User Articles

Paddleboard guide jailed over trip tragedy

A former Welsh police officer who who led four people to their deaths in a paddleboarding tragedy in the UK has been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for manslaughter. Nerys Bethan Lloyd, 39, had previously pleaded guilty in Swansea Crown Court to four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and failing to discharge her duty for the October 30, 2021 incident. The River Cleddau in Haverfordwest was raging after heavy rains when Lloyd, who operated a side business called the Salty Dog, made the ill-fated decision to lead a group of beginners toward a dangerous weir where the churning waters created a deadly undertow.

Middle East

Gaza mediators seek long-term truce

Arab mediators are working on a proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war that would include a five-to-seven-year truce and the release of all remaining hostages. Egypt and Qatar are still developing the proposal, which would include the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire strip and the release of Palestinian prisoners, according to an Egyptian official and a Hamas official. As talks were progressing, an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City overnight killed at least 23 people.

United Nations

UN to review agency helping Palestinian refugees

The United Nations chief has appointed a British human rights activist to carry out a strategic review of the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees to assess its impact. Israel has banned the agency, known as UNRWA, from operating on its territory, but its Palestinian staff have still been key to delivering aid and running medical clinics in Gaza, even though Israel has cut off all humanitarian deliveries since March 2. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who announced the review, said Ian Martin, a former head of Amnesty International, would also be looking at the “consequences and risks for Palestinian refugees” of UNRWA’s operations.

Italy

Vance meets with the Pope

US Vice President JD Vance has met briefly with Pope Francis to exchange Easter greetings, after they got into a long-distance tangle over the Trump administration’s migrant deportation plans. Vance’s motorcade entered Vatican City through a side gate and parked near Francis’ hotel residence while Easter Mass was being celebrated in St. Peter’s Square. Francis, who has greatly cut back his workload to recover from a near-fatal case of pneumonia, delegated the celebration of the Mass to another cardinal. The Vatican said they met for a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta “to exchange Easter greetings.“ Vance’s office said that they met, but provided no further details. In all, Vance’s motorcade was on Vatican territory for 17 minutes.

Odd Spot

Dashing corgis race for glory

Some of the fastest canines on four very short legs have raced for glory in Scotland’s annual Corgi Derby. The Musselburgh Racecourse Corgi Derby was first held in 2022 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne. The late monarch was a devoted corgi fan who owned almost 30 of the breed over the decades, along with a few dorgis – a corgi-dachshund cross. Four-year-old Juno beat a 16-strong field of dashing dogs dressed in bright sweaters over the 230-foot (70-meter) race on Saturday at the racecourse outside Edinburgh. She came from behind in the final stretch to beat last year’s winner, Rodney.

USA

19 Apr 2025

Envoy says tariff deal will get done

The new US ambassador to Japan is optimistic that his country and its key Asian ally will reach a deal in their ongoing tariff negotiations. George Glass, a prominent businessman known for his background in finance, investment banking and technology, began his new job as Washington and Tokyo are negotiating President Donald Trump’s tariff measures, which have triggered worldwide concern about their impact on the economy and global trade. ”I’m extremely optimistic ... that a deal will be get done,“ Glass told reporters after landing at Tokyo’s Haneda airport.

19 Apr 2025

Israel

Soldiers’ protest letters unveil rift over ongoing war

When nearly 1,000 Israeli Air Force veterans signed an open letter last week calling for an end to the war in Gaza, the military responded immediately, saying it would dismiss any active reservist who signed the document. But in the days since, thousands of retired and reservist soldiers across the military have signed similar letters of support.

Diplomacy

Vance to meet with Meloni, Modi

Vice President JD Vance and his family have taken off on Air Force Two for a trip to to Italy, and later India, to meet with leaders and visit cultural sites. Vance’s office said his trip, lasting until April 24, will include visits to Rome and New...

Canada

Carney looks within for free trade

Prime Minister Mark Carney says eliminating trade barriers within Canada would benefit Canadians far more than US President Donald Trump can ever take away with his trade war as he made his case to retain power at the last debate ahead of the April 28 vote. Carney has set a goal of free trade within the country’s 10 provinces and three territories by July 1. Canada has long had interprovincial trade barriers. “We can give ourselves far more than Donald Trump can ever take away,“ Carney said.

Iran

Nuclear talks at ‘crucial’ stage

Talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program are “in a very crucial” stage, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said while on a visit to the Islamic Republic. The comments by Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Tehran included an acknowledgment his agency likely would be key in verifying compliance by Iran should a deal be reached. Iran and the US will meet again in Rome for a new round of talks after last weekend’s first meeting in Oman.

Trade

Meloni aims to act as US-EU bridge

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni will test her mettle as a bridge between the European Union and the United States when she meets with US President Donald Trump in the White House, becoming the first European leader to have face-to-face talks with him since he announced and then suspended 20 per cent tariffs on European exports. Meloni secured the meeting as Italy’s leader, but she also has, in a sense, been “knighted” to represent the EU at a critical juncture in the trade war. She was in close contact with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before the trip, and “the outreach is ... closely coordinated,“ a commission spokeswoman said.

Myanmar

Junta frees thousands for new year

The head of Myanmar’s military government granted amnesty to nearly 4900 prisoners to mark the country’s traditional new year, state-run media reported, and an independent watchdog said they included at least 22 political detainees. At least 19...

Trade

Trump joins crucial Japan tariff talks

President Donald Trump has inserted himself directly into trade talks with Japanese officials, a sign of the high stakes for the United States after its tariffs rattled the economy and caused the administration to assure the public that it would quickly reach deals. The Republican president attended the meeting alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, top economic advisers with a central role in his trade and tariff policies. “Hopefully something can be worked out which is good (GREAT!) for Japan and the USA!” Trump wrote in a social media post ahead of the meeting.

Middle East

Israel vows to keep troops in Gaza

Israel’s defence minister says troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, remarks that could further complicate talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes across Gaza meanwhile killed another 22 people, according to local health officials, including a girl who was not yet a year old. Israeli forces have taken over more than half of Gaza in a renewed campaign to pressure Hamas to release hostages after Israel ended their ceasefire last month.

Ukraine

Russians step up artillery attacks

Russian glide bombs and artillery have struck a city in southern Ukraine, killing one person and wounding five others as Moscow forces continue daily attacks across the country. The city of Kherson was struck with glide bombs on Wednesday morning, and when rescue teams arrived at the scene, Russian forces launched an artillery barrage, said the region’s head, Oleksandr Prokudin. “This is a deliberate tactic by Russia to hinder the rescue of the injured and harm doctors, rescuers, and police,“ he said.

Argentina

How Milei’s big move to revive economy will work

The International Monetary Fund has disbursed the first instalment of Argentina’s new $20 billion loan program after President Javier Milei removed most of Argentina’s strict capital and currency controls. For years, the restrictions had set the...

Manufacturing

Fuel secured for steel blast furnaces

The British government says it has bought enough raw materials to keep Britain’s last steelmaking blast furnaces operating for the “coming weeks”. The announcement came amid fears that the government’s decision to wrest control of British Steel from its Chinese owners would deepen tensions between the UK and China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned against “politicising” the issue as British officials raised concerns about Chinese investment in strategic industries.