Newly disclosed documents from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender and financier, have shed light on his interactions with Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for Donald Trump. The documents, released by the House Oversight Committee, include over 20,000 pages of communications, revealing a closer relationship between Bannon and Epstein than previously known. Among the revelations is an iMessage chat where Epstein appears to assist Bannon with travel arrangements, even joking about being his ‘highly paid travel agent.’ The messages also show discussions about UK politics, including Brexit and the leadership of then-Prime Minister Theresa May. Bannon, who was in the UK in November 2018 for a speech at the Oxford Union, communicated with Epstein about his engagements with prominent Brexit figures like Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson, and Jacob Rees Mogg. Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, was known for his connections to powerful individuals, including Trump. The former president has denied any wrongdoing and claims he distanced himself from Epstein in the early 2000s. The release of these documents has reignited interest in Epstein’s network and its implications for high-profile figures. The US House of Representatives is set to vote next week on whether the Justice Department should release all files related to its Epstein investigation.
博客
-
UK government faces legal challenge over broken promise to rescue family from Gaza
A Palestinian father residing in the UK has accused the British government of endangering his family in Gaza by failing to fulfill its promise to evacuate them. Despite assurances made over two months ago, his wife, three children, and adopted nephew remain stranded in the Zawida area of Gaza, displaced by relentless Israeli bombardment. The family now lives in a fragile tent with scarce access to food, clean water, or medical care. The father, who wishes to remain anonymous to protect his family, expressed his anguish, stating, ‘My family are in constant danger, and I worry about them every minute of every day.’ He lamented the UK government’s broken promise, which has left his children terrified and unable to sleep due to hunger and the constant threat of airstrikes. In August 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) agreed to provide consular assistance for the family’s evacuation. However, despite obtaining Israeli clearances, neither the FCDO nor the Home Office has taken concrete steps to secure their exit. The Home Office has granted family reunion visas in principle, but biometric checks—required to activate these visas—are impossible to complete in Gaza, where no visa application center operates. The nearest viable location for biometrics is Jordan, but UK officials have refused to provide the necessary assurances for the family to cross the border. Frustrated by the government’s inaction, the father is now pursuing legal action against Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, accusing them of abandoning his family. Lawyers from human rights firm Leigh Day argue that the UK’s refusal to facilitate the family’s evacuation is unlawful, especially given its previous success in evacuating other groups under similar circumstances. Sarah Crowe, a solicitor with Leigh Day, emphasized the family’s dire situation, stating, ‘They are living on the streets in Gaza without food, shelter, or medical care and remain at risk of serious harm or death.’ The legal action coincides with warnings from local authorities in Gaza about catastrophic flood risks for the displaced population. Since the war on Gaza began in October 2023, Israeli forces have killed over 70,000 Palestinians, with thousands more missing and feared dead. Middle East Eye continues to provide independent coverage of the region, shedding light on such critical issues.
-
UAE Lottery’s Dh100-million win to be paid in a single transaction
The UAE Lottery has announced that the unprecedented Dh100-million jackpot, won by Abu Dhabi resident Anilkumar Bolla, will be disbursed as a tax-free lump sum in a single transaction. This marks the largest lottery win in the country’s history, and the payout will be executed without deductions or instalments. Scott Burton, the UAE Lottery’s Commercial Gaming Director, emphasized that the process adheres to stringent verification and payout protocols, ensuring transparency and security at every stage. Winners are invited to the lottery’s headquarters for identity verification, documentation, and a detailed walkthrough of the process. Once regulatory and banking approvals are secured, the funds are directly transferred to the winner’s account. The UAE Lottery also provides comprehensive support to winners, helping them navigate the challenges of sudden wealth, including managing public attention and planning for the future. The lottery operates under strict internationally benchmarked protocols, with independent audits and certified random number generation systems overseen by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). Additionally, the platform prioritizes responsible gaming, offering tools like spending limits, self-exclusion options, and access to mental wellbeing resources through partnerships with Takalam, the UAE’s digital mental health platform.
-
From florist to drone maker: How the weapon became so mainstream
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has been dubbed the world’s ‘first drone war,’ catalyzing a surge in military drone production both within and beyond the country’s borders. Among the many individuals contributing to this transformation is Kseniia Kalmus, a former floral artist who now dedicates her skills to manufacturing drones for the Ukrainian army. Before Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Kalmus co-owned a flower shop in Kyiv and showcased her floral arrangements across Europe. However, the war prompted a dramatic shift in her life. ‘It was just an obvious decision for me,’ Kalmus told the BBC from Kyiv. ‘I just wanted to help my country, help my people, and the military.’ Initially, she raised funds to purchase essential supplies for soldiers, but as the conflict evolved, the demand shifted to first-person view (FPV) drones. Recognizing this need, Kalmus began producing drones herself, and today, she and her team manufacture hundreds of these devices monthly. These small, plastic-framed quadcopters, originally designed for aerial photography, have been repurposed into lethal weapons by attaching small bombs. The widespread use of drones in Ukraine has not only revolutionized warfare but also spurred a global counter-drone industry. Companies like DroneShield and Munin Dynamics are developing technologies to detect and neutralize drones, while nations worldwide are investing heavily in drone defense systems. Experts predict that artificial intelligence will drive the next major advancements in drone technology, potentially leading to fully autonomous systems. Despite the challenges, Kalmus remains committed to her new role. ‘I miss flowers very much and that previous life, of course,’ she said. ‘But this is a question of existence. We just fight for our country, for our existence, for our culture.’
-
‘Worryingly’ few civilians from Sudan’s el-Fasher making it to Chad, says aid chief
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has taken a grim turn as only a small number of civilians fleeing the recently seized city of el-Fasher have reached eastern Chad, despite its proximity. Charlotte Slente, Secretary-General of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), highlighted this alarming trend during her recent visit to the region. She reported that despite el-Fasher being less than 300 kilometers from Chad, only around 50 people are entering daily through the border town of Adre, with a total of 200 to 500 crossing all Chad-Sudan borders daily. The DRC described these numbers as “deeply worrying,” especially given the dire situation in el-Fasher, where 90,000 of its 260,000 civilians have fled. The low influx is attributed to the city’s prolonged siege and the perilous journey to safety. Slente shared harrowing accounts from refugees, including a young Sudanese couple who lost family members and endured extreme violence during their escape. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), responsible for the city’s capture, have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence, and other atrocities, further complicating the humanitarian response. Chad, already hosting over 882,000 Sudanese refugees, is preparing for an additional 90,000 arrivals. Despite its limited resources, Chad’s government is allocating land for new refugee settlements. Slente criticized the international community for its inaction, warning that without concerted diplomatic pressure, more mass atrocities could occur. The conflict, rooted in tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, has displaced millions and claimed tens of thousands of lives, with no end in sight.
-
Gen-Z Taiwan volunteer joins Minqin’s desert afforestation efforts
In the arid expanse of the Gobi Desert, a group of dedicated young volunteers is combating desertification by planting trees and reclaiming barren land. Among them is 20-year-old Lee Ting-Hsuan from Taiwan, who is experiencing the challenging yet rewarding task of afforestation in Northwest China for the first time. Lee, a student at Peking University, is part of a broader initiative in Minqin county, Gansu province, where volunteers have been working tirelessly for over 70 years to transform desertified areas into green landscapes. The program, initiated in 2007 by local resident Ma Junhe, has attracted more than 80,000 participants who have collectively restored approximately 5,667 hectares of desert. Volunteers, including Lee, plant drought-resistant suosuo trees and construct clay sand barriers to stabilize dunes. The initiative not only benefits the environment but also provides economic opportunities for local communities. Lee’s participation highlights the growing interest among young people in meaningful public welfare activities, as she and other volunteers document their efforts on social media to inspire broader participation. The program’s success is evident in the reduction of desertified land in Minqin, contributing to ecological stability and preventing sandstorms from reaching as far as Beijing. Around 20 young volunteers from Macao also joined the effort, led by Su Kun, a member of the Gansu Provincial Committee of the CPPCC. Su emphasized the importance of firsthand experience in understanding the region’s challenges and cultural diversity. Lee’s journey underscores the younger generation’s commitment to ecological protection and the national priority of tree planting in China, which saw 4.45 million hectares of forests planted in 2024.
-
Election for body representing Palestinian citizens of Israel sparks reform calls
The election of a new president for the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel has ignited a heated debate about the need for reform within the organization. The committee, established in the early 1980s, serves as a representative body for the two-million-strong Palestinian population in Israel, advocating for their political and civil rights. However, critics argue that the committee has become increasingly ineffective in addressing pressing issues such as rising crime rates and ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
-
US football coach featured on Netflix dies after on-campus shooting
John Beam, a revered American football coach and athletics director at Laney College in Oakland, California, has tragically died after being shot on campus. The incident occurred on Thursday, and by Friday, police had apprehended a suspect identified as Cedric Irving Jr. Although the suspect knew Beam, authorities confirmed they did not have a personal relationship. The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Beam, 66, was a prominent figure in the community, having mentored countless young athletes, including several who went on to play in the NFL. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief, with tributes from Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and former players. Beam gained national recognition through his feature in the fifth season of Netflix’s ‘Last Chance U,’ which highlighted his leadership of the Laney Eagles football team. This tragic event marks the second school shooting in Oakland within two days, following an incident at Skyline High School, where Beam previously coached for 16 years. The suspect, who was arrested at a local bus stop, was found in possession of a firearm. The community continues to mourn the loss of a man described as a mentor, educator, and lifeline for thousands.
-
The Aussie giving War & Peace a ‘bogan’ remake
In a bold and unconventional literary venture, Ander Louis, a Melbourne-based IT worker and part-time writer, has crafted a ‘bogan’ rendition of Leo Tolstoy’s monumental novel, ‘War & Peace.’ This unique adaptation transforms the 19th-century Russian aristocracy into a world filled with Australian slang, where princes become ‘drongos’ and princesses are referred to as ‘sheilas.’ Louis, whose real name is Andrew Tesoriero, began this project in 2018 as a humorous experiment, aiming to make the dense and often intimidating text more approachable and entertaining. The bogan version, characterized by its irreverent tone and casual language, has since garnered unexpected attention, particularly after excerpts were shared online by a New York-based tech writer. The sudden surge in interest led to a spike in sales, with Louis selling 50 copies overnight. He attributes this newfound popularity to the ‘Bluey effect,’ referencing the widespread appeal of Australian culture in the United States. Louis’s adaptation not only makes the classic more accessible but also challenges traditional notions of literary reverence, as he playfully reinterprets Tolstoy’s work through the lens of Australian colloquialism. Despite its unconventional approach, Louis believes that Tolstoy, who himself renounced his noble privileges later in life, might have appreciated the bogan version for its audacity and humor.
-
UN rights council orders probe of ‘atrocities’ in Sudan’s El-Fasher
The UN Human Rights Council has mandated an urgent investigation into alleged atrocities in Sudan’s El-Fasher, aiming to identify and hold perpetrators accountable. The resolution, adopted unanimously during a special session, responds to escalating violence and warnings of potential genocide in the region. UN rights chief Volker Turk highlighted the severity of the crisis, stating that ‘bloodstains on the ground in El-Fasher have been photographed from space.’ The conflict, which began in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced nearly 12 million people, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Recent reports from El-Fasher detail executions, sexual violence, looting, and abductions, with nearly 100,000 residents fleeing the area in the past two weeks. British ambassador Kumar Iyer described the violence as a ‘coordinated campaign against civilians,’ citing credible reports of targeted killings and systematic abuses. The resolution broadens the scope of the UN’s independent fact-finding mission, despite objections from Sudan and other nations. The UAE denied allegations of supporting the RSF, while its ambassador criticized both the RSF and the Sudanese army for indiscriminate attacks. The International Criminal Court is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, with concerns that the violence could spread to the Kordofan region. The UN emphasized the need for accountability to break the cycle of impunity and prevent further atrocities.