The death in custody of US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was awaiting trial on charges sex trafficking of minors, has triggering outcry over how it was allowed to happen.
Having previously attempted suicide, Epstein should have been under close watch and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into how he was able to kill himself.
Epstein, a convicted paedophile who befriended numerous politicians and celebrities over the years, was found unresponsive in his cell around 6:30am on Saturday at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York from "an apparent suicide," the US Department of Justice said. It followed an apparent suicide attempt last month.
Several of Epstein’s accusers said Saturday they’re disappointed that the financier won’t have to face them in court or serve a long prison sentence if convicted.
Conspiracy theories started to emerge immediately following his death and were circulated widely on social media, with some retweeted by US President Donald Trump.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, said it was "way too convenient" that Epstein would no longer be able to incriminate others.
"What a lot of us want to know is, what did he know?" Mr de Blasio told reporters in Iowa.
"How many other millionaires and billionaires were part of the illegal activities that he was engaged in?
"Well, that information didn't die with Jeffrey Epstein. That needs to be investigated, too."
Epstein, a wealthy hedge fund manager, 66, had been charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. He denied the charges, but faced up to 45 years in prison – effectively the rest of his life – if convicted.
His death came a day after hundreds of pages of court documents were released that revealed new allegations against him and some of his high-profile associates.
US Attorney General Bill Barr said he was "appalled" at the death and instructed the Justice Department's inspector general to also probe the circumstances.
"Mr Epstein's death raises serious questions that must be answered," Mr Barr said.
A range of conspiracy theories about the death have been shared online, fuelled by Epstein’s ties to princes, politicians and other famous and powerful people.
Online theorists offered unsubstantiated speculation – some retweet by Mr Trump, who has himself acknowledged knowing Epstein but said he “had a falling out with him a long time ago”.
Days after his arrest, online memes and Facebook statuses wrongly claimed that the Obama administration, in order to protect former President Bill Clinton, forged a once-secret deal in 2008 in Florida that allowed Epstein to plead guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution to avoid more serious charges. The deal was actually executed before Obama took office, under the former president George W Bush.
"Died of SUICIDE on 24/7 SUICIDE WATCH? Yeah right! How does that happen," a tweet retweeted by Mr Trump on Saturday read. "#JefferyEpstein had information on Bill Clinton & now he’s dead I see #TrumpBodyCount trending but we know who did this! RT if you’re not Surprised."
Meanwhile, a manipulated photo, shared by thousands on Twitter and Facebook, falsely claimed to show Epstein with Mr Trump and a young Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter.
The former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, now an attorney for the president, tweeted several questions about Epstein’s death.
“Who was watching? What does camera show? … Follow the motives,” Mr Giuliani tweeted on Saturday afternoon.
Epstein’s suicide was probably recorded by jail cameras, according to Preet Bharara, the former federal prosecutor in Manhattan.
“One hopes it is complete, conclusive, and secured,” he tweeted.
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Fireball
Moscow claimed it hit the largest military fuel storage facility in Ukraine, triggering a huge fireball at the site.
A plume of black smoke rose from a fuel storage facility in the village of Kalynivka outside Kyiv on Friday after Russia said it had destroyed the military site with Kalibr cruise missiles.
"On the evening of March 24, Kalibr high-precision sea-based cruise missiles attacked a fuel base in the village of Kalynivka near Kyiv," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine confirmed the strike, saying the village some 40 kilometres south-west of Kyiv was targeted.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Spec%20sheet
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Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
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ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
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