WASHINGTON – House lawmakers are questioning billionaire investor Leon Black as part of their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and the powerful people around him. Black denied any criminal wrongdoing in his opening statements and claims that he was deceived by Epstein. Black was formerly the chief executive of Apollo Global Management and paid Epstein $158 million from 2012 to 2017 for tax and estate planning services. That’s according to a 2021 review commissioned by Apollo. Black stepped down from Apollo in 2021 amid fallout over his ties to Epstein. With his closed-door deposition on Friday morning, Black became the latest high-profile figure to appear before the House Oversight Committee.
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela – Venezuelans are taking the search for missing loved ones into their own hands in the aftermath of back-to-back earthquakes. Many of them complained Friday that they had not seen state rescue teams despite authorities projecting an image of a robust government response. The devastating 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes that struck late Wednesday killed at least 920 people and left thousands injured. Desperate families across northern Venezuela searched in the ruins of buildings for family members and whatever remained of their lives. The number of dead was expected to climb, with thousands of people reported missing.
GREENBELT, Maryland – Former national security adviser John Bolton is pleading guilty to illegally retaining classified information. Bolton pleaded guilty to a single count of illegally retaining classified information. His plea deal with federal prosecutors could help him avoid prison time. Bolton, a critic of President Donald Trump, faced 18 counts related to classified information, including sharing notes with relatives while writing a memoir. The investigation began before Trump’s second term. Bolton served in Trump’s first administration before being ousted in 2019. His book, “The Room Where it Happened,” was controversial for its portrayal of Trump.
Utah’s governor has restricted fireworks as the largest wildfire in the nation continues to grow. The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah, which started Monday, has reached nearly 111 square miles and is zero percent contained. Dry, windy conditions are fueling wildfire growth across much of the western United States. The National Weather Service issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” for a section of Utah, urging preparation for rapid fire growth. Red flag warnings are also in effect for parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona. Authorities are urging caution as extreme fire conditions persist.
– The Associated Press
