Aden, Yemen — At least five people have been killed and more than two dozen others wounded in clashes between supporters of Yemen’s main separatist group and local security forces, officials and separatists said on Wednesday.
Ishraq Al-Maqtari, the newly appointed Minister of Legal Affairs in the internationally recognised government of Yemen, wrote on Twitter that Shabwa Governorate had experienced “traumatic events”.
The clashes began when supporters of Yemen’s separatist Southern Transitional Council stormed the governorate’s local administrative authorities building in the city of Ataq, attempting to take down the Yemeni flag, witnesses Khalid al-Merfedi and Salem Lahtal told The Associated Press.
He said local security forces immediately gained control of the building, secured it and were deployed throughout the surrounding area.
Al-Maqtari said, “The hope of resolving this tension rests on Shabwa’s leaders, elites, youths, and women, with the only stake being the lives, safety, and security of its citizens.” Shabwa’s interests must be prioritised above all narrow interests.”
The STC branch in Shabwa confirmed the deaths of five protesters in a statement.
Shabwa is currently under control Presidential Leadership Council, which was led by Rashad Al-Alimi. Council-affiliated forces reportedly intervened and fired warning shots to disperse the crowd.
In December, STC made Progress in Hadramout and al-Mahra governorates Pushing out Saudi-aligned National Shield forces and bringing into the open the rising tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Deadly clashes erupt in the south of the country as separatist group announces its dissolution In the weeks that followed, protests Continued support of STC calls for an independent south.
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war for more than a decade that involves a complicated link between sectarian and tribal grievances and the involvement of regional powers. The STC leader, Adraus al-Zubaidi, is wanted on treason charges and has fled to Abu Dhabi.
“Masked members of the security and military forces opened fire on the protesters,” the STC branch in Shabwa said in a statement.
security and military forces began firing directly at the protesters using light
It added: “As the mass march moved towards the Al-Fakhama Hotel… security and military forces began firing directly at the protesters using light and medium weapons, resulting in deaths and injuries.”
The STC accused forces affiliated with the local administration of Shabwa of attacking the designated protest site, demolishing the stage, and surrounding the area with armoured vehicles and soldiers, in what they described as a scene “similar to a battlefield”.
Last week, Al-Alimi announced a new 35-member cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shaye Al-Zandani, who also serves as the Foreign Minister. It included only two women: Afra al-Zouba, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, and Ahad Jasoos, Minister of State for Women’s Affairs.
Chloe Longster died 18 hours after being admitted to A&E (Image: Family Handout/SWNS)
A MUM is heartbroken after hospital dismissed her daughter as a “dramatic teenager” before she died sepsis Only a fine of £1,250 was imposed. 13-year-old Chloe Longster died in “unbearable pain” due to failures and delays in care at Kettering General Hospital.
The “fit and healthy, fun-loving teenager” was admitted to A&E with pneumonia in November 2022 but died 18 hours later after developing the fatal infection. The mother, Louise Longster, said she repeatedly sought help from doctors but was treated like a “mom on Google”, while her daughter was dismissed as a “diva teenager”.
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Ms Longster said her daughter was in so much pain she asked if she was going to die, adding, “It’s disturbing that a 13-year-old girl was that right.”
The investigation later found that neglect had contributed to Chloe’s death after a list of missed opportunities by medical staff that could have saved her life.
Despite the coroner’s devastating findings, the hospital has escaped a “small fine” from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for its failure to communicate appropriately with Chloe’s family.
Ms Longster, of Market Harborough, said she was saddened to learn there would be no further action over failings in her daughter’s care, adding that the family had been left with “deep and unresolved concerns”.
She said, “The formal outcome is a small fine. To reconcile this with the gravity of the acts and omissions in Chloe’s case and the scale of the investigation that followed is heartbreaking.
“Chloe was taken from us when she should have been safe. She wasn’t.”
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Chloe’s mother Louise Longster says her daughter should have been safe, but she wasn’t (Image: Family Handout/SWNS)
The grieving mother said that after a two-year-long investigation by the CQC, the family was told there would be no prosecution because a threshold for evidence had not been met.
He said the family understood the decision to be related to the Trust’s failure to contact them by January 12, 2023, despite it being declared a serious incident on December 8, 2022.
Ms Longster said, “There were serious incidents and omissions which those present at the time would have been aware of, and the impact these would have had on Chloe’s chances of survival.
“Yet we were not disclosed when these occurred. Instead, information emerged gradually over several months.
“Combined with the extensive evidence, this has left our family with deep and unresolved concerns about the way the events were handled.”
He further said, “At a time when we needed honesty, compassion and transparency most, we got none of these.
“Instead, the details of Chloe’s care gradually emerged, deepening our trauma and leaving us with unanswered questions.”
Chloe was dismissed as a ‘diva teen’ (Image: Family Handout/SWNS)
Chloe’s mother said the family was told that statutory deadlines would not be a factor, but in fact, they expired on November 27, 2025, effectively closing other legal avenues.
He said that otherwise the family would have sought legal advice and considered judicial review.
Chloe complained of cold and flu symptoms before being taken to A&E.
Her mother said there were “delays” in getting her daughter pain relief and she was treated with “disrespect” at the last minute.
Assistant coroner Sophie Lomas told the inquest that had Chloe received proper treatment earlier, she might have survived.
She said, “Many opportunities were missed to recognise Chloe’s worsening condition.”
Caroline Jenkinson, the CQC’s deputy director of hospitals in the Midlands, said the £1,250 fine “in no way represents the value of Chloe’s life”.
She said, “We offer our deepest condolences to the family of 13-year-old Chloe Longster, who tragically died while being cared for by Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust at Kettering General Hospital in November 2022.
“The CQC found after a detailed investigation that the trust had failed to meet its duty to be open and transparent, and as a result we issued them a fixed penalty notice on Friday, December 5.
“This was in response to a breach of Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, which requires health and social care services to have a duty of candour and to be open and transparent about the care they provide to people.
“The Trust has paid the fine and a banner informing people that the CQC has taken this action will remain on their page of the CQC website for three months.
“The amount of this fixed penalty notice in no way represents the value of Chloe’s life and is the amount that CQC is legally permitted to issue under these rules. Any money paid as a penalty is returned by the CQC to the Treasury.”
A spokesperson for Kettering General Hospital said,
“The Care Quality Commission (CQC) decided to issue a fixed penalty notice to Kettering General Hospital for failure to communicate appropriately with a family under the NHS’s duty of candour.
“We are deeply sorry for these failings and have paid close attention to how we provide information to families going forward, making changes to ensure that the duty of candour is met appropriately and in a timely manner.”
Following the coroner’s verdict in October 2024, Julie Hogg, group chief nurse at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, said that the hospital “failed to give Chloe the care she deserved”, admitting that they “should have done more”.
He said he has “worked hard to make significant improvements”, including the management of patients with sepsis and those who “are not getting better”.
Ms Hogg said, “We have also increased our staffing levels and improved the way we communicate with our patients and their families.
“We realise there is still much work to do but we are committed to ensuring every patient receives the best care.”
In an attempt to recover from their 81-72 loss at St John’s last Friday, No. 6 UConn looks to improve. 6 UConn (22-2, 12-1) takes the court tonight against the Butler Bulldogs (13-11, 4-9) at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The loss snapped the Huskies’ 18-game winning streak. Despite the recent hiccups, the Huskies remain dominant in the Big East and have historically dominated this matchup, holding a perfect 12-0 all-time record against the Bulldogs. Butler, who is currently on a four-game losing streak, will rely on junior guard Finlay Bizjak, who has averaged more than 20 points since the start of 2026, to pull off the upset against a squad that the head coach has undoubtedly pushed. Danny Hurley has been even harder than usual in practice since the loss.
Led by Taris Reed Jr.’s inside dominance and Silas Demaree Jr.’s strong play, the Huskies are heavily favoured to sweep the season series against Butler.
These schools meet on December 16. The Huskies rolled to a 79-60 victory in Hartford. Single ball led the Huskies to victory with 26 points in the game.
Butler’s record is 2-4 in Q1 games and 1-6 in Q2. UConn is 5-2 in Q1 and 8-0 in Quad 2 games. That said, UConn is ranked No. 10 in Kenpom and No. 8 in NET. Butler is ranked No. 12 and No. 73 in KenPom’s NET.
Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s matches and consider lineups, injuries and other factors that affect lines and totals.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest on how to catch the tipoff, courtesy of DraftKings. Our modelling tools and expert staff select the best bets for the game based on recent team performances, player stats, and our predictions.
Here are the game details and information on how to watch it live: No. 6 UConn will be playing at Butler. 6 UConn at Butler. 6 UConn at Butler
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Network/Streaming: TNT, TruTV
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Over has caught 13 of Butler’s 24 games this season (13-11).
single ball Shooting just 33.75% (27-80) over his last 6 games
Braylon Mullins 11-25 (44%) from 3-point range in his last 4 games
Michael Ajayi Last Saturday the Bulldogs were just 3-15 in a 70-55 loss at Marquette
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Our model calculates every moneyline, spread, and over/under betting estimate for every game on the NCAA calendar based on data such as recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trend information, and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we place its estimates next to the game’s latest betting line to arrive at a relative confidence level for each bet.
Here are the best bets our model projects for tonight’s game between No. 6 UConn and Butler:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet stays away from a play on the moneyline
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Beirut, Lebanon—The Lebanese and Syrian governments have reached an agreement to repatriate nearly 300 Syrian prisoners held in Lebanese prisons to their home country, a move that could pave the way for better relations between the two neighbours.
The issue of Syrian prisoners in Lebanon has been a priority for Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Relations between the two countries have long been marked by what many Lebanese describe as a nearly 30-year occupation and a tutelage rule over Lebanon by Syria, which ended in 2005 after Syria withdrew its troops.
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About 2,400 Syrian prisoners are currently held in Lebanese prisons. Some have been arrested on charges of “terrorism”, while others have been arrested for being linked to attacks against the Lebanese Army. But despite spending years in prison, most were never prosecuted, largely due to a myriad of issues, including political deadlock, judicial strikes and general political apathy.
And while Friday’s agreement may signal the beginning of a new relationship between Syria and Lebanon – one based on mutual respect rather than Syria’s direct or indirect control over the small state on its western border – it did not come without some public controversy.
In Syrian eyes, many prisoners are being held for political rather than judicial reasons. The government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa believes they are mostly in prison because of the influence of the former al-Assad regime and its Hezbollah allies in Lebanon.
But for many Lebanese, no one accused of attacks against the Lebanese Armed Forces should be released.
“Lebanon has long insisted that no Syrians or others accused of committing serious crimes against the Lebanese army should be extradited,” David Wood, senior Lebanon analyst at the International Crisis Group, told Al Jazeera. “This has been a major obstacle to resolving this prisoner settlement so far.”
political prisoners?
Lebanese–Syrian relations have long been complex. Under Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and later his son Bashar, Syrian forces controlled Lebanon from 1976 to 2005.
Even after Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon, Syria maintained influence over the country through its allies, including the political and military group Hezbollah.
When the 2011 Syrian uprising began and was subsequently suppressed by the regime of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s border with Lebanon soon became a hotspot for the transport of people – both fighters and refugees – as well as weapons and medicines.
Under the agreement signed by Lebanese and Syrian authorities, about 300 Syrian prisoners held in Lebanese prisons will be transferred to Syria in the next three months. [Wael Hamzeh
The Syrian war had a deep impact on Lebanon. This escalated into clashes in the northern city of Tripoli; the Battle of Abra, which included flamboyant anti-Assad Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir and Lebanese-Palestinian pop star Fadel Shaker; fighting with Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army on one side and ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda-aligned groups on the other; and attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
In the intervening years, hundreds of Syrians have been arrested by Lebanese authorities and held in Lebanon’s overcrowded prisons.
When the al-Assad regime fell, the new Syrian government considered reshaping relations with Lebanon, expressing interest in building relations based on mutual respect and interests.
Damascus’ priorities included highlighting their common border and economic and security cooperation. But it also prioritised the return of Syrians held in Lebanese prisons.
“Damascus’s allegation is that in many cases this is the reason [imprisonment] This is political and particularly due to alleged links between prisoners and groups that were opposed to the former regime of Bashar al-Assad. Wood said. In his view, “In fact, it was Assad’s Lebanese allies who conspired to ensure that these people were imprisoned in Lebanon.”
According to that logic, Israel’s 2024 war on Lebanon followed by the fall of al-Assad and the weakening of Hezbollah meant that these prisoners should be released.
Some Lebanese disagree and view the issue as a grey area. Despite the fact that the Syrian prisoners engaged in combat with Hezbollah, their actions occurred during a period when the Shia group was collaborating with the Lebanese army, an action that many Lebanese consider unacceptable.
an important step
On Friday, the agreement was signed with several Lebanese ministers, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitry and the justice ministers of both countries.
“This is a very important first step towards comprehensive treatment regarding Syrian prisoners in Lebanese prisons,” Mitri told reporters on Friday.
Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais said: “This step will enhance the existing trust and we hope that relations will grow further.”
The agreement reportedly stipulates that over the next three months, approximately 300 prisoners will be sent back to Syria and those serving sentences for serious crimes such as rape or murder, for example, will have to serve 10 or more years in Lebanese prisons to be eligible for repatriation.
Lebanese prisoners like al-Assir are not included in the deal.
But other issues remain. These include issues related to Lebanon’s pending judicial system and Lebanese prisoners in Syrian prisons.
Only 750 Syrian prisoners out of 2,400 have been convicted. This means that approximately 65 per cent of the prisoners are not yet eligible for repatriation.
Fadel Abdulghani of the Syrian Network for Human Rights described it as a “two-track” problem. On his personal website, Abdulghani said that the transfer of convicted prisoners with final sentences could be carried out in a “quick manner”.
However, for those who have not yet been convicted, the matter is not so straightforward. A mechanism for pre-trial detention has not yet been agreed upon by the relevant authorities.
“This is not just a Syrian issue but touches the structure of the Lebanese criminal justice system,” Abdulghani wrote. “Therefore, transferring the convicts will not solve the problem, as the root cause is the slow pace of procedures in Lebanon and the accumulation of detainees held without trial, as well as the ensuing issues related to the legality and continuity of their detention.”
He warned that such detainees could be used by Hezbollah as a political bargaining tool. Some members or supporters of the group blame these prisoners for car bombings or other such attacks on their villages. While many of those attacks were on Shia Muslim areas where support for Hezbollah is prominent, Christian villages such as al-Qa’a and Ras Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley were also subject to attacks.
‘There are no names.’
Marcel Baloukji, a former brigadier general who oversees the Lebanese army’s border committee with Syria, told Al Jazeera that the 300 or so prisoners to be transferred do not include many of the more hardened prisoners linked to ISIL or al-Qaeda who have been held by Lebanese authorities for years.
But Baloukji also pointed out that the issue of Lebanese prisoners held in Syrian prisons is still important to the Lebanese side. Under the al-Assad regime, more than 100,000 people were forcibly disappeared, including hundreds and potentially thousands of Lebanese, dating back to the Lebanese Civil War.
Mass graves have been found around Syria since the fall of the regime. However, a lot of work still remains to be done to identify all the bodies. So far, the vast majority have not been identified – neither Syrian nor Lebanese.
“There is still a problem because there is an exchange between Lebanon and Syria,” Baloukji said. “There’s no one there. Most of them have not been identified. There are no names.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow will continue to adhere to the limits set under the New START nuclear arms control treaty even after its expiration, as long as the United States adheres to similar restrictions.
The New START treaty formally expired on February 5, leaving the world’s two largest nuclear powers without any binding restrictions on their nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than 50 years.
This development has raised concerns globally about the possibility of an uncontrolled nuclear arms race.
Lavrov criticised Zelensky, the EU, and NATO, stating that the “Trump-Putin deal failed.”
Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready to continue following the treaty’s limits for another year if the United States agreed to do the same.
However, Beijing rejected US President Donald Trump’s insistence that any future agreement should include China. Speaking in the lower house of Russia’s parliament, Lavrov said Moscow would maintain its commitment to the treaty’s limits despite the lack of a formal extension.
“The moratorium announced by the president will last until the United States crosses these limits,” Lavrov told lawmakers. “We will act in a responsible and balanced manner, based on an analysis of the U.S.
military policies.” He said, “We think the US is in no rush to leave these borders, and they will be kept for now.”
“We will closely monitor how things are actually unfolding,” Lavrov said. “If our US allies’ intention to maintain some form of cooperation on this is confirmed, we will actively work on a new agreement and consider issues that have been left out of strategic stability agreements.”
comments come after a report by Axios claimed that Russian and US negotiators discussed a possible informal understanding to continue observing the treaty’s limits for at least six months during talks in Abu Dhabi last week
Commenting on the report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any extension would have to be formal. “It is difficult to envision any informal expansion of the treaty’s limits in this area,” he said.
he said. Also, Peskov confirmed that future nuclear arms control would be discussed during meetings in Abu Dhabi, where delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States held two days of talks focused on a possible peace agreement with Ukraine.
“There is an understanding, and they talked about it in Abu Dhabi, that both sides will take a responsible stance and both sides realise the need to start negotiations on this issue as soon as possible,” Peskov said.
The New START treaty, signed in 2010 by then-US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, was the last in a series of agreements between the two countries aimed at limiting nuclear weapons.
beginning with the SALT I agreement in 1972. Under New START, each country was limited to 1,550 deployed nuclear weapons and no more than 700 deployed missiles and bombers.
The treaty was originally scheduled to expire in 2021 but was extended for five years.
The agreement also allows for on-site inspections to ensure compliance. However, inspections were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and never resumed. In February 2023,
announced the suspension of Russia’s participation in the treaty, citing tensions with the United States and NATO over the Ukraine conflict.
Nevertheless, the Kremlin said Russia would continue to respect the treaty’s numerical limits. In September,
Putin proposed extending observance of the treaty’s limitations for another year to allow time to negotiate a replacement agreement.
The two nations decided to resume high-level military-to-military communications after talks in Abu Dhabi on February 5, even though the treaty had expired.
The direct link was suspended in 2021 amid deteriorating relations before Russia launched military operations in Ukraine in February 2022.
Carrick’s early wins over title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal were unexpected. Although we anticipated the fixtures against Fulham and Tottenham, they were not without challenges that required resolution.
Combined with the failures of Chelsea and Liverpool, the end result is United in fourth place, an easier, but by no means significant, advantage in the quest for a Champions League return than some might have imagined in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal after the draw at Leeds on January 4.
“We know how difficult it is to string together plays in this league,” said Carrick, whose team is now unbeaten in nine league games under three managers, including interim Darren Fletcher.
“Sometimes it comes naturally; it flows and everything clicks. You look really dangerous and there’s a spark. Sometimes it’s a little stilted.”
Carrick’s team’s ability to deliver winning performances against expected opponents remains a question.
Many believed West Ham were in that category, even though Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were aiming for their fourth win in five league games and had led Chelsea 2–0 in the match they lost.
Carrick could not manage a victory.
He took a calculated risk to salvage a seemingly lost game.
When Manchester United drew a match against West Ham at Old Trafford in December, Amorim’s only replacement with an attacking player was Mason Mount in place of Joshua Zirkzee 12 minutes from time.
His final change was to replace one defender, Lisandro Martínez, for another, Luke Shaw. Midfielder Kobi Manu and young forward Shea Lacey remained on the bench.
Carrick gambled at the London Stadium. This is not the case with Cesco, who replaced Matheus Cunha, who was ineffective, a charge that could be levelled against all of United’s attacking players on this occasion.
The element of risk and reward came through the introduction of Zirkzee for full-back Diogo Dalot eight minutes from time.
He knew there was a chance to give even a second. It didn’t happen, thanks to two brilliant saving tackles by another substitute, Lenny Yarrow, and a save by Sené Lammens.
The result meant that as soon as five of the seven added minutes of injury time were up, Carrick’s team still had a chance. Czechia’s stellar performance ensured that they did not go home empty-handed.
“It’s always worthwhile trying to get something out of the game,” Carrick said of his replacement.
“Sometimes it doesn’t happen, but that doesn’t mean you give up.
“Obviously, we adopted an aggressive strategy with three defenders at the back while the rest of the team focused on attacking to secure that goal.” That’s the way we should do it.”
This strategy is directly inspired by the tactics of Sir Alex Ferguson. He was always willing to gamble to get the desired results and he felt this was the reason why he achieved so many successes late in his illustrious career.
The 87th-minute winner against Arsenal, the 90th-minute winner against Fulham and now the 95th-minute equaliser against West Ham.
Carrick is happy with 13 of 15 points in his first block of games.
As he regroups ahead of the next three-match run, he will be equally pleased with the spirit and never-say-die attitude that helped him achieve that.
Jeffrey Epstein had power and influence because he had money.
This attracted both wealth and individuals seeking it. His fortune enabled the crimes he committed. Its role cannot be underestimated.
The frenzy following his death has left questions about how he came to have the money.
Epstein files: see the latest revelations
Epstein’s empire once included the largest residential estate in Manhattan, two sun-drenched islands, and three planes.
But were they the result of pure financial acumen or were there more sinister elements to them: free rein for blackmail and entrapment of people interested in security services in the guise of financial expertise?
Here’s what we know.
How much was Epstein worth?
A document signed by the convicted paedophile just two days before his suicide in 2019 shows that the value of his assets was in the region of $580m (£475m at the time) before any taxes and liabilities were paid.
The 1953 Trust—possibly named in reference to his birth year— was a trust fund that allowed the identities of its beneficiaries to be concealed, unlike a simple will.
The final version was released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for the first time last week with some amendments and showed that more than 40 people were set to inherit millions of dollars, including Ghislaine Maxwell ($10 million).
image: Undated photo of Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein released by the US Department of Justice: Photo: DoJ
Where did it all begin
To understand the end, we have to find the beginning.
Born in New York, Epstein was considered a mathematics genius, but despite attending university, he never graduated.
He left studies for education – to teach teenage boys and girls without qualifications at a private school attended by many of New York’s elite.
After being fired – apparently due to his lack of teaching skills – Epstein was given a job at investment banking giant Bear Stearns by its soon-to-be chief executive, Alan “Ace” Greenberg, who had children at the school.
This was his first big break – one that would strengthen his financial position for years to come.
Epstein worked for five years but left Bear Stearns in 1981 due to a trading violation, for which the company fined him $2,500 – worth about $9,000 (£6,597) today.
He told regulators at the time that he was earning more than $200,000 a year – now about $710,000 (£520,501) – in total compensation from Bear Stearns for his work as a consultant and limited partner.
He left the bank, but his relationship with the company that became the first Domino’s to go bankrupt 27 years later continued.
image: Alan Greenberg, seen here in 1998, was credited with giving Epstein his big break in his career. He died in 2014. Photo: AP
big bucks
This point is where Epstein’s obsession with secrecy begins to eclipse his earnings.
There was a lack of transparency into their business interests since 1981 because they were not listed entities, although lawsuits and some filings have revealed limited data on performance.
He started his own firm, which specialised in recovering funds for individuals and, reportedly, several foreign governments, and in 1987 he was also hired as a “consultant” at the then-Tall Towers Financial Corporation.
He departed from Towers Financial Corporation in 1989, four years prior to its exposure as a Ponzi scheme. He earned $25,000 per month for his role in the towers and was never charged with the $450 million fraud.
Jay Epstein & Co., founded in 1988, is where the big money started appearing.
This entity became a financial trust company after Epstein based his financial operations in a tax haven – the US Virgin Islands.
He also started Southern Trust Company in 2011, which later became his main source of income.
image: Little St James Island, one of the properties of financier Jeffrey Epstein
How much did he rake in and how did he do it?
One of the big questions hanging over Epstein’s activities is the legitimacy of the revenue he earned from his clients and investments – largely tax-free.
He certainly avoided the regulations governing financial advisers, lawyers, and accountants globally by portraying himself as an advisor.
Two individuals accounted for the majority of the fees charged to Epstein’s vehicles, according to a Forbes review.
At first, Jay Epstein & Co. managed the financial affairs of American billionaire Les Wexner – the long-time boss of Victoria’s Secret.
She was found to have paid Epstein $200 million by the time they separated in 2007.
Leon Black, co-founder of private equity firm Apollo Global Management, is believed to have handed over $170 million to the institutions from 2012 to 2017. In a letter to Apollo investors in 2020, he said, “I deeply regret any involvement with them,” adding that their relationship was limited to “estate planning, taxation, and philanthropic efforts.”
Mr Wexner previously said he broke with Epstein in 2007 and denied any knowledge of his sexual abuse.
In all, Forbes said Epstein took at least $360m in dividends from his companies between 1999 and 2018 and saved himself $300m in taxes due to the US Virgin Islands jurisdiction.
However, the situation was not without complications.
According to the Financial Times, US prosecutors have suggested that Mr Wexner received a $100 million payment from Epstein in 2008.
It relates to the lingerie tycoon’s claims that Epstein had power of attorney over his personal financial affairs while millions of dollars were stolen from him. This included allegations of improper property purchases; FT said Epstein bought real estate from Mr Wexner’s portfolio at a discount, according to US Justice Department documents.
The repayment amount was said to have been disclosed to authorities as Mr Wexner’s legal team sought to assist their investigation of Epstein before his death in 2019.
How did King handle the Epstein scandal?
financial crisis
Epstein suffered major losses following the financial meltdown in 2008.
The financial trust was an investor in the Bear Stearns fund, which collapsed along with the bank in March of that year – the first major casualty of the crisis.
The company recorded a net loss of $166 million between 2008 and 2010 – losses that gave rise to their new venture, Southern Trust.
Widespread reports also revealed Epstein’s financial losses from investments in mortgage-backed securities at a Bermuda-based company, where he previously held the position of chairman.
What do the Epstein files reveal about the reasons for all the redactions?
What about other income sources?
Epstein oversaw Liquid Funding Ltd. for eight years until 2007.
A few months before his death, a report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) highlighted evidence that Epstein’s assets were being “secreted” through a series of offshore shell companies based in tax havens.
ICIJ, citing papers seen by its partner McClatchy and the Miami Herald, reported that Bear Stearns was one of the owners of Liquid Funding and had interests in the financial products that became synonymous with the 2008 crash.
‘Market-sensitive information’ given to Epstein
Were his interests legitimate?
Epstein apparently made money through various vehicles, investments, and tax avoidance. These actions may be legal, but they could also be superficial.
The files released by the Justice Department only increase suspicions that Epstein’s pockets were lined with blackmail from wealthy individuals, possibly through the secret filming of sexual activities at his properties.
The “victims” may save some taxes in exchange for more business. It’s a theory that has gained popularity as journalists continue to dig into the massive document dump.
The highlighted business relationships do not imply any wrongdoing by those named.
The new Epstein files include the ‘Devil’ video and details about bank payments related to sex-trafficking operations.
And sex-trafficking operations?
JPMorgan – the US investment bank that retained Epstein as a client between 1998 and 2013 and paid for that relationship through a series of subsequent settlements – flagged more than $1 billion in suspicious transactions involving Epstein shortly after his death.
The bank told the New York Times that thousands of identified transactions could encourage sex trafficking.
his real wealth
Financial journalists have spent years trying to uncover the truth behind Epstein’s fortune.
You can see from his story that he was a master of manipulation from the beginning.
However, it wouldn’t be unexpected if additional funds emerged from legal fees, compensation, and victim settlements after his estate depletes.
The night sky appears to be completely dark with a scattering of bright stars. Many people assume that the universe must be dark because of this common perspective. However, astronomers have posed a different query: what would the universe’s colour be if all of the light from every star and galaxy were merged into a single shadow? This precise computation was performed in 2002 by a group of astronomers, who arrived at a startling conclusion. They have lovingly dubbed this shade “Cosmic Latte” because the average colour of light from the universe is very light beige rather than black. The findings came from analysing observations of hundreds of thousands of galaxies. The researchers measured all the visible light emitted by these galaxies and combined it into a “cosmic spectrum”. When that spectrum was converted into a single visible colour using standard colour science methods, the result was a creamy off-white tone. It represents the true average of all visible light from the universe, not how one would see the sky from Earth. The name “Cosmic Latte” may sound silly, but it’s based on actual scientific research. This average colour can help astronomers learn about larger features of the universe and how the brightness of all the stars has changed over time. It also shows how the light we see from distant galaxies changes depending on the age and type of star.
Astronomers calculate the average colour of the universe by analysing data from various galaxies.
In the early 2000s, astronomers Carl Glazebrook and Ivan Baldry led a project using data from the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey, one of the largest all-sky surveys of visible galaxies conducted up to that time. The survey mapped light from more than 200,000 galaxies in the sky, measuring the brightness of light at different wavelengths. Scientists did not look at each galaxy in isolation. Instead, they put all this information together to create a spectrum of light that can be seen across the universe. This is the cosmic spectrum, and it reflects all the light emitted from stars, gas, and other things in the universe. After scientists put together the cosmic spectrum, they used computer programs and colour-matching methods to convert it into a colour that people can see. The final colour is light beige with code #FFF8E7. This number comes from standard digital colour systems and allows Cosmic Latte to be used in graphics and educational materials.
Why is the universe not black even though space looks dark?
It may seem strange to say that the universe has one colour when space appears dark. This is because of how we define colour and how our eyes see light. Most of the sky has no visible light sources, so space appears black. Photons from distant stars and galaxies are too faint to see without a telescope. But scientists don’t find darkness when they add up all the light that can be seen from every luminous object in the universe. There are different types of light in the electromagnetic spectrum, but visible light is the only light that people can see. By combining the visible wavelengths of stars of all ages and types, scientists were able to create a composite colour. Cosmic Latte is beige-white, meaning it contains light from both young blue stars and older red or yellow stars. This average colour has changed over cosmic time. Early in the history of the universe, massive, short-lived blue stars dominated the light emission. As those stars aged and faded and longer-lived red and yellow stars became common, the average light shifted slightly toward longer wavelengths, making today’s average colour warmer.
The science behind the name “Cosmic Latte”
After calculating the average colour, the research team conducted an informal survey to choose a name. Options included delectable suggestions like Cappuccino Cosmico, Big Bang Beige and Skyvorrie. The name Cosmic Latte won out because it closely represented the creamy, light colour generated by the calculations. According to reports, the term caught people’s attention and has since been used by NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day project, science outlets, and textbooks to describe the average colour of the universe. Adopting a familiar coffee context makes it easier for readers and students to visualise this otherwise abstract scientific result.
What does it tell us about the universe
It’s not just interesting that the colour of the universe is average. This helps scientists trace how light from stars spreads across the universe over time. The cosmic spectrum tells us about the age, number and evolution of stars. As massive stars die out and are replaced by cooler stars, the overall light signature of the universe changes. The Cosmic Latte doesn’t change how the universe looks to someone on Earth, but it does show how stars have formed and how the mix of light has changed over billions of years. It shows how astronomical data can give us new information about the entire universe by looking at a familiar question in a new way.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will begin after the opening ceremony, and with a busy schedule of competitions ahead, American viewers will need to pay attention to the time difference between the US and Italy, where the Milano Cortina Games are taking place.
The competition began on February 4 with some preliminary matches, and events will continue until the closing ceremony on February 22. The Paralympics will be held from March 6 to March 15 next month.
Locations in Italy are six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
Here’s what you need to know about these winter sports schedules.
What is today’s schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Medal events will take place on the snow and slopes on Wednesday, February 11, including men’s super-G alpine skiing, 10 km cross-country Nordic combined, women’s 15 km individual biathlon, women’s moguls final in freestyle skiing, men’s 1,000 m speed skating, ice dance – free dance in figure skating, and both men’s and women’s doubles luge.
Curling round-robin matches will continue, including a match between the United States and the Czech Republic.
There will also be qualifications for both men’s and women’s snowboard halfpipe and women’s moguls in freestyle skiing.
What is the schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics tomorrow?
On Thursday, February 12, Team USA will return to the ice for both men’s and women’s curling round robin sessions. The US men’s ice hockey team also faces Latvia in a Group C match.
Medal events will be in women’s super-G alpine skiing, men’s mogul freestyle skiing, women’s 10-kilometer cross-country skiing, men’s snowboard cross, women’s 5,000-meter speed skating, team relay in luge, women’s snowboard halfpipe, and short track speed skating for both men and women.
Also on the schedule are skeleton heats, qualification rounds for freestyle skiing, snowboard seeding runs and training runs for both bobsleigh and ski jumping.
When are the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2026 Olympics?
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games on Friday, February 6, included performances by Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini and Andrea Bocelli, as well as traditional performances. The ceremony featured a parade of nations and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
The ceremony, produced by Balich Wonder Studios, took place primarily at the Milan San Siro Olympic Stadium, with additional events around Milan and athlete parades in Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Look at all the main attractions here.
The Verona Arena will host the closing ceremony of this year’s Winter Olympics on February 22.
What is the figure skating schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The figure skating competitions began on 6 February. The competition will continue daily until 11th February. There will be a break on February 12, but additional figure skating competitions will take place on Feb. 13, 15, 16, 17, and 19.
The website for the Olympics provides details about the schedule for Team, Pair, and Singles events in figure skating.
What is the snowboarding program for the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Snowboarding events at the Winter Olympics began on 5 February, then continued through 7–9, 11–13, and 15–18 February.
Website for Olympic details At the qualifying event and final run, there are events for both men and women.
Overview of the 2026 Olympic program
While the Olympic opening ceremony was on Friday, February 6, Winter Games events actually began two days earlier, on February 4. The closing ceremony, along with several medal events, will take place on February 22.
The full schedule is available online, but Milano Cortina Games organisers say it is subject to change.
Wednesday, February 4
Thursday, February 5
Friday, February 6
Saturday, February 7
Sunday, February 8
Monday, February 9
Tuesday, February 10
Wednesday, February 11
Thursday, February 12
Friday, February 13
Saturday, February 14
Sunday, February 15
Monday, February 16
Tuesday, February 17
Wednesday, February 18
Thursday, February 19
Friday, February 20
Saturday, February 21
Sunday, February 22
Will the Olympics TV programme be live or delayed?
There will be both live and tape-delayed coverage of the Olympics on TV. Viewers in the US can watch on NBC and Peacock. According to the NBC Olympics website, NBC will have at least five hours of live event coverage beginning each morning and continuing through the afternoon. Viewers can check NBC Local listings here.
North Carolina’s five-game winning streak in the Atlantic Coast Conference has officially ended. After an emotional win over a rival Duke on Saturday night, it was a quick turnaround for the Tar Heels.
They went to Coral Gables to face off against a good Miami team and in the end, UNC never led in the game and fell to the Hurricanes, 75-66. The loss drops UNC to 19-5 overall and 7-4 in ACC play. With a tough schedule still ahead for the Tar Heels, the contest was another big Quad 1 opportunity for them.
February 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henry Visser (13) grabs a rebound against the Miami Hurricanes in the first half at Watsko Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The story of this game is the colour game between two teams. Miami dominated the paint, outscoring North Carolina 46-28. The Hurricanes also outgained UNC 41-35, leading to extra possessions on offence and limiting the Tar Heels to their own possessions.
North Carolina didn’t get much out of the post tonight with Caleb Wilson limited by that left wrist. But Henry Visser fought back against the bigs of the Hurricanes who feasted all night
This is a problem.
Let’s hope Caleb Wilson’s hand injury isn’t serious
On February 10, 2026, in Coral Gables, Florida, USA, North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) looks up while playing against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at the Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
After an exciting game against Duke on Saturday, freshman Caleb Wilson didn’t look outstanding against Miami. Part of that was due to a left wrist injury he likely suffered in the game.
Wilson scored 12 points and played just 26 minutes, missing some crucial minutes early in the second half. He went to the bench with the trainers, then the locker room, before returning. But when he checked in again, he did so with some tape on his left wrist.
February 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) defends the basketball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jayden Young (4) during the first half at the Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
It was a tough game. North Carolina went on the road against a good Miami team that surprised many people in the ACC. It wasn’t a classic trap game where the Tar Heels faced a team that was clearly better than they were and beat Duke.
We have to give Miami the credit it deserves so far this season. Also, playing on the road is not an easy task and for the past few years, Coral Gables has not been a good place to play for the Tar Heels.
