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GUNMEN LAUNCH SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS ON IRANIAN PARLIAMENT AND MAUSOLEUM “Attackers raided Iran’s parliament and set off a suicide bomb at the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran on Wednesday, killing up to seven people in a twin assault at the heart of the Islamic Republic, Iranian media reported.” The Islamic State has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks, which would be the first time ISIS has struck inside Iran’s borders. [Reuters]
IN QATAR CRISIS, TRUMP SHOWS DISREGARD FOR ALLIES President Donald Trump tweeted support for the condemnation of Qatar by several of its Middle Eastern neighbors. Qatar is a longtime U.S. ally and home to a major U.S. military base, and the Pentagon isalready distancing itself from the president’s remarks. [HuffPost]
ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS REPORTEDLY OFFERED TO RESIGN Amid growing tensions with President Trump over his recusal from the Russia probe. Trump reportedly rejected the idea, but White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer refused to answer a question about whether Trump still had faith in Sessions Tuesday. [HuffPost]
COMEY TO SESSIONS: DON’T LEAVE ME ALONE WITH TRUMP Former FBI Director James Comey reportedly confronted Sessions to ask for a guarantee he wouldn’t be left alone with the president. And The Washington Post is reporting that Trump asked the Director of National Intelligence, Daniel Coats, to urge Comey to drop the Flynn investigation. [NYT]
SENATE REPUBLICANS CLOSER TO REPEALING OBAMACARE They lack the actual replacement bill yet, but are nearing a “proposal to whip and to take to the floor.” [HuffPost]
NSA WHISTLEBLOWER’S PARENTS: WE FEAR FOR HER SAFETY “My biggest fear in all of this is that she’s not going to get a fair trial, she’s not going to be treated fairly, she’s going to be made an example of,” Billie Winner-Davis, Reality Winner’s mother said. And here’swhat we know about Winner. [HuffPost]
TRUMP MAY LIVE-TWEET COMEY’S TESTIMONY THURSDAY We can only hope. [HuffPost]
WHAT’S BREWING
‘THE BREXITER TOWN AT THE WORLD’S END’ “Tilbury is the most storied town you’ve never heard of. Some of Britain’s greatest historical milestones unfolded here. ... But Tilbury is also a community, and right now that community is in the middle of a quiet but devastating revolt.” [HuffPost]
UBER REPORTEDLY FIRED 20 AFTER SEXUAL HARASSMENT PROBE After 215 HR claims. [HuffPost]
GEORGE AND AMAL CLOONEY WELCOMED THEIR TWINS The couple said in a statement: “Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine. George is sedated and should recover in a few days.” [HuffPost]
ENJOY THIS PHOTO OF BARACK OBAMA AND JUSTIN TRUDEAU HAVING A CASUAL DINNER And imagine an alternate universe while you’re at it. [HuffPost]
THE 8 THINGS ER PHYSICIANS REFUSE TO KEEP IN THEIR HOUSE Yes, trampolines are included. [HuffPost]
WE LOVE THESE RECYCLED CHOPSTICKS TURNED INTO HOME DECOR The detailing is amazing. [HuffPost]
BEFORE YOU GO
The U.S.-backed force launched the battle to capture Raqqa, Syria’s de facto capital, Tuesday.
This Forbes investigation looks into how a Trump fundraiser for kids with cancer ended in reported payments to Trump properties.
The EPA is looking into whether an agency staffer colluded with Monsanto.
Eric Trump: Some of the folks who oppose my father “are not even people.”
A man was shot outside of Notre Dame in Paris after attacking police officers with a hammer.
Former National Intelligence Director James Clapper said Watergate”pales” in comparison to current events.
Congrats to Scooter Gennett, who hit four home runs in a single game Tuesday. Just wish it hadn’t been against the St. Louis Cardinals...
Somehow fanny packs are back in style.
Even Gwyneth Paltrow is confused by these GOOP recommendations.
People cannot get over how self-absorbed this best man was.
Did you know there was a “Melania Trump tour” in Slovenia?
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board doesn’t have any time for Trump’s tweets.
The difference between cilantro and coriander.
And Ed Sheeran’s “Carpool Karaoke” with James Corden is everything we wanted it to be.