TODAY’s brief, Tuesday, March 31

Teen behind video insulting Christians to be charged

16-year-old Amos Yee will be charged today for disparaging Christians in a YouTube video of him in a tirade against the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Some 20 reports were lodged with the police over the video, and Yee was arrested on Sunday. Among the charges he faces is the offence of deliberately intending to wounding the religious or racial feelings of a person, under Section 298 of the Penal Code. Upon conviction, the offence can be punished with jail of up to three years, or with a fine, or with both.

Editors remain in jail in Malaysia

Three editors from news portal The Malaysian Insider remain in custody after nearly a dozen policemen and officers from the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) raided its Petaling Jaya office. The news portal’s lawyer Syahredzan Johan confirmed that managing editor Lionel Morais, Bahasa news editor Amin Shah Iskandar and features and analysis editor Zulkifli Sulong were arrested under the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Section 233 deals with “improper use of network facilities or network services”. “Confirmed arrested,” Mr Syahredzan said in a text message when asked about the status of the three editors. Mr Syahredzan also confirmed that the three will be detained in the Dang Wangi police headquarters for questioning.

Last week ruling party MPs called for legal action against the group over its report claiming the Conference of Rulers had objected to proposed legislative amendments on hudud. The lawmakers said TMI had “irresponsibly” in its report on the issue and they accused the portal of reporting “twisted facts” in another article on Prime Minister Najib Razak’s speech on the Sedition Act.

Deadline to join China development bank

Today (March 31) is the deadline for countries to sign on with China’s proposed US$50 billion (S$68.7 billion) development bank. Most of the world’s major economies have joined with China on the new bank with Canada, Japan and the United States being the last major holdouts. There was speculation in China that the US may in fact change its mind and join the with the bank after US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew scheduled a hasty trip to Beijing where he is meeting Chinese officials.

Iran nuclear negotiations deadline

Negotiators among the world’s major powers who are negotiating with Iran in Switzerland over its nuclear development programme face a deadline today to come up with an agreement that would stop or stall Iran’s nuclear progress and allow Iran to get out from under sanctions that have crippled its economy. Any deal with Iran will be opposed by Israel and conservatives in the US where some members of Congress have vowed to work to undo any deal entered into by the Obama administration.

Singapore-Guam friendly plays off

Singapore face Guam in an international friendly at the Jalan Besar Stadium this evening. Ranked No 153 in FIFA’s world rankings, Singapore are the favourites to beat Guam, who are ranked 167th. A win will ease some of the pressure off Singapore national head coach Bernd Stange and his squad. Singapore’s recent form has been poor since they exited last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup at the group stage as defending champions, and also lost 2-0 to Thailand in a friendly last Thursday.

Weather forecast

Thundery showers are expected mainly over northern and western Singapore in the afternoon, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 33 degree Celsius.