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Ghislaine Maxwell Opposes Release of Grand Jury Transcripts in Epstein Sex Trafficking Case

NEW YORK (BN24) — Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime companion of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is fighting to keep grand jury records under seal in the sex trafficking case that landed her in prison, her lawyers said Tuesday, even as prosecutors press to make portions of those records public.

In court filings, attorneys David O. Markus and Melissa Madrigal argued that releasing transcripts of secret grand jury testimony — which Maxwell has never seen herself — would violate longstanding secrecy rules and risk compromising her due process rights. They described the material as “hearsay-laden” and stressed that it was obtained without Maxwell’s defense present to challenge the evidence.

“Whatever interest the public may have in Epstein, that interest cannot justify a broad intrusion into grand jury secrecy in a case where the defendant is alive, her legal options are viable and her due process rights remain,” the defense attorneys wrote.

Prosecutors, who declined public comment Tuesday, said in filings that they support releasing transcripts of the two grand jury witnesses — both law enforcement officials — while withholding accompanying exhibits unless they are already part of the public record. They noted that much of the content has been disclosed in Maxwell’s 2021 trial or through lawsuits filed by Epstein’s victims, albeit with victims’ and witnesses’ names redacted.

The dispute comes six years after Epstein’s death in a New York jail, officially ruled a suicide, and four years after Maxwell’s conviction for grooming underage girls for Epstein to abuse. She is serving a 20-year sentence and has appealed without success so far.

The high-profile case remains politically charged. President Donald Trump, who has previously called for more transparency in the Epstein investigation, directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to push courts to unseal the transcripts. That order followed years of speculation from some of Trump’s allies, who have claimed the public has not been told the full story and have pushed for the release of a so-called “Epstein client list,” which the Justice Department says does not exist.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell late last month at the government’s request. Shortly afterward, she was transferred from a federal prison in Florida to a lower-security prison camp in Texas. Officials have not explained the move. Trump said Tuesday he had no prior knowledge of the transfer and had not discussed Blanche’s meeting with Maxwell.

“I think he probably wants to make sure that people should not be involved, or aren’t involved, are not hurt by something that would be very, very unfortunate, very unfair to a lot of people,” Trump told reporters.

The political fallout has now reached Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the Justice Department for Epstein case files and ordered sworn testimony from former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and eight former senior law enforcement officials. Clinton, like Trump, has acknowledged knowing Epstein socially but denied any involvement in his crimes, and no accuser has alleged wrongdoing by either man.

Police Raid Shrine, Arrest 5 Suspects in Rape and Robbery Case in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

UYO (BN24) — Police in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, have arrested five suspects in connection with an armed robbery and rape investigation, following a dramatic raid on a suspected shrine in the Abak area. The operation, which took place late on July 30, 2025, led to the recovery of two coffins reportedly filled with women’s sanitary pads, photographs, and various fetish items believed to be linked to criminal activity.

The arrests were announced by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command through its spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, in a statement issued Tuesday, August 5. According to the statement, the raid was carried out at around 11:10 p.m., acting on intelligence gathered during a discreet investigation into a violent home invasion that occurred in June.

The incident under investigation was formally reported to police on June 26, 2025. The complaint detailed how armed individuals allegedly attacked a man at a guest house in Abak, robbing him and raping his female guest. In response, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, ordered a covert operation to track down the suspects.

The suspects arrested during the shrine raid were identified as Richard Edet Udo, Hope Unibong Anitie, Joseph Ibongidi, Christian Joseph Johnny, and Joseph Joseph. They were taken into custody after police stormed the location believed to be their hideout.

“Acting on a firm directive from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, operatives of the Command initiated an investigation,” DSP Timfon John said. “On July 30, 2025, at approximately 11:10 PM, detectives raided the criminals’ hideout. Operatives recovered disturbing items from what appeared to be a shrine, including two coffins filled with women’s sanitary pads, pictures of people, and other fetish items.”

Authorities believe the recovered items may have been used for ritual or occult purposes. Investigations are ongoing as police work to apprehend additional suspects believed to be part of the gang.

The Akwa Ibom Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to public safety and justice, vowing that the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on those found guilty. The raid has sparked public interest, particularly due to the unusual items found at the scene, and has drawn renewed attention to ritual-related criminal activity in the region.

As of now, the five suspects remain in custody while detectives continue to pursue leads on the remaining members of the group.

NCAA Suspends Two ValueJet Pilots Over Safety Protocol Breach at Abuja Airport, Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the licences of two ValueJet pilots following a serious violation of aviation safety protocols at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the authority confirmed Tuesday.

In an official statement signed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, the agency revealed that one of the pilots-initiated departure procedures from a designated bay without following mandatory pre-departure clearance procedures. The action endangered ground personnel and other airport users, contravening national and international aviation safety regulations.

The NCAA described the incident as “reckless” and said it was treated with the “utmost seriousness,” prompting immediate enforcement measures against the flight crew involved.

Consequently, the licences of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba were suspended effective immediately, pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into the breach.

Reiterating its firm commitment to aviation safety, the NCAA assured stakeholders and the public that it would uphold rigorous standards to ensure the safety of all air travel within Nigeria.

“The Authority hereby reaffirms all stakeholders of its commitment to safety,” Achimugu said.

The incident underscores the NCAA’s vigilance in enforcing compliance with safety protocols in Nigeria’s growing aviation sector.

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High-Tension Wire Electrocutes Point of Sale Operator in Anambra, Nigeria, Raising Safety Concerns

NIBO, Anambra, Nigeria(BN24) — A male Point of Sale (POS) operator was electrocuted by a fallen high-tension wire while standing in front of his shop in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, officials and eyewitnesses said.

The incident occurred over the weekend when a high-tension wire was severed and fell onto the victim, who was reportedly operating under the power line. Eyewitness accounts and a video circulating on social media showed the man’s lifeless body lying beneath the still-smoking wire, which continued to emit sparks hours after the accident, creating panic in the community.

The victim’s identity remains unconfirmed, though sources indicated he recently got married. The tragic event has reignited concerns over safety practices in areas where shops and kiosks operate directly under high-voltage lines.

Ossy Onuko, Managing Director and CEO of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), condemned the incident as unfortunate but underscored it as a consequence of ignoring repeated safety warnings. Onuko noted that the agency has long campaigned against building or trading beneath high-tension wires, efforts often met with public resistance.

“It is a suicide mission to have your shop or kiosk under a high-tension wire,” Onuko said Tuesday. “This avoidable loss of life should serve as a deterrent to others. Our sensitisation and enforcement campaigns are not meant to witch-hunt people but to protect them.”

Onuko urged residents to take personal responsibility for safety, warning against complacency and stressing that no life is worth the risk posed by such negligence. “A stitch in time saves nine,” he said, appealing to the public to heed safety advice and warn others to prevent similar tragedies.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing safety regulations around electrical infrastructure in Anambra State and calls for increased public awareness to prevent further loss of life.


Ex-Romanian President Ion Iliescu Dies at 95, Marking End of an Era in Romania’s Transition to Democracy

BUCHAREST (BN24) — Ion Iliescu, the former president who played a pivotal role in Romania’s turbulent shift from communist rule to democracy, died Tuesday at the age of 95, the Romanian government announced.

BUC03 – 20001005 – BUCHAREST, ROMANIA : Romanian opposition leader Ion Iliescu, president of the Social Democratic Party of Romania (PDSR), waves to supporters during a meeting at Polivalenta Hall in Bucharest Thursday October 05 2000. Former Romanian president Iliescu launched his campaign for the first round of presidential and parliamentary elections tonight in front of a crowd of 2.000 supporters. Elections are scheduled for November 26. EPA PHOTO EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

“It is with deep regret that the government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr. Ion Iliescu,” read an official statement released online. The government extended condolences to Iliescu’s family and those close to him, adding that details regarding the state funeral would be announced in the coming days.

Iliescu, who had been hospitalized since early June with lung cancer, was reported last week to be in critical condition at a Bucharest hospital. His last public appearance dates back to 2017, when prosecutors questioned him amid ongoing legal scrutiny.

Born on March 3, 1930, Iliescu’s early political career included serving as youth minister under the regime of communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, before falling out of favor in the 1970s. He reemerged at the forefront of Romanian politics during the December 1989 anti-communist uprising that led to Ceaușescu’s downfall, assuming leadership of the interim National Salvation Front under circumstances that remain debated.

Romanian President Ion Iliescu (center L) and his wife Nina (center R, others are unidentified) are on their way to the polling station during presidential elections in Bucharest, Romania, 27 September 1992. EPA/ADRIAN POPESCU

Iliescu won a decisive victory in Romania’s first democratic elections in May 1990 and was reelected in 1992. After a brief electoral defeat in 1996, he returned to the presidency in 2000 for a final term, during which Romania joined NATO in 2004 and signed the accession treaty to the European Union, formally becoming a member in 2007.

Despite his historic role in Romania’s democratic transition, Iliescu’s legacy is marred by legal controversies. Over the past two decades, he faced charges of crimes against humanity linked to violent crackdowns during the fall of communism. He was also indicted for his alleged involvement in deploying miners to suppress student protests after the 1990 election, a move that sparked international condemnation. Iliescu denied wrongdoing, and due to complex legal proceedings, he never stood trial.

His death closes a significant chapter in Romania’s modern history, marking the passing of a figure central to the country’s complex journey from dictatorship to democratic governance.

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Lithuania Requests NATO Air Defence Support Following Russian Drone Incursion

VILNIUS (BN24) — Lithuania on Tuesday formally requested immediate NATO assistance to strengthen its air defence capabilities after a Russian military drone carrying explosives violated the Baltic nation’s airspace last week, officials said.

Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys and Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene sent a joint letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urging swift action to bolster Lithuania’s aerial defenses amid increasing security threats from Russia.

Budrys disclosed on the social media platform X that on July 28, a Russian military drone intruded into Lithuanian airspace and was later discovered on August 1 in a military training zone near the capital, Vilnius. Eyewitnesses reported spotting the unmanned aircraft flying over parts of the city.

Prosecutor-General Nida Grunskiene confirmed the drone was equipped with an explosive device, which Lithuanian armed forces specialists successfully neutralized at the scene. Investigators consider one of the main hypotheses that the drone accidentally entered Lithuanian territory, though alternative scenarios remain under investigation.

Officials identified the drone as a Russian-made Gerbera model, typically employed as a decoy in Russian military strikes on Ukraine. This incident marks the second known breach of Lithuanian airspace involving a Russian drone in less than a month. Similar incursions have been reported by other NATO allies in the region.

“The threat is real and growing,” Budrys said, emphasizing the escalating risks facing Lithuania and its allies. He also pointed to Belarus, Moscow’s close partner, warning that Minsk bears responsibility to prevent such incidents. “If Belarus fails to take action to minimize the potential damage on our side, Lithuania will respond with political and other measures,” he added.

Lithuania’s appeal to NATO highlights rising security concerns across the Baltic region amid ongoing tensions with Russia, reinforcing the alliance’s critical role in safeguarding member states’ sovereignty.

Netanyahu Meets Security Chiefs as Israel Weighs Full Military Takeover of Gaza

JERUSALEM (BN24) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened senior Israeli security officials on Tuesday to review military options for Gaza, with Israeli media reporting he is leaning toward a complete takeover of the besieged enclave nearly two years into the war.

The closed-door meeting, described by Netanyahu’s office as a “limited security discussion” lasting three hours, included military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Officials briefed on the session said options for continuing the campaign were presented, and a strategy will be brought to the cabinet for approval later this week. The cabinet is set to meet Thursday evening.

Channel 12 television, citing a senior official in the prime minister’s office, reported Netanyahu favored regaining full control over Gaza — a move that would reverse Israel’s 2005 unilateral withdrawal and decades of policy that left governance to Palestinian authorities while Israel retained control over borders. It was unclear whether Netanyahu envisioned a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing remaining Israeli hostages. His office declined to confirm the report.

“It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu told new military recruits on Tuesday. “We are not giving up on any of these missions.”

The reported plans come as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire to relieve catastrophic conditions in Gaza. Mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas have collapsed. Palestinian health authorities say at least 20 people were killed Tuesday when Israeli gunfire struck crowds waiting for U.N. aid trucks in the north, and 20 more were wounded under similar circumstances near Rafah in the south. Gaza’s Health Ministry said eight people died from starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll from hunger to 188 — including 94 children — since the war began.

The United Nations warned that any decision to expand Israel’s operations across all of Gaza would be “deeply alarming.” The U.S. State Department declined to comment on Netanyahu’s potential strategy, but Axios reported that President Donald Trump and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff discussed plans to expand U.S. humanitarian aid to Gaza in a Monday White House meeting.

Hamas on Saturday released a video showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David, one of 50 captives still believed to be in Gaza, appearing severely emaciated in what looked like an underground tunnel. The images sparked outrage in Israel and abroad.

A Palestinian official told reporters the suggestion of a full military takeover could be intended as leverage against Hamas in stalled negotiations. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged the international community to act immediately to prevent the move, calling it either “a pressure tactic, a test of reactions, or a genuine plan.”

Inside Israel, the idea of occupying Gaza has divided political and military leaders. While far-right coalition members — including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir — have openly called for annexation, military leaders have consistently warned against a long-term ground presence in the densely populated territory. The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday they are “prepared to implement any decision made by the Political-Security Cabinet.”

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed roughly 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, and displaced nearly all of its more than 2 million residents. Hunger and disease are widespread, with international monitors warning of an “unfolding famine.”

On Tuesday, Israeli tanks advanced into central Gaza, though it was unclear whether the incursion marked the beginning of a larger offensive. Residents in the last remaining areas outside Israeli ground control warned that a full push into the territory would be devastating.

“If the tanks push through, where would we go — into the sea?” said Abu Jehad, a wood merchant from Gaza. “It will be like a death sentence for the entire population.”

Trump Administration to Reinstall Confederate Statue Toppled in Black Lives Matter Protests

WASHINGTON (BN24) — The Trump administration will reinstall a statue of Confederate general Albert Pike in Washington, D.C., nearly five years after protesters pulled it down and set it on fire during nationwide racial justice demonstrations.

The National Park Service announced Monday that the bronze statue, the only outdoor monument to a Confederate general in the nation’s capital, is being cleaned, repaired, and prepared for reinstallation by October. The agency said the restoration “aligns with federal responsibilities under historic preservation law” and follows President Donald Trump’s March executive order to “restore truth and sanity to American history” by reinstating statues removed since 2020.

The Pike statue was toppled on Juneteenth 2020 — the annual commemoration of the end of slavery — when antiracism protesters used ropes and chains to bring it down before setting it ablaze. The action came in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police, which sparked a nationwide reckoning with systemic racism and the removal of more than 300 Confederate monuments across the United States.

At the time, Trump condemned the toppling on social media as “a disgrace to our country” and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved. According to officials, he requested the statue’s restoration just days later. Now, his administration has directed the Department of the Interior to oversee the return of monuments removed since 2020, while also reversing previous Pentagon orders to strip Confederate names from Army bases.

The Pike statue, dedicated in 1901, stood in Judiciary Square, half a mile from the U.S. Capitol. Funded by Freemason groups, it depicted Pike in civilian attire rather than military uniform — a condition set by Congress when approving the monument. Pike, a senior Freemason leader, also served in the Confederate army and has been accused by critics of involvement with the post-Civil War Ku Klux Klan — an allegation the Masons dispute.

For decades, the statue was a flashpoint. The D.C. Council formally called for its removal in 1992, and local officials renewed those efforts in 2017. Civil rights activists argued that monuments to Confederate figures were erected to intimidate Black Americans and glorify white supremacy.

The National Park Service’s decision to reinstall the Pike statue comes amid criticism that the agency, under Trump, has altered or removed references to marginalized communities from official sites. Earlier this year, the NPS faced backlash for deleting mentions of transgender history from the Stonewall National Monument website and for ordering reviews of gift shop merchandise deemed “anti-American.”

Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington’s non-voting delegate in Congress, called the decision “morally objectionable” and pledged to reintroduce legislation to remove the Pike statue permanently and donate it to a museum.

“I’ve long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks and locations that imply honor,” Norton said. “The decision to honor Albert Pike by reinstalling the Pike statue is as odd and indefensible as it is morally objectionable. Pike served dishonorably.”

Police Arrest Suspect in Quadruple Killing of Tennessee Family Members

JACKSON, Tenn. (BN24) — Authorities in western Tennessee have arrested the man accused of killing four members of the same family before abandoning an infant in a stranger’s front yard, bringing a tense multi-day search to an end.

Police in Jackson said 28-year-old Austin Robert Drummond was taken into custody Tuesday in a wooded area after being spotted in a neighborhood. Hours earlier, officers had urged residents to stay indoors following reports of his presence nearby. A photo released by police showed Drummond wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, looking directly at the camera.

District Attorney Danny Goodman of Dyer and Lake counties told The Associated Press that Drummond fatally shot the victims, all related to the child found alive. “They were actually all associated with one another,” Goodman said. “So it wasn’t a random attack.” Drummond’s girlfriend is the sister of the infant’s grandmother, Goodman added.

Drummond faces four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping, and multiple weapons charges. He is scheduled for arraignment later this week in Tiptonville.

The investigation began July 29 when deputies in Dyer County received a call about an infant left in a car seat outside a home in the Tigrett community, about 40 miles from Tiptonville. A witness reported seeing a minivan or midsize SUV leave the scene.

The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office soon linked the case to a crime scene in neighboring Lake County, where the bodies of the child’s parents, grandmother, and uncle were found in nearby woods. The victims were identified as James M. Wilson, 21; Adrianna Williams, 20; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15. Wilson and Adrianna Williams were the baby’s parents, and Rose was the mother of Adrianna and Braydon.

Goodman said the four had not been seen since the previous night, when a relative discovered two abandoned vehicles in a remote area and called 911. Investigators believe Drummond carried out a targeted attack before abandoning the child. The baby, a girl, is now in the care of other relatives and is safe.

Authorities say Drummond’s capture followed the release of surveillance footage showing a man in camouflage, armed with a gun, attempting to enter a building. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and multiple agencies were involved in the search.

Two other suspects — Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonte Thomas, 29 — have been charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Investigators allege they helped Drummond after the killings.

Drummond has a criminal record that includes serving prison time for robbing a convenience store and threatening jurors. While incarcerated, he was charged with attempted murder.

Goodman said the killings have deeply shaken the small river communities. “The biggest emotion has been fear,” he said. “You don’t usually hear about a quadruple homicide in small towns. The two emotions are shock, and fear.”

House Committee Issues Subpoenas for Epstein Files, Depositions with Clintons and Other Officials

WASHINGTON (BN24) — The House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas Tuesday demanding the Department of Justice turn over files from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, escalating a congressional probe that lawmakers believe may reveal connections to President Donald Trump and other former high-ranking officials.

The Republican-controlled committee simultaneously issued subpoenas requiring depositions from former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and eight former top law enforcement officials as part of the expanding investigation into the deceased financier’s criminal network.

The committee’s aggressive legal action demonstrates that congressional interest in the Epstein files remains intense even as lawmakers remain away from Washington during a monthlong recess. The subpoenas represent a significant escalation in efforts to obtain documents that have remained largely sealed since Epstein’s death in federal custody in 2019.

Trump has repeatedly attempted to move beyond the Justice Department’s decision not to release a comprehensive accounting of the Epstein investigation. However, lawmakers from both parties, along with significant portions of the president’s political base, have maintained pressure for full disclosure of the materials.

The congressional probe seeks to uncover potential links between Epstein’s extensive network of powerful associates and current or former government officials. Epstein maintained relationships with numerous prominent figures in politics, business, and entertainment before his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges.

The subpoenas targeting the Clintons reflect the investigation’s broad scope, as both former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Clinton had documented interactions with Epstein over the years. Clinton previously acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private aircraft on several occasions for charitable work.

The eight former law enforcement officials named in the subpoenas have not been publicly identified, but their inclusion suggests the committee is examining how federal agencies handled the Epstein case and whether any investigative decisions were influenced by the financier’s high-profile connections.

The Justice Department has not immediately responded to the subpoenas, though the agency typically reviews such congressional demands before determining its response. The department has previously cited ongoing investigations and privacy concerns as reasons for limiting public access to Epstein-related materials.

Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan federal jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death occurred just weeks after his arrest, preventing a trial that many hoped would expose the full extent of his alleged criminal network.

The financier’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was subsequently convicted on sex trafficking charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, many documents related to the broader investigation have remained under seal, fueling continued speculation about Epstein’s connections to powerful individuals.

The House committee’s actions come as Trump begins his second term with promises of greater government transparency. However, the Epstein investigation presents a complex challenge given the potential implications for figures across the political spectrum.

Legal experts note that congressional subpoenas carry significant weight, though executive privilege claims or other legal challenges could potentially delay or limit the release of sensitive materials. The committee’s Republican majority provides political backing for the investigation’s continuation.

The timing of the subpoenas during Congress’s recess period underscores the committee’s determination to maintain momentum in the investigation despite the traditional Washington slowdown. Committee staff continue working on the probe even as members remain in their home districts.

The Epstein files investigation represents one of several high-profile inquiries being pursued by House Republicans, who have promised aggressive oversight of federal agencies and past investigative decisions during Trump’s second term.