## DOJ refuses to hand over Epstein files after judge’s order

Authored by independent.co.uk

And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls.

The Department of Justice is refusing to hand over redacted information from investigative files connected to Jeffrey Epstein, despite an order from a federal judge to either release the documents or explain why they were withheld.

On Thursday night, Woodward wrote that the government is “committed to transparency and compliance” but “strongly disagrees” with the judge’s order.

The government does not believe it violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act by withholding materials from the public.

The president has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, and one’s appearance in the Epstein files does not suggest otherwise.

The Justice Department initially said it intends to appeal Sullivan’s order, which a spokesperson at the time called “perverse.”.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by Trump in November, ordering the Justice Department to release all files connected to investigations into Epstein by December 19. »

### Spain Orders Blacklist of US Tech Giant Palantir From Public and Private Companies

Authored by clashreport.com

Moncloa has instructed companies overseen by the State Society of Industrial Participations (SEPI) to halt future contracting with the Miami-based artificial intelligence and data analysis multinational.

The directive impacts major entities responsible for high-level state communications and military intelligence, including Telefónica, Indra, and the military shipbuilder Navantia.

Despite the broader public and private sector blacklist, Palantir continues to maintain active contracts with the Spanish Ministry of Defense. »

### Pope Leo praises US history of welcoming immigrants at 250th anniversary

Authored by reuters.com

Summary Leo called on Americans to uphold Declaration of Independence ideals during the U.S.' 250th anniversary.

VATICAN CITY, July 3 (Reuters) - Pope Leo praised the United States' history of welcoming immigrants in his first major address to ‌his home country on Friday, urging in a video appearance that Americans live up to the ideals in the Declaration of Independence.

The pope warned last month that history would condemn world leaders who treat immigrants harshly. »

### Rare copy of Declaration of Independence found by UK National Archives in papers of captured US ship

Authored by apnews.com

Carefully unfolding the document, Scurr stopped when he saw the word “Declaration” printed across the top.

“I thought, oh, right, OK, this is definitely a Declaration of Independence,’' he told The Associated Press.

Finding a copy of the Declaration of Independence on board ship also suggests how it might have been used, Bevan said. »

### Venezuela praises Israeli aid after 17-year diplomatic freeze

Authored by ynetnews.com

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez on Thursday became the first leader of the South American country since Hugo Chávez to publicly praise Israel, after an Israeli aid delegation arrived in Venezuela following the devastating earthquake disaster .

“We offered the president of Venezuela the possibility of having the Israeli delegation come to assist in the disaster,” Cohen said.

“Although there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries, Israel took a wonderful step by providing humanitarian aid to Venezuela,” he added. »

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