Former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon BlackIn testimony prepared for a House committee on Friday, he said that notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein He was deceived into paying more than $60 million in financial consulting fees by falsely claiming the fees were tax deductible.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Cuomo, R-Ky., arrives at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, June 26, 2026, for a closed-door interview with Leon Black, a billionaire with close ties to Jeffrey Epstein. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Later Friday morning, Black was scheduled to appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has been investigating Epstein’s ties to numerous wealthy and influential figures.
Mario Flores conspired with Lover and others to set up a shell company in Orlando, Florida
A Honduran national living illegally in the United States has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar payroll tax fraud scheme that cost the U.S. government tens of millions of dollars, the New York Post reported.Mario Flores was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to a conspiracy that helped businesses avoid taxes and employ undocumented workers through an illegal cash system.Flores, along with his girlfriend and others, created shell companies in Orlando, Florida, that provided unlicensed cash courier and check cashing services to construction contractors and subcontractors.The plan allows the group to cash approximately $89 million in checks between 2015 and 2022, charging fees for services while not recording the business. The contractor then pays the workers in cash without withholding payroll taxes or complying with employment laws. Flores personally benefited at least $9.4 million from the program.His girlfriend, Iris Villafranca, was sentenced in April to 17 years in prison and ordered to pay more than $38 million in restitution. Two other co-conspirators, Ousmane Zapata and Francisco Alvarez, were also sentenced to four years in prison and probation, as well as financial penalties.Flores pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transfer business. Prosecutors accuse him of trying to hinder the investigation by providing false documents and misleading federal agents.The sentencing memorandum said Flores “attempted to deceive investigators by turning over “false receipt books to support false tax returns filed by shell companies with the IRS, and by producing these false receipt books in response to a grand jury subpoena.”It added that he also lied to investigators during interviews with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).“Villafranca messaged Flores multiple times before Flores met with IRS agents. He then lied to agents about his and Villafranca’s roles in the scheme. “Officials said the operation was a clear example of how illegal financial networks operate alongside the undocumented labor system.“This case exposes how uncontrolled illegal immigration fuels widespread payroll tax fraud and an underground economy that harms American workers and taxpayers,” Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division said in a statement.
Natalie Harp, Assistant White HouseShe developed such an obsession with Donald Trump that her brother felt the need to voice his concerns.
White House aide Natalie Happ is facing criticism from her estranged brother Preston over her close relationship with Donald Trump. (Photo by Mandelyan/AFP) (AFP)
Preston Harp, 38, & Trump’s The favored personal assistant criticized the 80-year-old president and his overly close relationship with his 34-year-old sister.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Preston called Trump a “national disgrace” and called his sister’s relationship with him “very unhealthy.”
Harp has maintained a steady presence Trump’s Despite not having an official position, she has been in the circle since she became part of his team in 2022.
Harp, a former host for conservative news outlet OAN, initially became associated with Trump when she expressed her gratitude to him for signing the Right to Try Act in 2019, which she claimed gave her access to experimental treatments for her bones cancer. However, the Washington Post questioned the validity of this statement.
Harp has been promoted to Trump’s As the preferred personal assistant, her devotion to the president was so obvious that it set off alarms within the Secret Service.
Natalie Harp is called the ‘human printer’
Her habit of stalking earned her the nickname “The Human Printer.” trump card A portable printer that provides him with printed copies of emails, news articles and various documents for his review rather than having the 80-year-old president view them on a screen.
As detailed in the book “Regime Change: Inside Donald Trump’s Imperial Presidency” by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, Harp would leave affectionate letters to Trump in his “personal space” before joining the White House staff. One of the letters allegedly read: “You are the most important thing to me.”
The series of love letters caused concern to future White House chief of staff Suzy Wells, who reportedly asked, “Where am I?” as Haberman and Swann note.
Preston and Natalie Equations
Preston expressed surprise when he found out his sister was employed by Trump, which he didn’t learn until a friend showed him a March 2023 Daily Mail article discussing Trump’s “glamorous new assistant.”
Growing up, Natalie had a closer relationship with her “extremely conservative” and “devoutly religious” mother, while Preston had a deeper connection with her father, who tragically took his own life in July 2020.
Since the death of their father, the brother and sister have not communicated due to disagreements. Preston claimed that his mother and sister wanted Robert Harp’s death to be portrayed as occurring peacefully in his sleep.
Dubai residents were alerted to an incoming missile on Friday but were told shortly afterwards to “ignore” the warning.A brief text message sent by the UAE Ministry of Interior shortly after 05:05 In the afternoon local time, this was the first time such an alert was issued during the war with Iran.The warning appears to have been sent in error, but it’s unclear what triggered it. Authorities did not provide any further explanation.The alert shocked mobile phone users across Dubai and was the first such warning in weeks of ceasefire.During the conflict, Iran repeatedly targeted U.S. interests and allies in the Middle East. Several countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, host U.S. military bases.Shortly after the alert was issued, the UAE said Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had spoken by phone with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. Sheikh Abdullah stressed the importance of “full commitment” to the interim deal between Iran and the United States, according to the UAE.“Serious diplomacy and responsible dialogue are the best ways to resolve all regional and international crises,” the UAE said in a statement.The United States and Iran are still negotiating the terms of an interim peace deal, including allowing ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and resolving the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under the tentative agreement, the two sides have 60 days to work out the details.(with AP input)
Indian-British comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli is facing trial after pleading not guilty to 20 charges, including multiple counts of rape and sex crimes involving five women. Colley, 57, entered the plea through his legal team at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2027, according to the BBC.Prosecutors allege the crimes occurred between January 2006 and June 2021. The most serious allegation involves a woman whom Corley is accused of raping multiple times between June 2020 and June 2021 at properties near Glasgow and in the city’s east end.The indictment states that the last rape occurred on June 20, 2021, when the woman was drunk, intermittently unconscious and unable to consent.Corley also faces four sexual assault charges involving the same woman. Prosecutors said he blindfolded her in one incident, spat on her in another and engaged in controlling and abusive behavior towards her over a two-year period.He is accused of requesting intimate photos, monitoring the woman’s every move, contacting her repeatedly by phone and text, forcing her to give him money, locking her out of his home, arriving at her home uninvited and sending indecent images, according to court documents cited by the BBC.Separate charges relate to four other women. Prosecutors allege Corley indecently assaulted a woman at BBC Scotland studios and a Glasgow hotel between 2006 and 2008. He was also charged with sexually-related disorderly conduct at a restaurant during the same period.Another charge alleges he indecently assaulted a third woman and had sex with her at the Cross Keys Hotel in Cannonby, Dumfries and Galloway in June 2008.Kohli is also accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a fourth woman at Edinburgh University in August 2011.The final complainant claimed Kohli sexually assaulted her at the former Yes Bar in Glasgow in December 2016, grabbing and kissing her without consent. He is also accused of approaching her on multiple occasions and making sexual remarks.Defense attorney Sarah Livingstone entered a plea of not guilty on Corley’s behalf and entered a special plea agreed to several charges.Colley, a former BBC The One Show reporter and Wright Stuff panelist who also appeared on celebrity editions of Big Brother and MasterChef, was excused from the hearing.
Sunward Intelligent SA 60L Aurora Trumpet airplane The plane reportedly crashed into the CITIC Tower in Beijing. The aircraft is a Chinese-made light aircraft and is considered one of China’s most successful domestically produced small aircraft. The accident occurred at the CITIC Tower, also known as the China Tower, which is the tallest skyscraper in Beijing.
Sunward SA 60L Aurora crashes into CITIC Tower in Beijing (Pexel/Representative photo) (Pexel)
The skyscraper has 109 floors and is approximately 1,700 feet tall. Video shared on social media showed the small plane crashing into a skyscraper. The impact reportedly shattered two windows of the building. Viral video also shows pieces of the plane falling from buildings after the crash. After the incident, thick smoke billowed from the ground floor of the building.
Sunward Intelligent SA 60L aircraft crashed and damaged
Debris from the plane was scattered near the building. One of the plane’s wings was found next to the building. Another photo reportedly showed a large hole in its side skyscraper. The aircraft involved was identified as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, registration number B-12PP. The building was empty following the incident. It was unclear how many people were injured or killed.
CITIC Tower is located in Chaoyang District, Beijing, in the city’s main business district. It is the third tallest building in the country ChinaSecond only to Shanghai Tower and Ping An Financial Center. According to News18, the pilot was the only person on board the plane when it crashed.
flight before crash
About 30 minutes before the incident, the plane took off from Shifosi Airport. At around 5:40 pm, the plane was preparing to return to Shifosi Airport for landing. The plane reportedly deviated from its intended flight path before landing.
flight tracking data According to News18, the plane followed the plane to the area near the East Fifth Ring Road in Beijing. The aircraft then lost signal. After losing the signal, contact with the aircraft cannot be established.
A powerful storm that swept through New York led to an extraordinary discovery at one of the state’s oldest cemeteries. On June 18, strong winds uprooted a giant Norway maple tree at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, unexpectedly revealing headstones that had been hidden beneath soil, roots and debris for more than a century. This remarkable discovery has fascinated historians, volunteers and local residents and offers a glimpse into the past. The tombstone is believed to have gradually disappeared over the decades, but despite being buried under the towering tree for many years, it is in surprisingly good condition.
Storm reveals a forgotten 100-year-old man serious
The undiscovered headstone belonged to Edna Amelia Goodman Allen, who was born in 1892 and died in 1918 at the age of 26. According to cemetery records shared by the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery, her husband, John D. Ellen, their youngest son, her mother and six siblings. Historical records also indicate that Allen died of volvulus, a condition in which the intestine twists itself, causing a potentially fatal blockage.Although Edna may have living grandchildren or great-grandchildren today, no verified information about her descendants has been made public. There has also been no public response from any family members, and there is no indication that they have been contacted or informed of the rediscovered tombstone.
Cemetery volunteers believe the grave itself has never been moved. Instead, the monument was gradually buried as soil accumulated over decades and the roots of a giant Norway maple tree spread around the monument. A photo taken in 2022 already shows that only a small part of the tombstone is visible above ground. When violent storms uprooted the tree, its tangled roots swept away the surrounding soil, exposing the long-hidden monument once more.
The storm that changes everything
The National Weather Service reported that thunderstorms and heavy rain swept through Rochester on June 18, with wind gusts as high as 55 mph (89 km/h). The severe weather caused many trees to fall across the city, including a large maple tree at Mount Hope Cemetery. Volunteers cleaning up storm damage were surprised to find forgotten gravestones beneath uprooted trees, turning an ordinary cleanup operation into an unexpected historical discovery.
The tombstone is very well preserved
Despite spending decades underground, the tombstone is still in very good condition. Volunteers say its inscriptions are still legible and the monument appears to simply need careful cleaning before restoration. Once the fallen tree is removed and the surrounding area stabilizes, cemetery staff and volunteers plan to reset the headstones and restore the cemetery.
One of the oldest historic cemeteries in the United States
Founded in 1838, Mount Hope Cemetery is one of the oldest rural cemeteries in the United States and covers approximately 196 acres. More than 350,000 people are buried here, including famous historical figures such as abolitionist Frederick Douglass and women’s rights pioneer Susan B. Anthony. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery is maintained with the help of volunteers who work to preserve its monuments and uncover the stories of those who lie here. The unexpected rediscovery of Edna Allen’s grave is a reminder that even well-documented historical sites can still contain stunning surprises waiting to be discovered.
A US diplomat died after being stabbed in the head and neck Myanmarhis ex-wife Pavinee Supasirivisan is a suspect.
In Myanmar, a U.S. diplomat was fatally stabbed. His ex-spouse Pavinee Supasirivisan is suspected of committing the crime. (Associated Press)
Who is Daniel Riva? Five things you need to know about US diplomat found dead in Myanmar
Daniel Riva, 43, from Long Island, New York, was found dead on May 11 at the Sakura Residence and Hotel. This hotel is distance U.S. Embassymaking it a favorite spot for American diplomats and other guests.
The Thai woman attended a second hearing at the Kamayut town court, according to a lawyer familiar with the case. Myanmar On Tuesday, he faced immigration-related charges related to crimes committed by foreigners in the country. The lawyer chose to remain anonymous, the Associated Press reported.
Supasirivisan could have been sentenced to a prison term ranging from six months to five years on the immigration charge, and could have been sentenced to 10 years in prison or even the death penalty for the murder charge.
Officials and witnesses who gave testimony in court were reluctant to communicate with the media and investigators about the case because of strict government rules. In addition, journalists were barred from attending court hearings.
However, it has been confirmed that three prosecution witnesses, as well as legal representatives for both defendants, will give evidence at Tuesday’s hearing. The status of Supasirivisan’s plea to the charges remains uncertain.
This is what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand said
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it has provided consular support to the suspect, but declined to disclose further information.
The diplomat was found dead at the Sakura Apartment Hotel on May 11 with stab wounds to his head and neck, according to his lawyer. The hotel is a popular venue for diplomats, business professionals and other international guests and is approximately 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the U.S. Embassy.
The State Department acknowledged the diplomat’s death but chose not to disclose further details, including the diplomat’s identity.
Calgary police have released photos of 15 men who have been charged in connection with extortion-related incidents in the city.
Canada is investigating a racketeering case targeting Calgary’s South Asian community. 16 men, including Indians, have been charged, but only one defendant remains in jail and the rest have been released on bail.The 16 defendants face a total of 56 criminal charges related to a series of extortion-related incidents. None of those charged are Canadian citizens and hold student or work visas.Police have released photos of 15 suspects in the hope that the public will provide the latest information about their identities, associates and activities.
According to information released by Calgary police, the names of the 16 accused or wanted persons in connection with the investigation are:
Ravjot TullGermanjeet Singh (wanted on arrest warrant)Jaikaran SinghKarambir SinghAmandeep SinghAnurag SidhuAnurag SinghAmandeep MarleySandeep SinghDaksh GautamAkashdeep SinghJagandeep SinghPardeep SinghTaranveer SinghGurkaran DhaliwalOne defendant was not named in the report you shared because police only released photos of 15 suspects and said 16 people were charged.“What we need right now is more information about these individuals, who they associated with, where they spent their time, whether they worked anywhere, or any other details that may seem small but could be very important,” said Sheriff Jeff Bell.Police said some of the defendants had been using aliases. Bell noted that in one case, a suspect’s roommate did not know his real name until investigators notified him.The release of the photos has been welcomed by members of Calgary’s South Asian community.“We’ve been asking for some pictures,” said Rishi Nagar, news director at Calgary’s South Asian radio station Red FM. “[Without them,] I don’t know if the guy sitting next to me on the bus is the person who’s been charged – I don’t know. “Since April 2025, there have been 49 extortion-related incidents in Calgary, including 19 shootings. Eighteen of those involved shootings targeting victims or their property, while one involved suspects shooting at each other.Bell said the pace of violence has slowed in recent months. Nine of the shootings occurred in the first 60 days of the year, while only two shootings were recorded in the next 100 days.“What this tells us is that we have reduced the violence that is occurring,” he said.The police operations, codenamed Operation Orion and Operation Blackout, combined criminal investigations with increased police presence in South Asian communities to build trust and encourage victims to come forward.Bell called the decision to release 15 defendants on bail “concerning.” He said bail decisions were left to the court after prosecutors argued whether the defendant should remain in custody. Bail law falls under federal jurisdiction, he added, noting that tougher federal bail and sentencing legislation will come into effect next month.Bell declined to discuss the specific bail conditions imposed on the defendants, saying only that police take compliance seriously. He also said any deportation decisions would be made by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).As of June 18, 138 racketeering-related immigration investigations have been opened in the Prairie provinces, according to the latest CBSA data released Thursday. Authorities have issued 37 deportation orders and deported 18 people from Canada.Police are also looking into possible links between the Calgary investigation and the Bishnoi gang.“I’m paying close attention to what’s going on in other parts of the country. Obviously, I’m watching what’s going on in the recent trial in Vancouver where there were links to the allegations of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, so we’re clear on that,” Bell said.“If we find any evidence of this, we will work with our national security partners as they are considered a terrorist organization.”
Volkswagen is considering closing four plants Germany The company will lay off as many as 100,000 people, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters. The proposed plan has been shared with members of Volkswagen’s supervisory board and will be discussed at a meeting on July 9.
Volkswagen may lay off 100,000 people (AFP photo) (AFP)
The company took these steps because it faced pressure from China car manufactureris becoming a stronger global competitor. Volkswagen is considering closing four German plants in Hannover, Zwickau and Emden as well as Audi’s Neckarsulm plant, sources said.
Volkswagen factory closed
Closing these four plants could result in more than 45,000 job losses work at riskAccording to Reuters. These possible job cuts come on top of Volkswagen and the unions having agreed to cut 50,000 jobs by the end of 2024. If the new plan goes ahead, the total number of layoffs at Volkswagen could reach about 100,000.
Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume presented the restructuring plan to company executives earlier this week to gain support ahead of further discussions, Reuters reported. Blum is expected to face strong opposition from labor unions and the German state of Lower Saxony, Volkswagen’s second-largest shareholder. Details of Volkswagen’s overhaul plan were first reported by German publication Manager Magazine.
Volkswagen latest: It’s all about cost cutting and corporate change
Volkswagen also plans to reduce investment spending by about 15% over the next five years to just over 130 billion euros ($148 billion), Manager Magazin reported. The magazine also reported that Blume and Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz want to completely reinvent the 89-year-old company. Their reported plans include splitting Volkswagen’s main passenger car business and its parts business into separate entities.
Volkswagen There was no comment on the reported confidential documents regarding the restructuring plan. However, a Volkswagen spokesman said “profound” changes were needed across the group, including all its brands and subsidiaries. Volkswagen’s union and Germany’s powerful IG Metall union strongly opposed the reported plans. The two labor groups said they would do whatever they could to stop the plans if Volkswagen goes ahead with them.
Workers oppose layoffs
Porsche SE, Volkswagen’s largest shareholder through Porsche and the Piech family, declined to comment on the reports. In fiscal year 2025, Volkswagen had 667,164 employees worldwide. Nearly 43% of Volkswagen’s global employees work in Germany. Volkswagen shares were near their lowest level in 16 years on Friday morning, down 0.4%, a sign that investors are unsure whether the restructuring plan will succeed.
