US envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized verification of Iran’s nuclear program, focusing on uranium enrichment and weaponization, without demanding full dismantlement. While Witkoff suggested Iran doesn’t need to enrich uranium beyond 3.67% for civilian use, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz called for complete dismantlement. Iran rejected this, citing its right to a civilian program under a UN treaty. The UN nuclear watchdog noted Iran’s uranium enrichment nearing weapons-grade levels. Iran set strict terms for talks, opposing “threatening language” and demands on its defense industry. Ava Sinclair 16/04/2025 8:30 am
Former Peruvian President Ollanta Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, have been sentenced to 15 years in prison for money laundering. They were found guilty of accepting illegal funds from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht for Humala’s 2006 and 2011 election campaigns. Humala, a former army officer, gained prominence in 2000 after a military rebellion. His legal issues began post-presidency in 2016, following Odebrecht’s confession of widespread bribery in Latin America. Prosecutors had sought longer sentences for both Humala and Heredia. Ava Sinclair 16/04/2025 8:30 am
Four Russian journalists, Antonina Favorskaya, Artyom Kriger, Konstantin Gabov, and Sergei Karelin, were sentenced to 5.5 years for “extremism” due to alleged ties with Alexei Navalny’s organizations. They were accused of creating content for Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation and YouTube channel. The closed trial in Moscow’s Nagatinsky District Court also imposed a three-year website administration ban. Despite maintaining their innocence, the journalists were found guilty of participating in an extremist community. SOTAvision, their employer, denied the accusations, asserting they never worked for Navalny’s groups. Ava Sinclair 16/04/2025 8:30 am
Australian politicians received about A$245,000 in match tickets from major sporting leagues over nearly two years as part of a lobbying effort against a proposed ban on online gambling advertising. This figure, based on government documents, highlights the involvement of sporting bodies in the lobbying process. Despite a 2023 inquiry recommending a comprehensive ban, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese removed the issue from the legislative agenda, leaving it to a new parliament. Public support for the ban is high, with three-quarters of Australians in favor. The lobbying, while legal, raises concerns about its influence. Ava Sinclair 16/04/2025 8:30 am
The U.K. Supreme Court is set to rule on whether a transgender person with a gender recognition certificate can be legally recognized as a woman under equality laws. This case, brought by For Women Scotland (FWS), challenges a Scottish law that includes transgender women in its definition of women for public board representation. FWS argues this redefinition exceeds parliamentary powers and could impact sex-based rights and single-sex services across the U.K. The challenge was previously rejected but is now being reconsidered by the Supreme Court. Penelope Kingsley 16/04/2025 8:30 am
In the lead-up to a devastating missile attack on Sumy, Ukraine, Russia’s war efforts intensified near the city, which is close to the Russian border. The strikes killed at least 35 people and injured over 100, as civilians sought refuge from ongoing drone and artillery attacks. Russia’s recent territorial gains in Kursk have emboldened its push into Ukraine, with Sumy as a key target. The attack undermines U.S. ceasefire efforts and signals Putin’s disregard for agreements, as he seeks more territorial gains before negotiating. Noah Prescott 16/04/2025 5:00 am
A Russian court convicted journalists Antonina Favorskaya, Kostantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger of extremism for their work with an anti-corruption group founded by Alexei Navalny, sentencing them to 5 1/2 years in prison. The trial, part of a broader crackdown on dissent following Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion, targeted opposition figures and independent journalists. The journalists, linked to Navalny’s Foundation for Fighting Corruption, denied the charges, claiming they were prosecuted for their reporting. Navalny, a prominent Kremlin critic, died in 2024 while imprisoned. Penelope Kingsley 16/04/2025 5:00 am
An Israeli airstrike hit the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in Gaza, killing a medic and wounding nine others, including patients. Hamas reported losing contact with a unit guarding hostage Edan Alexander after a strike. Israeli military did not comment. Prime Minister Netanyahu opposed Palestinian statehood in talks with France. Israel has targeted hospitals, accusing Hamas of using them for military purposes, which hospital staff deny. A recent strike on Al-Ahli Hospital damaged facilities, with Israel claiming it targeted a Hamas center, a claim Hamas denies. Ava Sinclair 16/04/2025 5:00 am
A civil case against Andrew Tate by four women, alleging rape, assault, and coercive control from 2013 to 2015, is potentially a legal first, according to barrister Anne Studd KC. The case argues that coercive control constitutes “intentional infliction of harm,” akin to emotional distress. The women seek damages for assaults and harm, with a trial possibly set for early 2027. Tate denies the allegations, calling them fabrications. The case involves incidents in Luton and Hitchin, with two claimants linked to Tate’s webcam business and two in past relationships with him. Noah Prescott 16/04/2025 1:30 am
A juvenile colossal squid was captured on camera for the first time in its natural habitat, nearly 2,000 feet deep in the South Atlantic Ocean. The footage, recorded by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, marks a significant discovery since the species’ first identification 100 years ago. Dr. Kat Bolstad noted the squid’s elusive nature due to its sensitive eyes. The footage offers insights into their early life behavior. Colossal squids, known for their size and weight, live near Antarctica and were first discovered in 1925 from remains in a sperm whale’s stomach. Noah Prescott 16/04/2025 1:30 am
