Inside Peru's ruthless gold rush as drug gangs turn to illegal mining
In the depths where some find fortunes, Peruvian security contractors had been blindfolded and stripped naked, their hands bound. One uttered a barely audible cry for help. There would be none.
The 13 men who had been held hostage at the Poderosa gold mine in Pataz, a province in northern Peru, were filmed as they were shot dead one by one. Their executioners were careful to make sure they could still be identified when the footage was sent to their families. 'Aim for the neck,' one said earlier this month. 'Not the head.'
Though the precise motive for the attack remains unclear — the security contractors were guarding the mine from criminal gangs — the warning was stark: despite a 15-month state of emergency, and
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The Guardian
12 hours ago
- The Guardian
Defenders of the Amazon: inside the 13 June Guardian Weekly
It's three years since the murders of the journalist Dom Phillips and the Indigenous activist Bruno Pereira, who were both killed on a visit to the remote Javari valley in the Brazilian Amazon. Dom was a Guardian contributor based in Brazil, whose reporting often appeared in the Guardian Weekly. Last week his widow, Alessandra Sampaio, came to visit our London offices along with Beto Marubo, an Indigenous leader from the Brazilian Amazon. From the other side of the world it's easy to feel far removed from the activities of criminal gangs that threaten the Amazon's Indigenous people and plunder its natural resources. But hearing Beto and Alessandra speak so powerfully about the impact of Dom and Bruno's work reminded me why we need to stay focused on a region that defies easy scrutiny. With that in mind, for this week's big story, Tom Phillips (no relation), our Latin America correspondent who worked closely with Dom and Bruno, made a perilous return to the Javari valley to learn how Indigenous defenders are continuing to try to protect their communities and environment. I'd also like to draw your attention to two other projects that continue Dom and Bruno's legacy. First is the Guardian's new audio podcast investigation series Missing in the Amazon, in which Tom for the first time tells the full story of what happened to Dom and Bruno. The second is the book Dom was working on at the time of his death, How to Save the Amazon, which has since been completed by a team including writers and editors at the Guardian. (In this extract, published in the Weekly last month, Dom explains why protecting the Amazon and its people is so important.) Reporting from the Amazon is a costly and dangerous business, but subscribing to the Guardian Weekly magazine is a great way to support our investigative journalism. For more details and to give the Weekly a try, click here. Get the Guardian Weekly delivered to your home address Spotlight | The story of a Gaza mother killed in search of foodA family is reeling from the killing of a woman who walked for hours to an Israeli-backed distribution point with her son and daughter. Malak A Tantesh and Emma Graham-Harrison report Science | How the 'evil twin' of the climate crisis is threatening our oceansIn seas around the world, pH levels are falling. Scientists fear the problem is not being taken seriously enough, as Lisa Bachelor finds at a seawater testing station Interview | Bernie Sanders on Biden, billionaires – and why the Democrats failedThe senator and former Democratic presidential hopeful talks to Zoe Williams about why he and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are trying to build a new progressive movement Opinion | Want to live to 100? It's not just diet and exercise that will helpEvery time her mind goes down the 'optimisation' route, Devi Sridhar is reminded of her job as a public health scientist, looking into the factors that affect how long we will live Culture | CMAT: pop's gobbiest, gaudiest starThe Irish singer-songwriter is going supernova – and whether opining on trans rights, body shaming or capitalism, she's more forthright than ever, as Alexis Petridis found This evocative picture essay had everything to whet my appetite: decaying buildings beautifully photographed by Oscar Espinosa and a story about the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union that took me back to a 1990 trip along the Abkhazian Black Sea coast when the guide proudly named all the sanatoria visible from the boat and which Soviet workers they were designated for. Isobel Montgomery, deputy editor Streaming fraud is a growing concern, undermining fairness and transparency in the creative industry. Technology plays both sides — enabling fraud but also offering tools to fight it. As trust, safety and privacy become more critical in the industry, we must guide it in the right direction, because how we use technology ultimately defines what it becomes. Hyunmu Lee, CRM executive Audio | Inside Australia's mushroom murder trial Video | The Bone Hunter: unearthing the horror of war in Okinawa - documentary Gallery | Pigeons, hats and naps: the best photos from the French Open We'd love to hear your thoughts on the magazine: for submissions to our letters page, please email For anything else, it's Facebook Instagram Get the Guardian Weekly magazine delivered to your home address
BBC News
13 hours ago
- BBC News
Police recover gun from Edinburgh's Roseburn Path in gang feud probe
Police have recovered a firearm from a footpath in Edinburgh thought to be linked to an outbreak of gang cordoned off a large section of Roseburn Path on Friday following the discovery of the weapon as part of Operation Portaledge.A feud between rival criminal gangs in Edinburgh and Glasgow has escalated with firebomb attacks and physical violence in recent Ch Supt David Ferry, of Police Scotland's specialist crime division, said "extensive inquiries" were ongoing. The area, which is regularly used by cyclists and walkers, remains closed off between Roseburn Terrace and Ravelston is also earmarked to be the route for an extension to Edinburgh's tram line. Police said they had now recovered "a number of weapons" in connection with the began investigating a feud between rival groups in the east and west of the country earlier this year following a series of incidents.A total of 42 people have been arrested as part of the operation as of last week, according to the vehicles were set alight in suspected targeted attacks in the Niddrie area, where the feud initially started, on Ch Supt Ferry said: "I hope this latest find helps to reassure the community of our continued resolve to target organised crime."Extensive inquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone who knows something that could assist with our investigation to please contact to us." Timeline of the feud 2 March: The unrest first breaks out when a car is set on fire in the Parrotshot area of Edinburgh.6 March: A beauty salon in Edinburgh is the first building to be hit after it was set alight in the early hours of the morning.16 March: A property in Milton Road East, Portobello was next to be set on fire.20 and 21 March: Reports of shots being fired in Marischal Crescent, Niddrie. Five hours later, shots were also fired in West Pilton Bank, Edinburgh. Police confirmed the incidents were thought to be "linked to groups who are actively targeting each other".3 April: Local officers carried out raids on five houses in Edinburgh and Musselburgh alongside Police Scotland's specialist organised crime team. A number of items relevant to the investigation were seized including weapons, drugs and cash. Two men were arrested and charged with drugs offences.4 April: A house on Hay Drive, in the Niddrie area, was targeted at about 01:20. The blaze quickly spread to a neighbouring property and both were badly damaged. Later that day detectives, supported by firearms officers, executed two additional firearms search warrants in the Leith area of Edinburgh. Violence moves west 3 April: A house was deliberately set on fire more than 50 miles away in Cortmalaw Gardens, in the Robroyston area of Glasgow.4 April: A premises in Milton Road, Kirkintilloch is next to be targeted.7 April: Three homes are targeted within hours of each other. Properties in Gala Street Street and Ashgill Road, Glasgow, and Meadow Court, Stepps, were all set alight in the early hours.8 April: A fire at a carpet business in Bishopbriggs is the latest business to be hit.12 April: The feud turns violent after a 72-year-old and a 12-year-old are seriously assaulted at a house in Egilsay Crescent in Milton shortly after midnight.14 April: Police Scotland confirm they were called to two fires in Bishopbriggs - one in Colston Drive and one in John Marshall Drive, both at about 12:50. Investigations over whether these fires are linked to the feud are still taking place.17 April: The feud appears to return to the capital after a house in Pitcairn Grove in the Craiglockhart area of Edinburgh is hit. Two fire engines and a height appliance were sent to the scene at about 01:45 to extinguish the flames. Police Scotland said they were considering the attack was linked to the other incidents. Spanish shootings 1 June: Two men with gangland connections, Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr, are shot dead at a bar in Spain. Police have said there is no evidence to suggest a link to the feud in the same night, a large property in Bridge of Weir is firebombed.6 June: Police confirm a total of 42 people have been arrested during investigations into the feud, which is given then name Operation than 8,000 homes have been visited and over 1,600 vehicles stopped as part of the current investigation.9 June: A full circle moment as the police are called to a property on Niddrie Marischal Crescent at 03:55 after a Ford Transit van went up in minutes later a Range Rover Evoque was found alight about half a mile away on Campion Road, and the vehicle was also destroyed by fire.11 June: Police recover firearm believed to be linked to violence from Roseburn Path in Edinburgh.
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Premier League cult hero Dimitri Payet set to leave Brazilian side on a free transfer amid sexual assault case after being accused of forcing ex-mistress to 'drink her own urine'
Dimitri Payet has left Brazilian club Vasco da Gama on a free transfer, the club have confirmed, amid a current sexual and physical assault case against the 38-year-old. The former West Ham and France star stands accused of 'physical and psychological violence' towards his former 'mistress', Brazilian lawyer Larissa Natalya Ferrari, who was allegedly forced to drink her own urine and lick the floor during a turbulent seven-month affair. He joined the Brazilian outfit in 2023 after leaving Marseille, where he spent six years following his West Ham departure where he quickly earned himself Premier League cult icon status. While at Vasco da Gama he featured 75 times, scoring seven times and assisting 13 goals, though the club have now announced his time will come to an end. 'Vasco da Gama informs that, in an amicable manner, they have reached an agreement for the early closure of the link with midfielder Dimitri Payet. 'The club thanks the athlete for the professionalism, dedication and respect shown throughout his journey through São Januário, and wishes success in his upcoming challenges. 'For Vasco, Payet has played 77 matches, scored 8 goals and contributed 16 assists. 'Thank you, Payet.' Last month, Brazilian outlet G1 claimed to have obtained a document with details of the case against Payet in which the lawyer attested to suffering from borderline personality disorder, believing the former Rio de Janeiro-based Vasco da Gama star took advantage of her condition. 'Dimitri knew about my passion and psychological problems, using this against me,' she is reported to have said by G1. 'Dimitri convinced me to put my head in the trash, in the toilet, made me drink my own urine and other sexual bizarre acts.' However, according to RMC Sport via Brazilian outlet Extra, the prosecutor's office is now seeking to dismiss the complaint due to a lack of evidence required to charge the 38-year-old. The report states that the plaintiff's defence has appealed the decision. Last month reports claimed that Payet had denied 'physical and psychological violence' towards his 'mistress' in a statement to Brazilian police. The Frenchman was reportedly heard at the Women's Assistance Police Station where he admitted to having a relationship with Ferrari but insisted every act during their union was consensual. Furthermore, Payet, who left his wife of almost 20 years Ludivine and their four children back in his homeland during his time in Brazil, was alleged to have admitted to the acts but maintained that they were consensual and proposed by Ferrari. G1's report mentioned an encounter when Ferrari 'requested slaps during sexual intercourse' and as a result, developed marks on her body. The Frenchman also reportedly claimed that the two used wooden chairs during sexual intercourse, and that, due to Ferrari's light skin, any pressure would lead to marks. It followed Ferrari's impassioned public plea for 'justice', in a statement in which she claimed to have been 'humiliated' by the 38-cap former Les Blues star. 'I want justice because he abused my psychological vulnerability to gain sexual advantage,' she told AFP. 'He demanded proof of love from me, which consisted of humiliation. 'I recorded videos in which I drank my urine, drank water from the toilet bowl, and licked the floor. I'm a lawyer, I would never have made such serious complaints lightly.' It was claimed that Payet refused Ferrari's desire to continue this relationship in France, on the condition he pay her expenses, as his time in the country approached its end. According to the player, the lawyer's behaviour changed from then on, leading to her threatening to 'expose his secrets' if he did not respond within four hours of her birthday message. The 38-year-old had left his wife of almost 20 years (Ludivine) and their four kids back home During his time at Vasco da Gama, Payet played 77 matches, with eight goals and 16 assists Podcast All episodes Play on Apple Spotify Payet's lawyer Sheila Lustoza told G1: 'It is regrettable that confidential records were leaked, but the case reveals with evidence something that is very clear: a woman exercising her freedom and will, as it should be, contrary to what has been publicly narrated up until now. 'The defense is confident that the truth that is proven by documents will demonstrate these facts.' Payet is widely regarded as one of West Ham's most talented players this century but left under a cloud to re-join Marseille after just 18 months in 2017. He stays at the Stade Velodrome for six-and-a-half years before moving to Brazil in 2023. In March, Larissa revealed that they had had a seven-month affair. She wrote in a lengthy statement: 'One thing I want to make clear is that it was never about money. There was no need for it. 'There's not much I can say because there's no explanation or anything to justify it. 'But one thing I want to make extremely clear is that it was never for money, not before, not now. In fact, the last time I went to Rio, I went by bus.'
