An appeals court has ordered a judge to drop the case against Michael Flynn, a former aide to Donald Trump who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in 2018, news that Mr Trump boasted on social media while asking whether FBI Director James Comey would apologise.
Hours later, the president attended a press briefing in the White House's Rose Garden with Poland's nationalist president Andrezj Duda.
He accused protesters across the country of trying to tear down statues of prominent figures such as Jesus Christ, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson following unrest in Washington DC as protesters attempted to pull down a statue of former President Andrew Jackson.
The president once again railed against German officials for falling short of Nato goals, calling the country's contributions a "tremendous delinquency" and has threatened to withdraw troops from the country as punishment. The Polish leader said removing any of the 52,000 US service members that are currently in Germany would be "very detrimental to European security".
Meanwhile, Mr Trump's top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci has issued a warning to Congress about the “disturbing” resurgence of the coronavirus in southern states that moved quickly to re-emerge from shutdown like Texas and Florida, saying the next few weeks will be “critical” to tackling the virus.
New York's tri-state area also announced a travel advisory against nine states with increased coronavirus cases, including Texas and Florida.
The president's predecessor Barack Obama, who Mr Trump has accused of "treason" in his Obamagate conspiracy, made a rare public rebuke of the sitting president, attacking his "shambolic" and "mean spirited approach to government" during an appearance at a virtual Joe Biden fundraiser.
"What we have seen over the last couple of years is a White House enabled by Republicans in Congress and a media structure that supports them that has not just differed in terms of policy but has gone at the very foundations of who we are and who we should be," he said.
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Trump and Polish president Duda split over fate of US troops leaving Germany
Donald Trump and his Polish counterpart split on Wednesday over the fate of 27,000 American military troops the US president has vowed to remove from Germany.
Donald Trump and his Polish counterpart split on Wednesday over the fate of 27,000 American military troops the US president has vowed to remove from Germany.
Mr Trump is miffed at German leaders for not paying more into Nato coffers, calling its contributions a "tremendous delinquency." He has railed against many of the European members of the military alliance, set up after World War II to guard against potential Russian aggression.
Other world leaders have mostly tried to please Mr Trump during White House visits when they have joined him for a joint press conference or remarks. Andrzej Duda largely did the same, but did break with Mr Trump on the fate of the troops now stationed in Germany.
John T Bennett reports:
John T Bennett reports:
Wall Street drops 700 points on fears of surging coronavirus cases and dire IMF forecasts
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 700 points on Wednesday after the International Monetary Fund published a gloomy forecast for the global economy, and cases of Covid-19 surged in the US and around the world.
The 2.7 per cent drop by the Dow was mirrored by 2.6 per cent and 2.2 per cent falls in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, respectively.
California reported a staggering 7,149 new cases on Wednesday, according to data from the state Department of Public Health. This broke the previous record, set the day before, of more than 5,000.
Oliver O'Connell reports:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 700 points on Wednesday after the International Monetary Fund published a gloomy forecast for the global economy, and cases of Covid-19 surged in the US and around the world.
The 2.7 per cent drop by the Dow was mirrored by 2.6 per cent and 2.2 per cent falls in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, respectively.
California reported a staggering 7,149 new cases on Wednesday, according to data from the state Department of Public Health. This broke the previous record, set the day before, of more than 5,000.
Oliver O'Connell reports:
'Mass murder on a national scale’: New advert attacks Trump’s comments on virus testing
A new political ad targets Donald Trump's recent remarks about "slowing down" testing — which his administration claimed was tongue in cheek but that he has since repeated, even telling reporters "I don't kid" — while the nation's death toll from coronavirus climbs past 120,000.
Louise Hall reports:
A new political ad targets Donald Trump's recent remarks about "slowing down" testing — which his administration claimed was tongue in cheek but that he has since repeated, even telling reporters "I don't kid" — while the nation's death toll from coronavirus climbs past 120,000.
Louise Hall reports:
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England in danger of following same route as US in pandemic, leading epidemiologist warns
England risks following the route of several US states which have seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases after lifting lockdown too early, a leading epidemiologist has warned.
Professor Gabriel Scally, a member of the Independent Sage group of experts, said that the country was in a "difficult and dangerous situation" after Boris Johnson's decision to ease restrictions while daily infections are still running well into four figures, the NHS Test and Trace system has yet to prove its effectiveness and the promised smartphone app has been shown to be a "dead duck".
Andrew Woodcock reports:
England risks following the route of several US states which have seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases after lifting lockdown too early, a leading epidemiologist has warned.
Professor Gabriel Scally, a member of the Independent Sage group of experts, said that the country was in a "difficult and dangerous situation" after Boris Johnson's decision to ease restrictions while daily infections are still running well into four figures, the NHS Test and Trace system has yet to prove its effectiveness and the promised smartphone app has been shown to be a "dead duck".
Andrew Woodcock reports:
England in danger of following same route as US on coronavirus, leading epidemiologist warns
Warnings of second wave of infection as country prepares for restrictions to be lifted on 4 July
FDA and USDA issue joint statement say people cannot contract Covid-19 from food
The United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration issued a joint statement regarding food safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"The United States understands the concerns of consumers here domestically and around the world who want to know that producers, processors and regulators are taking every necessary precaution to prioritize food safety especially during these challenging times. However, efforts by some countries to restrict global food exports related to Covid-19 transmission are not consistent with the known science of transmission," Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn said.
"There is no evidence that people can contract Covid-19 from food or from food packaging. The U.S. food safety system, overseen by our agencies, is the global leader in ensuring the safety of our food products, including product for export," the statement added added.
The United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration issued a joint statement regarding food safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"The United States understands the concerns of consumers here domestically and around the world who want to know that producers, processors and regulators are taking every necessary precaution to prioritize food safety especially during these challenging times. However, efforts by some countries to restrict global food exports related to Covid-19 transmission are not consistent with the known science of transmission," Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn said.
"There is no evidence that people can contract Covid-19 from food or from food packaging. The U.S. food safety system, overseen by our agencies, is the global leader in ensuring the safety of our food products, including product for export," the statement added added.
Mongolia delivers PPE equipment to US as Covid-19 infections soar
The nation of Mongolia has delivered 60,000 items of personal protective equipment to America, as coronavirus infections in the US continue to soar.
The total known infections in the US has now reached 2.3m, with more than 120,000 deaths. On Tuesday, officials said new daily infections had reached their highest level for two months, with at least 34,700 cases.
Andrew Buncombe with the story:
Mongolia donates PPE equipment to US as coronavirus infections soar
While US has more than 2.3m Covid infections, total in Mongolia is 215
Trump revives unproven conspiracy theory that Obama administration 'spied' on his campaign
Reviving his so-far unproven "Obamagate" conspiracy theory, Donald Trump on Wednesday again contended the Obama administration "spied" on his 2016 campaign.
"The Obama administration spied on a campaign," the president said several times during brief remarks alongside his Polish counterpart in the Oval Office.
Reviving his so-far unproven "Obamagate" conspiracy theory, Donald Trump on Wednesday again contended the Obama administration "spied" on his 2016 campaign.
"The Obama administration spied on a campaign," the president said several times during brief remarks alongside his Polish counterpart in the Oval Office.
John T Bennett reports:
Trump revives unproven conspiracy theory that Obama administration 'spied' on his campaign
President congratulates Michael Flynn after judge ruled Justice Department must drop its case against him
Trump suggests protesters want to pull down statues of Jesus Christ
The president held a briefing in the White House's Rose Garden on Wednesday with Poland President Andrzej Duda.
The president held a briefing in the White House's Rose Garden on Wednesday with Poland President Andrzej Duda.
At one point, Mr Trump suggested protesters wanted to tear down statues of figures such as Jesus Christ, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.
Protesters have targeted statues of figures largely in connection with the Confederate Army. But other statues have also faced criticism if they honoured someone who previously owned slaves.
One statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington DC also sparked backlash because of how a former slave was imagined in the statue. There have been no reports of people tearing down statues of Jesus Christ.
Letters of immigrants detained by ICE during coronavirus made public: 'We may die and are afraid'
During a three-month lawsuit seeking their release from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in South Florida, the US District Court received personal missives from about 100 detainees.
"We may die and are afraid," their collective note said, according to The Miami Herald.
Justin Vallejo reports:
Almost 200 pages of handwritten letters have opened a window into the alleged living conditions of illegal immigrants held in US federal detention centres during the coronavirus pandemic.
During a three-month lawsuit seeking their release from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in South Florida, the US District Court received personal missives from about 100 detainees.
"We may die and are afraid," their collective note said, according to The Miami Herald.
Justin Vallejo reports:
ICE detainee letters made public: 'We may die and are afraid'
'They also ignored deliberately the symptoms we suffer from the Covid-19 pandemic’
Biden leads Trump in Ohio among registered voters, new poll states
Ohio will be a key battleground state for the 2020 election, according to a Quinnipiac University poll of the state's registered voters.
Ohio will be a key battleground state for the 2020 election, according to a Quinnipiac University poll of the state's registered voters.
It found former Vice President Joe Biden was leading President Donald Trump at 46 per cent to 45 per cent of the votes.
Among Democrats, Biden received 93 per cent of the vote. Mr Trump won with Republicans by 92 per cent of the vote. Independents still remained divided in the state, with 44 per cent of votes going to Mr Trump and 40 per cent going to Mr Biden.
The poll also broke down the voters based on the issues they supported. Mr Trump lead when it came to the economy, with 53 per cent saying they trusted him compared to 43 per cent for Mr Biden.
But Mr Biden lead in all other areas, which included handling a crisis, coronavirus, race relations, and healthcare.
The voters were also polled on Mr Trump's job approval rating, as just 44 per cent approved of the job he was doing while 53 per cent disapproved.
Trump calls for James Comey to 'apologise" to Michael Flynn
Donald Trump celebrated today the news of the appeals court ordering a judge to dismiss the case against Michael Flynn.
In a recent tweet, the president asked if former FBI Director James Comey was going to apologise to Mr Flynn following the news.
Mr Flynn pleaded guilty to "wilfully and knowingly" making false statements to the FBI in 2019. He then later attempted to withdraw that guilty plea.
Donald Trump celebrated today the news of the appeals court ordering a judge to dismiss the case against Michael Flynn.
In a recent tweet, the president asked if former FBI Director James Comey was going to apologise to Mr Flynn following the news.
Mr Flynn pleaded guilty to "wilfully and knowingly" making false statements to the FBI in 2019. He then later attempted to withdraw that guilty plea.
Democrats ask for Sergeant of Arms to remove Republican representative from Barr hearing
The House-led Democrats have asked for the Sergeant of Arms to remove Representative Louie Gohmert, a Republican of Texas, from the House Judiciary Committee's hearing about Attorney General Bill Barr.
During the hearing, the committee called former Attorney General Donald Ayer to testify about Mr Barr and his performance in his position.
Mr Gohmert decided to rap incessantly on his desk to deter the witness from him statement and cause a distraction.
Democrats threatened to remove Mr Gohmert from the hearing if the behaviour continued.
The House-led Democrats have asked for the Sergeant of Arms to remove Representative Louie Gohmert, a Republican of Texas, from the House Judiciary Committee's hearing about Attorney General Bill Barr.
During the hearing, the committee called former Attorney General Donald Ayer to testify about Mr Barr and his performance in his position.
Mr Gohmert decided to rap incessantly on his desk to deter the witness from him statement and cause a distraction.
Democrats threatened to remove Mr Gohmert from the hearing if the behaviour continued.
Coronavirus 'spiralling out of control' in US as 26 states report increase in average daily cases
The coronavirus pandemic in the US is "spiralling out of control," experts have warned, with at least 26 states recording an increase in cases compared to last week.
California recorded 5,019 new cases on Monday, a record rise of the state's daily case number for the fourth time in a week. In Florida, officials announced 3,289 confirmed new cases in a day as infections surpassed 100,000.
Meanwhile, the governor of Texas urged people to stay home and to wear masks if they leave the house as state's infections tally also rose.
Louise Hall with the report:
The coronavirus pandemic in the US is "spiralling out of control," experts have warned, with at least 26 states recording an increase in cases compared to last week.
California recorded 5,019 new cases on Monday, a record rise of the state's daily case number for the fourth time in a week. In Florida, officials announced 3,289 confirmed new cases in a day as infections surpassed 100,000.
Meanwhile, the governor of Texas urged people to stay home and to wear masks if they leave the house as state's infections tally also rose.
Louise Hall with the report:
US 'spiralling out of control' as 26 states report increase in average daily coronavirus cases
The Independent'It is snowballing. We will most certainly see more people die as a result of this spike'
WHO expects global coronavirus case numbers to reach 10 million by next week
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated its estimated coronavirus case numbers as countries continue to report increased numbers.
"More than 9.1 million cases of Covid-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 470,000 deaths. In the first month of this outbreak, less than 10,000 cases were reported to WHO. In the last month, almost 4 million cases have been reported," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a briefing Wednesday.
He added the WHO now expects cases to reach 10 million by next week at the current infection rate.
"This is a sober reminder that even as we continue research into vaccines and therapeutics, we have an urgent responsibility to do everything we can with the tools we have now to suppress transmission and save lives," he added.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated its estimated coronavirus case numbers as countries continue to report increased numbers.
"More than 9.1 million cases of Covid-19 have now been reported to WHO, and more than 470,000 deaths. In the first month of this outbreak, less than 10,000 cases were reported to WHO. In the last month, almost 4 million cases have been reported," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a briefing Wednesday.
He added the WHO now expects cases to reach 10 million by next week at the current infection rate.
"This is a sober reminder that even as we continue research into vaccines and therapeutics, we have an urgent responsibility to do everything we can with the tools we have now to suppress transmission and save lives," he added.
Dr Mike Ryan, WHO executive director of the health emergencies program, also spoke during the briefing and said countries in the Americas were not showing a decline in cases.
"Unfortunately, the pandemic for many countries in the Americas has not peaked. They are not reaching a low level of transmission within which we can achieve a sustainable exit from public health and social measures," Dr Ryan said.
"Unfortunately, the pandemic for many countries in the Americas has not peaked. They are not reaching a low level of transmission within which we can achieve a sustainable exit from public health and social measures," Dr Ryan said.
Trump attorney general to testify before House panel investigating him for Flynn and Stone decisions
Attorney General William Barr has agreed to testify on 28 July before the House Judiciary Committee, which is investigating him for the "unprecedented politicization" of the Justice Department.
It will be the first time Mr Barr, who assumed office last February after being picked by Donald Trump, has appeared before the panel tasked with overseeing his actions.
Griffin Connolly with the breaking news:
Trump attorney general to testify before House panel investigating him for Flynn and Stone decisions
Announcement of Mr Barr's hearing before Judiciary Committee comes as panel grills whistle blowers about his alleged misconduct
Obama rebukes 'shambolic' Trump in rare open criticism – while raising millions for his presumptive opponent
"What we have seen over the last couple of years is a White House enabled by Republicans in Congress and a media structure that supports them that has not just differed in terms of policy but has gone at the very foundations of who we are and who we should be," the former president said while denouncing Mr Trump's "disorganised" administration.
Chris Riotta reports:
Former President Barack Obama slammed President Donald Trump's "shambolic" and "mean spirited approach to government" during a rare, fiery rebuke of his successor while speaking at former Vice President Joe Biden's virtual fundraiser on Tuesday.
"What we have seen over the last couple of years is a White House enabled by Republicans in Congress and a media structure that supports them that has not just differed in terms of policy but has gone at the very foundations of who we are and who we should be," the former president said while denouncing Mr Trump's "disorganised" administration.
Chris Riotta reports:
Obama rebukes ‘shambolic’ Trump in rare open criticism
The IndependentFormer president says current White House 'actively promotes division' and 'considers some Americans in this country more real than others'
Yesterday marks the third highest number of new coronavirus cases in US
The United States reported its third-highest day of new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
At least 34,720 new people tested positive for the coronavirus and were reported on Tuesday. The second highest day, which reported 34,756, were on 9 April. The highest day since the state of the pandemic was reported on 24 April with 36,291 coronavirus cases.
The United States reported its third-highest day of new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
At least 34,720 new people tested positive for the coronavirus and were reported on Tuesday. The second highest day, which reported 34,756, were on 9 April. The highest day since the state of the pandemic was reported on 24 April with 36,291 coronavirus cases.
This all comes as New York, which was long the epicentre for Covid-19, reported its lowest new coronavirus cases. The state now has a 1.1 per cent infection rate, which is lower than most other states in the country.
AOC says Wall Street money 'can't buy a movement' after triumphing over billionaire-backed opponent
Oliver O'Connell reports:
Oliver O'Connell reports:
AOC says Wall Street money 'can't buy a movement' after triumphing over billionaire-backed opponent
'Here’s to speaking truth to power' — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Young Trump supporters roar approval as president uses racist phrase 'kung flu'
Donald Trump said it again, using a derogatory phrase for the coronavirus that some call offensive to Asian people -- and an audience of young supporters roared with laughter.
The president was addressing young Republicans in Phoenix on Tuesday when he pivoted from talking about his southern border barrier and California's Democratic leaders to slamming Tijuana, Mexico for its coronavirus infection rate. Then he started riffing about the disease's name -- rather, its names.
And the youngsters loved it.
Donald Trump said it again, using a derogatory phrase for the coronavirus that some call offensive to Asian people -- and an audience of young supporters roared with laughter.
The president was addressing young Republicans in Phoenix on Tuesday when he pivoted from talking about his southern border barrier and California's Democratic leaders to slamming Tijuana, Mexico for its coronavirus infection rate. Then he started riffing about the disease's name -- rather, its names.
And the youngsters loved it.
John T Bennett with the report:
