U.S. lawmakers ask Peter Mandelson to testify on Epstein links

Peter Mandelson has been asked to testify before the U.S. Congress over his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a letter from two Democratic members of the House of Representatives. The lawmakers urged Mandelson to appear for a transcribed interview with staff of the House Oversight Committee as part of the panel’s ongoing probe into Epstein. The letter, reviewed by Axadle Times, stated: “Given the appalling allegations regarding Epstein’s conduct, we request that you make yourself…

Merz proposes European nuclear umbrella amid push to reset U.S. ties

Germany opens talks with France on European nuclear deterrent as Munich forum urges reset with U.S. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin has begun confidential talks with France about a European nuclear deterrent, arguing Europe must become stronger as it seeks to reset relations with the United States. The remarks came in an opening address to the Munich Security Conference that framed a more self-reliant Europe as essential in a “dangerous new era of great power politics.” “In the era of great power rivalry, even…

Judge says ICE obstructed Minnesota detainees’ access to attorneys

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to immediately restore detainees’ access to lawyers in Minnesota and to halt rapid out-of-state transfers that sever legal contacts, finding the agency’s recent practices “all but extinguish a detainee’s access to counsel.” U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel, appointed by President Donald Trump, issued a 14-day temporary restraining order in a class-action lawsuit filed Jan. 27 on behalf of noncitizen detainees. The order requires the government…

UNICEF: No Child Should Have to Escape Violence

Escalating Crisis in South Sudan: 280,000 Displaced Amid Violence The ongoing violence in South Sudan has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, particularly affecting children and vulnerable populations. With at least 280,000 people displaced in Jonglei State alone, the situation is becoming increasingly grave. Majority of those displaced are women and children, many fleeing multiple times. Health services are collapsing, with critical facilities attacked and looted. Urgent need for humanitarian access and…

Somalia Struggles with Severe Drought Due to Lack of Funding

Drought in Somalia: A National Emergency in the Making The ongoing drought in Somalia has escalated into a crisis affecting millions, prompting fears of famine without urgent intervention. This section outlines the immediate impact of the drought, including the number of people affected and the infrastructure in disrepair. 4.61 million people affected, with over 490,000 displaced. 171 boreholes are non-functional nationwide, disrupting basic needs. Many schools have closed due to migration and resource…

Russia and Ukraine schedule Geneva negotiations for next week

Russia and Ukraine will hold U.S.-brokered talks on Feb. 17-18 in Geneva, the next step in negotiations aimed at ending the four-year war, both governments said. The discussions, in a trilateral Russia-U.S.-Ukraine format, follow two U.S.-mediated rounds in Abu Dhabi that produced no sign of a breakthrough even as President Donald Trump pushes to end the conflict. Despite public assurances that earlier meetings were productive, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on the core issue of territory. “The next round of talks on the…

Somalia and UK Strengthen Strategic Ties During High-Level Talks in Mogadishu

Strengthening Somalia-UK Relations: A Focus on Security and Development This article examines the recent high-level talks between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and UK Minister Jenny Chapman. Their discussions aimed to bolster bilateral cooperation in critical areas such as security, governance, and economic development. Overview of the meeting's objectives and topics Key developments in counterterrorism and institutional reforms Insights on humanitarian assistance and ongoing partnerships Meeting…

Australia’s Liberal Party names net-zero skeptic as new leader

Australia’s centre-right Liberal Party has elected Angus Taylor as its new leader, replacing Sussan Ley after less than a year in the job, local media reported. The move elevates a prominent conservative who lobbied to drop the party’s commitment to net zero emissions, signaling a sharpened debate over the opposition’s direction on climate policy and its broader appeal to voters. Taylor, a former energy minister, emerges from the party’s “national right” faction and was seen as a key proponent of the Liberals’ decision in…

Investigation launched into alleged discriminatory response to Los Angeles fires

California opens probe into delayed wildfire warnings in West Altadena Black neighborhoods California’s attorney general has opened a civil rights investigation into whether delayed evacuation warnings during last year’s Los Angeles wildfires contributed to a higher death toll in historically Black neighborhoods in Altadena. Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will examine whether race, age or disability discrimination played a role in the emergency response on the west side of Altadena, where most residents are…

Marco Rubio set to press EU leaders at Munich Security Conference

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed Thursday for the Munich Security Conference, vowing to press European allies on defense burden-sharing while striking a less confrontational tone than Washington deployed a year ago. Rubio will lead the U.S. delegation to the annual security and defense forum, which runs through Sunday in the Bavarian capital. The trip comes amid a delicate moment in transatlantic relations following a bruising year of rhetoric from Washington and a high-profile dispute over Greenland that rattled…