President Trump dismissed the Jeffrey Epstein controversy as a “Hoax” and called those seeking transparency “weaklings.” The Justice Department’s internal review on Epstein allegedly found no incriminating evidence against any prominent figures, sparking anger among Trump’s supporters. Over 3 minutes were also apparently cut from what the DOJ claimed was the “full raw” video proving Epstein wasn’t murdered in prison. (Story URL)
The Pentagon announced the conclusion of the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, which accounted for almost half of the soldiers sent to handle protests related to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The sudden end of the 60-day deployment was not explained, and it remains unclear how long the remaining troops will stay. (Story URL)
Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs, a U.S. marshal, and a businessman have been federally charged in an alleged immigrant visa fraud scheme. It involved filing false police reports to help non-citizens obtain U-visas for crime victims. Patel, accused of being a fixer, allegedly paid law enforcement officials to facilitate the fraudulent visa applications. (Story URL)
A 54-pound Martian meteorite sold for over $5 million at a New York auction of rare geological and archaeological items. Discovered in the Sahara Desert in Niger in 2023, the meteorite traveled 140 million miles to Earth after being blown off Mars by an asteroid strike. Sotheby’s had estimated its value at $2-4 million. The meteorite is the largest piece of Mars on Earth. (Story URL)
Police in India discovered a Russian woman, Nina Kutina, and her two daughters, aged six and four, living in isolation in a remote forest cave. The family was found during a routine patrol to Ramatirtha Hill on July 9. Kutina, who overstayed her visa, expressed that she was “interested in staying in the forest and worshiping God.” The family has been moved to a detention facility. (Story URL)
