- Billionaire Leon Black to testify before congressional panel on Epstein payments
- 14-year-old boy charged with murder after body of missing girl found in Blaina
- Nearly 50,000 missing and 235 dead after twin earthquakes in Venezuela
- European Commission proposes military-age Ukrainian men exclusion from EU scheme
- EU extends economic sanctions against Russia for another year amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- US economy shows signs of stability amid ongoing inflation concerns
- Okanagan man accused of murdering ex-wife presents closing arguments to jury
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guards attack Singapore-flagged ship in Strait of Hormuz
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Billionaire Leon Black to testify before congressional panel on Epstein payments
Get you up to speed: Billionaire Leon Black expected to testify Friday before congressional Epstein panel
Billionaire Leon Black is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding his financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, with payments amounting to $170 million between 2012 and 2017. Democratic Senator Ron Wyden has expressed concerns over Black’s lack of a credible explanation for these payments and indicated that he has not received satisfactory answers from Black.
Leon Black is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee, with his appearance set for Friday. The internal investigation conducted by Dechert LLP concluded that Black paid Epstein for wealth management, despite Senator Ron Wyden’s assertion that Black has not provided a credible explanation for substantial payments to Epstein.
Billionaire Leon Black is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee, with Senator Ron Wyden pressing for clarification on Black’s $170 million payments to Jeffrey Epstein. Wyden stated that Black has not provided a “credible explanation” and accused him of “stonewalling” in response to inquiries regarding their financial relationship.
What remains unclear — It is not clear how much influence Epstein had on Black’s financial decisions beyond wealth management advice.
Billionaire Leon Black to testify before congressional panel on Epstein payments
An investor who employed and was close to Jeffrey Epstein is scheduled to appear before members of Congress investigating the deceased sexual abuser.
Billionaire Leon Black paid Epstein extraordinary sums that his spokespeople have said was for tax advice and estate planning. Earlier this month, Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon wrote to the House Oversight Committee — which is set to interview Black on Friday — demanding they ask Black about some $170 million in payments to Epstein between 2012 and 2017.
“To date, I do not believe Black has provided a credible explanation as to why he paid Epstein amounts that vastly exceeded those paid to other professional advisors involved in his tax and estate planning,” the Oregon senator wrote.
Wyden also wrote to Black in March to demand answers to questions arising from revelations from the Epstein files about his “significant personal and financial entanglements with Epstein.”
On Thursday, asked whether Black had responded to his letter, Wyden said, “He stonewalled repeatedly. We just haven’t gotten the answers that are responsive.”
An attorney for Black, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management, wrote in an April letter to Wyden that documents released this year under the Epstein Files Transparency Act “do not contain any credible evidence that Mr. Black was aware of, or involved with, Mr. Epstein’s then-ongoing criminal activities.”
Another of his attorneys told WTX US News in December that an internal investigation at Apollo “concluded that Mr. Black paid Epstein for estate planning and tax advice, no more, no less.”
Emails released by the committee last year document Epstein was involved in Black’s personal matters while providing wealth management advice. Black had a six-year affair with a former Russian model, which ended in acrimony and allegations of abuse, according to court records.
As Black prepared a nondisclosure agreement in 2015 to secure the model’s silence, Epstein offered him advice, including suggesting in an email that Black hire former law enforcement officers to approach her.
“Choose method of message delivery, my choice. – two highly respected former —- fill in the blank, immigration, scotland yard. sfo. . who may knock on her door and present the terms,” Epstein wrote. His writing frequently eschewed basic grammar and punctuation.
The nondisclosure agreement broke down four years later, leading to a series of lawsuits and countersuits. Court filings show Black discussed the agreement with just two people: Epstein and a private investigator.
The internal investigation at Apollo, which was conducted by the law firm Dechert LLP, concluded that while Black had “confided” in Epstein about personal matters, he paid Epstein for wealth management. The investigators wrote “that Black genuinely believed that Epstein was extremely smart, capable, and saved him substantial amounts of money.”
Black is among several billionaires to testify before the House Oversight Committee, which also interviewed Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and businessmen Les Wexner.
Others who are expected to be interviewed in the next month include former Goldman Sachs executive and Obama White House lawyer Kathy Ruemmler, and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz and former JPMorgan Chase executive Jes Staley.
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14-year-old boy charged with murder after body of missing girl found in Blaina
Get you up to speed: Teenager, 14, charged with murder after girl’s body found ‘500 yards from home’ | News UK
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder in connection to the death of a 14-year-old girl, believed to be Lilly, whose body was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina, Wales. The boy, from the Blaenau Gwent area, has been remanded in police custody and is scheduled to appear at Newport Magistrates Court on Friday.
Gwent Police have stated that examinations of scenes will continue over the coming days, including the area of Duffryn Park, where cordons remain in place. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has received a mandatory referral from Gwent Police regarding the handling of the incident, which is currently being assessed.
Gwent Police have charged a 14-year-old boy with murder, and he is set to appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court on 26 June following the discovery of a body believed to be Lilly, a missing 14-year-old girl. Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas stated that investigations will continue with a significant police presence in the area, and public comments online should be considered carefully, as they may impact the ongoing inquiry.
What remains unclear — Formal identification of the body has not yet taken place.
14-year-old boy charged with murder after body of missing girl found in Blaina
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder after the body of a missing 14-year-old girl has been found.
Formal identification has not taken police, but Gwent Police said the body is believed to be of missing 14-year-old Lilly.
She was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on June 22 just 500 yards from her home.
A 14-year-old boy, described by police as white British, from the Blaenau Gwent area, has been arrested.
The teenager, described by police as white British who cannot be named for legal reasons, is in custody and will appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
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Floral tributes were left close to the scene by members of the public.
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lilly at this difficult time.
‘We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this ongoing investigation.
‘It is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.
‘Even though we’ve reached this significant development in our investigation, our enquiries continue and you will still see a significant police presence in the area.
‘Examinations of scenes will be continuing over the coming days, including at Duffryn Park, where cordons remain in place.
‘I would like to thank local residents for their continued support and those impacted by the cordons for their patience during this time.’
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Nearly 50,000 missing and 235 dead after twin earthquakes in Venezuela
Get you up to speed: Nearly 50,000 still missing after powerful twin earthquakes devastate Venezuela | News World
Twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Thursday, resulting in at least 235 fatalities and nearly 50,000 people reported missing. Rescue missions are ongoing in areas surrounding the capital Caracas and La Guaira state, where significant damage has occurred.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with volunteers and officials searching for survivors amidst widespread destruction in La Guaira and Caracas. Authorities have reported that the earthquakes have displaced thousands, significantly complicating recovery efforts in the affected areas.
Interim president Delcy Rodriguez declared La Guaira a “disaster zone” in response to the severe effects of the twin earthquakes, while rescue efforts continue amid widespread damage and ongoing shortages of electricity. Residents, facing homelessness and scarcity of essential supplies, are actively participating in recovery efforts, with search teams digging through the rubble for survivors.
What remains unclear — It is not known how many people have been successfully rescued and how many remain trapped under debris.
Nearly 50,000 missing and 235 dead after twin earthquakes in Venezuela
Widespread rescue missions for survivors have continued after devastating earthquakes rocked Venezuela.
Nearly 50,000 people are missing and at least 235 people have died following magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes in and around the capital Caracas on Thursday.
The rare double strike, which were 39 seconds apart, was the strongest since 1900, according to the US Geological Survey.
Videos showed terrified people fleeing violently-shaking areas while buildings were reduced to rubble.

Volunteers search for survivors in a collapsed building following twin earthquakes in Caraballeda, La Guaira state (Picture: AFP)
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Thousands of people have been left homeless as a result.

A search team standing atop rubble caused by a large building collapse in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state(Picture: AFP)
Interim president Delcy Rodriguez said La Guaira, a coastal state adjoining Caracas, was a ‘disaster zone’.
Electricity is also scarce.

This map shows where the devastating quakes hit on Thursday (Picture: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Yamileth Jiminez, who lives in La Guaira city, said her son, 19, is trapped under the debris of their seven-story block of flats.
She said: ‘He’s under the slabs and there’s no machinery to get him out’.
People have been digging through wreckage with their bare hands while teams of helpers have been carrying water, food and medicine across the Caracas-La Guaira highway.
Pedro Perez, 64, who owns an upholstery workshop, said: ‘We lost everything. We have no food or medicines. We hope help arrives quickly.’
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European Commission proposes military-age Ukrainian men exclusion from EU scheme
European Commission proposes military-age Ukrainian men exclusion from EU scheme
The European Commission proposed extending the EU’s temporary protection scheme for Ukrainians until March 2028, excluding military-age men from its benefits.
Excluding military-age Ukrainian men from the EU’s protection scheme aims to reinforce Ukraine’s military capacity, addressing the integration challenges highlighted by several member states.
“Our proposal takes into account Ukraine’s evolving defence needs,” said EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner regarding the exclusion of military-age Ukrainian men from the temporary protection scheme.
Brussels to exclude military-age Ukrainian men from temporary protection scheme

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The European Commission proposed excluding military-age Ukrainian men from the EU’s temporary protection scheme while extending the program until March 2028, in a move intended to bolster Kyiv’s armed forces.
The measure followed pressure from several EU member states to tighten temporary protection rules, citing integration challenges and Ukraine’s need for additional military personnel. It was also backed by Kyiv, which, under martial law, bars most men aged 23 and older from leaving the country.
“Our proposal takes into account Ukraine’s evolving defence needs,” EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner said.
Despite martial law, some draft-age Ukrainian men have crossed the country’s borders illegally and obtained temporary protection in EU countries in recent years.
Adult men account for 26.6% of Ukrainian refugees in Europe, though no figures are available on how many are of military age or how many arrived irregularly. Frontex’s data show that almost 1,000 people have illegally crossed the Ukrainian border into the EU this year, and over 10,000 have done so in 2025.
On Thursday, the Danish government had proposed a similar restriction. Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 will only be granted a residence permit in the country if they can document that they are exempt from military service.
Established after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the temporary protection scheme has allowed more than four million Ukrainians to live and work in EU member states.
Under this exceptional measure, which is renewed annually, Ukrainians can obtain refugee-like protection without applying for asylum. On Friday, the European Commission proposed to extend the program until March 2028.
Individuals who have been granted the protection so far will not be stripped of their status, regardless of their age, according to EU officials.
The proposal has to be approved by EU countries by qualified majority, with at least 15 out of 27 states, representing at least 65% of the total EU population in favour.
The Commission also proposed a voluntary return programme to support Ukrainians living in Europe who choose to return to their country.
EU extends economic sanctions against Russia for another year amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
EU extends economic sanctions against Russia for another year amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The European Union’s recent decision to extend economic sanctions against Russia for a further year highlights the bloc’s commitment to countering the ongoing aggression in Ukraine. According to a statement from the European Council, this action aims to pressure the Kremlin amid escalating military engagements, marking the sanctions as a critical tool in the EU’s broader foreign policy strategy toward stability in Eastern Europe.
In the business sphere, the EU’s sanctions are anticipated to have significant ramifications for trade with Russia, particularly in energy sectors, as companies brace for tighter restrictions. Market analysts are closely monitoring this situation, especially with an upcoming summit where leaders will discuss further measures and economic strategies in response to Russian actions.
Key developments across Europe
Rome airports threaten to suspend new EU passport system to avoid summer ‘disaster’
EU POLITICS — Rome airports are considering halting a new EU passport management system due to fears of operational failure over the summer.
Authorities in Rome have reported concerns about the readiness of the new system, which aims to streamline processes for travellers. If the system fails during peak times, it could lead to substantial chaos at airports, prompting calls for a halt to its implementation if issues are not resolved.
Iran accuses NATO of ‘complicity’ in US war: What role did EU nations play?
EU FOREIGN POLICY — Iran has alleged that NATO member states, particularly those in the EU, bear responsibility for complicity in the US-led invasion of Iraq.
This claim highlights ongoing tensions regarding Western involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts and raises questions about the accountability of EU nations for their roles in military actions. The Iranian government has underscored the need for a reform in international military engagements, calling for an end to foreign military interventions.
Inside the EU’s latest plan to keep would-be members close
EU POLITICS — The EU has unveiled a strategy aimed at strengthening ties with countries seeking membership.
This plan includes partnerships, economic incentives, and closer political collaboration with aspirant nations, particularly those in the Western Balkans. The strategy reflects the EU’s commitment to expanding its influence while addressing security concerns in the region.
EU-US trade: Council gives final approval for the tariff commitments under Joint Statement
EU TRADE — The Council of the EU has finalised its approval of tariff commitments established in the Joint Statement with the US.
This agreement aims to facilitate trade relations and includes mutual concessions on tariffs for various goods and services. The finalisation is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening economic ties between the EU and the US, addressing trade imbalances and fostering economic growth.
What to watch — Upcoming discussions will focus on the implementation of the new passport system by EU authorities.
Further reading from across European news sources
The Guardian
Rome airports threaten to suspend new EU passport system to avoid summer ‘disaster’
politico.eu
Inside the EU’s latest plan to keep would-be members close
Euronews
Europe’s Taliban Dilemma: the struggle to return Afghan migrants
Reuters
EU warns Turkey over ‘unacceptable’ snub of Cyprus in climate summit preparations
Euronews
Eleven EU countries call for methane rules pause amid energy security fears
US economy shows signs of stability amid ongoing inflation concerns
US economy shows signs of stability amid ongoing inflation concerns
The Supreme Court is set to hear a pivotal case today regarding the constitutionality of affirmative action in college admissions, a decision that could significantly reshape the landscape of higher education across the United States. This challenge, featuring cases from Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, has attracted widespread attention and debate, with both institutions defending their holistic admissions processes that consider race as one of many factors.
In financial markets, there is heightened speculation around how the Supreme Court’s ruling may impact diversity initiatives in corporate America, particularly within hiring practices. Investors are closely monitoring the case, with potential implications for companies seeking to attract diverse talent. Following today’s hearings, the court is expected to issue a ruling by the end of June, prompting businesses to prepare for any changes in compliance and policy.
Key developments across the United States
White House says energy crisis is worsening
US ENERGY — The White House is addressing a deepening energy crisis.
The administration highlighted rising fuel prices and warned of potential blackouts as demand continues to surge. New measures are being considered to stabilize supply and mitigate consumer impact.
Data reveals drops in key business metrics
US BUSINESS — Latest data indicates significant declines in key business performance metrics.
New report highlights housing market shifts
US ECONOMY — A new report points to significant shifts in the housing market.
Experts report increased home prices alongside declining inventory, prompting concerns over future accessibility. These trends are influencing potential buyers and posing challenges for first-time homeowners.
Pentagon announces changes to troop deployments
US DEFENSE — The Pentagon confirmed new troop deployment adjustments.
This shift is part of ongoing strategic assessments to address current geopolitical tensions. Officials emphasized readiness to adapt based on global developments.
New immigration policies announced by Congress
US MIGRATION — Congress has introduced new immigration policies.
These changes aim to streamline application processes and tackle backlogs in immigration hearings. Lawmakers anticipate that these reforms will have significant impacts on the immigration system.
What to watch — Analysts will monitor the effects of recent policies on the housing and employment sectors in the coming weeks.
Further reading from US News sources
Politico
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Reuters
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Bloomberg
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The Guardian
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