Trump Exits Iran Deal | Cohen Received Russian-Linked Payments

+Plus: Malaysia Votes in High-Stakes Poll [| The Presidential Daily Brief | ](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3f6c63ec/04414422639651fc2b61ab2ae4a6db0e//) 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3f6c63ec/04414422639651fc2b61ab2ae4a6db0e// 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/a6302eb3/87b2b270854f1758ef2d0da6b2c21cad// 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/239ba049/844e9c4f903eca76736a2cc0d83c3c8b// 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/239ba049/844e9c4f903eca76736a2cc0d83c3c8b// IMPORTANT May 9, 2018 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/7664f621/79cb3873c994711f70c12d2e0b5ab9bf// [President Donald Trump holds up a memorandum at the White House Tuesday sealing the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Source: Getty](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/5f47506c/b2bc08d554a90fe239467626e06aebcf//) [Trump Defies World Leaders With Exit From Iran Deal](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/ba817d2c/0a7f24a89efd51509b7a4cc9a65d3692//) Now what? That’s what President Donald Trump’s European allies are asking themselves after his announcement yesterday that the U.S. is withdrawing from the [nuclear agreement](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/489f6ae3/e838eb7d2e01e3bec718ca55a2d02e88//) with Iran, which Trump derided as “a horrible, one-sided deal.” After the president pledged to reimpose tough economic sanctions on Tehran, the leaders of the U.K., France and Germany expressed “regret and concern” in a joint statement. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested his country would seek to save the deal by negotiating separately with its European, Russian and Chinese signatories. Sources: [The Guardian](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/815218a7/0c4a7c3f9c7968f82f3754ab90dbc4b3//), [Reuters](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/7263a68c/e56d742f9ce034270497874d2a324379//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/988adf08/bf3f453cb1f413f91491dc72c0855d63//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f491dd0d/3c806bcd395e40675c5f083265fdc458//) [Michael Cohen Received Payments From Russia-Linked Firm](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/6d158a85/9a19f129bfebbbc10837764595c5b032//) Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels, claims that the shell company that President Trump’s personal attorney used to pay Daniels $130,000 in [hush money](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/330b6aa5/ffedaac9410b5b3e281731ae67e635bf//) also received payments last year from sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Avenatti posted a document on Twitter alleging Cohen’s company, Essential Consultants, received around $500,000 from Columbus Nova, a U.S. investment firm linked to Vekselberg, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. A New York Times investigation corroborated Avenatti’s disclosure, while Columbus Nova confirmed it hired Cohen but denied Vekselberg’s role. Sources: [Washington Post](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/1a9d562e/68cce04e27ebed3ccfbcf29827fe65f5//), [NYT](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/0b0ee055/339e9a93aab4077210a09d3b0b642e3a//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/e27dbea7/0114f6c39066654dbf257da4206f29b9//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9b27e2fc/b55f7c79dee4b845315a9e32ccd33412//) [Malaysia Votes in High-Stakes Poll](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/88c1a31b/3bd4981cd16d3a83aa1ee2a4c09dd58a//) Prime Minister Najib Razak is facing down 92-year-old opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad — a former premier and Najib’s erstwhile mentor — in a general election today. Although Najib’s right-wing Barisan Nasional coalition has ruled the country since 1957, its popularity has waned in recent years and the prime minister himself has been implicated in a $4.5 billion [corruption scandal](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/ef8c488d/89f91d1ab58cec29b8c9dcff53f67d23//). Critics have expressed concern over the transparency of the vote, while Mahathir, whose emergence from political retirement has boosted the opposition, has also faced criticism for his authoritarian tendencies. Sources: [BBC](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f8c1e952/234149493bd5eaebe0dc5a5bc9c52a80//), [Al Jazeera](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f335c249/7e834d65635f9538f3b325f6035810a9//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9b265e06/a8d162eb55b9340cceed1b08b8634d98//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/dc21916b/c47fbdb8516a0c8ba02da8c37dfa12ff//) [Oil Prices Jump After US Reneges on Iran Pact](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/8cbb316c/31e9ac5fc47abf7ba712a10ee8e05a41//) The big news is good business. At least that’s the case for oil producers after global prices for the commodity rose to their highest levels since 2014. Analysts say President Trump’s controversial decision to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran — which became a major crude [exporter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/c117d2a3/01f6eb4bdf5842888163a25dd9ea42d7//) after sanctions were lifted two years ago — could significantly cut Tehran’s export capacity. They also believe Washington’s confrontational policy toward Iran risks stoking broader tensions in the Middle East, which could further force oil prices upward. Sources: [Reuters](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9f60e263/233283673132af893f2801c11af2e57c//), [FT (sub)](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/d6b16c57/af88827227204c15b01b69c3887c3c1e//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/7e691728/ac3895449d8fe26cec922229897d992b//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/80b15247/c8126f5380faa59e5038f3fff04ec93f//) Briefly Know This: Shouting “Death to America,” lawmakers in Iran [burned](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2246c16e/c0fefaf3fa6bec63614b8f85fc874656//) a paper U.S. flag in Parliament Wednesday in response to President Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo [has arrived](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/cb4d8628/0352edb65273b350a0a40e3c94e43736//) in North Korea, hoping to return with three freed American prisoners after finalizing plans for a meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un. And Doug Ford, the leading candidate for the premiership of Ontario, [has admitted](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/648ac1df/33154aa6c48be52c334a00c6a1c8d8d8//) that actors were paid to attend a recent debate, but denied his campaign’s involvement. Read This: Fielding angry tweets from New York City’s subway riders isn’t easy — but someone’s got to do it. Meet [the people](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/73977885/4dff45d193f9093f5840679e9e3d56f5//) behind the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Twitter accounts. Talk to Us: This year, OZY is going [Around the World](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/fa5fab2d/4f00040d0e16008c42f353339a514d61//) on a year-long tour to visit every single country, and we’d love for you to get involved. Where in the world are you when you read OZY? Send us pictures — they might make it onto OZY.com — and tell us what rising stars, new trends, music and food we should be writing about. Or even pitch us a story! Get in touch at [aroundtheworld@ozy.com](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/5316ccdb/5aee995c95c4172c0ce92e865ab49de8//). 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/07c4604f/9573449ed1da84e9d2dcfc18c60d0362// 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/e4cb9c2e/66243e3fa49c8324d645e4d3fab3fe52// INTRIGUING [Travelers Help Revive the 'Capital of the Arctic'](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/d98c1664/a115a2f6758cb81dac4c8437dcc0ae0d//) More investment in Arctic Norway has meant better facilities for adventurous travelers and environmental researchers streaming through Tromsø, the region’s gateway. It’s also delivered the city of 75,000 from socioeconomic malaise. A hot spot for whale-watching, Tromsø is easily accessible by sea or air, and its new role as a local travel hub has contributed to a cultural renaissance of sorts. Now, the so-called “capital of the Arctic” must adapt to manage its growth — though the resilience of its locals means that won’t be too difficult. Sources: [OZY](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/841811e7/4388c80a899558d01674f2e16b7a0528//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/8020cb5c/70b12704f49c10e0761f3147c95b709b//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/c93128de/7a374bb15090aa6e37ddaa0f04481e1f//) [Google Unveils New Advances to Assistant](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/e3eec092/95b286969318894850f2d20cd858173f//) Use your words. The digital helper, positioned as a rival to Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, will boast six more voice options, including singer John Legend’s. Google also debuted Duplex, a feature that lets Assistant make phone calls to schedule appointments (or call the landlord about that past-due rent check) using natural-language improvements — like “um” pauses — to sound more convincingly human. Another [advance](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2a2fbff4/55cfbba2f749b82311cdc0d5fc9bdcdd//) demonstrated on Tuesday at the company’s annual developer conference was an algorithm to teach kids manners, sparking jokes that Assistant might also give them “The Talk.” Sources: [The Outline](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2704eb32/56a570eb2582685c622c1b81ec09e77b//), [CNET](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/6e21dfe7/a6d5af7ac1a3bff3c00af2acf0eab4d8//), [Ad Age](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/aaeafa30/fdd354045eadbf98015a12b16b154b04//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/4c0a05dc/c518ea9082fb31b0ab7678f3115c85cc//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/acdca73c/6e6f9a030c3cf2c2f6ecd419998ceb48//) [South Georgia Island Declares Victory Over Invasive Rodents](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/b245ef9f/057cd1448e78a120481dbd1e66507a8b//) They’ve sniffed them out. The remote uninhabited island in the southern Atlantic Ocean had suffered from an [infestation](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/381fb643/622520490aa48c0d848dd6a3680c07a1//) of rats and mice, linked to the 18th century arrival of sealing and whaling ships, which threatened the native bird population. But after the world’s largest rodent eradication project — some 330 tons of poisoned bait were dispensed across the island from helicopters over several years — the area has been declared pest-free. Next, researchers will survey bird life on the island, which has reportedly exploded since the death of their predators. Sources: [Science Magazine](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/1457d8dc/5328f2a675f2e9bd57dbf84ec9492342//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/11208a26/028395632b1da5385d5418a7219c2658//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/5ab9496e/fb7af9b287c0add027c303888dc8fbb5//) [Cannes Film Festival Opens With Red Carpet Selfie Ban](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/cb74f246/19108560fbe7f66932ae6f4401c131e6//) Move along, please. Guests arriving to one of the world’s leading [movie](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/73a98a4a/9bdfe262746f836b6bd8d3189f65115d//) events on Tuesday were welcomed by a big red sign warning them against taking selfies or other photos on the red carpet. Eagle-eyed security guards monitored the area for infractions — a move which reportedly dampened the otherwise festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, Palme d’Or jury president Cate Blanchett was praised for gracefully fielding tough questions on gender issues and the #MeToo movement, admitting that positive change for women in the industry is coming, but won’t “happen overnight.” Sources: [Variety](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f4a70f32/a8657771b752c0a701ab3f3e93cb6c05//), [Vanity Fair](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3dde134d/5546e3ce6e4df8d903294bf3d499b8c5//), [Toronto Star](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/e685dc5c/4b5eeb91f16814f6acafc47ac524b369//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9f7849b6/d1dcfb572f29f7ff4be575228af7745c//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/0d2f2049/9f89e7c631f4cf7c87d9eb3c2e90c624//) [USA Taekwondo Faces Class-Action Sex Abuse Lawsuit](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/abd60302/362531d7cecf465ff5669c2d9654fa26//) The suit, filed Friday, alleges that the U.S. Olympic Committee ignored dozens of complaints against taekwondo champions Jean and Steven Lopez. The brothers have been accused by 48 women, including minors, of rape and [sexual assault](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/96d9f1b2/52f3adc46ab26629ac97f827d3036dc6//) dating back to 1996. Jean, the Team USA coach, has already been banned from the sport, while Steven — a five-time world champion — has been temporarily suspended pending investigation. The USOC was sued in February over its handling of complaints against disgraced gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, and has promised to reform. Sources: [Huffington Post](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/aaf33c1f/3f968d83c5cd1ddb89a7da2508b2130d//), [Bustle](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/06c19cf0/35fa6a9d168055d447d907c920c7a2e7//) [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9264c522/a74d8f1628114c3d6485770d2baba33f//) [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f85fae7d/7cd329d46f60dd4d0fc7436a3e4e4bc6//) 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9e7789d3/2b4cc5f0aa12d45b6e100317d8f9f250// Your 8 must reads to get you ahead of the curve 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/64595ae6/da302030e769d4edd1b525c7b574701e// The Huddle [Is This Heavy-Handed Swede Ready to Become a Boxing Star?](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/c9d5ff06/1a24799a24f014ed45941fbf89d52ae1//) [Read In Full](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/eb947ae2/83f47623e6d04d7ec9fd65c3da59f9e0//) 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/b9ab4354/2d236df5ec20283fcbf3426012279c84// Good Sh*t [This Artist Instagrams Illustrations of #FirstWorldProblems … and They're Hilarious](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3899e4ea/74d6e9dfe7eaed8086fd6d3c09e29fcf//) [Read In Full](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/45146a13/b3943fe2e673dbbfb4a419a069cddcd0//) 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/979f9695/825f1135bac15d480a606a4a53aba5df// Fast Forward [Iran Woos America's Friends and Foes With Connectivity](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/a388ab43/231afdff54a3f44b427964f4434b7796//) [Read In Full](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2e4cc8a5/277be3f48bfbf0c569e706378d3867c3//) 5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/3c997e10/49712405122fca88eb42b5e3b74acb3a// [OZY] [Facebook](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/ba8784f5/5833c6df1108ff2958444e79a6801c04//)  [Twitter](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/c2c92322/8fbe0c875cd2d92ad0a0b3ab520ed1f9//)  [Podcast](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/14022339/56a0820b14866fe43839584566dc28b9//)  [YouTube](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/b5f597a4/7ad353cc76a46238456ca06c8177451e//)  [Instagram](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/9255fb81/4ed44a829d04bbb0cb15c4cafc3ca5d3//) 40M PEOPLE AND GROWING OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/f9c9c9f2/09445bace214a8d210658be1d13b2ecc//) | [Privacy Policy](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/2794f734/663423d253419f96e3137ab9e9404b87//) | [Read Online](5af2c9b92cab4ec0788f1b5c:ot:591df7fbac0c811781aa5dbc:1/4b57306b/b7011f7c0ee3efebccd6061c29b80f56//)