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Juba, South Sudan – Growing up, Khloe Nyanda was taught to stay small and avoid taking up space. Defying that lesson, the 21‑year‑old law student at the University of Juba pursued modeling after being inspired by South Sudanese supermodel Adut Akech, whose refugee‑to‑runway story she describes as a "crown".Nyanda’s ambition mirrors that of a new generation of South Sudanese talent, with 95% of models from the country naming Akech as their spark. She began modeling in 2023, but her family remained skeptical, fearing the clash between academic responsibilities and a fashion career.Her personal journey has been marked by familial estrangement after she rejected an arranged marriage and a modelling coach’s advances, leading to loss of support from her stepbrother and other relatives.Beyond social pressures, Nyanda faces systemic obstacles. Since 2023 she has endured multiple visa rejections despite contracts with agencies in London, Paris, and Italy. An attempt to attend Milan Fashion Week was denied by the Italian embassy in Nairobi over bank‑statement issues, while two separate applications to the French embassy in Kampala were also turned down. The absence of South Sudanese embassies in France and Italy forces hopeful models to obtain travel documents from neighboring countries, inflating costs and delays.Another emerging model, 20‑year‑old Alek Mayen Garang, balances her senior‑year studies with runway aspirations. Born in Greater Jonglei and raised in Renk, she spent part of her childhood in Kampala before returning to South Sudan amid the 2016 conflict. Garang draws inspiration from Anok Yai, the American‑South Sudanese model named Model of the Year at the 2025 British Fashion Awards.Unlike Nyanda, Garang found an ally in her elder sister, who accompanied her to her first runway show and helped negotiate parental approval. Her early challenges were technical—learning to walk in heels, maintaining strict diet and skincare regimens—and the lingering fear of rejection at auditions.Both women are part of a broader South Sudanese surge in global fashion. Nine of the world’s top 50 models on models.com hail from South Sudan, underscoring the country’s deep talent pool. Former models have transitioned to design and entrepreneurship, founding South Sudan Fashion Week and creating bespoke wedding gowns.Industry veterans now coach new talent, urging them to prioritize education alongside modeling. Yet a new anxiety looms: the potential rise of AI‑generated Black models, which could further destabilize already precarious careers.Within South Sudan, the Ministry of Culture, Museums and National Heritage has been criticized for its limited engagement with the modeling sector. Advocates argue that official endorsement could shift parental attitudes and legitimize modeling as a respectable profession.Garang recently won the “creativity” award at the national Miss Junub beauty pageant, expanding her vision from personal success to mentoring emerging designers and models. Nyanda, meanwhile, envisions a future beyond the runway: she plans to invest her earnings in establishing a credible mother agency, as well as a school and hospital for orphans, aiming to reinvest in her homeland.“South Sudan is not a place I am running from; it is the place I am running for,” Nyanda declares, embodying a resolve to reshape societal expectations and create pathways for the next generation of South Sudanese talent.

Every year on April 17, Palestinians commemorate Prisoner’s Day to bring attention to the thousands of men, women, and children held in Israeli prisons. This year’s observance is particularly significant due to Israel’s recently enacted death penalty law, which exclusively targets Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.Rights groups have strongly criticized the law, labeling it a violation of international law and inherently discriminatory. The United Nations human rights chief has even suggested it could constitute a possible “war crime”.According to the prisoners’ rights group Addameer, nearly 10,000 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli prisons, both within Israel and in occupied territories. These individuals are viewed by Palestinians as political prisoners who must be freed.The historical context of Prisoner’s Day dates back to April 17, 1971, when Mahmoud Bakr Hejazi was released in the first prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestine. In 1974, the Palestinian National Council officially designated April 17 as Prisoner’s Day, which has since served as a day of national and international solidarity with the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s continued occupation.Administrative Detention and Its ImplicationsAs of early April, 9,600 Palestinians were in Israeli custody. Of these detainees:3,532 are administrative detainees – held without charge or trial.342 are children.84 are women.119 are serving life sentences.Administrative detention is a longstanding Israeli policy allowing authorities to hold Palestinians without charge or trial for six-month periods that can be renewed indefinitely. Critics argue that this system is widely abused and denies due process, with over one-third of detainees being held under administrative detention.The Plight of Palestinian ChildrenIsrael is the only country that tries children in military courts, often denying them basic rights. 342 children were being held in Israeli prisons this month, with over 12,000 Palestinian children detained by Israeli forces since the outbreak of the second Intifada in 2000. These children are often subjected to physical and psychological torture, interrogated without parental or legal presence, and exploited for information or used as leverage against their families.The New Death Penalty LawThe new law allows military courts to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in acts of “terror.” This law, approved on March 30 and set to take effect by the end of April, applies to Palestinians from the West Bank tried in Israeli military courts. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the bill as a “war crime against the Palestinian people”, citing violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention.The rights group B’Tselem noted that the conviction rate for Palestinians tried in military courts is about 96 percent, often based on ‘confessions’ obtained through pressure and torture.A Legacy of DetentionSince 1967, Israeli forces have detained an estimated one million Palestinians, or about 20 percent of the Palestinian population. This systemic practice has fragmented communities, perpetuated cycles of trauma, and generated widespread resentment. For many families, arrests have become an inevitability, with freedom remaining uncertain for those currently behind bars, just as it has for generations before them.

Britain is bracing for its most severe economic contraction in decades, a side‑effect of the United States’ escalating conflict with Iran and the resulting shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. The British Treasury and the IMF warn that the nation’s growth could be crushed, public confidence in the government is eroding, and the prime minister’s position may become untenable. The original aim of sanctions was to punish hostile states and force leaders like Vladimir Putin to change course. Yet, data shows that in the years following the sanctions, Russia’s growth outpaced that of the United Kingdom. Similarly, the 2010s sanctions on Iran, intended to halt its nuclear programme, appear to have accelerated it, and current measures aimed at toppling the ayatollahs show little prospect of success. The United States now enforces economic restrictions on around 30 countries, including North Korea, Myanmar, Belarus and Afghanistan. Despite the breadth of these measures, the targeted regimes have largely remained in power, indicating a systemic failure of sanctions to destabilise entrenched governments. Beyond their limited impact on regime change, sanctions have unintentionally bolstered the Sino‑Russian trade bloc and driven many nations toward the BRICS alliance, positioning it as a counterweight to the G7. This realignment underscores the counter‑productive nature of the policy. Academic research, such as Nicholas Mulder’s The Economic Weapon, reinforces the historical pattern: except for very small states, trade restrictions are easily circumvented, and authoritarian regimes insulated from democratic pressures are largely immune. Mulder concludes that “the history of sanctions is a history of disappointment,” a sentiment echoed by critics who warn that each new round of sanctions repeats the same mistakes. One of the most damaging side‑effects is the exodus of skilled professionals. Iran, for example, has seen a diaspora of over four million people as of 2021, many of whom belong to the educated middle class that could have fueled internal reform. The brain drain weakens any potential opposition and inadvertently benefits Western economies that absorb this talent. Russia experienced a similar talent flight after the 1990s, when a vibrant civil society briefly flourished. Today, the remaining dissenters face both Kremlin repression and Western ostracism, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of McCarthy‑era loyalty tests. Given these outcomes, the article argues that the West must abandon blunt economic coercion in favour of nuanced, soft‑power strategies. Supporting opposition groups through academic, cultural, and diplomatic channels could nurture the very alternatives that sanctions have helped to erode. In sum, sanctions have proven illiberal and counter‑productive, reinforcing authoritarian borders while draining the human capital needed for genuine change. Restoring constructive relationships with societies like Iran and Russia, rather than relying on punitive trade measures, may offer a more viable path to long‑term stability.

Aaron Pierre delivers a storming, almost hypnotic performance as Randle P. McMurphy, instantly igniting the stale atmosphere of a 1960s American psychiatric ward. His swagger‑filled stride and sudden, childlike scampers create a compelling contrast that keeps the audience on edge.From the opening moments, McMurphy clashes with the authoritarian Nurse Ratched (Olivia Williams), provoking the other patients to rebel, play, and celebrate life beyond the ward’s walls. Pierre’s physicality—alternating between boisterous hugs and a frantic, vulnerable laugh—captures the character’s chaotic charisma.Director Clint Dyer, fresh from his acclaimed 2022 Othello, reshapes the narrative by casting the inmates almost entirely with Black actors. This choice injects a fresh political dimension, turning the patients into “pawns in a system designed to disempower.” Each time Ratched addresses them as “boys,” the line feels like an implicit sneer.While the script does not overtly discuss race—apart from Chief Bromden’s (Arthur Boan) Indigenous background—the production foregrounds the systemic misogyny embedded in both the novel and the 1963 Dale Wasserman adaptation. McMurphy’s mantra, “I fight and fuck,” teeters between liberated individualism and a problematic reclamation of alpha‑male tropes.Olivia Williams, who stepped into the role of Nurse Ratched late in rehearsals, gives the character a “ramrod spine and starched smile.” Her performance underscores the unchecked cruelty of a regime where the doctor (Matthew Steer) is a peripheral, snickering figure, leaving Ratched’s authority unchecked and increasingly vicious.Ken Kesey’s own experience as a government‑run LSD guinea‑pig informs the play’s visceral critique of psychiatry. The production’s lighting, designed by Chris Davey, erupts in scarlet and blue hues that echo the anti‑psychiatry movement of the 1960s, while the depiction of medication, group therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy feels deliberately brutal.Staged in the round at the Old Vic, the audience becomes a “ring of often appalled observers.” Ben Stone’s set design, with its white and pond‑green tiles beneath a soaring ceiling, creates a claustrophobic floor that simultaneously aspires upward—mirroring the characters’ yearning for freedom.The ensemble, led by Giles Terera’s refined Dale Harding, adds subtle layers of tension through nuanced tics and gestures. Dyer bookends the show with a reference to Congo Square in New Orleans, a historic site of Black and Indigenous resistance, framing the play’s cruelty through a lens of cultural resilience—though the production remains largely filtered through a male gaze.The production runs at the Old Vic until 23 May 2026, offering London audiences a bold, politically charged reinterpretation of a classic American drama.

Telenor, majority-owned by the Norwegian government, entered Myanmar in 2013 with promises to connect isolated users. However, allegations suggest that the company provided data on over 1,200 customers to the military regime, aiding in the arrest and persecution of anti-coup activists.Aung Thu, an activist, claims that his data was released by Telenor in late September 2021, leading to his re-arrest and charge under counter-terrorism laws. A class-action lawsuit filed in Norway seeks €11m in compensation for 1,253 customers allegedly affected.Telenor's transparency reports reveal it complied with 96% of 153 data requests from authorities. The company's actions have raised concerns about its role in propping up the military junta and breaching trust with its customers.Norwegian politicians and human rights activists have called for accountability and greater transparency on the government's role in the matter. The incident has sparked debate about Norway's image as a defender of peace and human rights.

Sir Craig Reedie, who has died aged 84, was a pivotal figure in London's successful bid to stage the 2012 Olympics. As a member of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games from 2005 to 2013, he formed a highly effective partnership with Sebastian Coe, the bid leader, doing crucial work behind the scenes to secure the Games for London.Reedie's diplomatic skills and influential presence within the Olympic and Paralympic movement were instrumental in winning the support of British politicians and marshalling the votes of Olympic delegates. Coe credited Reedie with playing a vital role in London's bid success, saying that without his efforts, London might never have won the right to host the 2012 Games.Reedie's commitment to drug-free competition was unwavering. He was a founder board member of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) in 2000 and served as its president from 2014 to 2019. During his tenure, he clashed with the then IOC president Thomas Bach over Russia's state-sponsored doping regime, ultimately leading to Wada banning Russia from all international competition in 2019.Reedie's sports career began as a leading badminton player. He later became president of the International Badminton Federation and successfully campaigned for the sport's inclusion in the Olympics. His administrative work in badminton led to his appointment as chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and later as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where he served as vice-president from 2012 to 2016.Throughout his career, Reedie was known for his tough but charming demeanor, earning him respect from his peers. He was knighted in 2006 and elevated to knight grand cross in 2018. The Sir Craig Reedie Badminton Centre in Glasgow was renamed in his honor in 2014.

The film 'Truth & Treason' presents a compelling narrative centered around Helmuth Hübener, a German Mormon teenager from Hamburg who played a significant role in the German resistance during World War II. Initially a member of the Hitler Youth, Hübener's perspective shifted dramatically after his Jewish friend Salomon Schwarz was sent to Auschwitz. This pivotal event inspired Hübener to take a stand against the Nazi regime by distributing leaflets that denounced their actions.Despite being backed by faith-based outfit Angel Studios, known for producing content that can be perceived as promoting certain ideologies, the film manages to convey its anti-fascist message effectively. The acting, particularly by Ewan Horrocks as Hübener and Rupert Evans as Gestapo officer Erwin Mussener, has been praised for its quality. A climactic conversation between Horrocks and Evans characters stands out for its intensity and persuasive dialogue.The film's portrayal of Hübener's actions and the consequences he faced is both timely and impactful, especially in today's world. With its anti-fascist message, 'Truth & Treason' feels relevant and necessary. Although considered flawed, the movie is commended for having its heart in the right place. It is now available on Prime Video from April 20th.

Lidl and Iceland Foods have become the inaugural retailers to see their advertisements prohibited under the United Kingdom’s newly‑introduced junk‑food advertising rules, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) confirmed on Wednesday.The ASA has been overseeing the ban that bars television ads for high‑fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) items before 9 p.m. and prohibits any online promotion of such products at any hour, a regime that took effect on 5 January 2026.In Lidl’s case, the ASA found that an Instagram post created by popular influencer Emma Kearney ("Baby Emzo") for Lidl Northern Ireland showcased a tray of pain suisse – a French pastry filled with vanilla cream and chocolate chips. A complainant argued the product was “less healthy” and breached the HFSS criteria. Lidl defended the content as a “brand‑led” advertisement, noting that the new rules allow brand promotion provided no identifiable junk‑food item appears, but the ASA concluded the post did indeed highlight a prohibited product.For Iceland, the breach involved a digital display and banner ad on the Daily Mail website promoting confectionery such as Swizzels Sweet Treats, Chupa Chups Laces, Choose Disco Stix and Haribo Elf Surprises. These sweets fail the nutrient‑profiling model used to classify HFSS foods, meaning they cannot be advertised under the current legislation.The HFSS framework classifies foods high in fat, salt or sugar as “less healthy” and bars their promotion across broadcast and digital channels. This move is part of the UK government’s broader strategy to curb rising childhood obesity rates by limiting children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing.Iceland acknowledged that, while it requests nutrient‑profile data from all suppliers, there are “gaps” in the information received. To address this, the retailer has contracted a data‑service provider to compile monthly nutritional data for every product on its website, aiming to flag any items that fall under the HFSS definition before they appear in advertising.After reviewing the complaints, the ASA upheld the objections and ordered both supermarkets to ensure future digital marketing does not feature products that violate the junk‑food ad rules. The rulings signal a stricter regulatory environment for retailers and advertisers, urging a shift toward healthier product promotion and more robust data‑management practices.

An overwhelming majority of Israelis oppose the US-Iran ceasefire deal announced last week, with 61% of respondents in a recent poll expressing their disapproval. The poll, conducted by the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), also found that 73% of respondents expect fighting with Iran to resume within the next year.The ceasefire deal, which was negotiated without Israel's direct involvement, has been met with skepticism by many Israelis who feel that it does not address the root causes of the conflict with Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised a final showdown with Iran, but the deal has left the Iranian government still standing.The Israeli public's disappointment with the ceasefire deal is reflected in the 69% of respondents who support continued military action in Lebanon, despite talks between the Lebanese and Israeli governments. Israel has continued to attack Lebanon, killing over 300 people in the past week.Analysts say that Netanyahu's problem is that he had oversold the war's objectives, promising regime collapse and the destruction of Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles. However, these goals were unrealistic, and the ceasefire deal has exposed the gap between Netanyahu's rhetoric and the reality on the ground.The opposition to the ceasefire deal is not limited to Netanyahu's critics, with opposition leaders like Yair Lapid also expressing their disappointment. Lapid has accused Netanyahu of turning Israel into a protectorate state that receives instructions from the US on matters of national security.Despite the backlash, Netanyahu has given public support to the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that Israel and the US are in constant coordination. However, analysts say that Israel is unlikely to break with the US while it is leading negotiations with Iran.