Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who heads an alliance hoping to oust Mr. Najib, has seized on popular disquiet about Chinese investment pouring into Malaysia and turned it into an election issue. Mr. Najib, he says, is selling Malaysia out to China.
This could matter for Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and for Malaysia's economy because Mr. Mahathir, who was the country's Prime Minister for more than two decades, has vowed to reconsider Chinese contracts if the opposition wins on May 9.
Modi meets Xi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, China on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met for an unprecedented informal summit here during which they will have a series of one-on-one conversations focussing on bilateral, global and regional issues.
Prime Minister Modi who arrived here in the central Chinese city early today for the informal summit began talks soon after President Xi hosted a grand welcoming ceremony for him.
Officials sources said the two leaders will hold a series of one-on-one talks after lunch at the Hubei Provincial Museum here which has a large number of state-level historic and cultural relics.
Janata Dal (Secular) campaign for Karnataka polls
Supporters of JD (S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy during a campaign at Tippasandra in Bengaluru on Friday.
The Janata Dal (Secular), which was the first off the block to announce its first list of candidates in February, carried hectic campaign in Bengaluru on Friday.
Recently, JD(S) State president H.D. Kumaraswamy said his party would win 113 seats in the Assembly elections, and later he would work hard to ensure the JD(S) wins at least 25 seats in next year’s Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Kumaraswamy said when the Congress went to the polls during Veerappa Moily’s tenure, the party won only 39 seats. Then, the H.D. Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal had come to power. “The same situation will repeat this time,” he said.
Temple consecration
Priests sprinkle the holy water to the devotees after the 'Mahakumbabhishekam' of Nellaiappar Gandhimathi Amman Temple in Tirunelveli on Friday.
Thousands of devotees witnessed the consecration (Mahakumbhabhishekam) of Arulmigu Swami Nellaiappar and Arultharum Kanthimathi Ambal temple in Tirunelveli on Friday. The mahakumbabhishekam was held after 14 years.
Th 7th century temple built during the Pandya reign, has five Rajagopurams (towers). To enable devotees to participate in the temple event, a local holiday has been declared.
Strike at AIIMS
Resident doctors are on an indefinite strike at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
Resident doctors are on an indefinite strike at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
Resident doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have declared an indefinite strike after one of their colleagues was assaulted by a senior doctor.
In a statement late last night, the AIIMS said the incident in question took place on Wednesday, following which the senior doctor apologised to his junior
Historic Korea Summit
South Korean President Moon Jae-in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during their meeting at the Peace House at the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South’s President Moon Jae-in sat down at an oval table to begin their inter-Korean summit today, television footage showed.
