Top advisers to Donald Trump testified on Monday that they had told the former president his claims of election fraud were bogus and urged him not to claim victory on election night.
The latest testimony came as the US House panel investigating the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol zeroed in on Mr Trump's baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, even at times adopting outlandish theories in a bid to cling to power.
In video testimony, Mr Trump's former attorney general, William Barr, dismissed Mr Trump's claims of election fraud as “crazy stuff”.
“If he really believes this stuff, he's become detached from reality,” Mr Barr said.
“And I didn't want to be a part of it. And that's one of the reasons that went into me deciding to leave when I did.”
Mr Barr resigned as attorney general on December 14, 2020.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren said: “January 6 was a direct and predictable result of Mr Trump's decision to use false claims of election fraud to overturn the election, and declaring the power.”
Representative Liz Cheney, the panel's vice chairwoman, said the former president ignored advice from legal experts on the night of the election and instead followed the course of action recommended by an “apparently inebriated” Rudy Giuliani — Mr Trump's personal lawyer.
The former New York City mayor told Mr Trump to falsely claim victory on election night, Mr Cheney said.
Mr Trump began pushing what became known as the “Big Lie” on November 4, 2020 as he falsely claimed victory over Democratic challenger Joe Biden. The January 6 committee used Monday's hearing to show how the claim grew into a conspiracy that Mr Trump and his inner circle clung to in an effort to remain in power.
Ivanka Trump, Mr Trump's daughter and former top adviser, said she believed it was too early for Mr Trump to declare victory.
“It was becoming clear that the race would not be called on election night,” Ms Trump said in recorded testimony.
Jared Kushner, Ms Trump's husband, also advised his father-in-law to not take Mr Giuliani's course of action.
“He said, 'I have confidence in Rudy,'” Mr Kushner said in video testimony.
And Trump 2020 campaign manager Bill Stepien, whom the panel said organised the “Stop the Steal” effort, said the race was too early to call on election night.
Asked if anyone disagreed with him, Mr Stepien replied that Trump “thought I was wrong. He told me so.” Mr Stepien cut ties with the former president in December 2020.
Mr Stepien abruptly backed out of Monday's meeting because his wife was in labour.
Ben Gisburg, a conservative election attorney, said campaigns look for voting irregularities but the 2020 election “was not close”.
Ms Lofgren said the House panel has records of 61 court losses by Mr Trump's team.
“In no instance did the court find the charges of fraud were real,” Mr Ginsberg said.
Another example of Mr Trump's claim of election fraud involved a “suitcase of ballots” being pulled from under a table and “added in secret in Georgia” at an Atlanta voting centre. BJ Pak, the former top federal prosecutor in the state, said his review showed the “suitcase” was an official lockbox where ballots were stored to be kept safe.
Others scheduled to testify on Monday included Chris Stirewalt, the Fox News host whose decision to call Arizona for Mr Biden on election night infuriated Mr Trump and his inner circle. Mr Stirewalt was fired by the conservative US network in 2021.
Agencies contributed to this report
Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
The%20specs
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
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- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
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Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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