President Donald Trump delivered remarks from the Oval Office on July 22, 2025, about various policy matters. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)—under direction from Attorney General Pam Bondi—has officially reached out to Ghislaine Maxwell, seeking to meet her in prison. This marks the first-ever DOJ move to interview Epstein’s former associate regarding “anyone who has committed crimes against victims,” a promise amplified by Trump’s directive to unseal grand-jury testimony in the Epstein case.
Why This Matters
- Political pressure & transparency: Trump’s decision to unseal testimony and the DOJ’s request signal a shifting stance amid growing backlash from both his base and Congressional Republicans over perceived obstruction in the Epstein investigation.
- Maxwell’s potential testimony: Prosecutors believe Maxwell, serving 20 years for sex trafficking, might possess critical information—earning her description as the “Rosetta Stone” to the Epstein network by lawyer Alan Dershowitz.
- Widening political rifts: The House recently postponed votes and GOP-led subpoenas reflect intra-party divisions over how to proceed with Epstein-related investigations. The situation is causing a legislative pause.
Key Faces & Statements
- Deputy AG Todd Blanche: “No one is above the law—and no lead is off-limits,” with plans for a Maxwell meeting “in the coming days.”
- Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus: Confirmed discussions with the DOJ and pledged Maxwell would “always testify truthfully.”
- Alan Dershowitz: Called Maxwell the key to unlocking Epstein’s broader network if granted immunity.
As Trump addresses the nation from the Oval Office, the DOJ’s push to meet Maxwell signals renewed energy in the Epstein inquiry. With grand-jury files set for release and political fault lines widening, the administration appears eager to quell internal and public criticism. Maxwell’s possible cooperation could reshape the narrative—depending on what information she provides.
About the author
Adenta Building Collapse Linked to Illegal Construction and Ignored Stop-Work Orders
A preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region has revealed that the project was carried out without the required regulatory approvals and in defiance of official stop-work directives issued by local authorities. The findings were released by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives from the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-Gh), and the Architecture Registration Council (ARC). According to the committee, the incident highlights serious violations of Ghana’s building regulations and raises concerns about compliance and enforcement within the construction sector. The building collapsed on June 3, 2026, trapping five occupants beneath the debris. The victims included three adults and two children. Rescue teams successfully pulled four individuals from the rubble alive and transported them to the […]
Kpandai Residents Encouraged to Promote Unity and Peace for Sustainable Development
Residents of Kpandai in the Northern Region have been encouraged to put aside tribal, linguistic and political differences and work collectively toward the development of their communities. The call was made by the Parish Priest of St. Kizito Parish, Rev. Fr. Moses Nseaminya, during the launch of the St. Kizito Parish Feast, Partnership and Cultural Day Celebration. The event seeks to promote peace, social cohesion and stronger relationships among the various ethnic groups living within the district. Speaking during the launch, Rev. Fr. Nseaminya emphasized that diversity should be viewed as a strength that can drive development rather than a source of conflict and division. He noted that although residents come from different cultural backgrounds and hold varying political views, they all share a common goal of improving the welfare and future of Kpandai. According to the parish priest, meaningful […]
ECG Explains Power Outages in Greater Accra and Western Regions Following Technical Faults
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has attributed ongoing power interruptions in parts of the Greater Accra and Western regions to separate technical faults affecting its distribution network. In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, 2026, the power distributor said a technical fault at the Nsawam Primary Station has disrupted electricity supply to several communities within the Accra West operational area. The affected communities include Hebron, Medie, Samsam, Satellite, Koleman and nearby areas, where residents have been experiencing intermittent power outages. According to ECG, engineering teams have been deployed to the station and are actively working to identify and rectify the fault to restore stable electricity supply as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, in the Western Region, a broken high-tension (HT) electricity pole at Ankasa has caused a separate power disruption, affecting multiple towns and communities across the area. Communities […]
Burkina Faso forme 8 000 jeunes VDP agricoles pour renforcer l’autosuffisance alimentaire
La cérémonie officielle de sortie de la 3e cohorte des Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP) agricoles et de fin de formation de 8 000 jeunes en entrepreneuriat agricole s’est tenue le 5 juin 2026 à l’École nationale de formation agricole (ENAFA) de Matourkou. L’initiative s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’Initiative présidentielle pour l’agriculture et l’autosuffisance alimentaire, portée par les autorités burkinabè. Cette formation vise à renforcer les capacités des jeunes dans le secteur agricole tout en les impliquant dans une dynamique de production locale et de souveraineté alimentaire. Une jeunesse formée entre agriculture, civisme et engagement citoyen Le directeur exécutif du Bureau national des grands projets du Burkina Faso, Hamidou Sawadogo, a salué l’engagement des bénéficiaires. Selon lui, le programme traduit la volonté des autorités de transformer durablement le secteur agricole afin de réduire la dépendance alimentaire […]
Clément Zongo dédicace trois ouvrages littéraires à Ouagadougou
Le journaliste-chroniqueur burkinabè Clément Zongo a procédé, le 6 juin 2026 à Ouagadougou, à la dédicace de trois ouvrages intitulés La fille aux cheveux châtains, Les Chroniques de Clément Zongo et Juste un coup de plume. La cérémonie, organisée dans la grande salle du Centre national des arts du spectacle et de l’audiovisuel (CENASA), a réuni des acteurs du monde culturel, des professionnels des médias ainsi que de nombreux passionnés de littérature. De son vrai nom Alexis Yaméogo, Clément Zongo est titulaire d’une maîtrise en sciences et techniques de l’information et de la communication. Conseiller des affaires culturelles, il s’est distingué au fil des années grâce à plusieurs récompenses obtenues dans le domaine littéraire. Un roman consacré à la lutte contre les préjugés liés à l’albinisme Parmi les œuvres présentées figure La fille aux cheveux châtains, un roman qui aborde […]
Three Rescued as Rescue Teams Search for Trapped Victims After North Industrial Area Building Collapse
Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate and extract individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Accra’s North Industrial Area following a structural failure that has left several people injured. According to Alex King Nartey of the Ghana National Fire Service's communications team, three people have so far been rescued from the scene and are currently receiving medical treatment. However, emergency responders fear that at least three more individuals may still be trapped under the debris. Speaking at the site, Mr. Nartey explained that rescue operations have been slowed by the absence of earth-moving equipment needed to remove large sections of collapsed concrete and debris safely. He disclosed that the Fire Service has requested assistance from the military, while the Mayor of Accra has also facilitated the deployment of heavy machinery to support the […]
Related
Iran denies negotiating with US after Trump announces talks
Tehran rejected Trump’s claim that talks were set to begin as part of efforts to end the conflict, saying no negotiations are currently taking place with Washington. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the country is “not currently negotiating with the United States,” adding that Iran’s talks are instead with Oman over passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The denial came after Trump said he had postponed further strikes to allow diplomacy to continue and claimed new discussions would start Monday. The exchange came amid a war that Reuters described as being in its sixth month, with tensions also affecting oil markets after Trump’s remarks. Iran’s response suggests there is still a gap between Washington’s public claims and Tehran’s position on the status of talks.
US introduces $20,000 visa bond for Nigerians, others over overstay concerns
The United States says the new rule is aimed at curbing visa overstays and improving compliance among visitors from countries flagged for high overstay rates and weak identity or document verification systems. Under the policy, consular officers will decide whether an applicant must post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, depending on factors such as travel purpose, employment, income and ties to the home country. The bond will be refunded without interest if the visitor leaves the US within the approved period and complies with visa conditions, but it will be forfeited if the holder overstays or violates the terms of the visa. The policy formalises and expands a pilot programme launched in August 2025, which the US State Department says showed a sharp drop in overstays among affected applicants. It also said the pilot reduced demand significantly, […]
US singer D4vd to stand trial in killing of teenage girl
American singer D4vd will stand trial on charges of killing and dismembering a 14-year-old girl, after a judge ruled there was enough evidence to proceed. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered in his name. Prosecutors say the teen threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship, prompting the deadly attack.abc+3 At Monday’s hearing in Los Angeles, Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient incriminating evidence to send the case to trial. The ruling followed a five-day preliminary hearing in which investigators presented text messages, purchase records and other evidence they say links Burke to the crime. According to prosecutors, Hernandez was 13 when the relationship began and 14 when she was killed. They also allege that Burke purchased […]
Iran foreign ministry says no current negotiations with United States
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a press briefing in Tehran that Iran “has no negotiations with the American side at present” and has made no move to reopen direct talks with Washington. “Claims that Iran has requested negotiations are reports periodically circulated by our opponents,” he added. Baghaei said any contacts now take place only through intermediaries, noting that “mediators may convey messages from the American side regarding current developments in the region, but at present we have no negotiations with the American side.” He stressed that Iran’s recent discussions with Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz are purely bilateral. “These talks have no connection with the United States… and they are continuing,” he said, adding that the waterway “remains closed.”english.alarabiya+1 The comments follow earlier statements from Iranian officials who accused the US of violating a […]
New PM Burnham vows to put Britain’s interest first in Trump ties
Burnham, 56, a veteran Labour politician and former mayor of Greater Manchester, said in a BBC interview that he will always defend the United Kingdom’s national interest, even if it means publicly disagreeing with Trump. “All leaders have to do that. You have to defend your own national interest before anything else. That’s what you’re required to do if you’re to do this job properly,” he said. The new prime minister added that he “may take a different opinion” from Trump and would “of course” be willing to call him out where Britain’s interests are at stake. At the same time, he stressed the importance of the longstanding UK‑US relationship and said he would seek to engage the US president directly and frankly. Shortly after taking office, Burnham held a phone call with Trump which both sides described as “very […]
Christian killings: Nigeria hiring lobbyists to mask insecurity — Ted Cruz
Cruz said Nigeria’s engagement of a Washington-based lobbying firm was a public relations move meant to soften criticism from the United States rather than confront the insecurity crisis at home. He said Nigerian officials were trying to influence opinion in Washington while failing to address allegations of attacks on Christians and other vulnerable groups. The senator has been at the forefront of calls for sanctions and accountability over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. His proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to hold officials responsible for what he describes as the enabling of mass violence against Christians. Reports also said Nigeria signed a $9 million lobbying contract with DCI Group, a US public affairs firm, after being designated a country of particular concern by President Donald Trump. The controversy adds to growing diplomatic tension between Abuja and some […]