## JD Vance’s attempt to link Democrats to Epstein renews calls to ‘release the files’

Authored by theguardian.com

In an interview with Fox News broadcast on Sunday, the vice-president tried to deflect criticism of the administration’s refusal to release the Epstein files by blaming Democrats.

He accused Joe Biden of doing “absolutely nothing” about the scandal when he was in the White House.

And yet somehow the Democrats are attacking him and not the Biden administration, which did nothing for four years,” he said.

Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse multiple minor girls and sentenced to 20 years in federal prison during the Biden administration.

(Vance denied to Fox that they had discussed Epstein at all, though he did acknowledge the meeting took place.).

Within minutes of the Fox News interview being broadcast, social media began to hum with renewed cries of “release the files!”.

“We know that Jeffrey Epstein had a lot of connections with leftwing politicians and leftwing billionaires … Democrat billionaires and Democrat political leaders went to Epstein island all the time. »

### Ukraine will not let Russia 'deceive America,' Zelensky says ahead of upcoming Trump-Putin summit

Authored by kyivindependent.com

Zelensky's remarks come ahead of an Aug. 15 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine is in "constant communication" with partners in the U.S. on how to secure peace, Zelensky said.

"We in Ukraine know Russia well, and that is why, in extremely difficult conditions, Ukrainians have endured more than three years of full-scale war. »

### 5 Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

Authored by bnonews.com

At least five Al Jazeera journalists and media staff were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a media tent at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, according to the network.

Al Jazeera, citing the director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, said correspondents Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqea were killed on when their tent near the hospital complex was struck on Sunday night, local time.

Just minutes before the strike, Al-Sharif had posted on social media about heavy Israeli bombardment in parts of Gaza City. »

### Putin is running circles around Trump and his band of diplomatic amateurs

Authored by inews.co.uk

The Kremlin is so cocksure about the outcome of the summit that Putin has already invited Trump to visit Russia.

Trump is throwing America’s doors wide open for him, and indicating that Putin deserves a place back at the world’s top table.

If his presidential jet does land in Alaska later this week, Putin continues to view his dealings with Trump as child’s play. »

### Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif among journalists killed in Israeli strike

Authored by cbc.ca

Anas al-Sharif, 28, was among a group of five Al Jazeera journalists who died in a strike on a tent near Shifa Hospital in eastern Gaza City, Gaza officials and Al Jazeera said.

The other journalists killed were correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa, Al Jazeera said.

"Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices in Gaza conveying the tragic reality to the world," Al Jazeera said. »

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