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ITV News
17 hours ago
- ITV News
Welsh explorer becomes world's first to scale Andes through seven countries
Ollie Treviso telling his story. A Welsh explorer has become the first person in history to cross the Andes mountain range through seven countries. Ollie Treviso from Swansea began his solo expedition in Argentina in September 2023, and has since trekked 14,000 kilometres, crossing into Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, before finishing in Venezuela this week. The 29-year-old from Port Tennant has walked every day for the past 20 months and says he has gotten through nine pairs of trainers. 'It feels surreal, I can't believe that I've done it', Ollie told ITV News. 'I love thinking about the original idea, sitting at the dinner table, and it flashing in my mind. I never thought I would actually do it, but with time, it happened. "To have my dad and brother at the end was an emotional finish for sure. 'I don't know if I'll ever be able to process it, so many things have happened, it's a dream come true.' Ollie, who has walked the length of Britain and sailed across the Atlantic, came close to failing the expedition on a number of occasions. In February 2024, he fell down a gorge while 2,000 meters high crossing from Argentina into Chile. Miles from civilisation and suffering from concussion, Ollie began walking dangerously off course. Ollie says a chance meeting with a stray dog, whom he would later call Sandy, saved his life after the dog led him back to the nearest village. Last month, while travelling through Colombia, Ollie was mugged by a machete-wielding gang, who took his money, clothes and supplies. It was only the kindness of locals, who supplied him with a new phone, which meant he was able to complete his trek. Ollie said: 'I've walked through deserts, jungles, rainforests, and climbed mountains with 6 thousand feet of elevation. That is what drew me to the Andes, just how diverse it was. It's been brutal at times, altitude sickness, minus 20 degrees at night.' 'I need a new pair of knees, that's for sure, my knees are finished….and nine pairs of trainers I went through in the end!' While scaling the Andes, Ollie has been raising money for mental health charity Mind Ystradgynlais. The explorer says it was his own personal struggles with mental health that spurred him to raise the money. Ollie is due to return to Wales in the next two weeks and says he hopes to visit schools as well as write a book about his adventure and achievement. 'I need to enjoy this'', Ollie said. 'That's the most important thing, get back home and enjoy being with my family and enjoy being in Wales. I need to share my story and stay in the present and not be thinking too far ahead all the time, I think that's really important for me.' 'I'm definitely going to miss it, as hard as it was, I loved it. I've had the highest highs of my life and always felt like I was learning something new.' 'But this is the start of the next chapter now, I'm really on a mission to share my story. I've been obsessed with walking every day, but now it's all about what's next.'
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gender row boxer facing World Cup ban unless meeting new rules
Imane Khelif must undergo sex testing if she wishes to compete in any women's event organised or sanctioned by World Boxing, the governing body has said. Khelif won gold in the women's 66 kilogram category at last summer's Olympic Games, having been cleared to compete despite being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships organised by the International Boxing Association for allegedly failing to meet gender eligibility criteria. World Boxing announced on Friday it was introducing mandatory sex testing to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes wishing to take part in its competitions. The body – which will oversee boxing at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 – said it had written to the Algerian boxing federation to say that until Khelif had undergone the test, she would not be able to compete in next month's Eindhoven Box Cup or any other women's event under its authority. World Boxing said it was introducing the rules as part of a new policy on sex, age and weight 'to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women'. The letter stated that in the event of a challenge by the federation or by World Boxing to Khelif's sex certification, Khelif would remain ineligible to compete until the dispute was resolved. Speaking to ITV News in March about the row over her involvement at the Olympics, Khelif said: 'I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. 'I was born a girl, raised as a girl and have lived my entire life as one. 'I have competed in many tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and other major competitions, as well as four World Championships. 'All of these took place before I started winning and earning titles. But once I began achieving success, the campaigns against me started.' All athletes over 18 wishing to compete in a World Boxing owned or sanctioned event will need to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete. Athletes deemed to be male at birth, as evidenced by the presence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a difference of sexual development (DSD) where male androgenisation occurs, will be eligible to compete in the male category, World Boxing said.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Olympic champion Imane Khelif banned as World Boxing introduces sex testing
Representing Algeria at the Paris Olympics, Imane Khelif won gold in the women's 66kg category, having been cleared to compete despite being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships Imane Khelif must undergo sex testing if she wishes to compete in any women's event organised or sanctioned by World Boxing, the governing body has said. Khelif won gold in the women's 66 kilogram category at last summer's Olympic Games, having been cleared to compete despite being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships organised by the International Boxing Association for allegedly failing to meet gender eligibility criteria. World Boxing announced on Friday it was introducing mandatory sex testing to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes wishing to take part in its competitions. The body – which will oversee boxing at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 – said it had written to the Algerian boxing federation to say that until Khelif had undergone the test, she would not be able to compete in next month's Eindhoven Box Cup or any other women's event under its authority. World Boxing said it was introducing the rules as part of a new policy on sex, age and weight 'to ensure the safety of all participants and deliver a competitive level playing field for men and women'. The letter stated that in the event of a challenge by the federation or by World Boxing to Khelif's sex certification, Khelif would remain ineligible to compete until the dispute was resolved. Speaking to ITV News in March about the row over her involvement at the Olympics, Khelif said: 'I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born a girl, raised as a girl and have lived my entire life as one. 'I have competed in many tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and other major competitions, as well as four World Championships. 'All of these took place before I started winning and earning titles. But once I began achieving success, the campaigns against me started.' All athletes over 18 wishing to compete in a World Boxing owned or sanctioned event will need to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test to determine their sex at birth and their eligibility to compete. Athletes deemed to be male at birth, as evidenced by the presence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene) or with a difference of sexual development (DSD) where male androgenisation occurs, will be eligible to compete in the male category, World Boxing said.
STV News
2 days ago
- STV News
British woman appears in Sri Lanka court over serious drug trafficking offences
Charlotte May Lee was arrested after police allegedly found £1.2 million worth of Kush in her luggage, as ITV News' Barnaby Papadopulos reports A 21-year-old woman from South London has appeared in court in Sri Lanka over drug-related offences. Charlotte May Lee was arrested at the country's main international airport in May after police allegedly found £1.2 million worth of Kush – a type of cannabis – in her luggage, with customs describing it as their largest drug seizure to date. Lee had been travelling from Thailand, and insists the drugs were planted. The former flight attendant could face 25 years in prison if found guilty. Sampath Perera, Lee's lawyer, told ITV News that she is 'not emotionally perfect', but added that she is trying her 'very best' given the circumstances. Charlotte May Lee arrived at the Negombo Magistrate's Court on Friday He said that her family is being 'very supportive' and 'cooperative', while being in 'big pain' over her arrest. Mr Perera said he hasn't heard from the Foreign Office about support for Lee. He is unaware whether Lee's family have been in contact with the British government. ITV News has approached the Foreign Office for comment. Arriving at the Negombo Magistrates Court on Friday, Lee could be see wearing a white dress, with two police officers by her side. The court heard that critical evidence, including forensic analysis, has not yet been submitted. Lee has not been formally indicted. The Attorney General's department will only file charges in the High Court once all reports, including forensic analysis, have been submitted in court. Police said they found £1.2 million worth of Kush – a type of cannabis – in Ms Lee's luggage. / Credit: Sri Lanka Customs Last week, she told the MailOnline that she had 'never' seen the drugs that were in her suitcase. 'I didn't expect it all when they pulled me over at the airport. I thought it was going to be filled with all my stuff,' she said. She said the drugs must have been planted, adding: 'I know who did it'. Lee told the MailOnline that she travelled to Sri Lanka to wait there while her Thai visa was being renewed. She said the people she believed planted the drugs were meant to meet her at the airport. Charlotte May Lee was travelling from Thailand to Sri Lanka. / Credit: Sri Lanka Police According to the charity Prisoners Abroad, new drug cases involving British people have soared, with women and young people particularly impacted. Women made up 62% of new drug-related cases last year, while younger people made up 65% of cases, the charity said. Lee's next hearing will be on June 13. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
ITV News
2 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Pressure mounts on UK to approve evacuation and treatment of two critically ill children in Gaza
International pressure is mounting on the UK government to assist with the evacuation of two critically ill children trapped in Gaza. Project Pure Hope, a charity comprised of medical professionals and humanitarians, has called on the prime minister and foreign secretary to intervene and approve the children's evacuation. Three-year-old Hatem was severely injured in a bomb blast that killed both his parents in Gaza. He is suffering from 30% burns and requires specialist treatment. Karam, who is one year old, suffers from a complex bowel condition and requires immediate surgical intervention. His condition has deteriorated significantly, and he is experiencing severe malnutrition. British plastic surgeon Victoria Rose, who is currently in Gaza, said: "We are losing children left, right, and centre from avoidable deaths. The situation is beyond critical. These children need immediate evacuation to survive." Hatem and Karam's evacuation has already been organised by Project Pure Hope, who say they will fully fund the medevac flights and ongoing medical treatment. "These children's lives depend on the UK government's help. We have already shown what is possible by bringing two other children to safety and initiating their treatment," Rose added. Speaking about the calls to evacuate these children, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, said: "The scale of the medical catastrophe for children and the population of Gaza is horrendous, and that's why we increased our aid. "What will end this suffering is a ceasefire but if there is more that we can do to end the suffering, of course, we will seek to do that." CEO of Project Pure Hope, Dr Farzana Rahman told ITV News she wanted the UK government to, "understand the urgency of these cases," adding the "survival of these children depends on it." "In terms of caring for injured children from Gaza the UK, compared to its European counterparts, is nowhere close to providing the level of care that the other European countries have." Dr Rahman said whilst the UK had so far evacuated and treated two children earlier this year, European counterparts had so far collectively helped over 100. "The public are very supportive, they recognise that children everywhere deserve a life with dignity. They deserve a right to access healthcare." "50% of Gaza's population are children and I think the devastating toll of both the physical and psychological injuries will manifest for generations to come." Ghena, five and Rama, 12, were the first children from Gaza to arrive in the UK for medical treatment with Project Pure Hope's help. ITV News Correspondent Rachel Younger and Senior Producer Roohi Hasan covered the story. The evacuation request comes as Gaza finds itself on the brink of starvation. More than 9,000 children who have been treated for malnutrition this year, according to the UN children's agency, and food security experts say cases are expected to rise. For more than two months, Israel has banned all food, medicine and other goods from entering the territory that is home to some two million Palestinians, as it continues to carry out waves of airstrikes and ground operations. After weeks of insisting Gaza had enough food, Israel relented in the face of international pressure last week and began allowing dozens of humanitarian trucks into the territory last week - including some carrying baby food. On Thursday, the White House announced Israel had accepted a new US proposal for a temporary ceasefire which would see a pause in fighting and the return of more hostages. Speaking to reporters White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Israel "backed and supported" the proposal. Responding to the proposal, top Hamas official Bassem Naim said: 'The Zionist response, in essence, means perpetuating the occupation and continuing the killing and famine." He went on to claim the proposal "does not respond to any of our people's demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine.' Despite this Hamas have said they will study the proposed ceasefire but have yet to make a statement on whether they plan to accept its terms. Hamas had previously said it had agreed with Steve Witkoff on a 'general framework' of an agreement that would lead to a lasting ceasefire. Earlier this year, a ceasefire was implemented which saw the release of some hostages but it is believed Hamas still hold 58. When Israel broke the ceasefire agreement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any future negotiations would take place "under fire." Recently Qatar, which has been assisting ceasefire negotiations, said "fundamental differences" remained between the two sides. Netanyahu has said Israel will only end the war when all hostages are released, Hamas is destroyed or disarmed and Israel controls Gaza indefinitely facilitating what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of its population. Whilst the suggestion of displacing Gaza's population has also been suggested by US President Donald Trump most of the international community has rejected it with some legal experts saying it would likely violate international law. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners' release, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.
