Global News Highlights: Crime, Politics, and Sports

A former Florida police chief, Michael Reiter, alleges that Donald Trump called him in 2006 and said 'everyone' knew about Jeffrey Epstein's behavior. According to an FBI document, Trump claimed he had thrown Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club and that 'people in New York knew he was disgusting'. The alleged call raises questions about what Trump knew about Epstein's crimes and when. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has said he did not know about his crimes before breaking off contact in around 2004. The White House has also questioned the existence of the call, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying it 'may or may not have happened'.

Mexican authorities have identified five of the 10 missing workers from a Canadian mining company, Vizsla Silver Corp, among 10 bodies found in clandestine graves in Sinaloa, Mexico. The company reported the abduction of 10 people from its facilities on January 28. The Mexican government has increased troop deployment to the state and launched an operation to find the remaining missing workers. Four suspects have been arrested and have led authorities to the bodies. The region is plagued by a turf war between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel.

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych plans to wear a helmet showing images of Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia's war during the 2026 Winter Olympics, despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banning the helmet. Heraskevych believes the athletes deserve to be remembered and honored during the competition. The IOC has offered an alternative, allowing Heraskevych to wear a black armband or ribbon to pay tribute. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have supported Heraskevych's decision, criticizing the IOC's stance as ignoring the reality of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

A second woman testified in court against Marius Borg Hoiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, accusing him of raping her while she slept during an after-party in Norway's Lofoten Islands. Hoiby is facing 38 charges, including raping four women and assaulting ex-girlfriends, and has pleaded not guilty to the most serious offenses. The alleged victim described the incident as her 'worst nightmare' and stated that she woke up to find Hoiby having non-consensual sex with her. The prosecution presented evidence, including a video Hoiby allegedly filmed of the incident and data from the victim's fitness watch, to support their case. Hoiby's defense has rejected the accusations, claiming the sexual relations were consensual. The trial has caused embarrassment to the royal family, with Crown Prince Haakon stating that neither he nor Mette-Marit would attend the trial.

European equity markets had a mixed open on Wednesday as investors focused on corporate earnings releases. Heineken announced plans to cut 5,000-6,000 jobs as part of a turnaround strategy, while Siemens Energy reported a significant increase in quarterly net profit. Other companies, including TotalEnergies, Ferrari, and Dassault Systemes, also released earnings. Commerzbank achieved a record operating profit, and German airline Lufthansa faced staff strikes over a pensions dispute. Global investors were also monitoring U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for January.

The article discusses Britain's police reforms and their potential impact on public perception of safety. Despite a decline in crime rates, many Britons remain concerned about crime, and trust in the police has decreased. The article suggests that the police reforms are a step in the right direction but questions whether they will improve public confidence in the police.

A young Pakistani lawyer, Mahnoor Omer, is taking the government to court over the 'period tax' on menstrual products, arguing that it is discriminatory and exacerbates gender inequalities in education, health, and social welfare. The case aims to remove tax on sanitary items and categorize them as essential goods. The issue is deeply rooted in the societal taboos surrounding menstruation and sexual health in Pakistan, which limit public discussion and lead to a lack of access to affordable sanitary products, particularly affecting girls and women from low-income backgrounds.

Fifteen people were arrested in Europe for allegedly spreading Islamic State terrorist group propaganda over TikTok. The suspects, aged 16 to 53, were taken into custody in raids across the Netherlands. Thirteen of those arrested were Syrian and four had Dutch nationality. The arrests were sparked by a TikTok account that spread large amounts of ISIS propaganda with Dutch subtitles. The US military remains active in Syria against ISIS, carrying out five strikes against multiple Islamic State targets in recent days.

Violence erupted in Sydney as anti-Israel protesters clashed with police during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia. The protests were in response to Herzog's presence and Israel's actions in Gaza. 27 people were arrested, including 10 for allegedly assaulting officers. Australian leaders called for calm and restraint, while Herzog met with bereaved families and participated in memorial events for the victims of a December 14 terror attack at a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. Herzog warned of rising antisemitism, calling it a global emergency.

Prince William is visiting Saudi Arabia on an official trip, during which Amnesty International has asked him to raise the case of Ahmed al-Doush, a Manchester man detained in the country since 2024. Al-Doush, a father of four and senior banking analyst, was arrested for past social media posts and alleged association with a Saudi critic in exile, which he denies. Initially sentenced to ten years, his sentence was later reduced to eight years. Amnesty International has written to Prince William to bring attention to al-Doush's case, highlighting the impact of his detention on his family and concerns about his health and well-being. The UK government has stated that they are supporting al-Doush and have raised his case with Saudi authorities. Prince William's visit is focused on strengthening ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia, with engagements including meetings with women's football teams, discussions on energy transition, and participation in an e-gaming competition.

Ukraine is rallying European governments to block FIFA's efforts to reinstate Russia in international football, arguing that lifting the ban would legitimize Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi stated that allowing Russia to participate in World Cups would be a sign of condoning Vladimir Putin's actions. The ban was imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and European football leaders are set to discuss the matter at their annual congress in Brussels. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed concerns that the ban has not achieved its intended purpose and has instead created frustration and hatred. Ukraine is seeking support from European governments to issue a statement opposing the lifting of sanctions on Russia.