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World Economic Forum president and CEO steps down after facing scrutiny over Epstein links
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Børge Brende, who has faced scrutiny due to the revelation of links between him and the late Jeffrey Epstein, is stepping down from his role as World Economic Forum president and CEO.
«I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions,» Brende said in a statement.
Disclosures by the U.S. Justice Department indicated that Brende had attended three business dinners with Epstein and engaged him in communications through email and texts, according to Reuters.
President Donald Trump is greeted by Børge Brende before taking part in a discussion onstage at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 21, 2026, in Davos, Switzerland. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
«In light of these interactions, the Governing Board requested the Audit and Risk Committee to look into the matter, which subsequently decided to initiate an independent review,» the WEF noted in a statement, the outlet reported earlier this month. «This decision underscores the Forum’s commitment to transparency and maintaining its integrity.»
In the statement about Brende’s departure, the globalist body noted, «The independent review conducted by outside counsel has concluded. The findings stated that there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.»
WEF’s co-chairs André Hoffmann and Larry Fink said in a statement on behalf of the board of trustees that they wanted «to express our sincere appreciation for Børge Brende’s significant contributions to the World Economic Forum.»
«His dedication and leadership have been instrumental during a pivotal period of reforms for the organization, leading to a successful annual meeting in Davos. We respect his decision to step down,» they said.
«We are pleased to announce that Alois Zwinggi will serve as Interim President and CEO and looking forward to his continued collaboration and partnership over time,» Hoffmann and Fink added. «The Board of Trustees will oversee the leadership transition including the plan to drive a proper process to identify a permanent successor.»
FORMER NORWEGIAN PM THORBJØRN JAGLAND HOSPITALIZED AMID EPSTEIN PROBE
Close-up image of a tablet screen displaying a portrait of Jeffrey Epstein beside the official U.S. Department of Justice website page titled Epstein Library in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 11, 2026. (Véronique Tournier/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Brende asserted in a statement that he met Epstein while attending a dinner that former Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje Rod-Larsen invited him to, according to Reuters.
Brende noted that he later went to two similar dinners that included Epstein and that those dinners plus «a few emails and SMS messages» comprised the full scope of his engagements with Epstein, according to the outlet.
SON OF NORWAY’S CROWN PRINCESS TO FACE RAPE CHARGES AS NEW EPSTEIN FILES MENTION HER HUNDREDS OF TIMES
World Economic Forum President Borge Brende delivers a speech at the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 20, 2026. (Harun Ozalp/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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«I was completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities,» Brende noted, according to the outlet.
«Had I known about his background, I would have declined the initial invitation to join Rod-Larsen and any subsequent dinner invitations or other communications,» he said.
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Travis County DA faces renewed ‘soft on crime’ criticism after career criminal charged with murder
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A Texas-based career criminal with a lengthy rap sheet is behind bars in Travis County after he was charged with murdering a father of five outside a 7-Eleven in Austin, reviving scrutiny of Travis County District Attorney José Garza and what critics call his controversial prosecutorial record and «soft on crime» approach.
Caleb Anthony Jenkins, described by police as a career criminal, was charged with murder in connection with a shooting last year that left a 25-year-old father dead outside a 7-Eleven. According to Austin police, Jenkins allegedly shot the victim and drove off.
But critics argue the killing may have been preventable. Garza’s office previously dismissed or declined to prosecute three separate gun charges against Jenkins in incidents dating back to 2022. He was also arrested in 2023 on a domestic violence charge and failed to appear in court, as Fox News reported. Most recently, he was re-arrested and released after his bond was raised.
Taken together, the developments have intensified public criticism of Garza, the Democratic district attorney backed by liberal mega-donor George Soros,
District Attorney Jose Garza in Austin, Texas. ((Photo by Spencer Selvidge for The Washington Post via Getty Images))
Garza, who was elected Travis County DA without prior experience as a prosecutor, has faced criticism from police advocacy groups and victims’ families since taking office. They have accused him of deliberately slow-walking certain cases and embracing lenient sentencing policies.
The criticism has sparked national attention in years past. In 2023, the family of 25-year-old Doug Cantor, who was shot and killed in the 2021 Sixth Street mass shooting in downtown Austin, criticized Garza for slow-walking the trial of the gunman.
Family members told Fox News Digital in an interview at the time that they believed Garza had put the case on the «back burner.»
«It’s very clear that his focus and attention is not on this case,» Nick Kantor told Fox News Digital in an interview reflecting on the two-year anniversary of his brother’s death — and the way Garza, who has been widely criticized for soft-on-crime policies, has handled the case.
AUSTIN DA GARZA CREATES CONFUSION WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF IMPENDING INDICTMENTS AGAINST MULTIPLE POLICE OFFICERS
Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza poses in front of the Austin skyline in a portrait from the county website. Garza has faced criticism for accusations that he aggressively prosecutes police officers accused of wrongdoing while going easy on career criminals. (Travis County DA Website)
«He’s doing things that are clearly causing distress on the trial and on the overall outcome of the case and for getting justice for my brother,» Kantor said.
Other victims’ families cited similar behavior from Garza’s office in interviews with Fox News Digital.
While overall reported crime in Travis County has declined, opponents argue dismissal rates have been «political,» and could further endanger public safety.
It «appears that Garza has now become more of an advocate for the criminal than he has for the victim,» Dennis Farris, president of the Austin Police Retired Officer’s Association, previously told Fox News Digital.
«The prosecution is acting more like defense attorneys than they are prosecutors,» Farris said in an interview roughly one year after Garza took office. «Whatever his skewed view of what criminal justice reform is, it isn’t working. It sure isn’t working for the victims.»
CRIME EXPERTS RESPOND TO SOROS DEFENDING SUPPORT FOR PROGRESSIVE DAS AMID CRIME WAVE: ‘DISASTROUS’
U.S. investor, philanthropist George Soros delivers a speech on the sidelines of the 2022 World Economic Forum in Davos. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
«It used to be that they got the victims’ buy-in before offering plea bargains. Now it doesn’t appear he’s even doing that, because they’re not even communicating with them, and that’s what’s leading to the revictimization of these families.»
Current and former local law enforcement officers have criticized Garza’s actions and his alleged «war on cops,» after the Soros-backed district attorney campaigned on indicting police officers and «reimagining» policing in Austin.
Soros contributed $652,000 to the Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC in the months leading up to the 2020 Travis County DA election, according to campaign finance records.
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That same PAC spent almost $1 million on digital and mail advertisements to help Garza’s campaign, as Fox News reported.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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Trump ally Orban issues scathing letter demanding Zelenskyy change Ukraine’s ‘anti-Hungarian policy’
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Hungary is beefing up security at its energy sites as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accuses Ukraine of threatening his country’s energy supply. Orbán — a vocal ally of President Donald Trump — published a scathing open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which he accused Kyiv of pursing an «anti-Hungarian policy.»
«In recent days, you have blocked the Friendship oil pipeline, which is critical to Hungary’s energy supply,» Orbán’s open letter, which he published on X, read. «Your actions are against Hungary’s interests and endanger the secure and affordable energy supply of Hungarian families. I therefore call on you to change your anti-Hungarian policy!»
On Wednesday, Orbán ordered increased security at critical energy infrastructure sites, The Associated Press reported. The prime minister’s order came as Budapest accused Ukraine of blocking the Druzhba pipeline, through which Russian oil is delivered to Hungary, but it crosses Kyiv’s territory. Ukrainian officials have denied the allegations, according to the AP, saying that the pipeline was hit in a Russian drone attack.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Ukraine of blocking his country’s oil supply. (Bernadett Szabo/Reuters; Liesa Johannssen/Reuters)
In a video posted on social media, Orbán claimed Ukraine was using an «oil blockade» to pressure Hungary and that Hungarian national security services showed Ukraine was «preparing further actions to disrupt the operation of Hungary’s energy system,» the AP reported.
«We will deploy soldiers and the necessary equipment to repel attacks near key energy facilities,» Orbán said, according to the AP. «The police will patrol with increased forces around designated power plants, distribution stations and control centers.»
The accusations lobbed against Ukraine also come as Orbán faces an upcoming election. As the election nears, Hungary has seen billboards across the country showing AI-generated images of Zelenskyy holding out his hand as if asking for money while surrounded by European officials, according to the AP.
The Druzhba oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia is seen at the Hungarian MOL Group’s Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary, May 18, 2022. (Bernadett Szabo/File Photo/Reuters)
UKRAINE’S ZELENSKYY: RUSSIA TRYING ‘TO PLAY’ GAME WITH TRUMP, STALL PEACE TALKS
Hungary recently threatened to block a proposed €90 billion European Union loan to Ukraine — worth roughly $106 billion — over the blockade of the Druzhba pipeline.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Friday that «Ukraine is blackmailing» his country and that Kyiv was coordinating with Belgium and the Hungarian opposition to «push fuel prices higher before the elections.»
«By blocking oil transit to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline, Ukraine violates the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, breaching its commitments to the European Union. We will not give in to this blackmail,» Szijjártó added.
Orbán also accused Ukraine, the Hungarian opposition and Belgium of coordinating to exert pressure on Budapest.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 16, 2026. (Alex Brandon, Pool/AP Photo)
‘DELAYING, STALLING AND BLAMING’: RUSSIA SHOWS LITTLE SIGN OF COMPROMISE AS WAR ENTERS FIFTH YEAR, EXPERT SAYS
In the letter released Thursday, Orbán, who has a close relationship with the Kremlin, also said Ukraine had refused «to accept the position of the sovereign Hungarian government and the Hungarian people regarding the Russia–Ukraine war.» Additionally, he accused Ukraine of trying to «force Hungary» into the war with Russia.
«We, the Hungarian people, are not responsible for the situation in which Ukraine finds itself. We sympathize with the Ukrainian people, but we do not wish to participate in the war. We do not want to finance the war effort, and we do not want to pay more for energy,» Orbán wrote.
The Hungarian prime minister ended his letter with demands that Ukraine reopen the oil pipeline and «refrain from any further attacks on Hungary’s energy security,» as well as a demand for «more respect for Hungary.»
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Neither Zelenskyy’s office nor the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The Associated Press and Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
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Antes de la anulación de la concesión, Panamá sostuvo conversaciones con PPC, confirmó el presidente Mulino
El presidente José Raúl Mulino defendió la estrategia del Gobierno frente al conflicto portuario y aseguró que Panamá se preparó durante meses para distintos escenarios, incluido el fallo de inconstitucionalidad que impactó la operación de terminales clave administradas por Panama Ports Company (PPC), filial del conglomerado CK Hutchison.
Durante su conferencia semanal, el mandatario abordó la situación de los puertos de Balboa y Cristóbal, el proceso de transición operativa y las tensiones diplomáticas derivadas del caso, en un contexto que calificó como decisivo para el futuro logístico del país.
Mulino sostuvo que su administración mantuvo múltiples reuniones durante el último año con directivos de PPC y CK Hutchison para evaluar el estado de las terminales y discutir alternativas ante los cuestionamientos legales y contractuales.
PRESIDENCIA DE PANAMÁ
Según relató, en esos encuentros el Gobierno percibió una actitud que describió como distante y poco colaborativa por parte de la empresa, lo que reforzó la decisión de prepararse para escenarios adversos, incluyendo la eventualidad de una declaratoria de inconstitucionalidad por parte de la Corte Suprema de Justicia.
Antes de la toma de control de ambas terminales, voceros de la empresa PPC habían solicitado un diálogo con el Gobierno para buscar una alternativa al conflicto antes de que el fallo de la Corte se publicada en Gaceta Oficial, lo que ocurrió el pasado lunes 23 de febrero.
El mandatario subrayó que el fallo judicial obligó al Ejecutivo a actuar con rapidez para garantizar la continuidad operativa de los puertos, considerados infraestructuras críticas para el comercio exterior y la estabilidad económica.
En ese sentido, explicó que la transición se desarrolla con empresas de amplia trayectoria internacional que han asumido temporalmente la operación, con el objetivo de evitar interrupciones en el manejo de carga y proteger miles de empleos vinculados al sector marítimo y logístico.
Mulino también pidió a las entidades y equipos involucrados en la transición de Balboa y Cristóbal que trabajen durante el fin de semana “las 24 horas del día” para normalizar el flujo de carga. Según el presidente, el objetivo es acelerar el despacho de importaciones y exportaciones y “poner al día” el manejo de contenedores entre viernes y domingo —o hasta lunes—, en un esfuerzo de corto plazo para reducir atrasos operativos mientras avanza la reorganización de ambas terminales.
En el caso del puerto de Balboa, la administración temporal quedó a cargo de APM Terminals Panamá S.A., mediante un contrato por $26,100,000 destinado a la operación, mantenimiento y gestión de la terminal en el Pacífico. Por su parte, el puerto de Cristóbal será administrado por TIL Panamá S.A., filial de Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), bajo un acuerdo por $15,800,000 para la operación de la instalación en el Atlántico.
Uno de los puntos centrales del mensaje presidencial fue la defensa del proceso de sustitución patronal, mediante el cual los trabajadores portuarios mantienen sus puestos y derechos adquiridos.
Mulino indicó que en el puerto de Cristóbal la transición supera el 98% de incorporación del personal, mientras que en Balboa el proceso supera el 70% y continúa avanzando, lo que calificó como una señal de estabilidad laboral y compromiso con la fuerza de trabajo portuaria.
El presidente también rechazó versiones sobre supuestas ofertas de empleo gestionadas por terceros en las terminales, advirtiendo que se trata de información falsa.
Insistió en que únicamente las empresas autorizadas dentro del esquema de transición están facultadas para realizar contrataciones, reiterando que la estructura laboral existente se mantendrá durante el proceso y que el Gobierno prioriza la protección del empleo y la continuidad de la actividad portuaria.
En el plano internacional, Mulino abordó las reacciones del Gobierno chino y afirmó que Panamá defenderá su soberanía jurídica y económica frente a cualquier presión externa.
El mandatario sostuvo que la relación comercial entre ambos países es relevante, pero subrayó que el movimiento de carga y energía asociado a China depende en gran medida del tránsito por el Canal de Panamá y del nodo logístico de la Zona Libre de Colón, lo que, a su juicio, demuestra la interdependencia existente.
El jefe del Ejecutivo planteó que, desde una perspectiva estratégica, China probablemente necesita la conectividad panameña tanto como Panamá valora el comercio con el gigante asiático.
Argumentó que el Canal y el ecosistema logístico nacional continúan siendo plataformas clave para la distribución regional de productos chinos, lo que refuerza el papel del país como hub comercial y marítimo en América Latina.
Mulino también destacó que el Gobierno está preparado para enfrentar el arbitraje internacional anunciado por PPC, insistiendo en que la defensa de los intereses del Estado será firme y basada en argumentos legales y contractuales.
Respecto al proceso de transición, el presidente señaló que se espera un período de aproximadamente 18 meses durante el cual el Estado supervisará la reorganización operativa y evaluará el desempeño de las nuevas empresas encargadas del manejo temporal de las terminales. Durante ese lapso, el Gobierno prevé mantener el flujo de carga y consolidar ingresos asociados a la actividad portuaria, mientras define el modelo definitivo de operación futura.
Panamá podría recibir hasta $100 millones durante el período transitorio de operación portuaria, estimado en 18 meses.
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