Mueller says Flynn's false statements were "voluntary and intentional"

Michael Flynn. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images.

Prosecutors from special counsel Robert Mueller's office are refuting former national security adviser Michael Flynn's defense that he should have been warned that there are consequences when lying to the FBI.

Details: In a memo released Friday the special counsel argues, "the interview was voluntary, and lacked any indicia of coercion," when Flynn spoke to the FBI in January 2017. Flynn attempted to downplay the seriousness of his offense after Mueller released his findings in December, the latest memo said.

Go deeper: Trump tweets that Michael Flynn got a "great deal"

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Courtenay Brown
46 mins ago - Economy & Business

U.S. economy sees record growth in third quarter

Shoppers carrying Forever 21 bags in Times Square. Photo: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

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.

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Dion Rabouin, author of Markets
2 hours ago - Economy & Business

Investors have nowhere to hide

Photo: Jeenah Moon/Getty Images

The massive losses in oil prices and U.S. and European equities were not countered by gains in traditional safe-haven assets on Wednesday.

Why it matters: The unusual movement in typical hedging tools like bonds, precious metals and currencies means they are not providing investors an asset that will appreciate in the event of a major equity selloff.

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Kendall Baker, author of Sports
2 hours ago - Sports

A look inside sports owners' political donations

Data: ESPN/FiveThirtyEight; Chart: Axios Visuals

Sports team owners in the four largest North American leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) have donated over $46 million in federal elections since 2015, according to research conducted by ESPN and FiveThirtyEight.

By the numbers: Over the past three elections, $35.7 million of that money (77.4%) has gone to Republican campaigns and super PACs, compared to $10.4 million (22.6%) to Democrats.

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