Togo is preparing to adopt a new Transhumance Management Plan (PGT) for 2026–2030, replacing the current framework. The document was presented on March 30 in Lomé during a stakeholder workshop involving representatives from the livestock sector, the National Assembly, the Senate, and relevant ministries. Officials said the plan responds to growing pressures from population increase, Sahel-related conflicts, and climate change, which have intensified tensions between herders and farmers. The plan outlines strategic priorities translated into operational actions and is being refined through stakeholder input to ensure consensus. The government continues to receive support from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in efforts to promote peaceful transhumance management.

French businessman Vincent Bolloré to face trial over Togo corruption case

French businessman Vincent Bolloré is set to stand trial in Paris from December 7 to 17, 2026, over allegations of corruption involving public officials in Togo. The case relates to claims that a subsidiary of his group, through the advertising agency Euro RSCG (now Havas), provided discounted campaign services during President Faure Gnassingbé’s 2010 election in exchange for economic advantages, including port concessions and tax benefits. The case has been under investigation since 2013, with Bolloré indicted in 2018. A proposed settlement in 2021, involving a fine of €375,000, was rejected by the court. The Bolloré group has separately agreed to pay €12 million under a public interest judicial agreement to resolve related charges. The trial will also address similar allegations linked to Guinea.

Togo promotes digital health innovation

Togo is advancing the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence to improve healthcare delivery. Minister of Public Sector Efficiency and Digital Transformation, Cina Lawson, said the government is prioritising digital solutions to expand access, improve efficiency, and address structural gaps in the health system. Through the Togo Data Lab, innovation challenges are being organised to support locally developed solutions. At the March 27 finale of this year’s challenge, SILINA TECH received the Award of Excellence in Tech x Health for its SILINA MRS project, a medical management software designed to function without stable internet access. Winning projects will receive one year of support for testing and integration into the national health system.

BOAD backs shea processing expansion in Togo

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has approved a 6 billion CFA franc (about $10.6 million) loan for Label d'Or SA to expand its organic shea nut processing operations. The decision was made during the bank’s board meeting held March 25–26 in Dakar, Senegal. The financing will support the modernisation of facilities in Gbatopé, a town located 47 km from the nation's capital, Lomé and increase production capacity, benefiting women involved in the value chain. The plant, inaugurated in February 2023, can process 30 metric tons of nuts daily and produce up to 4,300 metric tons of shea butter annually. The company is supported by USAID and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). However, it must secure up to 10,000 metric tons of shea nuts to reach full capacity, amid competition and certification challenges. Togo produces 20,000 to 25,000 metric tons of shea nuts annually, but exports most in raw form.

Security and climate shocks deepen food insecurity in Togo

Togo continues to face combined security, climate, and economic pressures in 2026. In the northern regions, spillover from the Sahel conflict has led to 49,287 refugees and 10,171 internally displaced persons as of January. According to the World Food Programme (WFP) country brief for March , climate-related challenges, including irregular rainfall, flooding, and land degradation, are affecting agricultural output and food availability in the West African nation. Rising food prices, partly linked to global impacts of the Ukraine crisis, are further limiting access to nutrition. Infrastructure gaps and insecurity in border areas are also restricting access to markets and services. WFP says it is responding through its 2022–2026 Country Strategic Plan, focusing on crisis response, resilience building, and strengthening national systems for food security and emergency preparedness.

“Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a ‌trial, even though I deny it and everything proves it’s false,” Hakimi said.

“This is as unjust to the innocent as it is to the genuine victims. ⁠I calmly await this ⁠trial, which will allow the truth to come out publicly.”

Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, confirmed that a trial has been ordered but said no date has been set.

“A trial has been ordered on the basis of an accusation that rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA tests, refused to allow her mobile phone to be examined, and refused to give the name of a key witness,” Colin said.

Colin added that two psychological assessments of the plaintiff “revealed a lack of clarity regarding the facts she claims to denounce, as well as the absence of any post-traumatic symptoms.”

She said she will appeal the judge’s decision, which followed recommendations from the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office that called for the player to stand trial.

Rachel-Flore Pardo, who represents the plaintiff, said her client welcomed the order committing the case to trial “with relief,” adding it “is fully consistent with the evidence in the file.”

Hakimi featured in last month's controversial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, where Morocco lost to Senegal. The Moroccan Federation faced US$315,000 in fines over incidents at the final. Hakimi was suspended for two matches, with one match suspended under a one-year probationary period.

The PSG right-back is expected to feature in the return leg of their Champions League knockout round playoff tie against Monaco on Wednesday.

Hakimi had a strong campaign last season as PSG won the treble, which contributed to him being named African Footballer of the Year.

The Fondioc was created to finance development projects in Indigenous and rural communities, but investigations found that many of those projects were left unfinished, never began, or did not exist at all. The Bolivian Attorney General’s Office claims that millions of bolivianos were diverted, mismanaged or transferred improperly. According to the official indictment, one of the key elements used to request Arce’s arrest is a 2009 board meeting act, which places him among the authorities responsible for approving the release of funds later identified as irregular.

Prosecutors argue that Arce had a legal obligation to oversee and verify the proper use of Fondioc resources, and that he failed to intervene despite evidence of mismanagement. The case file states that “the former president knew of irregularities in the conduct attributed to him”, pointing to authorisations issued while he formed part of the economic team that managed the fund. This is the basis for the charges of “incumplimiento de deberes” (breach of duty) and “conducta antieconómica” (economic misconduct).

Arce, who left office in November after completing his presidential term, has so far exercised his right to remain silent. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested three months of preventive detention, citing risks of obstruction and flight. His former chief of staff, María Nela Prada, denounced the arrest as a “ kidnapping ”, while government officials insist it is part of a renewed national effort to pursue corruption cases without exception.

The Fondioc investigation has been active for years and has implicated multiple former officials, including ex-legislators and public servants. With the recent change of government and President Rodrigo Paz’s pledge to strengthen anti-corruption enforcement, the case has returned to the centre of Bolivia’s political landscape, and Luis Arce has become its highest-profile detainee to date.

The ruling sets a new ceiling of 95 years for land-use rights in Nusantara and makes clear that even this maximum must be revisited periodically. The judges said the earlier arrangement failed the Constitution’s test of fairness and public interest, which obliges the state to manage land for the benefit of all citizens, not lock it up for generations.

The case was brought by a member of the Dayak community and a resident of Sepaku, East Kalimantan, where the new capital is being built. They argued that 190-year rights would sideline local people , weaken safeguards against land grabs and reduce the state’s ability to correct mistakes or respond to changing needs over time.

The project, budgeted at roughly US$30 billion, has relied on long tenure as a key selling point for private capital.

Politically, the ruling adds pressure to a flagship plan championed by former president Joko Widodo and inherited by his successor, Prabowo Subianto. While Prabowo has pledged to press ahead, his administration is also shifting resources toward social programmes and Danantara, a new sovereign wealth vehicle expected to manage up to US$1 trillion in state assets.

What they said

“The former president, who has been receiving specialised treatment in South Africa, died today on Thursday, 5th June,” the Patriotic Front’s statement on Facebook said. Noureddin Bongo described the trial as a “rubber-stamping exercise,” adding that it had been “predetermined in [Oligui Nguema’s office] a long time ago.” He told AFP, “We know full well that if we go back, we will suffer things far worse than we have already suffered... We are not opposed to the idea of being held accountable for so-called acts we may have committed, but only if it is before an independent and genuine court of law.” Prosecutor Eddy Minang told the court that evidence from witnesses revealed “a system of diverting public funds for the benefit of private interests.”

The governors of Mendoza, Chubut and Santa Cruz, joined by their counterparts in Río Negro and Neuquén, argue that criminal proceedings in US courts could suspend enforcement of the civil judgment. They maintain that the 2007 deal, in which Grupo Petersen acquired a 15% stake in YPF with an option for 10% more, was irregular and set the stage for today’s multi-billion-dollar lawsuit.

Argentina is currently appealing a ruling by Judge Loretta Preska of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York , which ordered the state to transfer its YPF shares to a New York bank as part of a $16 billion judgment in favour of litigation fund Burford Capital. The government insists such a transfer would violate sovereign immunity and national law, which requires congressional approval for any disposal of YPF shares.

The provincial leaders now want the US Department of Justice to examine whether crimes were committed in the initial YPF share purchase. If accepted, such a case could suspend the civil ruling and force leading figures from Argentina’s political and corporate elite to testify before US investigators. Observers note that the DOJ, with its FBI arm, has a track record of pursuing major financial crimes such as the FIFA corruption scandal.

The push comes amid closer ties between Presidents Donald Trump and Javier Milei, a factor some believe could open political space for US authorities to take on the case. “Time is running out,” one governor warned, with Judge Preska expected to rule soon on enforcement measures. For the provinces, whose shares in YPF were diluted during privatisation, the stakes are not only financial but also political: securing a role in defending Argentina’s interests in one of the most consequential legal battles in its history.

“This joint approach aims to strengthen the regulation and guidance of AI use, and to clearly delineate the responsibilities and obligations of the technology developers, providers and users,” Zhao explained.

Since its founding in 2018, the Beijing Internet Court has handled more than 245,000 cases, and disputes linked to AI are climbing sharply. Many of these involve copyright issues around AI-generated content and questions of whether AI-powered tools constitute online infringement, China Daily reports.

Zhao noted that conflicts are no longer confined to internet platforms. They are spreading into culture, entertainment, finance, and advertising, where new products are raising questions about AI hallucinations, algorithmic bias, and ethical boundaries.

The push for stronger regulation comes on the heels of China’s first court case involving AI-generated voices. In 2024, a voice-over artist surnamed Yin discovered her voice had been cloned without consent for audiobooks circulating online.

The court found that a cultural media company had sent Yin’s recordings to an AI software developer, which then used the data to train a program that mimicked her vocal style. The AI-generated voice products were sold to third parties, including a voice-dubbing app. Judges ruled the cultural media company and the software developer had infringed Yin’s voice rights, ordering them to pay 250,000 yuan ($35,111) in compensation. Other defendants were cleared because they unknowingly used the cloned voice material.

“The ruling has set boundaries for how AI should be applied and helped regulate the technology to better serve the public,” said Sun Mingxi, another vice-president of the court.

Officials further stressed that while AI innovation should be encouraged, safeguarding dignity and individual rights must come first.

“The court dismissed the charges against Thaksin, ruling that the evidence presented was insufficient,” his lawyer Winyat Chatmontree told reporters.

The case stemmed from remarks Thaksin made to South Korean media in 2015 relating to the military coup that ousted his sister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Supporters gathered outside the court welcomed the ruling but voiced caution.

“The court has done its job properly, but I don’t think we can relax yet,” said 66-year-old food vendor Kamol Orahanta. “I believe there are still some haters who will try to topple him by other means.”

Another supporter, 65-year-old Red Shirt member Eakkarin Ratanawanit, said the decision proves the Shinawatras are here to stay, at least until 2027.

“Some may see this as a decline for the prime minister and the Pheu Thai Party due to all the various crises that have occurred lately. But for me, they will overcome these crises, and [the PM] will serve the full term until 2027.”

Analysts say Thaksin remains a key influence regardless of his daughter’s fate.

“I still believe that Thaksin Shinawatra will remain active in Thai politics, even if his daughter is removed,” political analyst Yuttaporn Issarachai told AFP. “Whoever becomes prime minister, the real player behind the scenes is always going to be Thaksin.”

Thaksin was twice elected prime minister before being ousted in a 2006 coup. He spent 15 years in self-imposed exile before returning to Thailand in August 2023, the same day his Pheu Thai Party formed a coalition government with former conservative rivals.

On his return, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for corruption and abuse of power, but was transferred to a police hospital due to health concerns. Days later, the king reduced his sentence to one year, and he was released in February 2024 under an early release programme for elderly prisoners.

His release has sparked another legal case, with a ruling due on September 9. The case questions whether Thaksin was eligible for parole since he never spent time in a prison cell.

Prosecutions under section 112 of the criminal code have risen sharply since mass protests in 2020. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, more than 280 people have been charged with lese-majeste in the last five years.

Rights groups say the law is used broadly to suppress dissent and restrict open debate.

Footage from the Kibera courtroom captured the accused arriving amid tight security as their legal teams pleaded for their release on bail. The accused include former Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Talam and police constable James Mukhwana.

During the bail hearing, the defence emphasised that the accused had strong community ties and a clean record. Lawyer Stanley Kinyanjui, representing Talam, acknowledged that while the probation report had generally portrayed the accused positively, it cited the victim’s family's views as a key reason for recommending against bail.

“The only disconnect between the probation office and the right of the accused person to be granted bail was the views of the victim,” said Kinyanjui.

The prosecution warned that releasing the accused on bail could result in witness interference and evidence tampering concerns that ultimately influenced the judge’s decision.

Defence attorney Danstan Omari maintained his clients’ innocence. “We are very definite that after trial, they will be walking out of this court as acquitted citizens,” he said, expressing confidence in the eventual outcome.

The murder case has stirred national outrage. Ojwang was reportedly arrested at his rural home and later died in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station. A post-mortem revealed he suffered blunt force trauma to the head, neck compression, and widespread bruising, consistent with allegations of torture.

All six accused have pleaded not guilty. The case remains under public scrutiny as demands for police accountability continue to grow.

Speaking during an event in Osasco, São Paulo, on Friday, July 25, President Lula addressed Trump's remarks and rejected the basis for the proposed tariffs.

"If President Trump had called me, I would certainly have explained to him what is happening with the former president, and I would have explained why I have a good relationship with everyone… Bolsonaro is not being persecuted. He is being tried with full legal rights to a defence. He attempted a coup in this country,” Lula said.

Jair Bolsonaro, a former military officer who served as president from 2019 to 2023, has been accused of attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he lost to Lula. Bolsonaro has denied the allegations and stated that he “never violated democracy or the constitution.”

The incident allegedly involved Brown attacking music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle , followed by punches and kicks, at Tape nightclub in Mayfair.

The assault, captured on surveillance video, occurred in front of numerous witnesses.

Brown was initially charged with grievous bodily harm but now faces additional charges, including assault causing actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.

Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed on Friday, March 21, that a delegation had visited Ho Chi Minh Prison, where Nduta is being held.

“We can confirm that while deeply distressed, Margaret is coping and has been treated humanely. Though Margaret was not represented by counsel during trial, an appeal filed a few days ago will be heard soon,” Sing’oei said.

“In the meantime, we continue to engage our Vietnamese counterparts on other options towards resolving this difficult matter,” he added.

Nduta was initially scheduled for execution on March 17, but Vietnamese authorities postponed the date following Kenya’s intervention.

She has maintained that she was set up by a man who deceived her into transporting a suitcase to an unknown woman in Laos.

According to reports , Nduta had previously served in a correctional facility in Ghana. Before her arrest in Vietnam, she successfully passed through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Kenya), Bole International Airport (Ethiopia), and Hamad International Airport (Qatar).

Vietnam has some of the strictest drug laws in the world , with the death penalty applicable for smuggling or possessing more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine.

Venezuela has expressed its determination to ensure the release of hundreds of its citizens who were deported by the U.S. to a notorious prison in El Salvador. According to National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez, the deportees, numbering 238, were accused of connections to the Tren de Aragua gang, facing potentially harsh conditions in El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center. This recent development complicates negotiations between Venezuela and the U.S. regarding sanctions relief and the continuation of Chevron's operations in the country.

Aircraft smuggling

The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a civil forfeiture complaint against a Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, alleging its smuggling from the U.S. and its use to support Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which violates established sanctions. This aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic last year, and Maduro's government has labelled the seizure and sanctions as acts of blatant theft and illegality.

Deportations of Venezuelans

A federal judge has mandated the Trump administration to disclose information regarding the deportations of Venezuelans, despite a court order that halted the flights. The administration alleges that the deportees are associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Despite the judge's order to cease deportations, flights by the administration continued, resulting in the deportation of 261 individuals. The administration maintains that it has the legal authority to move ahead with deportations once the flights are outside U.S. airspace, while the judge has pressed for clarity on specific timelines and legal standings during court proceedings.

Chevron licence

Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA, has devised strategies to sustain oil production post-Chevron's licence expiration in April. The plans include producing between 105,000 to 138,000 barrels per day of Hamaca heavy crude at the Petropiar project, aiming to balance output between local refineries and non-U.S. export markets. Furthermore, PDVSA intends to process byproducts of vacuum gasoil for domestic gasoline production and increase the recycling effort of imported naphtha to mitigate technical challenges. Analysts speculate that the total oil output in Venezuela could decrease from 900,000 to 700,000 barrels per day in the absence of Chevron, which currently contributes an estimated $200 million monthly to the national economy.

Human rights violation

During the UN Human Rights Council session, independent experts underscored severe human rights violations occurring in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela. In Iran, findings from the Fact-Finding Mission pointed to violent repression following Mahsa Amini's death in 2022, highlighting allegations of torture and mistreatment directed towards children and protesters, with a noticeable absence of trust in the judicial system and a rallying call for accountability measures off the national stage. In Venezuela, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission relayed ongoing political repression and arbitrary detentions , particularly in the context of the contentious 2024 presidential election, expressing grave concerns regarding electoral integrity and significant rights violations amid protests, including detainee deaths linked to torture — findings which the Venezuelan government dismissed as politically driven.

They faced violent retaliation from kickboxing neighbours during an altercation over access to a shared garden in December 2023. Despite being attacked, the Byrnes were charged for injuries sustained during the incident, leading to their conviction.

Tim Maley, Ms Byrne’s brother, confirmed that the couple’s passports would soon be returned, thus allowing them to board their flight back home. The authorities had confiscated their passports during a police raid at their residence, resulting in the couple selling their villa to cover legal expenses.

Despite their situation improving, Mr Maley said the couples are anxious about their travel back to the UK. “They are very nervous and won’t be popping any champagne corks yet,” he said .

The Byrnes emigrated to Thailand from Middlesbrough in 2021, hoping to enjoy a peaceful retirement in the resort city of Hua Hin. The conflict with their neighbours escalated significantly with accusations of severe assault during the incident, but their neighbours later pled guilty to charges against them.

These penalties follow a 2019 agreement among EU member states, which established rules requiring companies to create internal channels for whistleblowers and ensure their protection from retaliation, including dismissal, demotion, or legal action.

Despite the numerous allegations against Diddy, his defence team stands by its previous comments that the rapper is bouncing back stronger.

"He's doing fine (Sean "Diddy" Combs). You know, Dr King called it the law of unintended consequences. So sometimes the more you push a person down, the stronger they get and so he's making an adjustment. He had his family here today to support him. We really want to put an end to all of the clowning that we see on the Internet. This is a serious proceeding with serious consequences, and all of us are addressing it accordingly," Diddy's lawyer Anthony Ricco told the press on Thursday.

The charges against Combs stem from an extensive investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering. Federal prosecutors have accused the music mogul of orchestrating a network that exploited individuals for commercial sex acts.

R&B singer Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2023, accusing him of repeated physical abuse, sexual exploitation, and rape throughout their decade-long professional and personal relationship.

In November 2023, the two reached an undisclosed settlement, while Combs firmly denied the accusations.

Cassie's lawsuit opened a plethora of legal actions against the 54-year-old rapper by more than 100 people including singer Dawn Richard.

Preet Inder Singh, 30, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in June 2020 and had his semen cryopreserved before starting chemotherapy, which could affect his fertility.

His parents, Gurvinder Singh and Harbir Kaur, requested the release of the sample from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in December. When attempts to get the sample failed, the Indian couple moved to the Delhi High Court in 2021.

Justice Prathiba Singh who presided over the case concluded that reproductive material like sperm is considered “property” or “an estate.” She ruled that Singh's parents, as “Class-1 legal heirs” under the Hindu Succession Act, are entitled to the sample.

The court explained that Singh had explicitly consented to the preservation of his sperm, indicating he intended it for procreation.

“The son of the petitioners intended for the semen sample to be used in order to bear a child. He may have hoped to live after chemotherapy but nature willed otherwise," The court's verdict was quoted by The Indian Express .

"From the consent given for semen sample preservation, the deceased son’s last wish can also be discerned. When he passed away, the parents being the heirs of the deceased, and semen samples being genetic material and constituting property, the parents are entitled for release of the same,” the verdict added.

The ruling recognized the grandparents' desire to continue their deceased son's legacy after the parents expressed their willingness to take full responsibility for any child born via surrogacy using the preserved sperm.

By Alexandra Valencia

A court in Ecuador on Friday handed down prison sentences of 12 years and 34 years for five people found guilty of murdering presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

Journalist and former legislator Villavicencio was shot while leaving a rally in August 2023, becoming the most prominent victim of Ecuador's spiralling violence.

The ruling, read out by Milton Maroto, one of the court's three judges, can be appealed by both the prosecution and the defence. The trial started at the end of June.

Prosecutors accused at least two of those tried of belonging to the Los Lobos crime gang, among 22 criminal gangs designated as terrorists by President Daniel Noboa in January.

According to the attorney general's office, Carlos Edwin Angulo Lara, known as 'El Invisible' ('The Invisible'), gave the order to murder Villavicencio from prison, while Laura Dayanara Castillo was in charge of logistics.

Both Angulo and Castillo were sentenced to 34 years and eight months.

Erick Ramirez, Victor Flores and Alexandra Chimbo were sentenced to 12 years.

Villavicencio, whose journalism exposed corruption and connections between organized crime and politicians, had long faced threats.

Prosecutors are undertaking a separate investigation into who requested the murder.

One of the hit men died at the scene of Villavicencio's murder and seven other suspects - mostly Colombian citizens - were murdered in October while being held in prisons on pre-trial detention.

Villavicencio's friends and family have decried multiple delays and urged an investigation into who ordered the killing.

Veronica Sarauz, Villavicencio's widow, had asked judges earlier on Friday in a post on X to apply the full weight of the law to those accused.

Thai artist Jakkai Siributr collaborated with refugees from Myanmar’s Shan state in Thailand to create an embroidery project. The resulting installation, There's No Place, is displayed at the Venice Biennale as part of an exhibition exploring themes of diaspora and displacement. The embroidered pieces highlight the struggles of stateless communities and the limitations they face on a daily basis. This is not the artist's first work addressing displacement from Myanmar, as he previously created imaginary flags representing places where refugees would want to go. The exhibition aims to give a voice to unheard issues and bring attention to the experiences of Southeast Asian artists.

Badminton stars at US Open

Thai badminton stars Pakapon Teeraratsakul and Peeratchai Sukphun won both men's and mixed doubles titles at the US Open in Texas. They secured their first title in the men's doubles, beating Taiwan's Liu Kuang Heng and Yang Po Han. This marked Thailand's first Badminton World Federation (BWF) men's doubles title since 2019. Pakkapon and Peeratchai also won their second BWF title in the mixed doubles, defeating Denmark's Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund, the Nation Thailand reports.

Verdict on potential dismissal of Prime Minister and dissolution of opposition

Thailand's constitutional court is expected to make a verdict by September in two cases that could lead to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's dismissal and the dissolution of the opposition Move Forward party. The cases have heightened political uncertainty in Southeast Asia's economy, which has struggled to recover since the COVID-19 pandemic.  Srettha, a real estate tycoon with the ruling Pheu Thai party, faces potential dismissal due to the appointment of a court-indicted lawyer to his cabinet. Meanwhile, Move Forward, a party that won the election but was blocked by conservative lawmakers, faces court proceedings over its campaign to amend Thailand's royal insult or lese majeste law.

Moroccans held by Myanmar gang seeks Thailand's help

Moroccan nationals held captive by a call centre scam gang in Myanmar have appealed to the Thai government for help. The Moroccans were coerced into working as scammers by the gang, led by Chinese nationals, in Myanmar's Karen State. They were held for ransom, with demands ranging from $6,000 to $7,000. The victims were promised e-commerce jobs in Thailand but were taken to their headquarters in Myanmar. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) investigated and identified each Moroccan victim.

Deadly explosion

A powerful explosion occurred in front of a residential building near Bannang Sata police station, causing damage to houses and vehicles. A 45-year-old woman died, while 18 others were injured, including five seriously injured. The blast shattered glass panels and damaged apartment units, leaving the type and owner of the vehicle unknown, the Strait Times reports.

The potential ban is driven by national security concerns about potential data leaks to the Chinese government, with significant political ramifications.

TikTok has stressed its independence from the Chinese government. However, with its parent company being headquartered in the Chinese capital, officials from Washington fear there is a possibility of sharing user data from TikTok with Chinese authorities if compelled.

"TikTok claims they don't store American user data in China. That's nice. But all it takes is one knock on the door of their parent company based in China from a Communist Party official for that data to be transferred to the Chinese government's hands," said US Senator Josh Hawley.

For the 170 million American TikTok users, the uncertainty surrounding the platform's potential ban poses challenges for influencers, a cornerstone of TikTok's ecosystem.

Given TikTok's predominantly young user base , the potential ban threatens to disrupt businesses' ability to connect with this demographic.

According to TikTok's Economic Impact Report 2024 , the platform has been used by 55 million people in the United States for transactions. The report also indicates that TikTok contributed $14.7 billion to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in 2023, and a total of $24.2 billion in overall economic activity.

Individuals like Delyanne Barros, a personal finance coach who credits the Chinese-owned platform for catapulting her business said "A ban would result in me losing a major part of my business. I would definitely feel a hit," she told CBS News .

Denish Shah, a marketing professor at Georgia State's Robinson College of Business, told  Newsweek , "It will definitely affect businesses that rely on TikTok to acquire new customers and/or promote their products and services through TikTok."

Should TikTok be banned, creators are likely to migrate to alternative platforms to cash out on the creator economy valued at $250 billion in 2022, which is expected to double, reaching $480 billion by 2027, according to Goldman Sachs .

According to the Sudan Tribune , in 2015, South Sudan entered into another agreement with QNB outlining a repayment plan for the outstanding loan. The loan was restructured in 2016 and further supplemented in 2018 at South Sudan's request for additional funds, with a repayment period of 15 years commencing in 2019.

Despite these arrangements, South Sudan failed to meet its repayment obligations, leading to QNB initiating legal proceedings against the landlocked nation.

The backdrop of South Sudan's challenges includes a protracted civil war spanning from 2013 to 2020. President Salva Kiir's accusations against former Vice President Riek Machar of an attempted coup triggered the conflict, resulting in approximately 50,000 casualties and displacing 1.6 million people.

Security sources assert that members of the Crane Performers band made the statement in the local Runyankole language and was seen as an insult to the head of state.

Privately owned Uganda Radio Network news website alleges that the statement made by the member of the group was "Rutabandana Waturusya Rugahamuzindaro," to wit “over speaker, we are tired, leave the microphone.”

 Court documents seen by The Star confirm the charge levelled against the musicians.

 The entertainers are allegedly being held at the Kampala Central Police Station following their arrest.

 Both members of the Crane Performers and the Police are yet to comment on the development.

“The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) acknowledges today’s decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of Romanian tennis player Simona Halep. Following a hearing held between 7-9 February 2024 in Lausanne, Switzerland, the CAS panel has partially upheld an appeal from Halep against a disciplinary sanction imposed by an independent tribunal in September 2023, reducing the period of ineligibility from four years to nine months,” the ITIA said.

“An essential element of the anti-doping process is a player’s ability to appeal, and the ITIA respects both their right to do so and the outcome. The ITIA awaits the full reasoned decision and will review it thoroughly in due course,” ITIA Chief Executive Officer, Karen Moorhouse added.

After the U.S. Open in 2022, the 32-year-old tested positive for roxadustat, a banned anti-anaemia drug that boosts the production of red blood cells, leading to her suspension.

In 2023, the former French Open and Wimbledon champion faced an additional doping accusation due to anomalies in her athlete biological passport (ABP), a system established to track various blood parameters over time to detect possible doping.

Halep attributed testing positive for the banned roxadustat to tainted nutritional supplements and accused the ITIA of an ABP violation after experts discovered her identity.

“I adjusted my nutritional supplements. None listed ingredients included any prohibited substances however we now know and the tribunal agreed one of them was contaminated with roxadustat. I was tested almost weekly after my initial positive test through early 2023, all of which came back negative. Despite this evidence, the ITIA brought an ABP charge only after its expert group learned my identity,” Halep said in a statement in September 2023.

She has strongly denied the roxadustat doping charge of which she had evidence to show small amounts of the anaemia drug entered her system from a contaminated licensed supplement.

Halep has accused the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) of charging her with an ABP violation after the group of experts who assessed her profile learned her identity.

An independent tribunal accepted Halep's argument that she had taken a contaminated supplement but determined the volume she ingested could not have resulted in the concentration of roxadustat found in her positive sample.

"The ITIA relied solely on the opinions of these experts who looked only at my blood parameters - which I've maintained for more than 10 years in the same range… This group ignored the fact that no prohibited substance has ever been found in my blood or urine samples with the sole exception of one August 29 positive test for roxadustat," she said last year after ITIA’s four-year ban decision which runs until October 6, 2026.

The ITIA said it came to its conclusion based on the collection and analysis of 51 blood samples provided by Halep.

"The volume of evidence for the tribunal to consider in both the roxadustat and ABP proceedings was substantial," Karen Moorhouse, CEO at the ITIA told the media after the agency released its concluding statement last year.

CAS said it was unclear when a ruling might be made after the three-day proceedings and stated that Halep would not make any statement until the proceedings end.

"It's catastrophic if it's going to be four years… I don't know how I will handle it. Probably it will be the end of my career," Simona Halep told Euronews in December last year.

Uganda said Kenya’s delay in the issuance of the license also goes against the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community.

"The complete reliance and dependency on Kenyan OMCs to import and supply petroleum products to Uganda have exposed the Republic of Uganda to supply vulnerabilities resulting in an avoidable increase in fuel pump prices," court documents submitted by Uganda read, quoted by local media Kenyans .

Uganda imports around 90% of its refined petroleum products through the Port of Mombasa in Kenya which are then transported to Uganda through the Kenyan Pipeline Company Limited (KPC).

Kenya directed the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) to register with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) as an oil marketer in Kenya for Uganda to import and export petroleum products through Kenya.

During the registration process, EPRA requested UNOC submit among others; proof of financial capability including proof of sales volumes of 6.6 million litres of super petrol/gasoil or A1jet or kerosene in Kenya, evidence of operating five licensed retail stations and operating a licensed depot with a turnover of USD 10 million over the last three years, local media Citizen reported .

Uganda sought an exemption which Kenya said it would consider at the Cabinet level. Uganda argued that the requirements were unnecessary, as the imported petroleum products were transit goods and not destined for Kenya. 

Uganda further referred to the government-to-government oil deal signed by Kenya in 2023 , an agreement that made Uganda’s importation of oil through Kenya a right.

Uganda expects the East Africa Court of Justice to, among others, hold Kenya responsible for the delay in granting exemptions; to declare the licensing requirement imposed by EPRA on UNOC irrelevant, irrational and illegal; to declare that UNOC does not need a license from EPRA to access the Kenya Pipeline Company’s systems or import petroleum products through Kenya and; to unconditionally accord UNOC as a service supplier of Uganda, entitled to commercial terms for the use of KPC, local media Citizen reported.

In November, the Ugandan President accused Kenyan middlemen of inflating fuel prices, and later in December, threatened to import fuel with or without the importation license, local media Kenyans reported.