TODAY’s brief, Thursday, May 19
PM Lee to meet Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev
PM Lee to meet Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will meet with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow on Thursday as part of his four-day official visit to the country. Mr Lee will then proceed to the Black Sea resort of Sochi for a summit commemorating the 20th anniversary of Asean-Russia relations, where he is also scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin.
Last minute appeal launched for convicted murderer Kho Jabing
Convicted murderer Jabing Kho has launched an eleventh-hour bid to be spared the death penalty. This is the second time he has done so. A hearing has been set in the Court of Appeal on Thursday afternoon, with defence lawyer Gino Hardial Singh expected to argue on the grounds that apparent bias has arisen from Judge of Appeal Andrew Phang’s involvement at two sets of appeals in Kho’s case.
China and Thailand to hold joint military exercises
In a sign of improved relations between the two countries since the Thai military seized power in May 2014, China and Thailand’s joint exercises, which will go on until June 10, will involve land and sea operations, as well as training in humanitarian relief and maritime transport. Bangkok’s relations with Washington have cooled since the junta overthrew an elected government two years ago; with the Thai military stepping up its engagement with China.
Minister for Foreign Affairs in Myanmar to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan is currently in Myanmar for an introductory visit as part of a series of high-level exchanges to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Myanmar. On Thursday, he will meet the chairman of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, Mr Thein Sein, and then travel to Yangon to visit the Singapore-Myanmar Vocational Training Institute.
X-Men: Apocalypse opens in Singapore
The highly anticipated latest instalment in the X-Men movie franchise hits cinemas on Thursday — one week before the US opening. It follows Professor X and his fellow mutants as they try to stop Apocalypse and his four henchmen from destroying the world.
Weather forecast
Thundery showers mainly over northern, western and central Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon. Temperatures will likely range between 24°C and 34°C.