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Thursday briefing: Jeff Sessions said he didn't. But he did Thursday briefing: Attorney General Sessions said he didn't. But he did
(about 1 hour later)
Top story: Trump attorney general failed to disclose Russian talksTop story: Trump attorney general failed to disclose Russian talks
Hello – it’s Warren Murray giving you a head start today.Hello – it’s Warren Murray giving you a head start today.
Democrats in Congress have called for Jeff Sessions to resign as US attorney general after revelations that he met with Russia’s ambassador while campaigning for Donald Trump, but then gave senate testimony to the contrary.Democrats in Congress have called for Jeff Sessions to resign as US attorney general after revelations that he met with Russia’s ambassador while campaigning for Donald Trump, but then gave senate testimony to the contrary.
At his confirmation hearing, Sessions said he wasn’t aware of any contact between Trump’s campaign and Russian officials. But Sessions had in fact met twice with Sergey Kislyak, the Kremlin’s US envoy, during that time.At his confirmation hearing, Sessions said he wasn’t aware of any contact between Trump’s campaign and Russian officials. But Sessions had in fact met twice with Sergey Kislyak, the Kremlin’s US envoy, during that time.
It is the same sort of apparent cover-up that led to the exit of Michael Flynn as Trump’s national security adviser. Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, and Elijah Cummings, another high-ranking Democrat, last night called for Sessions’s immediate resignation over his “demonstrably false” testimony.It is the same sort of apparent cover-up that led to the exit of Michael Flynn as Trump’s national security adviser. Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, and Elijah Cummings, another high-ranking Democrat, last night called for Sessions’s immediate resignation over his “demonstrably false” testimony.
It all adds to demands for an independent panel to examine the relationship between Trump’s circle and the Russians. The president’s moment in the sun after his address to Congress hasn’t lasted long.It all adds to demands for an independent panel to examine the relationship between Trump’s circle and the Russians. The president’s moment in the sun after his address to Congress hasn’t lasted long.
Lorded over – Peers including some of her own Tories have frustrated Theresa May’s push for a straightforward bill to trigger Brexit negotiations. The House of Lords insisted by a majority of 358 to 256 on assurances for the three million EU nationals living in Britain.Lorded over – Peers including some of her own Tories have frustrated Theresa May’s push for a straightforward bill to trigger Brexit negotiations. The House of Lords insisted by a majority of 358 to 256 on assurances for the three million EU nationals living in Britain.
Ministers said they would seek to undo the amendment in the Commons; in case that happens, Labour and the Lib Dems will seek to convince Conservative peers and cross-benchers to join with them again and force a second Lords defeat. In any event it delays May’s timetable by at least a week.Ministers said they would seek to undo the amendment in the Commons; in case that happens, Labour and the Lib Dems will seek to convince Conservative peers and cross-benchers to join with them again and force a second Lords defeat. In any event it delays May’s timetable by at least a week.
Exit stage left – Bit harsh isn’t it? The PwC partner who got it wrong at the Oscars has been permanently banned from the job, the academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, has announced. Brian Cullinan got it all mixed up backstage – his colleague Martha Ruiz has been booted out too. But surely there are lots of envelopes, they all look quite similar, and for the most part they got it right?Exit stage left – Bit harsh isn’t it? The PwC partner who got it wrong at the Oscars has been permanently banned from the job, the academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, has announced. Brian Cullinan got it all mixed up backstage – his colleague Martha Ruiz has been booted out too. But surely there are lots of envelopes, they all look quite similar, and for the most part they got it right?
Pot problems – Cannabis is being decriminalised worldwide at the same time as its potential for harm rises, researchers have warned. Medicinal use poses a quandary as people are sold increasingly potent varieties or smoke it with harmful tobacco. And as recreational use increases there is evidence more people are seeking help for cannabis-related problems. A team from Kings College London and UCL suggests the law needs to catch up with these issues.Pot problems – Cannabis is being decriminalised worldwide at the same time as its potential for harm rises, researchers have warned. Medicinal use poses a quandary as people are sold increasingly potent varieties or smoke it with harmful tobacco. And as recreational use increases there is evidence more people are seeking help for cannabis-related problems. A team from Kings College London and UCL suggests the law needs to catch up with these issues.
Gutter ball – A pitiful situation in Canada where tenpin bowling referees found it necessary to break the heart of a seven-year-old tournament winner by disqualifying him for having the wrong trousers on. Grayson Powell was about to collect a gold medal when he was told his faded black jeans did not meet the requirement of “black pants”. “If this is what sport is about when it comes to kids … shame on them,” said Grayson’s dad, Todd. Officials later said sorry and awarded special gold medals to Grayson and his team anyway.Gutter ball – A pitiful situation in Canada where tenpin bowling referees found it necessary to break the heart of a seven-year-old tournament winner by disqualifying him for having the wrong trousers on. Grayson Powell was about to collect a gold medal when he was told his faded black jeans did not meet the requirement of “black pants”. “If this is what sport is about when it comes to kids … shame on them,” said Grayson’s dad, Todd. Officials later said sorry and awarded special gold medals to Grayson and his team anyway.
Seat at the table – You really can start out washing dishes and work your way up. Ali Sonko, who’s had his hands in the sink at world-famous Noma in Denmark since 2003, has been made a co-owner by wunderkind chef René Redzepi, who described him as the restaurant’s ever-smiling “heart and soul”.Seat at the table – You really can start out washing dishes and work your way up. Ali Sonko, who’s had his hands in the sink at world-famous Noma in Denmark since 2003, has been made a co-owner by wunderkind chef René Redzepi, who described him as the restaurant’s ever-smiling “heart and soul”.
Lunchtime read: The struggle to become BritishLunchtime read: The struggle to become British
You can do your time, take the test, earn your passport and still be left feeling like a second-class citizen, writes Ismail Einashe, who says the expectations placed on adoptive Britons to integrate seem ever-shifting and impossible to satisfy.You can do your time, take the test, earn your passport and still be left feeling like a second-class citizen, writes Ismail Einashe, who says the expectations placed on adoptive Britons to integrate seem ever-shifting and impossible to satisfy.
SportSport
For the second game in a row Sergio Agüero has scored a brace to lead Manchester City to victory, this time in their FA Cup encounter with Huddersfield Town. In slightly more surprising news Luis Enrique has announced he’ll step down as manager of Barcelona at the end of the season. Marina Hyde tackles the outdated concept of footballers “not trying”.For the second game in a row Sergio Agüero has scored a brace to lead Manchester City to victory, this time in their FA Cup encounter with Huddersfield Town. In slightly more surprising news Luis Enrique has announced he’ll step down as manager of Barcelona at the end of the season. Marina Hyde tackles the outdated concept of footballers “not trying”.
England are one game away from equalling top-tier rugby’s all-time world record of 18 straight Test victories but captain Dylan Hartley says they should have reacted more swiftly to Italy’s tactics in their last.England are one game away from equalling top-tier rugby’s all-time world record of 18 straight Test victories but captain Dylan Hartley says they should have reacted more swiftly to Italy’s tactics in their last.
BusinessBusiness
Asian markets rose sharply following on from record performances in New York and Europe, all buoyed by healthy US economic data and Donald Trump’s speech to Congress.Asian markets rose sharply following on from record performances in New York and Europe, all buoyed by healthy US economic data and Donald Trump’s speech to Congress.
Meanwhile Marissa Mayer, the boss of Yahoo, has paid a steep price for the data breaches that saw the company lose the personal details of up to a billion customers. The board has withdrawn her annual $2m cash bonus and accepted her offer to give up stock options worth millions.Meanwhile Marissa Mayer, the boss of Yahoo, has paid a steep price for the data breaches that saw the company lose the personal details of up to a billion customers. The board has withdrawn her annual $2m cash bonus and accepted her offer to give up stock options worth millions.
The pound was buying US$1.23 and €1.17The pound was buying US$1.23 and €1.17
The papersThe papers
The Sun’s exclusive story is headlined “Porkies” and says that “healthy” sausages marketed to slimmers contain just as much fat as normal ones.The Sun’s exclusive story is headlined “Porkies” and says that “healthy” sausages marketed to slimmers contain just as much fat as normal ones.
The Mirror splashes on claims by actor Ricky Tomlinson that the late Countdown presenter Richard Whiteley was a spy who helped put him in prison in the 1970s. Under the headline “Policing in meltdown” the Mail reports on how HM Inspectorate of Constabulary has documented more than 40,000 suspects who are on a “wanted” database, including rapists and killers. Here’s our version of that story.The Mirror splashes on claims by actor Ricky Tomlinson that the late Countdown presenter Richard Whiteley was a spy who helped put him in prison in the 1970s. Under the headline “Policing in meltdown” the Mail reports on how HM Inspectorate of Constabulary has documented more than 40,000 suspects who are on a “wanted” database, including rapists and killers. Here’s our version of that story.
The Times splashes on the markets hitting record highs after Trump’s speech to Congress. The Telegraph reports that Brexit is still on track despite the defeat in the House of Lords and says Theresa May will trigger Article 50 within two weeks.The Times splashes on the markets hitting record highs after Trump’s speech to Congress. The Telegraph reports that Brexit is still on track despite the defeat in the House of Lords and says Theresa May will trigger Article 50 within two weeks.
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