Trump pick for Washington US attorney made racist comments | First Thing

The Guardian can reveal comments by Ed Martin advancing false and racist claims. Plus, just seven countries meet WHO dirty air guidelines

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Good morning.

Donald Trump's pick for Washington US attorney, Ed Martin, has repeatedly made racist comments in social media posts and columns, the Guardian can reveal.

Where did these comments appear? Some appeared in columns Martin wrote for the Evening Whirl, a crime tabloid in St Louis, Missouri.

What has Ukraine said before the talks? We are ready to do everything to achieve peace," the Ukrainian presidency's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, told reporters. Yermak also wrote for the Guardian this morning, saying that a ceasefire has never seemed closer".