China's Ministry of Public Security announced Wednesday that Li Xiong, a key member of a major cross-border gambling and fraud syndicate, had been extradited from Cambodia to China.
Li is suspected of involvement in a range of offenses, including operating gambling dens, fraud, unlawful business operations, and concealing and disguising the proceeds of criminal operations. He has been placed under coercive measures, and the case remains under investigation, authorities said.
The ministry added that several other influential members of the syndicate had already been apprehended, and that it would step up efforts to pursue and bring remaining fugitives to justice.
Earlier this year, Chen Zhi, ringleader of the cross-border gambling and fraud syndicate, was extradited from Cambodia to China.
Key suspect from cross-border gambling, fraud syndicate extradited from Cambodia to China
Israel has moved to hike up fuel costs starting Wednesday, setting the highest prices in nearly four years, as the impact of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran sees global oil prices soar.
The country's Energy Ministry announced Monday that starting from April 1, the price of unleaded 95-octane gasoline would rise to 8.05 shekels (over 2.5 U.S. dollars) per liter, up from 7.02 shekels, representing a 14.7 percent increase.
The ministry said the hike was necessitated by a nearly 50 percent rise in fuel prices across Mediterranean countries, amid higher global oil costs linked to the ongoing war with Iran and concerns over the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital passageway vital that carries about one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade.
In addition, the ministry said the exchange rate for the shekel also rose slightly by about 2 percent, which has pushed up Israel's import costs and further contributed to the increase in fuel prices.
Gasoline prices at Israeli gas stations are set by the Energy Ministry at the end of each month, based on the average fuel prices in the Mediterranean region and the exchange rate of the local currency.
The new price is the highest for more than three and a half years, with ministry figures showing the last peak was 8.08 shekels per liter in July 2022.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan TV News reported that the government is considering intervening to lower prices by cutting the excise tax. The finance ministry is opposed to the move, however, citing increased spending tied to the war and the need to preserve fuel tax revenues.
The conflict erupted on Feb. 28 when Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on the Iranian capital Tehran and several other cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran has responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Israel raises fuel prices to nearly four-year-high as oil costs soar amid Iran war
