Global Pulse

博客

  • Who is in the Epstein files?

    Who is in the Epstein files?

    A massive trove of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation has been made public, revealing extensive communications and connections between the convicted sex offender and numerous high-profile individuals across business, technology, politics, and entertainment sectors. The release, comprising over three million pages of material, includes emails, photographs, and financial records that detail interactions with billionaires, politicians, and celebrities.

    Among the most notable revelations are email exchanges between Epstein and Tesla CEO Elon Musk discussing party plans, with Musk inquiring about ‘the wildest party on your island’ in 2012 correspondence. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates appears in controversial emails allegedly drafted by Epstein containing unverified claims about Gates’ personal life. The documents also feature photographs of Britain’s Prince Andrew in unconventional poses with an unidentified woman, though no context is provided for the images.

    Former President Donald Trump is mentioned hundreds of times in the files, primarily through unverified tips received by law enforcement. Other prominent figures include Richard Branson, who exchanged friendly emails with Epstein referencing his ‘harem,’ and Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who visited Epstein’s private island according to the documents.

    The release has prompted varied responses from those named. Many have denied any wrongdoing, with several issuing statements expressing regret for their associations with Epstein. Some, including former Harvard president Larry Summers and Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčák, have resigned from positions following the documents’ publication. The files also reveal financial transactions between Epstein and British politician Lord Mandelson, now under police investigation for allegedly sharing market-sensitive information.

    While the documents provide extensive evidence of Epstein’s social and professional network, they do not necessarily indicate criminal behavior by those mentioned. The release represents the latest development in the ongoing investigation into Epstein’s activities and his connections to powerful figures worldwide.

  • Shooter of former Japanese PM Abe to appeal life sentence

    Shooter of former Japanese PM Abe to appeal life sentence

    The legal defense team representing Tetsuya Yamagami, convicted for the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has formally initiated an appeal process against his life imprisonment verdict. Japan’s national broadcaster NHK confirmed the development on Tuesday, citing informed sources within the judicial system.

    This legal maneuver comes precisely as the February 5 deadline for appeals approaches. The Nara District Court had delivered its ruling on January 21, sentencing the 45-year-old defendant to life incarceration after finding him guilty of murder and firearms violations. The conviction stemmed from the July 2022 assassination where Yamagami fired a custom-built weapon at Abe during a campaign address in Nara.

    Throughout the judicial proceedings, Yamagami acknowledged his responsibility for the former premier’s death while presenting a complex motivational background. His testimony revealed a deeply personal grievance against the Unification Church, alleging his family’s financial devastation resulted from his mother’s excessive donations to the religious organization. The defendant maintained that his actions were driven by perceived connections between Abe and the religious group.

    The defense counsel had previously advocated for a reduced sentence not exceeding two decades, framing their client as a victim of religious exploitation whose tragic life circumstances contributed to the violent act. However, the court’s determination emphasized that while Yamagami’s background presented mitigating factors, these elements did not constitute definitive justification for the severity of his crimes.

    The appellate process is expected to reexamine both the sentencing parameters and the contextual considerations surrounding one of Japan’s most significant political assassinations in modern history.

  • Ethiopia’s prime minister accuses Eritrea of mass killings during Tigray war

    Ethiopia’s prime minister accuses Eritrea of mass killings during Tigray war

    ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — In a landmark parliamentary address on Tuesday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed formally acknowledged for the first time that Eritrean military forces participated extensively in the Tigray conflict, leveling serious allegations of mass killings and systematic destruction against them. This declaration marks a dramatic reversal from the government’s previous stance and significantly escalates diplomatic tensions between the neighboring nations.

    The two-year Tigray war, which concluded with a peace agreement in 2022, resulted in an estimated 400,000 fatalities according to international observers. Prime Minister Ahmed detailed specific atrocities, asserting that Eritrean troops “demolished houses in Shire, massacred our youth in Axum, and looted factories in Adwa” during joint operations with Ethiopian forces against Tigrayan regional fighters.

    Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel swiftly dismissed these allegations as “cheap and despicable lies” unworthy of formal response. This exchange occurs amidst reports of renewed hostilities in the Tigray region, prompting Ethiopia’s national carrier to suspend flights to the area last week due to security concerns.

    The underlying conflict extends beyond wartime allegations to fundamental geopolitical interests. Landlocked Ethiopia has increasingly expressed its need for sovereign access to sea ports, with Prime Minister Ahmed asserting that “The Red Sea and Ethiopia cannot remain separated forever.” Ethiopia lost its Red Sea coastline when Eritrea gained independence in 1993 following decades of armed struggle.

    Gebremeskel countered that Ahmed’s accusations represent a recent rhetorical shift motivated by maritime ambitions, noting that Ethiopian leadership had previously decorated Eritrean military officials with state medals. The minister characterized Ethiopia’s position as developing a “delusional malaise of ‘sovereignty access to the sea.’”

    The deteriorating relationship represents a stark reversal from the diplomatic breakthrough achieved in 2018, when Abiy received the Nobel Peace Prize for reconciling with Eritrea. Current intelligence assessments suggest Eritrea may be forming alliances with Tigrayan forces, while both nations accuse each other of preparing for renewed conflict. Regional analysts warn that these developments threaten to destabilize the entire Horn of Africa.

  • Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of Libya’s late dictator, killed in north Africa country, officials say

    Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of Libya’s late dictator, killed in north Africa country, officials say

    Libyan officials confirmed on Tuesday the death of Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the once-presumed heir to former dictator Moammar Gadhafi, in what security sources describe as a targeted killing. The 53-year-old was slain at his residence in Zintan, located approximately 136 kilometers southwest of Tripoli, according to anonymous security officials from western Libya.

    Multiple sources verified the incident, including Khaled al-Zaidi, Gadhafi’s legal representative, who announced the death via social media without elaboration. Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, who led Gadhafi’s political team in UN-mediated peace talks, similarly confirmed the killing on Facebook. Local media outlet Fawasel Media, citing Abdurrahim, reported that armed assailants carried out the assassination at Gadhafi’s home, prompting an immediate prosecutor-led investigation.

    Gadhafi’s political organization issued an official statement characterizing the event as a ‘cowardly and treacherous assassination,’ claiming that four masked individuals stormed the residence, disabled surveillance systems, and executed him following an altercation. The statement emphasized these actions as deliberate attempts to conceal evidence of what they termed ‘heinous crimes.’

    Seif al-Islam, born in Tripoli in June 1972, was the second son of the longtime ruler and held a distinctive position within the regime. Educated at the London School of Economics where he pursued doctoral studies, he frequently presented himself as a reform-oriented figure during his father’s authoritarian rule.

    His death represents another turbulent chapter in Libya’s unstable trajectory since the NATO-supported uprising of 2011, which culminated in Moammar Gadhafi’s overthrow and death after four decades in power. Captured by Zintan fighters in late 2011 while attempting to escape to Niger, Seif al-Islam remained imprisoned until June 2017 when a rival government granted him amnesty. He had resided in Zintan since his release.

    The younger Gadhafi faced significant legal challenges, including a 2015 in absentia death sentence from a Libyan court for inciting violence and murdering protesters during the revolution. Additionally, the International Criminal Court had issued warrants for his arrest on crimes against humanity charges related to the 2011 conflict.

    In a controversial political maneuver, Gadhafi declared his presidential candidacy in November 2021, generating substantial opposition from anti-Gadhafi factions across Libya’s divided political landscape. Although the High National Elections Committee ultimately disqualified him, the presidential election itself was postponed indefinitely due to persistent disputes between rival governments and armed factions that have controlled the country since the civil war.

  • ‘A nightmare of every parent’: Tributes pour in for ice hockey players killed in Canada crash

    ‘A nightmare of every parent’: Tributes pour in for ice hockey players killed in Canada crash

    The North American ice hockey community is grappling with profound grief following a devastating vehicle collision in Alberta that claimed the lives of three junior hockey players on Monday. The tragic incident occurred when the athletes’ car collided with a semi-truck at a rural intersection near Stavely, approximately 11:00 local time.

    The deceased have been identified as 18-year-old teammates JJ Wright and Cameron Casorso, both British Columbia natives, and 17-year-old Caden Fine from Alabama. The young athletes were en route to practice with the Mustangs, a development team within the US Premier Hockey League known for preparing players for collegiate-level competition.

    Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed all three players succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The truck driver, a 40-year-old male, sustained minor physical injuries and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation into the collision’s circumstances.

    The tragedy has reverberated across international borders, drawing emotional responses from highest levels of leadership. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, himself a former hockey player, characterized the incident as “every parent’s nightmare” during a press briefing Tuesday, extending heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and teammates.

    In Nanton, where the players resided with billet families during their training season, Mayor Jen Handley articulated the community’s devastation through a poignant social media statement. “We don’t just ‘host’ these boys,” she wrote. “They become part of our homes: another plate at the table, another pair of skates by the door, another son we worry about when the roads are bad.”

    The US Premier Hockey League issued an official statement expressing their devastation, noting the organization’s inability to “adequately express the depth of our grief.” The professional hockey community paid respects with a moment of silence during Monday night’s NHL matchup between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs, honoring the promising young athletes whose lives were tragically cut short.

  • Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of ex-Libyan leader, reportedly killed

    Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of ex-Libyan leader, reportedly killed

    Conflicting reports emerged from Libya on Tuesday regarding the alleged death of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the prominent son and once-presumed heir of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. According to statements from the head of his political team to the Libyan News Agency, the 53-year-old has been killed under unclear circumstances.

    Aisha Gaddafi, sister of the controversial figure, contributed to the developing narrative by telling Libyan television that her brother had died in the vicinity of the Libya-Algeria border. However, she provided no specific details regarding the cause of death, leaving a significant information vacuum.

    The reports remain entirely unverified, with various Libyan media outlets circulating competing accounts about the incident. This lack of official confirmation has created a cloud of uncertainty around the fate of a man who was long considered the most powerful and feared figure in Libya after his father.

    Saif al-Islam Gaddafi’s complex legacy includes playing a pivotal role in Libya’s diplomatic reconciliation with Western nations from the early 2000s until the regime’s collapse. Following the 2011 uprising that resulted in his father’s overthrow and death, Gaddafi faced imprisonment by a rival militia in Zintan for nearly six years.

    His political career was overshadowed by serious allegations from the International Criminal Court, which sought to try him for crimes against humanity related to his alleged involvement in suppressing opposition protests during the 2011 revolution. The current developing situation leaves many questions unanswered as the international community awaits verified information.

  • US in talks with Turkey to boost naval shipbuilding amid China rivalry

    US in talks with Turkey to boost naval shipbuilding amid China rivalry

    In a strategic shift reflecting the severity of America’s naval industrial challenges, the United States has initiated confidential talks with Turkey regarding potential collaboration in warship construction. These discussions, confirmed by officials to Middle East Eye, represent a remarkable diplomatic overture given the recent tensions between the NATO allies over Turkey’s acquisition of Russian defense systems.

    The dialogue emerges as the U.S. Navy confronts a critical shortage of shipbuilding capacity while attempting to expand its fleet to counter China’s growing naval power. American representatives have reportedly explored whether Turkish shipyards could supply vital vessel components or even assist in constructing additional frigates for the U.S. fleet.

    Turkey has transformed into a naval manufacturing powerhouse in recent years, with its advanced shipyards capable of simultaneously producing over 30 vessels for both domestic and international clients, including Pakistan. Through its indigenous Milgem warship program, Turkish defense firms have developed sophisticated domestic designs across multiple vessel categories.

    The Trump administration’s pursuit of foreign shipbuilding expertise marks a dramatic reversal from decades of U.S. naval supremacy. Previous efforts have focused on Asian allies, exemplified by South Korea’s Hanwha Group acquiring Philadelphia’s Philly Shipyard in 2024. However, the recent cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program with Italian builder Fincantieri has intensified the urgency for alternative solutions.

    Despite legal prohibitions against building warships overseas, President Trump has signaled openness to utilizing allied nations’ capabilities, stating in January: ‘We used to build a ship a day. We don’t build ships anymore. We want to get that started. And maybe we’ll use allies also in terms of building ships.’

    Defense experts highlight Turkey’s distinct advantages, including geographically concentrated shipyards around Istanbul and Yalova that enable rapid adaptation to new projects. Kubilay Yildirim, a Turkish defense industry expert, noted: ‘The US lacks sufficient manpower, shipyards and dry docks. Turkey can help in terms of production volume, timelines, risk sharing and workload distribution.’

    Turkish shipyards boast innovative automated production processes, skilled welders, multiple steel suppliers, and a strong collaborative culture between military and civilian facilities. The Istanbul Naval Shipyard reportedly possesses spare capacity that could accommodate U.S. construction needs.

    However, any substantial defense cooperation faces significant political hurdles in Congress, which previously sanctioned Turkey over its Russian S-400 acquisition. Administration officials view shipbuilding collaboration as a potential pathway to strengthen ties while circumventing these sanctions.

    The recent visit of a U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command delegation to Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command underscores the seriousness of these exploratory talks, though both nations emphasize their longstanding NATO partnership rather than immediate contractual agreements.

  • Former Chinese advisory body official sentenced to life for bribery

    Former Chinese advisory body official sentenced to life for bribery

    In a landmark ruling demonstrating China’s intensified anti-corruption campaign, the First Intermediate People’s Court of Hainan Province has sentenced Li Weiwei, a former high-ranking official within China’s political advisory system, to life imprisonment for extensive bribery offenses. The court established that Li abused multiple official positions over a sixteen-year period from 2008 to 2024, amassing illicit gains exceeding 117 million yuan (approximately $16.87 million).

    During her extensive career, Li held several influential positions including membership on the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Hunan Provincial Committee, head of the United Front Work Department, and secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee. Most recently, she served as deputy head of the Committee on Population, Resources and Environment under the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

    The judicial investigation revealed that Li systematically exploited her authority to provide unlawful advantages to various entities in project contracting and business operations. The court characterized her actions as constituting particularly severe instances of bribery that inflicted substantial damage to national and public interests.

    In addition to the life sentence, the court imposed supplementary penalties including lifelong deprivation of political rights and comprehensive confiscation of all personal assets. All recovered illicit gains will be transferred to the state treasury, with ongoing efforts to reclaim any outstanding amounts.

    The sentencing acknowledged mitigating factors, including Li’s cooperation with investigators through truthful confession of previously unknown offenses, active return of illegal proceeds, and demonstrated remorse during judicial proceedings. These considerations contributed to the court’s decision to render a comparatively lighter punishment within statutory guidelines.

    Li’s case progressed through China’s legal system following her investigation initiation in July 2024 while still holding office, subsequent arrest in February 2025, and formal indictment in June 2025. The trial concluded on November 6, 2025, featuring comprehensive evidence presentation, cross-examinations by defense counsel, and final statements from the defendant.

  • Colombian and Ecuadorian merchants and truckers protest escalating trade war between both nations

    Colombian and Ecuadorian merchants and truckers protest escalating trade war between both nations

    Truckers and merchants from Colombia and Ecuador converged at their shared border on Tuesday, voicing strong opposition to the escalating trade conflict between the two South American nations. The demonstrators demanded the immediate removal of recently imposed 30% tariffs on numerous goods, warning these measures would severely damage border economies and impact energy sectors on both sides.

    Carlos Bastidas, president of an Ecuadorian transportation workers association, articulated the protesters’ concerns, stating that tariffs ‘generate crises, they don’t help the economy.’ He emphasized their hope that both governments would eliminate these measures and establish effective dialogue mechanisms.

    The trade dispute originated when Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, a conservative leader who has sought closer ties with the Trump administration, implemented tariffs last month on Colombian products. Noboa characterized these levies as a ‘security tax,’ claiming Colombia had failed to adequately combat cocaine trafficking across their border. He announced via social media platform X that the tariffs would remain until Colombia took ‘firm actions’ against drug cartels.

    Colombia responded with reciprocal 30% tariffs on Ecuadorian goods including rice and automotive parts, and additionally threatened to cease electricity exports to its neighbor. This energy threat carries significant weight as Ecuador depends heavily on hydroelectric power and experienced serious power shortages in 2024. These reciprocal trade measures took effect on February 1.

    Despite sharing a border, neither nation ranks as the other’s primary trading partner, with both producing similar export commodities including coffee, flowers, bananas, and oil. According to Colombia’s statistics agency, bilateral trade reached approximately $2.3 billion last year, with Colombia exporting about $1.7 billion worth of goods to its smaller neighbor.

    The economic impact is particularly acute in border regions. Edison Mena, president of a Colombian truckers association in the border city of Ipiales, revealed that 38% of his city’s economy depends on commerce with Ecuador.

    Critics of President Noboa suggest the trade war serves as a diversion from his government’s domestic challenges. The tariff announcement coincided with the publication of crime statistics showing Ecuador’s homicide rate reached 50 murders per 100,000 residents in 2025—the highest in the nation’s recent history. Since 2020, Ecuador’s homicide rate has quintupled as international drug gangs battle for control of the country’s ports, transforming the once peaceful nation into a major cocaine transit point.

  • Epstein told Ehud Barak to give Mandelson Israeli energy company role

    Epstein told Ehud Barak to give Mandelson Israeli energy company role

    Newly disclosed court documents have exposed extensive business communications between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and high-profile political figures, including former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and British politician Lord Peter Mandelson. The revelations detail Epstein’s involvement in attempted Middle Eastern energy deals and raise serious questions about inappropriate access to government information.

    According to the released correspondence, Epstein emailed Mandelson on August 2, 2013, stating he had instructed Barak to contact the British politician regarding the potential sale of Paz Oil Company, Israel’s largest fuel provider. At the time, Paz controlled approximately 30% of the Israeli fuel market and would later appear on a UN list of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements.

    The email exchange occurred shortly after Barak concluded his term as Israel’s defense minister in March 2013. Epstein described Paz as “an Israeli oil business that will need to be sold” and explicitly told Mandelson “I told him to give you the task.” Mandelson expressed interest not only in Paz but also in Israel’s plans for transporting offshore gas to European markets.

    While the sale of Paz Oil didn’t materialize in 2013, controlling shareholder Zadik Bino did sell shares worth approximately $97 million that year due to regulatory requirements. The documents don’t clarify whether Barak ultimately contacted Mandelson about the potential deal.

    The correspondence further reveals that Mandelson, then chairman of lobbying firm Global Counsel, sought Epstein’s consultation in September 2013 regarding Israeli political consultant Asaf Eisin. Additional disclosures show that during his tenure as UK Business Secretary, Mandelson suggested to Epstein that JP Morgan’s head should “mildly threaten” the British chancellor regarding financial sector concerns.

    These revelations have prompted former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to call for an investigation into Mandelson’s apparent sharing of sensitive government information with Epstein. The controversy intensified with the release of a photograph allegedly showing Mandelson in his underwear at one of Epstein’s residences.

    Regarding his Israeli connections, the documents indicate Barak sought Epstein’s financial advisory services on multiple occasions. An FBI memo describes Epstein as “close to the former Prime Minister of Israel” and even suggests he “trained as a spy under him.” Barak visited Epstein’s New York townhouse more than 30 times between 2013 and 2017, and Epstein reportedly advised Barak on working with controversial technology company Palantir, which specializes in AI-powered military and surveillance technology.

    The ongoing release of Epstein-related documents continues to expose the extensive network of political and business connections maintained by the convicted financier, raising questions about the intersection of private business interests and government affairs.