ALEX BLOG

MANILA, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The Philippines' ambassador to the United States on Tuesday underscored the need to "cool" the temperature with China, after both sides signaled their willingness ​to set aside tensions in the South China Sea and explore areas of economic ‌cooperation.

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila's relationship with Beijing should not be defined solely by maritime disputes, even as ‌the Philippines continues to call out actions it deems unlawful.

"We have a continuing bilateral conversation with them," Romualdez told reporters. "We will continue with that one and see how we can work, especially in the economic front."

"That's what we want to do... there are some signs that our Chinese friends ⁠are also prepared to see some ‌opportunities where we can work, you know, and isolate this situation in the West Philippines Sea," Romualdez added, using the term Manila uses to refer ‍to waters within its exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines and China have been locked in a series of maritime confrontations in recent years, with the Philippines accusing China of aggressive actions inside its EEZ, including dangerous ​manoeuvres, water-cannoning, and interference in resupply missions.

China, in turn, has accused the Philippines of intruding ‌into what it claims as its territory.

Recent weeks have seen sharper exchanges between the Chinese Embassy and Philippine officials, prompting Manila to reiterate that differences between states are best handled through diplomacy, not public rhetoric.

With the Philippines chairing ASEAN this year, Romualdez said easing friction is vital to secure China's full engagement in efforts to finally conclude a long‑delayed Code of Conduct in ⁠the South China Sea.

"We are the chair of ASEAN ​and I would like the participation of China to be ​significant, especially in the Code of Conduct," he said. "Who knows, we might be able to finally nail it down after more than 20 years."

Manila has said ‍it will insist that ⁠the Code of Conduct explicitly references the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea as it works to complete the document within the year.

The Philippine foreign ministry said ⁠on Monday it remains the country's "authoritative voice" on regional and international issues, with its newly appointed spokesperson for maritime ‌affairs reiterating that Philippine diplomacy will continue to be anchored on "sober assessments of ‌facts".

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by David Stanway)

By Tora Agarwala

Interview of Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer (President) Jamaat-e-Islami, in Dhaka

DHAKA, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Shafiqur Rahman has long been on the margins of Bangladeshi politics, but his bearded face now appears on posters and billboards across Dhaka, urging voters to elect the country's first Islamist‑led government in a general election on Thursday.

The 67‑year‑old doctor and Jamaat‑e‑Islami party chief has risen ​from near obscurity to be a serious contender for prime minister, after decades of being mostly known only in Islamist circles.

A Jamaat coalition is expected to put up ‌a close fight against frontrunner and former ally, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Bangladesh votes on February 12 in its first national election since a Gen Z‑led uprising toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.

Roughly 91% of the country's ‌175 million people are Muslim, making it one of the world's largest Muslim-majority nations. Islam is the state religion, though the constitution also enshrines secularism, and the population is predominantly Sunni.

Opinion polls suggest the once‑banned Jamaat, which opposed Bangladesh's 1971 independence from Pakistan, is heading for its strongest performance yet, alarming moderates and minorities.

Under Hasina, authorities cracked down on Islamist groups, jailing top Jamaat leaders, sentencing some to death for 1971 war crimes, banning the party, and driving it underground. Rahman was arrested in 2022 for allegedly assisting members of a banned militant outfit and jailed for 15 months.

But the ⁠2024 uprising changed Jamaat and Rahman's fortunes.

Days after Hasina fled to ‌India in August that year, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus eased curbs on the party and a court in 2025 lifted the ban, allowing the party, long forced to meet discreetly, to re‑emerge.

Jamaat quickly mobilised, launching charitable outreach and flood‑relief work, with Rahman's white beard ‍and all‑white attire making him a highly visible figure.

"We tried to raise our voice, but repeatedly it was suppressed," Rahman told Reuters in December. "(After the uprising) we got a chance to come again to the surface."

FAMILY OF DOCTORS

Born in 1958 in the northeastern district of Moulvibazar, Rahman began his political life in a leftist student organisation before joining Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jamaat's student wing.

He formally joined Jamaat in 1984 and unsuccessfully ​contested national elections in 1996, 2001 and 2018. He became the chief of the party in 2020.

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His wife, Amina Begum, served in parliament in 2018 and is also a doctor, ‌like their two daughters and a son. Rahman is the founding chair of a family-owned hospital in the northeastern district of Sylhet.

Many in Dhaka say they barely knew his full name during Hasina's rule, a striking contrast to his main rival and BNP chief, Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman. The two Rahmans currently fighting for the top job are not related.

Jamaat describes its leader as a humble and sincere person who "leads a modest, disciplined life grounded in simplicity and approachability".

CAPITALISED ON POLITICAL VACUUM

Analysts say Shafiqur Rahman capitalised on the political vacuum after the uprising.

"In the month after the uprising, there was no visible leader in Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman was in exile in London," said Dhaka University professor ⁠Shafi Md Mostafa.

"(Shafiqur) Rahman travelled across the country, gained media attention, and, within barely two years, became ​a frontrunner," said Mostafa.

On the campaign trail, his speeches have resonated with some voters, presenting Jamaat as a clean, ​moral alternative guided by Islamic values. In December, the party allied with the Gen Z National Citizen Party, widening its appeal among younger and less‑conservative voters.

Campaign posters inspired by Game of Thrones have popped up nationwide, showing Rahman with the line "Dadu is coming", "dadu" meaning grandfather in Bengali.

Seen by some as a ‍more moderate face of Jamaat, Rahman has tried ⁠to soften the party's image by stressing governance, anti‑corruption and social justice. He has also promised equal treatment for all religions.

Rahman, however, has drawn controversy over his views on women, and the party has not fielded a single female candidate.

He said women should work no more than five hours a day to prioritise family responsibilities and recently ⁠posted on social media that pushing women out of the home in the name of modernity amounted to a "form of prostitution".

The post sparked protests at several universities, and Jamaat claimed the account had been hacked.

Rahman says Jamaat is "moderate, ‌we are flexible, we are reasonable".

"But our principles are based on Islamic values, Quranic values," he said. "The Quran is not only for Muslims, it is for ‌the whole creation."

(Reporting by Tora Agarwala in Dhaka; Editing by Krishna N. Das and Michael Perry)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group ofBuddhist monksis set to reach Washington, D.C., on foot Tuesday, capping a trek from Texas that has captivated the country.

The monks in their saffron robes have become fixtures on social media, along with their rescue dog Aloka.

They walk toadvocate for peace. That simple message has resonated across the U.S. as a welcome respite from conflict and political divisions. Thousands have gathered along Southern roadsides to watch the monks' quiet, single-file procession that began in late October.

"My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practicing mindfulness and find peace," said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group's soft-spoken leader who has taught about mindfulness at stops along the way.

The monks plan to mark the last days of their Walk for Peace with outdoor appearances at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday and the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.

"Their long journey and gentle witness invite us all to deepen our commitment to compassion and the work of peace in our communities," said Washington Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde, who will help host an interfaith reception for the monks at the cathedral.

The monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies. Millions have followed them online, and crowds have greeted them at numerous venues, from a church in Opelika, Alabama, to City Hall in Richmond, Virginia.

Mark Duykers, a retired mechanical engineer who practices mindfulness, said he and his wife will drive 550 miles (885 kilometers) from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Washington to see the monks.

"In these divisive times, we saw entire towns in the Bible Belt coming out for these monks — having no idea of what Buddhism is — but being uplifted and moved by it," he said. "That's inspirational."

Nineteen monks began the 2,300-mile (3,700 kilometer) journey from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth on Oct. 26, 2025. They came from Theravada Buddhist monasteries around the globe, led by Pannakara, who is vice president of the Fort Worth temple.

While in the U.S. capital, they plan to submit a request to lawmakers to declare Vesak —Buddha's birthday— a national holiday. But, Pannakara and others have emphasized that is not the walk's goal.

Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the temple, said the walk is neither a political movement nor is it focused on advocacy or legislation.

"It's a spiritual offering — an invitation to live peace through everyday actions, mindful steps and open hearts," he said. "We believe when peace is cultivated within, it naturally ripples outward into society."

The trek has had its perils, and local law enforcement officers have provided security. In November outside Houston, the monks were walking on the side of a highway when their escort vehicle was hit by a truck.Two monks were injured; one had his leg amputated.

Some of the monks, including Pannakara, have walked barefoot or in socks for most of the journey to feel the ground directly and be present in the moment. As they have pressed on through snow and cold, they've at times donned winter boots.

Peace walks are a cherished tradition in Theravada Buddhism. Pannakara first encountered Aloka, an Indian Pariah dog whose name means "divine light" in Sanskrit, during a 112-day journey across India in 2022.

The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha as core to attaining enlightenment. It focuses on the mind-body connection, observing breath and physical sensations to understand reality, impermanence and suffering.

On Tuesday, the monks will complete 108 days of walking. It's a sacred number in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It represents spiritual completion, cosmic order and the wholeness of existence.

The monks' return trip should be less arduous. After an appearance at Maryland's Capitol, a bus will take them back to Texas, where they expect to arrive in downtown Fort Worth early on Saturday.

From there, the monks will walk together again, traversing 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) to the temple where their trip began.

Bharath reported from Los Angeles.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP'scollaborationwith The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Washington on Tuesday to encourage President Donald Trump to expand the scope ofhigh-stakes nuclear talkswith Iran. The negotiations resumed last week against the backdrop of an American military buildup.

Israel has long called for Iran to cease all uranium enrichment, dial back its ballistic missile program and cut ties to militant groups across the region. Iran has always rejected those demands, saying it would only accept some limits on its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

It's unclear if Iran'sbloody crackdown on mass protestslast month, orthe movement of major U.S. military assetsto the region, has made Iran's leaders more open to compromise, or if Trump is interested in broadening the already difficult negotiations.

Netanyahu, who will be in Washington through Wednesday, has spent his decades-long political career pushing for stronger U.S. action toward Iran. Those efforts succeeded last year when the U.S. joined Israel in12 days of strikeson Iran's military and nuclear sites, and the possibility of additional military action against Iran is likely to come up in this week's discussions.

Decisions are being made

Netanyahu's visit comesjust two weeks afterTrump's special envoySteve Witkoffand Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and Middle East adviser, met with the prime minister in Jerusalem. The U.S. envoys held indirect talks in Oman with Iran's foreign minister on Friday.

"The Prime Minister believes that any negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles and ending support for the Iranian axis," Netanyahu's office said over the weekend, referring to Iran-backed militant groups like the Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Years of nuclear talks have made little progress since Trumpscrapped a 2015 agreement with Iran, with strong encouragement from Israel. Iran has shown little willingness to address the other issues, even after suffering repeated setbacks. But the meeting with Trump gives Netanyahu an opportunity to shape the process and may also bolster his standing back home.

"Clearly these are the days when decisions are being made, America is expected to complete its force buildup, and it's trying to exhaust the prospect of negotiations," said Yohanan Plesner, head of the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based think tank.

"If you want to have influence on the process, only so much can be done via Zoom."

Israel fears a narrow agreement

Trump threatened a military strike against Iran last month over the killing of protesters and concerns of mass executions, moving a number of military assets into the region. Thousands were killed and tens of thousands detained at Iranian authorities crushed the protests over widespread economic distress.

As the protests largely subsided, Trump shifted his focus to Iran's nuclear program, which the U.S., Israel and others have long suspected is aimed at eventually developing weapons. Iran insists its program is entirely peaceful and says it has the right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes.

Sima Shine, an Iran expert formerly with Israel's Mossad spy agency who is now an analyst at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, said Israel fears that the U.S. might reach a narrow agreement with Iran in which it would temporarily halt uranium enrichment.

A deal in which Iran halts enrichment for several years would allow Trump to claim victory. But Israel believes any such agreement that does not end Iran's nuclear program and reduce its ballistic missile arsenal will eventually require Israel to launch another wave of strikes, she said.

Iran might be unable to enrich uranium after last year's strikes, making the idea of a temporary moratorium more appealing.

In November, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran wasno longer enriching uranium due to the damagefrom last year's war. The U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed nearly 1,000 people in Iran, while Iranian missile barrages killed almost 40 in Israel.

It's unclear how much damage was done to Iran's nuclear program. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have been unable to visit the bombed nuclear sites.Satellite imagesshow activity at two of them.

Netanyahu faces election this year

Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, has long touted his close ties to world leaders, particularly Trump, who he has praised as the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House. This week's meeting allows Netanyahu to show Israelis he is a player in the Iran talks.

"The issue of relations between Netanyahu and Trump will be the issue of the campaign, and he is saying, 'Only I can do this, it's only me,'" Shine said.

Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister, having held the office for a total of over 18 years. His government, the most nationalist and religious in Israel's history, is expected to survive until the election in October, or close to it.

Netanyahu was originally scheduled to visit Washington next week for the Feb. 19 launch of Trump'sBoard of Peace, an initiative that was initially framed as a mechanism for rebuilding Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war but has taken on a larger mandate of resolving global crises.

Netanyahu agreed to join the initiative but is wary of it because it includes Turkey and Qatar, countries he does not want to have a presence in postwar Gaza because of their relations with Hamas.

Moving the visit up could provide an "elegant solution" that allows Netanyahu to skip the launch without offending Trump, Plesner said. Netanyahu's office declined to comment.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh'selectionThursday is the country's most consequential. It followsyouth-led protests 18 months agothat overthrew the government of former prime ministerSheikh Hasinaand ushered Bangladesh into an interim administration led byNobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Bangladesh Election In Their Words

The vote, alongside a constitutional referendum on political reforms, will end thetransition periodand test the South Asian nation's democracy.

Many voters hope the return to elections will restore law and order, protect civil liberties and bring accountable leadership. But there is also unease. Some fear political instability, the marginalization of women andminorities, and the rise of Islamists in a secular country.

Here's a look at what Bangladeshis have been saying.

Fair elections and the rule of law are key demands

Yunus has promised to deliver a fair vote. That is a major demand among most people, many of whom regard previous elections under Hasina as rigged. Those concerns, includinga clampdown on opposition parties, were a major factor that eventually exploded in a student-led uprising that ended Hasina's 15-year-long rule and sent her toexile in India.

"I don't want any more bad incidents in Bangladesh, or a war like situation," said Arefin Labib, referring to the 2024 uprising which was met with a brutal crackdown by security forces,killing hundreds of people.

Labib hopes that a newly elected government might finally restore stability to Bangladesh and guide the nation toward a better future.

"If the country wants to run smoothly, then a fair election is needed," he said.

Much of this sentiment is shared by many Bangladeshis, especially after Hasina's ouster was followed by rising political violence,attacks on Hindu minorities,and a collapse of law and order on the streets.

"I want the government to prevent riots, killings, and any other trouble in the country," said 62-year-old street vendor Zainul Abedeen.

A call for a return to democracy

There is broader consensus that Yunus' interim government steadied an economy that had been in free fall, but many say it failed to restore security and protect human rights, and neglected the safety of religious minorities.

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Dhaka resident Rajit Hasan said that while the interim government made efforts to stabilize the situation, it ultimately fell short of delivering the deep reforms and accountability many had hoped for.

"The government just tried, but the political situation was so fragmented, so fragile, that it just couldn't sort it out," he said.

Hasan wants the transition to bring stronger access to justice, genuine protection of civil liberties, and the freedom for people to practice their religion and exercise their rights. He also called for accountable leadership, independent institutions, and a political culture where dissent is respected rather than suppressed.

"We want democracy. We want our rights. We want the rule of law. That's what we are looking for," he said.

Concern among women over representation

For years, Bangladesh stood out globally for being governed by female prime ministers —Khaleda Ziafor two full terms and Hasina for four. It gave many women a sense of representation. That legacy, however, is under threat.

Hasina and her party are banned from participating in the election. Meanwhile, there are fewer women contesting than before, despite the pivotal role women protesters played in the uprising that paved the way for the election.

Economics student Wasima Binte Hussain, who took part in the uprising, said she had hoped the political transition would open more space for women. But she has found the reality discouraging. Female leadership remains scarce, and issues affecting women have yet to get the attention she expected, she said.

"One of my primary hope was that there will be more women leaders ... and women issues would be prioritized more. It hasn't been prioritized that much," she said.

Rise of Islamists leads to worries

These worries have grown alongside a surge of support in Bangladesh forJamaat-e-Islami,an Islamist group that was banned under Hasina but has gained influence since her ouster.

The party's rise has alarmed many women, especially after its leaders suggested restricting women's activities and questioned their ability to work because of their childbearing role. The party, however, insists that it would rule moderately if it comes to power.

Sayma Nowshin Suha, 22, said the prospect of Jamaat-e-Islami gaining power is deeply frightening for young women like her because of its conservative politics. She said she dreams of a Bangladesh where people are free to live their lives as they see fit, without fear or restriction.

"In Bangladesh," she said, "conservatism is the scariest thing."

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Pop star Chappell Roan said on Monday she was no longer represented by the talent agency led ​by Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chief Casey Wasserman, who has faced criticism ‌for flirtatious email exchanges with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell more than 20 years ago.

Wasserman has ‌apologized for communicating with Maxwell, after the publication of a series of personal emails between the two.

New files related to late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell's former boyfriend, published by the U.S. Justice Department late last month, included flirtatious email ⁠exchanges between Wasserman, who was ‌married at the time, and Maxwell dating from 2003.

"As of today, I am no longer represented by Wasserman, the talent agency ‍led by Casey Wasserman," Roan said on Instagram.

"Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity. This decision reflects my belief that meaningful change in ​our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust."

Wasserman, who is a sports ‌and entertainment executive, has denied having a personal or business relationship with Epstein. In his apology for his association with Maxwell, he said that relation came before her or Epstein's crimes were revealed.

The talent agency had no immediate comment on Monday.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty in 2021 by ⁠a jury in New York on charges ​including sex trafficking of a minor.

Maxwell was arrested ​in 2020 after being accused by federal prosecutors of recruiting and grooming girls for sexual encounters with Epstein between 1994 and 2004.

The U.S. ‍Justice Department's release ⁠of millions of internal documents related to Epstein has revealed the late financier and sex offender's ties to many prominent people - both before and after ⁠he pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges, including soliciting an underage girl. His 2019 death ‌in a Manhattan jail cell was ruled a suicide.

(Reporting by Kanishka ‌Singh in Washington; Editing by Michael Perry)

Monday isa big dayin the long-running — and still very much not-over — saga ofthe Jeffrey Epstein files.

That's because we could begin to learn more about the Justice Department'scontroversial redactions, when lawmakers have an opportunity to review theunredactedfiles.

One prominent House Democrat, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, said Monday afternoon that he had reviewed the unredacted documents and saw "tons of completely unnecessary redactions."

"I saw the names of lots of people who were redacted for mysterious or baffling or inscrutable reasons," Raskin said.

As millions of documents have trickled out and been sorted through, one of the major subplots is what DOJ chose to redact. Its redaction decisions in many caseswent well beyondwhat the legislation passed by Congress called for.

Perhaps no redactions have garnered more attention than the suspected co-conspirators who are described in internal Justice Department documents and others who exchanged eyebrow-raising emails with Epstein.

The latter instances include emails that read as if people were evaluating and even scouting women or girls for Epstein. In other cases, they reference questionable behavior.

The redactions have raised concerns among Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who led the charge on the bill that forced the Trump administration to release the Epstein files. They've also raised concerns among Epstein's survivors. Onetold CNNthat DOJ was "shielding predators." Another said DOJ has "protected the Epstein class with blanket redactions."

But on Monday, lawmakers, including Massie and Khanna, will have the chance to evaluate the redactions and possibly raise any concerns when the Justice Department begins allowing themto review the unredacted files.

CNNwrote about some of these emailslast week. The Justice Department suggested any such redactions were women or girls who might have been victims at one point.

"In many instances, as it has been well documented publicly, those who were originally victims became participants and co-conspirators," a DOJ official told CNN. "We did not redact any names of men, only female victims." FBI and law enforcement names were also redacted, the DOJ official said.

So which documents are at issue? Below are some noteworthy examples.

'Your littlest girl was a little naughty'

In a2014 email, a sender whose name is redacted emails Epstein: "Thank you for a fun night… Your littlest girl was a little naughty."

'I found at least 3 very good young poor …'

In a2018 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein: "I found at least 3 very good young poor but we was so tired."

The sender then suggests the subject of the email was women or girls: "Meet this one, not the beauty queen but we both likes her a lot."

'She is like Lolita from Nabokov , femme miniature :)'

In a2017 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein, "I met [REDACTED] today. She is like Lolita from Nabokov , femme miniature :) So now I should send you her type of candidates only ?"

"Femme miniature" in French literally translates to small woman. "Lolita from Nabokov" refers to Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel about a middle-aged man who falls in love with a 12-year-old girl and sexually abuses her. (Epstein's airplane has often been dubbed the "Lolita Express" because of allegations that it was used to exploit girls.)

The draft indictment

Some of the biggest news to come out of the latest document dump was that we finally laid eyes ona draft indictmentof Epstein from the 2000s, before he escaped with a sweetheart deal.

The draft indictment is particularly notable because it includes three co-conspirators that prosecutors apparently considered charging. The co-conspirators are described as being employed by Epstein, but their names are redacted.

A chart with other suspects redacted

The documents also includea chart, apparently from law enforcement, that shows Epstein, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and his longtime assistant Lesley Groff (whose first name is misspelled as "Leslie"). Groff's lawyer told CNN his client had no comment.

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But redacted are three employees and a "girlfriend" of Epstein's whom authorities thought might be recruiting for Epstein and in some cases otherwise participating in crimes.

It says of one of them: "Unknown if she was directly responsible for recruiting girls but at least 10 girls state she is the direct point of contact for scheduling his massage appointments."

Other such charts featuresimilar redactions.

Sending Epstein details of women and their appearances

In a2017 email, a redacted person emails Epstein detailed information about women to be considered for an unspecified opportunity.

One is described as wanting "the job badly. But not as pretty as other applicants." Another is labeled "not very young but beautiful and diligent, well educated and simple, not ambitious."

'And this one is (i think) totally your girl.'

In oneextended 2015 email exchangebetween Epstein and a redacted interlocutor, Epstein asks, "any friends for jeffrey while you are recovering?"

The person responds by citing a close friend described as "Sweet girl. 20y. American." (Epstein responds that the person looks like the sender, suggesting the email included a photo.) The person later cites someone else: "She's australian, super cool, 23y, lot of fun ;)) (dark hair girl at picture) ."

The person later adds: "I'm always think about you when I'm meeting new girls." And then: "And this one is (i think) totally your girl. … Just medsaged her to check up."

'I loved the torture video'

In a2009 email, Epstein writes a brief email to a redacted recipient that includes the words, "where are you? are you ok I loved the torture video."

'New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19yo'

In a2013 email, a redacted sender from a modeling agency writes to Epstein: "New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19yo." The email appears to come with images attached. (CNN has reached out to the modeling agency.)

In other versions of the same email released by DOJ, the sender's affiliation with themodeling agency is redacted. Some versions of the email also included an "=" sign in place of the "1" – the files include many documents with "=" in place of characters – leading some to believe the email described a 9-year old. Butit did not.

'I just saw the most beautiful little girl on Madison with long soft blonde hair'

In a2014 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein: "I can't take it anymore!!!!!!! I just saw the most beautiful little girl on Madison with long soft blonde hair."

'My favorite from Lithuania, [REDACTED], 19.'

In a2018 email, a redacted sender writes an email that includes an image, but which appears as a broken image in the file that was released.

"My favorite from Lithuania, [REDACTED], 19. Will meet when I am there," the sender says.

Epstein responds: "full name instagram?"

A photo of a woman in a SpaceX shirt

In a 2013 email, a redacted person sends Epstein an email with no text but that includes a photo of a female posing while wearing a SpaceX shirt. The person's face is blocked out.

An email about 14- and 15-year-old girls and 'reproductive age'

In a2015 email, a redacted sender emails Epstein about teenage girls.

"the key are the 14 to 15 year old girls—i am a sexual pervert because i say they are now of a reproductive age?" the sender says.

The sender adds: "being called a sexual pervert is no fun. less so if you have served time for the crime. as i have not—they are calling me one merely for not urging your death by beheading."

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