Author: admin@primenews

Australia’s financial crime watchdog has launched an investigation into UK online gambling firm Bet365 over its compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Austrac) had ordered an external audit of the firm in 2022. Bet365 did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment. The industry has come under increased scrutiny after online betting surged in during the pandemic. “Businesses without adequate processes in place to manage those risks leave themselves vulnerable to exploitation by criminals,” said Brendan Thomas, the CEO of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Austrac). Austrac investigates…

The man who led the US Treasury under former president Donald Trump, is taking a stake in a troubled regional US bank. New York Community Bank said Steven Mnuchin was part of a group from which it had raised more than $1bn (£790m). It is looking to shore up confidence after facing pressure over risks tied to its property loans. Its share has price dropped more than 60% since late January, when it revealed unexpected losses. The sell-off in shares accelerated last week, when the firm said it had uncovered “material weaknesses” in its processes for reviewing loans and shook…

The company that makes Doritos cut ties with a transgender influencer after reports she posted about violence and paedophilia. Samantha Hudson, a singer and actor from Spain, has around 370,000 Instagram followers and was part of a social media campaign for the brand. In a statement Doritos condemned Hudson’s social media posts. But its short-lived campaign led to calls, led by right-wing activists in the US, to boycott the snack food. Doritos Spain, owned by American food giant Pepsico, said it had ended its relationship with the influencer. “After the campaign started, we were made aware of Samantha’s deleted tweets…

In eastern Ukraine, the tide of this war hasn’t just changed – it’s coming in fast. “We know what’s coming,” says Mariya as she packs up the TV in her flat in Kostyantynivka. She’s having it delivered to Kyiv before making the journey there with her son. “We’re tired all day [and suffer] moods and panic attacks. It’s constantly depressing, and we’re scared.” In February, Russia captured the strategic town of Avdiivka. Since then, the invaders have advanced further west, and taken several villages. Ukraine says its forces are “holding on”. But Russian troops are now attacking in five areas…

Six Indian nationals have been arrested at Bangkok’s international airport for attempting to smuggle a red panda and dozens of other animals out of the country, Thai custom officials say. Snakes, parrots and monitor lizards were among 87 animals seized at Suvarnabhumi Airport, officials said. They were allegedly discovered in the suspects’ checked luggage as they tried to fly to Mumbai. The suspects face a maximum of 10 years behind bars. The Thai customs department released photos showing the red panda – an endangered species – inside a basket, and a parrot shut in a plastic container. Snakes were coiled…

Alabama lawmakers have passed a bill to protect in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics and doctors from lawsuits and criminal prosecution. The state’s supreme court last month ruled that frozen embryos had the same rights as children, and people could be held liable for destroying them. At least three IVF clinics paused treatments after the ruling, causing political fallout for Republicans. The new law will allow the clinics to resume services. The Alabama bill had overwhelming bipartisan support on Wednesday. It passed by a vote of 81-12 in the state’s House and 29-1 in the Senate. Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, quickly…

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to make his first visit to the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley since revoking the region’s semi-autonomy in 2019. Mr Modi will address a rally in Srinagar, just weeks before India’s general election dates are announced. Reports say his Bharatiya Janata Party will mobilise thousands of people to attend the event amid tight security. An armed revolt against Indian rule in the disputed territory has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s. Revoking Article 370 of the Indian constitution had been a poll promise and Mr Modi’s government announced it soon after he won…

A movie set weapons handler who loaded a gun for actor Alec Baldwin before it fired and killed a cinematographer has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found not guilty of a second charge – tampering with evidence over the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. She could now face up to 18 months in prison. Mr Baldwin also faces a manslaughter trial over the fatality. Ms Hutchins, 42, was killed after a gun Mr Baldwin used in a rehearsal fired a live round on the set of the Western in New Mexico.…

A former Google software engineer has been charged in the US with stealing trade secrets about artificial intelligence (AI) while secretly working for two Chinese companies. Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, was indicted in the state of California on four charges and arrested on Wednesday. The Chinese national allegedly stole more than 500 confidential files. He faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines on each count. A lawyer for Mr Ding could not be identified to comment on the case, local media reported. The information he is accused of taking relates to the infrastructure…

A man has been charged with murdering a missing Australian woman whose case has gripped national attention for a month. Samantha Murphy was last seen leaving her home in East Ballarat, Victoria, for a morning run on 4 February. It led to a massive search operation, but authorities have found no trace of the 51-year-old mother of three. A 22-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday at his house in Ballarat, about 115km (70 miles) northwest of Melbourne. He is yet to enter plea. “Our thoughts today are with Samantha’s family and friends,” Detective Acting Supt Mark Hatt from Victoria Police…