AnewZ Morning Brief - April 27th, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 27th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has been charged with sex trafficking and prostitution, following a decade-long investigation.
Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been criminally charged with sex trafficking and prostitution, involving numerous men.
The charges were revealed by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, ten years after Jeffries stepped down from the clothing retailer, a company known for its sexually provocative marketing. The indictment follows a BBC investigation and lawsuit accusing Jeffries of using modeling jobs to lure young men and exploit them through global travel for sexual abuse.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, warned that for too long, influential individuals have taken advantage of young people pursuing careers in fashion and entertainment through sexual abuse. Peace added, "To anyone who thinks they can exploit and coerce others by using the so-called casting couch system, this case should serve as a warning: Prepare to trade that couch for a bed in federal prison."
Jeffries, 80, along with his partner Matthew Smith, 61, and James Jacobson, 71, were all charged. They allegedly recruited young men, with the indictment including one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of interstate prostitution concerning 15 unidentified victims between 2008 and 2015.
If convicted, they could face life sentences, with mandatory minimums of 15 years for the sex trafficking charges. They also face up to 20 years for the interstate prostitution charges.
During their court appearances, Jeffries and Jacobson were released on bonds of $10 million and $500,000, respectively, and are expected to formally enter pleas in a New York federal court. Prosecutors are pushing for home confinement for both men. Smith, however, was detained due to being considered a flight risk, as he holds dual U.S. and British citizenship.
While Jeffries' and Smith’s lawyers did not provide immediate comments, Jeremy Schneider, Jacobson’s lawyer, refrained from commenting. Abercrombie & Fitch also chose not to comment, as the company is not accused of involvement, and Peace confirmed there is no evidence that the alleged crimes took place on its property.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
Harvey Weinstein faces a new rape and sexual assault trial in New York, nearly a year after his 2020 conviction was overturned, marking a key test of progress in the post-#MeToo era.
A fresh Star Wars adventure is on the way, as Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling officially introduce Star Wars: Starfighter, set to hit cinemas in May 2027.
In a country where hockey is sacred, Canadian politics has skated out of the way.
Mount Paektu, an active stratovolcano straddling the border of North Korea and China, has been officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. This recognition, which marks North Korea’s first natural site on the prestigious list,highlights the mountain’s significant natural and cultural heritage.
Pope Francis has approved the first step towards sainthood for Antoni Gaudi, the modernist architect behind Barcelona's "Sagrada Familia" basilica, the Vatican said on Monday.
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