A Canadian died in ICE custody. His family wants answers
Janice Dickson, an international affairs reporter for the Globe, went to Florida to find out what happened to Noviello in the weeks before his death. She'll tell us what she heard from Noviello's loved ones, and how his death highlights the lack of transparency in the Trump administration's push to remove migrants.
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CTV News
4 minutes ago
- CTV News
Trump mired in Epstein controversy as Wall Street Journal reports on 2003 letter
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks to reporters as U.S. President Donald Trump listens, Friday, June 27, 2025, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Warning: The following story contains graphic content. WASHINGTON — The controversy over U.S. President Donald Trump 's handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation entered a new dimension Thursday as his administration struggles to make good on its promises to release details on the sex trafficking case involving a one-time friend of the now-president. Trump promised a lawsuit after The Wall Street Journal described a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump's name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein's 50th birthday. Trump denied writing the letter, calling it 'false, malicious, and defamatory.' It came after Trump in recent days has berated as 'weaklings' supporters vying for more records from the Epstein probe, after years of courting political support from those who have stoked claims of a coverup in the case to protect wealthy friends of Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 awaiting trial on federal charges of trafficking of underage girls. Trump has also shielded his attorney general from being questioned about the case after she walked back claims of the existence of a 'client list' of elites who participated in Epstein's crimes, and has even taken to claiming without evidence that files were doctored by Democrats. In an administration that prides itself on changing the narrative on negative storylines, the Epstein saga has had remarkable staying power, thanks in part to infighting at high levels of government, Trump's blistering criticism of his own base and the head-scratching mystery of why documents his own administration promised to unlock will remain buried — seemingly for good. Thursday's disclosure — coupled with frustration from Trump-allied lawmakers on Capitol Hill — pushed Trump to abruptly reverse course and direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to try to make some of the documents in the case public. Bondi said she would seek court permission Friday to release grand jury information, but it would require a judge's approval, and she and Trump were silent on the additional evidence collected by federal law enforcement in the sprawling investigation that Bondi last week announced she would not release. A newly revealed letter to Epstein The letter revealed by The Wall Street Journal was reportedly collected by disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell as part of a birthday album for Epstein years before the wealthy financier was first arrested in 2006 and subsequently had a falling-out with Trump. The letter bearing Trump's name includes text framed by the outline of what appears to be a hand-drawn naked woman and ends with, 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,' according to the newspaper. The outlet described the contents of the letter but did not publish a photo showing it entirely. Maxwell was arrested in 2020 and convicted a year later on charges that she helped Epstein lure girls to be sexually abused. Trump slammed the story in a lengthy social media post Thursday night, saying he spoke to both to the paper's owner, Rupert Murdoch, and its top editor, Emma Tucker, and told them the letter was 'fake.' Trump promised to sue the paper over the story, saying: 'These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures.' U.S. Vice President JD Vance said The Wall Street Journal 'should be ashamed' for publishing it. 'Where is this letter? Would you be shocked to learn they never showed it to us before publishing it? Does anyone honestly believe this sounds like Donald Trump?' he wrote on X. Trump tries to move on The Trump administration has been struggling for nearly two weeks to contain the fallout of the Justice Department's announcement that no more Epstein evidence in the government's possession would be released to the public despite promises of transparency from Bondi. The Justice Department's reversal on the Epstein files not only angered Trump supporters but touched off a testy exchange at the White House last week between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino that neither official has publicly addressed. The Justice Department has yet to provide a full accounting of its reversal months after Bondi handed out binders to conservative influencers at the White House that read the 'Epstein Files: Phase 1' and 'the most transparent administration.' Bondi earlier this week refused to answer questions from reporters about the Epstein files and her relationship with Bongino. The White House on Thursday closed the door on calls for a further inquiry into the Epstein investigation, saying the president would not be recommending the appointment of a special counsel. Even though his administration for months had hyped the expected release of more documents, Trump slammed his own supporters earlier this week for their furor over the Epstein files saga. Trump called it a 'hoax' and tried to place blame on Democrats, accusing former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as former FBI Director James Comey — without evidence — of making up such documents. Earlier Thursday, the controversy over the Epstein files had snarled the House's efforts to pass a bill that claws back $9.4 billion in federal spending, as Democrats used procedural moves to force votes on releasing the documents in tandem with the package. That frustrated House Republicans, who tried to forge a solution that could include a resolution supporting the release of 'credible' files pertaining to Epstein and his activities. Trump is no stranger to scrutiny Trump himself has faced years of scrutiny over his own private life. Last year, for instance, he was convicted of felony charges in New York in connection with hush money payments meant to silence an adult film star's sex claims ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied the relationship. And Trump's ties to Epstein have been well-documented, though the president has not been accused of misconduct in connection with their social relationship. Video footage unearthed by NBC News following Epstein's federal indictment in 2019 showed the two chatting at a party at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in 1992. The video, recorded at a time when Trump was newly divorced, shows him surrounded by young women, whom NBC identified as cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills. It also depicts the two men standing and gesturing at the women on the dance floor. 'I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him,' Trump said when the video emerged. 'He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling-out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years.' Previously released files included a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted spending several hours with Epstein at Trump's Atlantic City casino but didn't say if she actually met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing. Eric Tucker And Alanna Durkin Richer, The Associated Press Associated Press reporters Seung Min Kim and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
CTV News
36 minutes ago
- CTV News
Toronto police close downtown intersection after glass falls from cracked highrise window
Falling glass has closed the intersection of Wellington and Simcoe streets in Toronto's downtown core. Police have closed off a downtown intersection after a cracked highrise window sent glass falling to the ground below. A spokesperson for Toronto police said the falling glass was first reported outside the building, located near the intersection of Simcoe and Wellington streets, on Thursday afternoon. In an effort to prevent injuries, police said the roads will remain closed while the hazard is cleaned up and the glass is repaired. It is unclear when the roadway will reopen.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Western University launches program to capitalize on shrinking U.S. research funding
Western University is looking to capitalize on massive shifts in the academic landscape of the United States with a new initiative designed to turn a difficult situation into a brain gain for both the school, and the country. The Doctoral Excellence Award established this month offers up to $160,000, over the course of four years, to people interested in enrolling in a research-based doctoral program at Western. The catch? To qualify the university says, applicants have to be studying at, have received an offer from, or have had an offer rescinded by a doctoral program at an American university. "I think it's great that Western is getting ahead of this, because the situation in the states with funding for science is evolving very quickly in a direction that's not very great for science across the board," said Anthony Cruz, a PhD candidate in Western's Department of Psychology, and the vice president academic for the Western Society of Graduate Students. The creation of the grants comes amid a significant disruption in the United States's university system, driven by Trump administration cuts to funding for science research. Those cuts have resulted in fewer graduate students being admitted to U.S. universities, and many existing offers being rescinded. Cruz , who is American himself, said he's thankful to be working toward his PhD in Canada, especially given stories he's heard from his colleagues across the border. One, he said, was expecting to have grant funding through to next year, before funding was cut prematurely. "People are very worried," Cruz said. The Doctoral Excellence Award doesn't just apply to students from the United States. Eligibility requirements outlined on Western's website also say people of any nationality can apply, so long as their prior involvement was with a U.S. school that's ranked in the top 100 on either the QS Top Universities list or the Times Higher Education list. Western promises applicants it will streamline the timeline from application submission to review and decision, and offer assistance in connecting candidates with thesis supervisors. In terms of funding, the university offers $40,000 per year, for up to four years of study in research-based doctoral programs. In its pitch to potential applicants, Western paints London and itself as a "welcoming, English-speaking environment similar to the United States." It also implores applicants to "join a university where your research is respected, your voice is heard, and your potential is fully realized." It's an approach that Cruz calls impressive, especially in terms of the speed with which Western has responded to the unfolding situation south of the border. He said he believes Western is "ahead of the curve" in its response. "The states have been this hub for research for a really long time, and there's a lot of talent there. There's this moment where, for a lot of the talent that wants to get this doctoral training, those opportunities are being taken away. Western is providing that opportunity." A spokesperson from Western was not available for an interview.
