US president had said the sacked FBI director ‘better hope’ tapes of exchanges did not exist

Senior White House advisor is significant person of interest in Russia inquiry, story says

Party dominance in Congress a key factor in policy-making outlook for next president

Holding just below 10% – at which US residents must reveal interest in overseas firms

Critics say profiling is a flawed method of trying to identify who poses a danger

President visits Orlando to help console families of victims of gay nightclub shootings

Noor Salman could face charges for husband’s attack on gay club which left 49 dead

Back-to-school shopping season off to a ‘strong start’

Enjoy and Jet.com have very different strategies for taking on the retail giant

Calmer scenes in Missouri town a day after move not to indict Darren Wilson over killing

Father tells mourners that what hurts so much is that ‘I couldn’t protect you’

Father of dead teenager Michael Brown urges people to go back to their normal lives

Missouri governor and St Louis county prosector clash over death of Michael Brown

Michael Brown shot ‘six times’; Obama says there is no excuse for excessive police force

Overwhelmingly white police staff in Ferguson a key issue in wake of shooting of black youth

Governor condemns release by police of video footage in relation to dead man

Ireland among countries that benefit from US corporate ‘inversions’ to cut tax bills

Popular house brands were lifting gross profit margin

Merging is often a civilised alternative to bankruptcy

Retailer forecasts it will have $1.5 billion in cash at end of year

Retailer’s largest shareholder has been a persistent critic of the firm’s management

Howard Schultz accuses hedge fund manager Bill Ackman of being a ‘destroyer of companies’

A.G. Lafley brought back to rekindle growth at world’s largest consumer product maker

Succession planning, executive remuneration and risk management all need closer attention from directors

Expert suggests investors might rout board

When it comes to the main obstacle remaining to more or less universal health coverage, rhetoric is all the right has