Escaped!

In a mind-boggling turn of events, one of Singapore’s most wanted men has somehow managed to escape and is presently at large. Mas Selamat Kastari, the leader of Singapore’s Jemaah Islamiyah network, a group which has links with Al Qaeda, is allegedly the man behind the plot to hijack a plane and crash it into Changi International Airport.

Quite apart from the vexing question of just how he was able to escape in the first place (I mean, good heavens this is Singapore and the ISD we’re talking about, and it turns out he limps!) the ongoing manhunt has turned parts of Singapore into a military stronghold. There have been reports of some parents not letting their kids go to school, and among people I’ve spoken to, a general sense of disquiet.

For all our sakes, I hope he is found soon.

You can see stories/videos at these links:

• CNA – JI detainee escapes
• CNA – Escaped from the toilet
• Straits Times – Escaped due to security lapse
• Straits Times – Manhunt intensifies

And While I’m On The Subject…

Continuing on the theme of the previous post, we were at the library a few weeks back. While at the dinosaur section (the only section we visit without fail), I idly browsed the facing shelves and found this gem:

 

Originally in Japanese and translated to English, the book describes factually a normal bodily function, without embarassment nor disdain. And somehow manages to be humorous as well. I read it out to Athos and Porthos and we laughed so hard I was surprised we were not kicked out of the library!

If your kids, like mine, have an inexplicable interest in things scatological, I also highly recommend “The Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business” – which I reviewed in this earlier post.

Boys – I’ll Never Understand Them

Yesterday a familiar scent wafted in my direction, leading to this bizarre conversation:

Pilgrim Mom: Aramis, you pooped! Come here, Mummy needs to change your diaper.

Porthos: [running] Wait, wait, I want to see!

Pilgrim Mom: Why?!?!

Porthos: I want to know what flavour it is.

Maybe those of you with daughters can tell me whether this sort of thing happens in your household….