Plus: Ukraine urges EU to use frozen Russian assets to back loan ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. A sprawling investigation into illegal gambling and rigged poker schemes has been revealed by US authorities today, as more than 30 people, including NBA stars, were arrested. My colleagues in the US have the latest. The BBC Verify team is looking into the Israeli military's presence in Gaza, which appears to extend over a boundary line set out in the ceasefire deal with Hamas. Finally, a large trove of Roman artifacts has been found in Wales. | |
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TOP OF THE AGENDA | NBA stars and mafia among dozens of arrested in illegal gambling probes |
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| | Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups have been arrested. Credit: Getty Images | US law enforcement officials have unveiled today the results of wide-ranging investigations into illegal gambling and rigged poker games, which have led to the arrest of more than 30 people, including NBA stars and alleged members of the Mafia. The first case alleges six defendants used insider information to manipulate basketball bets. Among them, Miami Heat player Terry Rozier is alleged to have faked an injury to influence the outcome of a bet. His lawyer said he denies the charges. In a second separate but related case, 31 people including athletes are alleged to have participated in a scheme to rig poker games. |
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| Images show Israeli Gaza line deeper than expected | The Israeli military is exerting control over more of Gaza than expected from its deal with Hamas, BBC Verify has found. | Read the analysis > |
| | Ukraine urges EU to use Russian cash to back loan | President Zelensky hopes EU leaders make a "positive decision" about using €140bn (£122bn) in frozen Russian assets. | More on the assets > |
| | Crypto exchange founder pardoned by Trump | Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, had plead guilty to violating US money laundering laws in 2024. | Read more > |
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Why Trump can tear down and rebuild parts of the White House |
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| | Trump previously said his ballroom addition would not "interfere with the current building". Credit: Reuters | US conservation groups are calling for a public review process into the renovation works carried out on the East Wing of the White House. But a 60-year-old law is letting President Donald Trump demolish the building to make space for a new ballroom. |
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| | Madeline Halpert and Bernd Debusmann Jr, BBC News |
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| Is Trump allowed to make these changes? | Trump's renovation appears to be the biggest in decades, but he does have the power to make changes. He is not the first president to do so. Previous occupants built a bowling alley or an indoor swimming pool. | What does the law say? | Under the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies are required to examine the impact of any construction projects on historic properties. They need to undergo a review process, including getting input from the public. But three buildings are exempt: the White House, the US Capitol and the US Supreme Court building. | What's the precedent? | Typically, presidents have voluntarily submitted their plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees federal building construction, before the construction project begins. Trump officials have yet to do so, but say they plan to, though the renovation has already begun. | | | |
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| SOMETHING DIFFERENT | Why we get fevers | A high temperature is uncomfortable, but also a way to protect ourselves. | |
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