Global Pulse

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  • New Mexico sues Epstein lawyer and accountant, accusing them of hiding his sex crimes

    New Mexico sues Epstein lawyer and accountant, accusing them of hiding his sex crimes

    Nearly five years after Jeffrey Epstein’s death, the long hunt for accountability for his co-conspirators has entered a new phase: prosecutors in New Mexico have filed a landmark civil lawsuit against two of the disgraced financier’s closest, longest-serving aides, alleging they actively facilitated his sex trafficking operation and continue to profit from it decades later.

    The targets of the suit are Darren Indyke, Epstein’s longtime personal lawyer, and Richard Kahn, his accountant. The two men also serve as the sole executors of Epstein’s estate, putting them in control of the late financier’s sprawling $635 million fortune, a sum estimated at the time of his death in 2019. Both men have forcefully denied all allegations of involvement in Epstein’s criminal activity.

    At the center of the new legal action is Epstein’s remote Zorro Ranch, located outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez alleges that Indyke and Kahn knowingly helped conceal ongoing sexual abuse of underage victims at the property for years, and have continued to block efforts by survivors to secure rightful compensation from Epstein’s estate even after his death.

    This civil lawsuit is separate from a criminal investigation into Epstein’s activities in New Mexico that state officials reopened back in February 2024. The new complaint was filed Wednesday in state court, citing both the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act and New Mexico’s state-level Racketeering Act.

    During a public press conference announcing the suit, Torrez emphasized that the $635 million in assets controlled by the two aides should rightfully go to Epstein’s survivors, not to the men who helped enable his crimes. Torrez argued, “Those resources rightfully belong in the hands of survivors – there should be no distribution of Mr Epstein’s remaining assets to people like Mr Indyke and Mr Kahn for participation in what I think is one of the most horrific criminal enterprises in modern America.”

    Indyke and Kahn have worked alongside Epstein for decades. Both previously testified before Congress that they had no knowledge of Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes, which he committed alongside his longtime accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

    Daniel Weiner, an attorney representing both Indyke and Kahn, issued a formal statement to media rejecting all claims in the lawsuit. Weiner said his clients “emphatically reject” the allegations, and are confident they will prevail in court. He added, “Both Mr Indyke and Mr Kahn reject as categorically false the allegations that they knowingly facilitated or assisted Mr Epstein in his sexual abuse or trafficking of women, or that they were aware of Mr Epstein’s actions while they provided legal or accounting services to him.”

    Weiner also claimed that New Mexico prosecutors never reached out to interview either man before filing the lawsuit, calling the action “baseless.” He countered that the two aides have fully cooperated with all official investigations when requested.

    The legal role of Indyke and Kahn as estate executors dates back to just two days before Epstein’s suicide in a New York jail in August 2019, where he was being held while awaiting trial on federal child sex trafficking charges. Shortly before his death, Epstein revised his last will and testament to transfer all of his assets into a trust named after his birth year, naming Indyke and Kahn as the administrators of the fund.

    In their role as executors, the pair previously negotiated partial compensation packages for survivors, but these agreements included clauses that barred survivors from taking further legal action against Indyke and Kahn personally. Even so, a number of legal claims against the estate remain unresolved. As named beneficiaries of the trust, legal analysts note that Indyke and Kahn stand to collect tens of millions of dollars each once all outstanding claims against the estate are settled.

    Torrez’s core argument in the new suit echoes a long-held belief among prosecutors and survivor advocates that Epstein’s widespread abuse was only possible because of a network of enablers who have yet to face justice. “Jeffrey Epstein did not operate alone, and his death does not end the pursuit of accountability for the people who helped make his crimes possible,” Torrez said. “Those who allegedly enabled this exploitation should not be allowed to profit from it while survivors continue to live with its consequences.”

  • Japan is known for world-class events – but the Asian Games were chaotic

    Japan is known for world-class events – but the Asian Games were chaotic

    Japan has built a decades-long global reputation for seamless execution of large-scale international gatherings, from the Summer Olympic Games to annual Tokyo gaming conventions that draw hundreds of thousands of attendees. But the 2026 Asian Games, hosted across Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, have shattered that image, marred by an unbroken string of organizational missteps, diplomatic gaffes, and logistical failures that have drawn widespread public condemnation.

    From the pre-tournament planning phase, warning signs emerged. In an effort to cut down on overall costs, organizers made the controversial decision to scrap construction of a centralized, purpose-built athletes’ village, opting instead to house 17,000 participating athletes and delegation members across scattered city hotels and prefabricated container-style units across Nagoya. Even before opening ceremonies, complaints poured in: athletes reported insufficient room blocks, substandard living conditions, and cramped sleeping quarters. A senior South Korean basketball official noted that tall athletes staying in the container units could not fully extend their legs on the undersized beds provided.

    A last-minute surge in participant numbers exacerbated the housing crisis. Originally, organizers had arranged accommodations for a maximum of 15,000 delegation members, aligned with the original host city agreement. But after multiple new sports were added to the Asian Games program, total participation rose by 2,000, pushing the final headcount to 17,000. Initially, organizers told late-registered delegations there was simply no available housing and instructed them to secure their own accommodation, before reversing course in a joint statement with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) that pledged all attendees would receive Games-appropriate lodging. To close the gap, organizers even chartered an Italian cruise ship with 1,500 cabins to absorb the overflow.

    The problems extended far beyond housing. Over the course of the tournament, competing athletes were repeatedly bussed to the wrong competition venues. Diplomatic errors drew international outcry: the North Korean national anthem was mistakenly played for the South Korean men’s hockey team during a pre-game ceremony, the South Korean flag failed to be properly raised during the men’s football gold medal match, and Taiwan’s sports minister was temporarily barred from entering an official flag-raising ceremony. Even volunteer appreciation efforts went awry: in the final days of the Games, volunteers received an official email offering free tickets to the closing ceremony, only for organizers to later clarify that the offer had never been approved and was still under internal review.

    The deputy director general of the Asian Games organizing committee, Takaaki Omi, has acknowledged the cascade of failures, admitting that the event – which actually hosted more participants than the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – created significant inconvenience for many delegations. “Hosting and managing an event of this scale was a major challenge for us, and each day involved addressing a range of unexpected issues and challenges,” Omi told the BBC. He added that organizers actively collected feedback from competing athletes and implemented prompt adjustments to resolve issues as they arose.

    Local Japanese media has quickly pinned much of the blame on GL Events Japan, the French-owned firm that won the 63 billion yen ($405 million) contract to manage venue operations. The contract was awarded to GL Events Japan over domestic advertising giant Dentsu Group, a firm with decades of experience successfully delivering major Japanese sporting events that was sidelined after a criminal bid-rigging conviction. A source close to the bidding process told Kyodo News that GL Events submitted a bid that was overwhelmingly cheaper than competing proposals. The Tokyo Shimbun has since accused the firm of cutting critical corners on staffing, failing to hire enough experienced personnel and leaving recruited staff insufficiently trained to handle emerging issues.

    Organizers have pushed back against that criticism, noting that GL Events has deep experience delivering major international competitions, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. “We believe the necessary competition environment was in place by the start of competition, including thorough discussions and co-ordination with GL Events,” Omi said. Kozo Tomiyama, a professor at Osaka University who specializes in major sporting event management, argued that placing all blame on GL Events is overly simplistic. He noted the firm was given an extremely broad scope of responsibility, adding that the contract was awarded through direct negotiation rather than competitive bidding, raising questions about the vetting process and post-award oversight of the contractor. GL Events has not responded to multiple requests for comment from the BBC.

    These repeated missteps have stood in stark contrast to Japan’s famed omotenashi spirit of whole-hearted hospitality that the country had hoped to showcase to the global sports community. Japanese officials ultimately issued a formal public apology to the South Korean delegation for the string of errors that affected its athletes. Problems have even extended into the post-Games Para Asian Games, where incorrect national anthems were played at three separate events, prompting Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa – who also serves as deputy head of the organizing committee – to call the mistakes unacceptable and issue a formal apology.

    Not all feedback on the Games has been negative. OCA director general Husain al-Musallam highlighted that 54 new world records were set across swimming, weightlifting, and shooting, arguing that this level of athletic achievement proves the Games were ultimately successful. “This achievement does not come without the best environment that the organising committee created for the athletes,” he said. “The athletes cannot perform if they don’t sleep good, the athletes cannot perform if they don’t have good transportation.”

    For experts like Tomiyama, the biggest long-term risk is the impact these failures could have on Japan’s ability to bid for and host future international competitions. “If these problems damage international confidence in Japan’s ability to operate sporting events, they could also affect Japan’s ability to attract international competitions in the future,” he warned. He added that he hopes organizers will conduct a full post-event review to extract critical lessons that can improve future event delivery across the country. Online, Japanese and international sports fans have already called for a full independent investigation into the organizational failures, with some commenters labeling the 2026 Nagova Asian Games the “worst Games in history”.

  • Azerbaijan bans 31 Turks from entering country as headscarf ban dispute escalates

    Azerbaijan bans 31 Turks from entering country as headscarf ban dispute escalates

    Once defined by deep ethnic, religious, cultural and historical kinship, the diplomatic relationship between Azerbaijan and Turkey is facing its most significant strain in recent years, sparked by a dispute over a domestic education policy that quickly escalated into a full-blown bilateral crisis. In the latest punitive measure from Baku, authorities have banned 31 Turkish citizens from entering the country, accusing the group of posting social media content that endangers Azerbaijani national security and promotes the violent overthrow of the national government. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs added that many individuals on the entry ban list also employed violent rhetoric tied to religious radicalism. The roster of barred individuals cuts across Turkey’s political, media and academic spheres, including several high-profile conservative and ultraconservative figures. Top among them is Fatih Erbakan, leader of Turkey’s far-right New Welfare Party, who openly criticized Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on social media platform X following Aliyev’s meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Baku last week. “After hosting the Zionist murderer Herzog in Baku, you became blind to your true friends,” Erbakan wrote in the post that drew Baku’s ire. Other banned individuals include sitting Turkish Member of Parliament Omer Gergerlioglu, deputy chairman of the right-wing Free Cause Party Yahya Ugras, prominent journalists Adem Ozkose, Ismail Kilincarslan and Hakki Eren, well-known conservative writer Yusuf Kaplan, and theology professor Mehmet Boynukalin. The vast majority of those named hold explicit conservative religious or political views, aligning with their public criticism of Baku’s new policy. The current crisis traces back to last month, when Azerbaijan implemented a ban on headscarves in primary and secondary schools. The policy immediately sparked widespread public protests across Turkey, turning a domestic education rule into a major diplomatic flashpoint between the two traditionally allied nations. Beyond the entry ban, Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s office announced on Monday that a Baku district court has issued in absentia international arrest warrants for seven Turkey-based residents who organized or participated in anti-ban demonstrations outside Azerbaijani diplomatic missions in Turkey. Those targeted in the warrants include Ridvan Kaya, head of the conservative Turkish association Ozgur-Der, Abdullah Imamoglu, a writer for conservative news outlet Haksoz, and Fatih Tezcan, a prominent commentator with well-documented Islamic conservative views. The Azerbaijani interior ministry has made clear that additional restrictive measures remain on the table, vowing further action against any actors it deems to be engaging in threatening activity against the state. Even as tensions surge, the two countries maintain deep economic ties, holding billions of dollars in mutual investments across key sectors including energy, transportation, construction and agriculture. That has not stopped pro-Baku Azerbaijani news outlets from launching sharp new attacks this week, however, with multiple outlets accusing Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of orchestrating efforts to incite an insurrection against Aliyev’s government. With reciprocal public criticism and punitive measures piling up, the once-close bilateral partnership now faces one of its most challenging periods in modern history.

  • Albania’s revolt: How Rama’s Kushner resort deal became a threat to his leadership

    Albania’s revolt: How Rama’s Kushner resort deal became a threat to his leadership

    Weeks after Donald Trump secured his 2024 U.S. presidential election victory, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave preliminary greenlight to a €1.4 billion luxury coastal resort project tied to the incoming U.S. president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner – a decision that would eventually spark a nationwide protest movement roiling the small Balkan nation. The development is earmarked for the strategic island of Sazan and the adjacent Zvernec coastline, located adjacent to Albania’s ecologically protected Narta wetlands, a habitat home to iconic flocks of flamingos. On December 30, 2024, Rama’s national Strategic Investments Committee formally granted Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC – the Kushner-linked firm leading the project – official strategic investor status, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for construction. For Rama, the deal was more than just an infrastructure investment: it offered a critical backchannel to the incoming Trump White House, a relationship the long-serving prime minister has relied on to shore up his grip on power after 13 years in office. What Rama did not anticipate, however, was that the controversial resort would become a lightning rod for years of simmering public anger over elite corruption, stagnant economic opportunity, and the hollowing out of Albanian democracy. For decades, large-scale development deals in the country have siphoned wealth to a small circle of connected political and business insiders, while ordinary Albanians have grappled with stagnant low wages, chronic unemployment, and widespread economic insecurity that has pushed millions to leave the country. Between 2011 and 2023 alone, more than 600,000 Albanians emigrated abroad in search of better prospects. Today, Albania’s total population hovers at just 2.3 million, declining by roughly one percent annually as working-age people flee the country’s lack of opportunity. To fill gaps in the workforce left by mass emigration, Rama’s government has increasingly turned to bringing in low-wage migrant workers from poorer countries like India and the Philippines – with more than 22,000 foreign work permits issued by June 2026 – even as it ignores widespread voter demands for economic and political reform. The first local protests against the Sazan resort project erupted in the affected coastal region, before snowballing into daily mass demonstrations in the capital city of Tirana starting in late May 2026. The movement quickly adopted the name the “Flamingo Revolution,” a nod to the vulnerable wetland ecosystem that would be damaged by the resort development, and the name quickly drew international attention, in large part due to the project’s ties to a senior figure connected to the incoming U.S. administration. By October 2026, university students joined the protests in force, bringing with them their own grievances over soaring education costs, crumbling university infrastructure, and the lack of professional opportunities waiting for them after graduation. Unlike traditional protest movements, the Flamingo Revolution has deliberately rejected centralized leadership, a strategic choice that movement supporters say protects it from government co-optation. “The lack of leadership figures amongst the protesters is a good thing – the government doesn’t have a chance to buy someone off or threaten their family,” explained Ervin Salianji, a former Democratic Party lawmaker who has emerged as a prominent critic of both the Rama government and the unofficial power-sharing deal between Rama and his own party’s long-time leader, Sali Berisha. Salianji accuses both leaders of colluding to control candidate selection for elections, shutting out voter input and allowing a tiny elite to accumulate massive wealth at the expense of the public. “If we had a single leader of the movement they might be in jail right now. This is an advantage at the moment. Rama now realises that he has few options to respond to the protest now,” Salianji added, noting that the prime minister has already resorted to heavy-handed tactics: threatening students, teachers, and public workers who join the demonstrations, while offering police officers a €2,000 bonus to use violence against protesters. For Fatos Lubonja, a prominent Albanian writer and long-time dissident who spent 17 years as a political prisoner under the country’s former communist regime, the protests lay bare a far deeper crisis: the complete collapse of democratic institutions in Albania, which he says has been captured by a criminalized elite. “There is a crisis of institutions and democracy. We don’t have a healthy economy but a criminal economy and crime has captured the state,” Lubonja told Middle East Eye in an interview from Tirana. Lubonja has been an outspoken critic of Rama’s authoritarian turn during his 13 years in power, noting that unlike the former communist regime, which ultimately yielded power to democratic forces, Rama has shown no willingness to step down even as public anger mounts. The controversy over the Kushner resort has also shed light on Rama’s deliberate strategy to strengthen ties with Israel, leveraging Kushner’s well-documented close friendship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curry favor with the incoming Trump administration. In April 2025, Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded Rama the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour in recognition of his strong public support for Israel. That same month, Albania’s state-owned defense firm Kayo signed a memorandum of understanding with major Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems to launch a new aviation academy in the Albanian port city of Vlore. During a January 2026 visit to Jerusalem, Rama pledged even deeper defense cooperation between the two countries. Rama’s government has also invested in building three new Jewish museums in Albania, a country with almost no historic Jewish resident population, to drive tourism from Israel – a gambit that has succeeded wildly: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed in October 2026 that annual Israeli visitor numbers had already surged past 100,000, a more than 500% increase from just one year prior. Critics have drawn unflattering comparisons between the Sazan resort project and Kushner’s controversial proposal to forcibly displace Palestinian residents of Gaza to redevelop the territory, while many protesters have labeled the development “another Epstein Island,” a shorthand for the unaccountable abuse of power by a global elite that disregards the needs and rights of ordinary people. Photographs from the October 2026 protests in central Tirana show violent clashes between demonstrators and riot police, with officers taking cover from Molotov cocktails thrown by protesters, and damaged vehicles littering city streets after days of unrest. For the protesters who have flooded Tirana’s streets demanding Rama’s resignation, the escalation to violent clashes in October came after months of peaceful mobilization failed to win any of their core demands: an independent crackdown on systemic corruption, the formation of a transitional caretaker government, and the end of Rama’s 13-year rule. The protest movement comes as a wave of corruption investigations has already swept up senior figures across Albania’s political establishment. Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has been held in pre-trial detention since February 2025 on charges of corruption and money laundering, which he denies. Former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku faces corruption charges linked to more than €200 million in public sector contracts, and she also denies any wrongdoing. In September 2026, an Albanian court placed national intelligence chief Vlora Hyseni under house arrest and suspended her from office, following a request from the country’s Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK). Investigators suspect Hyseni of leaking classified information to organized crime groups. Rama has repeatedly denied any connection to the corruption cases against his close political allies. International bodies have so far offered measured responses to the crisis. The European Commission, which oversees Albania’s ongoing accession process to the bloc, has condemned arson, attacks on state institutions, and property destruction, while welcoming the Albanian government’s stated commitment to protecting the right to peaceful protest and praising Tirana’s progress toward EU membership. The EC has also demanded that Albanian authorities respond to the protests lawfully and proportionately, and the EU delegation to Albania has previously called for formal investigations into widespread reports of excessive police violence against protesters and independent journalists. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has issued a statement urging all sides to exercise restraint and ensure demonstrations remain peaceful. Speaking from Tirana, Lubonja framed the current moment as a defining crossroads for Albanian democracy. “The protests stand at a crossroads: either Edi Rama creates a police state, or with courage, a different Albania can emerge. The situation is frightening – democracies are also defended through blood,” he said.

  • Ex-prosecutor charged with treason in Mexico over US drug raid

    Ex-prosecutor charged with treason in Mexico over US drug raid

    A high-stakes legal case has unfolded in Mexico following the weekend arrest of César Jáuregui Moreno, the former top prosecutor of the northern border state of Chihuahua, who faces federal treason charges for granting unapproved access to U.S. agents during an April counter-narcotics raid. The incident that sparked the charges came to tragic light when two American agents, widely reported by U.S. media to be CIA operatives, died alongside two Mexican law enforcement officers from Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency in a deadly car crash. The crash occurred as the team’s convoy returned from a mission targeting an illicit methamphetamine production lab in Chihuahua’s remote mountain terrain, when the vehicle veered off a roadway and plummeted into a deep ravine.

    Jáuregui held the position of Chihuahua’s attorney general from 2023 through early 2025, and is currently a member of Mexico’s conservative opposition National Action Party (PAN). Federal Attorney General Ernestina Godoy Ramos has laid out formal allegations that Jáuregui permitted foreign agents to carry out law enforcement activities that are legally reserved exclusively for Mexican state authorities, and that he deliberately withheld critical information about the agents’ involvement from federal officials. In addition to the federal treason charge, the ex-prosecutor also faces separate state charges in Chihuahua, including a count of abuse of public office.

    Following his arrest over the weekend, Jáuregui appeared before a judge on Sunday for an initial hearing on the state-level charges, where he issued a full denial of all accusations against him. He repeated his assertion that he never gave instruction or consent for U.S. agents to participate in the operational raid. When the crash first occurred in April, Jáuregui addressed reporters in his then-official capacity, framing the American individuals as “instructor officers” from the U.S. Embassy who were in the region for routine training as part of standard bilateral law enforcement exchange programs.

    A preliminary court hearing on the federal treason charge is scheduled for this coming Saturday, after which a judge will rule on whether sufficient evidence exists to move forward with a full trial, according to reporting from Reuters. The case comes at a tense moment in U.S.-Mexico relations, as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has faced growing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to escalate crackdowns on transnational drug trafficking. Sheinbaum has consistently rejected proposals for U.S.-led counter-narcotics operations within Mexican territory, maintaining a firm stance that all foreign personnel can only conduct activities on Mexican soil with explicit, prior authorization from the Mexican federal government. The president has repeatedly emphasized that upholding Mexico’s national sovereignty is non-negotiable, and that any breach of that sovereignty will not be tolerated.

  • Pope does not need further treatment after lung cancer surgery

    Pope does not need further treatment after lung cancer surgery

    Just days after being discharged from a Rome hospital following lung cancer surgery, Pope Leo XIV made his return to St Peter’s Square on Wednesday to resume his traditional weekly general audience, capping a remarkably swift recovery that has reassured followers around the globe.

    According to an official statement released by the Vatican, the 71-year-old pontiff’s medical team has confirmed he will not require any additional cancer treatment after a successful procedure to remove a malignant growth from his right lung. Post-surgical pathology tests on the extracted tissue verified the initial diagnosis of localized lung adenocarcinoma, with no indication the cancer had spread beyond the affected area. The statement noted that a full oncological review after the surgery finalized the medical team’s conclusion that no further intervention is needed.

    The 90-minute surgical procedure, which removed the lower lobe of Pope Leo’s right lung, took place on October 13. The pontiff had publicly announced the upcoming surgery himself during his weekly Sunday prayer service days earlier, telling the crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square that clinicians had detected a problematic nodule on his lung and that the growth had been caught at an early stage. He was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital over the weekend, just four days after the operation, and paused outside the facility to greet and thank well-wishers who had gathered to show their support.

    Even while still recovering in the hospital, Pope Leo maintained his active spiritual and diplomatic agenda. Days after the surgery, photos released by the Vatican showed the pontiff leading Mass from his hospital room, standing at a makeshift altar and wearing his ceremonial green vestments. On that same day, he held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he pushed for a temporary ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The Pope urged Putin to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian food aid to reach trapped civilians in the blockaded city, and reiterated his longstanding call for diplomatic dialogue to end the ongoing conflict. Two days later, on Monday, he held a similar call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss peace efforts and the humanitarian situation on the ground.

    Close aides to the Pope have also confirmed that he remains committed to moving forward with his planned apostolic trip to Latin America, scheduled for early November, and has no intention of delaying the journey amid his recovery. Wednesday’s general audience marked his first return to a regular public schedule since his hospitalization, signaling to Catholic communities worldwide that he is back to leading the Church amid his recovery.

  • Rosenberg: US diplomatic push offers little hope for imminent Ukraine peace

    Rosenberg: US diplomatic push offers little hope for imminent Ukraine peace

    After two days of back-to-back diplomatic negotiations across Oslo, Norway, and St. Petersburg, Russia, the critical question lingers: has any meaningful progress been made toward ending the nearly three-year war in Ukraine?

    Norway’s prime minister characterized Tuesday’s discussions involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Steve Witkoff — U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy — and European representatives as “good and constructive.” During the Oslo meeting, participants floated the idea of a high-level trilateral summit, with the initial expectation that Witkoff’s visit to St. Petersburg would clear the path for a face-to-face meeting between Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump to negotiate a ceasefire and a long-term peace deal.

    However, Putin has so far demonstrated little willingness to sit down with Zelenskyy on neutral ground, insisting that any such meeting must take place in Moscow. The Kremlin has indicated it would be open to resuming trilateral discussions next month in Abu Dhabi, but only at the technical working level, not among top leaders.

    Witkoff himself acknowledged the slow pace of progress in a post on X, admitting that “there is still important work to do” while reaffirming that “President Trump remains committed to seeing this war end.”

    The most revealing assessment of the talks came from Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy aide, who took part in the St. Petersburg negotiations. Ushakov confirmed that Witkoff had shared details of the Oslo discussions with Putin, including what Witkoff described as “new approaches from the Europeans and Kyiv.” But the Kremlin advisor made clear he was unimpressed with the proposals, stating bluntly: “In terms of resolving the Ukraine crisis, there wasn’t much there that was useful.”

    When pressed by Russian state television on how close the parties are to a peace deal, Ushakov offered only a vague, noncommittal response: “I don’t know how close we are getting, but things are moving in that direction.”

    This ambiguity points to a broader reality: Putin currently feels no urgent pressure to wrap up the conflict. He is well aware that Ukraine’s air defense systems are under unprecedented strain, and that the arrival of winter creates an opportunity to ramp up missile and drone strikes on energy infrastructure in an attempt to force Ukrainian submission. Additionally, Putin knows that the sitting U.S. president has repeatedly expressed a desire to pursue a closer, more economically beneficial relationship with Moscow.

    In recent weeks, Trump has paused the implementation of several new sanctions against Russia, approved the purchase of Russian diesel, and issued sharp public criticism of Zelenskyy — all moves that reduce diplomatic and economic pressure on the Kremlin. This shift has been warmly received by Russian officials. “Right now Trump is the only leader in the Western world who is doing something for peace,” Evgeny Popov, a Russian member of parliament and state television anchor, remarked in an interview. When asked if this meant peace on Russia’s terms, Popov responded plainly: “Of course!”

    While a trilateral summit between Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump does not appear imminent, another high-profile meeting may go ahead next month on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China, where Putin, Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to gather. Some Russian commentators have already labeled this potential gathering “The New Yalta,” drawing a parallel to the 1945 Yalta Conference where Allied leaders Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Franklin D. Roosevelt met to reorganize the political and territorial order of post-WWII Europe.

    “Russia, China and the United States are the only superpowers right now in the world,” Popov noted. “Of course, it will be good for the entire world if our leaders meet in China.” After nearly three years of war, such a meeting would place Putin exactly where he has long sought to be: back at the center of global high-stakes politics.

  • Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia forge ‘Badr’ deal to jointly produce weapons

    Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia forge ‘Badr’ deal to jointly produce weapons

    On Wednesday, four nations across the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia took a major step forward in expanding global defense collaboration, signing a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework for joint military hardware production, as well as deeper cooperation across military training, research, and development. Turkey has grown into one of the world’s most prominent defense industry exporters in recent years, with Turkish defense firms annually selling billions of dollars worth of military equipment, including cutting-edge drones, robust air defense systems, and armored vehicles, to international buyers.

    The signing ceremony took place in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Turkey’s defense delegation was led by Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Haluk Gorgun, President of Turkish Defence Industries. They were joined by Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Yusuf Jauhari for the official signing.

    In a statement released after the ceremony, Turkey’s defense ministry announced that the new agreement would be called the “Badr deal.” The name draws its origin from the Battle of Badr, a foundational 624 CE conflict in the Arabian Peninsula that marked one of the earliest major military victories for the Prophet Muhammad and his followers. “Badr translates to full moon, and the name reflects how the four participating nations complement one another through this pact, which carries substantial military and economic weight for all involved,” the statement explained. “By combining each country’s unique strengths in military production, we will achieve greater cooperation and integration, expand collective defense industry capacities, and better meet the security needs of allied and friendly nations around the world.”

    Sources familiar with the implementation process, speaking exclusively to Middle East Eye, outlined the next steps for the partnership. First, each signatory will map out its specific domestic security requirements within its own national defense framework. After that, an executive board made up of technical experts from all four countries will draft detailed plans for joint production projects. These plans will then be forwarded to a higher strategic board composed of defense ministers, deputy ministers, and senior defense industry officials from each nation. This strategic body will make final decisions on critical issues including project budgets and production site locations, clearing the way for the launch of shared production lines.

    According to the sources, Qatar has committed to providing both financial investment and technological expertise to the initiative. This move comes as Qatar and other Gulf states have faced growing pressure to upgrade their air defense capabilities in the wake of rising tensions following the Iran war. Most joint production facilities are expected to be hosted in Turkey, which already boasts the most extensive and advanced defense manufacturing infrastructure in the region.

    Qatari sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Middle East Eye that the deal was shaped by lessons learned during recent regional tensions between Qatar and Iran, as well as ongoing security crises in the Strait of Hormuz. For Qatar, the partnership delivers two key benefits: it deepens already strong bilateral ties with Ankara, while also addressing Doha’s top priority of accessing cost-effective air defense systems to meet its security needs.

    Overall, the Badr initiative is designed to strengthen defense industry connections between the four countries, boost regional and international security and stability, and build collective production capacity to meet the demand for military equipment from allied and friendly nations. A senior Turkish defense industry insider, speaking to Middle East Eye in May, noted that Gulf states have increasingly turned to Turkish defense systems in recent years because major alternative suppliers like the United States are facing multi-year delivery delays for systems such as Patriot and Thaad air defense platforms and their associated ammunition. “Gulf countries can purchase Turkish systems on much shorter timelines, and they also have the option to localize production and engage in joint development if conditions are favorable,” the insider explained. “More and more, these nations are recognizing that working with Turkey offers a far better value proposition.”

  • Gaza’s breast cancer patients face a deadly wait for treatment amid Israel’s genocide

    Gaza’s breast cancer patients face a deadly wait for treatment amid Israel’s genocide

    In the partially wrecked halls of Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital, 46-year-old Palestinian breast cancer patient Najat Abu al-Sheikh just completed another round of treatment. She and her husband now wait outside for a ride home, but the life-sustaining care she needs to beat her cancer remains tragically out of reach.

    Abu al-Sheikh was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in January 2026. Three weeks after her diagnosis, she received her first dose of chemotherapy at al-Helou International Hospital. She completed eight rounds of chemo and underwent a mastectomy, but her treatment regimen is still incomplete. The radiotherapy that was supposed to start in February cannot be accessed anywhere in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, and the delay puts her at higher risk of cancer recurrence and sharply reduces her odds of a full recovery. Today, she only receives preventive targeted therapy at al-Shifa to lower that risk, and she waits desperately for permission to travel abroad for the missing radiotherapy treatment.

    Abu al-Sheikh is far from alone in this agony. She is one of roughly 11,000 Gaza cancer patients who cannot get the full, life-saving care they need, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The scope of the healthcare collapse in Gaza is staggering: the World Health Organization confirms that 94 percent of all hospitals in the enclave have been completely or partially destroyed during Israel’s military campaign. Al-Shifa, Gaza’s largest hospital, was raided twice by Israeli forces and rendered non-functional, only resuming limited operations in December 2025.

    Despite registering for medical evacuation with the Palestinian health ministry back in April 2026, Abu al-Sheikh has not yet secured a spot for treatment abroad. Her doctor ordered her to leave for radiotherapy in February, and she remains stuck in a deadly waiting game. She is one of more than 21,000 patients who have waited for months to leave Gaza for urgent medical care. Israeli restrictions on departures have already led to the deaths of at least 1,570 waiting patients, including 505 cancer patients and 264 children, according to data from Physicians for Human Rights Israel.

    The crisis of cancer care in Gaza extends far beyond individual patient stories. Dr. Mohammed Abu Nada, director of the Gaza Cancer Centre, reports that more than 500 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in Gaza between 2024 and 2025, a number he calls “significant” — and he warns the true number is almost certainly higher. “These figures do not necessarily reflect the actual number of cases due to the disruption of diagnostic services, the difficulty of accessing medical services and hospitals, as well as the existence of cases that may not have been diagnosed or recorded,” he explained. Israel’s war has shattered every step of breast cancer care, from early screening and diagnosis to treatment and post-treatment follow-up, and only a tiny handful of hospitals can still offer any level of oncology services.

    The destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure has been systematic: Israel’s ground invasion in October 2023 seized control of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, Gaza’s only dedicated cancer care facility, which Israeli forces converted into a military barracks before demolishing it months later. In June 2025, Israeli forces also seized control of the European Gaza Hospital, the main referral center for cancer patients in southern Gaza. While a 2025 ceasefire was supposed to end hostilities and open the border for critical medical supplies and equipment to restock Gaza’s damaged hospitals, Israel has continued to violate the agreement through ongoing bombardments and strict restrictions on aid entry.

    Three years after the start of the conflict, Gaza’s cancer patients and healthcare workers still face crippling shortages of diagnostic tools, lab supplies, and essential medications. Dr. Abu Nada notes that critical imaging services are largely unavailable: before the war, Gaza had 15 mammography machines for breast cancer screening, and now only three remain functional across the entire enclave. The World Health Organization has repeatedly condemned the ongoing restrictions on medical imports, noting that securing an entry permit for even basic supplies takes a minimum of two and a half months, with requirements changing constantly. These shortages have forced clinicians to alter or delay treatment plans entirely, and in some extreme cases, doctors have been forced to use expired chemotherapy drugs because no other alternatives exist.

    For patients, the struggle to access care is compounded by the collapse of every other basic service in Gaza. Widespread displacement, deep poverty, and the breakdown of transportation, electricity, and water infrastructure turn an already brutal battle with cancer into an even greater hardship. Even basic supportive care items are out of reach for many: Abu al-Sheikh cannot afford the vitamins her recovery requires, and there are no cosmetic creams available to help with the appearance of her mastectomy scar.

    Thirty-four-year-old Tahrir Atallah, another stage two breast cancer patient waiting for evacuation approval, summed up the collective despair of Gaza’s cancer community: “Beyond all the suffering related to our health and treatment, life after the war makes us even more exhausted.” Like many others, she has to walk long distances to reach her chemotherapy appointments because no public transportation is operating, and she must manage household chores by hand when there is no electricity or gas for appliances, all while managing the debilitating side effects of treatment.

    For thousands of cancer patients across Gaza, every day of delay is a day that brings them closer to preventable death, as the international community fails to hold violating parties accountable and ensure life-saving care reaches those who need it most.

  • UK teachers could be banned from wearing ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘watermelon’ badges

    UK teachers could be banned from wearing ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘watermelon’ badges

    A government-commissioned independent review into rising antisemitism in British schools is set to recommend new restrictions on political expression by school staff, including proposed guidance that would discourage teachers from wearing pro-Palestine badges and symbols, according to advance reports of the findings. The report, led by former education chief Sir David Bell, is expected to be published imminently, and the UK government has already signaled it will adopt all of its recommendations in full.

    The review’s key statistical finding, which has been pre-reported by multiple outlets, will confirm that 60% of Jewish school students in the UK have personally encountered antisemitic abuse within school settings, while one in five students of all backgrounds have witnessed antisemitic incidents on campus. In framing the report’s core argument, Bell has argued that previous broad commitments to combating hate crime have failed to specifically name and target antisemitism as a distinct form of prejudice. “If you don’t name it, you don’t actually know what you’re tackling or what you’re going to be able to do to respond to it,” Bell stated in pre-released commentary.

    Among the most controversial recommendations slated to appear in the report is advice for schools to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, a non-binding framework that has faced widespread criticism over its impact on free speech. Originally drafted in 2004 to help global bodies monitor antisemitic incidents, the IHRA definition includes an example that labels claims that “the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour” as antisemitic. Even Kenneth Stern, the original author of the definition, has repeatedly warned against using it as a disciplinary tool, arguing it would unfairly chill legitimate political criticism of Israel. In 2018, prominent human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC issued a legal opinion concluding that widespread adoption of the definition would have a chilling effect on free speech by discouraging legitimate commentary on Israeli policy.

    On the issue of staff political expression, advance reports indicate the review will stop short of calling for a total ban on all political badges, but will advise school leaders to examine whether pro-Palestine insignia — including the widely used watermelon symbol, which has become a popular visual shorthand for Palestinian solidarity — are appropriate for classroom settings. The report will also call on the UK Department for Education to develop updated, clearer guidance for teachers on maintaining impartiality when leading discussions of the Israel-Palestine conflict, alongside new educational resources for the topic. Additional recommendations include mandatory media literacy training to help students identify and push back against antisemitic conspiracy theories shared online, and updates to Holocaust education curricula to frame antisemitism as a central, explicit theme of the Holocaust atrocity.

    The commissioning of the Bell review followed a specific political incident: a school visit planned by Damien Egan, a Labour MP and deputy chair of the pro-Israel lobbying group Labour Friends of Israel, was cancelled after organisers learned pro-Palestine protests were planned outside the school campus. Since the outbreak of the current Israel-Gaza war last year, UK authorities have reported a sharp rise in the number of school children referred to the controversial Prevent counter-extremism programme over their display of pro-Palestine badges and stickers, in a trend that has raised alarms among free speech advocates.

    In response to early media coverage of the review’s contents, a Department for Education spokesperson told independent outlet Middle East Eye that the full report has not been made public, and all current claims about its findings are still based on speculation.