An Indian national in US who founded the cryptocurrency investment platform BitConnect has been indicted on charges of orchestrating a global Ponzi scheme worth $ 2.4 billion, federal prosecutors said. As per court documents, Satish Kumbhani (36) of Hemal in Gujarat misled investors about BitConnect’s “Lending Program.” BitConnect reached a peak market capitalisation of $ 3.4 billion, the department of justice said. “This indictment alleges a massive cryptocurrency scheme that defrauded investors of over $ 2 billion,” US attorney Randy Grossman for the southern district of California said. Kumbhani is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and price manipulation, operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business and conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
US national sentenced to death in Pak
A Pakistani court sentenced a US national of Pakistani origin to death for raping and beheading the daughter of Pakistan’s former envoy to South Korea. The body of Noor Mukadam, 27, was found in Islamabad on July 20. Police charged Zahir Jaffer, from one of Pakistan’s wealthiest families, with a murder that has dominated headlines ever since. Investigators say Jaffer lured Mukadam to his home, held her there for two days and then brutally murdered her.
Nepali, Chinese men held in scam targeting Indians
Police in Nepal arrested 115 Nepali and two Chinese nationals for their involvement in running an online fraud loan scheme targeting Indians. They were arrested in separate raids conducted in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur districts in Kathmandu valley for their involvement in fraudulent cyber activities. One of the arrested Chinese national, identified as Chang Hu bao, operated illegal business activities targeting Indians with the help of Nepali youth. A total of 48 laptops and 14 desktop PCs were also confiscated in the raids.
Biden nominates first Black woman SC judge
US President Joe Biden has selected federal appellate judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the first Black woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, the White House said, setting the stage for a confirmation battle in the closely divided Senate. Biden picked Jackson, 51, for a lifetime job on the nation’s top judicial body to succeed retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, who at 83 is the court’s oldest member. Of the 115 people who have ever served on the SC, only two have been Black and both of then were men. Jackson, if confirmed by the Senate, would become the sixth woman ever to serve on the court, which currently has three female justices.
Quake kills 7 in Indonesia’s Sumatra
A strong and shallow earthquake hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing seven people and injuring 85, while causing panic on the island and in neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore. The magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck about 66 km north-northwest of Bukittinggi, a hilly town in West Sumatra province, according to the US Geological Survey. At least four people, including two children, were killed in Pasaman district and three people died in the neighboring district of West Pasaman, which is near the epicenter where dozens of houses and buildings reportedly collapsed, said Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s spokesperson. The quake sent more than 5,000 people fleeing their homes to temporary shelters mostly in the devastated areas of Pasaman and West Pasaman districts.
Kenyatta endorses Odinga
Kanyan President Uhuru Kenyatta officially endorsed long-time rival Raila Odinga. During an address before his Jubilee party supporters, President Kenyatta said Raila Odinga "meant well for the country". He urged leaders from Central Kenya to cast their ballot for 77 year-old Odinga. The presidential elections are set for August 9. It will be the fifth time Odinga runs for president. He will vie for the presidency as the Azimio la Umoja alliance preferred candidate. The alliance is made up of parties such as Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party and Odigan’s Orange Democratic Movement. The president's endorsement of Odinga further isolates deputy President William Ruto, who will run as the United Democratic Alliance nominee.
Kenyan schoolgirl jailed over dormitory fire
A Kenyan schoolgirl has been sentenced to five years in jail over a school dormitory fire that killed 10 fellow students in the capital, Nairobi. The 18-year-old committed the offence in 2017 aged 14 in her first year at Moi Girls School. Parents of those who died in the fire said the sentence was lenient, but were glad justice had been served. The incident shocked the country and raised concerns about the safety of students in boarding schools. This was the most deadly of a spate of fires in Kenyan schools in recent years started by students protesting about issues such as bad food or ill treatment by teachers. The student was found guilty of manslaughter in December 2021 after the court acquitted her of murder.
