Documents detailing FBI interviews with a Jeffrey Epstein victim who accused President Donald Trump of sexual abuse when she was a minor are being withheld from public release. An NPR analysis revealed that 37 pages of these interviews, including notes and law enforcement reports, remain classified despite the Department of Justice claiming they are merely duplicative. This selective release has fueled accusations of a “White House cover-up,” particularly after the DOJ temporarily removed a photograph of Trump’s commerce secretary with Epstein. The accuser’s account describes a sexual act and her response, though no charges were ever filed against Trump, and the FBI’s subsequent interviews were halted after the accuser reported receiving threats.
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According to a recent Public Policy Polling survey, Texas State Rep. James Talarico leads both Attorney General Ken Paxton and Senator John Cornyn in hypothetical U.S. Senate matchups. Talarico’s campaign has highlighted alleged corruption by both opponents. Meanwhile, a separate poll of Republican primary voters shows Paxton ahead of Cornyn, though President Trump’s endorsement remains a significant factor that could sway the outcome.
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In response to US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the conflict in Iran would conclude “soon,” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that it is they who will “determine the end of the war.” The IRGC declared that the future of the region is now in the hands of their armed forces, not American troops. This exchange comes as President Trump characterized the war as “very complete” and “pretty much” over, claiming Iran’s military capabilities were significantly degraded.
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Student-loan borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan will receive information regarding next steps following a new 8th Circuit ruling. This ruling directs a district court to approve a settlement aiming to eliminate the SAVE plan, a key affordable repayment program created by the Biden administration. Consequently, enrolled borrowers will be transitioned to different repayment plans, with a limited window to select a new one. Advocates have criticized this decision, predicting significant increases in borrowers’ annual bills.
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Tehran’s Research Reactor, a facility over 60 years old, is designed to operate with uranium enriched to less than 20 percent, exclusively for research and medical purposes. This contrasts with weapons-grade uranium, which requires enrichment above 90 percent. Despite claims by the Trump administration, without evidence, that the reactor was being used for covert stockpiling of weapons-grade uranium, nuclear experts dismiss this notion. They assert that an active operating reactor cannot function as a storage facility for such materials.
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President Trump claimed Iran was responsible for striking an elementary school in Minab, an assertion disputed by current and former defense officials, including his own Defense Secretary. Evidence, including satellite imagery and missile analysis, suggests the attack, which killed many children, was carried out with munitions exclusively used by the U.S. and Israel, with the school likely hit due to target misidentification. U.S. Central Command stated it would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation, while experts point to the precision and trajectory of the strike as signatures of American or Israeli weaponry, not Iranian.
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A victim of Jeffrey Epstein has alleged to federal investigators that Epstein instructed her to strip and massage him in 2004 while he was speaking to Donald Trump on speakerphone. The accuser, then a 16-year-old high school junior, detailed this experience in an FBI memo, claiming Epstein then sexually abused her. The memo, which was recently released due to an error in its initial categorization, describes the victim beginning to undress and massage Epstein’s feet and back during the call. It remains unclear if Donald Trump was aware of the unfolding events.
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The US intends to lift certain oil-related sanctions to reduce global prices, as announced by the White House. These sanctions, previously imposed on countries purchasing Russian oil, will be temporarily eased until market conditions improve. Separately, President Trump indicated that the conflict involving Iran would conclude “very soon,” though not within the current week. This policy shift comes after the US had previously slowed the sale of international assets of the Russian oil giant Lukoil to pressure Russia during peace talks concerning Ukraine.
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Despite mounting evidence, including independent analysis of video footage and missile types, that a U.S. missile attack caused the devastation at an Iranian elementary school, President Trump baselessly claimed Iran was responsible. Pentagon officials, including Secretary Pete Hegseth and Ambassador Michael Waltz, declined to endorse the president’s assertion, stating the matter was under investigation. This contradicted reports from Reuters and analysis by Bellingcat and The New York Times, which indicated U.S. forces were likely behind the strike. Democratic senators expressed horror at the reports, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the incident, which Human Rights Watch suggested could be a war crime.
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The United States and Israel have significantly degraded Iran’s leadership, purportedly incapacitating its former terrorist regime. This action aligns with a broader U.S. objective, where unconditional surrender will be declared once Iran no longer poses a threat and military goals are achieved. However, the definition of surrender appears to be left to the U.S. to unilaterally determine, likely after substantial damage has been inflicted. Given Israel’s influence on U.S. actions, continued military operations may persist until both President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu deem it appropriate.
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John Q. Hosedrinker