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Wednesday briefing: 'Let this go' – memo says Trump wanted FBI to back off Wednesday briefing: 'Let this go' – memo says Trump wanted FBI to back off
(35 minutes later)
Top story: Leave ‘good guy’ Michael Flynn aloneTop story: Leave ‘good guy’ Michael Flynn alone
Good morning, it’s Warren Murray here with the news again.Good morning, it’s Warren Murray here with the news again.
Donald Trump’s admission that he did actually share sensitive intelligence with the Russians – a revelation that pulls the rug out from under his own staff – was quickly eclipsed overnight by bombshell allegations concerning his conduct towards the FBI chief he went on to fire.Donald Trump’s admission that he did actually share sensitive intelligence with the Russians – a revelation that pulls the rug out from under his own staff – was quickly eclipsed overnight by bombshell allegations concerning his conduct towards the FBI chief he went on to fire.
Before removing James Comey as the bureau’s director, the president had tried to get him to drop the investigation of Michael Flynn over Russian connections, according to notes taken by Comey at the time. Flynn had stood down as national security adviser after lying about talks with the Kremlin’s ambassador. “He [Flynn] is a good guy. I hope you can let this go,” Trump said, according to Comey’s notes.Before removing James Comey as the bureau’s director, the president had tried to get him to drop the investigation of Michael Flynn over Russian connections, according to notes taken by Comey at the time. Flynn had stood down as national security adviser after lying about talks with the Kremlin’s ambassador. “He [Flynn] is a good guy. I hope you can let this go,” Trump said, according to Comey’s notes.
House Republicans in charge of government oversight, evidently stirred to action by the seriousness of these latest claims, have called on the FBI to turn over all records of “any communications between Comey and the president”.House Republicans in charge of government oversight, evidently stirred to action by the seriousness of these latest claims, have called on the FBI to turn over all records of “any communications between Comey and the president”.
The White House has denied Trump made the request to Comey. The list of things to deny is getting longer – here is a roundup of the president’s woes. “Watergate size and scale” is how Senator John McCain, the former Republican candidate for president, has reportedly described the scandals swirling around the Oval Office.The White House has denied Trump made the request to Comey. The list of things to deny is getting longer – here is a roundup of the president’s woes. “Watergate size and scale” is how Senator John McCain, the former Republican candidate for president, has reportedly described the scandals swirling around the Oval Office.
Not another manifesto – Today it is the Liberal Democrats’ turn to set out their stall in a “snap” election campaign that is starting to feel less than snappish. A rent-to-buy scheme to help young people get on the housing ladder without a deposit is given top billing. On Brexit, the Lib Dems are pitching that voting for them is the last chance to change course. “There is a party offering you, unequivocally, the chance to turn this around, and you need to grab it,” says leader Tim Farron. Here are the policies that Guardian readers think Farron should be taking to the polls.Not another manifesto – Today it is the Liberal Democrats’ turn to set out their stall in a “snap” election campaign that is starting to feel less than snappish. A rent-to-buy scheme to help young people get on the housing ladder without a deposit is given top billing. On Brexit, the Lib Dems are pitching that voting for them is the last chance to change course. “There is a party offering you, unequivocally, the chance to turn this around, and you need to grab it,” says leader Tim Farron. Here are the policies that Guardian readers think Farron should be taking to the polls.
If your enthusiasm for this great democratic exercise is starting to wane, our daily Snap briefing is sure to stoke it back into life. Read to the bottom for details on how to subscribe.If your enthusiasm for this great democratic exercise is starting to wane, our daily Snap briefing is sure to stoke it back into life. Read to the bottom for details on how to subscribe.
Online abortion pill ‘safe if done right’ – The controversial provision of mifepristone and misoprostol over the internet is helping women to end their pregnancies safely at home, a study has found. But campaigners say law reform is still needed in places like Ireland so that women can legally access abortion in a clinical setting. Researchers traced the outcomes for 1,000 users of a service called Women on Web that helps people get abortion drugs, and found safe outcomes in 95% of cases. Seven had a blood transfusion afterwards and 26 needed antibiotics.Online abortion pill ‘safe if done right’ – The controversial provision of mifepristone and misoprostol over the internet is helping women to end their pregnancies safely at home, a study has found. But campaigners say law reform is still needed in places like Ireland so that women can legally access abortion in a clinical setting. Researchers traced the outcomes for 1,000 users of a service called Women on Web that helps people get abortion drugs, and found safe outcomes in 95% of cases. Seven had a blood transfusion afterwards and 26 needed antibiotics.
‘Fat but fit’ myth – There is no such thing as being “metabolically healthy obese”, scientists have concluded, after a large-scale study discredited ideas surrounding people who are overweight going by body-mass index (BMI), but free of diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These individuals in fact go on to face a 50% higher risk of heart disease, as well as increased likelihood of a stroke. The research covered 20 years and 3.5 million people. According to a separate obesity study, worrying percentages of young people across the UK and Europe are eating sweets and having sugary drinks daily, as well as spending most of their time sitting down.‘Fat but fit’ myth – There is no such thing as being “metabolically healthy obese”, scientists have concluded, after a large-scale study discredited ideas surrounding people who are overweight going by body-mass index (BMI), but free of diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These individuals in fact go on to face a 50% higher risk of heart disease, as well as increased likelihood of a stroke. The research covered 20 years and 3.5 million people. According to a separate obesity study, worrying percentages of young people across the UK and Europe are eating sweets and having sugary drinks daily, as well as spending most of their time sitting down.
And because we might as well mop up the rest of the health news while we’re here: looking tired makes you less attractive and can damage your social life – said science, about you the other morning, in findings that will increase the smugness of sleep-braggers like Arianna Huffington.And because we might as well mop up the rest of the health news while we’re here: looking tired makes you less attractive and can damage your social life – said science, about you the other morning, in findings that will increase the smugness of sleep-braggers like Arianna Huffington.
Dreamland reawakens – The Margate fun park is back (again). Since its 2015 relaunch fizzled, investors have poured £25m into much more than a refreshing lick of paint, writes Will Coldwell.Dreamland reawakens – The Margate fun park is back (again). Since its 2015 relaunch fizzled, investors have poured £25m into much more than a refreshing lick of paint, writes Will Coldwell.
There’s a 15,000 capacity music venue featuring the Demon Dayz festival from Damon Albarn and Gorillaz, a refurbished scenic railway (it used to break down a lot), vintage rides and a “treetop bar” on stilts at the seaside venue. Dreamland is now a free entry, pay-per-ride attraction. “People who came last year will notice that it looks and feels dramatically different,” says CEO Steven Mitchell.There’s a 15,000 capacity music venue featuring the Demon Dayz festival from Damon Albarn and Gorillaz, a refurbished scenic railway (it used to break down a lot), vintage rides and a “treetop bar” on stilts at the seaside venue. Dreamland is now a free entry, pay-per-ride attraction. “People who came last year will notice that it looks and feels dramatically different,” says CEO Steven Mitchell.
Lunchtime read: ‘Dark money’ that is buying this electionLunchtime read: ‘Dark money’ that is buying this election
A multimillionaire using his wealth to bring down pro-Remain Labour MPs and ensure a hard Brexit is just one example of “the power that money wields over our politics”.A multimillionaire using his wealth to bring down pro-Remain Labour MPs and ensure a hard Brexit is just one example of “the power that money wields over our politics”.
Jeremy Hosking’s campaign is happening out in the open, at least. But what about, say, a pro-Brexit newspaper advert in England and Scotland, paid for by an ambiguous source, with the money funnelled via the secret political donations regime of Northern Ireland? Then there are front groups, “astroturfing” and “thinktanks” – favourites of the tobacco and oil companies. George Monbiot warns these perversions of democracy are “replacing informed political choice with an onslaught of corporate propaganda and fake facts”, with the electoral authorities doing little or nothing about it.Jeremy Hosking’s campaign is happening out in the open, at least. But what about, say, a pro-Brexit newspaper advert in England and Scotland, paid for by an ambiguous source, with the money funnelled via the secret political donations regime of Northern Ireland? Then there are front groups, “astroturfing” and “thinktanks” – favourites of the tobacco and oil companies. George Monbiot warns these perversions of democracy are “replacing informed political choice with an onslaught of corporate propaganda and fake facts”, with the electoral authorities doing little or nothing about it.
SportSport
Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal still have a “good chance” of a top-four finish, after watching Alexis Sánchez inspire a nervy 2-0 home win over a Sunderland team that fought throughout, despite the fact they were already relegated. Manchester City bid an emotional farewell to Pablo Zabaleta after securing a crucial win over West Brom in their pursuit of automatic Champions League qualification.Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal still have a “good chance” of a top-four finish, after watching Alexis Sánchez inspire a nervy 2-0 home win over a Sunderland team that fought throughout, despite the fact they were already relegated. Manchester City bid an emotional farewell to Pablo Zabaleta after securing a crucial win over West Brom in their pursuit of automatic Champions League qualification.
Maria Sharapova has been denied a wildcard for the French Open and Kevin Mitchell writes the decision by the new FTF president to shun the Russian has embarrassed her all over again. Meanwhile Andy Murray has admitted to “not playing good tennis” after the world No1 fell to Fabio Fognini at the Italian Open. And Eddie Jones has defended his decision to select three New Zealand-born players for an England training camp in Brighton, insisting he will pick anyone available to him.Maria Sharapova has been denied a wildcard for the French Open and Kevin Mitchell writes the decision by the new FTF president to shun the Russian has embarrassed her all over again. Meanwhile Andy Murray has admitted to “not playing good tennis” after the world No1 fell to Fabio Fognini at the Italian Open. And Eddie Jones has defended his decision to select three New Zealand-born players for an England training camp in Brighton, insisting he will pick anyone available to him.
BusinessBusiness
The febrile US political situation was being blamed for losses on all the main bourses in the Asia-Pacific overnight. But Nick Fletcher has been analysing why many of the world’s stock markets are sitting on all-time highs despite the turmoil in the Trump administration, concerns about North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and Brexit.The febrile US political situation was being blamed for losses on all the main bourses in the Asia-Pacific overnight. But Nick Fletcher has been analysing why many of the world’s stock markets are sitting on all-time highs despite the turmoil in the Trump administration, concerns about North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and Brexit.
On the currency markets, the pound traded at $1.293 and €1.163 overnight.On the currency markets, the pound traded at $1.293 and €1.163 overnight.
The papersThe papers
The FT leads on the Labour manifesto, saying the £49bn in proposed tax hikes has dismayed business leaders. The Times goes with “Labour’s tax raid in tatters”, saying independent experts have checked the numbers and they don’t add up.The FT leads on the Labour manifesto, saying the £49bn in proposed tax hikes has dismayed business leaders. The Times goes with “Labour’s tax raid in tatters”, saying independent experts have checked the numbers and they don’t add up.
The Telegraph leads with news that the “prime suspect” in the killing of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy in 1984 will not be prosecuted after police blocked “key evidence” on national security grounds.The Telegraph leads with news that the “prime suspect” in the killing of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy in 1984 will not be prosecuted after police blocked “key evidence” on national security grounds.
The tabloids feature the death of Ian Brady again on their fronts. “Scatter my ashes over moors with my victims”, says the Mirror, referencing the “final insult” that is claimed to be Brady’s last wish.The tabloids feature the death of Ian Brady again on their fronts. “Scatter my ashes over moors with my victims”, says the Mirror, referencing the “final insult” that is claimed to be Brady’s last wish.
The Sun leads with “Too brainy to be jailed” – the story of an Oxford University aspiring heart surgeon who has been charged with stabbing her boyfriend with a bread knife. The judge has hinted he may be lenient because of her academic potential. The Mail has both the manifesto and Brady on its front. Its political headline is “Corbyn plan to bankrupt UK” along with “My life of evil” based on hours of interviews with Brady.The Sun leads with “Too brainy to be jailed” – the story of an Oxford University aspiring heart surgeon who has been charged with stabbing her boyfriend with a bread knife. The judge has hinted he may be lenient because of her academic potential. The Mail has both the manifesto and Brady on its front. Its political headline is “Corbyn plan to bankrupt UK” along with “My life of evil” based on hours of interviews with Brady.
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