Donald Trump’s plane had to make an emergency landing in New Orleans not long after taking off from the Louisiana city after the aircraft suffered an engine failure over the Gulf of Mexico.

The pilot immediately turned the plane around and landed just before 11pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, in a new interview with Republican Party chair Ronna McDaniel, Donald Trump bragged about his supposed history of standing up to Russia, reiterating his recent claims that the invasion of Ukraine would have happened on his watch.

Claiming that his record has been distorted by the “corrupt media”, Mr Trump insisted that “there was never anyone tougher on Russia than I was, and I think Putin, if he was being honest, would say that”.

His remarks came after the Biden administration banned all Russian oil imports, a move Mr Trump said would leave the US to be “taken advantage of by Europe”.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Grisham, who served as Mr Trump’s White House press secretary and later as an aide to Melania Trump, said she believed Mr Trump’s approach to the situation in Ukraine would be “completely hands off” and he would tell Vladimir Putin to “go on in there”, she said on ABC’s The View.

Ms Grisham added that the former president was “afraid” of Mr Putin, but also “admired him greatly”.

She also said: “He loved the dictators, he loved the people who could kill anyone, including the press.”

Key points

• Trump’s plane made emergency landing in New Orleans after engine failure

• Trump ‘admired’ Putin ‘greatly’, says ex-press secretary

• Trump would have told Putin to ‘go on in’ over Ukraine, former staffer says

• Bill Barr asked why he didn’t speak out about Trump sooner

• 72 per cent of Trump voters support Biden Russia oil ban

McCarthy again dodges question on repercussions for Marjorie Taylor Greene

22:25 , Oliver O'Connell

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy faced tough questions over whether he stood by statements indicating that two far-right members of his caucus could resume their roles on congressional committees if the GOP wins control of the chamber in the fall.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Mr McCarthy confirmed to reporters that Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar still had avenues to returning to active roles on House panels even after they were both publicly chastised for attending an event billed as a far-right alternative to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) hosted by a semi-famous white nationalist, Nick Fuentes.

He also refused to indicate whether the two lawmakers would face any repercussions behind the scenes, telling reporters that his conversations with members would not be made public.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Kevin McCarthy dodges question on repercussions for Marjorie Taylor Greene again

Trump says ‘be careful what you wish for’ about Germany and Japan rearming

22:16 , Oliver O'Connell

In a wide-ranging interview on the Full Send Podcast posted on Wednesday covering current events, golf, and his time in office, former President Donald Trump said “be careful what you wish for” when it comes to Germany and Japan rebuilding their militaries in light of the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Trump: Germany has now agreed to rebuild their military. and they’ve decided that they’re going to go all out and they’re going to now rebuild their military. Be careful what you wish for.

Interviewer: Why is that?

Trump: Well, take a look over the last two world wars, take a look over the last two world wars with Germany. You know there is a theory out there that Germany should not be rebuilding their military so much…and Japan is now going to rebuild their military, just be careful what you wish for.

Creepy details revealed of alleged plot to kidnap and ‘hogtie’ Michigan Governor

21:56 , Oliver O'Connell

One wanted to hogtie the governor. Another crush her skull. Others planned to break into her home while she slept with her family “in the middle of the night”.

That’s according to prosecutors who alleged in their opening statement that militia group members were serious about kidnapping Governor Gretchen Whitmer and were prepared to turn Michigan into a “war zone” to do it.

While defence attorneys argued it was all just tough talk, Assistant US Attorney Jonathan Roth told the jury that militia members agreed, planned, and trained for what they believed was a Civil War coming to the US.

Justin Vallejo reports on the opening of the trial.

Creepy details in plot to kidnap Whitmer ‘as she slept’ alleged as trial opens

Ted Cruz mocked for odd claim he gets hugged ‘every time’ he gets on a plane

21:38 , Oliver O'Connell

“If you believe that flight attendants and captains hug Ted Cruz all the time, I have two tickets to Cancun to sell you,” podcast Emily Brandwin wrote.

Josh Marcus reports.

Ted Cruz mocked for bizarre claim he always gets hugged on planes

Sidney Powell: Texas bar seeks disciplinary action against Trump’s ‘Kraken’ ex-lawyer

21:11 , Oliver O'Connell

The Texas agency responsible for regulating the legal profession has asked a judge to impose disciplinary measures against attorney Sidney Powell, the Republican litigator and conspiracy theorist who pushed to overturn former president Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.

According to court documents released on Tuesday, the Texas state bar Commission for Lawyer Discipline accused Ms Powell of “professional misconduct” in violation of five separate violations of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.

Andrew Feinberg has the details.

Texas bar seeks disciplinary action against Trump’s ‘Kraken’ ex-lawyer Sidney Powell

Bannon: ‘$0 for Ukraine'

20:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Steven Bannon says no Republican should vote for any money for Ukraine — “$0 for Ukraine” — until there is a “full briefing and disclosure with exactly what is going on with facts”.

Lawmakers from both parties and both chambers of Congress have received several in-person, classified briefings on the situation in Ukraine since January.

Colorado county clerk who sowed doubt about 2020 election, indicted with 10 criminal counts

20:36 , Oliver O'Connell

A grand jury in Colorado has indicted a county election clerk who sowed doubt about the 2020 presidential election, alleging she was part of a “deceptive scheme” to breach voting system technology that is used across the country.

Tina Peters, a Republican elected in 2018 to oversee elections in Mesa County, was charged with 13 counts, including attempting to influence a public servant, criminal impersonation and first-degree official misconduct. Also facing charges in the case is Deputy Clerk Belinda Knisley.

Over the past year, Peters has appeared onstage with supporters of former President Donald Trump who made false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Peters recently announced plans to launch a campaign for Colorado secretary of state on the podcast of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

More details below via The Associated Press.

Colorado elections clerk indicted in voting system breach

Trump ‘so great to women’ says RNC chair in gushing interview

20:22 , Oliver O'Connell

The chair of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, told former President Donald Trump that he has been “so great to women” during a gushing interview posted on the GOP’s YouTube channel.

“You’re such a wonderful person, you’re so great to women,” Ms McDaniel told Mr Trump.

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC.

Gushing RNC interview with Trump calls him ‘so great to women’

Prosecutors say woman who ran Russian ‘propaganda’ centre tried to contact Trump in 2016

20:09 , Oliver O'Connell

A dual citizen charged with illegally acting as a Russian government agent in the US sought meetings with then-candidate Donald Trump leading up to the 2016 presidential election, according to federal prosecutors.

Elena Branson was charged on 8 March with acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying US authorities, conspiring to commit visa fraud, making false statements to the FBI, and failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Alex Woodward reports from New York.

Russian ‘propaganda’ center director tried to contact Trump in 2016, prosecutors say

Lauren Boebert mocked for mangling Robin Hood reference in criticism of Biden

19:58 , Oliver O'Connell

Right-wing Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert got herself in a tangle on Fox News on Tuesday when she struggled to draw an analogy between the Biden administration’s policies and a cartoon character.

Andrew Naughtie reports on an apparent forgotten punchline.

Lauren Boebert mocked for mangling Robin Hood reference on Fox News

Trump’s plane made emergency landing in New Orleans after engine failure

19:48 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s plane had to make an emergency landing in New Orleans not long after taking off from the Louisiana city after the aircraft suffered an engine failure over the Gulf of Mexico.

The pilot immediately turned the plane around and landed just before 11pm on Saturday, Politico reported.

The plane was set to take Mr Trump home to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida after his visit to the Four Seasons Hotel in New Orleans, where he spoke at a private event for top GOP donors, hosted by the Republican National Committee.

Gustaf Kilanders has more details of the incident.

Last-ditch attempt to stop ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill as Disney CEO arranges meeting

19:34 , Oliver O'Connell

The Walt Disney Company’s CEO Bob Chapek told shareholders that he spoke with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to share his “disappointment” with the passage of the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill and has arranged a meeting with his office and LGBT+ Disney officials.

Mr Chapek – following his lengthy live-streamed highlight reel of Disney properties and programmes and previews of upcoming films and television series – said the company “opposed to the bill from the outset” but chose not to issue a public statement against it, as company leaders felt they were “more effective behind the scenes, engaging with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.”

Disney CEO brokers last-ditch meeting with DeSantis to stop ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill

Trump launches into error-laden boast about US nuclear weapons

19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The former US president who was once entrusted with the sole authority to order America’s nuclear weapons arsenal into action is now falsely claiming the United States is a “bigger nuclear power” than Russia despite a 549-warhead deficit between the two.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Trump launches into error-laden boast about US nuclear weapons in new video

Stephanie Grisham: Gay teenage son ‘ashamed’ she worked for Trump

19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

One-time White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham says her gay teenage son was “ashamed” of her work for former president Donald Trump.

Ms Grisham made the statement during an appearance as guest host on ABC’s The View on Tuesday, when the panel’s discussion turned to Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Stephanie Grisham says her gay teen son was ‘ashamed’ she worked for Trump

Trump’s accomplishments? Botched Fox News graphic isn’t sure

18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

An on-air glitch somewhat undermined a Fox News segment about Donald Trump’s presidential accomplishments when the graphics for the list literally drew a blank.

The awkward moment came during conservative host Laura Ingraham’s Monday night broadcast, as she complained that the press was harder on then-president Trump in 2019 than it is now on President Biden.

Nathan Place reports.

Fox News graphic shows blank spaces for Trump’s accomplishments

‘People’s Convoy’ takes rain check

18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Organisers of the “People’s Convoy” protest currently staged in Maryland said the truckers and other drivers would not circle the Beltway today due to rain in the Washington DC region.

Graig Graziosi reports.

‘People’s Convoy’ cancels Beltway drive due to rain

Trump aide Stephen Miller files lawsuit against Jan 6 committee

18:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Stephen Miller, the former White House aide to Donald Trump, has filed a civil suit against the House of Representatives committee investigating the Capitol riot of January 6 2021.

He is seeking to block the subpoena of his phone records which he claims may be used to make partisan points against him.

The lawsuit was filed by “Carron Drive Apartments LP” a business entity that registered a T-Mobile Family Plan for Mr Miller’s parents.

First Jan 6 rioter found guilty in jury trial may face up to 60 years in prison

18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Prosecutors won a landmark ruling in the first case of the 6 January US Capitol riot to go before a jury trial.

Texas man Guy Reffitt was found guilty on five felony charges including obstructing an official proceeding and bringing a gun onto the grounds of the US Capitol.

The unanimous verdict came after less than four hours of deliberation in what is seen as a milestone against defendants not accepting plea deals with the US Department of Justice. He faces up to 60 years in prison at his sentencing in June.

Justin Vallejo has the details.

Texas man found guilty in first jury trial over US Capitol riot

McCarthy in rare break from Trump

17:42 , Oliver O'Connell

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has broken with Donald Trump over the former president’s praise of Vladimir Putin.

Asked by CNN’s Manu Raju about Mr Trump’s comments, Mr McCarthy responded: “I do not think anything’s savvy or genius about Putin.”

ICYMI: Congress reaches deal on $14bn emergency aid to Ukraine

17:29 , Oliver O'Connell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced a deal between the two parties to provide $14 bn in additional assistance to Ukraine on Tuesday while lashing out at Democrats over the speed of negotiations.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr McConnell announced the settled-upon figure before claiming it had been like “pulling teeth” negotiating a higher dollar-value with Democrats, whom he said were willing to block passage of the bill. Some progressives have raised questions about the scale of weapons shipments being sent to militia groups aligned with Ukraine’s government some of whom experts have warned have white nationalist ideologies.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

US congress reaches deal on $14 billion emergency aid to Ukraine

17:08 , Andrew Naughtie

The launch of Truth Social was supposed to herald a new era in right-wing social media, providing a safe haven for pro-Trump users with a grievance against big tech platforms that banned the ex-president for helping incite the 6 January riot.

But for all the ballyhoo around its launch, the app has failed to make a splash – and as Politico reports, Mr Trump himself hasn’t done much to help.

Ted Cruz’s odd take on Russia

16:47 , Andrew Naughtie

Speaking to Fox this morning, Ted Cruz shared an offbeat theory about why exactly Russia decided to invade Ukraine...

Ohio Republicans spend monster sums in must-win Senate race

16:12 , Andrew Naughtie

The Ohio Senate seat opened up by Rob Portman’s retirement is a must-win for Republicans as they try to retake the upper chamber of Congress, and the wide-open GOP primary has become one of the country’s most expensive races. Medium Buying, which tracks campaign media spending, now reports that the candidates’ ad spending has now passed the $30m mark.

Among the candidates is JD Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy, who has embraced a panoply of hardcore right-wing talking points as he moves away from his long history of statements condemning Donald Trump. As things stand, he is struggling to rise toward the top of the field.

RNC drops new Trump interview: “There was never anyone tougher on Russia than I was”

15:21 , Andrew Naughtie

Posting on its official YouTube channel, the Republican Party has released a new 23-minute interview with Donald Trump and party chair Ronna McDaniel.

Among the various topics the two get into is Mr Trump’s relationship with Nato, Ukraine and Vladimir Putin, whom Ms McDaniel praises him for being “tough” on. After a rant against the “corrupt media”, Mr Trump claims “there was never anyone tougher on Russia than I was, and I think Putin, if he was being honest, would say that”.

He also claims falsely that he stopped the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany, and that nobody had heard of it until he came along.

Watch it below.

ICYMI: Bill Barr says he’ll still vote for Trump

15:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Bill Barr’s book tour has infuriated his former boss, but despite all the unflattering things he’s written and said about Donald Trump, Mr Barr said this week that he still intends to vote for him in 2024 if he’s the Republican nominee. Apparently, the threat from the progressive left is too great to entertain the idea of a Democrat in office instead.

Ex-AG Bill Barr says he’d still vote for Trump in 2024

Catch up: Trump rants about gas prices as Biden bans Russian oil

14:50 , Andrew Naughtie

Just before Joe Biden told Americans that high gas prices were worth paying to protect democracy against Russian invasion, Donald Trump lashed out with an angry mini-statement about prices at the pump. Unfortunately for him, polling seems to indicate that Americans agree with Mr Biden’s rationale for banning Russian oil imports.

Trump tries to make Biden ban on Russian oil about himself

How the first Jan 6 trial ended in a guilty verdict

14:24 , Andrew Naughtie

Capitol rioter and Trump supporter Guy Reffitt, who notoriously threatened his family with violence if they turned him in to law enforcement, was found guilty yesterday on multiple charges stemming from his activities on 6 January 2021. He was the first defendant from the riot to go to trial, and members of his family testified against him.

Justin Vallejo has this rundown of the story.

Texas man found guilty in first jury trial over US Capitol riot

Trump endorsee flailing in Georgia governor’s race

13:52 , Andrew Naughtie

One of Donald Trump’s myriad post-2020 enemies in the Republican Party is Georgia governor Brian Kemp, who refused to endorse the false claim that his state had been stolen for Joe Biden.

Since then, Mr Trump has endorsed Mr Kemp’s primary challenger, ex-senator David Perdue – but according to polling for Fox News, Mr Perdue is struggling to catch up, and his severe fundraising deficit is matched by flaccid polling. Mr Trump has seen many of his preferred candidates already winning early primaries, but what’s happening in Georgia could become a corrective to the idea that what he says always goes.

ICYMI: Trump’s latest outbursts on Ukraine

13:19 , Andrew Naughtie

After carping at the soaring gas prices in the US, Donald Trump yesterday released two statements accusing Joe Biden of being “taken advantage of by Europe” over the Russian oil boycott and claiming that the “fake news media” is misrepresenting his contributions to the security of Ukraine – whose government he tried to extort with a threat to withhold military aid.

Catch up: Proud Boys leader indicted over Jan 6

12:52 , Andrew Naughtie

Enrique Tarrio, former FBI informant and leader of the extremist Proud Boys, was yesterday indicted and arrested along with other high-ranking group members in relation to the 6 January riot. The allegations levelled against them include that they organised members to attend the event, distributed “paramilitary gear and supplies” to would-be rioters”, and were involved in “directing, mobilizing and leading” people into the Capitol itself.

Read more:

Proud Boys leader indicted on Jan 6 conspiracy charges

“Kraken” lawyer in more hot water over election lawsuits

12:20 , Andrew Naughtie

Sidney Powell, the extreme conspiracy theorist and attorney who helped lead the effort to overturn the 2020 election in courts across the US, is already facing multiple legal actions against her for filing lawsuits on false premises.

She now faces disciplinary action from the Texas bar, which accuses her of professional misconduct – writing in its complaint that Ms Powell “had no reasonable basis to believe the lawsuits she filed were not frivolous”.

Read more from Courthouse News.

Nikki Haley cuts bizarre fundraising clip for Herschel Walker

11:47 , Andrew Naughtie

Former UN Ambassador and Trump ally Nikki Haley has joined in the Georgia Senate race with a short clip featuring Herschel Walker, the leading Republican candidate to take on freshman Democrat Raphael Warnock.

The video she shot with the former football star is hardly the slick stuff of normal high-visibility campaigns, instead coming off as embarrassingly homespun.

Mr Walker’s campaign is a must-win for Republicans as they work hard to take the Senate back, and his personal problems and sometimes erratic public statements have become a cause for concern.

Trump clings to false hope in Wisconsin

11:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Last night, Donald Trump released an unusually long statement rejoicing in the supposed progress of the election fraud investigation in Wisconsin, a probe being led by a Trump-supporting former state Supreme Court justice.

The taxpayer-funded investigation, widely derided as a partisan sham with no basis in fact or chance of success, has been extended through the end of April, which Mr Trump seems to be spinning as a sign that it could yield results in his favour.

Jessie Opoien, who covers WIsconsin politics for Madison’s Capital Times, has this tidy summary of why he’s off-base.

The Republican speaker of the Wisconsin assembly, Robin Vos, made clear that the extension of the investigation is “not necessarily looking for additional things to investigate”.

How the Jan 6 committee is following the money

10:36 , Andrew Naughtie

Most of the attention paid to the congressional 6 January investigation is focused on the select commitee’s approach to the Trump inner circle and the former president himself, but the panel’s work has a lot more to it than that.

As the Washington Post explains, the committee is working hard to track down every funding source that contributed to the events of the Capitol riot. “Committee investigators,” writes the paper, “have interviewed low-level Trump campaign aides who wrote fundraising pitches, grilled Trump advisers about who may have personally profited from the post-election cash haul and even dialed up the owners of a portable-toilet company to find out who paid them to put toilets on the Ellipse the day of the insurrection.”

Read more below.

ICYMI: Barr doesn’t rule out voting for Trump again

09:58 , Andrew Naughtie

Bill Barr’s book tour has provoked a stream of angry outbursts from the ex-attorney general’s former boss. But as pointed out by the Republican Accountability Project, Mr Barr has explicitly said that even though he considers Mr Trump “out of touch with reality”, he would still vote for him again because the “progressive left” is the biggest threat to the US.

Trump’s wild remarks at Michigan fundraiser

09:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trump last night hosted a political fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago for Matthew DePerno, who he’s endorsed for Michigan attorney general in this year’s elections. Mr DePerno, a lawyer from Kalamazoo, is a longtime proponent of 2020 election consrpiacy theories, including the false claim that Dominion voting machines used in his state were hacked.

Courtesy of Bridge Michigan reporter Jonathan Oosting, here’s a sample of the president’s remarks...

Trump gave out chocolates and Diet Cokes at most meetings, claims Barr

08:24 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former Attorney General Bill Barr in his new book One Damn Thing After Another: Memoirs of an Attorney General, explained former president Donald Trump’s refreshments of choice for guests during meetings at the White House.

“Always the attentive host, he would constantly ensure that everyone had a Diet Coke to drink,” Mr Barr wrote. “If he was feeling especially beneficent, he would open a cigar box and deal out his stash of big Hershey chocolate bars as if dealing cards. I always accepted; you have to play the hand you’re dealt”.

Voices | Republicans are putting Zelensky and Ukraine in danger

07:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Over the weekend, Republican senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Steve Daines of Montana violated security protocols, putting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at risk of assassination.

Their irresponsibility is stunning, but not surprising. It’s yet another indication that the Republican party has lost both the inclination and the ability to govern.

Rubio and Daines were on a conference call in which Zelensky briefed US lawmakers on the situation in Ukraine. Lawmakers were specifically asked not to share anything on social media during the call, because doing so could compromise Zelensky’s location.

Despite these instructions, however, Rubio and Daines posted screenshots of the video call while it was ongoing, writes Noah Berlatsky.

Republicans are putting Zelensky and Ukraine in danger for social media clout

Pro-Trump fundraiser accused over $6.8m fraud

06:59 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The treasurer of a pro-Trump PAC has blamed “that b**** Hillary Clinton” for his arrest over an alleged Ponzi scheme that funded his lavish lifestyle.

David Schamens told The Daily Beast in an interview that Ms Clinton’s alleged political vendetta and his support of Donald Trump was behind the Justice Department’s charge that he duped investors out of $6.8m.

“That’s where this all started,” Mr Schamens said of Ms Clinton. “With that b**** Hillary Clinton… I had my computer seized, I had all my information seized, my daughter and my wife had automatic weapons pointed at them when they took it at 6 o’clock in the morning on August 31st”.

Justin Vallejo has more.

Pro-Trump fundraiser charged with $6.8m fraud blames ‘that b****’ Hillary Clinton”

Gulf leaders refused to take Biden's call: Report

06:39 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and the UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan allegedly declined calls with US president Joe Biden, who wanted to discuss oil exports amid a surge in prices.

“There was some expectation of a phone call, but it didn’t happen,” a US official told The Wall Street Journal about a possible plan for the Saudi prince and Mr Biden to speak. “It was part of turning on the spigot [of Saudi oil].”

Both the Gulf nations are touted to be the only global suppliers with the capacity to pump more oil to ease the price surge.

Mr Biden on Tuesday announced a ban on Russian oil imports, risking the domestic rise in fuel prices.

Capitol riot: Man found guilty in first jury trial faces up to 60 years in prison

06:01 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Texas man Guy Reffitt was found guilty on five felony charges including obstructing an official proceeding and bringing a gun onto the grounds of the US Capitol.

The unanimous verdict came after less than four hours of deliberation in what is seen as a milestone against defendants not accepting plea deals with the US Department of Justice. He faces up to 60 years in prison at his sentencing in June.

He was a member of the “Texas Three Percenters”, a militia named after the 3 per cent of American colonists who defeated the British during the Revolutionary War.

Justin Vallejo reports.

Texas man found guilty in first jury trial over US Capitol riot

What will the impact of the ban on Russian oil be on the US economy?

05:52 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

US president Joe Biden’s announcement of a ban on importing Russian oil into the United States sent oil prices spiking north of $125 per barrel.

According to the American Automotive Association, US consumers are already paying more for gasoline than at any time since the group began tracking gas prices, with the average cost for a gallon of petrol having risen to just over $4.17 on 8 March, just before news broke of the impending Russian oil ban.

But the price of gas was rising even before Russian president Vladimir Putin launched his war on Ukraine nearly two weeks ago, driven to ever higher levels by supply chain disruptions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Andrew Feinberg explains.

What will the impact of the ban on Russian oil be on the US economy?

Trump lawyer tells judge claims of criminal conspiracy are ‘lies’

05:27 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Lawyer John Eastman, who advised former President Donald Trump as he tried to overturn the 2020 election, forcefully pushed back on claims made by the House Select Committee investigating 6 January that his work could amount to criminal conspiracy.

Dr Eastman is attempting to use attorney-client privilege to block the committee from accessing some of his emails.

He said the committee’s claims would criminalize “good-faith” legal advice and that Mr Trump’s decision to take notice of his guidance, at a time when he was also getting advice from his staff, cannot be interpreted as criminal acts.

Gustaf Kilander has more.

Trump lawyer linked to ‘coup memo’ tells judge criminal conspiracy claims are ‘lies’

Republican candidate slammed for rape comment

05:05 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Republican candidate Robert Regan said that he tells his daughters to “just lie back and enjoy it” if raped, comparing it to accepting the 2020 presidential election results.

Mr Regan, who is running for Michigan’s District 74, made the comments during a Facebook live stream on Sunday.

“That’s kind of like, you know, having three daughters and I tell my daughters, ‘Well, if rape is inevitable, you should just lie back and enjoy it,’” he said.

His remarks received heavy criticism both from Republicans and Democrats. Michigan Republican party chairman Ron Weiser said he “absolutely” expects better from his party’s candidates.

Kent County Republican party chair Rob VerHeulen called on Mr Regan to issue an apology for the “appalling” comments. “These comments are offensive, dangerous and unbecoming of any candidate for public office,” Mr VerHulen said.

Earlier in 2020, Mr Regan’s daughter Stephanie had urged residents not to vote for her father. “If you’re in Michigan and 18+ pls for the love of god do not vote for my dad for state rep tell everyone,” she had tweeted.

Poll: 72 per cent of Trump voters support Biden Russia oil ban

04:59 , Oliver O'Connell

A new poll from The Wall Street Journal not only shows that 79 per cent of Americans support the ban on the import of Russian oil even if it means higher prices in the US, but the move by President Joe Biden even enjoys the support of 72 per cent of people who say they would vote for Donald Trump if he ran again in 2024.

Per the Journal:

The new Journal poll showed broad support for Mr. Biden’s energy ban across political breakdowns. The ban had support from 77% of Republicans and 72% of voters who said they would support former President Trump if he ran again in 2024. Among Democrats, 88% said they favored the moratorium on Russian oil imports, including 94% of Democratic men.

The Journal poll surveyed 529 registered voters from March 4-7 about their opinion on halting Russian energy imports. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.

Trump attacks Biden, claims Europe is using him

04:38 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former president Donald Trump lashed out at his successor, Joe Biden, on Tuesday in a furious statement that betrayed his own refusal to acknowledge the history of his relationship with Ukraine’s government.

Mr Trump wrote on Tuesday that Mr Biden “was giving blankets, to great and open complaints” from Ukraine when he took office as opposed to direct military aid shipments, adding that the president “canceled the remaining military equipment that was packed, loaded, and ready to be shipped”.

The former president went on to imply that the news media was creating a false narrative that depicted Mr Biden as a close ally of Ukraine while he was not.

John Bowden reports.

Trump attacks Biden with Ukraine abuse, claims Europe is using him

Record gas price pose fresh political challenge for Biden

04:17 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The rising gas prices pose a fresh election-year challenge for president Joe Biden. In announcing a ban on imports of Russian oil on Tuesday, Mr Biden was blunt in warning that while the move would hurt Putin, “there will be a cost as well here in the United States”.

Following his announcement, Republicans tore into the president for higher gas prices. Former president Donald Trump issued a statement noting record-high gas prices and asked “DO YOU MISS ME YET?”

“Remember how cheap gas was during the Trump Administration,” tweeted Rep Jim Jordan.

Trump would have told Putin to ‘go on in’ over Ukraine, former staffer says

04:00 , Oliver O'Connell

One of Donald Trump’s White House press secretaries has said the former president would have had taken a very hands off approach to Ukraine and told Vladimir Putin to “go on in there”.

As the Biden administration announced the president was to sign an executive order banning the import of Russian oil and other fossils fuel as part of a tightening of sanctions against Moscow, Stephanie Grisham, who served as Mr Trump’s fourth press secretary, said the former president would have not taken such steps.

“I think that he would have a completely hands off approach. I think he’d be like, ‘go on in there’,” she said on ABC’s The View, when asked how Mr Trump would have responded to the crisis.

“He really admired Putin, and I saw that firsthand.”

Andrew Buncombe reports.

Trump would have told Putin ‘go on in’ Ukraine, says ex-White House press secretary

Melania Trump was ‘smarter’ than Donald, Bill Barr says in new book

03:52 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former US attorney general Bill Barr revealed in his new book that former first lady Melania Trump saved his job.

In One Damn Think After Another, Mr Barr recalls meeting Ms Trump, whom he called “elegant” and “intelligent”.

“You know what saved you?” Mr Trump reportedly asked Mr Barr after his confirmation hearing. “Melania. She came to your rescue. She is now your biggest fan”.

Mr Barr responded by saying he “could tell she has good sense.” Mr Trump then reportedly told Mr Barr the details of his wife’s endorsement.

Graig Graziosi has more.

Melania Trump was ‘smarter’ than Donald, Bill Barr says in new book

Trump 'admired' Putin 'greatly', says ex-White House press secretary

03:35 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

One of Donald Trump’s White House press secretaries has said the former president was “afraid” of Russian president Vladimir Putin, but also “admired him greatly”.

“I think he [Donald Trump] wanted to be able to kill whoever spoke out against him. So I think it was a lot of that. In my experience with him, he loved the dictators, he loved the people who could kill anyone, including the press,” Stephanie Grisham, who served as Mr Trump’s fourth press secretary told ABC’s The View.

New ad from Republican Accountability Project shreds Trump for Putin praise

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

An ad aired nationally during Tucker Carlson’s show on Fox News on Monday night shredded former President Donald Trump for his praise of Vladimir Putin.

First Jan 6 rioter to go to trial found guilty on all counts

03:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The first Capitol riot defendant to go to trial has been found guilty on five counts related to his role in the attack on Congress on 6 January 2021.

Guy Reffitt of Texas, who attempted to storm the US Capitol while allegedly armed with a gun and zip ties, was convicted of all five counts with which he was charged.

These included transport of a firearm in support of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding.

Jurors began deliberating on Tuesday morning after a week-long trial in which they heard testimony from Reffitt’s teenage son Jackson Reffitt, who tipped off the FBI about his father before the January 6 attack.

Texas man found guilty in first jury trial over US Capitol riot

Voices: There’s an easy way to punish Putin and save Americans money. Republicans don’t like it

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Jamie Henn writes: If we made Big Oil pay right now, it would save Americans money at the gas pump and hit Russia where it hurts. But then the GOP wouldn’t be able to blame President Biden for high prices — and they wouldn’t be able to push their fossil fuel agendas either.

There’s an easy way to punish Putin & save Americans money. Republicans don’t like it

Jared Kushner wanted to reroute vaccines to US from Canada and Latin America, Pfizer CEO claims

02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has claimed that former President Donald Trump’s son in law and adviser Jared Kushner wanted to reroute vaccines from Canada, Japan, and Latin America to the US.

In an op-ed in Forbes, Dr Bourla wrote that he had a “heated” debate with Mr Kushner concerning whether the US would receive the company’s vaccines first.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Pfizer CEO claims Jared Kushner wanted to reroute vaccines from Latin America to US

Trump jumps on Biden banning Russian oil to promote himself

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former presidentDonald Trump hit President Joe Biden for gas prices being the highest they have been in years with a simple statement: “DO YOU MISS ME YET?”

The former president’s statement came as the Biden administration announced a ban on Russian-imported oil into the United States amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine and as gas prices skyrocket.

Eric Garcia reports from Washington, DC.

Trump jumps on Biden banning Russian oil to promote himself: ‘DO YOU MISS ME YET?’

Seth Meyers takes a dig at Trump over his remark of bombing the ‘s*** out of Russia’

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Taking a dig at president Donald Trump for suggesting that US should the cover fighter planes with the Chinese flag and “bomb the s*** out of Russia”, comedian Seth Meyers said his idea seems to have been inspired from Looney Tunes.

“Look, we came very close, very close to a world where Trump was still in charge during Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, which is scary for many reasons,” Meyers during his Late Night show said on Monday.

“One of which is Trump keeps giving us a glimpse as to how he would have responded, and, as usual, he has that unique Trump blend of being both terrifying and incredibly stupid at the same time.”

“He definitely gets his ideas from cartoons. I mean this is a slightly stupider version of Bugs Bunny dressed as a sexy lady to distract Elmer Fudd.”

‘Trump White House visitor logs very fruitful’

00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House select committee probing the attack on the US Capitol has found the newly released visitor logs from former president Donald Trump’s White House tenure to be “very fruitful”.

The National Archives and Records Administration handed over the logs last Thursday following an order from president Joe Biden. Representative Bennie Thompson who is the chair of the select committee investigating the 6 January Capitol attacks told CNN that the committee has “started receiving” the Trump White House visitor logs and the documents are “very fruitful”.

Barr likened Trump to bull in a bull ring

00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Describing Donald Trump as a man distracted by his own self-interest, former attorney general William Barr said that Mike Pompeo exploited this trait to his advantage.

“We had this running joke that, whenever the president was chewing out Mike about something in a private Oval Office meeting, all Mike had to do was mention Russiagate or something like that,” Mr Barr told NPR. “And the president would, you know, take it and run for quite a while, he’d rant and ... he wouldn’t remember what he was angry at Pompeo about.”

Likening his reaction to criticism as that of the animal in a bullfight, Mr Barr said that he tried to tell Mr Trump about how the opposition uses this to get under his skin but “he didn’t think much of that metaphor”.

“At one point, I said to the president: ‘You know, Mr President, you’re like a bull in a bull ring and your adversaries have your number. They know how to get under your skin, and all they have to do is wave a red flag over here and you go charging and attack it.’ And I said, ‘At the end of the day, you’re going to be in the middle of the ring sweating and someone’s going to come and put a sword through your head,’” said Mr Barr. “He didn’t think much of that metaphor.”

Proud Boys leader ripped from bed and arrested on Jan 6 conspiracy charges

Tuesday 8 March 2022 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Enrique Tarrio, a longtime leader of the extremist “western chauvinist” Proud Boys group, will face conspiracy charges related to the 6 January riot at the US Capitol.

The indictment against Mr Tarrio was docketed on Tuesday morning in Washington, DC. The indictment accuses Mr Tarrio and other high-ranking figures in the Proud Boys organisation including Joseph Biggs of organising the attendance of many members of their group at the Capitol riot, distributing “paramilitary gear and supplies” to would-be rioters, and finally “directing, mobilising and leading” members of the group into the Capitol itself during the riot.

Andrew Naughtie and John Bowden report.

Proud Boys leader indicted on Jan 6 conspiracy charges

ICYMI: Biden announces ban on Russian oil imports

Tuesday 8 March 2022 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The United States will ban imports of Russian petroleum products into American markets in hopes of choking off funds for Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said Tuesday.

“Today, I’m announcing the United State is targeting the main artery of Russia’s economy — we’re banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy,” said Mr Biden, who explained that the ban would mean Russian oil “will no longer be acceptable in US ports”.

Mr Biden said the ban would enable the American people to “deal another powerful blow” to Mr Putin’s “war machine”. He added that such a ban has “strong bipartisan support” and strong support from everyday Americans who’ve “rallied to support the Ukrainian people”.

Biden announces Russian oil ban and warns of ‘Putin’s price hike’ at gas pump

Trump gave out chocolates and Diet Cokes at most meetings, Bill Barr’s new book claims

Tuesday 8 March 2022 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Attorney General Bill Barr included a description of his former employer’s hospitality habits in his new book.

Mr Barr explained former President Donald Trump‘s refreshments of choice for guests during meetings at the White House.

“Always the attentive host, he would constantly ensure that everyone had a Diet Coke to drink,” Mr Barr wrote. “If he was feeling especially beneficent, he would open a cigar box and deal out his stash of big Hershey chocolate bars as if dealing cards. I always accepted; you have to play the hand you’re dealt.”

Graig Graziosi reports.

Bill Barr claims Trump gave out chocolate, Diet Cokes at meetings

Trump lawyer linked to ‘coup memo’ calls claims of criminal conspiracy ‘lies’

Tuesday 8 March 2022 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Lawyer John Eastman, who advised former President Donald Trump as he tried to overturn the 2020 election, forcefully pushed back on claims made by the House Select Committee investigating 6 January that his work could amount to criminal conspiracy.

Dr Eastman is attempting to use attorney-client privilege to block the committee from accessing some of his emails. He said the committee’s claims would criminalize “good-faith” legal advice and that Mr Trump’s decision to take notice of his guidance, at a time when he was also getting advice from his staff, cannot be interpreted as criminal acts, Politico reported.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Trump lawyer linked to ‘coup memo’ tells judge criminal conspiracy claims are ‘lies’

US congress reaches deal on $14bn emergency aid to Ukraine

Tuesday 8 March 2022 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced a deal between the two parties to provide $14 billion in additional assistance to Ukraine on Tuesday while lashing out at Democrats over the speed of negotiations.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr McConnell announced the settled-upon figure before claiming it had been like “pulling teeth” negotiating a higher dollar-value with Democrats, whom he said were willing to block passage of the bill. Some progressives have raised questions about the scale of weapons shipments being sent to militia groups aligned with Ukraine’s government some of whom experts have warned have white nationalist ideologies.

“It’s been like pulling teeth to get out of House Democrats what the Ukrainians obviously need at this particular time,” said Mr McConnell.

US congress reaches deal on $14 billion emergency aid to Ukraine

Trump attacks Biden with Ukraine abuse, claims Europe is using him

Tuesday 8 March 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump lashed out at his successor, Joe Biden, on Tuesday in a furious statement that betrayed his own refusal to acknowledge the history of his relationship with Ukraine’s government.

Mr Trump wrote on Tuesday that Mr Biden “was giving blankets, to great and open complaints” from Ukraine when he took office as opposed to direct military aid shipments, adding that the president “canceled the remaining military equipment that was packed, loaded, and ready to be shipped”.

The former president went on to imply that the news media was creating a false narrative that depicted Mr Biden as a close ally of Ukraine while he was not.

John Bowden reports.

Trump attacks Biden with Ukraine abuse, claims Europe is using him

Poll: 72 per cent of Trump voters support Biden Russia oil ban

Tuesday 8 March 2022 21:40 , Oliver O'Connell

A new poll from The Wall Street Journal not only shows that 79 per cent of Americans support the ban on the import of Russian oil even if it means higher prices in the US, but the move by President Joe Biden even enjoys the support of 72 per cent of people who say they would vote for Donald Trump if he ran again in 2024.

Per the Journal:

The new Journal poll showed broad support for Mr. Biden’s energy ban across political breakdowns. The ban had support from 77% of Republicans and 72% of voters who said they would support former President Trump if he ran again in 2024. Among Democrats, 88% said they favored the moratorium on Russian oil imports, including 94% of Democratic men.

The Journal poll surveyed 529 registered voters from March 4-7 about their opinion on halting Russian energy imports. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.

Melania Trump was ‘smarter’ than Donald, Bill Barr says

Tuesday 8 March 2022 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former US Attorney General Bill Barr revealed in his new book that former First Lady Melania Trump saved his job.

In One Damn Think After Another, Mr Barr recalls meeting Ms Trump, who he called “elegant” and “intelligent.” He also noted an encounter with former President Donald Trump during which the then-Commander in Chief told him she was the only reason he had a job in the administration.

Graog Graziosi reports.

Melania Trump was ‘smarter’ than Donald, Bill Barr says in new book

Trump would have told Putin to ‘go on in’ over Ukraine, former staffer says

Tuesday 8 March 2022 20:52 , Oliver O'Connell

One of Donald Trump’s White House press secretaries has said the former president would have had taken a very hands off approach to Ukraine and told Vladimir Putin to “go on in there”.

As the Biden administration announced the president was to sign an executive order banning the import of Russian oil and other fossils fuel as part of a tightening of sanctions against Moscow, Stephanie Grisham, who served as Mr Trump’s fourth press secretary, said the former president would have not taken such steps.

“I think that he would have a completely hands off approach. I think he’d be like, ‘go on in there’,” she said on ABC’s The View, when asked how Mr Trump would have responded to the crisis.

Andrew Buncombe reports.

“He really admired Putin, and I saw that firsthand.”

Trump would have told Putin ‘go on in’ Ukraine, says ex-White House press secretary

New ad from Republican Accountability Project shreds Trump for Putin praise

Tuesday 8 March 2022 20:26 , Oliver O'Connell

An ad aired nationally during Tucker Carlson’s show on Fox News on Monday night shredded former President Donald Trump for his praise of Vladimir Putin.

Republicans slammed for attempting to rewrite history

Tuesday 8 March 2022 20:02 , Oliver O'Connell

Minority Whip Steve Scalise has drawn flack for comments he made in response to a question regarding former President Donald Trump’s threat to withhold military aid from Ukraine.

Asked if he had done any rethinking about Mr Trump’s withholding of military aid to Zelensky as he pressured the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden, Mr Scalise responded: “If you look at that conversation, President Zelensky had called President Trump to thank him for the leadership that he provided.”

He then proceeded to reel off a list of well-worn but factually inaccurate talking points regarding the relationship between Ukraine and the US during the Obama and Trump years.

Here’s the video:

Glen Kessler, editor of The Washington Post’s Fact Checker, tweeted: “How many lies in this answer? I count at least three. [Zelensky] was asking for more Javelins. Trump withheld it and the money only came (late) after congressional pressure. And the firing of the prosecutor was a joint US-EU demand, not just Biden. Time to get new talking points.”

Susan Glasser of The New Yorker tweeted: “Still defending Trump’s blackmail of Zelensky. Still.”

Citizens for Ethics wrote: “Yes! This is the question every Republican (except Mitt Romney) needs to be asked whenever they talk about Ukraine. They can lie all they want, but when Zelensky brought up military aid, Trump said he needed a favor.”

The DNC War Room posted: “Republican lawmakers are still trying to excuse Trump for trying to withhold military aid from Ukraine. Republicans enabled Trump selling out Ukraine to Putin for years — don’t buy their efforts to rewrite history.”

Alexander Vindman added: “@SteveScalise is a fool and a liar. Trump called Zelensky to extort a investigation of @POTUS to try to steal the 2020 election. I exposed that effort & now your efforts to rewrite history. You were complicit in inviting Russia’s war on Ukraine. Repent. #StandWithUkraine️.”

Who is Guy Wesley Reffitt, the first Capitol rioter convicted at jury trial

Tuesday 8 March 2022 19:48 , Oliver O'Connell

The trial of a Texas man who threatened to kill his own family members if they turned him in for his part in the Capitol riot ended with a conviction on Tuesday.

Guy Wesley Reffitt, the first 6 January defendant to be tried by a jury, is one of hundreds of Trump supporters arrested after they were spotted on camera at the Capitol during the 2021 insurrection. As per an affidavit from an FBI special agent, 49-year-old Mr Reffitt was formally identified from video shot at the west front of the Capitol during the riot.

Who is Guy Wesley Reffitt, the first Capitol rioter convicted at jury trial?

DC truckers insist they have ‘millions’ of supporters

Tuesday 8 March 2022 19:28 , Oliver O'Connell

One of the members of the “People’s Convoy” has claimed they had “millions” of people supporting them along the way as they drove from California to Washington, DC.

Members of the convoy, which is protesting vaccine mandates and other public health pandemic restrictions, met with Republican Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin at the US Capitol on Tuesday.

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC.

DC truckers insist they have ‘millions’ of supporters at meeting with 2 lawmakers