World Monitor

  Background of the Case and SORA Appeal Court records show that a defendant with residences in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York’s Upper East Side is appealing a Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) risk-level designation in New York. The designation is tied to criminal conduct that took place at the defendant’s Palm Beach home and is now under review through the appeals process. Police Investigation Into Allegations According to court documents, the investigation began in March 2005 after a 14-year-old girl and her family reported sexual misconduct to Palm Beach police. Authorities conducted a months-long probe involving multiple interviews and surveillance. A detailed probable-cause affidavit outlined allegations that underage girls were recruited and paid to visit the residence, where sexual acts occurred under the pretext of massage sessions. Investigators reported that payments ranged from hundreds to over a thousand dollars depending on the acts involved. The affidavit d...

Tumbler Ridge School Shooting: 10 Dead, 27+ Injured in British Columbia A mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, has left at least 10 people dead, including the suspected shooter. The incident unfolded on February 10, 2026, around 1:20 p.m. local time, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to reports of an active shooter.  Police found multiple victims inside the school, with six confirmed dead at the scene and one more dying en route to hospital. Two additional victims were located at a residence believed to be connected to the attack, bringing the total fatalities to 10, including the shooter who died of a self‑inflicted injury.  Emergency services also report about 27 people injured, including two with serious or life‑threatening injuries who were airlifted to hospital, and others assessed for non‑life‑threatening wounds.  An emergency alert was issued telling residents to shelter in place but was later cancelled ...

 Jeffrey Epstein Commissioned Shocking Artwork for Zorro Ranch Jeffrey Epstein reportedly commissioned a $2,000 painting titled “Massacre of the Innocents” by Cornelis van Haarlem for his New Mexico Zorro Ranch. The 9'x9' canvas illustrates the biblical slaughter of male babies under two years old in Bethlehem. According to emails from Epstein’s assistant, Sarah Kellen, the painting was displayed in the entryway: "It's the large 9'x9' canvas that we had rolled out for him to see in the entry way where they are killing babies." Zorro Ranch has been described in victim testimony as a site where individuals were exploited for Epstein’s obsession with creating a “superior gene pool.” Other emails reference underground tunnels on the property. This revelation adds to the disturbing portrait of Epstein’s private life, highlighting an unsettling level of depravity.

 Australian police have defended their conduct after violent clashes broke out with protesters during a Sydney demonstration against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit. Videos from the rally show officers charging into crowds and striking demonstrators, sparking criticism from activists and some lawmakers. New South Wales Police said officers showed “remarkable restraint” despite being outnumbered and facing assaults, reporting 27 arrests, nine charges, and injuries to 10 officers. Protest organisers and a state MP said several protesters were hurt during the confrontation. The protest followed new government restrictions on public marches tied to Herzog’s visit, after authorities classified the event as high-risk. A last-minute court bid by organisers to overturn the protest limits was rejected. Clashes Erupt at Sydney Protest Demonstrators gathered near Sydney Town Hall on Monday night to protest Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia. The rally, organised b...

  Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions during a US House Oversight Committee deposition, repeatedly invoking her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent while testifying from a Texas prison. Maxwell Invokes Right to Silence Ghislaine Maxwell declined to respond to questions from the US House Oversight Committee during a closed-door congressional deposition conducted virtually from a Texas federal prison, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. According to lawmakers, Maxwell repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment, which protects individuals from self-incrimination. Closed-Door Virtual Deposition The session was conducted remotely rather than in person due to Maxwell’s incarceration. Lawmakers had planned to question her about Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network, alleged abuses, and possible co-conspirators. Committee members said Maxwell refused to provide substantive answers throughout the deposition....

  A US immigration judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deport Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish PhD student at Tufts University, after ruling that the Department of Homeland Security failed to prove she should be removed from the United States. Her case drew attention after she was detained following pro-Palestinian activism. Judge Terminates Deportation Proceedings A United States immigration judge has halted deportation proceedings against Rumeysa Ozturk, according to her legal team. The judge ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not meet the legal burden required to show she was removable under immigration law. Lawyers confirmed the decision in a filing to the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, stating the case against her was formally terminated in late January. Arrest Linked to Pro-Palestinian Advocacy Ozturk, a Turkish national and Tufts University PhD student researching children and social media, was arrested last year during a broader c...

After 17 years in exile, BNP chairman Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power and is now leading opinion polls ahead of the national election. His comeback has energized supporters but also raised questions about leadership, party discipline, credibility, and whether he represents real political change. Return From Exile Reshapes Election Race Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after nearly two decades in the United Kingdom and quickly took charge of the BNP’s national campaign. His rallies have drawn large crowds, signaling renewed momentum for the party after years of political pressure and restrictions under the previous government. With Awami League banned from politics by the interim administration, BNP has emerged as a leading contender in the election, facing competition mainly from Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies. Leadership Strength  and Early Tests Rahman inherited leadership of the BNP following the deat...

The United States military carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean , killing two people and leaving one survivor, the U.S. Southern Command announced. The military says the boat was suspected of being involved in drug trafficking operations along known smuggling routes. Strike on Suspected Drug Trafficking Vessel According to a statement posted by U.S. Southern Command, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on Monday against a vessel alleged to be engaged in narcotics trafficking. The operation resulted in two deaths, while one person survived and was reported to the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue activation . Context of Ongoing Operations This strike is part of a broader U.S. military campaign targeting vessels suspected of facilitating drug trafficking in the Pacific and Caribbean. The U.S. has launched multiple strikes on such boats in recent months, often describing the targets as linked to narco-trafficking op...

  Trump Demands Ownership Stake Before Opening In a social media post, Trump said the bridge should not open until the US is “fully compensated” and treated fairly by Canada. He called for immediate negotiations and suggested the United States should own at least half of the new cross-border infrastructure asset. About the Gordie Howe International Bridge The Gordie Howe International Bridge connects Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario, and is expected to open in early 2026. The $4.6bn project has been financed by the Canadian government, with construction ongoing since 2018. US authorities recently designated it as an official port of entry. Economic Impact and Political Reaction The bridge is designed to reduce congestion at the Ambassador Bridge and speed up commercial truck crossings. Studies estimate it could cut border crossing times by up to 20 minutes and save billions in logistics costs over the coming decades. Some US lawmakers have warned that blocking the pr...

  Somalia Expands Regional Defense Partnerships Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz signed the agreement, aimed at boosting military and defense cooperation. Officials said the deal covers multiple areas of shared strategic and security interests, though specific details were not disclosed. Recent Security Deals With Gulf States The Saudi agreement follows a similar defense pact signed between Somalia and Qatar last month. That deal focused on military training, expertise exchange, defense capability development, and broader security coordination to support regional stability. Tensions Linked to Somaliland Recognition Somalia’s recent diplomatic and military outreach comes after Israel recognized Somaliland, a breakaway region, in December. Mogadishu has expressed concern over possible foreign military presence there and is seeking broader regional backing against the move.

  Epstein’s Pressure on Zuckerman After his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution, Epstein used his relationship with media tycoon Mortimer Zuckerman to shape reporting on the New York Daily News. Emails show Epstein proposed responses disputing allegations and requested that specific details be left out of the paper’s coverage. Allegations Against Epstein and Maxwell The allegations, reported by Daily News journalist George Rush, included claims that Epstein and Maxwell subjected underage girls to sexual abuse and that Maxwell maintained a database of victims and scheduled visits to Epstein’s residences. In his proposed email response to Zuckerman, Epstein denied sexual activity with a minor known as “Jane Doe No 102” and attempted to discredit her testimony. Impact on Media Reporting According to the DOJ documents, the tabloid initially delayed reporting and later omitted key information in line with Epstein’s requests. This case highlights how Epstein atte...

  Arrests of Reformist Politicians Iranian authorities arrested four reformist figures: Azar Mansouri, Mohsen Aminzadeh, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Javad Emam. Charges: attempting to disrupt Iran’s political and social order and acting “for the benefit” of Israel and the US. Arrests occurred late Sunday and early Monday during heightened antigovernment protests. Judiciary’s Claims Iranian judiciary stated the group organized and led activities aimed at destabilizing the political and social situation. The arrests came amid perceived “military threats” from Israel and the US. Officials accused detainees of justifying the actions of street-level “terrorist foot soldiers.” Reformist Front Response The Reformist Front confirmed the arrests on X (Twitter), noting Mansouri was taken from her home under a judicial order by the IRGC. Other senior members, including Mohsen Armin (deputy chairman) and Badralsadat Mofidi (secretary), received summons. Local medi...

Bhumjaithai Secures Unexpected Victory Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party won a stronger-than-expected victory in Sunday’s general election, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul claiming success. With 93% of votes counted, the conservative party looks set to secure at least 194 of the 500 parliamentary seats, outpacing rival parties. Rivals and Election Results The progressive People’s Party came in second with an estimated 116 seats, while the Pheu Thai Party of jailed former PM Thaksin Shinawatra secured 76 seats. Analysts note that Bhumjaithai’s win reflects a wave of nationalism, partly driven by Thailand’s recent three-week conflict with Cambodia. Coalition Talks and Government Formation PM Anutin said his party owes voters “a fortune” and will work to deliver results. He indicated that coalition talks and cabinet appointments will begin once final vote counts are confirmed, with internal discussions among parties determining how to proceed.

Seahawks’ Defense Shines in Super Bowl 60 The Seattle Seahawks produced a dominant defensive display to defeat the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. Seattle sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times, forced key fumbles, and limited the Patriots’ offensive drives, denying them a record seventh NFL championship. Key Offensive Plays Secure the Win Sam Darnold connected with AJ Barner for a touchdown, while kicker Jason Myers added five field goals to extend the Seahawks’ lead. Seattle’s opening drive set the tone with a Myers 33-yard field goal, followed by two more successful kicks in the first half, keeping the Patriots off the scoreboard. Patriots Struggle Despite Late Efforts Although the Patriots responded with a touchdown drive late in the third quarter, costly mistakes such as Maye’s fumble and an interception by Julian Love allowed Seattle to regain momentum. The Seahawks’ strong defense and timely scoring secured their championship win at Levi’s Stadium in ...

Netanyahu Pushes for Missile Restrictions Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to the United States to meet President Donald Trump, focusing on ongoing negotiations with Iran. Netanyahu aims to push Tehran on its ballistic missile program and its support for regional groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which Israel considers serious security threats. Seventh Meeting Between Netanyahu and Trump The upcoming meeting will be the seventh between Netanyahu and Trump since the US president returned to office last year. Analysts suggest Netanyahu will urge stricter limitations on Iran’s missile capabilities, a red line for Tehran, while the US continues nuclear-focused discussions initiated over the weekend in Oman. Iran’s Nuclear Focus and Regional Implications Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, maintain that missile development is “non-negotiable” and that talks will remain focused solely on the nuclear issue. The US-Israel discussions are expect...

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has promised tax cuts and cabinet continuity after her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured a historic landslide victory in the general election. Projections show the LDP winning about 316 seats in the 500-member lower house — its strongest performance since 1955. Takaichi said her government will focus on strengthening the economy and reducing living costs, including plans to cut consumption taxes and possibly suspend the 8% food sales tax for two years. She also confirmed she intends to keep her current cabinet, calling it a strong and effective team. World leaders including the US, India, Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan congratulated her win, while analysts say the strong mandate may help her push reforms in security, immigration, and defense policy — moves that China is watching closely.