TODAY’s brief, Tuesday, April 21

Amos Yee up for bail review, Filipino former nurse charged under the Sedition Act back in court

The case of Amos Yee, the teenager facing three criminal charges for online content he posted, will be up for a bail review today (April 20). He has been in remand since last Friday, after his parents left the State Courts without posting bail for him. New bail conditions were imposed on him that day: He must take down a blog post and two Facebook posts last Tuesday sourcing funds from the public, which are a violation of his earlier undertaking not to post content related to his case. He must also report every morning at Bedok Police Division if he goes out on bail. Meanwhile, the Filipino former nurse who was charged under the Sedition Act for making offensive online comments about Singaporeans and religion will be back in court for a pre-trial conference. Ello Ed Mundsel Bello, 28, faces two charges of promoting feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes in Singapore, arising from his comments on Facebook on Jan 2. He also faces three charges of providing false information to a public servant.

Google, Huawei in Founders Forum Smart Nation Singapore conference

Representatives from tech firms around the world, including Google and Huawei, will be taking part in the Founders Forum Smart Nation Singapore conference today. On the agenda are panel discussions on smart transportation, smart healthcare, as well as the future of finance, payments and e-commerce.

Joko Widodo to give opening address at Asian-African Business Summit

The 2015 Asian-African Business Summit (AABS) takes place in Jakarta today, as part of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference of 1955. Indonesian President Joko Widodo will give the opening address at the Summit today, where Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other world leaders are in attendance. The outcome of the AABS, which will have the theme “Realization of Asia Africa Partnership for Progress and Prosperity”, will also be presented during the Asian-African Summit beginning tomorrow to Thursday. Indonesia plans to propose the establishment of a Asia Africa Business Council to forge investment and trade cooperation between business communities on both continents. According to AABS Chairman Noke Kiroyan, the Business Council will also serve as a monitoring agency to maintain networks and encourage follow-ups to the AABS so the agreements can be translated into more real business deals and partnerships.

Xi Jinping continues talks with Pakistani leaders

In the second day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan, Mr Xi will continue to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other ministers over issues of economic and security cooperation. Deals worth some US$28 billion (S$37.8 billion) are ready to be signed during the visit, part of an expected Chinese investment of US$46 billion for infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan. The focus of the spending is on building a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) - a network of roads, railway and pipelines between the two. They will run some 3,000km from Gwadar in Pakistan to China’s western Xinjiang region. The projects will give China direct access to the Indian Ocean and beyond. This marks a major advance in China’s plans to boost its economic influence in Central and South Asia, experts say, and far exceeds US spending in Pakistan. Mr Xi will also address the Pakistani parliament today. He leaves for the Asian African Conference in Jakarta later today.

Najib under further pressure following protest of cross on church

An embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak has come under renewed pressure following an uproar over a protest by Muslim residents to remove the cross of a church in Taman Medan. The protest on Sunday caused an uproar among Malaysian citizens and politicians, leaving most people urging the government to take action against the protestors to protect minority rights. Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the protest was seditious and that action has to be taken against the protestors. However, his statements contradict the Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, whose brother was present at the protest mediating the matter, as he does not think that there is any element of sedition in the protest. “We do not see it as seditious as it did not touch on Christianity but only on the location of the church,” Mr Khalid said.

8-course menu curated by renowned chefs at World Gourmet Summit

The Macallan Masters of Taste: The trio of masterminds behind the world’s No 1, three Michelin-starred restaurant, El Celler De Can Roca - Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca – will be featuring an exquisite 8-course menu jointly curated by Josep and Jordi Roca, together with Singapore establishment Bacchanalia’s Executive Chef Ivan Brehm. This will be paired with the finest single malts under The Macallan, including Sherry Oak 18 Years Old, Reflexion, No. 6, M Decanter and an exclusive vintage cask specially flown in for this event which is at 7pm at Bacchanalia. Limited seats left. Visit www.worldgourmetsummit.com for details.

National Schools Swimming Championships 2015 finals begins

Day 1 of the 56th National Schools Swimming Championships 2015 finals kicks off at the Singapore Sports School today, with over 50 medals on offer in the pool.

The National Inter-School Netball Championships will be contested at the Jurong East Sports Hall today, with CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) to play Dunman Secondary School in the Girls “C” Division final, while the “B” Division final will feature CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) and the Singapore Sports School.

Weather forecast

Thundery showers are expected mainly over northern, eastern and western Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon, with temperatures ranging between 25°C to 33°C.