Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak apologized for his long friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while Amazon ended a partnership with Flock Safety following backlash over a Super Bowl advertisement. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) condemned a US-funded vaccine trial as unethical, and 4chan's creator distanced himself from Epstein.
Barak's apology, published on February 14, 2026, came after admitting to a years-long friendship with Epstein that included regular correspondence and multiple visits to Epstein's Manhattan apartment and private island, according to Euronews. Barak stated, "I am responsible for all my actions and decisions, and there is definitely room to ask if there wasn't room for more in-depth judgment on my part." He also claimed he never witnessed or participated in any inappropriate behavior.
The decision by Amazon to end its partnership with Flock Safety, which would have given law enforcement access to a vast network of Ring cameras, was prompted by a negative reaction to a Super Bowl ad. The ad, which aired during the Super Bowl, was criticized as "disturbing and dystopian" (Ars Technica). The ad featured a young girl receiving a puppy and then introduced a "Search Party" feature for Ring cameras to locate missing pets.
In other news, the WHO released a formal statement on Friday, condemning a US-funded vaccine trial as unethical. The trial, which was to be conducted in Guinea-Bissau, Africa, involved withholding an established, safe, and potentially lifesaving vaccine against hepatitis B from some newborns. The WHO concluded that the trial was "inconsistent with established ethical and scientific principles," citing several reasons for its harmfulness and low quality, according to Ars Technica.
Additionally, 4chan's creator, Chris "moot" Poole, told The Verge that Epstein had "nothing to do" with the creation of the far-right message board /pol/. Poole also expressed regret for ever encountering Epstein.
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