Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Allegations in Epstein files may amount to ‘crimes against humanity’, UN experts say

    Allegations in Epstein files may amount to ‘crimes against humanity’, UN experts say

    A United Nations-appointed expert panel has declared that millions of documents pertaining to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein indicate the operation of a “global criminal enterprise” whose actions may constitute crimes against humanity. The independent experts, commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council, stated that the scale and systematic nature of these atrocities against women and girls potentially meet the legal threshold for humanity crimes.

    The expert analysis reveals these crimes occurred within a context characterized by supremacist ideologies, systemic racism, corruption, and extreme misogyny. According to their assessment, the documented evidence demonstrates a disturbing pattern of commodification and dehumanization of female victims across multiple jurisdictions.

    The panel emphasized the transnational reach and systematic character of these violations, noting that the sheer volume of evidence warrants immediate independent investigation. They called for thorough and impartial inquiries into both the crimes themselves and the institutional failures that enabled their prolonged perpetration.

    Concerns were specifically raised regarding the recent document release process, with experts citing “serious compliance failures and botched redactions” that inadvertently exposed sensitive victim information. The disclosure has reportedly identified over 1,200 victims in documents released to date.

    The UN statement further noted that many survivors have experienced retraumatization through what they describe as ‘institutional gaslighting,’ citing perceived reluctance to pursue comprehensive investigations or full transparency. This follows the mandated release of Epstein-related documents under legislation approved by Congress with bipartisan support in November.

    The released documentation has revealed extensive connections between Epstein and prominent figures across political, financial, academic, and business spheres, both before and after his 2008 guilty plea for prostitution charges involving minors. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, with official authorities ruling his death a suicide.

  • Paris prosecutors open 2 Epstein-linked probes and call on victims to come forward

    Paris prosecutors open 2 Epstein-linked probes and call on victims to come forward

    PARIS — French judicial authorities have initiated two parallel criminal investigations stemming from the Jeffrey Epstein case, marking a significant development in the international pursuit of justice. The Paris prosecutor’s office announced Wednesday it would examine both sexual abuse allegations and financial crimes connected to the deceased financier, leveraging the recently unsealed U.S. government documents.

    Prosecutor Laurence Beccuau confirmed the twin probes would utilize the millions of pages of evidence released by American authorities, supplemented by media reports and new victim testimonies. Each investigation will be handled by specialized magistrates with expertise in their respective domains.

    “The comprehensive data release will provide crucial contextual understanding,” Beccuau stated during an interview with France Info. “This panoramic view will enable us to reconstruct events with greater precision and identify previously unknown connections.”

    The judicial action follows the U.S. Justice Department’s disclosure of over 3 million documents, including thousands of visual materials related to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

    Beccuau acknowledged the psychological impact on victims, noting: “These publications will inevitably reactivate trauma for certain victims. We believe some remain unknown to authorities, and these revelations may empower them to come forward.”

    The prosecutor specifically urged potential victims with information about French connections to provide formal complaints or witness statements. Additionally, existing investigation materials will be re-examined in light of new evidence.

    This includes revisiting the closed investigation into Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent and Epstein associate accused of rape and sex trafficking of minors. Brunel was found dead in his Paris jail cell in 2022 while awaiting trial.

    The Epstein case continues to reverberate through French society, with former Culture Minister Jack Lang recently resigning from his leadership position at the Arab World Institute amid tax fraud suspicions. Financial prosecutors are investigating Lang and his daughter’s alleged connections to Epstein through an offshore entity based in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

  • Skier films moment avalanche engulfs group of people in Italy

    Skier films moment avalanche engulfs group of people in Italy

    A harrowing video recording has surfaced documenting the precise moment a substantial avalanche descended upon a group of skiers in the Italian Alps. The incident occurred in the popular resort area of Courmayeur, located in the Aosta Valley region, a destination renowned for its challenging terrain and breathtaking scenery.

    The amateur footage, captured from a first-person perspective, begins with a serene ski descent before the panorama abruptly transforms into a chaotic whiteout. The camera shakes violently as a powerful wave of snow and ice surges toward a visible queue of individuals ascending a slope. Within seconds, the avalanche completely submerges the group, which included several children, under a dense blanket of snow, obscuring all visibility and leaving only the sound of rushing snow and alarmed shouts.

    Local mountain rescue services, including the Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico (CNSAS), were immediately dispatched to the site following emergency alerts. Preliminary reports from authorities indicate that the avalanche was triggered by a natural shift in the snowpack, exacerbated by recent weather conditions. Fortunately, despite the terrifying visuals, initial assessments confirmed that all individuals involved were successfully rescued and escaped with only minor injuries, a testament to the rapid response of rescue teams and the group’s proximity to safety protocols.

    This event has ignited renewed discussions among alpine safety experts regarding the critical importance of avalanche awareness and preparedness, even on managed slopes and during periods of perceived stability. Resort officials in Courmayeur have reiterated their commitment to reviewing and reinforcing existing safety measures to prevent future occurrences.

  • Somalia renews its US-backed fight against al-Shabab militant group. Here is why it matters

    Somalia renews its US-backed fight against al-Shabab militant group. Here is why it matters

    Somalia’s military campaign against the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabab militant group has gained significant momentum through a combination of U.S.-backed airstrikes and expanded ground operations, according to government officials. The offensive comes at a critical juncture as African Union peacekeeping forces gradually withdraw, transferring security responsibility to Somali national forces after nearly two decades of insurgency.

    The conflict’s trajectory has shifted notably through strategic operations targeting al-Shabab’s leadership hierarchy, bomb-making infrastructure, and territorial strongholds. Somali defense officials report successful reclaiming of territories in multiple regions including Lower Shabelle, Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, and parts of Jubbaland that had remained under militant control for years. Key locations such as Jilib Marka, Gendershe, and Dhanaane—previously considered al-Shabab strongholds—have reportedly been secured by government forces.

    The United States has played a crucial role in this tactical turnaround through AFRICOM’s precision airstrikes targeting training facilities, weapons depots, and senior leadership figures. Recent air operations have specifically focused on destroying improvised explosive device manufacturing sites and neutralizing vehicle-borne explosives before deployment. Somali intelligence services provide verified targeting information to minimize civilian casualties, though past strikes have drawn criticism from human rights organizations.

    Security analysts note that expanded aerial surveillance and strike capabilities have fundamentally altered the battlefield dynamics. Drone coverage has enabled identification of previously inaccessible underground hideouts and supply routes, allowing government troops to advance into areas that were once al-Shabab sanctuaries. The technology also provides early warnings of militant movements near the capital Mogadishu, where security remains tight despite continued bombing attempts.

    The timing of this offensive coincides with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia gradually reducing its footprint, making international intelligence coordination and air support increasingly critical. However, Somalia faces overlapping challenges including climate-induced drought, political tensions between federal and regional authorities, and funding shortages affecting both security and humanitarian operations.

    Experts caution that military gains must be consolidated through effective governance and service delivery to prevent al-Shabab from reestablishing control in vacated territories. The government has announced plans to rebuild homes and deliver aid in newly captured areas, recognizing that lasting stability depends on Somalia’s ability to secure and govern territory independently as international support scales back.

  • Sierra Leone officials facilitated illegal mansion-building in a key national park

    Sierra Leone officials facilitated illegal mansion-building in a key national park

    FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — An explosive government investigation obtained exclusively by The Associated Press and The Gecko Project reveals systematic illegal construction of luxury mansions within Sierra Leone’s Western Area Peninsula National Park, with evidence indicating complicity by senior government officials. Nearly four years after President Julius Maada Bio commissioned the probe, its findings remain concealed from the public despite identifying an “environmental time bomb” threatening the capital’s water supply and ecosystem.

    The investigation uncovered that at least 50 extravagant homes have been constructed or are underway within the park boundaries in the Bio Barray neighborhood, where rainforest stood as recently as 2019. Satellite imagery analysis confirms ongoing construction despite legal prohibitions against development in protected areas.

    Critical findings indicate that former Lands Minister Denis Sandy signed approximately 175 documents granting land leases to private individuals—a move described as “flagrant violation” of environmental protections. The committee recommended punitive measures against Sandy and 16 other named officials, but no substantive action has been taken.

    The environmental implications are severe: the threatened national park serves as both a vital watershed for Freetown—providing 90% of the city’s water through an adjacent reservoir—and a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deforestation increases risks of catastrophic landslides and water shortage crises, reminiscent of a 2017 landslide that killed over 1,000 people.

    Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, an environmentalist and presidential aspirant, stated unequivocally that the government is “fully aware of what is going on,” alleging that powerful residents receive explicit permission to ignore environmental laws.

    Despite President Bio’s public commitment that “nobody is above the law” and promises to act on the findings, current Chief Minister David Sengeh provided vague responses regarding implementation. Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission claims it never received the report, and the National Protected Area Authority’s former director asserted all encroachment had ceased—contradicted by AP’s on-the-ground observations.

    The investigation identified 876 landowners within park boundaries, with AP verification confirming 46 villas inside protected territory. At least 14 property owners hold government positions, including within the presidential office, land ministry, and Environment Protection Agency, raising serious questions about institutional corruption and environmental governance.

  • Business executives and politicians exposed in Abu Dhabi data leak: Report

    Business executives and politicians exposed in Abu Dhabi data leak: Report

    A significant data security breach has exposed confidential identification documents of numerous high-profile international figures through an unprotected server linked to Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW). According to Financial Times reporting, the compromised data included scanned copies of over 700 passports and state identity cards belonging to prominent individuals such as former UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Anthony Scaramucci, former White House communications director and prominent podcaster.

    The sensitive information remained publicly accessible through standard web browsers until Monday, when ADFW officials secured the vulnerability after being contacted by Financial Times journalists. Event organizers attributed the security lapse to “a vulnerability in a third-party vendor-managed storage environment,” claiming immediate remediation and preliminary assessment suggesting limited access to the researcher who identified the issue.

    This security incident emerges during a period of heightened regional tensions between the United Arab Emirates and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The two Gulf nations, traditionally allies, have experienced growing diplomatic strains regarding conflicts in Sudan and Yemen, as well as differing approaches to relations with Israel. Middle East Eye reports indicate the UAE has actively encouraged pro-Israel lobbying groups to criticize Saudi positions.

    The timing proves particularly sensitive given both nations’ ongoing efforts to position themselves as premier destinations for international business and foreign investment. The UAE, particularly through Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification initiatives, has historically maintained advantages in attracting global corporations and expatriate professionals. The ADFW event itself featured prominent attendees including Abu Dhabi’s crown prince and senior executives from major financial institutions including UBS, Blackstone, Barclays, and Morgan Stanley, alongside cryptocurrency representatives.

    The data exposure raises serious questions about cybersecurity protocols at high-level international financial gatherings and potentially impacts the UAE’s carefully cultivated reputation as a secure business hub amidst increasing regional competition.

  • ‘He did it for us’: US soldier recalls Jesse Jackson’s efforts to free him and two other POWs

    ‘He did it for us’: US soldier recalls Jesse Jackson’s efforts to free him and two other POWs

    In a remarkable act of private diplomacy that defied official US policy, the late Reverend Jesse Jackson orchestrated the daring liberation of three American soldiers held captive by Yugoslav forces during the Kosovo conflict. The previously undisclosed details of this high-stakes humanitarian mission emerge following Jackson’s passing at age 84.

    The incident unfolded in March 1999 when Army Sergeant Andrew Ramirez and his comrades Christopher Stone and Steven Gonzales were captured near the Macedonian-Yugoslav border during a routine patrol. Their capture occurred just as NATO launched air strikes against Slobodan Milosevic’s regime to halt ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.

    While the Clinton administration explicitly warned against unauthorized intervention, Jackson partnered with then-Congressman Rod Blagojevich, the sole Serbian-American in Congress, to initiate backchannel negotiations. Despite official State Department objections, the unlikely diplomatic team assembled a multi-faith delegation and flew to Belgrade in late April.

    Jackson confronted Milosevic directly, employing what he later described as essential diplomacy where traditional channels had failed. The negotiations reached a critical juncture when the Yugoslav leader offered to release only one or two soldiers. Jackson remained uncompromising, declaring the mission would accept nothing less than all three captives.

    The soldiers, completely unaware of these developments, were suddenly escorted from their confinement to encounter an unexpected sight: Jackson standing alongside international news crews. Their emotional release on May 1 culminated in a transfer to Croatia and subsequent evacuation to a US military base in Germany.

    Ramirez, who maintained contact with Jackson after leaving military service, expressed profound gratitude for the clergyman’s unauthorized intervention. ‘He did something for us he didn’t have to do,’ Ramirez reflected. ‘I truly believe he did it because he saw somebody in need and thought he could intervene.’

  • Mumbai to host Prince William’s 2026 Earthshot prize

    Mumbai to host Prince William’s 2026 Earthshot prize

    Mumbai has been officially designated as the host city for the 2026 Earthshot Prize ceremony, founded by Britain’s Prince William to recognize innovative environmental solutions. The announcement made on Tuesday positions India’s financial capital as the sixth global city to host the prestigious awards, following previous ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro (2025), Cape Town (2024), Singapore (2023), Boston (2022), and London (2021).

    The Earthshot Prize, established in 2020, represents one of the world’s most significant environmental initiatives, awarding £1 million (approximately $1.3 million) to each winner across five critical categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, Fix our Climate, and Clean our Air. These funds are specifically allocated to accelerate the implementation of groundbreaking environmental solutions.

    India’s selection as host country carries particular significance given its prominent role in environmental innovation. The nation has produced more Earthshot Prize winners and finalists than any other country, demonstrating its growing leadership in sustainable development. Prince William emphasized India’s unique position, stating: ‘What succeeds in India at scale has the power to inspire progress everywhere.’

    The choice of Mumbai also highlights India’s ongoing challenges with environmental degradation, particularly air pollution. A 2024 study published in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were directly linked to air pollution, underscoring the urgent need for the solutions that the Earthshot Prize promotes.

    Prince William, who has attended every Earthshot Prize ceremony since its inception, described India as one of the world’s ‘most important forces’ for climate and nature conservation. He particularly noted the country’s demographic advantage: ‘With the largest population of young people in the world, there is a real sense of momentum — to not only imagine a better future, but to inspire change and make it a reality.’

    The ceremony, typically held in November, will bring global attention to Mumbai’s environmental initiatives while supporting the prize’s overarching mission to ‘repair and restore our planet by 2030’ through innovative, scalable solutions.

  • Greg Chappell, Kapil Dev appeal for better prison treatment of ex-PM Imran Khan

    Greg Chappell, Kapil Dev appeal for better prison treatment of ex-PM Imran Khan

    In an unprecedented show of international solidarity, fourteen former cricket captains from five Test-playing nations have formally petitioned the Pakistani government regarding the deteriorating health and imprisonment conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The collective appeal, orchestrated by former Australian skipper Greg Chappell, reached Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office on Tuesday afternoon, emphasizing urgent humanitarian concerns.

    The distinguished signatories include cricketing luminaries Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev from India, alongside Australian greats Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, and Kim Hughes. The petition further gained support from England’s Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley, and David Gower, complemented by West Indies’ Clive Lloyd and New Zealand’s John Wright.

    Their formal communication references ‘profound concern’ regarding recent reports about Khan’s health, specifically noting alarming vision deterioration during his confinement at Rawalpindi’s Adiala prison. The former captains articulated that Khan’s global stature as both a sporting icon and former national leader warrants dignified treatment aligned with international standards of human rights.

    The petition outlines three critical demands: immediate access to specialized medical care from physicians of Khan’s choosing, implementation of humane detention conditions permitting regular family visits, and assurance of transparent legal processes without unnecessary delays.

    Supporting accounts reveal Khan has suffered approximately 85% vision loss in his right eye while facing restricted access to personal physicians. His son Sulaiman described the former PM’s confinement in a small, historically designated ‘death row’ cell with intermittent electricity and reading material restrictions.

    This development follows earlier appeals from Pakistani cricket legends Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis regarding Khan’s urgent medical needs. Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have remained incarcerated since August 2023 following corruption convictions resulting in cumulative 31-year sentences, subsequent to his political ouster.

  • Eleven killed in multiple strikes on alleged drug boats, US military says

    Eleven killed in multiple strikes on alleged drug boats, US military says

    The US Southern Command has confirmed a series of maritime counter-narcotics operations resulting in multiple fatalities across strategic trafficking routes. In coordinated strikes targeting three vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, eleven individuals described by officials as ‘male narco-terrorists’ were killed. The operations occurred in both the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean waters, with four fatalities on each of two Pacific vessels and three additional deaths on a Caribbean vessel.

    This latest action extends the Trump administration’s aggressive campaign against suspected narcotics transporters, which has now exceeded 40 lethal engagements since September. Military authorities asserted that intelligence indicated the targeted vessels were actively transiting established drug trafficking corridors and participating in narcotics operations.

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the overall mission as essential to removing ‘narco-terrorists from our hemisphere’ and protecting American citizens from dangerous substances. The operations have proceeded without injury to US military personnel, though the program recently recorded its first American casualty when a Marine fell overboard from an attack ship in the Caribbean.

    The frequency of strikes has diminished following the January capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom the administration accuses of collaborating with trafficking organizations. Meanwhile, legal challenges are mounting as families of deceased Trinidadian men filed a lawsuit alleging the October 14 strike constituted ‘lawless killings in cold blood’ without due process.

    International law experts have raised concerns about the legality of targeting civilians without judicial process, while the administration maintains these actions occur within a formal armed conflict against drug cartels, designating crew members as combatants. The US government has not publicly presented evidence substantiating drug shipments on the vessels struck.