The first batch of declassified files reportedly contains little new information

National and international media news & headlines compiled by CLG

FBI withheld ‘thousands’ of Epstein docs – U.S. attorney general –The first batch of declassified files reportedly contains little new information | 27 Feb 2025 | Attorney General Pam Bondi has accused the Federal Bureau of Investigation of withholding “thousands of pages” of documents related to the investigation of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In a letter addressed to the newly appointed FBI director, Kash Patel, Bondi demanded the immediate release of all pertinent files. Earlier that day, the Department of Justice released a set of documents dubbed “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” to a select group of conservative influencers Elon Musk’s X pets. However, these documents were heavily redacted and contained mostly previously reported information. “We got the binder at noon…AG Bondi wanted to get out what they had, which wasn’t anything material,” conservative commentator Mike Cernovich wrote in a post on X, adding that the FBI “held back the real information and AG Bondi directed Kash Patel to start kicking a**.”

Justice Department releases wave of Jeffrey Epstein docs, stops short of client list | 27 Feb 2025 | The Justice Department released a new batch of Jeffrey Epstein files after Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was reviewing classified documents in the case — but it’s not the client list. “This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement Thursday. Many of the documents were already released during Ghislaine Maxwell’s federal criminal trial, which landed her in prison for decades. They include flight logs, an evidence list, a contact book and a redacted “masseuse list” believed to refer to Epstein’s victims. Many people named in the documents have never been accused of Epstein-related wrongdoing, however, some have, like Maxwell; Prince Andrew, who has denied allegations of wrongdoing; and Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who, like Epstein, died in jail awaiting trial.

Justice Department releases wave of Jeffrey Epstein docs, stops short of client list | 27 Feb 2025 | The Justice Department released a new batch of Jeffrey Epstein files after Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was reviewing classified documents in the case — but it’s not the client list. “This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement Thursday. Many of the documents were already released during Ghislaine Maxwell’s federal criminal trial, which landed her in prison for decades. They include flight logs, an evidence list, a contact book and a redacted “masseuse list” believed to refer to Epstein’s victims. Many people named in the documents have never been accused of Epstein-related wrongdoing, however, some have, like Maxwell; Prince Andrew, who has denied allegations of wrongdoing; and Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who, like Epstein, died in jail awaiting trial.

USAID blew millions on literal ‘pet projects’ in Ukraine – media | 27 Feb 2025 | The US Agency for International Development (USAID) funneled millions in American taxpayer d-llars into Ukrainian fashion and pet companies, then attempted to hide the funding from Congress, American conservative newspaper the Federalist reported on Wednesday. USAID, Washington’s primary mechanism for funding political projects abroad, had its multi-billion d-llar budget frozen by President Donald Trump last month, pending a review for alignment with his “America first” policy. The president cited uncontrolled spending and massive corruption in the agency, calling for it to be shut down entirely. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) staff found that millions of dollars of taxpayer-funded grants were funneled into Ukrainian confectionery, fashion and pet companies, the Federalist wrote. The agency allocated Ukrainian fashion businesses a total of roughly 733,000, a “custom carpet manufacturer” a 2 million grant, and a “specialty biscuit and confectionery company” around 678,000, the outlet said. “Literal pet projects” such as a “dog collar manufacturer” company and a “pet tracking app” firm were handed 300,000 each, the newspaper said.

Putin warns of attempts to sabotage talks with U.S. | 27 Feb 2025 | Some Western elites are “not happy” about the potential rapprochement between Moscow and Washington and will seek to “compromise” the recently resumed dialogue between the two powers, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. Under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, Russia and the U.S. have started to gradually restore contacts that were virtually non-existent for approximately three years under his predecessor, Joe Biden. Speaking at the meeting of the board of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officials on Thursday, Putin said that the contacts with the Trump administration “inspire hope.” …”We realize that not everyone is happy to see Russia-U.S. contacts resume. A portion of Western elites are still committed to maintaining instability in the world, and these forces will try to disrupt or to compromise the newly resumed dialogue,” he said. “We need to keep this in mind and leverage every possibility offered by diplomacy and special services to thwart such attempts,” he told the gathered FSB officials.

Ukraine conflict was ‘provoked’ – Trump adviser | 24 Feb 2025 | The Ukraine conflict was “provoked” and it is wrong to solely blame Russia, Steve Witkoff, a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, has said. Moscow had to respond to a security threat created by the West’s promises to accept Ukraine into NATO, he stated. Witkoff made the remarks in an interview published by CNN on Tuesday, in which he was asked whether Washington was choosing the right side by holding talks with Moscow instead of continuing to funnel aid to Kiev. The situation is not black-and-white, with Russians being “the bad guys,” Witkoff told CNN. “The war didn’t need to happen, it was provoked,” he added. “It doesn’t necessarily mean it was provoked by the Russians.”

Russia ready to work with U.S. on ‘rare earths’ – Putin | 24 Feb 2025 | Moscow is ready to work with Washington in developing rare earth mineral deposits, including in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, and Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. The “rare earths” deal U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing for with Ukraine “doesn’t concern” Moscow, Putin said in an interview with Russia 1 TV journalist Pavel Zarubin on Monday. The actual value of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits remains to be seen, the Russian leader noted. “We would be ready to offer this to our American partners…if they showed interest in working together,” Putin said, stressing that he meant both private and government companies.

U.S. firms could return to Russia – Trump envoy | 24 Feb 2025 | U.S. companies would be able to return to do business in Russia in the event of a ceasefire deal in the Ukraine conflict, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said in an interview to CBS on Sunday. The interview came days after Witkoff took part in high-level negotiations between Russia and the U.S. in Saudi Arabia, aimed at restarting bilateral ties and working toward the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. The talks also laid the groundwork for a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the meeting, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev, a member of Moscow’s delegation, told Reuters that he expects a number of American companies to return to the Russian market in the second quarter of 2025. “There would be an expectation that if we get to a peace deal, that you would be able to have American companies come back and do business there,” the diplomat said.

Trump administration cutting USAID contracts by 90% – AP –The White House reportedly plans to halt 60 billion in foreign assistance | 27 Feb 2025 | The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to cut more than 90% of US Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts and a total of 60 billion in overall foreign aid worldwide, the AP reported on Thursday. The outlet cited an internal White House memo and filings in one of the federal lawsuits challenging the administration’s plan. Immediately upon assuming office, Trump suspended most US foreign assistance pending a three-month review to determine whether to continue or cease programs depending on their alignment with the new administration’s “America first” goals. USAID, Washington’s primary mechanism for funding political projects abroad, has found tens of billions d-llars’ worth of approved grants frozen as a result.

13 wounded in suspected terror attack in Israel after car rams into bus stop | 27 Feb 2025 | Thirteen people were injured, including one critically, in a terrorist car-ramming attack at a bus stop near the Karkur Junction, east of Caesarea, according to police and medical officials. Eli Bin, director-general of the Magen David Adom emergency response group, said that paramedics treated casualties with injuries of varying degrees, including two seriously wounded people. The victim that sustained critical wounds is a 17-year-old girl, MDA confirmed. Israel Police spokesperson Aryeh Doron told the Channel 12 channel, “After carrying out the car-ramming at the bus stop, the terrorist drove another few hundred meters, hitting an officer and his car.”

RFK Jr. issues bombshell order on Covid vaccine over safety concerns | 27 Feb 2025 | Robert F Kennedy Jr. has paused a $200M Biden-era contract to develop a new Covid vaccine due to safety concerns. The newly appointed health chief issued a 90-day pause last Friday on a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contract with Vaxart Inc, which is working on a new Covid vaccine pill. About 10,000 patients were set to start clinical trials on Monday. Kennedy this week cited potential safety concerns surrounding Covid vaccine production due to “failed oversight” from the Biden administration. He told Fox News Digital: “While it is crucial that the Department [of] Health and Human Services (HHS) support pandemic preparedness, four years of the Biden administration’s failed oversight have made it necessary to review agreements for vaccine production, including Vaxart’s.”

Doctors sound alarm as mystery ‘crying disease’ deaths rise to 60 with 1,000 infected | 27 Feb 2025 | The World Health Organization has ‘deepened’ its investigation into a mystery outbreak in the Congo that is causing international alarm. A new report revealed there have been at least 1,096 illnesses in the Western Congo — double the previous week — and 60 fatalities, up from 53. Many of the patients are dying within 48 hours of symptoms appearing and known threats viruses such as Ebola and Marburg have been ruled out. The first patients were reported in late January in Equateur province, in the north-west of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with hundreds of cases detected since. The exact cause of the illnesses remains unknown but about half the patients have tested positive for malaria… A fatality rate has not been revealed, but Ebola kills about 25 to 90 percent of those it infects while Marburg kills 24 to 88 percent.

Dozens of dead birds found on Long Island beach believed to have died from avian flu | 27 Feb 2025 | A Long Island beachside community in Suffolk County is worried about dozens of dead birds that have washed up on the shore and been found in backyards, especially because officials believe the birds died from avian flu. Patchogue Shores in East Patchogue has a private community beach. Earlier this week, Tim Jones, the vice president of their association, was walking along the beach with his family when he noticed many dead birds. “I saw three seagulls, a cormorant, and I got a count of 11 ducks,” explained Jones… Jones contacted the Department of Environmental Conservation. The DEC said it appeared to be avian flu because there have been cases in Suffolk County and Nassau County before.

Dead geese in 2 NJ counties test positive for bird flu, officials say | 26 Feb 2025 | Health officials in New Jersey are warning residents after H5N1 avian influenza — or bird flu — was found in dead wild Canada geese in Burlington and Monmouth counties recently. In Burlington County, officials said bird flu was found in a dead goose that was recovered from a location in Pemberton. Here, officials said, the bird was found with other dead geese and it was tested as part of a monitoring program. Officials said that this positive test marks the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Burlington County since the nationwide outbreak started in 2022.

Trump axes security clearances for law firm attorneys who aided special counsel Jack Smith: ‘I just want to savor this’ | 25 Feb 2025 | President Trump on Tuesday revoked any security clearances held by Covington & Burling law firm employees who provided pro bono services to former special counsel Jack Smith, who prosecuted Trump in a pair of since-ended criminal cases. “This is a good one. Is everybody listening? Deranged Jack Smith — we’re going to call it the deranged Jack Smith signing or bill,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “The weaponization of our system by law firms, even pro bono work they’re doing just in order to clog up government, stop government, and nobody knows about it more than me, and hopefully that’ll never happen again.” The president cut off a journalist who attempted to ask an unrelated question about U.S. troop deployments in Europe. “Wait, I just want to savor this one, please,” Trump said before brandishing the pen he used to sign his name to the order.

DOGE says Texas nonprofit with Biden official reaped millions operating empty facility | 26 Feb 2025 | The Department of Health and Human Services has terminated a contract with a nonprofit that was paid millions each month to operate a Pecos, Texas, overflow facility that sat empty, according to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In a social media post, DOGE said a former U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement employee and Biden transition team member joined Family Endeavors in early 2021, where they helped the organization secure a sole-source HHS contract for overflow housing from licensed care facilities. “As a result, Family Endeavors’ cash and portfolio of investments grew from 8.3M in 2020 to 520.4M in 2023,” the post states.

Pam Bondi throws out DEI lawsuits against police and firefighters, saying no more ‘quotas’ | 26 Feb 2025 | Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she was throwing out DEI lawsuits against police officers and firefighters, which will dismiss several lawsuits begun in the Biden administration. The move is part of the Donald Trump administration’s plan to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. “American communities deserve firefighters and police officers to be chosen for their skill and dedication to public safety — not to meet DEI quotas,” Bondi said in a statement. She said she will end racial discrimination in the name of DEI and restoring merit-based opportunities nationwide.

Trump, Musk endorse Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio governor –“He will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, will never let you down, and has my COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!” Trump wrote | 24 Feb 2025 | President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on Monday separately endorsed entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio’s gubernatorial race. Ramaswamy, who ran against Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, announced his candidacy earlier on Monday to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in the 2026 election. Trump announced his endorsement in a post to his social media platform Truth Social. “VIVEK RAMASWAMY is running for Governor of the Great State of Ohio. I know him well, competed against him, and he is something SPECIAL,” Trump wrote. “He’s Young, Strong, and Smart! Vivek is also a very good person, who truly loves our Country,” he continued.

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds announces plans to run for governor –President Trump previously encouraged Donalds to “RUN, BYRON, RUN!” | 25 Feb 2025 | Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., announced plans to run for Florida governor next year during an interview on Fox News’s Hannity Tuesday night. The next Florida gubernatorial election is slated for Nov. 3, 2026. Speaking to host Sean Hannity, Donalds said he came to the decision to run “after a lot of prayer [and] a lot of thoughts with my family and my friends.” “I got to Florida when I was 17 years old, off of a Greyhound bus with just a trunk full of clothes. And over the rest of my time in Florida, I built a family, I built a career…I was able to serve four years in a state legislature, four years in Congress. And I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future,” Donalds said.

‘Operation Dirty Pond’: Huntington, California, city hall and mayor’s home raided in $14M public funds probe | 27 Feb 2025 | A city hall building, the mayor’s house, and some residences of current and former council members in Huntington, California, were raided on Wednesday in a major corruption probe of a 14 million project, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. The investigation, named “Operation Dirty Pond,” has been focusing on the “potential misuse of millions of d-llars in public funds allocated for the construction of an aquatic center” since November 2022, the DA’s Office said… Former Huntington Park city council member Linda Caraballo reportedly said she sent a 282-page dossier to the DA’s Office many years ago to alert them to alleged corruption. Caraballo said to the local station that “big time city officials from the city manager all the way down to the shot caller” should be prepared. “Heads are going to roll and a lot of people are going to be really put into some serious problems,” Caraballo said to FOX 11. “They all should find lawyers right away.”