There is no indication that any of the lobbying activities were illegal.

The files indicate that Epstein met Wade and travelled with him on his private jet in 2011. As minister for air transport, among other roles, Wade appears to have personally secured landing permission for Epstein.

After his father's defeat to Macky Sall in the 2012 election Wade was imprisoned on corruption charges, which he claimed were politically motivated. He was also fined the equivalent of $228 million. Shortly after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal, Wade's personal assistant contacted Epstein , asking him to pay a legal firm to lobby for the US to intervene.

Subsequent emails suggest that as the bill rose to $150,000, Epstein asked Wade's representatives to forward him payment so he could settle the bill. They then a sked if they could pay in cash instead of wiring the money.

Further correspondence shows the law firm Nelson Mullins informing Epstein of an opportunity to contact members of Congress to help push the case. That email came a month before Sall announced he would pardon and free Wade, who subsequently moved to Qatar.

The decision to remove Espert from the Libertarian ticket came after pressure from different factions within Milei’s government . Until this Sunday, Milei had been Espert’s primary supporter since the scandal first emerged, but the controversy threatened to complicate the ruling party’s strategy ahead of the legislative elections on 26 October.

The allegations surfaced last week when a Peronist politician published accounting documents from a Texas court case against Fred Machado. The records indicate a $200,000 payment to Espert, who acknowledged that Machado had contributed to his 2019 presidential campaign. Espert also admitted to flying on Machado’s private planes at least 35 times.

This development marks a significant setback for Milei’s political movement, coming just weeks before the crucial midterm legislative elections, and highlights ongoing scrutiny of campaign financing and links to controversial figures in Argentine politics .

Argentina’s country risk index climbed to 1,200 points, its highest level since October 2024. This metric, closely monitored by investors, reflects the perceived likelihood of Argentina defaulting on its debt. The surge highlights concerns about the country’s fiscal health, dwindling foreign reserves, and the impact of political turbulence on economic reforms. Analysts warn this could deter foreign investment, raise borrowing costs, and strain President Javier Milei’s already ambitious stabilisation plans.

Milei faces setback after Peronist victory in Buenos Aires

President Javier Milei’s reformist government is facing headwinds after the Peronist party scored a significant victory in Buenos Aires. The first post-election poll suggests growing voter dissatisfaction with Milei’s policies, especially among working-class voters who have borne the brunt of austerity measures. As the country heads toward key October elections, Milei is expected to recalibrate his messaging and shore up support to avoid further losses that could stall his legislative agenda.

Budget speech: “The worst is over”

In a nationally televised address, Milei sought to reassure Argentines that the country is turning a corner economically. He promised that “the worst is over” and appealed to citizens to hold firm as his administration works to stabilise inflation, attract investment, and fund social programs. Milei also signalled increased spending on healthcare and education, hoping to counter criticisms that his government’s austerity approach has disproportionately hurt the poor.

Government shake-up amid ANDIS scandal

The Argentine government announced structural changes within ANDIS (National Agency for Disability) following leaked audio recordings involving Diego Spagnuolo that sparked public outrage. The scandal triggered protests in Buenos Aires and other cities, with citizens demanding accountability and transparency. The administration’s swift response suggests an effort to limit political fallout and restore public trust ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.

Marco Rubio meets Netanyahu to discuss Qatar attack and Gaza crisis

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on the aftermath of the recent attack in Qatar and the ongoing humanitarian and security situation in Gaza. This conversation underscores Washington’s growing concern over Middle Eastern instability and its ripple effects on global security. Argentina, while geographically distant, is watching closely — particularly given its large Jewish community and its own security policies in relation to Middle Eastern geopolitics.

According to data compiled by 24/7 Wall St. from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps programme, a joint project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, more than one in four adults in these counties drink excessively far above the national average of fewer than one in five.

Digging deeper, 41 of these top 50 “drunkest” counties are in Wisconsin, making the Badger State by far the most concentrated region on the list.

Even outside public perception of Wisconsin as “ America ’s beer capital,” the data shows this trend extends well beyond social stereotypes; Outagamie County, home to Appleton, ranks number 1, where about 31% of adults report binge or heavy drinking.

In a broader metro-area analysis, 7 of the 10 drunkest U.S. cities, including Appleton, Green Bay, and Madison are located in Wisconsin.

Why it matters

1. Health risks soar.

Excessive alcohol use is a major preventable risk factor your health—linked to chronic illnesses like liver disease, cancer, heart disease, and mental-health issues, alongside accidents and impaired driving.

2. Wisconsin leads—and that spotlight demands awareness.

While the state appears on top in statistics, it also raises questions about cultural norms, access to treatment, and alcohol policies across the region.

3. Geography plays a role.

The regional clustering suggests local customs, social environments, and even economic factors influence drinking behaviors.

That long, narrow nation stretches into South America’s Pacific coast for 4,270 kilometres. This comparison shines a light on Chile’s extraordinary geography and the sheer variety of climates contained within its thin boundaries.

From the Atacama Desert in the north to the glaciers of Patagonia in the far south, Chile stretches over 33 degrees of latitude. It occupies a narrow strip of land between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, measuring 4,270 kilometres from north to south while averaging only about 175 kilometres wide.

The country’s present shape emerged from a combination of rugged topography and historical events: the Andes formed a natural barrier to the east, and colonial expansion, followed by 19th‑century wars, extended Chile’s reach north and south.

Travelling the length of Chile is like journeying from London to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso or from New York to Bogotá—it’s that long.

This extreme length produces remarkable environmental contrasts. In southern Chile, including Tierra del Fuego, a maritime climate prevails; some parts receive up to 4,000 millimetres of rain a year, though cities such as Punta Arenas get a much more modest 410 millimetres.

Central Chile around Santiago enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, averaging around 275 millimetres of annual rainfall. At the northern extreme, the Atacama Desert sees almost no rainfall because the cold Humboldt Current suppresses cloud formation.

In just a few thousand kilometres, you move from snow‑capped Andean peaks and fjords to fertile valleys and some of the driest landscapes on Earth.

Understanding the Moon’s Scale

Placing Chile and the Moon in the same sentence invites curiosity about the Moon’s true size. Astronomers describe the Moon as a mid‑sized natural satellite: Universe Today reports its diameter as approximately 3,474 kilometres.

Space.com , citing NASA data, notes that the Moon’s mean radius is 1,737.5 kilometres, giving a mean diameter of about 3,475 kilometres, and that it orbits Earth at an average distance of roughly 384,400 kilometres.

In other words, the Moon spans just over a quarter of Earth’s width and sits about thirty Earth diameters away. If our planet were scaled to the size of a nickel, the Moon would be no bigger than a coffee bean.

The Maldives government strongly denounced Israel’s plan to seize control of Gaza, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law. Officials reiterated support for Palestinian self-determination and urged the global community to act decisively.

Thulhaadhoo Airport project back on track

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu acknowledged an 18-month delay in the Thulhaadhoo Airport project, citing financial arrangements as the main cause. He assured residents that construction will now move forward without further interruptions.

Abdul Ghani Mohamed sworn in as Chief Justice

The Maldives has a new Chief Justice, Abdul Ghani Mohamed, whom Parliament unanimously approved. He succeeds Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, who recently retired.

Decentralisation Act amendments trigger backlash

Over 80 local councils opposed proposed amendments to the Decentralisation Act, claiming the changes would weaken local governance and democratic aspirations. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih pledged to restore council powers if his party regains leadership.

Customs scandal over vape products linked to minister’s son

A high-profile scandal emerged after Maldives Customs detained Abdulla Mahil Shaheem, son of the Minister of Islamic Affairs, for attempting to import banned vape products. The case has raised serious questions about potential government involvement in illicit trade.