An FBI document revealed that a former police chief, Michael Reiter, claimed President Donald Trump told him in 2006 that many people knew about Jeffrey Epstein's behavior. Reiter said Trump mentioned he had distanced himself from Epstein and was concerned about Ghislaine Maxwell. Trump has denied knowing about Epstein's crimes, although he acknowledged their past association.
Key Facts
A former police chief claims President Donald Trump called in 2006 and mentioned Epstein's behavior.
The police chief at the time was Michael Reiter, who led an investigation into Epstein.
Trump reportedly said he expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club due to his behavior.
Trump allegedly identified Ghislaine Maxwell as someone to focus on regarding Epstein’s activities.
Maxwell was later convicted for recruiting underage girls for Epstein.
Trump and Epstein had been social acquaintances but Trump states they parted ways before Epstein's legal troubles began.
Trump has denied knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities.
According to the document, Trump allegedly contacted authorities about Epstein early in the investigation.
Actor Noel Clarke was arrested in London on suspicion of attempted rape, exposure, and sexual assault. Police questioned him about allegations related to incidents in 2007 and 2013, and he has been released on bail as investigations continue.
Key Facts
Noel Clarke, known for roles in "Doctor Who" and "Kidulthood," was arrested on suspicion of sexual crimes.
The alleged offences include attempted rape, exposure, and sexual assault, reportedly involving a woman in her 20s.
The incidents are said to have occurred in London, one in 2007 and another in 2013.
Clarke was interviewed by police and has been bailed while investigations continue.
In September 2025, Clarke was previously arrested for a voyeurism allegation dating back to 2013.
His successful acting career faltered in 2021 after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.
Clarke lost a legal case against the Guardian newspaper, being ordered to pay significant legal costs.
Senator Chuck Schumer introduced a bill called "Virginia's Law" to remove the time limit on filing federal charges against sex traffickers. The law is named after Virginia Giuffre, a well-known accuser of Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
Senator Chuck Schumer is from the United States and is part of the Democratic Party.
Schumer's proposed law aims to end the federal statute of limitations for sex trafficking.
The law is named after Virginia Giuffre, a prominent accuser of Jeffrey Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died in 2019.
The introduction of this legislation involved survivors of Epstein's abuses as supporters.
"Virginia's Law" seeks to make it easier for victims to pursue legal action against traffickers, no matter how much time has passed.
Zimbabwe's government has proposed a new law that would let President Emmerson Mnangagwa stay in office until at least 2030. The law suggests changing how presidents are elected and extending their term limits. Some experts say this law might need a public vote to change the constitution.
Key Facts
Zimbabwe's cabinet approved a proposal to extend presidential terms to two seven-year terms instead of the current five-year terms.
This change could allow President Mnangagwa, currently 83, to remain in office until 2030.
The proposed law would have presidents elected by members of parliament, not directly by the people.
Public discussions will happen before the law is debated in parliament.
Legal experts argue the changes might require a referendum because they alter term limits and shouldn't benefit a sitting president.
Mnangagwa became president in 2017 after a coup and was re-elected in 2023, although the election results were disputed.
His supporters claim he needs to stay in power to complete his "Agenda 2030" development plans.
There has been internal opposition in his party, notably from critic Blessed Geza, who was recently expelled from the party and passed away.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed he visited Jeffrey Epstein's island in 2012, despite previous claims of ending contact with him in 2005. Lawmakers have urged Lutnick to resign due to conflicting statements about his relationship with Epstein. President Donald Trump continues to support Lutnick despite these calls.
Key Facts
Howard Lutnick is the U.S. Commerce Secretary under President Donald Trump.
Lutnick visited Jeffrey Epstein's island in 2012 with his family, despite earlier denying contact after 2005.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a child.
Some lawmakers want Lutnick to resign because of conflicting statements about his ties to Epstein.
President Trump supports Lutnick and has not asked him to step down.
The U.S. Department of Justice released documents showing Lutnick's connection with Epstein.
Senators and Congress members are pushing for more transparency in the released documents.
Survivors of Epstein's abuse are advocating for a new law named Virginia's Law to help other abuse survivors file civil claims without time limits.
President Trump states he opposes Israel's recent steps towards annexation in the West Bank. Israeli actions expand control in areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which goes against previous agreements. U.S. officials express concern over these developments and their impact on regional stability.
Key Facts
President Trump said he is against Israeli annexation in the West Bank.
The Israeli security cabinet approved measures that extend Israeli control over parts of the West Bank.
These measures allow Jewish settlers easier access to buy land and enable Israeli police to demolish homes in certain areas.
The actions violate the Oslo Accords, agreements meant to establish peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
U.S. officials, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, previously asked Israeli leadership to avoid escalating the situation.
President Trump and his team are watching the situation closely due to its impact on regional peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu plans to visit Washington, where discussions are expected to include other issues like Iran.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid admitted to having an affair on live TV right after winning a bronze medal in the Winter Olympics. He hopes that his confession will be beneficial for his girlfriend.
Key Facts
Sturla Holm Laegreid is a biathlete from Norway.
He confessed to having an affair while on live television.
His confession happened just after he won a bronze medal in the Winter Olympics.
Laegreid hopes his honesty will be beneficial for his girlfriend.
The confession and event took place in the context of the Winter Olympics.
President Trump's top immigration officials, including the acting ICE director, defended their agencies before Congress. They were questioned about incidents involving use of force and the treatment of U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement. Lawmakers are calling for more accountability and the use of body cameras by officers.
Key Facts
President Trump's immigration officials appeared before a House panel to defend their enforcement tactics.
Lawmakers questioned them about fatal shootings of U.S. citizens and other incidents involving force.
ICE Director Todd Lyons defended his officers, saying they follow the law.
Congressional Democrats want all immigration officers to use body cameras.
Approximately 3,000 ICE agents and 10,000 Customs and Border Protection agents currently have body cameras.
The officials refused to discuss specific incidents, citing ongoing investigations.
There is public concern and lawsuits about U.S. citizens being stopped due to immigration enforcement.
The officials will meet with the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee next.
Immigration officials defended their agents during a congressional hearing after the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by immigration officers. The hearing focused on the use of body-worn cameras for agents and addressed concerns about federal actions in Minneapolis. Immigration leaders said they are increasing the number of agents with cameras.
Key Facts
Immigration officials faced questions in Congress after ICE agents killed two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, in Minneapolis.
The deaths led to public outcry and increased scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics.
President Trump's administration is implementing a policy for ICE agents to wear body-worn cameras during operations.
Over 3,000 ICE officers have received cameras, with an additional 6,000 planned to be issued. ICE has about 13,000 agents.
CBP has equipped 10,000 out of 20,000 agents with cameras, with plans to increase that number.
Officials defended their operations in Minneapolis, which involved deploying about 3,000 agents to address illegal immigration.
Immigration leaders were asked about training and recruitment practices for ICE and CBP agents, which remain unchanged in substance but have accelerated schedules.
The hearing included strong exchanges, such as when a congresswoman challenged the morality of the immigration officials' actions.
A university building in Dakar caught fire, forcing people to escape through windows. The fire happened during protests about unpaid student aid, resulting in the death of one student. The protests highlight financial problems in Senegal.
Key Facts
People escaped a burning university building in Dakar by climbing out of windows.
The building caught fire during protests about unpaid student aid.
One student died during the chaos.
The protests are connected to financial issues in Senegal.
Authorities are addressing the incident and the ongoing financial situation.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has placed sanctions on a Lebanese gold firm linked to Hezbollah. The sanctions aim to cut off Hezbollah’s funding by targeting the company that helps convert gold into money for the group. The U.S. accuses the firm of supporting Hezbollah amid ongoing conflicts and high gold prices.
Key Facts
The U.S. sanctioned a Lebanese gold firm called Jood SARL, accusing it of ties to Hezbollah.
Sanctions aim to disrupt Hezbollah’s financial resources by blocking the company’s assets in the U.S.
Jood SARL is believed to work with al-Qard al-Hassan, a previously sanctioned financial service linked to Hezbollah.
The U.S. Treasury claims that gold is being used to secure funds for Hezbollah.
Sanctions apply to individuals and shipping companies associated with Hezbollah.
Israel has engaged in military actions against Hezbollah in 2024, causing significant damage in Lebanon.
Hezbollah continues to resist pressure from the Lebanese government and external countries to disarm.
Tensions continue between Israel and Lebanon despite a claimed ceasefire, with numerous reported violations.
In a New Jersey primary race for the U.S. House of Representatives, progressive candidate Analilia Mejia defeated moderate Democrat Tom Malinowski. The race drew attention because the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) opposed Malinowski, which some see as a strategy that may have backfired.
Key Facts
Tom Malinowski, a moderate Democrat, lost to Analilia Mejia in a New Jersey primary.
Malinowski received criticism from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for suggesting the U.S. should add conditions to its aid to Israel.
The United Democracy Project, linked to AIPAC, spent heavily on attack ads against Malinowski.
Malinowski previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.
Mejia is a former official for Senator Bernie Sanders and was the only candidate in the race to call Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide.
AIPAC's actions have drawn criticism from both progressive and moderate Democrats.
Malinowski announced his loss five days after the primary as votes were finalized.
Mejia will compete against two Republicans in a special election for a heavily Democratic district.
Paul Dacre, former editor of the Daily Mail, denied claims of illegal newsgathering in court. Seven people are suing the newspaper for privacy breaches, including Prince Harry and Sir Elton John. Dacre expressed anger over the allegations and is defending the paper in an ongoing trial.
Key Facts
Paul Dacre is a former editor of the Daily Mail and current editor-in-chief of DMG Media Ltd.
Seven people are suing Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), which publishes the Daily Mail, for privacy violations.
Claimants include Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, and Baroness Doreen Lawrence.
Dacre denies the allegations, calling them "preposterous" and rejects claims of widespread illegality at the paper.
Dacre defended ANL at the Leveson Inquiry 14 years ago about its use of private investigators.
The trial is being conducted before Mr. Justice Nicklin and is set to conclude in March.
Sherborne, the barrister for the claimants, and Dacre have had contentious exchanges during the trial.
Shrinkflation is when companies reduce the size or quantity of products while keeping prices the same or raising them. This means people get less for their money, even if they don't realize it right away. It affects everyday items like groceries and household products.
Key Facts
Shrinkflation happens when product sizes decrease but prices don't.
Companies use shrinkflation to avoid price hikes looking too obvious.
Shoppers may not notice shrinkflation immediately.
Shrinkflation can affect items such as food and personal care products.
It is a response by companies to manage rising production costs.
Customers end up paying the same or more for less product.
This trend puts financial pressure on families who buy these items regularly.
Countries are forming new alliances and trade agreements due to actions by President Donald Trump that have caused instability with traditional allies. Many countries are looking to reduce their dependence on the United States by creating additional economic and security partnerships. European and Canadian leaders are actively engaging in talks with various nations to strengthen these new relationships.
Key Facts
Countries are adjusting their alliances to reduce reliance on the United States.
European Union leaders are making trade and security deals with countries like the UK, Canada, and India.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China to improve trade relations and reduce tariffs on certain products.
Canada plans to build a joint electric vehicle manufacturing plant with China.
There's been a shift in Canada's approach, previously imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Canada aims to rebuild trade connections with India, addressing past issues.
Overall, global trade is evolving with countries seeking diverse economic partnerships.
A BBC investigation found that nearly 50 women were secretly filmed without their knowledge during nights out. The Liberal Democrats are urging a change in the law to stop these videos from being uploaded for profit. They have proposed a bill to update voyeurism laws and make it illegal to profit from such content.
Key Facts
The BBC found nearly 50 women were filmed without knowing it during nights out.
The videos were mainly shared on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
The Liberal Democrats want a new law to stop this type of covert filming.
They propose updating voyeurism laws to prevent these videos from being posted online.
The government called the practice "vile" and promised to stop it.
Over 65 channels posted this kind of content, getting over three billion views in three years.
Social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok have started removing the offending content.
Private members' bills, like the one proposed, often do not become law easily.
The European Parliament approved a new law allowing EU countries to deport migrants to certain "safe" countries outside the EU, even if the migrants have no ties to those countries. This decision was made despite concerns from rights groups about potential mistreatment of migrants, with the law set to start in June after final approval.
Key Facts
The European Parliament voted 396-226 to allow deportation of migrants to third countries considered “safe.”
Migrants can be sent to countries they passed through, given those countries follow international migrant treatment standards.
The new rules must still receive final approval from the 27 EU member governments.
The law reflects increased support for stricter migration policies within the EU.
Rights groups worry migrants could be sent to countries where they might be mistreated.
A list of "safe countries" includes Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Critics argue these “safe countries” have records of human rights concerns.
The legislation follows broader EU migration policy reforms, emphasizing increased deportations.
Paramount Skydance has offered extra financial incentives in its bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. This includes adding cash incentives if the deal is delayed and covering a termination fee. The acquisition faces conflicts due to political ties and concerns over control of news content.
Key Facts
Paramount Skydance wants to buy Warner Bros Discovery and is offering more money if the deal is delayed.
They promised to pay a $2.8 billion fee if Warner Bros backs out of a deal with Netflix.
Paramount offered a 25-cent per share fee to be paid quarterly if the deal is delayed past 2026.
The total value of Paramount's bid, including debt, is $108.4 billion.
Paramount and Netflix are both interested in Warner Bros because of its popular movies and shows.
Political ties between Paramount leaders and President Trump have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Paramount has promised changes to CNN, a part of Warner Bros, if the acquisition goes through.
There are concerns the deal might harm press freedom and CNN's independence.
Christian clergy are using spiritual activities like prayer circles to oppose President Trump's immigration policies. They believe these policies conflict with biblical teachings about caring for vulnerable people. Some church leaders feel their actions are not about politics but about resisting what they see as government-authorized violence.
Key Facts
Christian clergy are organizing to resist immigration policies under President Trump's administration.
These clergy argue that Trump's immigration measures contradict biblical teachings on protecting vulnerable people.
Reverend Rebecca Voelkel and other church leaders voiced that their efforts are not politically motivated, but ethically.
Reverend Jeff Sartain cited biblical commands to love strangers, seeing a contradiction in current immigration practices.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated that President Trump was elected to enforce border security and immigration laws.
Some Christians agree with church leaders that resisting these policies is a moral duty beyond politics.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that while Christians should practice charity, the government should enforce immigration laws.
Faith leaders connected current resistance to historical religious movements like the civil rights movement.
