Former Malaysian PM arrested, to face fresh charges
Kuala Lumpur, Sep 19 : Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested on Wednesday to face fresh corruption charges related to scandal-hit state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, the Malaysia's anti-graft body said.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a statement that Najib will be held overnight and charged on Thursday in connection with a 2.6 billion Malaysian Ringgit ($628 million) sum deposited into his bank account from the 1MDB investment fund, the New Strait Times reported.
The MACC will assist the police to record Najib's statement in the money laundering investigation before the former Prime Minister is brought to Kuala Lumpur Sessions court on Thursday, the statement added.
On September 10, Najib released documents to support his claim that the controversial 2.6 billion Ringgit deposited into his bank account was a donation from Saudi royalty.
The former Prime Minister is facing seven criminal charges over funds belonging to SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB, totalling 42 million Ringgit: Three criminal breach of trust charges, three for money laundering and one for abuse of power.
Najib has maintained his innocence and said his trial in February 2019 was the "best chance" for him to clear his name.
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2 leopards captured in village near Bengaluru after fatal attack on woman
Bengaluru, Nov 26: A week after a 52-year-old woman was mauled to death by a leopard near Shivagange Hills in Nelamangala taluk, the Forest department has captured two leopards from Kambalu Gollarahatti village, officials said on Tuesday.
A seven-year-old male leopard was captured on Monday, followed by a nine-year-old female leopard on Tuesday from the same area, they said.
Blood and hair samples of the leopards have been collected and will be sent to the National Centre for Biological Sciences. DNA analysis will determine if either of the captured leopards was responsible for the fatal attack, a senior forest official said.
The victim, identified as Kariamma, was killed on November 17 while cutting grass in an agricultural field near her home. She was reportedly dragged into the forest by a leopard, which mauled her to death and consumed parts of her body.
In response, the Forest Department deployed large cages and installed eight pairs of camera traps around the area to track the leopards.
"Camera traps captured footprints of two male leopards and one female leopard. This enabled us to locate and capture the male and female leopards. Our teams are actively searching for the third male leopard whose footprints were recorded," the official added.
Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of residents and monitor wildlife in the region.
