Charles Michel says peace progress in Caucasus ‘encouraging’
President Emeritus of the European Council Charles Michel has said he is “confident” in the progress of peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armen...
Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced on Friday to more than four years in prison following his July conviction on prostitution-related charges.
The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul was found guilty of arranging paid escorts to travel across state lines for drug-fuelled sexual performances involving Combs’ girlfriends.
Combs, who founded Bad Boy Records and is credited with elevating hip-hop in American culture, was acquitted of more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges, which could have carried a life sentence. He pleaded not guilty and plans to appeal the conviction. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan federal court.
During the two-month trial, prosecutors argued Combs coerced two former girlfriends – singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known as Jane – into participating in performances through threats and physical abuse. Surveillance footage showed Combs kicking and dragging Ventura in 2016 after a performance. Jane testified that Combs attacked her last year and pressured her into sexual acts with a male escort.
Combs’ lawyers acknowledged past physical abuse but maintained the women consented to some of the sexual performances. Both women testified that they sometimes participated out of love and a desire to please him.
Combs’ defence argued for a 14-month sentence, noting he taught a six-week business and personal development course for fellow inmates at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, called “Free Game with Diddy.” Inmates wrote essays on lessons learned from Combs’ life. Lawyers also stressed his acquittal on sex trafficking and racketeering should limit how his abuse played into sentencing.
Prosecutors pushed for a longer term, citing federal guidelines that call for stricter penalties when offences involve threats or bodily harm. They pointed out that others convicted of violent, prostitution-related crimes regularly receive significant prison terms.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
A tsunami threat was issued in Chile after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday. The epicenter was located 135 miles south of Puerto Williams on the north coast of Navarino Island.
The war in Ukraine has reached a strategic impasse, and it seems that the conflict will not be solved by military means. This creates a path toward one of two alternatives: either a “frozen” phase that can last indefinitely or a quest for a durable political regulation.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
Snapchat will start charging users who store more than 5GB of photos and videos in its Memories feature, prompting backlash from long-time users.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles III at Windsor Castle on 24 October, ahead of planned talks with European leaders in London.
Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) are set to sign a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), marking a major step in bilateral relations and placing Uzbekistan among the EU’s closest partners in Central Asia.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan said the United States and others must do more to push Israel to stop violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the possible use of sanctions or halting arms sales.
Southeast Asian leaders and global partners, including U.S. President Donald Trump, will gather in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 28 October to discuss trade, regional conflicts and global security, with East Timor set to join ASEAN as its 11th member.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 23 October, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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