Malaysia’s government has launched investigations into allegations former premier Najib Razak and his cronies looted billions of dollars from the fund, 1MDB.

Last week a luxury yacht allegedly bought by a playboy financier at the centre of the controversy was returned to Malaysia from Indonesia, and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said authorities are now seeking to repossess his $35 million jet.

Businessman Low Taek Jho, who was a key adviser to 1MDB, is accused of having bought both the $250 million yacht and the Bombardier Global 5000 jet with money stolen from 1MDB.

Singapore police said in a statement that “an aircraft that is the subject of ongoing 1MDB-related investigations is parked at Seletar Airport,” referring to an airport that caters to private jets.

However it added that the city-state had not “received any formal request from the Malaysian authorities seeking the return of the aircraft”.

The jet is believed to currently be housed in a hangar belonging to a firm that does maintenance and repair works, the Straits Times newspaper reported.

Malaysian authorities have said they want to arrest Low, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

Singapore is one of several countries — including the United States and Switzerland — which have launched investigations into the use of their financial systems to launder money believed to have been siphoned from the fund.

The corruption allegations swirling around Najib were a major factor in a shock election loss in May that toppled his coalition, which had ruled Malaysia since 1957.

Najib has since been charged with corruption and money laundering over the scandal. He has denied the charges and is out on bail.

A vast span of the Morandi bridge caved in during a heavy rainstorm in the northern port city on Tuesday, sending about 35 cars and several trucks plunging 45 metres (150 feet) onto the railway tracks below.

“Unfortunately the toll has risen to 35 in the Genoa tragedy, including three children aged eight, 12 and 13 years old,” Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said, praising firefighters who worked tirelessly through the night.

Rescuers recovered three bodies overnight, fire official Emanuele Gissi told AFP, after scouring the scene of devastation under floodlights.

“All accessible spaces have been explored, now we are moving the largest pieces of debris,” Gissi said, adding that two large cranes were being brought to the site to assist the operation.

“We cannot know if there are survivors remaining, but it’s our job to search,” he said, adding that the rescue operation would take days.

Sources in the interior ministry told Italian media that 16 people were wounded, including 12 in serious condition.

The collapse came as the bridge was undergoing maintenance work and as the Liguria region, where Genoa is situated, experienced torrential rainfall.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said a “catastrophe” had hit Genoa and the whole of Italy.

“Italians have the right to modern and efficient infrastructure that accompanies them safely through their everyday lives,” Mattarella said in a statement.

 – ‘I went down with the car’ –

Rescuers scoured through the wreckage, strewn among shrubland and train tracks, as rescue helicopters winched survivors on stretchers from the ruined bridge.

Between firefighters police and other emergency service, around a thousand people have been mobilised in the rescue effort, according to the Civil Protection service.

As cars and trucks tumbled off the bridge, Afifi Idriss, 39, a Moroccan lorry driver, just managed to come to a halt in time.

“I saw the green lorry in front of me stop and then reverse so I stopped too, locked the truck and ran,” he told AFP.

Others that plunged down with the bridge managed to escape unscathed, including a former goalkeeper for Italian Serie A club Cagliari.

“I was driving along the bridge, and at a certain point I saw the road in front of me collapse, and I went down with the car,” Davide Capello told TV news channel Sky TG24.

The incident — the deadliest of its kind in Europe since 2001 — is the latest in a string of bridge collapses in Italy, a country prone to damage from seismic activity but where infrastructure generally is showing the effects of a faltering economy.

 – ‘Unacceptable’ way to die – 

Aerial footage showed more than 200 metres (650 feet) of the viaduct, known locally as the Morandi bridge, completely destroyed.

Salvini, who is co-deputy prime minister and leader of the nationalist League party in the new coalition government, vowed to hold those responsible for the disaster accountable.

“I have gone over this bridge hundreds of times, and I commit to digging and finding out who is responsible for an unacceptable tragedy, because it’s not possible that in 2018 you can work and die in these conditions,” he said.

Italy’s other deputy prime minister, Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio, is expected to arrive at the scene on Wednesday morning, with Salvini to follow in the afternoon.

The national motorways body said on its website that “maintenance works were being carried out on the base of the viaduct”, adding that a crane had been moved on site to assist the work.

 – History of collapses –

Genoa, home to half a million people, is located between the sea and the mountains of northwestern Italy.

Its rugged terrain means that motorways that run through the city and the surrounding area are characterised by long viaducts and tunnels.

The Morandi viaduct, completed in 1967, spans dozens of railway lines as well as an industrial zone with several factories.

One factory, immediately next to one of the viaduct’s support columns, was virtually empty on Tuesday on the eve of a national holiday, and seems to have sustained minimal damage.

“I live nearby and I cross the bridge every day on foot,” said Ibou Toure, 23, a translator. “I was never sure of it, you’d always hear these noises whenever lorries were going over.

“When I heard it had collapsed, I wasn’t surprised.”

In March last year, a couple were killed when a motorway overpass collapsed on their car near Ancona on the country’s Adriatic coast.

A pensioner died in October 2016 when his car was crushed by a collapsing bridge over a dual carriageway between Milan and Lecco.

That incident was blamed on bureaucratic bungling which led to a fatal delay in the bridge being closed after it was reported to be showing significant cracks.

“At Yongsan, once the starting point of railroads between Seoul and Sinuiju and between Seoul and Wonsan, I propose the creation of the East Asian railroad community today, encompassing six Northeast Asian countries and the United States,” Moon said in his speech at the Liberation Day ceremony held at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul.

The six Northeast Asian countries are the two Koreas, China, Japan, Mongolia and Russia. The two Koreas are discussing plans to reconnect the rail network, which could ultimately be linked to China and Russia.

President Moon Jae-in speaks at a ceremony Wednesday, marking Korea`s Independence from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule 73 years ago. (Yonhap)

Moon went on to say that the railroad community will lead to greater cooperation among the concerned nations, comparing it to the European Coal and Steel Community that laid the foundation for the European Union.

“It will then lead to the creation of East Asian energy and economic communities. Moreover, it will initiate a Northeast Asian multilateral peace and security system,” Moon said.

Moon made the suggestion as he reiterated his visions for improving inter-Korean ties and economic cooperation, saying that improving inter-Korean relations is a “catalyst for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

Moon emphasized that complete denuclearization of North Korea is required for economic cooperation, saying that before political unification, the two Koreas could form an “economic community.”

Citing the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy’s projections on inter-Korean economic cooperation and past cross-border projects, Moon went on to say that peace is vital to economic development on the peninsula.

According to the KIEP, the economic effect of the two Koreas’ cooperation could reach 170 trillion won ($150 billion) over a period of 30 years.

Listing the developments concerning North Korea, including the US-North Korea summit, Moon said that the goal is to end the Korean War, and set out objectives for his upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in September.

“We two leaders will confirm the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration and take an audacious step to proceed toward the declaration of an end to the Korean War and the signing of a peace treaty as well as the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” Moon said.

Adding that removing distrust between the Koreas, and between Pyongyang and Washington, is essential to further progress, Moon said he would work to help the North and the US build trust.

While Moon dedicated most of his speech to North Korea-related issues, the president also praised the efforts of independence fighters who resisted Japan’s colonial rule, and laid out his plans for honoring such individuals.

Saying that the government will continue identifying and giving due credit to independence fighters, Moon highlighted female activists. According to Moon, the government has identified 202 female independence fighters over the past year.

The South Korean leader also placed particular significance on the location of Yongsan, saying that the area has had a significant part in Korea’s modern history.

“Since the end of the Korean War, Yongsan has served as the foundation for maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula. The relocation of the US Forces Korea headquarters to Pyeongtaek in June this year enabled the ROK-US alliance to usher in a new era to become as strong as ever,” Moon said.

“Now this part of Yongsan will be turned into an ecological park akin to the Central Park in New York. It will become possible to earnestly implement the 2005 plan to create a national park.”

China has alarmed and angered its neighbours by claiming dominion over most of the South China Sea and building a string of artificial islands and military airbases.

But the outspoken Duterte — keen to court trade and investment from Beijing — has mostly withheld criticism.

In a change of tone, Duterte said in a speech late Tuesday to business entrepreneurs that China had no right to claim airspace above man-made islands.

Philippine officials have claimed military pilots are repeatedly warned off by Beijing as their planes approach Philippine-held Thitu island, which lies beside a Chinese air base built on top of Subi Reef.

“You cannot create an island. It’s man-made and you say that the air above this artificial island is yours,” Duterte said, according to a transcript released by the presidential palace Wednesday.

“That is wrong because those waters are what (one) would consider international sea. And the right of innocent passage is guaranteed,” said Duterte, who did not refer to any specific incident.

He added that he did not want to “quarrel” with China.

The comments follow allegations in May of Chinese harassment of Filipino troops at another South China Sea garrison.

Duterte’s national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon told reporters at the time that the Philippines could go to war “if our people are hurt there”.

There was no immediate response from the Chinese embassy in Manila.

In May China landed several combat aircraft — including the long-range, nuclear-capable H-6K — at another island airfield in the sea for the first time, triggering international concern.

Despite this, it has denied militarising the area, through which roughly a third of all global maritime trade passes.

An international maritime tribunal ruled early in Duterte’s presidency in 2016 that China’s claims to the area have no legal basis.

The Philippines is a military ally of the US, which says it is not taking sides in the various South China Sea territorial disputes.

However, the US navy has forcefully asserted its right to freedom of navigation in the area, repeatedly sailing close to the man-made islands and drawing Chinese protests.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea.

The remarks of the State Counsellor came after the opening speech of the commemoration ceremony of the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Myanmar and Thailand held in Nay Pyi Taw on August 14.

In her opening speech to the commemoration ceremony, Aung San Suu Kyi said Thailand is not only a friendly neighbor of Myanmar but also an important partner. Myanmar’s border with Thailand is 2416 KM long. Our two countries have been cooperating in all aspects beneficial to two peoples since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1948. Our two countries cordially solved the problems based on mutual friendship, understanding and respect.

The bilateral relations of the two countries have become better now than those in the past. It looks really undeniable. Friendly and openly relations and cooperation further strengthened existing mutual understanding and trust, said Aung San Suu Kyi.

Thailand is providing job employments to millions of Myanmar migrant workers. For that reason, Myanmar migrant workers are helping develop Thailand’s economy. Our two countries are working in security, economy and other beneficial issues. Thanks to the understanding and assistance of the Thai government. We hope that bilateral relations between the two countries will become more wide-ranging, said Aung San Suu Kyi.

The data, which was released ahead of the GESS Indonesia education exhibition and conference slated for Sept. 26-28 at the Jakarta Convention Center, shows Indonesia leading the region with 198, followed by Thailand with 192, Malaysia with 187, Singapore with 119 and Vietnam with 118.

“The growth of the international schools’ sector in Indonesia is a testament to the far-reaching education reforms being undertaken by the government, with significant inputs from the private sector. We intend to support this development by gathering some of the world’s leading experts to share their insights on the latest education trends,” said the project director of GESS Indonesia organizer Tarsus F&E, Matt Thompson in a statement.

Additionally, the report reveals that student enrollment in Indonesia’s international schools has also grown from 53,000 in 2013 to 61,000 in 2018.

“Mid-price range international schools are increasingly in demand, particularly by local families and Asian expatriates and this is where there is most growth in the market,” said ISC Research’s head of Southeast Asia research Sam Fraser.

Read also: Three common facets of Indonesian international schools

As the world’s fourth most populous country and the largest in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is considered a hotbed of opportunities for education-related UK companies, according to the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA).

“Sixty percent of global growth is expected to come from Asia by 2025. Indonesia is part of ASEAN which has a free trade zone. It is also strategically placed to do business with China, Japan and Australia,” said William Prieto-Parra, the head of events – UK & International at BESA.

GESS Indonesia is said to feature educational talks and workshops, including the latest technological advances as supporting tools for educators. It will also host discussions on bullying, creativity in classrooms, and adopting technical/vocation literacy in the early years.

Speaking at a ceremony marking Korea’s independence from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule 73 years ago on the day, he renewed his commitment to end the division of the Koreas, saying “true liberation” can only be achieved when the two countries establish a lasting peace and economic community.

“We must overcome such a division for our survival and development. Even though a political unification may be a long way from here, establishing peace between the South and the North and freely visiting each other, and forming a joint economic community is true liberation to us,” Moon added in a nationally televised speech that also marked the foundation of the South Korean government 70 years ago on Wednesday.

Moon insisted the two Koreas were already moving toward peace, noting the countries have halted their hostile acts under an agreement reached at his first-ever summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held April 27.

South and North Koreas technically remain at war as the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

“North Korea-US summit too has been successfully held on the strong determination of the North and the US to move toward peace and prosperity,” the president said referring to the historic summit between US President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader held in Singapore on June 12.

“Peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula is a promise the two leaders made to the rest of the world. I hope North Korea’s complete denuclearization and the United States’ corresponding measures will be swiftly pursued,” Moon added.

He also vowed efforts to improve his country’s own ties with the communist North, noting he will soon travel to Pyongyang for what would be his third bilateral summit with the North Korean leader. Moon and Kim held their second meeting at the border village of Panmunjom on May 26.

“The development of South-North Korean relations is not an additional outcome of development in North Korea-US ties. Rather, the development of South-North Korean relations is the driving force that promotes denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” Moon said.

To this end, South Korea will seek to physically connect its roads and railways with those of North Korea before the year’s end, the president said.

Noting the European Union began with a simple bloc for coal and steel, the South Korean president proposed the two Koreas, together with the United States and four other Asian countries, form what he called a “Northeast Asian railroad community.” Moon did not specify the other countries but they are believed to include Japan, China and Russia.

“This community will lead to an energy bloc and economic bloc in Northeast Asia by expanding our economic area to the northern continent and becoming the foundation of co-existence and prosperity in Northeast Asia,” the president said. “And this will mark the start to a multilateral security system in Northeast Asia.”

“Peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula depends on what we do. I believe in the power of optimism. The determination and courage that led to the country’s liberation will again take us over the current division and bring us true liberation of peace and prosperity,” Moon said.

The dead included an unspecified number of Venezuelans and Colombians, whose embassies were notified of the accident outside Quito, they said.

“Most of the victims were Colombians,” said Juan Zapata, security secretary for the capital city.

The bus, which had foreign license plates, was on a downward stretch of highway 30 kilometers (20 miles) east of Quito when it struck an all-terrain vehicle and overturned, slamming into three houses on the side of the road, officials said.

Three Ecuadorans in the all-terrain vehicle were among the dead, said Christian Rivera, the head of Quito’s emergency operations committee. Also killed were three children, he said.

“The work is focused on identifying the Colombian and Venezuela citizens, most of whom have died,” he said.

“Our emergency teams went to the site to support the rescue work. We extend our solidarity to the families,” Rivera said on Twitter.

A Quito fire department official, Veronica Toapanta, said that the crash took place at dawn between the towns of Pifo and Papallacta.

Traffic accidents are among the leading causes of death in Ecuador. According to the watchdog group Justicia Vial, on average seven people are killed and some 80 people injured each day in traffic accidents.

And 96 percent of those accidents are due to human error, according to the group’s figures.

On Sunday, 12 people were killed and 30 injured when a bus carrying fans of Barcelona SC, Ecuador’s most popular football club based in Guayaquil, ran off the highway and flipped.

Beijing said that it had lodged an official protest with the United States over Tsai’s speech Monday in Los Angeles, where she said Taiwan’s freedom and future was not negotiable.

Tsai spoke at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library while in transit on a trip to Paraguay and Belize, two of the few countries that continue to recognize the government in Taipei.

State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the speech did not represent any move by the Trump administration to alter the official US stance that accepts Beijing as the sole government of China, and does not officially recognize Taiwan’s government.

“Our policy on Taiwan has not changed,” she told reporters.

“The United States in regard to this trip facilitates from time to time representatives of the Taiwan authorities to transit the United States.”

“Those are largely undertaken out of consideration for the safety and the comfort of those travelers, and that is in keeping with our One-China policy.”

Yet previous US administrations have prevented Taiwan leaders from making speeches in the United States that would implicitly elevate their diplomatic status and irk Beijing.

Tsai’s transit in Los Angeles was the most high-profile since former Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian’s 2003 stopover in New York, where he accepted a human rights award and delivered several public speeches.

Tsai, a firm defender of Taiwan’s independence, said in the speech Monday that “We will keep our pledge that we are willing to jointly promote regional stability and peace under the principles of national interests, freedom and democracy.”

Tsai’s stopover came amid a rise in tensions between China and Taiwan that has raised concerns in Washington.

In April the Chinese military held live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait in what was widely seen as a move to intimidate Taipei.

In Singapore in June, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned China not to alter the security status quo in the region.

Last month, Beijing forced several international airlines, including US carriers, to begin listing Taiwan as a part of China in advertising their services.

Nauert said behind-the-scenes discussions with Pyongyang have normalized in the wake of President Donald Trump’s June summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and subsequent meetings between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other top Pyongyang officials.

“We consider meetings, negotiations, conversations as we move forward behind the scenes with those negotiations to be moving in the right direction,” Nauert said in a press briefing.

“Conversations with the government of North Korea are becoming a far more normal matter.”

The comments came after North and South Korea announced Monday that they had agreed to hold a summit in Pyongyang in September.

Nauert would not provide details of the talks — where they were taking place, who is involved, or what issues are currently under discussion.

But she reiterated the US view that Kim told Trump he was willing to denuclearize, which is the primary US goal of the discussions.

She noted North Korea’s recent release of the remains of US servicemen who died during the Korean War in the early 1950s as a sign of progress.

“That is certainly a step in the right direction,” she said.

“We continue to have those conversations because Chairman Kim has committed to President Trump that they are willing to denuclearize. And so we will continue in a full good faith effort to have those conversations move forward.”