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FBI report criticises handling of Donald Trump-Russia investigation

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2023

ticker NEWS

Special counsel John Durham says probe lacked “analytical rigour”

A report has criticised the FBI’s handling of its investigation into ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.

Special counsel John Durham says probe lacked “analytical rigour”.

The release of the 306 page report by Durham marks the end of a four-year investigation into potential missteps by the FBI.

In the midst of the 2016 campaign, the FBI received a tip that a Trump campaign official had bragged to an Australian diplomat that Russia had offered to help the Republican candidate by releasing damaging information about his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

That tip blossomed into a full-fledged counterintelligence probe, dubbed “Crossfire Hurricane,” involving government requests to surveil members of Trump’s campaign. That probe was later taken over by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

Trump raged against Mueller, castigating the probe as a witch hunt.

“It’s just the continuation of the same witch hunt, they know it and behind closed doors they laugh at it. It’s just the continuation of the same nonsense,” Trump said in March 2019.

After securing indictments or pleas from 34 individuals, Mueller in 2019 concluded that despite an array of contacts between Trump and individuals linked to the Russian government, he lacked sufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy.

That same year, Attorney General William Barr tapped John Durham to investigate the investigators.

In lieu of convictions, Durham instead castigated U.S. intelligence and law enforcement, accusing them of treating the 2016 Trump probe differently from other politically sensitive investigations.

For instance, he said Clinton and other officials received defensive briefings about being the possible targets of foreign interference, whereas Trump received no such briefing before the FBI opened probes into four members of his campaign.

“The Department and the FBI failed to uphold their important mission of strict fidelity to the law in connection with certain events and activities described in this report,” Durham added.

In response to the report, the FBI said it has already implemented dozens of corrective actions that have been in place for some time.

Durham’s findings are likely to become political fodder for Trump, who is currently running for re-election in 2024 despite facing criminal charges in New York and two federal investigations by Special Counsel Jack Smith that are looking both at Trump’s retention of classified records and his role in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Trump said on social media Monday that he was pleased with the results of Durham’s report.

News

Trump slams Musk’s ‘America Party’ as ridiculous

Trump calls Musk a “train wreck,” dismisses new America Party as “ridiculous” amid escalating feud reshaping US politics.

Published

9 hours ago

July 8, 2025

ticker NEWS

Trump calls Musk a “train wreck,” dismisses new America Party as “ridiculous” amid escalating feud reshaping US politics.

Donald Trump is taking direct aim at Elon Musk, branding the billionaire a “train wreck” and dismissing his new America Party as “ridiculous.”

The fallout comes after Musk launched the third party in protest over Trump’s trillion-dollar spending bill, warning it could bankrupt the nation.

Once allies, the two are now locked in a bitter feud that could reshape Washington’s political landscape.

#TrumpVsMusk #AmericaParty #USPolitics #TickerNews

News

Erin Patterson found guilty of mushroom murders

Erin Patterson sentenced for murdering three relatives and attempting to kill a fourth in notorious mushroom lunch case.

Published

9 hours ago

July 8, 2025

ticker NEWS

Erin Patterson sentenced for murdering three relatives and attempting to kill a fourth in notorious mushroom lunch case.

Erin Patterson has been convicted of killing three family members and attempting to murder a fourth in the now-infamous mushroom lunch case that gripped Australia and stunned the world.

After a week of deliberations, the Supreme Court jury found Patterson guilty of murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, and of the attempted murder of the lone survivor, Ian Wilkinson.

#ErinPatterson #Mushroom #TrueCrime #TickerNews

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Multiple flights Australia-Bali cancelled due to volcano eruption

Multiple Australia-Bali flights cancelled as Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts again, disrupting travel for the second time in two months.

Published

12 hours ago

July 8, 2025

Ahron Young

Multiple Australia-Bali flights cancelled as Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts again, disrupting travel for the second time in two months.

In Short:
International flights between Australia and Bali have been cancelled again due to the recent eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia. This marks the second eruption in two months.

Multiple return international flights between Australia and Bali have faced cancellations following the recent eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano. It marks the second time in as many months that volcanic activity has disrupted travel plans for passengers heading to the popular tourist destination.

Observations from drones showed lava filling the crater, indicating deep movement of magma that set off volcanic earthquakes.

“An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,” Mr Wafid told The Associated Press.

“We shall re-evaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.”

Flight delays

“Some Virgin Australia Bali services have been cancelled following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi earlier today,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.

“The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority and our team of expert meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation and ash cloud activity.

“We regret the impact of this on guests’ travel plans and encourage guests travelling to or from Bali to closely monitor their flight status via the Virgin Australia website or app.”

Qantas flights QF43 from Sydney and QF45 from Melbourne to Denpasar, Bali have been delayed.

Bali, known for its stunning landscapes and cultural attractions, relies heavily on international tourism, particularly from Australia. With flight cancellations, many are left scrambling to adjust their itineraries or seek alternative destinations. The situation has put a spotlight on the challenges that natural events can pose to the tourism sector.

Authorities in Indonesia are working to assess the situation and manage the impact of the volcano’s activity. Updates on travel advisories and safety measures are expected to be communicated to the public as conditions evolve.