Brazilian Amazon at risk of being taken over by mafia, ex-police chief warns
Alexandre Saraiva gives alert on organised crime in region ahead of anniversary of killings of Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira
The rapid advance of organised crime groups in the Brazilian Amazon risks turning the region into a vast, conflict-stricken hinterland plagued by heavily armed “criminal insurgents”, a former senior federal police chief has warned.
Alexandre Saraiva, who worked in the Amazon from 2011 to 2021, said he feared the growing footprint of drug-trafficking mafias in the region could spawn a situation similar to the decades-long drug conflict in Rio de Janeiro, where the police’s battle with drug gangs and paramilitaries has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Zimbabwe outlaws criticism of government ahead of elections
The "Patriotic Bill" criminalizes comments that damage "the national interest of Zimbabwe." The move comes just months before the next election.
Lawmakers in Zimbabwe passed a controversial bill late on Wednesday that outlaws criticism of the country's government.
The bill, which is due to be signed into law soon by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has sparked fears of a potential crackdown on dissent.
The bill was passed just hours after the government announced that parliamentary and presidential elections will be held on August 23 this year, with Mnangagwa seeking to secure a second term.
What is the 'Patriotic Bill?'
Much of the outcry over the so-called "Patriotic Bill" stems from one clause that criminalizes acts that damage "the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe."
In severe cases, those found guilty could face up to 20 years in prison, news agency AFP reported.
French parliament expected to pass law regulating 'jungle' of social media influencers
The upper house Senate of France's parliament was Thursday due to pass a law that will better regulate social media influencers by limiting and regulating their ability to endorse products and encourage betting.
The lower house National Assembly late on Wednesday gave its green light to the bill which has wide-cross party support -- highly unusual in France's current tense political climate -- after being proposed by deputies from the Socialist Party and President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance faction.
The Senate, dominated by the right, is expected to give its blessing in a vote on Thursday afternoon.
"The law of the jungle is over," said Arthur Delaporte of the Socialist Party who jointly put the bill forward with Stephane Vojetta of Renaissance who said the text will "protect consumers, especially the youngest ones".
Many influencers have a modest audience, but some stars with millions of subscribers can influence consumer behaviour, especially among young people.
Australian war veteran loses defamation lawsuit over Afghan killings
By Byron Kaye
One of Australia's most decorated soldiers lost a defamation lawsuit against three newspapers that accused him of involvement in the murder of six Afghans while on deployment, in a stunning end to a case that lifted the veil of secrecy over the elite SAS.
The newspapers proved four of the six murder allegations of which they accused former SAS corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, but "in light of my conclusions, each (defamation) proceeding must be dismissed," said Federal Court Judge Anthony Besanko in Sydney on Thursday, in a summary of his findings.
Australian civil courts require a lower threshold to prove allegations than criminal courts do. Roberts-Smith has not been charged with any offenses.
Chinese star banker Bao Fan detained by country’s top anti-graft body, state media says
One of China’s top tech bankers, who went missing in February, has been in the custody of the country’s top anti-graft watchdog since his disappearance and has had his detention extended, according to a state media report.
The Economic Observer, a well regarded financial publication, reported that Bao Fan — founder and CEO of Hong Kong-listed China Renaissance, a boutique investment bank -— was taken away on February 7 by officials from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in an investigation into suspected corporate bribery.
It said, citing an unnamed source, that his detention was extended on May 7 for three months.
The mysterious disappearance of Bao has sent a chill through financial markets and China’s tech sector. Shares in China Renaissance had plunged more than 20% until they were suspended from trading in early April. The company also delayed the release of its annual results, because its auditors were unable to reach Bao.
Belgorod: Russia blames Ukraine for shelling inside border
The Russian region of Belgorod has again come under attack from across the Ukrainian border, with at least eight people reportedly hurt in shelling.
Russia's defence ministry has also claimed it thwarted other attempts by Ukraine to "invade" the region.
Kyiv has not commented on the allegations but has denied involvement in previous attacks across the border.
The latest strikes come more than a week after one of the most significant cross-border raids since the war began.
Belgorod's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said Ukraine's armed forces shelled several districts on Thursday, damaging buildings. No fatalities have been reported but Mr Gladkov said hundreds of families would be evacuated once the situation became calmer.
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