West’s Swastika-adorned shirts were Censori’s ‘final straw,’ sources say. By SHIR PERETS FEBRUARY 14, 2025 00:56 KANYE WEST and Bianca Censori pose at the red carpet during the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last week. The writer argues: In his latest plunge into the abyss, ‘Jews were better as slaves,’ West has merely vocalized what has been lurking beneath the surface. (photo credit: Daniel Cole/Reuters) Kanye West and Bianca Censori broke up after two years of marriage, following West selling shirts with Swastikas on them, the New York Post reported on Thursday. “She’s had enough,” an anonymous source told the New York Post. “The Swastika shirt was the last straw. She told him that’s not who she is and that she can’t be associated with that.” West allegedly responded that
Author Archives: The Esbec Team
Javier Milei waves a chainsaw during a campaign rally in San Martin, Buenos Aires province, Argentina in September 2023. Photo: LUIS ROBAYO / AFPSource: AFP Argentina recorded a monthly inflation rate of 2.2 percent in January, the lowest in 4.5 years, the INDEC national statistics agency said Thursday, in a boost for budget-slashing President Javier Milei. Inflation, the perennial bugbear of South America’s second-biggest economy, was down from 2.7 percent in December, it said, and January was the fourth straight month in which prices rose by less than 3 percent. Year-on-year, January inflation came in at 84.5 percent, said the INDEC — the first time in two years it was under 100 percent, but still one of the highest in the world. By the end of 2024 inflation was at
Feb
Thursday, February 13, 2025 By Bjorn Lomborg Kids’ educational test scores are a major cause for concern across the world. Learning plummeted nearly everywhere during the Covid pandemic—but even before that, standardized test result measures in mathematics, science and reading were heading in the wrong direction. Education truly unites parents across the world, although the level of challenge differs, with American and rich world results stagnating at relatively high levels, whereas children in the world’s poorer half struggle with even reading a simple sentence or doing basic math. But after years of experience, it has become clear which policies don’t work at all—even if they have loud backers. Increasing per pupil spending sounds like a no-brainer, but it can deliver little or no learning at all if the money isn’t used wisely. India showed this when
Feb
Defense Minister Israel Katz has wasted no time leaving his stamp on the cabinet office, viewed as the most powerful in the government. By YONAH JEREMY BOB FEBRUARY 13, 2025 17:41 Updated: FEBRUARY 13, 2025 17:49 Defense Minister Israel Katz attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense committee discussion at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on January 22, 2025 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Looking back at Defense Minister Israel Katz’s first 100 days, he cannot be as easily dismissed as many in the media have tried to do. Unlike some new Likud ministers who had little substantive experience or accomplishments and whose main resume was tweeting publicly for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and against all of his perceived opponents, Katz, age 70, has had serious jobs. He has been foreign minister twice
Feb
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week as employers continue to retain workers despite resurgent inflation and elevated interest rates. The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell by 7,000 to 213,000 for the week ending February 8, the Labor Department said Thursday. Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of layoffs. The four-week average, which smooths out some of the week-to-week volatility, inched down by 1,000 to 216,000. Despite showing some signs of weakening during the past year, the labor market remains healthy with plentiful jobs and relatively few layoffs. Last week, the Labor Department reported that U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January, significantly fewer than December’s 256,000 job gains. However, the unemployment rate ticked down
![Several Chinese nationals using fake IDs have been apprehended in Kuwait for taking part in cyberattacks [File: Thomas White/Illustration/Reuters]](https://esbecgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kuwait-apprehends-members-of-international-gang-after-cyberattacks.jpg)
The group operated from a van to wage cyberattacks on companies and banks and steal sensitive information. Authorities in Kuwait have apprehended members of an international cybercrime gang of Chinese nationality, the Ministry of the Interior has said, after large-scale attacks on telecommunication towers and financial institutions across the country. The Cybercrime Combating Department was alerted after several telecommunication companies and banks reported cyberattacks on their networks to steal customers’ information and funds, the ministry said on Thursday in a post on X. Officers apprehended a driver, a Chinese national, in the Farwaniya area in Kuwait City and seized multiple electronic devices in his possession. Police later found more high-tech tools at his residence. The suspect confessed to being part of a larger network of fraudsters, who were also identified
Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, PhD
Feb
A senior lecturer at the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, PhD, has made history as West Africa’s first deaf professor. The university announced this milestone in a Facebook post on February 13, 2025, celebrating Prof. Mprah’s groundbreaking achievement and his inspiring journey. Prof. Mprah’s academic journey began under trees in the Oti Region, where he attended primary school. He later studied at Krachi Secondary School and Okuapemman Secondary School before earning his first and second degrees at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). However, his path took an unexpected turn during his Master’s programme when he became deaf just as he was nearing the completion of his studies. “People didn’t know how to deal
The Owl Rescue Centre and animal lovers are celebrating the successful capture and relocation of a young male baboon on Thursday morning. IOL reported that the young male was spotted making his way from the Roodeplaat area towards Pretoria, earlier this week. The Owl Rescue Centre had been tracking the animal, named Jasiri, ‘s movements and took to social media to share of the happy moment. “He was relocated to his new home far, far away in the mountains,” said the Owl Rescue Centre’s Brendan Murray. “Success yet again guys. You truly are the most amazing people and your dedication to what you do is amazing. I truly do hold you in the highest regard. We need more people like you on this earth,” expressed Facebook user, Kathy van Tonder. “Sweet. The
Feb
Volvo is looking for a U.S.-based battery supplier for the EX90 electric SUV. The EX90 is built in South Carolina but its batteries come from China’s CATL. Because of the increased import tariffs on Chinese batteries, Volvo was forced to increase the EX90’s price. Volvo was forced to hike the starting price of its flagship electric SUV, the EX90, even before it hit the showroom floor. Because of the increased tariffs on Chinese-made batteries, the Volvo EX90 now starts at $81,290 including shipping, $3,300 more than originally intended. Despite the EX90 being built in South Carolina, its high-voltage battery pack is made in China by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL). That might not be the case for long, though, as Volvo is looking for an American battery supplier that would
Netanyahu’s advisors “allegedly received payments, maintained connections, and did business with the country that funded Hamas,” Golan said. By ELIAV BREUER FEBRUARY 13, 2025 12:09 Updated: FEBRUARY 13, 2025 12:51 Leader of the Democrats party Yair Golan leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on February 10, 2025. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Democrats party chairman and former deputy IDF chief of staff Yair Golan said in a press conference on Thursday in Tel Aviv that “there is a suspicion of betrayal in the Prime Minister’s Office that must be investigated.” Golan’s comments came in the wake of a report on Channel 12 on Tuesday that Eli Feldstein – a member of the prime minister’s media team who is currently under house arrest for leaking classified
Over 100 Kenyan MPs and other high-ranking VIPs are set to land in the Ethiopian capital on Thursday, February 13, to witness the AU Commission elections The MPs intend to “observe” the elections and offer support to Raila Odinga, who faces a stiff challenge from Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf The government clarified that the entourage of legislators would foot their own bills to and fro the continental headquarters Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga, is one of the top contenders for the African Union Commission chairship elections slated for February 15-16 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Raila Odinga hopes to succeed Moussa Faki as AU Commission chair. Photo: Tony Karuma.Source: Getty Images Over 100 MPs and other high-ranking VIPs are set to land in the Ethiopian capital on Thursday, February
Feb
LONDON — Hamas said in a statement Thursday it would release the next group of hostages as planned in accordance with its ceasefire agreement with Israel, adding that Egyptian and Qatari mediators had confirmed they will work to “remove obstacles and close gaps.” The next hostage-prisoner exchange is set to take place Saturday, as previously agreed in the current ceasefire deal. There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials. MORE: Netanyahu warns ‘ceasefire will be terminated’ if Hamas doesn’t free hostages This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Feb
Detained in Russia since 2021, Marc Fogel landed back in the U.S. on Tuesday. February 12, 2025, 5:28 AM LONDON — A Russian held in a U.S. prison will be repatriated to Russia following the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel, who was returned to the United States on Tuesday, Moscow said. “In exchange for Fogel, a Russian citizen imprisoned in the United States will be returned to Russia in the coming days,” Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said on Wednesday. Peskov did not disclose which Russian citizen held in a U.S. jail would be repatriated, but said the United States had agreed to the release during negotiations for Fogel’s retun. U.S. President Trump didn’t on Tuesday discuss the negotiations that led to Fogel’s release or describe any conversations with
Feb
Ever since the EV conversion game got going, I’ve been waiting for this one to happen. It’s a car loved the world over, nearing the end of its fourth decade, and remains a benchmark: It’s time for the NA Miata to ditch the gas and go electric. At this point I’ve no doubt there’ll be pearl clutching and smelling salts being whipped out to calm the nerves of the hardcore driving enthusiasts lurking in the corner. There’s a reason for that: In its original form the Miata is symphony balance, modest performance and lightweight excellence. Will removing a gas heart take away some of the fun? I drove the electric version to find out. Gallery: Electrogenic Mazda Miata Review This Miata is a creation by the UK’s Electrogenic. The company’s
Feb
The rise of ‘friendship apps’ Our phones have made us lonelier. These apps promise to find us a BFF. Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI Read in app On one of the coldest nights in New York this year, I bundled up and went to a trendy tourist trap to meet up with five people who also felt that the pull to make new friends was stronger than the windchill. I didn’t know anything about my matches aside from a text I’d received that told me that two of them also like reading, that several enjoyed the same irreverent TV shows I do, like “Arrested Development” and “Broad City,” and that one had bungee jumped in New Zealand. We were meeting as a group curated by the app 222 , which asks