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Suspected Bomber Dies in Explosion Outside Brazil Supreme Court Ahead of G20 Summit

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Suspected Bomber Dies in Explosion Outside Brazil Supreme Court Ahead of G20 Summit

A man detonated explosives and killed himself outside Brazil’s Supreme Court Wednesday after attempting to enter the building, raising security concerns just days before the country hosts world leaders at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The incident, which involved multiple explosions, occurred less than a week before heads of state from the world’s major economies gather in Rio, followed by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned state visit to the capital.

Federal District Vice Governor Celina Leao said preliminary evidence indicates the suspect triggered explosives after failing to gain entry to the Supreme Court. A second explosion rocked a nearby car owned by the suspect, blowing open its trunk.

“We hope this is the act of a lone wolf,” Leao said, though she emphasized investigators couldn’t yet confirm this theory. Police have delayed identifying the deceased, citing concerns about potential additional explosives on the body.

The first blast erupted in a parking area near the court building Wednesday evening, followed seconds later by a second explosion directly in front of the court, where authorities discovered the suspect’s remains.

The explosions centered around the Plaza of the Three Powers, a symbolic square housing Brazil’s three federal government branches. The location carries particular significance as the site of the January 8, 2023, riots when supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings to protest his election loss.

Law enforcement deployed bomb squad units equipped with explosive disposal robots to the square, Brazil’s seat of federal power, to investigate the incident. Officials confirmed the Supreme Court justices had just concluded their plenary session when the explosions occurred and were safely evacuated.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had departed the nearby executive palace shortly before the blasts, according to officials.

The timing of the incident has heightened security concerns as Brazil prepares to host the G20 summit, one of the world’s premier forums for international economic cooperation. The explosions also cast a shadow over the upcoming state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled to follow the G20 gathering.

The incident marks a significant security challenge for Brazilian authorities as they prepare to welcome global leaders, raising questions about security measures in place for the high-profile international events ahead.

Brazilian security forces have intensified their presence around government buildings and key infrastructure in response to the incident, while investigators work to determine the suspect’s identity and potential motives.

European Police Bust €520M Tax Fraud Ring Linked to Italian Mafia Groups

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European Police Bust €520M Tax Fraud Ring Linked to Italian Mafia Groups

European authorities have dismantled a sprawling criminal enterprise involving tax fraud, money laundering, and Italian mafia connections, arresting 43 people and seizing assets worth 520 million euros ($547 million) in a coordinated international operation, officials announced Thursday.

The investigation, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), uncovered an elaborate scheme involving approximately 400 companies across Europe trading IT products and electronic devices. The operation implicated around 200 suspects, primarily based in Italy but extending through several European countries and reaching into the United Arab Emirates.

Prosecutors revealed the operation exposed deep connections between white-collar crime and traditional organized crime, with evidence showing the Naples-based Camorra and Sicilian Cosa Nostra invested profits from Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud into their criminal enterprises.

European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi emphasized the growing convergence of organized crime and financial fraud. “It has been a while since we started to ring the alarm bell about dangerous organised crime groups’ heavy involvement in fraud to the EU budget,” she said. “There is no division between the world of the really bad and dangerous criminals smuggling drugs, trafficking people on one side; and the world of white-collar criminals, ‘merely’ corrupting and laundering money, on the other side.”

The operation’s scope was unprecedented, with 34 suspects remanded to prison custody, nine placed under house arrest, and four others banned from conducting business activities. Arrests spanned multiple countries, including the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Spain, and Bulgaria.

Italy’s Guardia di Finanza police uncovered false invoices totaling 1.3 billion euros between 2020 and 2023. The investigation’s asset seizures included luxury real estate properties along the Sicilian and Ligurian Rivieras, Lake Como, and in Milan.

Law enforcement conducted more than 160 searches across Italy, with additional operations in Spain, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and the Netherlands. The investigation extended beyond the European Union’s borders into Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

The operation reflects a growing trend identified by Italian investigators, who have documented organized crime’s increasing sophistication in infiltrating legitimate business sectors and white-collar crime schemes, viewing them as lower-risk alternatives to traditional criminal activities.

Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti praised the operation’s success on social media platform X, commending the coordinated efforts of police authorities and prosecutors.

The case marks one of the largest financial crime investigations conducted by European authorities, highlighting the evolving nature of organized crime and its deep penetration into Europe’s financial systems. The EPPO indicated this operation might be the first of several major cases targeting the intersection of traditional organized crime and sophisticated financial fraud schemes threatening the EU’s financial interests.

Mali Junta Arrests Prominent Politician Over Criticism of Burkina Faso Military Rule

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Mali Junta Arrests Prominent Politician Over Criticism of Burkina Faso Military Rule

Mali’s military government arrested a prominent political figure Wednesday for criticizing the ruling junta of neighboring Burkina Faso, marking another crackdown on political dissent in the West African nation.

Issa Kaou N’Djim, a former supporter of Mali’s military leader Col. Assimi Goita, faces charges of insulting a foreign head of state after questioning the legitimacy of a reported coup attempt in Burkina Faso, according to a judiciary source who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The arrest stems from N’Djim’s appearance on Joliba TV News Sunday, where he alleged Burkina Faso’s military rulers fabricated evidence of a foiled September coup. Authorities have also summoned the television station’s director for questioning.

“He knows he is being arrested because of his political struggle,” said Ousmane N’djim, the politician’s son, following his father’s transfer to Bamako’s main prison.

The incident highlights the deepening alliance between military-led governments in the region. Mali and Burkina Faso, both under military rule following coups in 2020 and 2022 respectively, have partnered with Niger to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), presenting a united front amid international criticism of their governance.

Issa Kaou N’Djim

N’Djim previously served as vice president of Mali’s National Transitional Council, the junta’s legislative body, before breaking ranks and advocating for a return to electoral democracy. This isn’t his first clash with authorities – in 2021, he received a six-month prison sentence for criticizing the military regime on social media.

Security analysts report deteriorating conditions across the three AES nations, with Islamic extremist attacks reaching unprecedented levels. Government forces face accusations of targeting civilians suspected of militant collaboration while simultaneously suppressing political opposition and media freedom.

The arrest follows a broader pattern of political repression in Mali, where authorities detained eleven opposition politicians and multiple activists in June. Amnesty International has called for N’Djim’s immediate release through social media platform X.

The crackdown comes as the military governments, which initially gained power by capitalizing on public frustration with elected predecessors’ handling of security issues, face growing scrutiny over their own effectiveness in addressing regional instability.

Chinese President Xi to Inaugurate $1.3B Megaport in Peru Amid Local Concerns

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Chinese President Xi to Inaugurate $1.3B Megaport in Peru Amid Local Concerns

In a stark contrast of development and disparity, a remote Peruvian fishing village where one-third of residents lack running water is being transformed into a $1.3 billion deep-water port, marking China’s growing economic influence in South America.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to inaugurate the Chancay megaport on Thursday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, showcasing a project that has become both a symbol of international trade ambition and local discontent.

The development, majority-owned by Chinese shipping giant Cosco, envisions 15 quays and an industrial park expected to draw more than $3.5 billion in investment over the next decade. Yet in the shadows of the towering dockside cranes, local fishermen tell a different story.

“Our fishing spots no longer exist here. They destroyed them,” said Julius Caesar, a 78-year-old fisherman who shares his name with the Roman emperor. “I don’t blame the Chinese for trying to mine this place for all it’s worth. I blame our government for not protecting us.”

Peruvian officials champion the port, located 60 kilometers north of Lima, as a future strategic hub for regional trade. The facility aims to expedite Pacific commerce for exports ranging from Peruvian blueberries to Brazilian soybeans and Chilean copper.

“We Peruvians are focused primarily on the well-being of Peruvians,” Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer told The Associated Press.

However, many among Chancay’s 60,000 residents remain skeptical. Fishermen report diminishing catches and claim the port’s dredging — which created a 17-meter-deep shipping channel — has destroyed fish breeding grounds.

Rafael Ávila, a 28-year-old fisherman, now struggles to make ends meet. “I’ve been out in the water all day and I’m always needing to venture farther,” he said, returning to shore empty-handed. He has resorted to offering tourist boat rides for glimpses of the Chinese vessels.

Environmental concerns loom large for residents, who fear pollution and potential oil spills once the port begins operating in January 2025. Their worries are fueled by memories of a 2022 incident at the nearby La Pampilla refinery that spilled thousands of barrels of crude oil into Peru’s waters.

The port’s impact extends beyond fishing. Changed ocean currents have eliminated surfing conditions, affecting local businesses from ice vendors to restaurateurs. “No to the megaport” graffiti reflects community sentiment.

“This port is a monster that’s come here to screw us,” said Rosa Collantes, 40, while cleaning fish on the shore. “People come to the port and they say ‘Wow, tremendous!’ but they don’t see the reality.”

Port authorities acknowledge the stark disparities between the modern facility and Chancay’s underdeveloped infrastructure. Mario de las Casas, a Cosco manager in Chancay, said the company has initiated studies to address local inequality.

“You cannot build a state-of-the-art port and have a city next to it that has no drinking water, no sewage, a collapsing hospital and no educational centers,” de las Casas said. “The port should not be a blemish.”

apnews.com

FBI Raids Home of Polymarket CEO Amid Election Gambling Controversy

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FBI Raids Home of Polymarket CEO Amid Election Gambling Controversy

Federal law enforcement agents raided the downtown New York home of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan on Wednesday, seizing his phone and electronics, the company confirmed.

The early-morning raid of Coplan’s SoHo apartment followed last week’s presidential election, in which bettors on Polymarket, an offshore, crypto-fueled election gambling website, had for weeks put Donald Trump’s odds drastically higher than those of Vice President Kamala Harris, in sharp divergence from opinion polls.

Coplan, Polymarket’s 26-year-old founder, was roused from his bed at 6 a.m. by FBI agents demanding he give them his electronic devices, the New York Post first reported.

“This is obvious political retribution by the outgoing administration against Polymarket for providing a market that correctly called the 2024 presidential election,” said a Polymarket spokesperson.

The company told Reuters Coplan had not been arrested or taken into custody. The FBI declined to comment. The Department of Justice and the White House did not respond to requests for comment on the raid.

In the run-up to the presidential election, the site gained widespread attention for the way it placed Trump’s odds high above those of Harris, when opinion polls had for months shown the race in a dead heat. Polymarket, which does not allow trading in the U.S., also gained scrutiny after a mystery French trader made large bets on Trump winning the election.

Last week, France’s gambling regulator said it was examining whether Polymarket complies with French laws.

Car Blast Kills Russian Soldier in Annexed Crimea, Officials Say

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Car Blast Kills Russian Soldier in Annexed Crimea, Officials Say

A Russian soldier was killed early Wednesday when his car exploded in Sevastopol, a major port city in annexed Crimea, in what officials say was likely caused by an improvised explosive device.

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said emergency services received a call about a vehicle exploding and then catching fire just before 10:00 a.m. local time. “There was a driver inside the car, he was quickly evacuated and handed over to medics, but it was not possible to save him. He died from his injuries,” Razvozhayev wrote in a post on Telegram.

He said the victim was a Russian serviceman, adding that “an act of sabotage cannot be ruled out.” Shortly after, Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, launched a terrorism investigation into the incident after law enforcement officials said the explosion was likely caused by an improvised explosive device attached to the bottom of the vehicle.

Video and photos posted on social media showed the car wreckage. The entire vehicle was badly damaged and the front grill and bumper were torn off. An unverified report by the Telegram news channel Baza, which has purported links to Russian security services, claimed that the soldier, identified as 47-year-old Valery T., was a captain of the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet.

The BBC, citing an unnamed Ukrainian military intelligence source, reported later on Wednesday that the car explosion was a deliberate attack orchestrated by Ukraine’s security services. The source also identified the serviceman killed in the blast as a naval captain named Valery Trankovsky, describing him as a “war criminal” who gave orders to launch cruise missiles at civilian targets in Ukraine.

Russian military personnel and Kremlin-backed officials have been regularly targeted in assassination plots since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Two Chicago Residents Sentenced for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

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Two Chicago Residents Sentenced for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

A Chicago man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor victim and distributing child sexual abuse material. His co-defendant, a Chicago woman, was sentenced previously to 19 years in prison for conspiracy to sex traffic the minor.

According to court documents, in April 2022, Geremy Glass, 35, and Markita Tidwell, 25, sex trafficked a minor whom they met in Chicago. Glass posted online advertisements, set the prices, and communicated with potential commercial sex purchasers. Tidwell provided transportation and registered hotel rooms for the arranged sexual encounters. Both defendants received a portion of the proceeds.

Geremy Glass

In mid-May 2022, Tidwell and Glass transported the minor victim to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the defendants forced the minor to engage in as many as 15 commercial sex encounters in a day. During the trafficking, when the victim attempted to stop or take breaks, Glass was physically violent with her, including dragging her out of the house and slamming her face into a car window.

In communicating with commercial sex purchasers, Glass sent sexually explicit images of the victim more than 50 times. Law enforcement received a call from hotel staff in Tuscaloosa stating that there was a young woman who appeared to be abused, which led to the recovery of the minor victim and the arrest of Glass and Tidwell.

On Sept. 26, Glass pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking a minor by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of distribution of child pornography. Glass’s term of imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. On June 27, Tidwell pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. Tidwell’s term of imprisonment will be followed by 20 years of supervised release.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in 2006 by the Justice Department.

DOJ

UN Calls for Sudan Cease-fire as External Arms Fuel Expanding Conflict

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UN Calls for Sudan Cease-fire as External Arms Fuel Expanding Conflict

United Nations officials renewed urgent calls Tuesday for an immediate cease-fire in Sudan, warning that external weapons supplies are fueling a conflict that has created famine conditions and displaced 11 million people.

“It is long past time for the warring parties to come to the negotiating table,” U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council. “To put it bluntly, certain purported allies of the parties are enabling the slaughter in Sudan. This is unconscionable, it is illegal, and it must end.”

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has intensified as both sides receive foreign arms support. Russia and Egypt reportedly supply the SAF, while Sudanese officials accuse the United Arab Emirates of channeling weapons to RSF through Chad, an allegation the UAE denies despite U.N. expert findings supporting reports of UAE cargo planes delivering arms via eastern Chad.

The humanitarian toll continues to mount, with half of Sudan’s 25 million people facing crisis-level food insecurity. In North Darfur’s capital El Fasher, where RSF forces battle to capture the city from SAF defenders, more than 1.5 million civilians are trapped. The Zamzam displaced persons camp reports 33% of children malnourished, including 10% severely, according to Ramesh Rajasingham, U.N. humanitarian affairs director.

“In North Darfur, fighting in and around El Fasher continues to intensify and block the movement of aid supplies into the area,” Rajasingham said. Recent RSF attacks in eastern Al Jazirah state have displaced tens of thousands more civilians, with reports of over 120 deaths, widespread rape, and destruction of homes and farms.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged Sudan to keep the Adre border crossing with Chad open indefinitely, noting it has enabled aid delivery to 1.9 million people since mid-August. The Security Council is drafting a resolution focused on civilian protection and cease-fire mediation, while its sanctions committee has designated two RSF commanders for penalties over violence in Darfur.

“The international community must take what’s happening in Sudan seriously and must take urgent action to address it,” Rajasingham warned as the conflict continues to spread.

Source: VOA

Biden, Trump Pledge Smooth Transition in White House Meeting as Cabinet Takes Shape

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Biden, Trump Pledge Smooth Transition in White House Meeting as Cabinet Takes Shape

President Joe Biden welcomed President-elect Donald Trump to the White House Wednesday for a two-hour meeting focused on ensuring a peaceful transfer of power, marking Trump’s first return to the executive mansion since leaving office in 2021.

“I’m looking forward to having a smooth transition and we’re looking forward to talking about some of that today,” Biden said before their private discussion. Trump responded with unusual cordiality: “Politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a very nice world. It is a nice world today and I very much appreciate that, Joe.”

The meeting, traditionally offered by outgoing presidents to their successors, stood in sharp contrast to the transition after Biden’s 2020 victory, when Trump declined to invite Biden to the White House and departed Washington before the inauguration — the first such snub since 1869.

First Lady Jill Biden joined in welcoming Trump, providing a congratulatory letter for Melania Trump, who was absent from the visit. The former first lady’s plans regarding returning to the White House remain unclear.

As the transition begins, Trump moved swiftly to fill key administration positions, announcing several high-profile appointments Wednesday:

– Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State

– Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as Attorney General

– Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

– Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary

– South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

– John Ratcliffe as CIA Director

Trump also named billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, dubbed DOGE in reference to Musk’s preferred cryptocurrency.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre described the Biden-Trump meeting as “substantive,” saying the leaders discussed “important national security and domestic policy issues facing the nation and the world.” The cordial tone marks a significant shift from July, when Biden ended his reelection campaign after a poor debate performance against Trump, who later defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election.

Additional appointments include William McGinley as White House counsel, Rep. Michael Waltz as national security adviser, and Thomas Homan as “border czar,” tasked with leading deportation efforts targeting undocumented migrants.

Biden has indicated he will attend Trump’s January inauguration, further emphasizing the commitment to peaceful transition that both men stressed during their meeting.

Republicans Win House Control, Setting Stage for Trump’s Return to Power

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Republicans Win House Control, Setting Stage for Trump’s Return to Power

Republicans will maintain control of the House of Representatives by a razor-thin margin, NBC News projected Wednesday, giving President-elect Donald Trump and his party complete control of Washington when he returns to office in January.

The victory, secured by flipping seven Democratic seats while losing six, provides Republicans the minimum 218 seats needed for a majority. Combined with their newly won Senate control, the slim victory hands Trump’s party all levers of federal power, though Democrats will retain some influence through the filibuster.

“It is a beautiful morning in Washington. It is a new day in America,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., declared Tuesday from the Capitol steps, flanked by his leadership team. “The sun is shining, and that is a reflection about how we all feel.”

The Republican triumph came despite Democratic hopes of reclaiming the majority they lost two years ago. In New York, Democrats defeated three vulnerable GOP freshmen: Reps. Brandon Williams, Anthony D’Esposito, and Marc Molinaro. Democratic challenger George Whitesides also ousted Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in Southern California.

However, Trump’s decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, including wins in battleground states, helped Republicans secure crucial victories. In Pennsylvania, GOP candidates unseated veteran Democratic Reps. Matt Cartwright and Susan Wild, while Trump ally Rep. Scott Perry survived a strong challenge from former TV anchor Janelle Stelson.

The narrow majority presents both opportunities and challenges for Republican governance. The party can use budget reconciliation to fast-track legislation without Democratic support, with discussions already underway about renewing Trump tax cuts and pursuing border security measures. Trump has promised to “seal” the southern border and launch “the largest deportation program in American history.”

Speaker Johnson, who secured his leadership team’s re-election Wednesday, faces potential complications from the appointments of Reps. Elise Stefanik and Mike Waltz to Trump’s administration. Though their districts are solidly Republican, vacancies could temporarily affect the slim majority.

“If there’s unified government… if we have a bicameral approach — Republicans in both chambers working together to develop that agenda and implement it, and President Trump is guiding the way — I think you will certainly have a lot less dissension in the ranks on our side,” Johnson told NBC News before the election.

The victory represents a stinging setback for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democrats, who campaigned against Trump as a threat to democracy. Johnson must still secure 218 floor votes in January to win his first full term as speaker, but expressed confidence that “governing is going to be a whole lot easier come January.”

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