Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates faced renewed scrutiny regarding his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as evidenced by recently released documents and statements from his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates. The British government also committed to releasing files related to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, despite his known ties to Epstein.
Melinda French Gates addressed the resurfacing of her ex-husband's connection to Epstein, stating it dredged up "painful times in my marriage," according to an NPR podcast. She expressed "unbelievable sadness" and stated that "whatever questions remain" needed to be answered by those named in the records, including Bill Gates. The couple divorced in 2021. Records released by the U.S. Justice Department included an allegation by Epstein that Bill Gates once caught a sexually transmitted infection.
Bill Gates addressed his relationship with Epstein in an interview with 9News Australia, calling himself "foolish" for spending time with him. "I met Jeffrey in 2011," Gates said, adding that "over a period of three years, I had a number of dinners with him."
Meanwhile, in other news, the British government agreed to release files pertaining to Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States, following pressure from the Conservative Party, according to The Associated Press. Critics had pointed out that Mandelson's relationship with Epstein was known at the time of his appointment, though not to the extent that has since been revealed.
In Syria, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it carried out five strikes against "multiple" Islamic State targets between January 27 and February 2. CENTCOM said its forces "located and destroyed an ISIS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities with 50 precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft." The strikes were part of a joint military effort to "ensure the enduring defeat of the terrorist network."
In Ukraine, thousands remained without power as renewed Russian strikes continued to target the country's energy sector. President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 200 repair crews were working to restore power in Kyiv, where more than 1,100 apartment buildings were still without power. In the eastern Ukrainian town of Druzhkivka, seven people were killed and fifteen injured in Russian cluster bomb strikes, according to the regional head.
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