A survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse has told how the late sex offender sexually abused her while he was under house arrest for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Roza, who was recruited from Uzbekistan as a teenager by Epstein’s associate and modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, spoke publicly for the first time alongside a number of victims in a field hearing that was organised by House Democrats. She told the session that she was introduced to Epstein by Brunel in July 2009, was offered work by Epstein “to help me with my financial troubles”, and he later subjected her to rape…
Author: Oki Bin Oki
A Chinese national who allegedly led a multi-million dollar hacking ring that targeted a member of the K-pop super group BTS, among others, has been extradited to South Korea. Seoul’s justice ministry had accused the 40-year-old suspect of stealing 38 billion won ($25.4m; £18.8m) from various victims by hacking into the websites of government agencies and public figures. The scam ring allegedly got hold of a securities account belonging to BTS vocalist Jungkook’s name and tried to transfer 8.4 billion won worth of shares that Jungkook held of the group’s management company Hybe. The transaction was blocked after the entertainment…
More than 1,000 passengers are being held on a UK-operated cruise ship in France after 49 people fell ill from gastrointestinal sickness. Local health authorities in Bordeaux said three passengers had been isolated in their cabins on the Ambition, while other passengers will not be able to disembark in the port. They added that there was “no reason” to link the outbreak to the hantavirus outbreak on a separate cruise ship. Ambassador Cruise Line told the BBC a 92-year-old man had passed away onboard on Sunday, but he did not report any related symptoms and his cause of death is…
The Philippine Senate is in lockdown with military personnel seen entering the building where a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court had sought refuge. Rounds of gunfire have been heard – it’s not clear who fired the shots. Officials say there have been no casualties. Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said earlier he believed his arrest was imminent and urged Filipinos to prevent it. His whereabouts are currently unclear. He is accused by the ICC of killing dozens of people when he was police chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, in which thousands of alleged dealers were…
US President Donald Trump descended the steps of Air Force One in Beijing on Wednesday evening, greeted with pomp and pageantry ahead of a high-stakes meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. During his two-day visit, the global superpowers are expected to discuss tariffs, competition over tech, the Iran war and the US’s relationship with Taiwan. Trump returns to a more assertive China since his last visit in 2017, as he faces growing scrutiny of his military campaign in the Middle East. Trump was originally scheduled to make the trip in March, but it was delayed because of the US…
Claims that France is secretly establishing a military base in Kenya have continued to circulate online and in political debates following the ratification of a new Kenya-France Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and a recent French naval visit to Mombasa. However, publicly available documents, parliamentary records and official statements reviewed so far do not show any agreement establishing a permanent French military base in Kenya. The speculation intensified after Kenya ratified the bilateral defence pact with France in April 2026, alongside the docking of French naval vessels in Mombasa in March and heightened diplomatic engagements during the Africa-France Summit held in…
South Africa’s highest court has ruled that foreign nationals cannot reapply for asylum once their application has been rejected. The Constitutional Court said that allowing unlimited repeat applications without proper legislation in place could create a “never-ending cycle”, preventing deportations and causing administrative chaos. Leon Schreiber, the minister of home affairs in South Africa’s coalition government, welcomed the ruling as a “major victory” against the “abuse” of the refugee system. The ruling ends a long-running case that was brought by two nationals from Burundi, who reapplied for asylum in 2018 after their applications were rejected in 2014. The two argued…
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29, the NBA team has confirmed. The Canada-born player was a first-round draft pick in 2019 and had played only two games this season because of injuries. The Grizzlies said they are “heartbroken” by the loss. A cause of death has not yet been revealed. “Brandon was an outstanding team-mate and an even better person whose impact on the organisation and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” the team said in a statement. Clarke played 309 NBA games, including 50 starts, and scored an average of 10.2…
An independent, Israeli investigation has published harrowing details of “systematic, widespread” sexual violence by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the attacks on 7 October 2023, and against hostages. The 300-page report concludes that rapes, sexual assault and sexual torture were intended “to maximize pain and suffering”. While the UN and others have published reports on sexual violence during the attacks – in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage – this is the most comprehensive. It draws on 430 filmed interviews with survivors and witnesses, more than 10,000 photographs and videos filmed by attackers, and…
Renting a student apartment in New York City can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. With its high demand and fast-paced rental market, students often find themselves caught off guard by hidden costs that aren’t immediately obvious in the initial rent price. It’s important to be aware of these expenses before you sign a lease to ensure you’re financially prepared for what lies ahead. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the common hidden costs involved in renting student apartments in New York City and offer advice on how to manage them. 1. Hidden Fees in Rent When…
President William Ruto called for a win-win partnership between Africa and France built on mutual respect and shared responsibility. He said the Africa Forward Summit presents a unique opportunity for Africa and France to forge a forward-looking partnership that delivers shared progress while advancing Africa’s long-term economic transformation. He said the partnership must not be built on dependency but on sovereign equality, not on aid or charity but on mutually beneficial investment, and not on extraction or exploitation but one that benefits both parties. “The times before us demand stronger cooperation, renewed multilateralism, and partnerships grounded not in hierarchy, but…
Online marketplace eBay has rejected a $55.5bn (£40.9bn) takeover offer from video game retailer GameStop, calling it “unsolicited” and “neither credible nor attractive”. Analysts had expected the offer to be rejected as GameStop is much smaller than eBay, which said there was “uncertainty” over how the deal would be financed. Although eBay has suffered in recent years, partly due to more competition from online sellers like Amazon, Etsy and Temu, it insisted its turnaround plan was working. GameStop rose to prominence as a “meme stock”, which sees retail investors buy up shares in unloved companies that professional investors have bet…
The Mexican government has cancelled plans to end the school year more than a month early to ease traffic during the Fifa World Cup and an anticipated heatwave. Mexico is due to co-host the football tournament with the United States and Canada from 11 June to 19 July. The reversal comes after an outcry by parents who warned that it would disrupt their children’s studies. Many families also said that they had been thrown into a tailspin, trying to arrange for weeks of childcare to cover the early finish. After the U-turn, classes will now finish on 15 July -…
US prices rose in April at their fastest rate since May 2023 as the impact of the war in Iran was increasingly felt by consumers. A jump in the cost of gasoline and groceries pushed the consumer price index (CPI), showing the rate prices rose by in the past 12 months, to 3.8%. It is the highest level since inflation hit 4% three years ago. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said almost half of the rise was driven by surging energy costs, while housing and food costs also contributed. The US-Israel war in Iran, and the resulting effective closure…
What Makes LivU Unique in Online Video Chat The LivU platform stands out in the crowded market of online video chat apps due to its focus on random, real-time interactions combined with features that promote engagement and safety. Unlike traditional messaging platforms, LivU connects users instantly to strangers around the world, encouraging spontaneous conversations that are both entertaining and socially enriching. Users can explore different cultures, practice languages, or simply experience genuine human interaction in ways that text-based apps cannot offer. The app’s design balances anonymity with community guidelines, making it a versatile tool for people seeking authentic connections without…