U.S. and world news for July 23

U.S. deputy attorney general plans to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says that he will take the highly unusual move of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell — who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for carrying out a scheme with Epstein to groom and sexually abuse underage girls — to ask what she knows but hasn’t so far told. Blanche is a former personal attorney of Donald Trump. Epstein died in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. “I don’t know anything about it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday. It’s not known whether Blanche would offer Maxwell anything in return for cooperating with the Department of Justice, perhaps in testifying against prominent people who associated with Epstein and who Donald Trump now considers to be his enemies. Or, whether she might be offered a presidential pardon in exchange for maintaining her silence about what she knows about sexual activity by certain high profile individuals.

House Speaker Johnson shuts down the House to avoid vote on Epstein files

Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has ordered the House of Representatives to begin its summer recess early. Johnson decided to shut down the House rather than allow a vote on a bipartisan measure that would force the Trump Administration to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Despite Johnson’s maneuver, a vote on the issue is expected to be forced by proponents of releasing the files when the House returns from its vacation in about six weeks. Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee is expected to subpoena Epstein’s cohort Ghislaine Maxwell as “expeditiously as possible,” a committee source told CNN. CNN yesterday reported new details about Trump’s relationship with Epstein, including photos taken at the future president’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples.

Israel’s Gaza blockade said to endanger medical workers

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has only worsened since Israel launched its blockade of aid last March, leaving millions of Palestinians facing starvation., CNN reported today. Now, a coalition of international organizations says the blockade also is endangering the lives of doctors and aid workers. In a joint statement, more than 100 humanitarian groups called on Israel to restore the full flow of food, clean water and medical supplies to Gaza and agree to a ceasefire. The coalition warned that supplies were “totally depleted” and that their organizations were “witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.” International news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP), also announced plans to try and evacuate its remaining freelance staff from Gaza because they are starving and too weak to work. “Without immediate intervention, the last reporters in Gaza will die,” AFP’s main journalist union said in a statement.

Columbia University sanctions students

Columbia University has sanctioned more than 70 students for participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. According to a source familiar with the disciplinary action, around 80% of those students received suspensions, expulsions or degree revocation. The punishments were announced as the school works behind the scenes to get the Trump administration to restore its federal funding. Earlier this month, CNN reported that Columbia was on the verge of striking a deal that would require it to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement, implement changes to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, boost transparency in hiring and admissions efforts, and take other steps to improve security for Jewish students. In return, the university would regain access to over $400 million in federal funding the Trump Administration stripped away earlier this year.

Japan trade deal reached

After months of negotiation, President Trump announced a trade agreement with Japan. The deal will see U.S. importers pay 15% “reciprocal” tariffs on Japanese goods exported to the states. The 15% rate will also extend to Japanese autos and car parts, putting the country at an advantage over other major vehicle exporters, which have faced a 25% levy on automotive sector exports since April. Additionally, Japan will invest $550 billion in the U.S., Trump said. “This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs — There has never been anything like it,” he posted on his social media site. In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hailed the deal as “the lowest figure to date for a country that has a trade surplus with the United States.”

Tributes for Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne has been remembered as a “pioneer,” a “fearless talent” and a “dear friend,” in an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians and his former Black Sabbath bandmates following his death yesterday at the age of 76. “It’s really a shock,” Black Sabbath co-founder and guitarist Tony Iommi told BBC Radio on Wednesday. “It’s really hit me today to be honest. A terrible shock.” Fellow Black Sabbath band member Bill Ward posted, “You’re forever in my heart.” Elton John, who was featured on the title track of Osbourne’s 2020 album “Ordinary Man,” remembered his “dear friend” as a “huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods” and “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.” Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood said he was “so very sad” to hear of Osbourne’s death, while Queen guitarist Brian May noted that his final concert at Villa Park “was a glorious way to say goodbye – the love in that place for him was gigantic.