Saudi Arabia releases 2024 Vision 2030 progress report
Saudi Arabia on Friday unveiled its annual report highlighting the Kingdom’s advancements toward achieving the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 during the year 2024.
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges, including 15 counts of prostitution. He remains free on a $10 million bond, while the retailer expresses its "appalled" stance and faces a drop in shares.
Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges of running an international sex trafficking scheme while leading the retailer.
Jeffries, 80, who held the position from 1992 to 2014, entered his plea to one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of prostitution before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione in Suffolk County, New York. He is free on a $10 million bond, secured by his Fishers Island home, but is under home confinement with GPS monitoring.
James Jacobson, an associate of Jeffries, also pleaded not guilty to the same charges and faces similar bail conditions. Jeffries' partner, Matthew Smith, has been ordered detained and will plead later to the same 16 charges.
Prosecutors allege the scheme ran from 2008 to 2015, claiming Jacobson recruited men under the pretense of modeling jobs to fulfill the sexual desires of Jeffries and Smith.
Victims reportedly faced coercion, including forced alcohol and drug consumption, and were made to sign nondisclosure agreements. Prosecutors identified 15 victims, with the defendants facing potential prison sentences of 15 years to life for sex trafficking and up to 20 years for interstate prostitution.
Jeffries and Jacobson's next court appearance is set for December 12.
Following the charges, Abercrombie stated it was "appalled and disgusted" by the accusations and emphasized its commitment to a values-driven organization since Jeffries' departure. Abercrombie's shares have dropped 11% since the charges were announced.
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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