George Papadopoulos formally applies for Trump pardon

George Papadopoulos. Photo: Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

Former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos, who served a 12-day prison sentence after being charged by the Mueller investigation for lying to the FBI, told Reuters on Tuesday that his lawyers have formally applied for a pardon from President Trump.

The big picture: In May 2016, Papadopoulos drunkenly told an Australian diplomat that he had been informed by a mysterious Maltese professor that Russia had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton — prompting the FBI to launch a counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. Papadopoulos says the lies he told the FBI about his interactions with the professor were unintentional and that he was pressured by investigators into signing the plea deal, which he is now considering withdrawing.

Go deeper

Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata
9 mins ago - Economy & Business

Leon Black says he "made a terrible mistake" doing business with Jeffrey Epstein

Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Rick Friedman/Corbis/Getty Images

Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black on Wednesday said during an earnings call that he made a "terrible mistake" by employing Jeffrey Epstein to work on personal financial and philanthropic services.

Why it matters: Apollo is one of the world's largest private equity firms, and already has lost at least one major client over Black's involvement with Epstein.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Shane Savitsky
1 hour ago - World

Jeremy Corbyn suspended by U.K. Labour Party over anti-Semitism report

Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The U.K. Labour Party has suspended its former leader, Jeremy Corbyn, after a watchdog report found that the party failed to properly take action against allegations of anti-Semitism during his time in charge.

Why it matters: It represents a strong break by Keir Starmer, Labour's current leader, from the Corbyn era and one of the party's most persistent scandals.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Courtenay Brown, Felix Salmon
Updated 2 hours ago - Economy & Business

U.S. economy sees record growth in third quarter

The U.S. economy grew at a 33.1% annualized pace in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said on Thursday.

The state of play: The record growth follows easing of the coronavirus-driven lockdowns that pushed the economy to the worst-ever contraction — but GDP still remains well below its pre-pandemic level.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow