Justice Department says it’s releasing 3 million pages from its Jeffrey Epstein files

NEW YORK (AP) — The Justice Department says it’s releasing 3 million pages of documents in the latest Jeffrey Epstein disclosure, along with 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. The documents were disclosed Friday under a law intended to reveal what the government knew about the millionaire financier’s sexual abuse of young girls and his interactions with the rich and powerful. The files include some of the several million pages of records officials said were withheld from an initial release of documents in December. Hundreds of department attorneys have been reviewing files to black out material that could reveal the identities of victims. Epstein killed himself in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Judge bars federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against Mangione

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge says federal prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Judge Margaret Garnett’s Friday ruling foiled the Trump administration’s bid to see Mangione executed. Garnett dismissed a federal murder charge against Mangione, finding it technically flawed. She left in place stalking charges that could carry a life sentence. In a win for prosecutors, Garnett also ruled prosecutors can use evidence collected from his backpack during his arrest, including a 9 mm handgun and a notebook in which authorities say Mangione described his intent to “wack” an insurance executive. At a hearing Friday, Garnett says a trial will start Sept. 8 unless the government appeals.

Trump’s choice of Warsh to lead Fed could reshape the world’s most influential central bank

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh to chair the Federal Reserve could bring about sweeping changes at a central bank that dominates the global economy and markets like no other. Warsh, if approved by the Senate, will be under close scrutiny from financial markets and Congress given his appointment by a president who has loudly demanded much lower rates than many economists think are justified by economic conditions. Whether he can maintain the Fed’s long time independence from day-to-day politics while also placating Trump will be a tremendous challenge. Warsh would replace current chair Jerome Powell when his term expires in May.

Trump administration approves new arms sales to Israel worth $6.67 billion

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has approved a massive new series of arms sales to Israel totaling $6.67 billion, including 30 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment and weapons as well as 3,250 light tactical vehicles. The State Department announced the package of four separate sales late Friday amid rising tensions in the Middle East over the possibility of U.S. military strikes in Iran. The department says the Apache helicopters, which will be equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear, are the biggest part of the total package, coming to $3.8 billion. The next largest portion are the light tactical vehicles.