Naasón Joaquín García, the leader of the Mexico-based evangelical megachurch La Luz del Mundo, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges in a New York court. García, 56, is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence in California after admitting to sexually abusing girls from his congregation. A recently unsealed indictment alleges that García, his mother, and four associates used the church to traffic women and children to the United States. The defendants have denied all charges, with García’s lawyer dismissing the allegations as “recycled claims” that have been previously debunked. La Luz del Mundo, founded in 1926 by García’s grandfather, Eusebio Joaquín González, is a fundamentalist Christian organization with millions of followers worldwide. Despite García’s 2022 guilty plea in Los Angeles, many church members remain loyal, viewing him as “the Apostle of Jesus Christ.” The indictment, released by the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York, accuses García and his co-defendants of sex trafficking, child pornography, forced labor, and unlawful financial dealings. US Attorney Jay Clayton stated that the defendants “exploited the faith of their followers to prey upon them” and used their religious influence to silence victims. Prosecutors claim that García continued a disturbing tradition established by his father and grandfather, who allegedly manipulated young women into sexual activity under the guise of earning “special blessings.” La Luz del Mundo has publicly denied the allegations, calling them “unfounded, untrue, and slanderous.”
分类： society
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Born in India, but not Indian: ‘Stateless’ man fights for citizenship
Bahison Ravindran, a 34-year-old web developer born in Tamil Nadu, India, to Sri Lankan refugee parents, has found himself in a legal limbo after being declared ‘stateless’ by Indian authorities. Despite holding an Indian passport and various government-issued identity documents, Ravindran was arrested in April for possessing an ‘invalid’ passport. Authorities cited a 1987 amendment to India’s citizenship law, which mandates that at least one parent must be an Indian citizen for a child born after July 1, 1987, to qualify for citizenship by birth. Ravindran, born in 1991, was unaware of this rule and has since applied for citizenship through naturalisation. His case highlights the struggles of thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in India, many of whom fled during the island nation’s civil war in the 1980s. Over 90,000 Sri Lankan Tamils reside in Tamil Nadu, with more than 22,000 born in India after 1987 facing similar citizenship challenges. India’s refusal to sign the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the exclusion of Sri Lankan Tamils from the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have exacerbated their plight. Ravindran, who recently married a Sri Lankan woman, hopes his case will prompt a resolution. His lawyer, Sandesh Saravanan, argues that Ravindran’s passport was issued after police verification, yet the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) flagged his parents’ origins, leading to his arrest. The Madras High Court has temporarily barred authorities from taking coercive action until the next hearing on October 8. Ravindran’s story underscores the broader issue of statelessness among Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in India, a problem that remains unresolved despite political promises.
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In pictures: India’s Kolkata sees worst rains in 39 years
Kolkata, the capital of India’s West Bengal state, is reeling from its heaviest rainfall in nearly four decades, resulting in widespread flooding, loss of life, and significant disruptions to daily life. The torrential downpour, which brought 251.4mm of rain in less than 24 hours, marks the city’s most severe deluge since 1986 and ranks as the sixth-highest single-day rainfall in the region over the past 137 years. The extreme weather, attributed to a low-pressure system over the north-east Bay of Bengal, has claimed at least 10 lives, with nine fatalities caused by electrocution in stagnant water. Residential areas and businesses across the city and its suburbs have been severely affected by waterlogging, with key roads submerged and train services halted, forcing commuters to navigate knee-deep floodwaters. The timing of the disaster is particularly unfortunate, as it coincides with Durga Puja, the region’s most significant annual festival, which draws tens of thousands of worshippers. Temporary temples, known as pandals, erected for the celebrations have also been inundated, dampening the festive spirit. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock at the unprecedented rainfall and pledged compensation for the victims’ families. Authorities have taken precautionary measures, including cutting power in affected areas to prevent further electrocution incidents. Efforts to restore normalcy are underway, but with more rain forecasted in the coming days, the city remains on high alert.
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Tourism is helping Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas make a comeback
In the misty highlands of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the fate of the endangered mountain gorillas has become a shared concern for local communities. These majestic primates, many of whom have been given names, are not just symbols of biodiversity but also pillars of a thriving tourism economy. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has witnessed a remarkable transformation, with former poachers now leading conservation efforts and local women taking on roles as porters and guides. This shift underscores the profound economic and cultural impact of gorilla tourism on the region. Joyleen Tugume, a ranger-guide, reflects on the community’s emotional connection to the gorillas: ‘When a gorilla falls ill, everyone is concerned. It’s as if one of our own is suffering.’ This sentiment is echoed by Philemon Mujuni, a reformed poacher who now advocates for the protection of the species. Mujuni, once a hunter who viewed gorillas as threats, now leads a group of former poachers dedicated to safeguarding the primates. Their efforts, combined with the vigilance of armed rangers, have significantly reduced poaching and habitat encroachment. The economic benefits of gorilla tourism are undeniable. Tourists pay $800 per permit to observe these animals in their natural habitat, with $10 from each fee reinvested into local communities. This revenue has funded essential projects, from healthcare to water provision, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among residents. The mountain gorilla population, once teetering on the brink of extinction, has seen a remarkable recovery, with numbers exceeding 1,000 in recent years. This success story is a testament to the power of community-driven conservation and the transformative potential of sustainable tourism. As Tugume aptly puts it, ‘We are all working together to ensure conservation succeeds because we all benefit.’
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Australia journalist unfairly fired over Gaza post awarded A$150,000
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has been mandated to pay A$150,000 in penalties for the unjust dismissal of presenter Antoinette Lattouf, following a controversial social media post related to the Gaza conflict. The Federal Court ruled earlier this year that Lattouf was removed from her role as a fill-in radio host in December 2023 due to her political stance and pressure from pro-Israel groups. While Lattouf had already received A$70,000 in damages, Justice Darryl Rangiah emphasized the necessity of the additional ‘substantial’ penalty to ensure the ABC learns from its mistakes. The broadcaster has since issued a public apology to Lattouf, acknowledging its failure towards both its staff and audiences. Lattouf’s dismissal sparked widespread public outrage and internal turmoil at the ABC, raising concerns about its independence and support for culturally diverse employees. Justice Rangiah criticized the ABC for surrendering employee rights to appease a lobby group, stating that the public scrutiny should have highlighted the unacceptability of its actions. Lattouf, a seasoned media contributor and activist on issues like racism and mental health, was hired for a week-long stint on ABC Radio Sydney’s Mornings show but was dismissed after three shifts. The decision to remove her was leaked to the media shortly after she shared a Human Rights Watch post accusing Israel of using starvation as a war tactic, an allegation Israel denies but which the International Criminal Court has deemed credible. The ABC claimed Lattouf violated its editorial policy by discussing the war on social media, but Justice Rangiah found no evidence she was instructed not to post. He described her Instagram story as ‘ill-advised’ but noted her dismissal was based on a mere suspicion of policy breach, with no opportunity for defense. The judge also highlighted an ‘orchestrated’ campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists to remove Lattouf from the outset, accusing ABC management of sacrificing her to mitigate criticism. He stressed that penalties should not be seen as a cost of avoiding criticism and criticized the ABC for failing to investigate the leak of Lattouf’s dismissal. The case has had ‘very significant consequences’ for Lattouf, with the court ordering the penalty to be paid within 28 days.
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Sydney ‘Night Stalker’ pleads guilty to string of sexual assaults in 90s
A 61-year-old man, Glenn Gary Cameron, has pleaded guilty to a series of sexual assaults committed in Sydney during the early 1990s, marking a significant breakthrough in a cold case that had remained unsolved for three decades. Cameron, infamously known as Sydney’s ‘Night Stalker’ and the ‘Moore Park Rapist,’ was arrested at Sydney International Airport in February 2023 after detectives utilized advanced DNA and fingerprint technologies to revisit the unsolved cases. He has admitted to more than a dozen charges, including 11 counts of aggravated sexual assault involving the use of a weapon as a threat, targeting eight women between 1991 and 1993. Cameron’s identity was initially suppressed due to a reporting ban, which was lifted three months after his arrest. On Tuesday, he appeared via video link in Downing Centre Local Court, where he pleaded guilty to 13 of the 36 charges he faced. Nine charges were withdrawn, while the remaining 14 will be considered during his sentencing next month. These include multiple counts of indecent assault, aggravated sexual assault, and detaining a person for advantage. One of the victims, who was attacked decades ago, participated in the court proceedings remotely. A 1993 Sydney Morning Herald article revealed that the victims were primarily Asian women aged 17 to 45, with the attacker using simple Cantonese phrases to lure them near train stations under the guise of offering fake jobs before assaulting them at knifepoint, usually at night. The first attack occurred in April 1991 in Strathfield, followed by others in Moore Park.
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Police officer charged with assault at pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney
A senior constable from New South Wales (NSW) Police has been formally charged with assault following an incident at a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney earlier this year. Hannah Thomas, a former Greens party candidate, claims she was struck in the face by the officer during a demonstration in Belmore on June 27. The altercation left her with severe facial injuries that necessitated surgical intervention. The protest was staged outside SEC Plating, a company accused by demonstrators of supplying components to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), allegations the company denies. NSW Police confirmed that the officer’s employment is under review, and a critical incident investigation—activated when an officer is involved in an event causing death or serious injury—is ongoing. The officer, who faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, is scheduled to appear in court in November. The protest, deemed unauthorized by police, escalated into a scuffle after officers ordered the crowd to disperse. Five individuals, including Thomas, were arrested. Thomas, 35, was hospitalized following the alleged assault and later revealed on Instagram that she might suffer permanent vision loss in her right eye. Initially charged with failing to comply with police orders and resisting arrest, all charges against Thomas were dropped earlier this month, and she was awarded approximately A$22,000 in legal costs. Her lawyer, Peter O’Brien, announced plans to file civil proceedings against NSW Police, citing malicious prosecution, assault, and malfeasance in public office, among other claims. The incident has drawn attention amid the broader context of the Israel-Gaza conflict and its global repercussions.
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Emil the Elk caught after long summer on the loose in Central Europe
A remarkable elk, affectionately named Emil, who captivated Central Europe with his extensive travels this summer, has been safely captured and released by Austrian wildlife officials. The young male elk was tranquilized on Monday near the village of Sattledt in Upper Austria after venturing perilously close to a motorway. Following the intervention, Emil was equipped with a GPS tracking device and released near the Czech-Austrian border, close to the Sumava forest in South Bohemia. It remains uncertain whether Czech authorities were involved in the operation. The Sumava forest, home to an estimated 10-20 elk, is now Emil’s new habitat, where it is hoped he will settle rather than continue his wanderings. Emil’s journey began on June 2 near Ludgerovice in the Czech Republic, where he was first sighted after crossing from Poland. Over the summer, he traversed approximately 500 kilometers across four countries—Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria—visiting 60 towns and villages. His adventures included crossing roads, railways, and even swimming across the River Danube. Emil became a social media sensation, with numerous photos and videos shared online and at least three Facebook groups dedicated to him, amassing nearly 50,000 members. Elk were once native to Czech forests but were hunted to extinction in the Middle Ages. Reintroduction efforts have been ongoing since the 1970s, with the current Czech elk population estimated at around 50, significantly fewer than Poland’s tens of thousands.
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Guard and 13 inmates killed in Ecuador prison fight
A violent confrontation between rival gangs at a prison in Machala, Ecuador, has resulted in the deaths of 13 inmates and one prison guard, with 14 others injured. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, also saw an unknown number of prisoners escape, though 13 have since been recaptured. Residents nearby reported hearing explosions and gunfire, highlighting the intensity of the clash. Police Chief William Calle attributed the violence to members of the criminal gang Los Lobos Box, who allegedly stormed a wing housing their rivals and launched a brutal attack. Preliminary reports indicate that security personnel responded to an alarm but were taken hostage upon arrival, leading to the death of one guard. Some inmates managed to flee through a hole in the perimeter wall caused by an explosive device, raising questions about how such materials were smuggled into the facility. Among the injured are two police officers. Authorities have since regained control of the prison after deploying 200 police and soldiers. The incident has reignited calls from Machala residents to relocate the prison, which is situated in the city center. Ecuador has been grappling with escalating gang violence, transforming it from one of Latin America’s safest nations to one of its deadliest. Prison gangs, including Los Lobos Box, have been instrumental in running criminal enterprises from behind bars and forging alliances with Mexican drug cartels to control cocaine trafficking routes. Earlier this month, the United States designated Los Lobos and another gang, Los Choneros, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, citing their role in terrorizing the Ecuadorian population to dominate drug trafficking.
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France transfixed by murder trial without a body
The trial of Cédric Jubillar, a 38-year-old painter-decorator accused of murdering his wife Delphine nearly five years ago, has gripped France as it opened on Monday. The case, shrouded in mystery due to the absence of the victim’s body, has become a social media sensation, with self-proclaimed investigators forming countless chat groups to exchange theories and testimonies. This has frustrated both the police and the families involved. Psychoanalyst Patrick Avrane likened these groups to a ‘bistro counter – but with more people,’ where everyone constructs their own theory. The Jubillar mystery began during the height of the Covid lockdown in December 2020 when Cédric reported his wife missing. Delphine, a 33-year-old night nurse, was in a troubled marriage with Cédric, who was a habitual cannabis user and barely held down a job. The couple, who had two young children, were discussing divorce, and Delphine was in a relationship with another man. Despite extensive searches in the surrounding countryside, Delphine’s body was never found. However, a case was gradually built against Cédric, leading to his detention in mid-2021. The prosecution argues that Cédric had a clear motive due to their impending split, while the defense will question the credibility of key witnesses, including a former cellmate and a former girlfriend who claim Cédric confessed to the murder. The trial, expected to last four weeks, will hear from 65 witnesses and 11 experts, with over 16,000 pages of evidence compiled. Writer Thibault de Montaigu compared the case to a ‘novel by Georges Simenon,’ highlighting the central question: how could a man described as a ‘red-eyed, fuzzy-brained guy who smoked ten joints a day’ have carried out the perfect crime? The court will ultimately decide whether Cédric is a ‘genius bluffer, lucky fool, or poor innocent.’