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Transcripts reveal billionaire Ted Waitt’s relationship with Epstein accomplice and $7.2m breakup payoutSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Ted Waitt, the billionaire cofounder of the Gateway computer company, told lawmakers during a closed-door interview that he was in a romantic relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell from 2004 to 2010, but said that “if I knew then what I know now about Ms Maxwell, I never would’ve befriended her or allowed her to be around my four children”, according to a transcript of his testimony released by the House oversight and reform committee.“I never would’ve spent six years in a romantic relationship with her,” Waitt said in his opening statement before the committee on 30 April, according to the transcript released on Wednesday. His testimony provided new details about his relationship with Maxwell, and he also disputed Maxwell’s previous statements that their relationship ended after a mysterious blackmail attempt related to Epstein’s civil cases. Continue reading...

However, Tate Reeves said he expects to redraw state’s four congressional districts before the 2027 electionsOn Wednesday morning, Mississippi’s governor, Tate Reeves, said that he is canceling a special legislative session that was scheduled to redraw the state’s supreme court districts next week. However, Reeves, a Republican, noted that he does expect the state to redraw its four congressional districts at some point in the near future.Reeves, in an appearance on SuperTalk radio, a conservative talk radio network, also said that it would be difficult for the state to redraw the congressional districts in the Republicans favor in time for the upcoming midterm elections, slated for November. Doing so might also hurt Republicans in congressional races. Continue reading...

• Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pushing legislation to establish the country's first centralized intelligence agency since World War II, transforming the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO) into a hub for analysts, technologists, and operatives amid rising espionage and cyberthreats from China and Russia. • The FBI has endorsed the plan, with officials signaling US support for Tokyo on cybersecurity, counter-intelligence, espionage, and counterterrorism, addressing Japan's fragmented intelligence setup. • The agency could become operational as early as July 2026 pending House of Councillors approval, starting with approximately 700 staff expected to grow rapidly by integrating government and private sector talent.

Tuesday’s question time seemed more suited to prime time; full of sordid allegations, only the cast seems far less likableFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQuestion time in the Queensland parliament is not a ratings juggernaut.Nielsen doesn’t publish ratings data about the live stream from Brisbane’s George Street, but one imagines the numbers of voters tuning in to watch our state politicians flagellate on a weekday morning are relatively low: a handful of politics nerds and the odd journo who prefers to work from home. Continue reading...

Marat Ganiev will instead be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice over death of 19-year-old whose body was found in tipFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastProsecutors have withdrawn a manslaughter charge against a man who had been accused of killing a 19-year-old woman and hiding her body in a fridge.Marat Ganiev, 55, was accused of killing Isla Bell in the early hours of 7 October 2024, before hiding her body in a fridge. Continue reading...

• California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking state legislators to pass ambitious climate and energy legislation with a week remaining before they return to Sacramento to begin formal sessions. • The governor's package reportedly includes provisions for accelerating renewable energy adoption, addressing power grid resilience, and meeting state climate commitments. • Newsom faces significant pressure to demonstrate climate leadership as California confronts energy challenges linked to conflict-related oil market disruptions.

• Tensions between House and Senate Republicans are escalating, directly threatening the party's unified legislative agenda. • Divisions center on key bills, with high animosity stalling progress on spending, taxes, and reforms. • The rift matters as it weakens GOP messaging and momentum heading into critical 2026 midterms.