St Joseph’s Church on Victoria Street. The service starts at 1.15pm and is open to the public.

New questions raised in France Alps crash

The crash of the Germanwings plane in the French Alps that killed 150 people most likely happened because the co-pilot crashed the jet deliberately, the prosecutor in France heading the criminal investigation said. The revelation that one of the pilots of a Germanwings jetliner was locked out of the cockpit before it crashed raised new and troubling questions as search teams continued to scour the rugged terrain of the French Alps for clues that could shed light on what happened. The co-pilot began the plane’s descent for an unknown reason while he was alone in the cockpit, said the prosecutor, Mr Brice Robin, describing the action as deliberate. Mr Robin said he had opened an investigation for voluntary manslaughter.

Indonesia can be “honest broker” in South China Sea

Indonesia is ready to play a consultative role as an “honest broker” in resolving the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, President Joko Widodo said ahead of his summit meeting in Beijing. “We need peace, we need stability in our region in Asia-Pacific. So that means Indonesia is ready to play a consultative role as an honest broker,” he said in an interview with the South China Morning Post. Indonesia wanted to ensure that the Code of Conduct — which the 10-member regional grouping of Asean is hammering out with China — would be “acceptable to all parties”, he said. His talks with President Xi Jinping while in the capital are expected to focus not just on deepening bilateral cooperation but also regional issues such as the South China Sea.

England to host Lithuania in qualifier

England’s quest to qualify for the 2016 European Championships continue when they host Lithuania in a Group E qualifier at Wembley early tomorrow morning (March 28, Singapore time). England lead the group with four wins out of four, and with Roy Hodgson set to give a senior debut to in-form Tottenham forward Harry Kane knowing that another victory will put one foot firmly in the finals in France next year. The match is one of several Euro 2016 qualifiers taking place, including holders Spain against Ukraine in Seville.

Weather forecast

Thundery showers are expected in the afternoon mainly over southern and western Singapore. Temperatures ranging between 25 to 34 degrees Celsius.