City-state marks 50 years of success

Singapore marked 50 years of independence on Sunday with nationwide celebrations, including a huge military parade and firework display that will pay tribute to former founding leader Lee Kuan Yew.

As fighter jets screamed through the sky and nationalist songs blared, leaders made speeches and people took advantage of free rides on trains and buses.

Singapore became a republic on Aug 9, 1965, when it was ejected from the Malaysian federation following a stormy two-year union.