logo
US justice department asks court to unseal Epstein grand jury records

US justice department asks court to unseal Epstein grand jury records

WASHINGTON: The Justice Department asked a federal court on Friday to unseal grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein's case amid a firestorm over the Trump administration's handling of records related to the wealthy financier.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed motions urging the court to release the Epstein transcripts as well as those in the case against convicted British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell a day after President Donald Trump directed the Justice department to do so.
The Trump administration has been embroiled in controversy since the Justice Department last week announced that it would not be releasing any more evidence in its possession from Epstein's investigation.
Trump's demand to release the grand jury transcripts came after The Wall Street Journal reported on 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."
The Justice Department said it will work with with prosecutors in New York to make appropriate redactions of victim-related information and other personally identifying information before transcripts are released.
Grand jury transcripts — which could show the testimony of witnesses and other evidence presented by prosecutors — are rarely released by courts, unless they need to be disclosed in connection with a judicial proceeding.
Even with the Justice Department endorsement, it could take weeks or months of legal wrangling to decide what can be released and how to protect witnesses and other sensitive victim information.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India-UK Free Trade Deal: Whisky, cars from Britain to get cheaper, tariff cut on cosmetics, medical devices, more
India-UK Free Trade Deal: Whisky, cars from Britain to get cheaper, tariff cut on cosmetics, medical devices, more

Mint

time3 minutes ago

  • Mint

India-UK Free Trade Deal: Whisky, cars from Britain to get cheaper, tariff cut on cosmetics, medical devices, more

India and the UK will sign a free trade agreement on Thursday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to London. The free trade deal, when formalised, will make it cheaper to export labour-intensive goods like leather, footwear, and clothing, while also reducing import costs for whisky and cars from Britain. The pact also helps double trade between the two economies to USD 120 billion by 2030. According to Reuters, India will be reducing tariffs on nearly 90 per cent of the UK goods. This means that whisky and gin levy will fall from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, then to 40 per cent in a decade Cars from Britain are also likely to get cheaper as automobile tariff will likely fall from 100 per cent-plus to 10 per cent under quota Cosmetics, medical devices, salmon, chocolates, and biscuits will face less tariffs. The UK to offer duty-free access to 99 per cent of Indian items, according to Indian commerce ministry, covering nearly 100 per cent of trade value. Indian exports like textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, furniture, auto parts, chemicals, machinery, and sports goods are likely to face zero duties in the UK, down from the current 4 per cent - 16 per cent. According to Indian commerce ministry, assured access will be provided in the UK to business visitors and contractual service providers as well as to yoga instructors, chefs and musicians for temporary stay. Indian workers working temporarily in the UK and their employers will be exempted from paying social security contributions in the UK for three years, with savings estimated at about ₹ 40 billion ($463 million) annually, Reuters reported. India will allow British suppliers to bid for non-sensitive federal government procurement tenders, with a threshold set at ₹ 2 billion. The deal will give UK businesses access to India's public procurement market, comprising about 40,000 tenders with a value of about 38 billion pounds a year, according to UK government estimates. (With Reuters research and inputs)

PM 'shows weakness' by not responding to Trump's repeated claims on India-Pakistan conflict: Congress chief
PM 'shows weakness' by not responding to Trump's repeated claims on India-Pakistan conflict: Congress chief

The Hindu

time6 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

PM 'shows weakness' by not responding to Trump's repeated claims on India-Pakistan conflict: Congress chief

After U.S. President Donald Trump repeated his claim — for the 25th time, according to the Congress — that he had stopped the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, party leaders questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continued 'silence' on the issue. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said there was 'something fishy' about Mr. Modi's failure to respond even once to Mr. Trump's repeated claim of facilitating a ceasefire. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge said the PM 'shows weakness' by staying silent. On Tuesday, the U.S. President said once again that he had stopped the recent conflict which 'could end up in a nuclear war', adding that five planes had been shot down during the war. 'PM should respond firmly' 'Trump keeps saying that he facilitated a ceasefire, but Narendra Modi is silent, not responding. Does Narendra Modi want to be subservient to Trump? The country is the most important, which is why we supported the government,' Mr. Kharge told reporters. 'In such a situation, when Trump repeatedly states that he brought about the ceasefire and insults India, the Prime Minister should respond firmly. This, in some way, shows weakness.' Mr. Gandhi said that the PM could not respond as 'the whole world knows' the truth of the situation. 'This is not just about ceasefire there are big problems that we want to discuss. There are problems related to defence, defence industry, Operation Sindoor. The situation is not good and the whole world knows. Those who call themselves patriots have run away. The Prime Minister is not able to give one statement,' Mr. Gandhi told journalists at the Parliament House complex. 'Something fishy' 'Trump has said 25 times that 'I got the ceasefire done'. Who is Trump to get a ceasefire done? It is not his job. But the Prime Minister has not given a reply even once. That is the truth, he cannot hide,' the Congress leader said, adding that the Modi government has 'destroyed our foreign policy, no one supported us'. The government has agreed to hold a Parliamentary discussion on Operation Sindoor when the Prime Minister returns from his trip out of the country, Mr. Gandhi said. 'On the one hand you [government] say Operation Sindoor is ongoing and on the other hand you say that victory has been achieved. Either victory has been achieved or Sindoor is ongoing. Trump is saying I halted Sindoor, he has said it 25 times. So, 'kuch na kuch toh daal mein kala hai na' (something is fishy),' he added.

UK: Lord Rami Ranger lauds PM Modi's leadership, welcomes FTA with India
UK: Lord Rami Ranger lauds PM Modi's leadership, welcomes FTA with India

Hans India

time6 minutes ago

  • Hans India

UK: Lord Rami Ranger lauds PM Modi's leadership, welcomes FTA with India

London: British Indian businessman Lord Rami Ranger on Wednesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership while terming the possible signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as "a major development" and a "win-win situation" for both India and the United Kingdom. Speaking exclusively with the IANS just ahead of PM Modi's arrival in the country on a two-day visit, Ranger, an Indian-origin member (Peer) of the upper house of the UK, spoke highly of the development that has taken place in India over the past decade. He emphasised that the UK's economy will also witness a jump after collaborating with India. "It will be a very significant day as the Prime Minister will sign a Free Trade Agreement with the country that ruled over India for 200 years. We were once their colony, and today we stand as equals. This is a major development and it is the result of Prime Minister Modi's leadership. We are witnessing development in India in the past 10 years, like the 'Make in India' initiative. There will be transfer of technology along with the Free Trade Agreement. The FTA is made in heaven and a win-win situation benefitting many nations. The British economy will also jump after plugging in with the Indian economy. Whole world will benefit from it," said the 78-year-old Ranger. He mentioned that the Free Trade Agreement will bring stability to the markets of both countries and help traders on both sides. Earlier in the day, PM Modi departed on a two-day visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of his British counterpart Keir Starmer. It will be PM Modi's fourth trip to the UK since assuming office. During the visit, PM Modi will meet Starmer and also call upon King Charles III. In May, PM Modi and Starmer announced the successful conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK FTA, which is expected to double the trade between the two countries to $120 billion by 2030. Under the agreement, 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK will get the benefit of zero duty, an official statement detailed. "We all are very excited and extremely happy that Prime Minister Modi is coming to London. I only wish he had more time for everyone, for all Indians, because they are eagerly waiting to celebrate with him... What he is doing for our nation, we are really proud of him," said London based businessman, Ramesh Arora. Over the years, the historical ties between India and the UK have transformed into a robust, multi-faceted, mutually beneficial relationship. The relationship was elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021. There has been enormous growth across all sectors including trade and economy, defence and security, climate, green energy, health, education, people-to-people ties. On PM Modi's UK visit, Jayu Shah of Friends of India Society International (FISI), UK said, "We will warmly welcome PM Modi in the UK. The trade agreement negotiations have been going on for 20 years. Now, PM Modi has managed to make the deal and the two nations will sign it. India is 'Vishwaguru', the superpower and all nations need it. India is the largest investor in the UK, businesswise". PM Modi, in his departure statement, highlighted that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has witnessed significant progress in recent years witnessing growth in a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties. "During my meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, we will have the opportunity to further enhance our economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and jobs creation in both countries. I also look forward to calling on His Majesty King Charles III during the visit," he added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store