World

The trial of Marius Borg Høiby (29), son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is concluding at Oslo District Court, with prosecutors requesting he be found guilty on 39 of 40 charges and sentenced to a total of 7 years and 7 months in prison. The most serious charges include four counts of rape and serious assault, which Høiby denies, while admitting to lesser offences such as drug possession and traffic violations.

In India, the patent on semaglutide—the molecule behind Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's blockbuster weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic—expired on Friday, opening the door for domestic pharmaceutical companies to produce cheaper copies or generics. This move is expected to slash prices by more than half and rapidly expand access for millions in India, with potential ripple effects in other countries.

The European Union (EU) regime and its allies have warned Israel against launching a ground offensive into Lebanon, which could expand the regional conflict and lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. In a joint statement, leaders from France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada emphasized that "a significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict." However, these warnings remain limited to political appeals, as European governments allegedly avoid exerting economic pressure on Israel.

Municipal elections in the small French town of Arcis-sur-Aube (population 2,785) have sparked an internet frenzy due to the surnames of the candidates. The incumbent mayor seeking re-election is named Charles Hittler, while one of his two opponents is Antoine Renault-Zielinski. French social media has been flooded with "humorous" posts framing the race as a battle between the late German dictator Adolf Hitler and Ukraine's modern-day hero Volodymyr Zelensky, leading to widespread mockery and unwanted attention.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a temporary “pause” in hostilities during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr this week, officials said, amid weeks of deadly violence between the neighbouring countries. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that the pause – set to run from midnight on Thursday (19:00 GMT on Wednesday) until midnight on Tuesday (19:00 GMT on Monday) – had been requested by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye.

As the fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran widens, BRICS countries face mounting pressure to respond, but internal rifts and competing interests have put the bloc's limitations on full display. Iran, which joined BRICS in 2024, is urging the bloc, currently chaired by India, to take a strong collective stance to condemn what it calls "military aggression" and to play a greater role in supporting regional stability. India has so far avoided taking sides in the conflict, calling for restraint, de-escalation, and a return to dialogue—a move that analysts say Washington interprets as strategic positioning rather than solidarity with Iran.

Iranian authorities have threatened to attack oil and gas facilities in the Gulf region in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field, as tensions in the ongoing conflict continue to escalate. In a statement shared by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency on Wednesday, the authorities claimed that five facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar “will be targeted in the coming hours,” marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities.

The Polish government's decision to introduce voluntary health education in schools last fall has ignited significant public uproar, with supporters arguing it prepares youth for life, while conservatives claim it will 'corrupt' children. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics, including physical and mental health, healthy eating, environmental impacts, and risks associated with social media and drugs, but the sex education module has become the focal point of intense controversy.

The Senegalese government has called for an "independent international investigation" into corruption following the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip the country of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco. CAF's ruling came after a review by its appeals board into the chaotic events of the final match two months ago, which has sparked significant controversy and diplomatic friction between the two nations.

Norwegian prosecutors have called for a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Hoiby, the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, over allegations including the rape of four women. The high-profile six-week trial in Oslo has captivated the nation, highlighting legal scrutiny of royal family members and raising questions about equality before the law in Norway's monarchy.

In an unprecedented move, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco, the defeated finalists. This decision follows a review of the January 18 final, where Senegalese players left the field in protest against refereeing decisions, causing a 14-minute delay. Morocco missed a subsequent penalty, and Senegal won 1-0 in extra time, but CAF's appeals board ruled the walk-off constituted a forfeit.

In a shocking and unprecedented move, Senegal has been stripped of its African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, with beaten finalists Morocco declared the new champions. This decision has sent shockwaves across the continent's football community, prompting Senegal's football federation to confirm it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), denouncing the ruling as a "disgrace for Africa."