Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak was charged in court on Wednesday (July 4) as part of a probe into missing monies at scandal-tainted state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib was arrested at his home on Tuesday, less than two months after an unexpected election defeat to a coalition led by his mentor-turned-foe Mahathir Mohamad. Here is a look at the events leading to his arrest: 2009 July Three months after taking over as prime minister, Mr Najib Razak launches the 1MDB sovereign fund to invest in energy, real estate and other industries. 2015 January 1MDB, with debt burdens rising, misses a loan payment of about US$550 million (S$751 million). March Malaysia forms a special task force - including officials from the central bank, police, anti-graft agency and the Attorney-General's Chambers - to look into 1MDB. July The Wall Street Journal reports that nearly US$700 million of 1MDB money went into Datuk Seri Najib's personal bank account. August … [Read more...] about Najib charged: A timeline of events leading to his arrest
Timeline of events
Timeline of a month of escalating US-China trade tensions
WASHINGTON: Trade tensions between the United States and China have been escalating over the past month, following President Donald Trump's decision to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Here are the main dates in the conflict between the world's two largest economic powers: March 8 US President Donald Trump signs the order to impose tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum, citing national security concerns. The goal was to address China's overproduction but the measures also would hit allies, prompting the European Union to threaten retaliation. The administration later temporarily exempted the EU, Canada, Mexico and four other economies from the duties. March 22 The Trump administration announces punitive tariffs on about US$50 billion (RM193.5 billion) in Chinese goods in retaliation for what it says has been the massive theft of intellectual property from American companies. Trump gives US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer 15 days to draw up a … [Read more...] about Timeline of a month of escalating US-China trade tensions
Lee Kuan Yew prepared to accept options other than demolition of 38 Oxley Road: Ministerial committee
SINGAPORE: The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew wanted to demolish his longtime residence at 38 Oxley Road but later became open to other possibilities, according to a report released on Monday (Apr 2) by a ministerial committee.The bungalow’s status came under scrutiny in June last year after Mr Lee’s children, Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, accused their elder brother and current Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong of using the house to “enhance his political capital”. A back-and-forth ensued, leading to a two-day parliamentary debate on the issue.A year before, in June 2016, a ministerial committee was set up to explore various options for the house. It is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and excludes PM Lee, who had earlier recused himself from all Government decisions involving the property.On the matter of Mr Lee’s thinking and wishes for the house, the committee concluded in its report: “Having looked at the objective … [Read more...] about Lee Kuan Yew prepared to accept options other than demolition of 38 Oxley Road: Ministerial committee
Relatives of Siberia blaze dead condemn firefighters’ ‘inaction’
KEMEROVO: Relatives of some of the 64 people who died in the Kemerovo shopping centre fire in Siberia have lodged complaints with prosecutors alleging inaction by firefighters at the scene as new details emerged of the tragedy. Several people have submitted complaints "against emergency services and law enforcement officers," a spokesman for regional prosecutors told Interfax news agency on Thursday. "In their view, due to the inaction of firefighters and police, people were killed; they lacked the necessary equipment and skills," the spokesman said. Forty-one of the dead in the shopping mall were children. "The prosecutors received these complaints and are working on them. Now they will question relatives of the dead and establish the timeline of events," a local activist, Maxim Uchvatov, told AFP. Investigators will look into the firefighting equipment and the timing of events, using cell phone records, said Uchvatov, who had lost distant relatives in the fire. Among those to … [Read more...] about Relatives of Siberia blaze dead condemn firefighters’ ‘inaction’
21 pieces of politically charged artwork posted by actor Jim Carrey, who has amassed over 17 million followers on Twitter
source Getty Images Actor Jim Carrey has become a political artist and activist on Twitter. He regularly tweets politically charged and timely artwork. A clear style emerged in the art back in November. Actor Jim Carrey has gained a reputation recently for not only being something of a recluse, but for being an outspoken political artist and activist on Twitter. Carrey has developed a passion for painting in recent years and spent time away from the spotlight to focus on his art. But in November, a particular new style from Carrey became clear on Twitter. A drawing of former strategist to President Trump, Steve Bannon, that Carrey tweeted on November 10, 2017, appears to have set a precedent for the art that would come after it. The art features Bannon’s face with the word “fool” drawn over it. That same day, Carrey tweeted a drawing of former Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore. … [Read more...] about 21 pieces of politically charged artwork posted by actor Jim Carrey, who has amassed over 17 million followers on Twitter