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Trump White House removes Wall Street Journal from Scotland trip press pool over Epstein report

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CNN
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When the White House took control of the so-called “press pool” that accompanies the president, journalists worried that the Trump administration would use that power to punish news outlets.

First it was the Associated Press; now it’s the Wall Street Journal.

On Monday, the White House said it will remove the Journal from one of the coveted press seats on President Trump’s upcoming trip to Scotland.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the change was made “due to the Wall Street Journal’s fake and defamatory conduct,” a reference to the publication’s recent story about Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.

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The July 17 story described a collection of letters gifted to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003, including a note bearing Trump’s name and an outline of a naked woman. Trump filed a lawsuit the next day claiming defamation “because no authentic letter or drawing exists.”

Now the White House is using a tool at its disposal — control over access to Trump — to retaliate against the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper.

A Journal reporter (who was not involved with the Epstein birthday letter story) was slated to serve in the press pool during the president’s trip to his Scottish golf courses.

Until earlier this year, pool assignments were determined by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), an independent group that represents the press corps. However, in February, Leavitt cut the group out and took control of the pool, giving the administration a new form of leverage.

The pool is a small group of journalists who travel with the president and cover events on behalf of the entire press corps. Having a pool rotation is critical because many presidential events, such as Oval Office photo ops and Air Force One Q&As, often take place in small group settings.

Leavitt cut the correspondents’ association out of the picture while Trump battled the AP over its labeling of the Gulf of Mexico, which Trump directed the US government to rename as the Gulf of America.

The AP is a global news outlet, so its stories still refer to the Gulf of Mexico while also acknowledging Trump’s order. That prompted a months-long legal dispute over press access.

“As the appeals court confirmed, the Wall Street Journal or any other news outlet are not guaranteed special access to cover President Trump in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and in his private workspaces,” Leavitt said Monday.

“Thirteen diverse outlets will participate in the press pool to cover the President’s trip to Scotland,” she added, before saying the Journal would not be one of them.

The White House did not immediately respond to a follow-up question about which news outlet will take the Journal’s place.

A spokesperson for the Journal declined to comment on the retaliatory act. But in response to inquiries about the lawsuit last week, a spokesperson said, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.”

“This attempt by the White House to punish a media outlet whose coverage it does not like is deeply troubling, and it defies the First Amendment,” said WHCA president Weijia Jiang in a statement.

“Government retaliation against news outlets based on the content of their reporting should concern all who value free speech and an independent media,” she added. “We strongly urge the White House to restore the Wall Street Journal to its previous position in the pool and aboard Air Force One for the President’s upcoming trip to Scotland. The WHCA stands ready to work with the administration to find a quick resolution.”

First Amendment organizations also swiftly condemned the White House’s decision. “It’s unconstitutional — not to mention thin-skinned and vindictive — for a president to rescind access to punish a news outlet for publishing a story he tried to kill,” said Seth Stern, director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation.

“But hopefully the Journal reporters who were planning to join Trump for his golf trip are relieved that they can spend their newfound free time investigating more important stories, from Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein to his unprecedented efforts to bully the press.”



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Diogo Jota’s wife posts ‘forever’ tribute to mark one month since wedding

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Rute Cardoso, the wife of Diogo Jota, has paid tribute to her late husband, marking a month since the couple got married.

Liverpool and Portugal star Jota died in a car crash in Spain on July 3 at the age of 28 along with his 25-year-old brother André Silva – who was also a professional footballer.

In a post on Instagram, Cardoso shared photographs from their wedding day on June 22, along with an emotional message.

“1 month since our ‘til death do us part,’” she said Tuesday, adding she was “forever” his.

Jota married his long-term partner Cardoso less than two weeks before the crash. The couple had three children together.

The soccer world has rallied behind the family since Jota’s death. His funeral was attended by many current players, including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Portugal star Rúben Neves.

Cardoso was pictured embracing other mourners as she arrived at the church ahead of the ceremony on July 5.

Liverpool, the team Jota was playing for before his death, has since retired his No. 20 shirt.

A mural of the star has also been painted on a wall in the city.

Jota was a vital part of Liverpool’s recent success, lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of last season.

He was also part of the Portugal national team which won the Nations League in June this year, having also won the competition in 2019.



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Women’s Euros: England produces another dramatic comeback to make second consecutive final

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England has made late comebacks its calling card at the 2025 Women’s Euros and produced another dramatic finish in its 2-1 victory over Italy in the semifinals in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday.

The Lionesses had trailed most of the match after Barbara Bonansea’s first half goal on 33 minutes until Michelle Agyemang equalized in the 96th minute, with less than two minutes of added time remaining.

In extra time and with the contest looking as if it was going to penalties for the second consecutive match, England was awarded a penalty in the 117th minute when Beth Mead was fouled in the box.

Although Azzurre goalkeeper Laura Giuliani initially saved Chloe Kelly’s spot-kick, the English forward was quickest to react, stabbing the rebound home from close range and booking the Lionesses’ place in the final in the most dramatic fashion.

“It is definitely a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat,” Kelly told reporters afterwards. “These girls are brilliant – they make me so proud to be English, as every English person is right now.

“I can’t believe what happened. The togetherness of this group is so special.”

Kelly (No. 18) scored the winning goal against Italy.

England had qualified for the semifinals in an extraordinary manner, scoring two late goals to come from 2-0 down to force extra time against Sweden before a dramatic penalty shootout unfolded with the Lionesses managing to keep their cool at the key moment.

Italy, on the other hand, had beaten Norway in the quarterfinals but was the heavy underdog against the Women’s Euros defending champion, looking for its first spot in the final since 1997.

Despite the pre-match predictions, it was the Italians who struck first. A probing cross from Sofia Cantore caused all manner of confusion among the England defenders before Bonansea was able to corral the ball and smash it into the roof of the net.

With the Azzurre ahead, England went on the front foot in search of the equalizer. And whether through some wayward finishing or some inspired goalkeeping from Giuliani, the Lionesses were unable to draw themselves level.

That was until the 96th minute when Agyemang, who has made a habit as a substitute of providing big, late impacts at this tournament, once again displayed her proficiency off the bench.

Giuliani could only parry a cross with the rebound falling to the 19-year-old’s feet where she smashed the ball home.

The goal sparked wild scenes of celebration, with Italy’s players clearly distraught at conceding so late into the match.

Agyemang has been England's game-changing substitute at the Women's Euros.

With the game in extra-time, both teams had chances to score again – Agyemang came closest in the 117th minute where her lob bounced off the crossbar.

But with penalties looming once again for England, Mead was fouled in the box as she attempted to connect with a Lauren Hemp cross, with referee Ivana Martinčić pointing to the spot.

There was even more drama though as Kelly – with her unique run-up before her penalty, comprising of a hop and a jump – had her penalty saved but managed to tap home to clinch a dramatic win.

The victory continues England’s success at major international tournaments, with this marking the team’s third final in a row; the Lionesses won the Women’s Euros on home soil in 2022 and lost to Spain in the World Cup final in 2023.

“I feel like it hasn’t really sunk in. It was just a rollercoaster of emotions, trying to stay focused in the 120 minutes to make sure we didn’t let Italy back into the game,” England defender Lucy Bronze said afterwards. “I can imagine once I’m in the dressing room, and we’re on the bus, and we get back to (the team base in) Zurich, it’ll sink in that we’ve made it to another final.

“I don’t think you’ll find a team in world football with more fight and more resilience than this England team. To come back and to never give up, the same as we did in the previous game, and to fight to the end; we kept our dreams alive and then to finish it in extra time as well is unbelievable.”

England will face either Spain or Germany in Sunday’s final in Basel, with the two facing off in their semifinal on Wednesday in Zurich.



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Live updates: House to send lawmakers home early to stall Epstein-related move

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First Lady Melania Trump arrives to attend the opening night of

House Republicans want to name the John F. Kennedy Center’s opera house after first lady Melania Trump.

Republicans included language that would designate the opera house at the center for the performing arts in Washington, DC, as the “First Lady Melania Trump Opera House” in an amendment for a spending bill for the Interior Department.

It’s unclear whether the bill will pass the full House, let alone whether it could make it into a bipartisan agreement with the Senate, so it remains to be seen whether the provision will make it into law. The House is set to recess tomorrow, leaving lawmakers with limited time when they return in September before the government runs out of funding.

During the House Appropriations Committee’s meeting on the bill today, GOP Rep. Mike Simpson — who introduced the amendment — said “yes, we renamed the opera house at the Kennedy Center for the first lady, who is the honorary chairman of the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center.”

He argued that it’s an “excellent way to recognize” Melania Trump’s “support and commitment to promoting the arts.”

The amendment was adopted by the committee, 35-22, with Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joining with the panel’s Republicans to vote yes.

The first lady’s office did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

CNN’s Betsy Klein contributed reporting to this post.



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