Charles Perrottet has begun giving evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) about secret payments and political actions linked to a developer, Jean Nassif, who is now a fugitive. The investigation involves alleged undeclared donations to a conservative group within the Liberal Party and explores whether money influenced political decisions and outcomes in New South Wales.
Key Facts
Icac has been investigating allegations involving Charles Perrottet for nearly four years.
The issue started after the dismissal of Hills Shire council and allegations of secret payments from developer Jean Nassif.
Nassif is now a fugitive in Lebanon.
Charles Perrottet met Nassif in 2019 and gave advice on property developments.
Nassif reportedly made undeclared donations totaling $2 million to a conservative group within the Liberal Party called the Reformers.
The inquiry is examining if these donations were linked to political changes and outcomes favorable to Nassif.
Charles Perrottet was not a registered lobbyist, and meetings on political matters with ministers or their staff are not formally recorded.
Icac has reviewed extensive evidence including phone and financial records to track interactions and money flow.
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A woman who worked as a marriage mentor shares her personal story about being unhappy in her own marriage while helping other couples prepare for marriage. After years of pretending everything was fine and staying out of loyalty and fear, she finally decided to get a divorce and has since rebuilt her life.
Key Facts
The author was part of a marriage mentor group while feeling unhappy in her marriage.
She often pretended her marriage was fine when talking to couples seeking advice.
She became a workaholic to avoid facing problems at home.
She stayed in the marriage due to fear of losing her identity as a “good wife” and concerns about explaining a divorce to others.
There was no abuse or cheating, and the marriage still had some good moments, making it hard to justify leaving.
She experienced exhaustion from hiding her true feelings and helping other couples.
After 12 years, she finally decided to get a divorce, left the mentor group, started a new relationship, and changed careers.
She now accepts her feelings and no longer hides from them.
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Thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to support voting rights and racial justice before the 2026 midterm elections. The march was organized by civil rights leaders to protest recent changes in voting laws and redistricting that affect Black communities' political representation.
Key Facts
The "Defend the Vote" March on Washington took place on August 28, 2026.
It was led by Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III.
The march followed a Supreme Court decision that changed parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
This decision allowed southern states to redraw voting districts in ways that reduce Black representation.
The event featured speakers like Senator Bernie Sanders, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Thousands of activists traveled from the southeastern U.S. to join the rally.
The march included prayers and speeches focused on diversity, equity, and systemic racism.
Organizers said the march aims to unify people from different backgrounds to protect voting rights and oppose policies seen as harmful to minority communities.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario, which lies between the US and Canada, as “Lake America.” The name change is linked to rising trade tensions between the two countries but faces questions about its legal effect and international recognition.
Key Facts
Lake Ontario is located on the border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the US state of New York.
The name “Ontario” comes from a word in the Wendat language of the Indigenous Huron people, meaning “lake of shining waters” or “beautiful lake.”
President Trump signed an executive order declaring the lake’s new name as “Lake America.”
The order directs the US Secretary of the Interior to work with the Board on Geographic Names over 30 days to implement the change.
This action is connected to ongoing trade disputes, including tariffs recently imposed by the US and retaliatory tariffs promised by Canada.
Experts say the name change is unlikely to affect trade talks and could increase tensions between the US and Canada.
Lake Ontario’s name has remained despite previous attempts by the French in the 17th and 18th centuries to rename it.
The Canadian province nearby is named Ontario after the lake, which was officially established in 1867.
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Kevin Warsh, nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Federal Reserve, said controlling prices is the main priority for the Fed. New data showed that job growth in the U.S. was weaker than originally reported, suggesting the labor market is not as strong as previously thought.
Key Facts
Kevin Warsh will be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, nominated by President Donald Trump.
Warsh said the Fed’s main focus will be on keeping prices stable to control inflation.
The Fed recently kept interest rates steady but may raise them to reduce inflation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised job growth down by 79,000 for the year ending in March.
The revision shows the labor market is weaker than first reported, with slower job gains.
This weaker job data may affect how the Fed approaches inflation and economic policy.
Previous reports for July and August already showed fewer jobs added than expected.
The employment revisions are part of regular updates to improve data accuracy.
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Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania said the Democratic Party has a "socialism problem." He mentioned some Democratic candidates, like Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Graham Platner in Maine, as examples of this issue.
Key Facts
John Fetterman is a centrist Democratic senator from Pennsylvania.
He said the Democratic Party struggles with issues related to socialism.
Fetterman pointed to Democratic candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Graham Platner in recent Senate races.
Graham Platner dropped out of the Maine Senate race.
Fetterman is currently more popular with Republicans in Pennsylvania than with Democrats.
The comment comes amid debates about the direction and image of the Democratic Party.
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Police in Indiana are looking for a lion and a lion cub that may be loose in Hancock or Madison counties. The authorities got a report in the morning about two large exotic cats in the area, and they are searching to find them.
Key Facts
A lion and a cub might be loose in Hancock or Madison counties, Indiana.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Department received a report about the animals.
The report was made at 10 a.m.
Sheriff’s deputies and state police are involved in the search.
The animals are described as large exotic cats.
The exact location of the animals is not yet known.
The authorities are actively searching to locate and capture the animals.
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A Venezuelan man who fled his country because he feared persecution was deported by U.S. immigration authorities to Liberia, a country he has no connection with. The Trump administration has increased immigration arrests and is deporting people to countries where they do not belong.
Key Facts
A Venezuelan father was deported to Liberia by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
He left Venezuela due to fear of persecution.
The Trump administration has increased immigration arrests to record levels.
Many people detained are being sent to countries that are not their home.
The CBS News reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez covered the story.
Liberia is not the Venezuelan man’s country of origin.
The situation reflects a broader immigration policy under President Trump’s administration.
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Alex Othmer, a veteran and leader of the group Guardian Revival, spoke about how spending time outdoors helps veterans and first responders improve their mental health. His organization works to connect these individuals with nature to support their well-being.
Key Facts
Alex Othmer is a veteran and the founder of Guardian Revival.
Guardian Revival aims to help veterans and first responders by bringing them outdoors.
Time spent in nature is used to support mental health for these groups.
The organization focuses on coping strategies and personal growth.
Othmer shared this information in an interview with CBS News.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has decided not to vote on the assisted dying bill to avoid influencing the debate in Parliament. He emphasized that the government will remain neutral and allow MPs to vote freely on this sensitive issue.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham will abstain from voting on the assisted dying bill during its second reading in the Commons.
The bill allows adults with fewer than six months to live to apply for assisted dying with approval from two doctors and an expert panel.
The government remains neutral, with MPs given a free vote due to the conscience matter.
Burnham has personal views but feels the decision should be made by Parliament.
Previous versions of the bill ran out of time due to many amendments.
Keir Starmer supported an earlier version of the bill but mostly stayed neutral otherwise.
Burnham has asked ministers not to try to influence the vote and to respect all views.
The bill’s second reading is scheduled for 11 September.
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Tyrin Johnson, a 20-year-old man, was fatally shot by Tennessee National Guard members during a July 5 pursuit in Memphis. An autopsy found he was shot in the back, which challenges the initial police claim that he turned and pointed a gun at the soldiers before they fired.
Key Facts
Tyrin Johnson was killed early on July 5 in Memphis during a response to reported gunfire.
The Tennessee National Guard was involved as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
Police initially said Johnson turned toward the Guard members with a gun before they fired.
The autopsy showed Johnson was shot in the back, with the bullet entering his right back and exiting his upper right chest.
The autopsy found no signs the gun was fired at close range.
Johnson was carrying a handgun magazine with bullets, which is not illegal under Tennessee law.
His family is asking for video footage to clarify what happened before he was shot.
The manner of death was classified as homicide, but no criminal charges have been filed yet.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is still investigating the shooting.
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Thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington for a rally supporting voting rights and racial justice before the midterm elections. The event, led by civil rights leaders, responded to new voting laws and changes in voting districts that many say harm Black communities.
Key Facts
The rally took place in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall.
It focused on protecting voting rights and promoting racial justice.
The event was called the 2026 "Defend the Vote" March on Washington.
It was organized by Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III.
The march was inspired by the famous 1963 civil rights march led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The U.S. Supreme Court's April ruling in Louisiana v. Callais changed how the Voting Rights Act works.
This ruling lets some states redraw voting districts in ways that reduce fair representation for Black communities.
Organizers see the rally as a way to raise awareness and encourage more voter organizing.
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Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, tried to donate blood at a London NHS centre but was stopped because he had recently visited the Charente region in France. NHS rules require people returning from certain parts of France to wait 28 days before donating blood due to the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
Key Facts
Sir Ed Davey attempted to donate blood at the Brixton Donor Centre in London.
He was not allowed to donate because he recently traveled to Charente, France.
NHS rules say people returning from specific French areas must wait 28 days before donating blood.
The rule exists because of possible infection from mosquito-borne viruses like Chikungunya (ChikV) and Dengue.
NHS Blood Donation needs over 140,000 first-time donors this year to meet demand.
Blood has a shelf life of 35 days, so regular donations are necessary.
NHS faces blood shortages due to hot weather, holidays, and high demand.
Anyone eligible can sign up to donate on the NHS Blood Donation website or app.
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Marine One, the helicopter carrying President Donald Trump, lost communication with air traffic control on Thursday. Another helicopter in the squad helped by relaying messages during the communication failure.
Key Facts
The event happened on a Thursday.
President Donald Trump was inside Marine One when communication was lost.
The helicopter could not directly contact air traffic control.
Another helicopter nearby passed messages to control instead.
The incident involved a temporary failure in communication systems.
No information was given about any safety issues or delays.
Marine One is used to transport the U.S. President by helicopter.
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Jurors in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy have asked the judge a question during their deliberations. CBS News is reporting on the trial and providing expert legal analysis.
Key Facts
The trial involves Lindsay Clancy facing a murder charge.
The jurors have paused deliberations to ask the judge a question.
CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul is covering the trial.
Legal expert Rebecca Roiphe is providing commentary on the case.
The jurors are currently deciding Lindsay Clancy’s guilt or innocence.
The proceedings are taking place in a U.S. court.
The trial is ongoing, with the jury actively considering the evidence.
CBS News offers updates through various platforms, including its app.
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White House trade adviser Peter Navarro criticized Canada for ending recent trade talks with the U.S., saying Canada acted unfairly. He expressed frustration over the ongoing trade conflict between the two countries.
Key Facts
Peter Navarro is a White House trade adviser.
He spoke on NewsNation’s program “The Hill.”
Navarro said Canada backed out of trade talks last week.
He accused Canada of negotiating in bad faith.
Navarro described Canada’s actions as a "stab in the back."
The U.S. and Canada are involved in an escalating trade dispute.
The conflict involves a series of retaliatory trade actions between the two countries.
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Safety officials say that construction work at the White House led to a communication problem during a recent Marine One helicopter takeoff, causing it to come too close to a passenger jet. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the helicopter crew failed to give timely notice to air traffic controllers, which is required to pause nearby commercial flights for safety.
Key Facts
Marine One flights were moved from the South Lawn to the Ellipse because of White House construction projects.
The helicopter crew did not give the required three-minute advance notice to air traffic controllers before takeoff on August 4.
Due to the missed notice, commercial flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were not stopped as usual.
Marine One and an American Airlines Embraer E170 passenger jet came closer than FAA rules allow, but no immediate danger was found.
Communication problems were caused by relocated antennas and construction-related changes.
The FAA has changed procedures and moved antennas to fix communication issues after the incident.
Air traffic controllers met with Marine One staff days before to address ongoing communication spotty issues.
An incomplete backup communication system failed during the incident, causing the close positioning of the aircraft.
The incident follows stricter safety rules after a deadly midair helicopter-plane collision in January 2025.
A new Marine One helipad under construction is being altered because President Trump is unhappy with its look and slope.
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President Trump suggests that the United States should receive the same benefits offered in trade agreements other countries have made, even though the U.S. has not signed those agreements. He is working on a policy idea called a "most favored nation" clause to achieve this goal.
Key Facts
President Trump wants the U.S. to get advantages from trade deals signed by other countries.
The U.S. has not signed these particular trade agreements.
A "most favored nation" clause means one country gets the best terms any other country receives.
President Trump is considering using this clause to improve trade benefits for the U.S.
This idea would allow the U.S. to access deals without being an official party to them.
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President Donald Trump honored the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The Artemis II crew completed the first human trip around the moon in over 50 years, traveling farther into space than before.
Key Facts
President Trump honored the Artemis II crew at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The Artemis II mission was the first crewed trip around the moon in more than 50 years.
The mission took astronauts farther into space than previous missions.
The event took place months after the successful Artemis II mission.
President Trump called the International Space Station during the event.
Artemis II is part of a larger space exploration effort supported during President Trump’s administration.
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The jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial is still deciding if she is responsible for killing her three children in Massachusetts. The case involves questions about her mental health, with the defense saying she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and the prosecution saying she planned the murders.
Key Facts
The jury started deliberating after closing arguments in Plymouth Superior Court.
Lindsay Clancy is accused of killing her three children: ages 5 years, 3 years, and 8 months.
The defense claims Clancy was overmedicated and had postpartum psychosis at the time.
Prosecutors say Clancy planned the killings and knew the difference between right and wrong.
Jurors must consider testimony from 85 witnesses, medical reports, notes, and journals.
The jury includes 12 members: nine women and three men, with a female foreperson.
Possible verdicts include guilty of murder, manslaughter, or not guilty by reason of insanity.
If found not guilty due to mental illness, Clancy will stay in a state hospital and be reviewed every six months.
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