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First Post
26 minutes ago
- First Post
US Judge blocks bid to unseal grand jury records as pressure mounts on Trump for Epstein list
District Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan ruled on Wednesday that the grand jury records – around 70 pages of testimony – were 'merely a hearsay snippet' compared with the government's 100,000 pages of investigative files Commuters walk past a bus stop near Nine Elms Station as activists put up a poster showing President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein near the US Embassy in London. AP A US judge has denied a Justice Department attempt to release grand jury records from the sex-trafficking case against Jeffrey Epstein, saying the sealed materials are far less significant than the wider trove of government files on the disgraced financier that remain withheld from the public. District Judge Richard Berman in Manhattan ruled on Wednesday that the grand jury records – around 70 pages of testimony – were 'merely a hearsay snippet' compared with the government's 100,000 pages of investigative files. He argued that if the administration was serious about transparency, it should release the broader cache of documents rather than seeking an exception to rules protecting the secrecy of grand jury proceedings. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump's promise collides with legal barriers The decision adds to the political pressure on Donald Trump, who has faced mounting criticism from his conservative base over his administration's handling of the Epstein files. During his 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to make public all material connected to Epstein and accused Democrats of covering up the truth. But in July, the Justice Department announced it would not release any further material, dismissed claims of a hidden client list, and insisted much of the evidence could not be disclosed. The stance infuriated supporters who had expected sweeping disclosures. Following Trump's instruction, Attorney General Pam Bondi had asked the court to approve the release of Epstein's grand jury testimony. The filing revealed that the panel had heard from just one witness – an FBI agent – before handing down Epstein's indictment. Wider legal push stalls across jurisdictions The latest ruling follows similar setbacks for the administration in other courts. Earlier this month, Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan rejected a bid to unseal grand jury materials from the case of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime associate, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting underage girls. Engelmayer wrote that the evidence presented to her grand jury was already aired at her trial and contained no indication of others having sexual contact with minors. In July, a Florida judge also refused a request to release grand jury records from Epstein's earlier federal investigations in 2005 and 2007. Those probes culminated in a controversial 2008 plea deal that saw Epstein serve just 13 months in jail on a state prostitution charge. Epstein's legacy and lingering conspiracy theories Epstein, who pleaded not guilty to sex-trafficking charges, died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. His death, officially ruled a suicide by hanging, fuelled conspiracy theories that he was murdered to protect powerful associates. His connections with influential figures across politics, business and royalty have continued to stoke public interest in the case and demands for transparency. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Thackeray brand rejected in BEST co-op polls: Fadnavis
1 2 Pune: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the attempt to project the Thackeray brand was rejected in the BEST employees' credit cooperative society elections, after the Uddhav- and Raj-backed panel failed to secure a single seat. During an interaction with reporters in the city, Fadnavis said, "It was a credit cooperative society's polls, and I was of the opinion that it should not be politicised, but they (Thackerays) started politicising it. They said the Thackerays were reuniting and the Thackeray brand would win." "People did not like it. Therefore, they failed to win even a single seat. At least in this election, they have been rejected. I still maintain that I do not want to politicise this issue," Fadnavis added. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune For the first time after talks of a reunion between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray , both parties came together for the 21-member body poll of the BEST employees' credit cooperative society. They backed the "Utkarsh" panel. It failed to even open its account. Cabinet minister and chief of Mumbai BJP Ashish Shelar also criticised Thackerays for politicising the cooperative body's polls. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He said, "We, as BJP, did not contest it. Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS made it into a political issue, as a result they failed to open their account." Union leader Shashank Rao's panel won a maximum of 14 seats. The Mahayuti-backed panel coordinated by BJP MLA Prasad Lad secured seven seats. Shelar said, "This result is an example to show whom Mumbai residents are supporting. During the BMC polls, we are thinking of making Rao and Lad our star campaigners. The Thackerays should first deal with them before dealing with us." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Digitise staff service book: Teacher associations
Nagpur: Teacher associations have urged the education department to expand its digitisation drive to bring under it service book of teachers and non-teaching staff. The department has already directed schools to upload staff documents on the state portal, but associations say unless the service book is digitised, the exercise remains incomplete. The service book contains comprehensive history of an employee, recording appointment details, pay fixation, promotions, leave records, and other service-related information. Traditionally, this document is kept in the custody of the school and is handed over to the staff member only after retirement. Teacher groups pointed out that this system gives undue power to management, and in some cases, service books have allegedly been withheld due to disputes, resulting in long delays in securing retirement benefits. Milind Wankhede, president of Vidarbha Prathmik Shikshak Sangh, said there is no justification for continuing with an offline system when most other services are going online. "There is urgent need to completely digitalise the service book of teachers and non-teaching staff. There should be no need for the paper version at all. All data can be stored in the state's portal, and the service book can be linked to DigiLocker accounts for any govt agency to access it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In an era when everything is shifting online, there is no need to hang on to the offline systems," he said. Wankhede said, "Without a service book in his or her possession, the staff member cannot get pension either. The process itself won't start, such is the importance of this document." Ashok Gavhankar, general secretary of Vidarbha Junior College Teachers Association (VJCTA), said, "I agree that service book must be digitised, but we must not stop the practice of maintaining offline book. There are many staff members who are not digital-friendly. Also, power must be given to education officers so that they can decide the case on merit." Teacher associations have, therefore, demanded that govt not only digitise these records but also make them accessible through DigiLocker. They argue this will bring transparency, prevent misuse, and ensure timely pension disbursals. Officials said the demand has been communicated to the department, which is examining the feasibility of including the service book in its ongoing digitisation plan. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
