Farage backs jail terms for lawyers accused of helping migrants fake gay asylum claims

Reform UK has proposed making it a criminal offence for lawyers to help illegal migrants file fraudulent asylum claims, including false claims about sexuality, with a maximum sentence of two years. The plan follows a BBC investigation alleging that law firms and advisers were coaching asylum seekers to lie, and comes as the government says people caught lying will have their claims cancelled and be removed from Britain.

Repsol reaches Venezuela deal to regain control of oil assets and increase output

Spanish energy company Repsol says it has reached an agreement with Venezuela’s government and state oil company PDVSA to regain operational control of key oil assets. The deal is expected to sharply increase production over the next three years.

Labour urged to back in-car alcohol locks for repeat drink-driving offenders

Labour is being urged to support alcohol interlock devices, or alcolocks, for repeat drink-driving offenders as part of tougher road safety rules. The devices would stop a car starting if alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath. Campaigners and groups including the RAC, Brake and RoSPA say the measure could cut reoffending and reduce deaths and serious injuries, while the government is also considering a lower drink-drive limit, tougher penalties, and possible licence suspensions for suspected offenders.

Woman dies after dog attack at a house

A woman in her 70s has died after being attacked by dogs at a house. The dogs, which are not thought to be a banned breed, were later destroyed.

New Jersey governor blasts FIFA over steep World Cup transit costs

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has accused FIFA of leaving fans to cover inflated transport costs for this summer’s World Cup and said the governing body should help pay. She said NJ Transit faces a $48 million bill to move supporters, while FIFA is generating about $11 billion in revenue. Special event fares for the train to MetLife Stadium could rise to more than $100 for a round trip, with no concession rates for children or pensioners, and similar price hikes have already been set for travel to matches near Boston.

Putin closes parts of the Arctic to ships and aircraft ahead of missile launch warning near NATO border

Russia has closed off large sections of the Barents Sea off Norway’s northern coast through April 30, warning vessels and aircraft to stay clear of areas where missile debris is expected to fall. The restriction is tied to a Soyuz rocket launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome around April 23, with two payload fairings projected to land in the designated zone. The notice matters because the area sits near NATO borders and covers important shipping and fishing waters.

UK prepares for possible food shortages if the Iran war drags on

UK government officials have drawn up a worst-case scenario in which the country could face some food shortages by the summer if the Iran war continues. That is a bleak planning note, not a forecast, but it shows officials are bracing for disruption.

Russian missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities kills at least 16, injures 98

An overnight Russian air assault on Ukrainian cities involving hundreds of missiles and drones killed at least 16 people and injured 98, according to the details provided. The exchange of strikes comes as the war’s civilian toll keeps climbing, with no sign that the missiles are interested in diplomacy.

Zelenskyy says Russia does not deserve sanctions relief after deadly overnight strikes in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia does not deserve any lifting of sanctions after overnight strikes that he said involved nearly 700 drones and 19 ballistic missiles, mainly hitting Kyiv, Odesa and Dnipro. Separately, Hungary’s outgoing prime minister, Viktor Orbán, will skip his final EU summit as he prepares to hand over power after losing last Sunday’s parliamentary election, and Hungary’s EU affairs minister said the country will not be politically represented there.