TODAY’s brief, Monday, May 4

Annual Leader’s Retreat set for today, tomorrow

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is in Singapore for the annual Leaders’ Retreat with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, with discussions on the planned high-speed rail linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur expected to be high on the agenda. Mr Lee and his wife Ho Ching will host a private dinner for Mr Najib and his wife tonight, and the two leaders will be giving a press conference tomorrow.

Amos Yee to return to court for pre-trial conference

Amos Yee, the teenager charged for making offending remarks about Christianity and circulating obscene imagery, will be back in court today for a pre-trial conference on his case. The 16-year-old is in remand after his previous bailor applied to discharge himself, as Amos had flouted bail conditions by blogging.

High Court to hear on AHPETC case

The High Court is scheduled to hear the case of Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council. The Ministry of National Development had applied to the court in March to appoint independent accountants to safeguard government grants to the town council. On Saturday (May 2), the town council revealed that it had hired an external accountant to clean up its accounts and advise on strengthening financial controls.

China, Taiwan to seek cooperation as heads of ruling parties meet

The leader of Taiwan’s Nationalist Party will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing today, the first meeting between the heads of the ruling parties in the two rival states in more than 60 years. Mr Chu took over as Kuomintang chairman after the party’s devastating electoral defeat last November. His meeting with Mr Xi will be a chance to revive cross-strait ties that have stagnated since last year. Analysts say the meeting between Mr Xi and Mr Chu is unlikely to achieve any major breakthroughs, especially ahead of Taiwan’s presidential elections next January, because Beijing does not want to be seen as influencing the outcome, which has backfired in the past.

Torrential rains at Australia’s east coast expected to ease

Australians in the east coast, who have been hit by wild weather over the weekend, can look forward to some relief today. The Bureau of Meteorology said showers would ease off today, with clear weather and no heavy rain predicted for the rest of the week. Torrential rain had thrashed the state of New South Wales, leaving six dead a week after a cyclone-strength storm battered Australia’s east coast for three days.

Weather forecast

Scattered thunderstorms are expected, with temperatures ranging from 27 °C to 32 °C.