Latest news with #UnitedStatesJusticeDepartment
SBS Australia
5 days ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Australia, UK to sign 50-year defence pact
Australia, UK to sign 50-year AUKUS agreement tomorrow Prime Minister's strongest words yet on Gaza Alex de Minaur through to Washington Open quarterfinals Defence Minister Richard Marles has celebrated Australia's relationship with the United Kingdom ahead of an historic treaty signing. The two countries are on the cusp of signing a 50-year defence treaty underpinning the AUKUS nuclear submarine program, with Defence and Foreign Ministers from both countries meeting in Sydney. While the AUKUS partnership involves the US, UK and Australia, the treaty is between the latter two nations, as the Trump administration continues its review of the pact. Mr Marles says the treaty will be signed tomorrow. "Today we are on the brink of concluding a treaty between our two countries in respect of AUKUS and Australia acquiring a nuclear submarine capability. It's as significant a treaty as has been signed between our two countries since federation and tomorrow will be the honour of John and I to put our signatures to this treaty." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Gaza in the grips of a humanitarian catastrophe, condemning Israel for restricting aid to Gaza and killing civilians, including children. In a new statement Mr Albanese says, "The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears." He reaffirmed the government's commitment to an eventual two state solution but has not revealed when Australia will move to recognise a Palestinian state. It follows a pledge from French President Emmanuel Macron today to recognise the State of Palestine at a UN General Assembly in September. A state MP has been found guilty of sexually abusing two young men - including a teenager - after inviting them to his house and supplying them with drinks. Kiama MP Gareth Ward has stood trial in the New South Wales District Court after pleading not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and indecent assault charges. He was accused of indecently assaulting a drunk 18-year-old man at his South Coast home in February 2013. Two years later, the long-time MP allegedly sexually assaulted an intoxicated political staffer after an event at New South Wales Parliament House in 2015. After deliberating for two-and-a-half days, the jury on Friday returned unanimous verdicts of guilty on all counts. Ward, who has denied all allegations against him, will return to court later this year to be sentenced. The United States Justice Department has met with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The meeting between Maxwell and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is part of a Justice Department effort to cast itself as transparent, following backlash over President Donald Trump's refusal to release additional Epstein records. Maxwell was convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 awaiting trial. Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney, David Oscar Markus, says it was a lengthy conversation. "We're not going to comment on the substance, but there were a lot of questions, and we went all day and she answered every one of them. She never said, 'I'm not going answer,' never declined. You know, this is the first time the government has asked questions, so we were thankful that the deputy attorney general came and asked her questions." Asked if his client could potentially receive a pardon or see her prison term reduced, the lawyer said that they haven't been given any promises of a deal yet. If you or someone you know wants to talk about sexual assault or harassment, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit In an emergency, call 000. In tennis, Alex de Minaur has fired up to reach his first A-T-P quarter-final in more than three months and matched a milestone of Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. Seventh-seeded de Minaur out-gunned Czech player Jiri Lehecka 7-6 6-7 6-4 to power into the last eight at the Washington Open, the scene of the Australian's first ATP 500 final in 2018. De Minaur's returns yielded three breaks while he also served eight aces in a tight encounter lasting two- and three-quarter hours. He finished the match with a perfect service game, as seen on Tennis TV. "De Minaur with three more opportunities. And he closes it out in style. Unblemished to get the final hold and Alex de Minaur returns to the quarter-finals in Washington D-C for the first time since he reached the final in 2018." With his 39th ATP 500 victory since the start of 2023, de Minaur has tied Alcaraz for the most wins at that level during that period.
Bangkok Post
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Justice Dept sues California over transgender athletes
WASHINGTON — The United States Justice Department filed a lawsuit against California on Wednesday for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. Female student athletes in California are being subjected to "unfair competition and reckless endangerment by male participation on female high-school sports teams," the department said. The lawsuit accuses California of violating Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. The Justice Department suit is the latest salvo in a showdown between the administration of Republican President Donald Trump and the Democratic-ruled state. Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles last month to quell protests against roundups of undocumented migrants by federal agents. California Governor Gavin Newsom has said the troops were not necessary to address the mostly peaceful protests, but his legal efforts to have them removed have failed so far. Trump threatened last month to impose "large scale" fines against California after a transgender high school athlete's victory at the state track and field championships. The Justice Department suit accuses the California Department of Education and California Interscholastic Federation of engaging in "illegal sex discrimination against female student athletes by allowing males to compete against them." "The Governor of California has previously admitted that it is 'deeply unfair' to force women and girls to compete with men and boys in competitive sports," Attorney General Pam Bondi said. "But not only is it 'deeply unfair,' it is also illegal under federal law." The Justice Department sued Maine in April for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports, and the Trump administration has moved to cut the northeastern state's federal funding for public schools. The Supreme Court agreed earlier this month to hear cases next term challenging state laws in Idaho and West Virginia banning transgender athletes from female competitions. More than two dozen US states have passed laws in recent years barring athletes who were assigned male at birth from taking part in girls or women's sports.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Makes Final Legal Decision on Boeing
On Friday, May 23, the United States Justice Department announced it reached a deal with Boeing for allegedly misleading U.S. regulators about its 737 Max airplane before two crashes five months apart that killed 346 people. Under the non-prosecution agreement, Boeing will have to 'pay or invest' more than $1.1 billion, the DOJ said in its filing in federal court in Texas on Friday, including a $487.2 million criminal fine, though $243.6 million it already paid in an earlier agreement would be credited. It also includes $444.5 million for a new fund for crash victims, and $445 million more on compliance, safety and quality programs, according to CNBC. 'Ultimately, in applying the facts, the law, and Department policy, we are confident that this resolution is the most just outcome with practical benefits,' a Justice Department spokesperson said in a statement, via the Associated Press. 'Nothing will diminish the victims' losses, but this resolution holds Boeing financially accountable, provides finality and compensation for the families and makes an impact for the safety of future air travelers.' The airplane manufacturing giant was accused of misleading the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its new software system called MCAS that could turn the plane's nose down without inputs from pilots. In the two accidents that killed 346 people, a faulty reading from a sensor pushed the nose of the plane down and pilots were not able to regain control of the aircraft. Following the second crash, Max aircraft were grounded worldwide until Boeing redesigned MCAS. In 2024, prosecutors said Boeing violated the terms of the 2021 agreement by failing to make promised changes to detect and prevent violations of federal anti-fraud laws. That decision came after a door panel blew off of a nearly new 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines on Jan. 5, 2024, after the aircraft left Boeing's factory without key bolts installed.U.S. Makes Final Legal Decision on Boeing first appeared on Men's Journal on May 23, 2025
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Felon in Wisconsin sentenced to 78 months for gun possession, strangled partner to prevent 911 call
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin Timothy M. O'Shea announced on Tuesday that a 23-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison on an illegal firearm possession charge. According to the release, U.S. District Judge William M. Conley sentenced Donald Spivey Jr. of Madison after a guilty plea on December 18, 2024. Former Green Bay tennis coach convicted of child enticement, sexual exploitation after no contest plea, sentencing in May On July 15, 2024, Spivey Jr. abused his partner following her kicking him out of the house, during the incident, he strangled her and grabbed her phone to stop her from calling police. He also pointed a gun at her and stole a Glock 19 nine-millimeter from her. Police found him two days later sleeping in a stolen Jeep, and subsequently tried to bring him into custody. Spivey Jr. drove away, forcing officers to jump out of the way, and he led them on a pursuit at speeds reaching 115 miles per hour; however, he crashed, rolling the vehicle into landing on top of two parked cars as he tried to flee. Through the assistance of a K9 unit, officers were able to bring him under arrest, and found the victim's stolen Glock 19 nine-millimeter along his path near the stolen vehicle. Officers also located a Glock 20 10 millimeter handgun, equipped with a machine gun conversion device in the Jeep. As Spivey Jr. is a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from legally owning any firearms, and owning a machine gun conversion device, or 'switch,' is also illegal, as it is considered a machine gun, converting handguns to fully automatic. Judge Conley noted at sentencing that Spivey Jr.'s criminal history began in his youth, including assaults he committed against the two mothers of his children, where he shot at them. He had already spent time in prison and was currently on state supervision, and he once again committed acts of domestic violence. Wisconsin man gets three years in prison for attempts to distribute cocaine Judge Conley concluded the sentencing, noting Spivey Jr. is a 'danger to society.' The case was brought forth partially through Project Safe Neighborhoods, a United States Justice Department program to reduce violent crime. No additional details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newest federal immigration court opens in Indianapolis
The country's newest federal immigration court officially opened its doors in Indianapolis earlier this week, after first being announced in 2022. Before Monday, most Indiana-based cases were funneled through Chicago's Immigration Court, but now seven judges will have federal dockets in the Hoosier State. Over the years, Chicago's court saw a rise in Indiana-based cases, which ultimately led to the Executive Office for Immigration Review opening this new court. The new court is in downtown Indianapolis inside the Minton-Capehart Federal Building, at 575 North Pennsylvania St., in Suite 600. The seven judges placed in Indiana's court are Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Robert P. Driscoll, Judge Sarjo Barrow, Judge Scott Bratton, Judge Valerie Burch, Judge Daniel Conklin, Judge Jane Miller, and Judge Scott Thomsen, according to the United States Justice Department's website. By the end of 2024, U.S. immigration courts had approximately 3.6 million pending deportation cases, with the Illinois court having 281,937 pending cases, according to a database published by the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving the criminal legal and immigration systems. For people who may have had a case pending in the Chicago immigration court and are unsure if their case has been moved to Indiana, they can check online at the Executive Office for Immigration Review's automated case information system at The Indiana Immigration Court will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@ follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Newest federal immigration court opens in downtown Indianapolis
