Podcasts about us justice department

Sussan Ley has formally quit parliament, two weeks after being ousted from the Liberal Party’s top job; Human remains found in a remote wilderness area have been provisionally identified as those of a Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer, who disappeared without a trace more than two years ago; The US Justice Department says it's looking into whether it improperly withheld Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, after several news organisations reported some records of a woman's accusations against President Donald Trump weren’t released; Streaming service Netflix has declined to raise its offer to buy Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming business; and Pink has hit at back at incorrect reports she split from her husband of 20 years, Carey Hart. THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Host: Ailish Delaney Audio Producer: Lu Hill Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Justice Department buried some Epstein files which included allegations that President Donald Trump sexually abused a minor, according to an investigation by NPR.This comes despite Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche telling Congress that no Epstein records were withheld or redacted “on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.”Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

UK police are evaluating information regarding private flights linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Reports claim Epstein used London's Stansted Airport to fly women in and out of the UK - according to the new release from the US Justice Department. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's been multiple reported incidents of alleged victims being flown through the airport. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ex-Prince Andrew was the tip of the iceberg. The latest trove of Epstein files reveals new details about former UK envoy Peter Mandelson's ‘best pal’ relationship with the convicted sex offender that have pushed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour into a new crisis. Is this the scandal that defines Labour? In this episode: Kieran Andrieu (@kieran_andrieu) Political Economist and Novara Media contributor Episode credits: This episode was produced by Melanie Marich, with Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe Li, Spencer Cline, Maya Hamadeh, Tuleen Barakat, Sonia Bhagat and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:1) President Trump’s tariff policies suffered their strongest political blow yet with the Republican-led US House passing legislation aimed at ending the president’s levies on Canadian imports. Wednesday’s vote represents an increase in political pressure to change course on Trump’s signature economic policy just months before the midterm elections, including by forcing swing-district Republicans affected by the tariffs to weigh when or if to cross the president by voting against his agenda. The vote also signals a growing anxiety over the White House’s economic agenda before elections that are expected to focus heavily on affordability. Democrats were quick to attack the Republicans who voted to protect the tariffs, blaming them for shielding policies that increase the cost of living for their voters. While Trump is almost certain to veto any bill calling for a repeal of his tariff agenda, making it unlikely the measure will ever become law, defections from six Republicans alongside opposition from nearly all Democrats underscore his increasingly tenuous hold on the narrow House majority.2) Republicans advanced voter ID legislation over the opposition of most Democrats Wednesday as House GOP leaders seek to convince their Senate counterparts to muscle through the bill. Conservatives are touting the measure, which the House passed by 218-213, as necessary to beef up election security ahead of the November midterms and 2028 presidential race. Most Democrats oppose the legislation, dubbed the SAVE America Act, and argue it would amount to voter suppression, especially for marginalized groups. The bill faces steep obstacles in the Senate, where GOP leaders would need 60 votes to overcome the legislative filibuster. House Republicans are urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to change Senate rules to advance the bill, but the measure’s House backers are also looking at opportunities to tack it onto must-pass bills.3) Democratic lawmakers accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of using the US Justice Department to target enemies of President Donald Trump and bungling the release of files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery hearing Wednesday. “You’ve turned the people’s Department of Justice into Trump’s instrument of revenge,” said Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee in Washington. “Trump orders up prosecutions like pizza. And you deliver every time.” Raskin cited Justice Department probes of former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James and six members of Congress who recorded a video urging military service members to refuse unlawful orders. Prosecutors failed to get grand jury indictments of Comey and James, and the New York Times reported Tuesday that the department also failed to secure indictments of the lawmakers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your day.On today's podcast:(1) Democratic lawmakers accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of using the US Justice Department to target enemies of President Donald Trump and bungling the release of files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery hearing Wednesday.(2) Donald Trump’s tariff policies suffered their strongest political blow yet with the Republican-led US House passing legislation aimed at ending the president’s levies on Canadian imports.(3) The British Prime Minister has labelled comments on immigration made by Manchester United's Co-Owner Jim Ratcliffe as 'offensive and wrong'. A spokesperson for Number 10 also called on the billionaire boss of Ineos Chemicals to apologise for the remarks made during an interview with Sky News. During the conversation Ratcliffe said the UK couldn't sustain its current population growth.(4) French President Emmanuel Macron returned to his “Made in Europe” push on the eve of a key European Union meeting, putting him at odds with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over how best to tackle Europe’s economic woes.(5) WhatsApp said Russia’s government has moved to “fully block” its popular encrypted messaging service in the country as part of an effort to drive adoption of a new, state-sponsored app.Podcast Conversation: In Defense of Fakes: A ProvocationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your dayOn today's podcast:(1) Democratic lawmakers accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of using the US Justice Department to target enemies of President Donald Trump and bungling the release of files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery hearing Wednesday.(2) Donald Trump’s tariff policies suffered their strongest political blow yet with the Republican-led US House passing legislation aimed at ending the president’s levies on Canadian imports.(3) The UK economy grew less than forecast in the fourth quarter as business investment shrank and services stagnated, adding to pressure on embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (4) Nuveen is buying Schroders Plc in a £9.9 billion ($13.5 billion) deal, creating one of the world’s largest active asset managers with nearly $2.5 trillion of assets.(5) French President Emmanuel Macron returned to his “Made in Europe” push on the eve of a key European Union meeting, putting him at odds with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over how best to tackle Europe’s economic woes.Podcast Conversation: In Defense of Fakes: A ProvocationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your morning briefing. All the news you need to start your dayOn today's podcast: (1) At least 10 people are dead and 25 injured after a mass shooting in northeastern British Columbia, according to the police. The shootings were Canada's deadliest rampage since 2020. (2) European Union leaders are finally ready to unify their markets to compete globally, European Council President Antonio Costa said, arguing that the fracturing world order is driving the continent to act. (3) The European Parliament is moving closer to approving a trade deal with the US after senior lawmakers agreed to make some changes ahead of a vote planned this month. (4) Russia’s crude shipments are holding steady in the face of mounting pressures on its critical oil trade, but the steeper discounts that are keeping the barrels flowing have hammered the Kremlin’s revenues. (5) Kimbal Musk, a longtime director at Tesla and the brother of Elon Musk, was connected with at least two women through Jeffrey Epstein several years after the disgraced financier pleaded guilty to sex crimes, emails released by the US Justice Department show. (6) Poland has never been more prosperous or more influential since regaining its independence as a sovereign state a little over a century ago. Data compiled by Bloomberg show that companies from Poland announced 22 acquisitions in Western Europe last year, the highest number on record, and another four are in the works this year. Podcast Conversation: Young Car Collectors Snap Up the Classics They Idolized as TeensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

① Hong Kong's high court has sentenced Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison. Why does he deserve it? (00:56) ② The US Justice Department is under scrutiny for revealing information about many of Jeffrey Epstein's victims and concealing the details of individuals who may have aided the convicted sex offender. What systemic problem is it pointing to? (13:48) ③ Canada has announced a new EV strategy, stressing the importance of a strategic partnership with China. How big is the room for China-Canada EV cooperation? (24:54) ④ Israel's president is in Australia to mourn the deaths of last year's anti-Semitic attack at Bondi Beach. Many Australians have protested against his visit, condemning Israel's military actions in Gaza. How is fury over Gaza dividing Australians? (34:14) ⑤ Saudi Arabia has announced a major investment package in Syria spanning energy, aviation, real estate, and telecommunications. What are Riyadh's economic and strategic considerations? (44:22)

Are you enjoying this? Are you not? Tell us what to do more of, and what you'd like to hear less of. The Reykjavík Grapevine's Iceland Roundup brings you the top news with a healthy dash of local views. In this episode, Grapevine publisher Jón Trausti Sigurðarson is joined by guest host Ólafur Jóhann Sigurðsson, and Grapevine friend and contributor Sindri Eldon to roundup the stories making headlines in recent weeks. On the docket this week are: Handball, Handball, HandballThe European Men's Handball Championship took place during the last two weeks of January in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, with the final matches being played in Herning, Denmark. The whole of Iceland seems to have been watching, with local media publishing pictures of empty Reykjavík streets during televised broadcasts of the Icelandic team playing. Iceland came 4th overall, loosing to Croatia in a match for the third place. Icelanders In The Epstein FliesThe latest batch of Epstein files released by the US Justice Department, led to some newsprint being spent on the few Icelanders that appeared there, such as former First Lady Dorrit Moussaieff, her husband former president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former CEO of DeCode Genetics, Kári Stefánsson, and cab driver Kristján Jón Karlsson. As far as we know, non of these Icelanders had any real ties with Epstein.Iceland's Laufey Wins A GrammyLaufey Lín Jónsdóttir, the Icelandic musician and singer, took home her second Grammy for her latest LP A Matter of Time. The also received an Emmy for her 2024 album Bewitched. Gas Prices & InflationInflation in Iceland is now at 5,2%, which is “too damn high”. This may have the result of nullifying recent collective bargaining agreements, which in turn might tip the generally fragile Icelandic economy into turmoil.Iceland's New Defense Policy.Icelands new defense policy was published last week, being immediately criticized for not taking into account the ongoing changes to the global world order. And what is the defense policy you may ask? It's the same as the old defense policy, basically non-existent.Tesla's Fail To Pass InspectionsThe 2021 model of Tesla's are now due for their first law stipulated inspections, which they've been failing, specifically the Y model, of which 30% didn't pass inspection in Iceland, whereas in Denmark 45% of that type of Teslas didn't pass.Support the show------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SHOW SUPPORTSupport the Grapevine's reporting by becoming a member of our High Five Club: https://grapevine.is/high-five-club/Or donate to the Grapevine here:https://support.grapevine.isYou can also support the Grapevine by shopping in our online store:https://shop.grapevine.is------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a Reykjavík Grapevine podcast.The Reykjavík Grapevine is a free alternative magazine in English published 18 times per year, biweekly during the spring and summer, and monthly during the autumn and winter. The magazine covers everything Iceland-related, with a special focus culture, music, food and travel. The Reykjavík Grapevine's goal is to serve as a trustworthy and reliable source of information for those living in Iceland, visiting Iceland or interested in Iceland. Thanks to our dedicated readership and excellent distribution network, the Reykjavík Grapevine is Iceland's most read English-language publication. You may not agree with what we write or publish, but at least it's not sponsored content.www.grapevine.is

We're talking about the final release of the Epstein files today. Three million pages, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos were posted by the US Justice Department last week. Apparently, if you piled them on top of each other, it would be twice as high as the Eiffel Tower! It can all get a bit overwhelming about what and who exactly is in them. But that's what we're gonna explain in this episode.Some of the names include: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Donald Trump, Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. Being named in the documents does not mean you're guilty of any wrongdoing and those named have denied any knowledge of what Jeffrey Epstein was doing.To get more background, listen to our episode on Epstein from before the files were released: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct73xnInstagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates Editor: Verity Wilde

On Friday, the US Justice Department released millions of pages of the Epstein files.Dan Neidle, journalist and tax lawyer, used his investigative skills to uncover some of the most controversial details. In particular, damning emails suggesting ex-Labour business secretary Peter Mandelson shared highly sensitive UK government tax plans with Jeffrey Epstein. Dan joins Oli Dugmore to discuss.SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2LISTEN AD-FREE:

Sussan Ley praises 'constructive' talks with Nationals leader David Littleproud; the US Justice Department says it's taken down thousands of documents inadvertently including victim-identifying information; and in tennis, two mothers feature in the Top 10 for first time in rankings history.

On January 3rd, 2026 the United States of America military, under orders from Donald Trump, captured and kidnapped Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores. Despite Maduro's and Flores' indictments from the US Justice Department, accusing them of narco-terrorism conspiracy, this act was, according to many observers, a clear violation of international law. The Trump administration didn't seem to care too much about that. Despite some vague attempts to provide a legal justification for its actions, Stephen Miller, The White House deputy chief of staff for policy, said he had little regard for what he termed “international niceties”: “We live in a world, in the real world…that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power…These are the iron laws of the world since the beginning of time.”These words echo how a particular philosophy of international relations called “realism” has been understanding the world, long before Donald Trump came to office. For realists, what the US did in Venezuela is not too different to what the US has always done (not just in South America, but also in Iraq and Afghanistan), only this time any pretence of morality or legality has been, more or less, dropped, in favour of brandishing brute force and naked self-interest.  So, was international law always just a thin veil of justification for the exercise of brute force? Or are Trump's actions a departure from a more civilised world in which even the most powerful states were constrained by international legal norms. Linda Kinstler is a Junior Fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows and a scholar of legal and intellectual history. Her first book, Come to This Court & Cry (Public Affairs, 2022) won a Whiting Award in Non-Fiction and was shortlisted for the Wingate Prize for Jewish Literature. She is also a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and frequently writes for the New York Review of Books, the London Review of Books, The Atlantic, and elsewhere. Her essay The Theory That Gives Trump a Blank Check for Aggression will form the basis of our conversation.If you enjoyed the episode, please leave us a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts.This podcast is created in partnership with The Philosopher, the UK's longest running public philosophy journalm founded in 1923. Check out the latest issue of The Philosopher and its online events series: https://www.thephilosopher1923.org Artwork by Nick HallidayMusic by Rowan Mcilvride

Topics: Condolence to Catherine O'Hara (7:26) Don Lemon gets arrested for being at a church-protest interruption (12:09) Minnesota could look into the death of Alex Pretti (20:45) US Justice Department releases more Epstein files (29:00) Trump sues IRS & Treasury Department for $10 Billion (33:57) Luigi Mangione update (43:03) Coco Gauff caught backstage breaking her racket (47:03)  Entertainment News (53:43)   Ending Music: Kanye West – Jesus Lord (Instrumental) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Twitter: @My2Podcast Instagram: my2centspodcastg2 YouTube: My2CentsPodcast Business email: my2centspod@yahoo.com

The US Justice Department releases millions more pages of files in its Epstein investigation. Victims of the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, have promised to fight on, after they accused the US Department of Justice of protecting abusers. Also: Mexico's president warns that US tariffs on countries helping Cuba could trigger a humanitarian crisis. Claudia Sheinbaum's comments come after President Trump signed an executive order threatening additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. Iran's foreign minister insists his country is ready to discuss its nuclear programme with the US. Anti-ICE protests take place across the US following fatal shootings in Minneapolis. We look back at the life of the Emmy-winning actress, comedian and screenwriter Catherine O'Hara who has died at the age of 71. And, Bridgerton season four is on our screens. The Regency era drama is number 1 on the streaming platform, Netflix.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

The United States Department of Justice has released 3 million pages of documents as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The latest release is the largest to date and includes emails, 2,000 videos, and over 180,000 images. What do we know so far?Also in the programme: who is Kevin Warsh, the man appointed by Donald Trump as next chair of the Federal Reserve? And Nigerian musician Fela Kuti becomes the first African artist to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys.(Photo: Jeffrey Epstein in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry in 2017, Credit: New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services sex offender registry)

The US Department of Justice has released more than three million new documents relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Also: President Trump has nominated a conservative Wall Street veteran to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. And in tennis, Novak Djokovic has become the oldest men's finalist at the Australian Open in the professional era.

29 Jan 2026. The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates on hold, as expected and the UAE Central Bank has followed suit, despite renewed pressure from President Trump for lower borrowing costs. Economist Daniel Richards explains what it means for the region. Plus, with gold prices at record levels, we get a first look at the World Gold Council’s annual report and where the yellow metal could be headed. And Emirates is reviving a luxury icon, investing $50 million to transform Wolgan Valley into the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Tom speaks to Emirates’ Barry Brown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quebec's premier resigned abruptly today; we'll find out what that means for the upcoming provincial election -- and the prospect of yet another Parti Quebecois-initiated referendum on independence. Several top prosecutors resign over the US Justice Department's refusal to investigate the ICE agent who killed Renee Good. We'll hear from a veteran of the department who quit last year to apply pressure from the outside. Months before Rosa Parks, and at just 15 years old, the late Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus; a close friend honours a quiet hero of the civil rights movement. Today's big White House meeting does not seem to have diminished Donald Trump's troubling yearning for Greenland -- but the government of Denmark is still very keen on dissuading the president. Health inspectors give a Michelin-starred restaurant in Wales a one-star rating for hygiene -- but the chef says the grossness is grossly exaggerated. A biologist introduces us to the sea lions in the Galapagos Islands known as "supersucklers" -- which, as you may have already figured out, are called that because they milk their mothers for all they're worth. As It Happens, the Wednesday edition. Radio that takes you on an uncomfortable stroll down mammary lane.

Criticism has been pouring in from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, former Fed chairs and top officials after the US Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell. After Powell described the move as retaliation against the Fed for not lowering interest rates as quickly as US President Donald Trump wanted, concern over the central bank's independence pushed prices of safe-haven assets like gold and silver higher.  

On today's podcast:1) The US Justice Department released another tranche of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, including some that add fresh pressure on President Trump over his past relationship with the late, disgraced financier. The trove includes thousands of additional pages of material related to investigations of Epstein, including a 2020 email from a prosecutor that contains new detail about Trump’s trips on Epstein’s private jet in the 1990s, which the president has said never took place. There are also fresh details on Epstein’s relationships with financial firms and figures.2) The US Supreme Court has refused to let President Trump start deploying National Guard troops in Chicago, dealing a setback to his drive to use the military in liberal cities across the country. Rejecting a Trump request in a 6-3 decision, the court on Tuesday left in force a judge’s ruling that has blocked the deployment since Oct. 9. The president wanted to use hundreds of troops to aid immigration enforcement in the third-largest US city. The court said the legal provision Trump sought to invoke probably doesn’t permit deployment of the National Guard in situations where the president wouldn’t have authority to send in active-duty military. The court said that under federal law, the president can deploy the armed forces to help execute the laws only in “exceptional” circumstances.3) A federal judge says the Trump administration can move ahead with a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, providing a setback for US technology companies that rely on hiring skilled foreign workers. US District Judge Beryl Howell said in a ruling Tuesday that President Trump’s move to radically increase the cost of the popular visa is lawful. The decision provides a boost to the administration’s campaign to restrict immigration and push demand for US workers. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which sued to block the proposal, can appeal. Howell rejected the Chamber’s argument that the president doesn’t have the power to impose the fee, finding that his proclamation was issued under “an express statutory grant of authority to the President.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's podcast:1) The US’s pursuit of a third oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela has intensified a blockade that the Trump administration hopes will cut off a vital economic lifeline for the country and isolate the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The US Coast Guard chased the US-sanctioned Bella 1 on Sunday as it was en route to Venezuela. It boarded Centuries, a ship owned by a Hong Kong-based entity, on Saturday — the first non-sanctioned vessel to be targeted. Another very large crude carrier, the Skipper, was intercepted on Dec. 10. The moves on three separate vessels represent the most concerted attempt to date to sever the financial links sustaining a government that Washington says is led by a drug-trafficking cartel, and one that it has also recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Maduro has so far withstood the onslaught, but the blockade is beginning to limit hard currency and to hurt an already battered economy.2) Democratic lawmakers said they plan to explore “all legal options” after the Justice Department announced it will not release all documents about the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein by the Friday deadline, threatening to prolong a high-stakes political fight as the midterm elections come into view. The US Justice Department released thousands of pages of pictures, phone records and notes from investigations into notorious sex offender on Friday, revealing new details about the late financier’s relationships with prominent business leaders and politicians. The department said more files will be released in coming weeks because the volume of material was too much to process by the Friday deadline set by Congress, sparking rebukes from many Democrats. The tranche included heavy redactions, a step intended to comply with the provisions of the law including protections for survivors and other accommodations.3) A Supreme Court ruling that scraps President Trump’s tariffs — and refunds the import fees collected — would create a major “administrative problem,” the president’s top economic adviser said Sunday. “We really expect the Supreme Court is going to find with us,” Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told CBS’s Face the Nation. Even if the court didn’t find in the Trump administration’s favor, Hassett argued it would be “pretty unlikely that they’re going to call for widespread refunds because it would be an administrative problem to get those refunds out there.” The Supreme Court is weighing a legal challenge to tariffs Trump imposed on dozens of nations under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Administration officials have drawn up options for reimposing import taxes in case of an adverse ruling, while publicly maintaining that a court defeat is unlikely.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of people gathered at Bondi Beach last night for a candlelight vigil, marking one week since a terror attack claimed fifteen lives; At least 16 files have disappeared from the US Justice Department’s public website less than a day after they were posted as part of a major document release related to Jeffrey Epstein; Academy Award winner Kate Winslet is once again speaking out, urging the film industry to embrace ageing rather than erase it. THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Host & Producer: Tahli BlackmanBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After months of political wrangling, parts of the long-awaited Epstein files have been released by the US Justice Department. The trove consists of thousands of documents related to the late sex-offender. Pictures include the former US President Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor - Britain's former prince, musicians Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. Being named or pictured in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing. The justice department did not release all existing files, and the published ones were heavily redacted, prompting frustrated reactions from survivors of Epstein's abuse.Also: the US carries out dozens of strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria. Anti-government youth protesters in South Korea are taking cues from the American right's MAGA movement. Italy announces a fee for tourists to visit the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Putin vows revenge on Ukraine after an oil tanker was blown up in the Mediterranean Sea. Palestinians tell the BBC they were sexually abused in Israeli prisons. And how a lost radio play by Tennessee Williams was found more than four decades after his death, and has now been heard for the first time.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

AP correspondent Donna Warder reports, Friday's release by the Justice Department of files related to Jeffrey Epstein is a disappointment for many.

The US justice department has released hundreds of thousands of highly anticipated documents related to Jeffrey Epstein ahead of a Congressional deadline. The issue divided the Republican Party after the department initially refused to publish the files, despite President Trump's campaign promises.   Also in the programme: President Putin says Russia is ready to end the conflict in Ukraine, but only on his terms; and a comet, that's only the third known interstellar object to enter our solar system, is making its closest approach to Earth.Photo: One of the Epstein files released today in Washington, DC USA Credit: US Department of Justice

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Bill of Rights Plaque, photo Davy Jones Brady United advocate discusses gun violence in wake of deadly Brown University mass shooting; Governor Newsom unveils “Phoenix” health information service based on scientific evidence, as alternative to federal health advice; Refuse Fascism movement holds protest near White House to deliver People's Indictment charging undemocratic practices; US Justice Department and California in court over GOP challenge to new congressional redistricting map; UN chief Guterres urges harnessing 3 “powerful forces for positive change”: young people, women and girls, and people of faith; December 15 is anniversary of Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791 The post Governor Newsom unveils “Phoenix” health information service as alternative to federal health advice; Brady United advocate discusses gun violence after Brown University mass shooting – December 15, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

This Day in Legal History: SCOTUS Intervenes in 2000 Presidential ElectionOn this day in legal history, December 9, 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court intervened in the presidential election with a pivotal order in Bush v. Gore. The Court issued a 5-4 decision to halt the manual recount of ballots in Florida, which had been ordered by the Florida Supreme Court due to the razor-thin margin between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The justices cited potential violations of the Equal Protection Clause, expressing concern that differing standards across counties for evaluating ballots could lead to unequal treatment of voters.The per curiam order did not decide the case outright but signaled deep skepticism about the recount process, effectively pausing it while the Court considered broader constitutional questions. This stay was the first significant sign that the nation's highest court might ultimately decide the outcome of the 2000 election. Three days later, the Court would issue its final ruling, effectively awarding Florida's 25 electoral votes to Bush and securing his presidency.The December 9 order was controversial not only for its impact on the election but for its constitutional implications. Critics argued the Court had overstepped by interfering in a state-managed election process, while supporters claimed it was necessary to ensure legal consistency and fairness. The episode raised enduring questions about the judiciary's role in democratic governance and electoral integrity.The Court's use of the Equal Protection Clause in this context was novel and has rarely been invoked in similar cases since. The justices themselves noted that the ruling was limited to the specific circumstances of the 2000 election. Nevertheless, the decision left a lasting mark on American law and politics, serving as a stark example of how constitutional interpretation can intersect with high-stakes political conflict.The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a major challenge to federal campaign finance limits in a case involving Vice President JD Vance and two Republican political committees. The case targets restrictions on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates they support, with plaintiffs arguing that these limits violate the First Amendment's free speech protections. The legal challenge stems from a 2022 lawsuit filed while Vance was running for Senate in Ohio.At issue are “coordinated party expenditure limits” under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, which differentiates between independent spending (unlimited) and coordinated spending (restricted). The challengers argue that the current rules unconstitutionally restrict political speech by capping how much support a party can directly offer its candidates. In contrast, Roman Martinez, appointed by the Court to defend the law after the Trump-aligned FEC declined to do so, argues that without these limits, parties could act as loopholes for donors to evade individual contribution caps—raising corruption risks.A lower court upheld the law, citing a 2001 Supreme Court precedent, but the challengers now argue that subsequent changes in campaign finance law—especially since Citizens United—warrant a reassessment. Three Democratic campaign committees have joined the case to defend the law, represented by attorney Marc Elias. The outcome could significantly reshape the balance between campaign finance regulation and political speech, especially in high-stakes federal elections.US Supreme Court weighs challenge to campaign spending curbs in JD Vance case | ReutersMassachusetts is taking legal action to block Kalshi, a prediction-market platform, from allowing residents to bet on sports outcomes, arguing the company is operating as an unlicensed gambling business. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is seeking a preliminary injunction in state court to stop Kalshi's operations in Massachusetts, marking the first time a U.S. state has pursued a court order against the platform. At least nine other states have issued cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, but none have yet gone this far.Kalshi offers users the ability to buy “event contracts” on the outcomes of various occurrences—including sporting events—through a platform regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The company maintains that its activities are legal under federal law, claiming its contracts are financial derivatives (swaps), not wagers, and thus fall outside the scope of state gambling laws.Massachusetts disagrees, alleging that Kalshi is effectively offering sports betting to users, including individuals as young as 18—below the state's legal betting age of 21. The case highlights a growing tension between federal financial regulation and state-level gambling laws. Kalshi's position has already faced judicial setbacks: federal judges in Nevada and Maryland have ruled that state gambling laws apply to Kalshi's operations, though those decisions are under appeal. Meanwhile, the company has pending legal challenges against other states, including New York and Connecticut.Massachusetts seeks to block Kalshi from operating sports-prediction market | ReutersThe U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the Loudoun County School Board in Virginia, challenging its policy that allows transgender students to use locker rooms aligned with their gender identity. The DOJ claims the policy violates the constitutional rights of religious students who object to “gender ideology,” framing the case as a denial of equal protection rooted in religious freedom concerns. This lawsuit is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to roll back transgender-inclusive policies in schools, sports, and the military.The Loudoun County school board has maintained its gender policy despite federal pressure, citing prior court rulings supporting the rights of transgender students to use facilities aligned with their identity. Critics, including state officials, claim the school has retaliated against students and parents who objected to the policy, particularly in cases involving locker room complaints.The case represents a new front in an escalating legal and political campaign to police gender expression and access, using constitutional arguments around religion and sex-based rights to challenge trans inclusion in public spaces. This comes amid a broader moral panic over gender identity, echoing the structure and rhetoric of the 1980s satanic panic—but with even more tangible consequences, especially for already marginalized transgender youth. While the panic of that earlier era was rooted in fabricated threats, today's version is targeting real people, shaping policies that affect their education, safety, and public presence.US Justice Department sues Virginia school board over transgender use of locker rooms | ReutersIn my latest column for Bloomberg Tax, I argue that Texas' new sales tax sourcing rules expose the shaky logic behind decades of municipal incentives for fulfillment centers—and offer a timely reason to abandon the practice altogether. The recent revision to Rule 3.334 by the Texas Comptroller clarifies that a location must actively receive customer orders—not merely fulfill them—to count as a “place of business” for local tax purposes. That change has triggered a lawsuit from the City of Coppell and other Texas municipalities, who now stand to lose out on lucrative sales tax revenue tied to online commerce routed through local warehouses.But regardless of the lawsuit's outcome, I believe the real issue is the flawed economic development model these cities have been relying on. For years, under Chapter 380 agreements, municipalities handed out infrastructure upgrades and tax rebates to lure backend logistics operations with promises of rising sales tax revenue. Yet these facilities, often low-wage, temporary, and increasingly automated, were never a strong foundation for community growth. Their value was always tied to creative interpretations of tax code language—not meaningful employment or local investment.Now that the tax arbitrage game is falling apart, municipalities should see this as an opportunity to rethink their approach. I argue for redirecting public resources toward workforce development, technical training, and support for regionally rooted industries—investments that actually build capacity, not just capture transactional flows. If a city's financial health depends on how an e-commerce order is defined in the tax code, that's not economic development—it's dependence.Texas Sales Tax Sourcing Fight Is More Reason to Drop Incentives This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

President Trump has signed a bill that gives the US Justice Department thirty days to release its files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Some of the documents could be withheld or heavily redacted. Also: Silicon Valley's Nvidia sees record earnings amid AI boom; Israel conducts major airstrikes in Gaza despite ceasefire; FBI intensifies search for "modern day Pablo Escobar"; Colombia pushes ahead with controversial airstrikes on rebel groups; Ukrainian suspect faces extradition in Nord Stream investigation; the philanthropists filling the gap left by USAID withdrawal; and Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer goes under the hammer. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

The Epstein files are a vast cache of documents which include legal files, witness testimonies and flight logs, collected during an extensive US Justice Department investigation into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his now jailed associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein died in prison while awaiting trial having been charged with running a network of underage girls for sex.President Donald Trump could have released them to the public at any time – it was a presidential campaign promise of his – but he fought for months to stop lawmakers voting through a bipartisan petition to release the files.That finally happened on Tuesday – Trump issued “permission” to Republicans to vote in favour of the release. Hours later the Senate reached a unanimous agreement to pass the measure, which would clear it for the president's signature. He has said he will sign the release. But when might that happen? And what will be released? And why did he give up the fight to keep the files secret?Scott Lucas, political analyst and professor at UCD's Clinton Institute, explains.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This morning - New Zealand time - the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly - 427 to1- in favour of the Epstein Files Transparency ACT. That means the US Justice Department has to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. And while that all might feel a long way away from New Zealand, this is a story that seems to have gripped the world, so we wanted to know more. Washington DC correspondent Mitch McCann joins Jesse to discuss.

The Trump administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence" faces near-universal rejection from the nation's leading universities, even as the White House continues to look for takers. Hosts Mushtaq Gunja, Jon Fansmith, and Sarah Spreitzer unpack why the compact's demands are legally shaky and practically unworkable. Then they turn to UVA's separate civil rights settlement, what it signals for Title VI enforcement, and how DOJ's growing role is reshaping oversight. Also in this episode: the shutdown that isn't shutting down, deep cuts to the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights and TRIO programs, and  the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee.  Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:  The Trump Administration's Higher Education Compact  Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education White House   Statement by Higher Education Associations in Opposition to Trump Administration Compact   ACE | Oct. 17, 2025  How the Trump administration is pressuring universities to fall in line  NPR | Oct. 27, 2025  UVA  UVA reaches agreement with US Justice Department on outstanding compliance investigations  UVA Today  Government Shutdown and Higher Ed  Federal Judge Indefinitely Blocks Trump's Latest Layoffs  Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 29, 2025  H-1B Visas  Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers  White House | Sept. 19, 2025  ACE, Higher Ed Groups Warn New H-1B Policies Could Undermine U.S. Competitiveness   ACE | Oct. 27, 2025  Letter to DHS on H-1B Visa Fee Increase (PDF)  ACE | Oct. 23, 2025  Comments to DHS on the Proposed H-1B Lottery Rule (PDF)  ACE | Oct. 24, 2025  Higher Ed Institutions Raise Concerns About H-1B Visa Fee  Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 29, 2025  Higher Ed Groups Push for Colleges To Be Exempt From $100K H-1B Visa Fee  Higher Ed Dive | Oct. 29, 2025   

Last week, the US Justice Department published an indictment involving NBA stars and members of the mob for allegedly running a network of rigged gambling games. One of their rigging tactics was a manipulation of a Deckmate 2 automatic shuffling machine — almost identical to the one WIRED's Andy Greenberg and his hacking crew executed using the same machine. Mike and Lauren sit down with Andy Greenberg to break down how they hacked into the machine, and what the vulnerabilities behind it say about our tech devices at large.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In other news: Richmond approves a solar panel project in the East End; a debate with an AI-generated candidate; and some military members say they're not getting paid despite the Pentagon's efforts to move money during the shutdown.  Read more  UVA strikes deal to pause Trump DOJ investigations  Henrico unveils land-use proposal to Varina District residents  Eliza Monroe Hay: The true story behind James Monroe's eldest daughter  Note: VPM's Fall 2025 membership campaign is ongoing now through Oct. 31. Click or tap here to see our matching challenges.  Our award-winning work is made possible with your donations. Visit vpm.org/donate to support local journalism. 

Today on America in the MorningChicago's Guard Fight Two people in Chicago, including a woman who was shot by federal agents, are facing charges including ramming a vehicle into a Border Protection agent.  The White House says ongoing lawlessness is why it's deploying National Guard members to Chicago.  Correspondent Donna Warder reports Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says gangs and cartel members have placed bounties on the heads of ICE agents and law enforcement, but Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, speaking on CNN's State of the Union, blames ICE's enforcement methods for instilling fear in Chicago residents.   Newsom Suing WH Over Guard Deployment California Governor Gavin Newsom says he will sue the White House over efforts to send 300 California National Guard members to Oregon, calling the president's action “a breathtaking abuse of the law and power,” which comes after a federal judge on Saturday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying troops in Portland, an order that attorneys for the White House said they will appeal.  Correspondent Julie Walker reports.   Government Shutdown Day 7 Today begins Day 7 of the government shutdown, and there appears to have been little to no negotiating by Republicans and Democrats on how to open the government back up.  John Stolnis as the latest from Washington.   College Shooting One person was killed and another injured in what appears to have been two separate shootings over the weekend at South Carolina State University.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports the violence led to a campus-wide lockdown.  Bomb Arrest Outside DC Church There were tense moments outside a Washington, DC church on Sunday when police arrested a man for allegedly possessing an explosive device.    Back To Court For Abrego Garcia It appears that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will receive another day in court, this time to see if the government's charges were vindictive against him.  Correspondent Ed Donahue reports.      Cairo Peace Talks An American delegation led by top envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner has joined representatives from Qatar, Israel, Turkey, and Hamas in Cairo, Egypt where talks will happen today to enact a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all terrorist-held hostages.  The meeting comes as President Trump seemingly laid down the gauntlet to Hamas, saying on Truth Social, “Let's get this done fast.”  Correspondent Sam Mednick reports.   Alabama Mass Shooting Two people are dead and a dozen others are recovering from wounds after a chaotic mass shooting Saturday night in Montgomery Alabama. Correspondent Rich Johnson has more on a gruesome twist to this incident, and the hunt for the gunmen.   NJ & VA Governor's Races Gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia are intensifying, as the nation looks for a potential preview of next year's midterm elections.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   Tech News Apple has removed the Ice Agent reporting app "Ice Block" from their app store, over pressure from the US Justice Department.  Chuck Palm has that in today's tech report.     Finally   Latin music superstar Bad Bunny's performance on Saturday Night Live, and his upcoming feature at Super Bowl 60's halftime show, is raising eyebrows.  Entertainment reporter Kevin Carr reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The president's case against James Comey doesn't look very strong to outside legal observers. But even the most spurious accusation against the former head of the FBI would matter when it comes from the sitting president. Guest: Ankush Khardori, senior writer for POLITICO Magazine and former federal prosecutor in the US Justice Department. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The president's case against James Comey doesn't look very strong to outside legal observers. But even the most spurious accusation against the former head of the FBI would matter when it comes from the sitting president. Guest: Ankush Khardori, senior writer for POLITICO Magazine and former federal prosecutor in the US Justice Department. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The president's case against James Comey doesn't look very strong to outside legal observers. But even the most spurious accusation against the former head of the FBI would matter when it comes from the sitting president. Guest: Ankush Khardori, senior writer for POLITICO Magazine and former federal prosecutor in the US Justice Department. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Off the coast of Venezuela, a small armada of US navy warships and a fleet of fighter jets have struck several small boats, killing 17 people. The Trump administration says the boats were carrying drugs to the US; Venezuela says they were fishing vessels. But does President Trump really care about winning the war on drugs? Or is there another motive?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Jon Bonfiglio, journalist in Latin America. Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Micaela Arneson. Read more: Trump has Maduro in his sights. Will it mean war in the Caribbean?Clips: NBC News, Bloomberg News, Forbes Breaking News, Republic World, US Justice Department, Diario AS.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US Justice Department is nearing a decision on whether to charge the former FBI Director James Comey with perjury and has just days to do that. Sources familiar with the matter tell CNN that prosecutors are examining whether Comey made false statements to Congress during his 2020 testimony about his handling of the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The five-year statute of limitations on perjury charges is set to expire on Tuesday.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US president's pick Stephen Miran is nominated to serve as governor of the central bank. Will he cut interest rates?And, as the US Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into another Fed governor, is Donald Trump closer to controlling the US Central Bank?Also, we talk to a designer and founder of the Very Creative Agency in New York, who's gone viral on social media after hitting the thrift trip jackpot.Is it the end of the illegally streamed sport programmes? We look at the closure of Streameast - the world's largest illegal sports streaming site.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

SANDWICHED! It's the story on everyone's lips this week - an employee of the US Justice Department could be facing jail time after throwing a salami sandwich at a federal officer! Plus, Henry Winkler signs a coffin, skateboarder Tyshawn Jones was getting paid $84k a month to wear Supreme, car hits restaurant during influencer video, and more! Want to stay up to date with the podcast? Give us a follow on our social media platforms, and check out the video version of this show on YouTube in the links below! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ittakesallkindspodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ITAKPodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSQ1H-tYJrxroyz82ygvJoI9splHke-Ez 00:00 Intro 23:46 Henry Winkler signs a coffin 27:25 Tyshawn Jones sues Supreme 33:04 Car hits restaurant during influencer video 36:18 Man throws sandwich at federal officer 44:36 Clips of the Week 55:01 Carson Cinema Corner 1:00:27 Star Wars Trivia 1:03:35 Watcha Listening To? 1:14:12 Outro

Kilmar Abrego García, released from extrajudicial detention in El Salvador, now fights deportation to Uganda. Hundreds of the Venezuelans sent by the US to the Salvadoran prison gulag have now been returned to Venezuela in a prisoner swap. But El Salvador remains on the growing list of human rights offenders cultivated by the Trump regime as surrogate detention states. The Trump State Department's farcical "Human Rights Report" seeks to sanitize dictator Nayib Bukele's anti-crime police state. And adding to the Orwellian nature of the Trump-Bukele axis, the US Justice Department has dropped charges against MS-13 leaders who collaborated in the consolidation of the new Salvadoran dictatorship. In Episode 293 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg exposes the perverse charade. Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/countervortex Production by Chris Rywalt We ask listeners to donate just $1 per weekly podcast via Patreon -- or $2 for our new special offer! We now have 64 subscribers. If you appreciate our work, please become Number 65!

There’s lots of juicy stories in our monthly security news roundup. The Scattered Spider hacking group makes effective use of social engineering to target MSPs, Microsoft pushes for better Windows resiliency by rethinking kernel access policies for third-party endpoint security software, and the US Justice Department files indictments against alleged operators of laptop farms that... Read more »

There’s lots of juicy stories in our monthly security news roundup. The Scattered Spider hacking group makes effective use of social engineering to target MSPs, Microsoft pushes for better Windows resiliency by rethinking kernel access policies for third-party endpoint security software, and the US Justice Department files indictments against alleged operators of laptop farms that... Read more »

(July 08,2025)Heather Brooker and Neil Saavedra join Bill for Handel on the News. New flooding risks; death toll rises in Central Texas. Heavily armed immigration agents in L.A's MacArthur Park. Trump announces new tariffs of up to 40% on a growing number of countries. US Justice Department finds no Jeffrey Epstein ‘client list.'

A Mexican drug cartel spies on the FBI using traffic cameras and spyware — because "ubiquitous technical surveillance” is no longer just for dystopian thrillers. Graham digs into a chilling new US Justice Department report that shows how surveillance tech was weaponised to deadly effect.Meanwhile, Carole checks the rear-view mirror on the driverless car industry. Whatever happened to those million Tesla robotaxis Elon Musk promised by 2020? Spoiler: they're here — sort of — but they sometimes drive into oncoming traffic.Plus: Leighton House, heatwave survival gadgets, and an unflushable toilet situation (not what you think).All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.Episode links:Mexican drug cartel hacker spied on FBI official's phone to track and kill informants, report says - TechCrunch.Audit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Efforts to Mitigate the Effects of Ubiquitous Technical Surveillance - US Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.Tesla driver tells police he was using 'self-drive' system when his car hit a parked police vehicle - AP News.‘Lidar is lame': why Elon Musk's vision for a self-driving Tesla taxi faltered - The Guardian.Tesla invited influencers to test its robotaxi. Here's what they had to say - USA Today Europe.Elon Musk Hails 'Successful' Tesla Robotaxis Launch in Austin Amid Reported Glitches - eWEEK.A Fatal Tesla Crash Shows the Limits of Full Self-Driving - Bloomberg.The Arab Hall at Leighton House.Spandau Ballet's “Gold” - shot at Leighton House!Shark FlexBreeze Fan With InstaCool Mist Attachment - Shark.Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)Sponsored by:Vanta– Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!Trelica by 1Password- Access Governance for every SaaS app.

Democratic Congresswoman LaMonica McIver and a group of Antifa goons broke into an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey. During the ensuing scuffle Ms. McIver managed to land at least one Mostly Peaceful punch on a law enforcement officer and now the US Justice Department has decided to write a strongly worded let— wait, WHAT?! The DOJ is PRESSING CHARGES? And we think to ourselves, ‘what a wonderful world…'

Some of the nation's biggest law firms have found themselves in Trump's crosshairs and have pledged pro-bono legal service to maintain their security clearances and access to government buildings. Others, however, are trying to fight back. Guest: Ankush Khardori, attorney and former federal prosecutor in the US Justice Department. Want more What Next? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to What Next and all your  other favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Ethan Oberman, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices