Malaysia ex-PM Najib goes on trial over 1MDB scandal
Malaysia's disgraced ex-leader Najib Razak pleaded not guilty to all charges against him as he went on trial over a multi-billion-dollar fraud, almost a year after his shock election loss.
The 65-year-old faced the first of several trials over his alleged involvement in the looting of sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, a state investment vehicle established to develop the economy of the Southeast Asian nation.
The former premier and his cronies are accused of plundering billions of dollars from the fund and spending it on everything from high-end real estate to artworks and a luxury yacht.
He had been tipped to win another term in office easily in 2018 and extend his coalition's six-decade stranglehold on power, only to be soundly defeated by his former boss, Mahathir Mohamad, who rode a wave of public anger over 1MDB to the premiership.
In the months that followed, once-dormant investigations into the controversy were relaunched and Mr. Najib was hit with dozens of corruption charges linked to the plundering of the fund.
A small crowd of supporters was waiting for Mr. Najib as he arrived at the Kuala Lumpur court ahead of his trial, and he prayed with them for a few minutes before entering the building to shouts of “Long Live Najib”. — AFP
Ousted Nissan boss makes surprise Twitter appearance
Ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn's sudden appearance on Twitter on Wednesday was a surprise move by the businessman that perplexed people and sent journalists scrambling, and not for the first time.
The first tweet from the @carlosghosn account on the social network at 12:51 p.m. (0351 GMT) read, “I'm getting ready to tell the truth about what's happening. Press conference on Thursday, April 11.” It did not specify a time or place. Featuring a photo of a smiling, grey-haired Ghosn standing in front of a tree with seasonal cherry blossoms, the account initially lacked the blue tick mark to show it had been verified by the social network. That left journalists unsure of its authenticity - particularly as the conditions of Ghosn's $9 million bail preclude him from using the internet.
Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, center, leaves his lawyer's office in Tokyo, Wednesday, April 3, 2019. Ghosn, facing financial misconduct charges in Japan, says he will hold a news conference on April 11.
Forty minutes later, when the blue tick appeared, the tweet swept across social media and the account's followers swelled to almost 20,000, from just a handful earlier. Some of the replies appeared sympathetic to Ghosn, with others carrying photos of his now-famous exit from a Tokyo detention center last month. “Stood right alongside you with #GiveGhosnBail. Looking forward to hearing your side,” wrote one Twitter user with the name @highmileage.
Ghosn had also caught media off guard when he disguised himself in a workman's uniform, cap and face mask to try and give waiting reporters the slip on leaving the detention centre after his release on bail. The architect of the Nissan and Renault SA global alliance was then pursued by media as he rode away in a small work van, a Suzuki, topped with a ladder.
- Reuters
Cholera vaccination drive starts in Mozambique after cyclone
A cholera vaccination campaign has kicked off to reach nearly 900,000 cyclone survivors in Mozambique as officials rush to contain an outbreak of the disease. Vaccinations have begun on Wednesday morning in the hard-hit city of Beira, where most of the more than 1,400 cases have been reported since the outbreak was declared a week ago.
A health worker prepares to administer an oral cholera vaccination to a child at a camp for displaced survivors of cyclone Idai in Beira, Mozambique on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.
Mozambican authorities have reported two deaths so far from the acute diarrheal disease, which can kill within hours if not properly treated. Cases also have been confirmed in some outlying communities and vaccinations will begin there on Thursday. Overall the campaign aims to vaccinate some 884,000 people in Beira, Dondo, Nhamatanda and Buzi. More than 100,000 survivors of Cyclone Idai are still living in displacement camps with little access to clean water or sanitation, and the World Health Organization has warned of a “second disaster” if waterborne diseases such as cholera and malaria spread.
- AP
Mayawati predicts Pawan Kalyan as next CM
BSP president and former UP Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday promised to give Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh which both the Congress and the BJP have failed to grant so far.
Addressing a press conference, along with her alliance partner Jana Sena Party president and actor Pawan Kalyan here at Sai Priya Resorts, she said, while the Congress did injustice by bifurcating the State without according the special status, the BJP made tall promises during 2014 elections but failed to keep none of them.
BSP president Mayawati and JSP president Pawan Kalyan at a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
Asked whether she was in the race to become Prime Minister, she said it would depend on the poll outcome and the desire of the people. However, she added that she would replicate the UP model of development which she had ushered in during her four-time stint as Chief Minister of the State, if given an opportunity.
Mercury climbs to 37 degrees in Delhi
It was a sunny morning in the national capital on Wednesday with the Indian Meteorological Department expecting the mercury to rise up to 37 degrees Celsius during the day.
The minimum was recorded at 17.6 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season’s average.
“The sky will remain clear. It may turn cloudy towards the later part of the day,” an Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
At 8.30 a.m. the humidity was recorded at 50%.
A mirage appears at Rajpath on hot afternoon, in New Delhi, on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.
On Tuesday, the maximum was recorded at 35.2 degrees Celsius, two notches above the season’s average, while the minimum temperature was recorded two notches below the season’s average at 16.2 degrees Celsius.
- IANS
Cash, gold seized by EC flying squad in Tamil Nadu
Even the raids conducted by Income Tax and election officials in Vellore district came to an end in the early hours of Tuesday, the flying squad seized cash and gold in Perambalur and Madurai districts on Wednesday. While about 50 kg of gold was seized from a bungalow in Madurai district, officials seized about ₹2 crores from a vehicle in which a group of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and DMK members were travelling near Maruvathur in Perambalur district on Tuesday night.
A team from the Election Commission's Flying Squad with the box containing gold seized from a bungalow in Madurai District on Wednesday.
On Monday, the EC seized over ₹21 crore in cash during searches at Vellore and Coimbatore. The first case, in which ₹11.53 crore was seized, pertains to searches on premises allegedly linked to Durai Murugan , sitting MLA of Vellore and DMK treasurer.
First African-American female mayor in Chicago
In a historic first, a gay African American woman was elected mayor of America’s third largest city on Tuesday, as Chicago voters entrusted a political novice with tackling difficult problems of economic inequality and gun violence.
Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot speaks during her election night celebration after defeating her challenger Toni Preckwinkle in a runoff election in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. on Tuesday.
Lori Lightfoot, a 56-year-old former federal prosecutor and practicing lawyer who has never before held elected office, was elected the midwestern city’s mayor in a lopsided victory.
Indonesia poll campaign
Indonesian supporters of incumbent president Joko Widodo who is running for the upcoming election, attending a campaign rally in Ngawi. Indonesia will hold general elections on April 17.
As Indonesia is gearing up for the general elections on April 17, campaign by incumbent President Joko Widodo and his main challenger Prabowo Subianto has peaked.
The elections will be the fourth direct presidential elections since the end in 1998 of the three-decade-long military-backed dictatorship of Suharto.
New Zealand announces squad for World Cup
New Zealand cricketers Ross Taylor, left, and Matt Henry sign autographs for children at Tai Tapu School outside Christchurch, New Zealand, Wednesday, April 3, 2019. Both the players were named in New Zealand's 15-man squad for the cricket World Cup which starts in England on May 30.
Wicketkeeper Tim Blundell, who made a century on his Test debut but has yet to play a one-day international, has been included in New Zealand’s 15-man squad for the World Cup.
The 28-year-old Wellington keeper was the major surprise in the squad named on Wednesday by coach Gary Stead and selector Gavin Larsen. New Zealand is the first nation to name its World Cup lineup.
Heavy fog hits Sydney
People walk under Australia's iconic landmark Harbour Bridge in Sydney on April 3, 2019, as heavy fog blankets the city
Due to heavy fog, flight operations in the Sydney airport were hit on Wednesday. Domestic flights at Sydney Airport are facing delays of up to two hours and two dozen services have been cancelled, while international flights are facing delays of 30 minutes, ABC reported.
