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The UK government has imposed a significant fine of £390,000 on Apple Distribution International (ADI), a subsidiary of tech giant Apple, for violating sanctions against Moscow. The breach occurred when ADI made two payments totaling over £635,000 to a Russian streaming service, Okko, which was owned by a sanctioned Russian entity.ADI, based in Ireland, is responsible for selling Apple products in Europe and the Middle East. The payments were made through a UK-based bank from an ADI bank account in Britain. The fine was imposed by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), the UK's sanctions watchdog.According to OFSI, ADI voluntarily disclosed the payments, and the fine was imposed after settlement talks. The watchdog noted that ADI had no reason to suspect that the payments would breach sanctions. However, OFSI emphasized that non-UK companies can be found in breach of sanctions if they use UK financial institutions to conduct payments.The case highlights the importance of robust due diligence frameworks for companies to monitor their client and customer base. Using third-party sanctions screening firms, as ADI did, carries risks. An Apple spokesperson stated that the company takes sanctions compliance extremely seriously and is constantly working to enhance its compliance protocols.The fine is a significant development in the enforcement of sanctions against Russia, which were imposed following the country's invasion of Ukraine. Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, was among the first Russian companies to be added to the UK's sanctions list after the invasion.

Air Canada's CEO, Michael Rousseau, has announced his retirement by the end of the third quarter of 2026, following a wave of criticism for his handling of a video tribute to pilots killed in a fatal collision at New York's LaGuardia airport.The controversy began when Rousseau posted a four-minute condolence video in which he spoke only two French words – bonjour and merci. This sparked outrage and mockery from both the public and politicians, who criticized him for not speaking French, despite Air Canada's requirement to provide services in both English and French under Canada's Official Languages Act.Rousseau's inability to speak French was seen as a lack of compassion towards the victims of the crash, including Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old francophone pilot. The incident prompted over 2,000 complaints to the office of the commissioner of official languages, and lawmakers in Quebec overwhelmingly passed a motion calling for Rousseau to step down.In response to the backlash, Rousseau issued a statement apologizing for his inability to speak French and promised to continue his efforts to improve. However, the damage had already been done, and Rousseau's retirement was announced shortly after.Rousseau's history with the French language has been scrutinized in the past, including a high-profile speech in Quebec in 2021 where he only spoke English. He had reportedly spent 300 hours studying French before his video statement, but was still unable to string together a handful of rehearsed sentences.

Dua Lipa, the Brit award-winning pop star, has been announced as the curator of this year's London literature festival at the Southbank Centre. The festival, now in its 19th year, will run from October 21 to November 1.Lipa will shape the programme of events across the opening weekend and beyond in collaboration with her Service95 book club, which she launched in 2023. This initiative is part of the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary programme and during the UK's National Year of Reading.Lipa has established herself as a prominent advocate for reading through her book club, where she spotlights established writers and emerging voices. She has interviewed notable authors such as Margaret Atwood, George Saunders, and Olga Tokarczuk.“Reading has anchored me through every chapter of my life,” Lipa said. “Curating the Southbank Centre’s London literature festival is a dream come true. I’m thrilled to indulge one of my greatest obsessions: books and the brilliant minds behind them.”Mark Ball, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, praised Lipa's passion for literature, stating, “Dua Lipa is a global cultural force with millions of fans around the world, and her passion for the written and spoken word has inspired a new generation of readers.”The 2026 edition will feature a mix of ticketed and free events, highlighting both Lipa's favourite writers and new literary voices. The full programme is expected to be announced over the summer.

Actor Corey Feldman, known for his role in Stand By Me, has spoken out about being omitted from the Oscars tribute to Rob Reiner earlier this month. Reiner, along with his wife Michele, was remembered during the Academy Awards' in memoriam section. Feldman expressed his feelings of being snubbed, likening it to 'a family reunion I wasn’t invited to.' He mentioned that his co-stars from Stand By Me, Jerry O'Connell and Wil Wheaton, were present at the tribute. “I think Jerry and Wil did what had to be done,” Feldman said. “It was a fleeting moment, so I don’t feel like I missed much at all. Although they did a wonderful job, I would’ve liked to have heard from Wil and Jerry and a few other people up there.” Feldman also noted that plans for events to mark the 40th anniversary of Stand By Me have been scaled down following Reiner's death. “We all would’ve loved to be able to say goodbye in our own ways. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” he said. “The best way we can say goodbye is honouring him and his work … and hopefully going out there to celebrate him one last time on a big screen where it deserves to be seen.” The Reiners were found dead at their home on December 14. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

A sexual assault survivor has spoken out against Travelodge's decision to cancel a meeting with MPs, calling it 'shocking'. The meeting was intended to discuss the hotel chain's security processes and procedures that allowed the assault to occur.The survivor, who was attacked by Kyran Smith in December 2022, expressed her disappointment and frustration with Travelodge's handling of the incident. More than 20 MPs had demanded the meeting to discuss the matter, including details of the chain's security processes and procedures that led to it offering the victim an 'insulting' £30 refund after the incident.Prime Minister Keir Starmer had written to Travelodge's CEO, Jo Boydell, saying he was 'very concerned' about the meeting's cancellation. He pressed the hotel chain to 'seriously engage' with MPs over the 'utterly appalling' assault.The survivor told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'I think if you are the CEO of a company, then you have a responsibility to answer these questions and engage in that situation, and say how you're going to now improve.' She also expressed her skepticism about Boydell's claims that the hotel rooms had deadbolts, saying it was 'deflection'.Boydell has apologized to the survivor and said the company had made immediate changes to its door key policy. However, the survivor is taking legal action against the hotel chain.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson has issued a stern warning regarding the United States, stating that former President Donald Trump 'only understands the language of force'. This statement comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US, suggesting a potentially more assertive stance from Iran in response to Trump's policies.The IRGC spokesperson's comments reflect a broader narrative within Iran that Trump's approach to international relations is rooted in a show of strength, rather than diplomacy. This perspective is likely influenced by Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran, which included economic sanctions and a significant military presence in the region.Iran's stance underscores the complexities of US-Iran relations, which have been strained for decades. The IRGC's statement may indicate a strategic recalibration by Iran, potentially leading to a more confrontational approach in its dealings with the US.

The Houthis, an Iranian-backed group in Yemen, have recently launched missile and drone attacks on Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This move has analysts warning of a potential new front in the war, particularly with the group's ability to block the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial passage for global commodities trade.The strait, situated between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a key route for 10% of global trade, including a significant share of oil and gas shipments. Blocking this strait could have severe implications for the global economy, potentially disrupting trade and leading to increased inflation.Brigadier-General Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, announced the group's first attack on Israel, followed by a second military operation using cruise missiles and drones. The Houthis have warned they will continue military operations until Israel ceases its aggression.The group's actions are seen as a significant development in the conflict, with Iran likely to welcome the Houthis' involvement. However, the extent of their participation remains uncertain, with some analysts describing their actions as token participation rather than full engagement.If the Houthis were to block the Bab al-Mandeb strait, it would create a nightmare scenario for global trade, particularly for Europe. This move, combined with potential restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, could cripple trade and have far-reaching economic consequences.Analysts suggest that the Houthis' current posture reflects a deliberate calculation rather than restraint born of weakness. Their decision to target Israel directly, rather than escalating in the Red Sea, indicates a strategic approach aligned with Tehran's broader strategy.For now, the Houthis' threat to block the Bab al-Mandeb strait remains a significant concern, with global trade and economies potentially hanging in the balance.

Reza Pahlavi, the self-styled crown prince of Iran, has made a bold appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, where he pledged to 'make Iran great again' and received a raucous welcome from the audience.Pahlavi, who has become a central opposition figure in the Iranian diaspora, urged US President Donald Trump not to cut a deal with Iran and instead seek regime change, aligning himself with the administration's most hawkish figures.“Can you imagine Iran going from ‘Death to America’ to ‘God Bless America’?” Pahlavi asked his audience in Grapevine, Texas, receiving a standing ovation with his remarks.“President Trump is making America great again. I intend to make Iran great again,” he added, echoing Trump's famous slogan.The speech comes amid a war between the US and Israel against Iran, which has resulted in at least 1,937 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries in Iran, with no end to the fighting in sight.Pahlavi has emerged as an outspoken supporter of Trump, and his appearance at CPAC highlights the divisions within the US right over the war in Iran.While some in the Iranian diaspora have expressed reservations about the US-Israeli attacks, Pahlavi has called for the Iranian regime to be overthrown, saying, “This regime in its entirety must go.”Analysts have warned that the Iranian government is unlikely to collapse and could emerge from the conflict more hardened than before, but Pahlavi remains a central figure in the opposition movement.

Model Erin O'Connor has spoken out against Instagram's inconsistent application of its nudity policy after the platform repeatedly removed her pregnancy photos celebrating her heavily pregnant body.The photos, taken in 2014 when O'Connor was eight and a half months pregnant, were posted on Mother's Day but removed and reinstated multiple times by Instagram. O'Connor argues that the platform's guidelines are unclear and context-insensitive, leading to double standards in how women's bodies are represented online.O'Connor's post included two nude portraits: one where she touches her baby bump with a blissful expression, and another highlighting her pregnant belly. Despite Meta's assurances of 'freedom of expression,' the post was flagged as 'sensitive' and removed twice.O'Connor expressed her frustration with the process, stating, 'It feels inconceivable that a heavily pregnant naked woman could be perceived as offensive when she stands in her full power, her body at its most extraordinary, embodying its innate ability to grow, birth and sustain new life.'The incident has sparked a broader conversation about body positivity, pregnancy representation, and the need for clearer guidelines on social media platforms. O'Connor emphasized the importance of context-sensitive policies to prevent the mistaken removal of meaningful content.Meta has stated that its default response is to remove 'sexual imagery' to prevent non-consensual or underage content, but allows exceptions for 'real-world art and certain medical, educational, and awareness-raising content.'