Trump cancels Obama's 'one-sided deal' with Cuba

US President Donald Trump says he is rolling back the Obama administration's "completely one-sided deal with Cuba".

Speaking in Miami, Florida, Mr Trump said his new policy would put new restrictions on travel and on sending funds to the Caribbean island nation.

It was the first step in overhauling Barack Obama's March 2016 deal with Cuba which he described as "terrible" and "misguided" - and the latest move to dismantle the former president's legacy.

Mr Trump also signed a presidential directive calling for a more rigorous enforcement of a ban on American tourists going to Cuba, but US airlines and cruise lines will still be able to serve the island.

Despite some of the restrictions imposed, Mr Trump says he will not close the US embassy in Havana or roll back on key diplomatic ties. Commercial flights from the US will also continue. American visitors still allowed to bring back all the rum and cigars they can manage.

Image:Mr Trump's revised Cuba policy is aimed at halting the flow of US cash to the country

Mr Trump has faced pressure from businesses, tour operators and politicians, not to completely reverse the diplomatic thaw with America's Cold War foe established by his predecessor.

There was also resistance within Cuba. Granma, the Cuban government's state-run newspaper, said the President was "stuck in a failed policy that has caused much damage to the Cuban people and has left the United States isolated".

Mr Trump stated that he would try to prevent US dollars from being used to invest in what the administration sees as a repressive military-dominated government.

"The profits from investment and tourism flow directly to the military," he said to applause. "The regime takes the money and owns the industry."

Image:Barack Obama and Raul Castro celebrated ending five decades of hostility

Mr Trump said Mr Obama's agreement with Raul Castro's government led to an increase in violence and instability in the country, and enriched the brutal communist regime that imprisons its own people.

"They fought for everything and we just didn't fight hard enough, but now those days are over. Now we hold the cards. We now hold the cards," Mr Trump said to the delight of Cuban exiles in Miami's Little Havana community.

"Therefore effective immediately, I am cancelling the last administration's completely one-sided deal with Cuba."

But back in Washington, a storm over Russia was brewing. Before he left the White House for his Miami trip, the President appeared to confirm for the first time that he was under investigation as part of the Russia probe.

In an early morning tweet, he said: "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch hunt."

Image:Mr Trump has made a thinly-veiled swipe at Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein

It wasn't clear who he was talking about, but appeared to be a thinly-veiled swipe at Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Mr Rosenstein wrote a memo in May that the White House used to justify the firing of the ex-FBI chief. Mr Rosenstein took over the investigation into whether Russia tried to tip the US election in favour of Mr Trump after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself in March.

The latest tweet from Mr Trump fuelled speculation that Mr Rosenstein may also recuse himself of his role if he could potentially be a witness in the Russia probe. That would represent the latest twist in an increasingly dramatic and unpredictable investigation. Although Mr Rosenstein appointed a special counsel, he still makes the final decisions about resources, personnel and - if necessary - any prosecutions.

Amazon: $13.7bn Whole Foods deal

Los Angeles, United States - One of the world's biggest online consumer goods companies is getting even bigger.

Amazon is making a bold expansion into physical stores with a $13.7bn deal to buy US grocery chain, Whole Foods.

The move sets the stage for new retail experiments that could revolutionise how people buy groceries and other goods.

Charlie O'Shea, a Moody's lead retail analyst, told the Associated Press news agency that the deal could be "transformative, not just for food retail, but for retail in general".


The deal represents a dramatic turn in strategy for Amazon, which has offered food delivery through its AmazonFresh service for a decade, but has not made a major dent in the $700bn grocery market.

Whole Foods, known for its organic and specialty food, will continue to operate stores under its brand and will continue to be led by cofounder and chief executive John Mackey, the two companies said.

The more than 460 Whole Foods stores in the United States, Canada and the UK could also be turned into distribution hubs - not just for delivering groceries, but also as pick-up centres for online orders.


The deal is the latest big move for Amazon, which grew from a small online bookseller in the 1990s to a global retail giant that delivers a wide range of goods and creates award-winning movies and television programmes.

Firefighter who battled Grenfell Tower blaze 'feared building would collapse like World Trade Centre'

A firefighter who climbed to the 15th floor of Grenfell Tower as it was ravaged by fire feared the block would collapse like the World Trade Centre.

Leon Whitley, a 34-year-old father of one said he would never forget the screams of victims trapped in their flats as the blaze engulfed the 24-storey building in west London.

Thirty people are known to have perished in the disaster but the death toll is expected to rise. Dozens more were injured and at least 70 people remain unaccounted for.

Mr Whitley was among hundreds of fire crews who risked their lives running towards danger as the tower in North Kensington burned.

Brother of Grenfell Tower victim says fire safety concerns were ignore

"It was reminiscent of the Twin Towers," he told The Sun. Those things go through your mind while you're in there.

"We all know how that building collapsed. I thought, 'We might not make it out this one'. I usually walk into fires very cautious but not scared. That was the first time I was scared."

He described the experience as "hellish" and added he still hears the screams from people trapped as flames tore through the building.

"It was crazy," he told the newspaper. "The screams were coming from all directions. I don't think I will ever forget them. The screams were horrifying because you knew everyone needed help but you couldn't see them."

Theresa May meeting Grenfell fire victims and volunteers in Downing Street

Theresa May is meeting victims, community leaders and volunteers from the Grenfell fire disaster in Downing Street.

It is her second meeting with those affected by Wednesday morning's inferno, which was branded "unprecedented" by London's Fire Brigade Commissioner.

The Prime Minister has been criticised for not going to talk to victims until Friday, as some in a crowd shouted "coward" and "shame on you" following a visit with survivors at a church.

Mrs May has announced a £5m fund as part of a "comprehensive package" of support for victims.

The No 10 meeting comes after Mrs May finished chairing an emergency session of the Grenfell Recovery Task Force.

The cross-Government group are coordinating the immediate and long-term response to the west London blaze that has so far claimed 30 people's lives. The number of dead is expected to rise significantly as authorities confirm and identify the deceased.

As part of the £5m fund, the support measures include:

:: Residents of Grenfell Tower will be rehoused at the earliest possible opportunity, within three weeks at the latest.

:: People will be rehoused as close as possible to their previous address, either in Kensington and Chelsea borough or a neighbouring borough, in order for them to access their same schools and GPs.

:: The cost of temporary accommodation will be covered until they are rehoused, with the Government also providing cash for any extra expense incurred by children travelling to their local school.

A Downing Street spokesman said the PM had "sent her best wishes" to the Queen, who is celebrating her 91st official birthday.

Mrs May was not seen at the traditional Trooping the Colour celebrations held outside Buckingham Palace, as the Queen marked her birthday with a sombre but defiant message.

Image:The Queen and Prince Philip at the Monarch's birthday celebrations

The Monarch praised Britons for staying "resolute in the face of adversity" after three terror attacks and the Kensington fire.

Mrs May had made two trips to Grenfell Tower, once to meet the emergency services and a second time to meet victims, including in hospital and at a church.

Trump confirms he is under investigation in Russia inquiry

President Donald Trump has appeared to acknowledge he is under investigation in the inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

In a tweet, the president also seemed to accuse the US deputy attorney general of pursuing a "Witch Hunt".

He said: "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director!"

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein wrote a memo the White House used to justify the firing of the ex-FBI chief.

Mr Rosenstein took over the investigation into whether Russia interfered with the US election after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself in March.

The deputy attorney general later appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller to lead the inquiry.

Earlier this week US media reported that Mr Mueller was investigating the president for possible obstruction of justice.

Mr Mueller was reportedly planning to interview intelligence officials on whether Mr Trump got rid of the FBI director, James Comey, in May to hamper an inquiry into his sacked national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Mr Trump also tweeted on Friday morning: "After 7 months of investigations & committee hearings about my 'collusion with the Russians,' nobody has been able to show any proof. Sad!"

In other developments:
Mr Rosenstein may have to recuse himself from the Russia investigation if he is called on as a potential witness in the matter, ABC News reports
Vice-President Mike Pence has hired an outside lawyer to handle inquiries into the Trump campaign's potential ties to the Kremlin
The Justice Department's special counsel is also investigating President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and his business dealings, according to the Washington Post

London mayor Sadiq Khan wants PM's answers today over fire failures

London's mayor Sadiq Khan has written to Theresa May demanding immediate answers over failures at Grenfell Tower.

In a lengthy letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Khan criticised the support and information being given to residents, as well as the relief efforts for those left homeless by the horror fire.

He also called for an update on measures to ensure a similar tragedy does not strike any other high-rise tower blocks and the immediate implementation of previously proposed safety rules.

Mr Khan urged Mrs May to chase prosecutions should anyone be found to have been "negligent" over the disaster, as he called for residents of the north Kensington building to be given free legal representation.

Mr Khan told the Prime Minister he expects answers later on Friday.

The mayor, who visited the scene of the tragedy on Thursday, described local residents as "distraught, frustrated and increasingly angry".

He wrote: "They feel the Government and local council haven't done enough to help them in the aftermath of this horrific incident, or to provide answers to their increasingly urgent questions."

Mr Khan said residents "cannot comprehend" why they are not being given more information about missing family members and friends.

Attacking the "insufficient support" for victims of the fire, the mayor said "scale of this tragedy is clearly proving too much" for Kensington and Chelsea Council to cope with.

He noted some Grenfell Tower residents were still sleeping in the nearby Westway Sports Centre on Thursday night despite claims accommodation had been found for all of those who lost their homes.

With questions over the tragedy focusing on the installation of exterior cladding on Grenfell Tower during a recent £8.6m refurbishment, Mr Khan said residents in other renovated tower blocks were "terrified" the same thing could happen to them.

If the Government believes any other tower blocks could be at risk, the mayor demanded residents be rehoused immediately.

He added: "Please also confirm that there will be an immediate implementation of the improved safety rules proposed in 2013 but still not implemented."

Mr Khan repeated his call for the public inquiry into the disaster, announced by the Prime Minister on Thursday, to provide an interim report this summer "at the latest".

He said: "We cannot afford to wait years for the outcome".

The mayor said residents should not be saddled with legal costs for participating in the inquiry.

Mr Khan vowed to "continue to fight alongside this community to ensure they get the support and answers they deserve and justice done".

Simon Cowell planning charity song for victims of Grenfell Tower fire

Simon Cowell says he is making plans for a charity single in aid of those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

The music mogul tweeted: "I am watching the footage of the Grenfell Tower fire in London. Heartbreaking.

"We hope to confirm a record tomorrow which will raise some money for the many people affected by this tragedy. Making calls tonight."

One Direction and Little Mix are both signed to Cowell's Syco Music label.

In 2010 he produced a version of REM classic Everybody Hurts for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, featuring stars including Mariah Carey, Michael Buble, Rod Stewart and Kylie Minogue.

Image:Adele made a low-key visit to the scene following the blaze. Pic: @FourMee/PA Wire

One of Cowell's phone calls could also be to Adele.

The singer was spotted making a low-key visit to the scene on Wednesday night, where she hugged some of those affected.

Cowell has a house in upmarket Holland Park, around half a mile from Grenfell Tower.

Meanwhile, comedian Al Murray has said he will donate all profits from his two shows in London this weekend to those affected by the fire.

He tweeted: "All profits from my Pub Landlord's Summer Saloon shows this Friday and Saturday at the Underbelly Southbank will be donated to the people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

"Underbelly will also be matching the contribution up to #10,000."

The move was praised by fans of the comedian, with Twitter user @AndyGilder writing "A noble gesture, young man", while @JamesMcCann6 said: "Have a great couple of nights and thank you for your genuine concern and generosity."