The Guardian

US government is seeking to show a pattern of corruption among Smartmatic executives that allegedly involved bribes and money laundering, new court filing showsThe justice department is alleging in a new court filing that three Smartmatic executives who were indicted last year on bribery and money-laundering charges transferred money from a 2018 voting machine contract with Los Angeles county into slush funds that were originally set up to pay bribes to election officials in Venezuela and the Philippines between 2012 and 2016 to obtain and retain lucrative election contracts.Prosecutors say one of the executives transferred an undisclosed amount from the

Two-day pre-sentencing hearing at Victorian supreme court comes after Patterson was found guilty of triple murder and attempted murder on 7 JulyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWelcome to our live coverage of Erin Patterson’s plea hearing.On 7 July, Patterson was found guilty of murdering her estranged husband’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson. A Victorian supreme court jury also found Patterson guilty of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/aug/25/erin-patterson-live-updates-mushroom-murder-victim-impact-statements-plea-hearing-ntwnfb Author : Adeshola Ore Publish date : 2025-08-25 00:19:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to

There will be expanded access to 5% deposits for first home buyers from 1 October. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlbanese says the government will continue pushing for a two-state solution, as Israel pushes ahead with its military campaign in Gaza.Sara asks whether there’s more the government can do to help stop the conflict. Albanese says Labor has advocated “directly to the Israeli government, but also through our vote in international forums” to get aid into Gaza, advocate for a ceasefire, and get the hostages released.They’re sovereign states, and I welcome their

Russian foreign minister praises Trump’s effort and was defensive when asked if Putin was ‘stringing along’ TrumpRussia accused western European leaders on Sunday of not wanting peace in Ukraine, as Moscow’s most senior diplomat praised efforts by Donald Trump to end the war, while Vice-President JD Vance said the US would “keep on trying” to broker talks in the absence of a deal.Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, made the comments during a sometimes contentious interview on NBC on Sunday morning, during which he denied his country had bombed civilian targets in Ukraine. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/24/russia-ukraine-vance-trump Author

Bystanders jumped in to help balloon land on residential road on Saturday, narrowly missing houses and carsA hot air balloon made a dramatic landing in the middle of a street in Bedford on Saturday in front of shocked residents.Sam Coldham said he saw the balloon descending in Bower Street in the east of England town at about 9.30am, while he was out walking the dog with his partner, Sian King. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/24/near-perfect-landing-hot-air-balloon-guided-down-on-to-bedford-street Author : Morgan Ofori Publish date : 2025-08-24 15:34:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

American owner said to be working with bankers on review of chain, which has more than 2,000 UK outletsCosta Coffee could change hands again after it emerged that Coca-Cola has met potential buyers to discuss a cut-price deal to off-load the chain.The American soft drinks company is said to be working with bankers on a review of Costa, Britain’s biggest coffee chain, that could lead to it being sold. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/24/coca-cola-talks-sale-costa-coffee Author : Lauren Almeida Publish date : 2025-08-24 12:58:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Superior general Pedro Arrupe postponed the ordination of Donald B Dickerson, but ultimately allowed his promotionA version of this story was first reported and published by National Catholic ReporterNumerous officials within the Roman Catholic religious order known as the Jesuits struggled in the 1970s and 1980s over how to deal with a man whom they knew molested children – but nonetheless was ordained a priest, according to a review of internal correspondence concerning his career.The correspondence about the late Donald B Dickerson stems from a pending Louisiana state court lawsuit filed in June 2024 that alleges he raped a 17-year-old

The IPC’s findings that a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza are starving should mark an urgent turning point in this warThe declaration on Friday of widespread famine in Gaza by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) should mark a turning point in the war. The IPC, which represents a fastidious survey of available data, is regarded as the international gold standard in nutritional crises.Long-criticised by humanitarians in other emergencies for its overabundance of caution, the IPC’s declaration of Level 5 – “catastrophic” hunger – in Gaza is a significant moment. Famine, under the IPC’s exacting criteria, requires three critical

Exclusive: Charity says footage shows fish being struck repeatedly and at least one child taking part in killing fishAnimal welfare campaigners allege that a “harrowing series of welfare abuses” have taken place at one of England’s oldest working trout farms in a tourist hotspot in the Cotswolds, including the participation of children in killing fish.Animal Equality UK, a charity that works to end cruelty to farmed animals, has released video footage that it claims shows fish being repeatedly beaten with batons, mishandled and left to suffocate by untrained members of the public including a child at Bibury trout farm in

Organisers say Sunday could see the largest pro-Palestine demonstration in Australia’s history, with rallies in 40 cities and townsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBrisbane has amassed the largest pro-Palestinian crowd in the city’s history, rally organisers say, as thousands march across Australia in a show of support for the Palestinian cause, days after famine was declared in Gaza for the first time.Official numbers were yet to be confirmed however Justice for Palestine Magan-djin spokesperson Remah Naji told Brisbane’s crowd on Sunday afternoon that it was “the biggest

No plan to alter concessional measures on retirees’ superannuation as part of tax reforms, Jim Chalmers saysRetirees still deserve concessional treatment on their superannuation, the treasurer says, despite mounting calls for an overhaul of the tax system.Jim Chalmers said fairness for younger generations needed to be considered as part of any change to taxes, after talks at the three-day productivity roundtable in Canberra. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/24/retirees-deserve-super-tax-breaks-treasurer-says-as-government-considers-how-to-give-younger-australians-fair-go Author : Australian Associated Press Publish date : 2025-08-24 01:33:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Follow all the day’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast‘Dam has burst’: Palestine support swells before marchAustralians in more than 40 cities are set to march for Palestine, in what organisers say would be one of the largest mobilisations in Australian history.That bridge march has generated so much momentum around the country.The dam has burst in terms of support for Palestine and opposition to this genocide. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/aug/24/australia-news-live-pro-palestine-marches-expected-to-attract-huge-turnout-after-declaration-of-famine-in-gaza-ntwnfb Author : Royce Kurmelovs Publish date : 2025-08-23 23:06:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

The Democratic nominee far outpaces former governor Andrew Cuomo and embattled incumbent Eric AdamsZohran Mamdani pulled in almost double the funds of his nearest rivals for New York City mayor between early July and mid-August, as the candidates prepare for the crucial post Labor Day push to the November poll.New York’s City’s campaign finance board said on Saturday that the democratic socialist, who won the Democratic party nomination in June against former state governor Andrew Cuomo, raised $1,051,200, with an average donation of $121 recorded equally from donors in and outside the state. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/23/zohran-mamdani-fundraising-new-york-city Author

Former Labour leader says Francesca Albanese to take part in event seeking answers over UK’s ‘role in war crimes’A UN special rapporteur will contribute to a two-day “tribunal” being held by Jeremy Corbyn into Britain’s “role in war crimes perpetrated in Gaza”, the former Labour leader has said.Corbyn, who is campaigning for a new political entity with the working title Your Party, said the event would take place in early September. His private member’s bill for an official inquiry into UK involvement in the Israel-Gaza war was blocked by the government at its second reading in July. Continue reading... Source

Counter-protests also taking place, with police separating rival groups in BristolProtesters have clashed with police as demonstrations against hotels housing asylum seekers began to take place across the UK.Demonstrations under the “Abolish Asylum System” slogan were being held in towns and cities across England, including Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Horley in Surrey and Canary Wharf in central London. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/23/police-clash-with-protesters-as-asylum-hotel-demos-take-place-across-uk Author : Jamie Grierson Publish date : 2025-08-23 15:12:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Pausing changes to Construction Code, establishment of ‘strike team’ within environment department and use of AI in planning among reformsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government has promised to cut red tape and fast-track environmental approvals for new homes in an effort to address Australia’s housing crisis.On Saturday, the government announced plans to pause further residential changes to the National Construction Code and to streamline the assessment of more than 26,000 homes under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/23/we-want-builders-on-site-not-filling-in-forms-albanese-government-cuts-red-tape-in-bid-to-boost-home-building Author : Petra Stock Publish date : 2025-08-23

‘While famine is confirmed in Gaza City, we have warehouses full of food waiting to be allowed in,’ UN agency for Palestinian refugees saysThe head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an urgent scale-up of evacuations from Gaza, warning that more than 15,600 patients remain in need of specialised care.In a post on X, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus thanked the UAE for supporting the latest evacuation of critically injured and sick patients but stressed that far more action is needed. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/aug/23/israel-gaza-famine-middle-east-latest-news-updates Author : Caolán Magee Publish date : 2025-08-23 10:35:00 Copyright

The map will now be sent to governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, who is expected to quickly sign it into lawThe Texas senate has given final approval to a redrawn congressional map that gives Republicans a chance to pick up as many as five congressional seats, fulfilling a brazen political request from Donald Trump to shore up the GOP’s standing before next year’s midterm elections.It will now be sent to governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, who is expected to quickly sign it into law, however Democrats have vowed to challenge it in court. The Texas house of representatives approved the

Former coalminers join fellow museum staff in strike over pay which is due to last until mid-September“Who’d have thought we’d be doing this again?” Arthur Scargill said earlier this week, raising a laugh from the ex-miners standing in the picket line outside the National Coal Mining Museum.Staff at the Wakefield museum, many of them former coalminers, have walked out in a dispute over pay, and were joined on Thursday by the now 87-year-old former leader of the National Union of Mineworkers. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/23/miners-from-1980s-strikes-return-to-picket-line-at-mining-museum Author : Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent Publish date : 2025-08-23 05:00:00

More than 40 passengers evaluated or treated at hospitals with injuries ranging from head trauma to broken arms and legsAt least five people, including a child, were killed after a tour bus carrying 51 people crashed in upstate New York on its way back from a trip to Niagra Falls on Friday.The passengers were initially trapped in the wreckage, according to law enforcement, and then admitted to hospitals in the region where more than 40 of them were evaluated or treated with injuries ranging from head trauma to broken arms and legs. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/22/new-york-bus-crash-niagara-falls Author :

Flames and a tower of smoke rose above an automotive supply company 50 miles north-east of Baton RougeAn explosion and fire Friday at an automotive supply company in southeast Louisiana sent flames into the air and a tower of thick black smoke billowing above rural communities, forcing nearby residents and an elementary school to evacuate.Officials said no injuries had been reported in the fire at Smitty’s Supply just north of the town of Roseland, but that everyone living within a one-mile (1.6km) radius must evacuate. Roseland, which is home to about 1,100 people, is roughly 50 miles (80km) north-east of

US justice department released transcripts of interview with Jeffrey Epstein associate – here’s what we have learnedThe US Department of Justice has released the transcript and audio recording of an interview conducted by Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, with the convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.The transcript is more than 300 pages long. Here’s what we know so far at a glance:Maxwell said that she “never” saw Donald Trump receive a massage. She also said that she “never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way,” adding that, whenever she saw the president, he was “a gentleman in

Interview with deputy attorney general Todd Blanche in July released by DoJ ‘in the interests of transparency’US politics – latest updatesThe US Department of Justice has released the transcript and audio recording of an interview conducted by deputy attorney general Todd Blanche with the convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.In a post on X, Blanche said the materials were being released “in the interest of transparency”, providing links to the transcript and to audio files. Continue reading... Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/22/ghislaine-maxwell-interview-transcript-justice-department Author : Joseph Gedeon in Washington Publish date : 2025-08-22 19:29:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Ex-workers said Musk failed to honor severance plan when he fired them after acquiring social media platform in 2022Elon Musk and his social media platform, X, reached a tentative settlement on Wednesday with former Twitter employees after a years-long legal battle over severance pay. Former staff had sought $500m in a proposed class action suit against the billionaire.A court filing released on Wednesday stated that both parties had reached a settlement agreement in principle and requested that a scheduled 17 September hearing in the case be postponed while they worked to finalize a deal. The filing did not disclose any

Security minister says Labour will close asylum hotels by the end of this parliament but it needs to be done ‘in a managed and ordered way’In an interview on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme on Friday, MSP Jeremy Balfour who has resigned from the Scottish Conservatives (see 9.13am BST), said he feels the party has “lost its way in Scotland” and “I don’t think it represents true Conservative values”.According to the PA news agency, when asked if Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay is the right person for the job and whether he should stay in the post, he