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‘I did not collude’: Kushner releases 3,700-word statement detailing 4 Russia contacts

In a lengthy statement to the congressional committees investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, President Trump's son-in-law says that he has “nothing to hide.”

Driver in Texas denies he knew immigrants were in stifling truck

By Jim Forsyth SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) - The man accused of smuggling at least 100 illegal immigrants inside a sweltering tractor-trailer, 10 of whom died, has said he was unaware of the human cargo he was hauling until he took a rest stop in Texas, court papers showed on Monday. James Bradley Jr., 60, was arrested on Sunday after police said they discovered dozens of undocumented Mexican and Guatemalan nationals, some unconscious in the back of the truck, others staggering around the vehicle in the parking lot of a Walmart store in San Antonio. Authorities called to the scene found the bodies of eight illegal immigrants, along with 30 to 40 others who survived the ordeal but were suffering from dehydration and heat stroke, some of them as young as 15.

Timeline of Justine Damond shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A timeline of the July 15 fatal shooting of Justine Damond, an unarmed Australian woman, by a Minneapolis police officer, and ensuing events:

Israel and Jordan in diplomatic standoff  after Israeli security agent kills two at embassy in Amman

Jordan is refusing to allow an Israeli diplomatic security agent to leave the country after he killed two Jordanians while being attacked at Israel’s embassy in Amman, leading to a diplomatic standoff between the Jewish state and its Arab neighbour.   The situation began on Sunday when a 17-year-old Jordanian carpenter came to a residential building inside the heavily-fortified Israeli embassy compound to replace some furniture. The carpenter then attacked the Israeli guard with a screw driver, according to the Israeli foreign ministry. The guard opened fire and killed the carpenter but also fatally wounded the landlord of the building, a Jordanian doctor.  Jordanian police deployed to Israel's embassy after a shooting left two people dead Credit: REUTERS Jordanian police are now demanding that the wounded security guard submit to interrogation over the killings. But Israel has said the agent has diplomatic immunity and cannot be arrested or questioned. “In accordance with the Vienna Convention, the security officer has immunity from investigation and imprisonment,” the Israeli foreign ministry said.  Jordan's Department of Public Safety said it was investigating the incident.  The scene outside Israel's embassy in Amman Credit: REUTERS Jordan is one of only two Arab countries that have diplomatic ties to Israel and the shooting in Amman adds new strain on the already sensitive Israeli-Jordanian relationship.  The shooting comes amid a wave of violence sparked by tensions over the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam.  Israel installed metal detectors at the mosque after Palestinians smuggled guns into the holy site and used them to kill two Israeli police officers.  But the metal detectors have sparked a major backlash from Palestinians, who see them as part of Israeli effort to assert its control over the holy site, which is also sacred to to Jews and known to Israelis as the Temple Mount.  The clashes took place in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank Credit: AFP PHOTO / Ahmad GHARABLIAHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images On Friday there were widespread clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli forces, which ended with the deaths of three young Palestinians.  Late on Friday evening a Palestinian teenager crept in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank and killed three Israelis as they sat for traditional shabbat dinner.    It was not clear if the carpenter in Amman was motivated by the situation at al-Aqsa. There have been large demonstrations in Jordan in solidarity with Palestinians in Jerusalem.  Jordan plays a role in the Islamic administration of the al-Aqsa mosque and Israeli and Jordanian officials had been speaking behind the scenes all last week to try to reach a compromise to reduce tensions. No agreement was struck. Palestinian Muslim worshippers pray outside Damascus Gate, a main entrance to Jerusalem's Old City Credit: / AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBONGALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump’s peace envoy, Jason Greenblatt, was due to fly to the region on Monday to try to help broker a deal.  The Palestinian Authority - the semi-autonomous Palestinian government in the West Bank - has cut all official contact with Israel over the situation at al-Aqsa. The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, is under pressure from his public to take a hard line over al-Aqsa.  Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is under similar pressure from the Right-wing of his own coalition government.  While the Israeli military and lead security agency are said to favour removing the metal detectors at al-Aqsa to calm the situation, Mr Netanyahu’s more Right-wing cabinet ministers say removing the detectors would be giving in to Palestinian pressure.  The cabinet met late on Sunday to discuss the issue but no decision was made.  Jordanian security forces deployed around Israel’s fortress-like embassy in Amman on Monday to protect it. Israel’s diplomats were huddled inside the compound, effectively stuck there until the situation with the guard is resolved.  “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security authorities are working with the Jordanian government over various channels,” the Israeli foreign ministry said.

Snooty dead: World's oldest known manatee dies aged 69 in 'heartbreaking accident'

The world’s oldest manatee has died in a “heartbreaking” accident at his Florida home a day after celebrating his 69th birthday. According to the South Florida Museum, a panel door leading out of the underwater tank which is normally bolted shut had been knocked loose.

Fake Street Signs Warning of 'Easily Startled Police" Appear After Cop Shoots Minnesota Woman

Fake street signs appear after Minnesota cop fatally shot woman who reported hearing screams.

Swaziland halves world's highest HIV infection rate: report

Swaziland, which bears the world's heaviest HIV burden, has almost halved the rate of new infections in five years by boosting access to virus-suppressing drugs, researchers said Monday. The country -- where one in three adults is infected with the AIDS-causing virus -- has vastly expanded public programmes to test people for HIV infection and put them on life-saving anti-retroviral treatment (ART). "The rate of new HIV infections has been reduced by half," Velephi Okello of the Swazi health ministry told journalists at an HIV science conference in Paris.

Kushner speaks after meeting Senate investigators: ‘I did not collude with Russia’

In rare public remarks, President Trump’s son-in-law and top White House adviser emerged from a closed door meeting with Senate investigators, saying he did nothing wrong.

China says it wants to 'maintain stability' in disputed South China Sea

By Panu Wongcha-um BANGKOK (Reuters) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday Beijing wanted to maintain stability in the South China Sea as it seeks alliances in the region amid tensions in the disputed waters. The United States has criticized China for disregarding international law by the construction and militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea, undermining regional stability. China claims most of the energy-rich sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.

Serbia's president urges nation to resolve Kosovo relations

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia must resolve its relations with its breakaway former province of Kosovo in order to move forward, Serbia's president wrote in an opinion piece Monday.

Who is Charlie Gard, what is the disease he suffers from and what has been decided?

It has been a heartbreaking legal battle that has captured international attention and drawn offers of support from Donald Trump and the Pope. Now, the parents of terminally-ill baby Charlie Gard have ended their legal battle over treatment for their son. Their lawyer said that recent scans had confirmed that damage to Charlie's muscle and tissue was irreversible and said "it is now too late to treat Charlie". The couple felt that continuing their fight would cause Charlie pain.  Great Ormond Street Hospital will now give the parents some precious final hours with their son before withdrawing the ventilator that keeps him alive. Here is everything you need to know about the case. Who is Charlie Gard? Charlie is a 10-month old patient in intensive care at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London. On August 4, 2016, he was born a "perfectly healthy" baby at full term and at a "healthy weight". After about a month, however,  Charlie's parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, noticed that he was less able to lift his head and support himself than other babies of a similar age. Chris Gard and Connie Yates with their son Charlie Credit: PA Doctors discovered he had a rare inherited disease - infantile onset encephalomyopathy mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS). The condition causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage. In October, after he had became lethargic and his breathing shallow, he was transferred to the Great Ormond Street Hospital. Why was there a legal fight?  Charlie's parents wanted to take him to see specialists in the USA, who had offered an experimental therapy called nucleoside.  A crowdfunding page was set up in January to help finance the therapy. Ribbons and hearts tied to trees outside Great Ormond Street Hospital in London by well wishers backing a campaign to allow terminally ill baby Charlie Gard to be treated in America Credit: PA But doctors at GOSH concluded that the experimental treatment, which is not designed to be curative, would not improve Charlie’s quality of life.  When parents do not agree about a child’s future treatment, it is standard legal process to ask the courts to make a decision. This is what happened in Charlie’s case. What were the stages of the legal battle? March 3: Great Ormond Street bosses asked Mr Justice Francis to rule that life support treatment should stop. The judge was told that Charlie could only breathe through a ventilator and was fed through a tube. April 11: Mr Justice Francis said doctors could stop providing life-support treatment after analysing the case at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London He concluded that life-support treatment should end and said a move to a palliative care regime would be in Charlie's best interests.  Connie Yates leaves the Supreme Court after a panel of three Supreme Court justices on dismissed the couple's latest challenge Credit: PA May 3: Charlie's parents then asked Court of Appeal judges to consider the case. May 23: After analysing the case, three Court of Appeal judges dismissed the couple's appeal two days later.  June 8: Charlie's parents then lost their fight in the Supreme Court. Charlie's mother broke down in tears and screamed as justices announced their decision and was led from the court by lawyers. Chris Gard leaves the Supreme Court after it ruled in favour of Great Ormond Street Hospital Credit: PA June 20:  Judges in the European Court of Human Rights started to analyse the case after lawyers representing Charlie's parents make written submissions.  A European Court of Human Rights spokeswoman said the case would get "priority". "In light of the exceptional circumstances of this case, the court has already accorded it priority and will treat the application with the utmost urgency," she added. Supporters outside the Supreme Court Credit: PA June 27: On Tuesday, European court judges refused to intervene. A Great Ormond Street spokeswoman said the European Court decision marked "the end" of a "difficult process". She said there would be "no rush" to change Charlie's care and said there would be "careful planning and discussion". July 10: Charlie's parents return to the High Court and ask Mr Justice Francis to carry out a fresh analysis of the case. Mr Justice Francis gives them less than 48 hours to prove an experimental treatment works. July 24: Charlie's parents withdraw their request to change the original court order.  The baby will have his life support switched off in the next few days. Why was the case back in court? Charlie inherited the faulty RRM2B gene from his parents, affecting the cells responsible for energy production and respiration and leaving him unable to move or breathe without a ventilator. GOSH describes experimental nucleoside therapies as "unjustified" and the treatment is not a cure. The hospital's decision to go back into the courtroom came after two international healthcare facilities and their researchers contacted them to say they have "fresh evidence about their proposed experimental treatment". Charlie's parents have now decided to end their legal battle.  Grant Armstrong, the parents lawyer, told the court: "for Charlie it is too late." What did Charlie's parents argue? Richard Gordon QC, who led Charlie's parents' legal team, had told Court of Appeal judges that the case raised "very serious legal issues". Mum of Charlie Gard says five doctors support her 01:33 "They wish to exhaust all possible options," Mr Gordon said in a written outline of Charlie's parents' case. "They don't want to look back and think 'what if?'. This court should not stand in the way of their only remaining hope." Mr Gordon suggested that Charlie might be being unlawfully detained and denied his right to liberty. He said judges should not interfere with parents' exercise of parental rights. Lawyers, who represented Charlie's parents for free, said Mr Justice Francis had not given enough weight to Charlie's human right to life. They said there was no risk the proposed therapy in the US would cause Charlie "significant harm". However, Miss Yates and Mr Gard have now acknowledged that the therapy could not help their son get better. Their lawyer, Grant Armstrong, told the court that the delay in offering treatment to Charlie had meant he had no prospect of getting better.  Mr Armstrong said damage to Charlie's muscle and tissue was irreversible. "The parents' worst fears have been confirmed," he said "It is now too late to treat Charlie." Ethics professor: If Charlie Gard was my child I would let him die peacefully 01:22 What did GOSH argue? Katie Gollop QC, who led Great Ormond Street's legal team, suggested that further treatment would leave Charlie in a "condition of existence". She said therapy proposed in the USA was "experimental" and would not help Charlie. "There is significant harm if what the parents want for Charlie comes into effect," she told appeal judges. "The significant harm is a condition of existence which is offering the child no benefit." She added: "It is inhuman to permit that condition to continue." A banner hung on railings outside Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London Credit: PA Ms Gollop said nobody knew whether Charlie was in pain. "Nobody knows because it is so very difficult because of the ravages of Charlie's condition," she said. "He cannot see, he cannot hear, he cannot make a noise, he cannot move." Interventions from Trump and the Vatican While Ms Yates and Mr Gard said they have been boosted by support from US President Donald Trump and the Vatican, a leading expert has described interventions from high-profile figures as "unhelpful". Professor Neena Modi, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said in an open letter that Charlie's situation is "heartbreaking" for his parents, and "difficult" for others including medical staff, but added that even well-meaning interventions from outsiders can be unhelpful. If we can help little #CharlieGard, as per our friends in the U.K. and the Pope, we would be delighted to do so.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 3, 2017 The interest of the Pope and Mr Trump in Charlie's case has "saved his life so far", his mother has said. Ms Yates told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on July 10: "Yeah, they have saved his life so far. It turned it into an international issue. "There are a lot of people that are outraged by what is going on. We have got new evidence now so I hope the judge changes his mind." Timeline | Charlie Gard case She said that "sometimes parents are right in what they think" and it is not simply that they do not want to switch off life support. She said the family had seven specialist doctors - two from the US, two from Italy, one from England and two from Spain - supporting them. She added: "We expect that structural damage is irreversible, but I have yet to see something which tells me my son has irreversible structural brain damage." The parents have now acknowledged that the therapy they were seeking could not help their son get better. Their lawyer said the couple felt that continuing their fight would cause Charlie pain. 

Top Texan official blames sanctuary cities after 10 found dead in back of San Antonio truck

A top Texas official said that sanctuary cities were to blame for the deaths of ten people in a San Antonio truck that was used to "smuggle" people across the US-Mexico border.

Archaeologists Return to Legendary Birthplace of King Arthur

Archaeologists are back at the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. Last summer, researchers discovered traces of early medieval life at Tintagel in Cornwall, on England's southwest coast, where the legendary British monarch was said to have been born. It was during this time that King Arthur is said to have fought the invading Saxons.

A Former Canadian Sect Leader Has Been Found Guilty of Having 25 Wives

Blackmore and Oler are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,

Lebanon's Hezbollah says Syria border assault 'nearing end'

Lebanese movement Hezbollah said on Monday its fight against militant groups along the eastern border with war-ravaged Syria was "nearing its end", and called on fighters to surrender. Hezbollah announced a major push on Friday to clear both sides of Lebanon's border with Syria from "armed terrorists". The clashes are focused on Jurud Arsal, a mountainous area around the Lebanese border town of Arsal.

Facebook workers are demanding higher wages because they literally can't afford rent anymore

Over 500 cafeteria workers at Facebook's Menlo Park, California headquarters have unionized and are demanding higher wages because they can't afford to live in Silicon Valley.

Trump suggests Republicans should ‘protect their president’

The president tweeted on Sunday that it is “very sad” Republicans are doing "very little to protect" him — and admitted that the ongoing Russia probe, while “phony,” may be “taking hold.”

California crews hold wildfire in check, letting more residents go home

California authorities battling a massive wildfire near Yosemite National Park lifted evacuation orders on Sunday for more local residents but said firefighters may need almost two more weeks to contain the blaze fully. The Detwiler Fire is 40 percent contained, unchanged from Saturday, after burning 76,000 acres (30,700 hectares) and 130 structures, including 63 homes, since it broke out on Monday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. Evacuation orders were lifted as of 12 p.m. PST for much of the historic gold rush era town of Coulterville and nearby areas as firefighters completed firelines to contain the blaze, Cal Fire said in a statement.

Woman Shares Touching Photo of Walmart Employee Helping Blind Man Shop

She said the heartwarming moment caught her eye.

Chipotle Norovirus Is Back: 135 Sick After Eating At Fast Food Chain

More than 135 people reported falling sick between July 13 and July 16 after visiting a Chipotle restaurant in Virginia.

Teenage driver livestreams crash that killed sister

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A teenage driver lost control of her car while she was livestreaming on Instagram and recorded part of the crash that authorities said Monday killed her younger sister in California.

Ukraine leader slams Russia over arms given to rebels

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Monday demanded Russia's Vladimir Putin halt arms supplies to rebels as the leaders of France and Germany tried to revive a peace plan. After a spike in violence, the four leaders discussed the Ukraine crisis for two hours by telephone in the latest round of talks aimed at stilling a conflict that has killed 10,000 people since April 2014. The conversation was the first to involve French President Emmanuel Macron since he came to power in May, becoming the main international moderator on the crisis along with Germany's Angela Merkel.

Richard Dawkins hits back at cancellation of Berkeley event for 'abusive speech against Islam'

Richard Dawkinswants "a public apology" from a California radio station that cancelled an event with the scientist because of his “abusive speech against Islam”. The influential academic and writer was scheduled to speak about his memoir A Brief Candle in the Dark at an event organised by Berkeley’s KPFA Radio next month. But KPFA has now cancelled the talk, citing his "hurtful speech" against Islam.  “We had booked this event based entirely on his excellent new book on science, when we didn’t know he had offended and hurt – in his tweets and other comments on Islam – so many people," KPFA wrote in an email to ticket buyers. KPFA exercises its free speech right not to participate with anyone who uses hateful language against a community already under attack. https://t.co/nTC1LYQKiG— KPFA Radio (@kpfa) July 21, 2017 "KPFA does not endorse hurtful speech. While KPFA emphatically supports serious free speech, we do not support abusive speech. We apologise for not having had broader knowledge of Dawkins’s views much earlier. We also apologise to all those inconvenienced by this cancellation.” Residents had reportedly highlighted statements made by the evolutionary biologist and confirmed atheist, including a 2013 tweet saying "Islam is the greatest force for evil in the world today". @ToddKincannon I think Islam is the greatest force for evil in the world today. I've said so, often and loudly.What are you talking about?— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) March 1, 2013 Professor Dawkins responded to the radio station in an open letter published on his website, saying he had lived in Berkeley for two years  and had appreciated KPFA's  "objective reporting and humane commentary".  "It was therefore a matter of personal sorrow to me to receive this morning your truly astonishing 'justification' for de-platforming me," he wrote. “You conspicuously did not quote a source when accusing me of ‘abusive speech’. Why didn’t you check your facts – or at least have the common courtesy to alert me – before summarily cancelling my event?” This is so stupid. Oh and by the way, my entire family is Muslim. Oh and Muslims aren't weak little children. They can hear other views.— Fouad (@fouadalnoor) July 22, 2017 Professor Dawkins said that he had “never used abusive speech against Islam”, explaining that while he had previously called Islamism “vile”, Islamism is not the same as Islam. “I have criticised the appalling misogyny and homophobia of Islam, I have criticised the murdering of apostates for no crime other than their disbelief. Far from attacking Muslims, I understand – as perhaps you do not – that Muslims themselves are the prime victims of the oppressive cruelties of Islamism, especially Muslim women,” the author wrote.  Dawkins 'not certain' God does not exist 01:31 Urging the radio station to find examples of the abusive speech, he added: "When you fail to discover any, I presume you will issue a public apology." Professor Dawkins' bestselling book about the study of evolution, The Selfish Gene, was named the most influential science book of all time last week by the Royal Society. Berkeley, historically known as the home of the Free Speech moment in the 1960s, has hit the headlines in recent months over the cancellations of other controversial speakers. An event for alt-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos was cancelled in February by the University of California after clashes involving far-left protesters, as was a speech by conservative pundit Ann Coulter. 

Kellyanne Conway explains what she meant by ‘alternative facts’

Six months after launching that infamous phrase into the cultural and political lexicon, President Trump’s counselor attempted on Sunday to define what she meant.

Mom of Teen Who Went Missing at Sea with Friend Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Other Family

She claims their negligence led to the boys' deaths in the suit.

US student is freed after week held in China in taxi dispute

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — An American university student is free after being detained for a week in China for allegedly injuring a taxi driver who manhandled his mother during a fare dispute, in a case that brought U.S. lawmakers to the student's defense.

Japan woman dies of tick disease after bitten by sick cat

A Japanese woman has died from a tick-borne virus after being bitten by a stray cat in what is possibly the world's first animal-to-human transmission of the disease. Authorities have since confirmed that she developed SFTS, a disease transmitted by bites from a certain group of virus-carrying ticks. Human-to-human infections of the tick virus through blood contact have been reported, but ministry officials believe the Japanese woman's death could be the first case of a human dying from the bite of an infected animal.

Teenagers who laughed and filmed a disabled man as he drowned may face criminal charges

Five boys between 14 and 16 years old reportedly laughed loudly when 32-year-old Jamel Dunn screamed and was submerged in a retention pond in Cocoa, Florida. The teenagers taunted and shouted insults at Dunn during the one-minute video as he struggled in the water and shouted for help. Under Florida law, it is not a punishable offence for a witness not to help a person in need, and the youths were likely not to face charges.

Israel removes metal detectors from holy site entrance

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel began removing metal detectors from entrances to a major Jerusalem shrine early Tuesday morning to defuse a crisis over the site that angered the Muslim world and triggered some of the worst Israeli-Palestinian clashes in years.

Very rare first USA-spec McLaren F1 to be auctioned

Any version of this truly ground-breaking car in good condition goes for seven figures, and there's little prospect of prices going in any direction other than upwards for the foreseeable future. After all, it was the fastest road car in the world for a number of years, thanks to the 627 horsepower produced by its BMW M V-12 engine. Another fact about the McLaren F1 is that each one was a very individual car in its own right, but there are some that are more individual than others.

Donald Trump attacks Jeff Sessions on Twitter over 'very weak' position on Hillary Clinton 

US President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary attack on Attorney General Jeff Sessions again on Tuesday, calling him "VERY weak" in pursuing intelligence leaks and failure to go after former Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton over her emails. Mr Trump's latest Twitter salvo followed a report in the Washington Post that the president and his advisers have discussed replacing Sessions, once one of his closest allies. "Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails &DNC server) & Intel leakers!" Mr Trump tweeted. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017 Mr Trump has openly criticised Mr Sessions for recusing himself from overseeing a federal probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian to meddle in the 2016 US presidential elections. Mr Trump's intensifying criticism of Sessoins has fueled speculation that Mr Sessions may resign even if Trump opts not to fire him. During an event at the White House, Trump ignored a shouted question about whether Sessions should step down and rolled his eyes. Mr Sessions has said he has no plans to resign. Sessions trump With pressure mounting from the investigation led by former FBI director Robert Mueller, Mr Trump has sought to revive a campaign year controversy over Mrs Clinton's use of a private server to send email while secretary of state. During the campaign, former FBI director James Comey, whom Mr Trump later fired over the Russia probe, had declined to recommend Mrs Clinton be prosecuted over her handling of classified material on her email server. In another post to his Twitter account, Mr Trump said: "Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump campaign - quietly working to boost Clinton. So where is the investigation A.G." Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump campaign - "quietly working to boost Clinton." So where is the investigation A.G. @seanhannity— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017 What happens next? If Mr Trump were to fire Mr Sessions, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein would be elevated to the top post on an acting basis. That would leave the president with another attorney general of whom he has been sharply critical in both public and private for his handling of the Russia probe, according to four White House and outside advisers who, like others interviewed, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Jared Kushner speaks out after Senate hearing on Russia 00:30 It could also raise the specter of Mr Trump asking Mr Rosenstein - or whomever he appoints to fill the position - to fire Robert Mueller, the special counsel leading the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election and potential collusion with Trump's campaign. The name of one longtime Trump ally, Rudy Giuliani, was floated Monday as a possible replacement for Sessions, but a person who recently spoke to the former New York City mayor said that Giuliani had not been approached about the position. Mr Giuliani told CNN on Monday that he did not want the post and would have recused himself had he been in Sessions' position. Trump insists on not talking politics before proceeding to talk politics 00:00 The president's tweet about the former Alabama senator comes less than a week after Mr Trump, in a New York Times interview, said that Sessions should never have taken the job as attorney general if he was going to recuse himself. Mr Sessions made that decision after it was revealed that he had met with a top Russian diplomat last year. Mr Trump has seethed about Mr Sessions' decision for months, viewing it as disloyal - arguably the most grievous offense in the president's mind - and resenting that the attorney general did not give the White House a proper heads-up before making the announcement that he would recuse himself. His fury has been fanned by several close confidants - including his son Donald Trump Jr, who is also ensnared in the Russia probe - who are angry that Mr Sessions made his decision. Would Donald Trump make a good Boy Scout? 01:38 Mr Sessions and Mr Trump used to be close, sharing both a friendship and an ideology. Mr Sessions risked his reputation when he became the first US senator to endorse the celebrity businessman and his early backing gave Trump legitimacy, especially among the hard-line anti-immigration forces that bolstered his candidacy. Several of Mr Sessions' top aides now serve in top administration posts, including Stephen Miller, the architect of several of Mr Trump's signature proposals, including the travel ban and tough immigration policy. After Mr Trump's public rebuke last week, Mr Sessions seemed determined to keep doing the job he said "goes beyond anything that I would have ever imagined for myself." "I'm totally confident that we can continue to run this office in an effective way," Mr Sessions said last week. Armand DeKeyser, who worked closely with Sessions and became his chief of staff in the Senate, said he did not see the attorney general as someone who would easily cave to criticism, even from the president. "If Jeff thinks he is in an untenable position and cannot be an effective leader, I believe he would leave," DeKeyser said. "But I don't think he's reached that point." But Anthony Scaramucci, the president's new communications director, said that it's time for Trump and Sessions to hash out a resolution, regardless of what they decide. "My own personal opinion, I think they've got to have a meeting and have a reconciliation one way or another. You know what I mean? Either stay or go, one way or another," he said. The Justice Department declined to comment.

Iran top judge demands U.S. release assets, jailed Iranians

Iran's top judge called on the United States on Monday to release Iranians held in U.S. jails and billions of dollars in Iranian assets, days after Washington urged Tehran to free three U.S. citizens. The statement by Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani capped a week of heightened rhetoric over the jailing and disappearance of Americans in Iran and new U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The Surprising Breakfast That Keeps Giada De Laurentiis Looking So Fit

She skips protein and goes straight for the starch.

Mugabe lavishes sister-in-law with $60,000 birthday gift

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe lavished his sister-in-law with $60,000 on her birthday, state-owned media reported Monday, at a time when the country is running critically short of cash. The Herald newspaper said Mugabe, 93, and his wife Grace gave Junior Gumbochuma the money at her birthday celebrations, while the couple's children gave her $10,000. Gumbochuma, who is Grace Mugabe's elder sister, celebrated her 60th birthday on Sunday as Grace celebrated her 52nd at one of the Mugabes' farms in Shamva, northeast of Harare.

Homeless people cleared from New York subway to make it look 'nice' for Mayor Bill de Blasio's ride

The New York Police Department was sent an email that instructed officers to clear homeless people from certain stations to make them "look nice" for Mayor Bill de Blasio's subway ride. The New York Post reported that officers were given the morning to "make sure nobody's hanging out" on the four station route the Mayor and wife Chirlane would be taking from the Park Slope neighbourhood to his re-election headquarters in Downtown Brooklyn. Mr de Blasio rarely rides the subway and prefers to take private motorcade with an NYPD security detail to work at City Hall.

I Bought a Portable Air Conditioner. Should You?

The alternative to a window unit, explained.

Trump: Any Senator who votes against health care is "fine with the Obamacare nightmare"

WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump pleaded with U.S. Senate Republicans on Monday to "do the right thing" on health care and allow debate to begin on a measure to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Exclusive: Germany wants more EU sanctions on Russia over Siemens Crimea turbines - sources

By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Germany is urging the European Union to add up to four more Russian nationals and companies to the bloc's sanctions blacklist over Siemens gas turbines delivered to Moscow-annexed Crimea, two sources in Brussels said. The EU has barred its firms from doing business with Crimea since the 2014 annexation, imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, and curbed cooperation with Russia in energy, arms and finance over its role in the crisis in Ukraine.

Poorly designed tote bag shows exactly why fonts are EXTREMELY important

Well, this fashion statement is one giant YIKES. Online based fashion store BelleChic is in hot water after selling a tote bag with a questionable message.  One Twitter user posted a photo of the tote bag that is supposed to say "MY FAVORITE COLOR IS GLITTER," but instead, it says something that is certainly not that. my fav colour is also hitler pic.twitter.com/0tMnOGpsOG — some quack 閭 (@hurlarious) July 23, 2017 Yeahhh, that bag definitely says "MY FAVORITE COLOR IS HITLER." SEE ALSO: 2017's most unnecessary fashion, ranked The bag has gone completely viral, with other Twitter users noticing the huge oversight in the its design. I mean, how can you clearly see the word "HITLER" written in gold glitter and not suggest a font change? I read that asMy favorite color is Hitler and got very confused. https://t.co/fopTlWxrQZ — Ame. (@SirenOfXebel) July 24, 2017 am i the only one that read it "my favorite color is hitler" ?? pic.twitter.com/6cKrDvKESq — ㅤ (@Zgjiw) July 23, 2017 When your favourite colour appears to be ‘Hitler’, because of a poor choice of font. pic.twitter.com/ghZxKiJdU3 — Paul Burley (@burgerhewrote) July 23, 2017 The description of the bag on the store's website states, Do us a favor — don't make this your new favorite every day tote. Unfortunately, BelleChic has yet to acknowledge the design mistake, and is still currently selling the tote for $12.99. The site even makes a point to say over 60 totes have already been sold, meaning 60 people have bought a bag that says "HITLER" on it. This, my friends, is why fonts matter. WATCH: The best way to release stress? Break your computer.

WRX STI Type RA NBR achieves incredible Nurburgring lap time

There's no getting away from what a stunning piece of technology and automotive engineering the Porsche 918 Spyder was when it was revealed to the world a couple of years ago, and it was no surprise when it put in an amazing lap time at the world famous Nurburgring. It's only right then that we would have expected a genuine challenge to that lap time to come from some equally advanced hybrid hypercar, but Subaru has come extremely close to beating the 918's time without an electric motor in sight with its WRX STI Type RA NBR. To be fair to both Porsche and Subaru, the WRX STI Type RA NBR isn't exactly your run-of-the-mill car by any means.