Latest news with #Coup
Bloomberg
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Humbled Thai Billionaire Is a Warning to Trump-Era Populists
Upon returning to Thailand after 15 years in exile, Thaksin Shinawatra first bowed to a portrait of the nation's monarch before waving to throngs of cheering supporters who greeted him at an airport in Bangkok. That moment in August 2023 represented a monumental shift for Thaksin, who rose to power at the turn of the century as a populist billionaire demagogue long before the likes of Donald Trump and Elon Musk became major political forces. Once an outside disruptor, Thaksin had suddenly cut a deal and joined forces with the royal establishment that staged a coup against him in 2006 and fought to keep him sidelined ever since.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
What to know about Bolsonaro's trial now that he has testified over an alleged coup plot
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has finally testified before the country's Supreme Court over an alleged plot to remain in power and overturn the 2022 election result. After Bolsonaro and 33 allies were charged in February with five counts related to a plan to remain in power, a five-Justice panel of Brazil 's top court opened a first trial for eight of them, including the former leader. Judges will hear from 26 other defendants in coming months. The former president has repeatedly denied the allegations and said he is the target of political persecution, but kept a soft tone in his testimony on Tuesday. The case stems from a Jan. 8, 2023 riot, when the Supreme Court, Congress and the Presidential Palace in Brasilia, the capital, were stormed by thousands of Bolsonaro supporters. Police say the uprising — which came after current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in — was an attempt to force military intervention and oust the new president. If convicted for the alleged coup, Bolsonaro could be sentenced to up to 12 years. When combined with the other charges, the accused might face decades behind bars. The case might not be over even after a conviction by the panel, which Bolsonaro can appeal before Brazil's Supreme Court full panel. Here's what is next in the trial: Testimonies The testimonies of the eight defendants is the final stage of the evidence collection phase, but their attorneys are allowed to request additional searches to help their case. Legal experts have said it is unlikely that Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the presiding judge and a member of the panel, will allow it. The evidence phase will be deemed complete once de Moraes decides on all requests. Final allegations Fifteen days after the collection phase is finished, Brazil's attorney-general will be allowed to present his final allegations. The attorneys of the defendants will get the same chance. Each of those allegations are expected to take several hours or even days. This needs to be completed before July, when Brazil's Supreme Court enters its recess until August. As soon as the final allegations stage is completed, the sentencing phase starts. Sentencing A Supreme Court panel of five judges will decide whether Bolsonaro and his allies are guilty or not. The judges who will decide the future of Brazil's former president are de Moraes, Cármen Lúcia, Cristiano Zanin, Flávio Dino and Luiz Fux. All of them had public battles with Bolsonaro. De Moraes was the primary judge in several cases against the far-right leader, while Zanin and Dino joined the court as Lula's appointees. Lúcia and Fux were also targets of Bolsonaro during their respective tenures chairing the electoral court and the Supreme Court. Should Bolsonaro be convicted, these judges will also decide his penalty. What if he's found guilty Bolsonaro would still be able to appeal to Brazil's Supreme Court full panel. Brazil's top prosecutor could do the same if the former president is not convicted on all counts. Before any potential jail time, Bolsonaro's lawyers could further delay the conclusion of the trial by asking for clarifications on the decisions of each judge. Legal experts have said all these steps are likely to be concluded by the end of the year. ___ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
Associated Press
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
What to know about Bolsonaro's trial now that he has testified over an alleged coup plot
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has finally testified before the country's Supreme Court over an alleged plot to remain in power and overturn the 2022 election result. After Bolsonaro and 33 allies were charged in February with five counts related to a plan to remain in power, a five-Justice panel of Brazil's top court opened a first trial for eight of them, including the former leader. Judges will hear from 26 other defendants in coming months. The former president has repeatedly denied the allegations and said he is the target of political persecution, but kept a soft tone in his testimony on Tuesday. The case stems from a Jan. 8, 2023 riot, when the Supreme Court, Congress and the Presidential Palace in Brasilia, the capital, were stormed by thousands of Bolsonaro supporters. Police say the uprising — which came after current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in — was an attempt to force military intervention and oust the new president. If convicted for the alleged coup, Bolsonaro could be sentenced to up to 12 years. When combined with the other charges, the accused might face decades behind bars. The case might not be over even after a conviction by the panel, which Bolsonaro can appeal before Brazil's Supreme Court full panel. Here's what is next in the trial: Testimonies The testimonies of the eight defendants is the final stage of the evidence collection phase, but their attorneys are allowed to request additional searches to help their case. Legal experts have said it is unlikely that Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the presiding judge and a member of the panel, will allow it. The evidence phase will be deemed complete once de Moraes decides on all requests. Final allegations Fifteen days after the collection phase is finished, Brazil's attorney-general will be allowed to present his final allegations. The attorneys of the defendants will get the same chance. Each of those allegations are expected to take several hours or even days. This needs to be completed before July, when Brazil's Supreme Court enters its recess until August. As soon as the final allegations stage is completed, the sentencing phase starts. Sentencing A Supreme Court panel of five judges will decide whether Bolsonaro and his allies are guilty or not. The judges who will decide the future of Brazil's former president are de Moraes, Cármen Lúcia, Cristiano Zanin, Flávio Dino and Luiz Fux. All of them had public battles with Bolsonaro. De Moraes was the primary judge in several cases against the far-right leader, while Zanin and Dino joined the court as Lula's appointees. Lúcia and Fux were also targets of Bolsonaro during their respective tenures chairing the electoral court and the Supreme Court. Should Bolsonaro be convicted, these judges will also decide his penalty. What if he's found guilty Bolsonaro would still be able to appeal to Brazil's Supreme Court full panel. Brazil's top prosecutor could do the same if the former president is not convicted on all counts. Before any potential jail time, Bolsonaro's lawyers could further delay the conclusion of the trial by asking for clarifications on the decisions of each judge. Legal experts have said all these steps are likely to be concluded by the end of the year. ___ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
QEII National Trust set to dramatically scale back work
The Remarkables Station near Queenstown is protected with a QEII covenant - having been gifted to the QEII National Trust in 2022. Photo: Supplied Landowners are being told their requests for help conserving precious native land may have to wait, as the QEII National Trust faces a funding crunch. The conservation organisation said it would have to dramatically reduce the number of new covenants it was protecting across the motu from next month, when the Department of Conservation's Jobs for Nature funding ran out. Makarora resident Gary Charteris was among the thousands of landowners who have protected pieces of wetland, grassland or forest under a QEII covenant since 1977, to prevent it ever being developed, cleared or subdivided. Charteris said he wanted to ensure his beloved 30 hectares of pasture, beech forest and native mistletoe would never be sliced up or sold. "At some stage in the future, someone, some property developer, might decide to develop it and subdivide it and build little houses all over it. And I wanted to prevent that," he said. He said the process was straightforward and - with the addition of a walking track last month - gave everyone a chance to enjoy the land. "I've lived here for 40 years and I've had a lot of enjoyment out of just wandering through the bush, and I can't see why other people can't," he said. For each covenant, the Trust helped out with the legal paperwork, survey costs and boundary fencing, and offered advice for pest control, weeding and long-term land care. Despite strong demand for new covenants - with waitlists in some regions - QEII National Trust chief executive Dan Coup said the Trust was preparing to dramatically scale back its work. The Trust relied largely on government funding, and its budget was set to shrink. It protected 141 new covenants in 2024, 153 in 2023, and 170 in 2022 - but next year could look a little different, Coup said. "Next year we will be lucky to be able to do a quarter to a third of the number of covenants we have done over the last few years. So it does mean that there's going to be quite a number of more people that we're going to be turning away or at least saying we can't afford to help you right now," he said. The Trust received annual funding of just over $4.27 million. In February, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced a new $4.5 million funding package over three years. But that coincided with another key funding source coming to an end - the Jobs for Nature programme, funded by the government and administered by the Department of Conservation. It gave the Trust $8 million over four years, from 2021. Coup said the Trust would soon have just a little more than it needed to cover its core operations and support existing landowners. Environmental Defence Society chief executive Gary Taylor - a former QEII National Trust director - was appalled. "I think I think it's ridiculous that QEII is struggling on around about $5 million a year. It should be on $25 million a year and then it would be able to do proportionately a lot more and and do it in a way that's consistent with the government's overall political philosophy and direction," he said. Coup said the Trust had been looking at ways to avoid cutting back on new covenants. "We're obviously talking to officials and politicians as much as we can, and crowdfunding," he said. "We think this is a really effective investment of Crown money to improve both biodiversity but also ecosystems service outcomes for communities." Taylor believed crowdfunding and bequests wouldn't cut it. "I think there's a lot of demand on philanthropic and private investment in conservation at the moment. DOC itself is looking to bulk up its revenue sources with philanthropic support. There's only so much that philanthropy can do," he said. "This is something that requires so little additional funding to make it really roll that we should look to government to support. We could take $25 million out of Shane Jones's $200 million for oil and gas and that would give us something meaningful." In a statement, Potaka reiterated his support for the trust and its important mahi protecting landscapes and ecosystems. Asked if the government would consider additional funding for QEII, he said like with many other important conservation projects, further budget investments would be "considered in due course".
Geek Girl Authority
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
How to Master Bluffing Tactics in Popular Tabletop Games
Bluffing is one of the most entertaining mechanics in tabletop gaming. Whether you're trying to outwit your friends in a tense round of The Resistance , baiting an opponent in Coup , or trying not to smile during a game of Skull , the art of deception often means the difference between winning and losing. While strategy and planning play a big role in tabletop gaming, bluffing adds another layer of complexity, one that leans into social cues, timing, and sometimes outright lying. A good bluff creates tension. It shifts suspicion, confuses opponents, and forces others at the table to second-guess their choices. Unlike in traditional games of skill, bluffing hinges not just on what cards or resources you hold, but on what others think you might be hiding. Mastering this skill requires a mix of boldness, restraint, and psychological awareness. The Poker Parallel: Where Bluffing Began Many of the best bluffing strategies used in modern tabletop games have their roots in classic card games, most notably poker. In poker, bluffing is a key tactic in which players bet and raise when they have strong hands, but also when they're attempting to force opponents to fold. Bluffing well in poker involves controlling body language, managing betting patterns, and understanding player tendencies. The same principles can be applied when bluffing in various tabletop games. This skill isn't limited to the casino floor. Online poker has become a global phenomenon, and every serious player knows the value of well-timed deception. While playing at a general iGaming platform or in an online poker room , players rely less on physical cues and more on timing, betting behavior, and opponent history. These sites usually also offer added benefits like fast payouts, bonuses, and other perks that can be used to augment betting strategies. Platforms like these also show how digital poker has evolved, allowing for strategic bluffing even without face-to-face interaction. Players learn to pick up on hesitation in bet timing or on sudden aggression as telltale signs of a bluff or a trap. Learning these cues is essential to the game. Know the Rules Before You Bend Them Before attempting to bluff in a tabletop game, it's important to understand the rules inside and out. Bluffing only works when others believe you're playing within the rules. In Sheriff of Nottingham , for instance, the whole game revolves around lying about what's in your bag of goods. You can declare you're transporting cheese when you're smuggling crossbows, but if the Sheriff knows how the rules work and sees you getting too confident, they may decide to inspect. Knowing the rules allows you to fake certainty or feign ignorance depending on what the situation requires. In games like Secret Hitler or Blood on the Clocktower , knowledge is power. Players who seem unsure of the rules become easier targets for suspicion, while those who are confident can manipulate the table with ease. Control Your Reactions In games where bluffing is allowed or expected, your face is part of the game board. Facial expressions, hesitation, eye contact, and tone of voice all communicate more than you might intend. If you're someone who cracks under pressure, practice saying lies out loud with a steady tone and neutral body language. A successful bluff doesn't look like a bluff. In games such as The Resistance : Avalon , players are often forced to lie outright about their loyalty. Someone who fidgets too much, avoids eye contact, or nervously defends themselves might seem suspicious, even when they're telling the truth. On the other hand, players who remain too quiet or neutral can attract suspicion for different reasons. For this reason, striking a balance between participation and restraint is key. Use Information as a Weapon In social deduction games, information is currency. How you share or withhold it can shape perceptions around the table. In Codenames , the spymaster has to give clues without giving away too much. While not a bluffing game per se, the psychology is similar: one must carefully choose what others know and guess how it might be interpreted. In bluffing-heavy games like Coup , it's all about claiming power roles you may not actually have. Knowing what roles are still in play and understanding what opponents are likely to do helps craft believable bluffs. If you know someone is likely holding a Contessa, claiming to have one yourself might be riskier. However, if several have been revealed already, it becomes more believable. Timing is Everything Bluffing too often makes it predictable. The best deceivers pick their moments. If you're always bluffing, opponents will eventually catch on. In Bang! , claiming to be the renegade every game gets old fast. Vary your behavior and give others a chance to question what's real and what's a trick. There are also moments in games where bluffing can change the tide dramatically. Late-game rounds in Skull become tense because one wrong call can cost you the game. That's the perfect time to raise a bet and bluff hard, when it's all or nothing. A calm demeanor, even when you're bluffing big, will unsettle players who are second-guessing their own moves. Understand Your Group Every gaming group has different social dynamics. Some players are more confrontational, some more passive, and others enjoy causing chaos. Bluffing in a group of first-time players may call for more subtlety. In contrast, seasoned gamers might expect double-bluffs or calculated risks. If your group is more logic-based, craft bluffs with game mechanics in mind. For social groups that thrive on chaos and conversation, focus more on emotional manipulation and storytelling. Being able to read your group and adjust your approach is a skill that will serve you across all games that include deception. Learn From Each Game One of the best ways to get better at bluffing is through experience. Win or lose, think about what worked and what didn't. Did someone call your bluff too quickly? Did you get away with a bold move? Keeping mental notes or journaling your strategies can help you become more unpredictable in future sessions. Sometimes the bluff isn't about you. It's about planting seeds of doubt in someone else's mind or letting two other players clash while you fly under the radar. Bluffing is as much about guiding the narrative as it is about hiding your own intentions. The next time you sit down at the table, pay attention to more than just your cards. Watch your friends, time your moves, and remember: the truth is only powerful if no one knows it's real. In the world of tabletop games, a good bluff is worth far more than a good hand. DOCTOR WHO: 'The Interstellar Song Contest' Ending, Explained RELATED: TV Review: Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 4, 'Lucky Day'
