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Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously approve security law giving the government more power to curb dissent

Yesterday, the legislative council of Hong Kong, which aligns with pro-Beijing sentiments, approved a stringent national security law, set to be enforced starting Saturday. This new statute aims to intensify the penalties for activities considered as dissent or espionage. It arrives in the aftermath of numerous arrests of activists and journalists who were involved in the 2019 protests against the government.

This legislation, referred to as Article 23 and deriving its name from a clause in Hong Kong's post-1997 mini-constitution, was expedited through the city's legislature. It builds upon a national security law imposed by China in 2020, introducing severe consequences, including life imprisonment, for acts of treason and rebellion. Furthermore, it criminalizes the unauthorized sharing of sensitive state information. It acts of 'foreign interference,' a term so broadly defined that it has raised concerns among the international business community in Hong Kong, which includes over 6,000 overseas firms. Additionally, the law empowers Hong Kong's chief executive to enact related legal provisions without legislative approval, with offenses under these provisions subject to up to seven years in prison.

Efforts to enact a similar law in 2003 were abandoned after widespread public dissent. Today, as Hong Kong's administration grows more closely aligned with Beijing, the city is on a path to further integration with mainland China by 2047, which marks 50 years since its handover from the United Kingdom.

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Brazil’s Bolsonaro is indicted for 1st time over alleged falsification of his vaccination status

Brazilian authorities have charged ex-President Jair Bolsonaro with manipulating COVID-19 vaccination records in the nation's health system. In December 2022, he was accused of altering records to suggest that he, his daughter, and several close allies were vaccinated. Additionally, he is implicated in forming a criminal plot with his staff to input this deceptive information.

This indictment arises from an extensive probe into Bolsonaro's actions, given his public vaccine skepticism and suspicions that he altered vaccine documentation to evade international travel restrictions. This is Bolsonaro's initial indictment amidst multiple inquiries, including allegations of corruption tied to vaccine procurement from India's Bharat Biotech in 2021 and involvement in a purported coup attempt the following year.

The next steps involve Brazil's attorney general, who will determine the pursuit of these charges, potentially leading to a Supreme Court trial. A conviction could result in up to 12 years imprisonment for health data falsification and an additional four years for the criminal association charge. Bolsonaro maintains his innocence in these matters.

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Unilever bought Ben & Jerry's 24 years ago. Now it's exiting the ice cream business.

Unilever, a leading multinational in consumer goods, has announced it will divest its ice cream business by the end of 2025, aligning with an extensive company reshaping strategy that includes the elimination of 7,500 positions to save $870 million within three years. The corporation is renowned for its top-tier ice cream labels such as Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, and Magnum, with its stock value rising 3% following the announcement.

As the foremost producer of soap globally, Unilever boasts a portfolio that features prominent brands like Dove, Hellmann's, Vaseline, and Axe. The company's $8 billion ice cream sector, reliant on energy-intensive cooling distribution networks, has not performed as well as anticipated in recent times, especially when compared to its more lucrative personal care segment, amid falling sales figures. Newly appointed CEO Hein Schumacher unveiled a strategy focusing on Unilever's top 30 brands to streamline operations and boost growth.

This strategic shift marks the end of Unilever's often eventful 24-year association with Ben & Jerry's, a brand celebrated for its engaging flavors and vocal political stances.

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