International News
Ex CNN Producer Sentenced For 19-Year In Prison
A former television producer previously associated with CNN has been sentenced to over 19 years in prison and an additional 15 years of supervised release by a U.S. District Court in Vermont.
The individual, identified as John Griffin from Stamford, Connecticut, had pleaded guilty to charges of enticing a 9-year-old girl into participating in illegal sexual activities at his ski house in Vermont.
The guilty plea, which was made in federal court in December of 2022, involved Griffin’s use of interstate commerce to coerce and manipulate the young girl into engaging in sexual acts.
In exchange for his plea, two counts of enticement of a minor were dropped by the government. At the time of the plea deal, Griffin was 45 years old.
It is worth noting that Griffin initially entered a not guilty plea in 2021 but later changed his plea. In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, he has also been ordered to provide restitution to the victims involved in the case.
In accordance with the plea deal, it was revealed that John Griffin connected with a woman through a website in the summer of 2020.
He managed to persuade the woman to accompany her daughter to his ski residence in Ludlow, Vermont, where he intended to engage in sexual activities.
According to court records, Griffin provided compensation to the woman and her daughter for their travel expenses, flying them from Nevada to Boston.
He then personally picked them up and drove them to his Vermont home. It was during their stay at his residence that the girl reported being sexually assaulted by Griffin.
On December 10, 2021, Griffin was arrested, one day after a grand jury indicted him. He had been employed by CNN for approximately eight years, but the network terminated his employment following his arrest.
As part of his sentencing, John Griffin has been subjected to certain restrictions regarding his contact with individuals under the age of 18.
He is strictly prohibited from having any contact with minors unless an adult, approved by a probation officer, is present.
Additionally, Griffin is not allowed to be present in locations where children tend to gather, such as schools, playgrounds, or theme parks, unless prior approval has been obtained from the probation office.
The United Kingdom is considering sweeping new restrictions that could limit or completely block children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, as part of a broader push to improve online safety and reduce excessive screen time among young users.
The proposal, currently under government consultation, is being led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and focuses on addressing concerns over how teenagers interact with platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
ALSO READ: UK Says ‘No Entry’ to Kanye West Ahead of Big Comeback Show
Officials say the move is driven by growing evidence and public concern that algorithm-driven feeds and “endless scrolling” features may be negatively affecting children’s sleep patterns, concentration levels, and overall well-being.
The government is also reviewing whether additional measures such as app curfews and time limits should be introduced.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the consultation has already attracted widespread public input, with tens of thousands of responses from parents, teenagers, and advocacy groups.
She noted that the government is particularly interested in feedback on addictive platform design features and the use of AI tools targeting younger users.
The UK is also studying policies already implemented in other countries. Australia has introduced stricter age-based restrictions, while Greece and Indonesia have also moved toward tighter regulation of children’s access to social media.
Authorities emphasize that no final decision has been made, but the consultation process is expected to shape future legislation on how tech companies operate and how young users are protected online in the digital age.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked global reactions following his remarks about Pope Leo XIV after the Pope’s recent anti-war message calling for peace in conflict-hit regions.
The controversy began after Pope Leo XIV delivered a strong appeal at the Vatican, urging world leaders to end ongoing wars and prioritise dialogue over violenceviolence.
ALSO READ: Melania Trump to Preside Over UN Council as Middle East Burns
The pontiff warned against the “idolatry of power” and called for global cooperation to restore peace.
Reacting to the message, Trump told reporters he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, describing him as “very liberal” and questioning his views on crime and international security.
The U.S. President further criticised the Pope’s stance on global conflicts, suggesting his message overlooks serious security challenges linked to rising geopolitical tensions, including nuclear concerns.
In a follow-up post on Truth Social, Trump intensified his criticism, accusing the Pope of taking a weak position on foreign policy matters and suggesting political factors influenced his leadership position.
The comments have since triggered widespread debate across political and religious circles, adding to ongoing tensions between Washington and the Vatican over issues such as immigration policy, military action, and global diplomacy.
While both sides have previously denied any formal rift, the latest exchange has renewed global attention on their differing positions regarding war and peace efforts.
The Israeli military said on Thursday that Mohammed Wishah, an Al Jazeera journalist killed in a strike in Gaza on Wednesday, was a Hamas operative “operating under the guise of a journalist.”
According to Israeli forces, Wishah was “a key terrorist in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production headquarters” and had been planning attacks against soldiers in the area.
The military said he used his journalist identity to advance Hamas’ operations against Israel.
ALSO SEE: Israel Kills Iran Intel Chief, Tehran Threatens Retaliation
Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based broadcaster, strongly condemned the killing. In a statement, the network described the attack as a “heinous crime of targeting and killing” its correspondent and insisted the strike was deliberate, not accidental.
The channel vowed to pursue “all necessary legal action to prosecute those responsible for the killing of its correspondents and staff in Gaza.”
Media rights organization Reporters Without Borders also condemned the incident, stating that Wishah’s name now joins “more than 220 journalists killed in two and a half years by Israeli forces in Gaza, at least 70 of whom were killed while performing their duties.”
The killing occurred despite a US-backed ceasefire in Gaza that has been in effect since October 2025, highlighting ongoing tensions and frequent accusations of truce violations by both Israel and Hamas.
Al Jazeera listed Wishah among 11 of its journalists killed in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel that triggered the Gaza war.
Past incidents include the killing of Mohammad Salama in August 2025 and the deaths of four Al Jazeera staff and two freelancers outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City earlier that year, prompting widespread condemnation.
Dangote Donates ₦550m Students’ Hostel to FUTO
Dangote Refinery’s Expansion to 1.4m bpd Creates Jobs for 95,000 Skilled Workers
PwC Recommends Nigeria’s Oil Sector to South African Investors
Bayern Won’t Sell Olise Even for €200m — Rummenigge Drops Bombshell
Salvation for All Souls Global Outreach Provides Free Medicals at Osun
“My Properties Are Legitimate” — Malami Challenges EFCC Allegations in Court
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
