Binance’s Reboot Faces Test in Thailand After $4.3 Billion US Fine
Binance Holdings Ltd.’s attempt to turn the page on costly regulatory violations faces a test in Thailand, where
2023-11-29 17:57
UK Watchdog to Examine Supermarket Two-Tier Pricing Plans
Britain’s antitrust watchdog will investigate a two-tier pricing system developing in supermarkets as a result of loyalty programs
2023-11-29 17:56
An ailing Pope Francis appears at a weekly audience but says he's not well and has aide read speech
Pope Francis has presided at his weekly audience with the public at the Vatican
2023-11-29 17:49
Dollar rises from three-month low; hawkish RBNZ boosts kiwi
By Harry Robertson and Rae Wee LONDON/SINGAPORE The U.S. dollar ticked up on Wednesday after falling to its
2023-11-29 17:29
Stock market today: Global shares trade mixed after Wall Street rallies
Global shares are trading mixed although a strong report on U.S. consumer confidence and hopes the Federal Reserve is finished with its aggressive interest rate hikes sent shares higher on Wall Street
2023-11-29 17:21
ECB Faces Battle Over Bank Payouts as Top Watchdog Enria Departs
Several bank regulators dissatisfied with the European Central Bank’s tough stance on shareholder payouts are getting ready to
2023-11-29 16:54
US military Osprey aircraft with 8 aboard crashes into the sea off southern Japan
Japan’s coast guard has found a person and debris in the ocean where a U.S. military Osprey aircraft carrying eight people crashed off southern Japan
2023-11-29 16:49
As global rates turn, banks in India and Indonesia set to win
By Ankur Banerjee SINGAPORE As Asia's banking sector navigates a peak in global interest rates and risks of
2023-11-29 16:47
Israel, Hamas due to release more people amid efforts to extend truce
By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Mohammemd Salem and Henriette Chacar GAZA/JERUSALEM Hamas and Israel were expected to release more hostages
2023-11-29 16:29
French police arrest leader of tantric yoga group accused of exploiting followers
French authorities arrested the leader of a multinational tantric yoga organization Tuesday on suspicion of indoctrinating female followers for sexual exploitation. The Romanian guru at the heart of the Atman Yoga Federation was detained during a massive morning police operation across the Paris region, according to a French judicial official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation. The French official identified the man as Gregorian B., whom French media identified as Gregorian Bivolaru, 71, an internationally known yoga teacher and author. The Altman federation, which is headquartered in England, runs yoga courses and yoga teacher trainings. According to the French official, the investigation into Bivolaru and the yoga federation, which also is known as the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute, began after reports of psychological manipulation and sexual exploitation within the organization. Former MISA members alerted authorities to the alleged abuses. Bivolaru is being charged with human trafficking, organized kidnapping, rape, and organized abuse of weakness by members of a sect, according to French authorities. International police agency Interpol also has issued a notice for Bivolaru's arrest on behalf of authorities in Finland, where he is wanted for alleged aggravated trafficking in human beings. The Altman federation's website and other sites on Bivolaru allege that he is the victim of a wide-ranging plot to discredit him. The raids in France involved 175 police officers and resulted in 40 other arrests across the French capital, Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne, and the Alpes-Maritimes. The operation targeted several locations used by the organization, where women were reportedly indoctrinated and coerced into sexual practices. The locations, described as “ashrams,” served as housing for women selected by Bivolaru for initiation into tantric yoga practices, according to French authorities. Bivolaru, who was convicted of raping a minor in his native Romania, founded MISA in 1990. The organization expanded internationally as the Atman Yoga Federation. The French investigation found evidence that students were coerced into sexual activities that included participating in explicit video chats for monetary gain, according to the judicial official. These alleged activities, purportedly carried out under the pretense of tantric yoga teachings, formed a part of an intricate system of financial exploitation and control, the official said. ___ Associated Press writer John Leicester contributed Read More Stock market today: Asian shares mostly fall after Wall Street rallies Australia proposes new laws to detain potentially dangerous migrants who can't be deported New Zealand leader plans to ban cellphone use in schools and end tobacco controls in first 100 days A Hong Kong Court hears final arguments in subversion trial of pro-democracy activists Finland plans to close its entire border with Russia Rosalynn Carter set for funeral and burial in the town where she and her husband were born
2023-11-29 15:48
Iceland volcano – live: Experts reveal exact location for ‘likely’ eruption as magma flow continues
Almost 100 earthquakes shook Iceland from midnight today, as the country remains apprehensive about an imminent eruption. The strongest earthquake with a magnitude of 3.35 hit Vatnafjoll in South Iceland this morning at 5.56am, report the Icelandic Met Office. Yesterday night a seismic swarm started around the dike intrusion just north of the evacuated town of Grindavik. The Icelandic Met Office continues to warn of the “persistent likelihood of an imminent eruption”. In its latest update, the forecaster said there were around 100 earthquakes on Monday, with a “swarm” near the town which lasted just over an hour before midnight. A fortnight ago, Grindavik was evacuated after magma-induced seismic activity tore vast chasms through the streets of the town. While hundreds of earthquakes are still hitting the surrounding area daily, “seismic activity continues to decrease”, said the Icelandic Met Office, adding: “The likelihood of an imminent volcanic eruption diminishes with time.” However, one civil protection official told theThe Independent “It is still dangerous here ... I have never seen anything like it before. Usually we will have a few minutes warning to get out, but with the weather like it is today, we have even less.” Read More What to do with Grindavík: Has Iceland’s #1 selfie spot just emerged out of the ground? Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked Every resident of an Icelandic town was evacuated due to a volcano. Daring rescuers went back to save the pets
2023-11-29 15:48
Defying Pope's calls for climate action, US Catholic bishops cling to fossil fuels
By Richard Valdmanis Hundreds of Catholic institutions around the globe have announced plans to divest their finances of
2023-11-29 14:54