Briefly

MALAYSIA

PM dissolves parliament in move for elections

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of the country's parliament on Monday, paving the way for national elections which must be held in the next 60 days. In a televised speech, Yaakob said he had received the consent of the country's King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in accordance with the country's constitution. Yaakob said the past years have seen several unprecedented developments after the 2018 national elections. The date of polling day has yet to be announced by the Election Commission of Malaysia.

NIGERIA

At least 76 killed in boat disaster

At least 76 people were killed after a boat capsized in the southern state of Anambra during the weekend, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed on Sunday. In a statement, Buhari acknowledged that rescue agencies had officially reported the death toll on Friday and expressed his grief. A passenger boat carrying 85 people capsized in the Ogbaru area of Anambra on Friday, following rising floods in that area. An investigation had been launched to determine "other causes" besides floods, local media reported.

NEPAL

Leader tests positive for coronavirus

Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital of Kathmandu, tested positive for COVID-19, a hospital official said on Sunday. The president, who was admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital on Saturday, tested positive for COVID-19 in a PCR test, said Dinesh Kafle, executive director of the hospital. According to Kafle, the president may need medical attention for a few more days at the hospital. "As she has been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, we are hopeful that no serious complication will arise in her health."

Xinhua - Agencies