Russian prosecutors have asked a court to sentence the US basketball star Brittney Griner to almost 10 years in prison on drugs charges. The Olympic gold medallist was detained in February at an airport near Moscow when cannabis oil vape cartridges were found in her luggage. Cannabis is illegal in Russia for both medicinal and recreational use. Ms Griner, 31, pleaded guilty to drug charges but has denied deliberately breaking the law. A verdict is expected later on Thursday. “I made an honest mistake, and I hope in your ruling it does not end my life,” Ms Griner told the court shortly after both sides presented closing arguments. “I did not conspire or plan to commit this crime,” she added. The trial has reached the top levels of US-Russia diplomacy, with reports suggesting a conviction in the case could pave the way for a dramatic prisoner swap involving the Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout. Russian courts rarely acquit defendants, and analysts say a conviction is highly likely. The length of sentence is thought to be less certain. “I ask the court to find Griner guilty and sentence her to nine years and six months in prison,” prosecutor Nikolay Vlasenko said.(BBC)…[+]

A manhunt is under way in northern Australia after three people were killed and another critically injured in a shooting on a remote property. The shooting happened on Thursday morning local time on a cattle farm at Bogie in Queensland, authorities said. Queensland Police have locked down an area surrounding the property as they search for the “killer or killers”. The critically injured person – a man – had travelled “many, many kilometres” to raise the alarm, officers said. The man suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen and was flown to a hospital in the city of Mackay to undergo emergency surgery. “At this stage, we are at very, very early stages of this investigation,” Supt Tom Armitt told the media.(BBC)…[+]

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has testified that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was “100% real” and that it was wrong to call it a hoax. The parents of a child killed in the shooting are seeking at least $150m (£123m) in a defamation trial brought against the prominent radio host. They say they have endured harassment and emotional distress because of Mr Jones’s comments about the attack. The trial will determine how much money he owes for defaming the couple.

Mr Jones is the only person testifying in his defence during the proceedings in Texas. He has portrayed the case as an attack on his free speech rights under the First Amendment. On Wednesday, the Infowars host said he now understood that it was irresponsible of him to claim the shooting was false and that no children were killed. “Especially since I’ve met the parents. It’s 100% real,” he said. “They [the media] won’t let me take it back.”(BBC)…[+]