News in Brief
Xi awarded 3rd term as China’s president
AP – Chinese leader Xi Jinping was awarded a third five-year term as the nation’s president Friday, putting him on track to stay in power for life at a time of severe economic challenges and rising tensions with the U.S..
The vote for Xi was 2,952 to 0 by the National People’s Congress, members of which are appointed by the ruling party.
Xi, 69, had himself named to a third five-year term as party general secretary in October, breaking with a tradition under which Chinese leaders handed over power once a decade.
Mexico’s president slams calls for US military to target cartels
AL JAZEERA – Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador rejected calls for the United States military to intervene to stem drug cartel violence in Mexico, saying such a move would violate the country’s sovereignty.
Lopez Obrador said his government was “not going to permit any foreign government to intervene in our territory, much less that a government’s armed forces intervene”.
On Wednesday, Texas Republican Dan Crenshaw asked Obrador why he opposed a proposal the congressman introduced in January, authorising US military force to target drug cartels in Mexico.
Malaysia ex-PM Muhyiddin charged with corruption, laundering
AP – Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was charged Friday with corruption and money laundering, making him Malaysia’s second ex-leader to be indicted after leaving office.
Muhyiddin, 75, pleaded innocent to four charges of abusing his power to obtain 232.5 million ringgit ($51.4 million) bribes for his party and two charges of money laundering involving 195 million ringgit ($43 million). His party said he is expected to face an additional charge on Monday.