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Zelenskyy forced to rethink anti-corruption law after public backlash

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to introduce new legislation that will restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine after fierce public opposition and international condemnation over signing a law that targeted Ukraine’s independent anti-corruption institutions.

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In a sudden turn of events, Zelenskyy posted a video on X in which he said, «Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days – on social media, to each other, on the streets. It’s not falling on deaf ears. We analyzed all concerns, all aspects of what needs to be changed and what needs to be stepped up.

«I will propose a bill to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine that will be the response. It will ensure the strength of the rule of law system, and there will be no Russian influence or interference in the activities of law enforcement. And very importantly – all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place,» he said according to a translated version on the screen.

UKRAINE SEES SWEEPING PROTESTS OVER BILL WEAKENING ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCIES

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Mass protests erupted in Kyiv and across Ukraine in opposition to the law, the largest anti-government demonstrations since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Zelenskyy to express her strong concerns and convey Brussels’ disapproval of the bill.

One source close to the situation, who asked to remain anonymous, told Fox News Digital that the incident should give President Zelenskyy pause as to whether he is getting the best counsel from his closest people. 

The individual with ties to the Ukraine government said this propaganda bonanza for Russia is a self-inflicted wound and also shows the president and his team have misread public sentiment.

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Many Ukrainians and Western allies fear the current turmoil could jeopardize their path to join the European Union and fracture society’s unity while the country faces continued Russian onslaughts.

Although he signed the original bill, Zelenskyy said with the announcement of the new bill that it will ensure the independence of anti-corruption bodies and also eliminate Russian influence over their activities. In defending the previous legislation, he claimed that Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure was infiltrated by Russia.

Ukrainians protest in the first wartime rally against a newly passed law, which curbs independence of anti-corruption institutions, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in central Lviv, Ukraine July 22, 2025.  (Roman Baluk/Reuters)

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The previous bill that passed on Tuesday allowed Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, appointed by the president, wide authority over cases before the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), an anti-corruption agency that was championed by the United States and Europe. It gave the prosecutor general the sweeping power to transfer cases from NABU and usurp other powers from the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), the agency responsible for prosecuting NABU’s cases.

UKRAINE’S ZELENSKYY NAMES NEW PRIME MINISTER FOR FIRST TIME SINCE RUSSIA’S WAR BEGAN

«That is tantamount to being able to squash any legal accountability for corruption,» Josh Rudolph, anti-corruption expert and senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, told Fox News Digital.

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Rudolph noted that the heads of NABU and SAPO are highly reputable professionals and were selected with the concurrence of Ukraine’s international partners, a key component of joining the EU.

«Zelenskyy could have come out as a hero or a villain if he signed the bill. It was a moment of truth,» Orysia Lutsevych, Head of Ukraine Forum, Chatham House, told Fox News Digital. Even though Zelenskyy listened to public opinion and ultimately backed down, his overall popularity continues to take a hit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (not in picture) hold a joint press conference during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC2025) at Roma Convention Center La Nuvola, on July 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy (Antonio Masiello/Getty Image)

Ukraine has been plagued by government corruption since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Many Ukraine watchers are worried that efforts to rollback anti-corruption initiatives will be fodder for Russian propaganda and fracture Ukraine’s unity at a critical time in the war.

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«Russia can and will use Ukraine’s move to restructure anti-corruption agencies to argue lack of unity, support for the government, and internal disagreements. It will again apply its propaganda arguments about legitimacy of Zelenskyy and the need for elections,» Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of Kyiv School of Economics, told Fox News Digital.

Putin

In this handout photo taken from video released by Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023.  (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)

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Russian President Vladimir Putin claims Zelenskyy is illegitimate and has called for new elections in Ukraine. Elections were scheduled for March 2024 but postponed while the country remains at war and under martial law.

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The disunity within Ukraine comes at a time when Russian forces are escalating large-scale missile and drone strikes in Kyiv and across the country. Russian forces continue to make advances while Kyiv urgently pleads with Europe and the United States to send air defense systems and other key weapons to limit Moscow’s battlefield gains.


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Dublin protesters clash with police, burn vehicle after migrant accused of sexually assaulting Irish girl

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Protesters set a police car on fire and hurled glass bottles at officers in Dublin, Ireland, on Tuesday night after an illegal migrant was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old Irish girl who was in state care.

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The violence erupted outside the City West Hotel, a sprawling former hotel-turned migrant center where an illegal migrant — who had deportation orders standing against him — is accused of attacking the girl late Sunday night.

Irish police, An Garda Síochána, said that six people were arrested during the clashes and one female police officer suffered a foot injury.

HERE’S WHY IRELAND IS AT BOILING POINT OVER MASS IMMIGRATION

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Onlookers film a Garda vehicle burning as a demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers turned violent in Saggart, southwest Dublin, on Oct. 21, 2025. Police in riot gear clashed with hundreds of protesters after allegations that a 10-year-old girl was sexually assaulted. (Peter Murphy / AFP via Getty Images)

Police said their officers were subject to «sustained attacks» as they tried to cordon off the building. Nearly 300 police were dispatched to the area in Saggart.

Some protesters were seen waving Irish flags while others could be heard chanting, «Get them out, get them out,» in reference to the 2,000 migrants living at the shelter.

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Police said protesters hurled hundreds of empty glass bottles from nearby garbage containers and bricks at officers, while fireworks were also discharged. A police helicopter was targeted with lasers, a spokesperson said.

Men on horseback attempted to breach police lines by charging at law enforcement, police said. Police used pepper spray as they tried to disperse the crowd.

«An Garda Síochána facilitates peaceful protests on a daily basis. This was obviously not a peaceful protest,» Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said in a statement. «The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against Gardaí.»

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Protester films as Garda vehicle burns during violent Dublin protest.

A protester films as a Garda vehicle burns during violent clashes outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Saggart, southwest Dublin, on Oct. 21, 2025. (Peter Murphy / AFP via Getty Images)

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin condemned the attacks on police and said there was «no justification for the vile abuse against them.»

On Wednesday, he said the girl who was allegedly raped had not been protected by the state and the circumstances around the alleged attack are of «deep concern.»

THOUSANDS MARCH IN DUBLIN AGAINST IRELAND’S MASS MIGRATION POLICIES AS MCGREGOR PURSUES PRESIDENTIAL BID

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The victim was in the care of child protection services, known as «Tusla,» which said she had absconded from staff during a planned recreational trip in the city center. It is unclear how she got in contact with the suspect.

The suspect, who is in his 20s, is originally from Africa, according to the Irish Mirror. He arrived in Ireland six years ago and failed his application for international protection in 2024 and was ordered deported in March, according to the Irish Times.

The incident took place on the grounds of Citywest, a former hotel which for the last few years has been housing migrants seeking international protection. 

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The Irish government bought the hotel in September for around $150 million with the aim of turning it into a permanent migrant facility despite several protests by locals.

Protester waves Irish flag in front of riot police during Dublin protest.

A protester waves the Irish flag in front of riot police on Oct. 21, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. Demonstrators gathered outside the Citywest Hotel after police arrested a foreign national in connection with the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl.  (Getty Images)

Tensions around mass immigration continue to bubble since November 2023 when hundreds of rioters looted shops, set fire to vehicles and threw rocks at police officers after three young children were stabbed outside a school allegedly by an Algerian-born suspect who had become an Irish citizen.

Last week, a 17-year-old Ukrainian was murdered just days after he came to Ireland and was placed in asylum care operated by Tusla. A Somalian youth, also an asylum seeker and described as a minor, has been charged with his murder, according to RTE News.

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A homeless foreign national was arrested and charged last week with the murder of an 89-year-old Irish woman, per the Irish Independent.

On Friday, Irish people go to the polls to elect a new president.

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europe,crime,ireland,immigration,illegal immigrants,migrant crime,police and law enforcement

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Government shutdown knowledge: gaming out its potential end

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«I know that I know nothing» – Socrates

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«You don’t know nothing» – Baseball Legend Yogi Berra

Socrates may have been claiming ignorance, Berra was talking about baseball, but both may as well have been talking about the government shutdown.

So when will it end?

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«You shouldn’t ask me because I’m the guy who said it’ll only last five days,» Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said on Fox. «But I will tell you, a couple of Democrat senators recently indicated that they think this is going to go ‘til at least the first of November.»

However, Biggs added that he doesn’t «see an end in sight.»

GOVERNMENT ENTERS LONGEST FULL SHUTDOWN IN US HISTORY WITH NO END IN SIGHT

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The government shutdown is now entering its fourth week. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Whether you are Socrates or Yogi Berra, we don’t know «nothing.» Which technically means that we do know something.

However, I do know proper grammar.

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The one thing that I do know in this case is that I don’t know anything about ending the government shutdown.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN STALLS AS DEMOCRATS DEMAND OBAMACARE SUBSIDY EXTENSION

Regardless… Is it even possible to game out when the government shutdown may end?

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Congressional Republicans believed that Democrats would fold after a matter of days once funding lapsed in the wee hours of Oct. 1. Then Republicans argued that Democrats would cry «uncle» once federal workers missed their first paycheck last week. Later, the GOP suggested Democrats would keep the government shuttered through the «No Kings» rallies around the country last weekend.

The GOP argued that Democrats needed to show their base that they were «fighting» against President Donald Trump.

«Now that they had their protests, I just pray that they come to their senses and re-open the government this week,» said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

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Rep. Andy Biggs

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., says he doesn’t «see an end in sight.»  (Getty Images)

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accused Republicans of continually changing their reasons for why Democrats are blocking the GOP bill to fund the government.

«In a few days, it will be about something else,» Jeffries said.

So, we enter the ice age of Congressional inactivity as the government shutdown enters its fourth week.

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Who could have predicted it?

Then again, who could have predicted thieves could make off with millions of dollars of jewelry inside the Louvre in an historic heist? At least the bandits stole our attention away from the government shutdown for a bit.

SHUTDOWN STANDSTILL: NO HEADWAY UNTIL THERE’S ‘INCENTIVE,’ POLITICOS LAMENT

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That said, everyone knows (even if they won’t say it publicly) who will likely end the government shutdown: Trump.

He’s not just the president. Trump has a sway over Republicans in Congress that Ronald Reagan could only envy. So until he joins the fray, the government will remain closed.

«Donald Trump definitively needs to get involved. He needs to get off the sidelines. Get off the golf course and actually decide to end the shutdown that he’s created and that he has allowed to happen,» Jeffries said.

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«Donald Trump, instead of leaving the country before he leaves the country, should sit down and negotiate with us so we can address this horrible crisis,» said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. «The president should meet with us. It’s not me, him or anything political. It’s that the people are in crisis every day.»

trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One

President Trump met with Republican lawmakers this week. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The president did meet with lawmakers this week, holding court with Senate Republicans for lunch in the renovated Rose Garden.

«Did you notice the white marble floor?» quipped the president.

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But Democrats contend that Trump huddled with the wrong party. Schumer characterized it as «a Rose Garden pep rally.»

Trump implored Democrats to bend – and vote for the GOP spending bill.

«They’re getting killed in the polls,» he said.

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SCREAMING MATCH ERUPTS BETWEEN HAKEEM JEFFRIES, MIKE LAWLER AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CHAOS CONTINUES

«Shouldn’t the president get involved in negotiations at this stage to end this?» yours truly asked Johnson.

«We’re not going [to] pay a ransom to reopen the federal government,» replied the speaker.

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«Isn’t the only key to end this shutdown to just have a sit-down negotiation with both sides?» I countered.

«Republicans have nothing to offer to Democrats,» replied Johnson.

Mike Johnson standing in a congressional doorway

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., meanwhile, contends that «Republicans have nothing to offer Democrats.» (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

In fact, some Republicans argued that Trump shouldn’t even negotiate.

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«If I’ve learned anything about President Trump, it’s his timing. I think that he feels like the timing is not right now. We’re winning the messaging war,» said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan. «So there’ll be a time. But the time is not ripe yet.»

It’s unclear when that time may come, considering that the government has remained shuttered for more than three weeks.

And two weeks ago, Republicans torched Schumer for declaring things got «better» for Democrats the longer the shutdown dragged on, but shutdown fatigue is now setting in on Capitol Hill.

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BATTLEGROUND REPUBLICANS HOLD THE LINE AS JOHNSON PRESSURES DEMS ON SHUTDOWN

«Welcome to day 22 of the Democrats’ shutdown,» Johnson declared at the now sonorous daily press briefings delivered by both sides.

«This does suck,» said Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., on Fox Business about the shutdown.

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Lawmakers are now seeking shutdown daylight.

«The hope is that we get this shutdown resolved before the end of the month,» Jeffries said.

Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., expresses hope that the shutdown will be resolved by the end of the month. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

There’s worry about how the shutdown might impact national parks.

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«(Here are) the more negative consequences that we’ll start to see without regular staffing. Litter will pile up and park ecosystems will be affected,» said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, R-Ark.

Both parties are convinced they’re prevailing in the shutdown.

«What I did hear on our telephone town hall repeatedly (is) ‘Don’t you guys give into these hostage takers,’» said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho. «I heard that repeatedly.»

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«It’s resonating with Americans. What I’m hearing from people in Connecticut is ‘hang tough,’» said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

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The Senate holds a test vote Thursday on a bill to pay essential workers who are on the job without a paycheck, but Democrats are skeptical.

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«I’d be in favor of paying the federal workers,» said Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. «That bill, unfortunately, gives a lot of latitude to the president to pick and choose, or, I should say, (White House Budget Director) Russell Vought to pick and choose (who gets paid).»

So while shutdown weariness sets in, no one knows when it might end.

It is said that knowing what you don’t know actually constitutes true knowledge.

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And if no one knows the end of the shutdown, that must mean that everyone is pretty smart.

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Detuvieron a la gemela de una mujer acusada de matar a cuatro personas: “Asesina serial como su hermana”

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El Ministerio Público de San Pablo acusó formalmente a las gemelas Roberta Cristina Veloso Fernandes y Ana Paula Veloso Fernandes de ser “asesinas seriales”. Ambas están presas por una serie de envenenamientos cometidos entre enero y mayo en los estados de San Pablo y Río de Janeiro.

Los fiscales sostienen que Roberta “instigó” y “alentó” a Ana Paula a cometer los crímenes, llegando incluso a participar en la planificación de los ataques.

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Leé también: Brasil: investigan a una estudiante de Derecho acusada de matar con veneno a su exnovio y a tres víctimas más

Por primera vez, la Justicia brasileña calificó a Roberta como “asesina serial”, igual que a su hermana.

Ana Paula Velloso Fernandes habría asesinado a cuatro personas con veneno. (Foto: gentileza O Globo).

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“Estamos ante otra ‘serial killer’”, escribieron los fiscales Rodrigo Merli Antunes y Vania Caceres Stefanoni en la denuncia contra Roberta. “Demuestra ser una asesina en serie, igual que su hermana”, apuntaron.

Cómo operaban las gemelas: veneno y móviles económicos

Las investigaciones revelaron que las hermanas usaban veneno en bebidas y alimentos para eliminar a sus víctimas, casi siempre por motivos económicos. Un informe pericial confirmó la presencia de insecticida en los frascos encontrados en la vivienda de Ana Paula, en Guarulhos, en la región metropolitana de San Pablo.

Leé también: El caso que sacudió a Mar del Plata: mató a su marido dándole veneno para ratas, la condenaron y destapó un infierno familiar

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Según la causa, Ana Paula también “sentía placer al matar”. Además, no actuó sola: Michelle Paiva da Silva, de 43 años e hija de una de las víctimas, está acusada de haber pagado 4 mil reales a las gemelas para que envenenaran y mataran a su propio padre, de 65 años.

Ana Paula fue detenida en julio, Roberta en agosto y Michelle en octubre. El Ministerio Público pidió que la prisión de Roberta pase de temporaria a preventiva y que pague 80 mil reales como reparación mínima a las familias de las cuatro víctimas.

Encontraron un frasco con un potente insecticida en la casa de Ana Paula. (Foto: gentileza Metrópoles/g1).

Encontraron un frasco con un potente insecticida en la casa de Ana Paula. (Foto: gentileza Metrópoles/g1).

Quiénes son las víctimas de las gemelas

  • Marcelo Hari Fonseca: dueño de la casa que alquilaba Ana Paula en Guarulhos. Murió el 31 de enero tras comer un sándwich que posiblemente estaba envenenado. Tras su muerte, la estudiante universitaria comenzó a exigir a la familia del hombre que le permitiera permanecer en la residencia. La mujer afirmó tener una relación romántica con él, lo cual es falso, según la policía.
  • Maria Aparecida Rodrigues: conoció a Ana Paula a través de una app de citas. Luego fue a la casa de la estudiante, donde comió una torta presuntamente envenenada. Regresó a su casa en Guarulhos, se sintió mal y murió el 11 de abril.
  • Neil Corrêa da Silva: padre de Michelle, amigo de Ana Paula y excompañero de la universidad. Según la policía, su hija pagó a la asesina en serie R$4.000 para viajar a Duque de Caxias, Río de Janeiro, donde vivía el hombre de 65 años. La mujer le puso veneno en sus porotos. El hombre murió el 26 de abril.
  • Hayder Mhazres: un joven tunecino de 21 años que conoció Ana Paula a través de una aplicación de citas. Según la policía, tras iniciar una relación con ella, quiso terminarla, lo que llevó a la estudiante a matarlo. La mujer le habría servido un licuado envenenado. Tras su muerte, la familia de la víctima declaró que Ana Paula afirmó estar embarazada de su hijo y les había pedido dinero. Según la investigación, mintió sobre el embarazo.

En un interrogatorio grabado, Ana Paula admitió haber matado animales con veneno. Según el diario Estadao, la estudiante también habría matado a 14 perros para probar la eficacia del veneno.

Si se confirman las muertes, la sospechosa también podría ser acusada ​​de crueldad animal.

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Leé también: Sanae Takaichi hizo historia y se convirtió en la primera ministra de Japón

El caso que estremece a Brasil

La historia de las gemelas Veloso Fernandes, acusadas de planear y ejecutar una serie de asesinatos con veneno, mantiene en vilo a la opinión pública de Brasil. La Justicia avanza en el proceso y busca determinar el alcance real de los crímenes y la responsabilidad de cada una de las involucradas.

Brasil, asesino serial

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