The trust is using the IPO proceeds to fund the purchase of its first two assets, The Festival Walk retail and office development in Hong Kong and the Gateway Plaza office building in Beijing.

WSJ: Mapletree Debut Sparks Hope for Singapore IPOs

In the US, the National Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off last week in Washington DC with a fundraising walk and vigil for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

BBC: Cherry blossom festivals amid tragedy

There will also be a janitors "walk-out" at the Westfield Shopping Mall, a march and street festival and an afternoon "bus tour of the San Francisco 1%, " according to a press release Monday from the San Francisco Labor Council, one of the organizations that is part of the effort.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS