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James Comey has released what he'll say to Congress Thursday about convos he claims he had with President Trump ... and it's filled with bombshell allegations.

Comey's opening statement details conversations he says he had with Trump after being elected, and he claims the President asked him how they could "lift the cloud" on the Russia investigation.

He also insists Trump leaned on him to drop the investigation into General Mike Flynn. Comey claims Trump said ... "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go." Comey notes he did not tell Trump he would let it go.

In the statement, Comey says Trump asked him to pledge his loyalty during a dinner in January. Comey claims he told Trump he could count on his honesty.

Comey also says he felt the need to start documenting his convos with Trump -- something he says he felt he never had to do under Barack Obama.

The Black Eyed Peas got back from Manchester overwhelmed by what they'd seen there -- a city determined to not let terrorism paralyze them.

We got will.i.am and his group Monday at LAX as they returned from Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester concert, and the Peas sure seemed humbled by the experience.

Former MMA fighter War Machine is going to prison for life, with possibility of parole, for the heinous 2014 beating of his ex-girlfriend.

The judge said he will be eligible for parole after 36 years ... when he is 71. As we reported ... he was found guilty of sexual assault, coercion, battery by strangulation, kidnapping and several other charges. The jury was hung on attempted murder charges.

During Monday's sentencing ... War Machine's ex, porn star Christy Mack, made a tearful plea to the court, saying ... "I do know that when he gets out he will kill me."

He also spoke during the hearing ... saying he hates himself for committing the beating. He compared himself to Aaron Hernandez, and reminded the judge of his own attempted suicide after he was arrested in 2014.

Ariana Grande just revealed that she changed her set list last minute after speaking with the mother of one of the victims from the Manchester Arena terror attack.

Ariana took an extended moment Sunday to address the crowd at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, saying she had spoken with 15-year-old Olivia Campbell's mother this weekend, who told her her daughter would've wanted to hear Ariana's hits at the One Love Manchester benefit concert ... if she was alive.

Olivia was one of the 22 victims who died 2 weeks ago at the hands of terrorists.

Ariana said she decided to change her entire set list based on Olivia's wishes. That's why we're hearing her bigger pop songs as opposed to more solemn tunes.

One other surprise from Sunday's show ... Ariana's boyfriend and rapper Mac Miller showed up unannounced to perform alongside his GF.

Ariana Grande and the stars she corralled took the stage for her One Love concert in Manchester ... and they left quite an impact on the city after a horrific terror attack.

Ariana performed throughout the 3 hour benefit concert with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas and a number of other acts and guest appearances that filled the Old Trafford Cricket Ground arena with music and good vibes.

Some highlights included Ariana's manager, Scooter Braun, having an emotional moment onstage while introducing Ariana mid-set; Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry paying tribute to the Manchester victims; Mac Miller joining Ariana onstage; Bieber's unifying words; Coldplay blowing away the crowd with an epic performance; Liam Gallagher from Oasis crashing the show; and, of course, Ariana singing an emotional "Over the Rainbow" cover to close things out.

The event comes just a day shy of 2 weeks since the bombing after her show in Manchester killed 22 people ... and 1 day after a second terror attack in London that killed 7 and injured at least 48.

As we reported ... the show sold out in 6 minutes and security measures were tightened up in anticipation. Guests of her original concert in Manchester were allowed to see Ariana again for free.

Seems like everything went off without a hitch. They raised more than $275,000 by the end of the show.

9:14 AM PT -- A set list reportedly showing Sunday's order of performances has been released. It shows Take That as 1st, Robbie Williams 2nd, Niall Horan 3rd, Little Mix 4th, Pharrell 5th, Miley Cyrus 6th, Bieber 7th, Usher 8th, Katy Perry 9th, Coldplay 10th, Black Eyed Peas 11th and then Ariana last.

Ariana Grande's benefit concert in Manchester was moving full steam ahead Sunday ... here she is doing her soundcheck with Miley Cyrus.

Ariana is at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground for Sunday's show, checking her levels and making sure everything is set to go for herself and her supporting cast of performers. She and Miley clearly wanted to warm up their pipes.

Ariana also posed backstage with UK singer Gary Barlow and his band Take That. Seems like they might have been early to arrive seeing how they're local.

Katy Perry, Usher, Justin Bieber, Pharrell and other American acts should be arriving soon if they haven't already.

Meanwhile, hordes of fans are already starting to line up for One Love Manchester. Despite Saturday's terror attack in London ... they mostly seem to be in good spirits.

8:30 AM PT -- Police in London have arrested 12 people so far in connection to the terror attack Saturday. But officials have said they believe there are no other direct attackers at large. A police officer also shot and wounded a member of the general public while trying to stop the 3 terrorists.

Dashcam video of the London Bridge provides a glimpse into the terror when 3 men mowed down scores of people on the famous landmark.

People on the bridge scrambled for safety as London police told them to run as fast as they could.

7 people were killed and at least 48 other people were injured when the 3 men drove the van onto the bridge and then ran to the nearby Borough Market and stabbed a number of people. Police shot and killed the suspects.

Patrons at a nearby pub were told by cops to get down after the initial attacks. That inevitably led to more scrambling and panic as they heeded police orders.

Ariana Grande is moving forward with her benefit concert in Manchester Sunday ... despite another terror attack in neighboring London the night before.

Ariana's manager, Scooter Braun, said early Sunday morning that Ariana and co. feel an obligation to honor those lost from both the London and Manchester attacks. He went on to say ... "Today's One Love Manchester benefit concert will not only continue, but will do so with greater purpose."

He added ... "We must not be afraid, and in tribute to all those affected here and around the world, we will bring our voice together and sing loudly."

Braun also said all other artists slated to perform Sunday have confirmed they're not pulling out either. Manchester Police has said the safety of Sunday's concert goers is of the utmost priority.

As for Ariana ... she touched down in the UK on Friday and visited some of the victims from the original attack at her show. She tweeted Saturday, "Praying for London."

As we reported ... 3 terrorists were shot and killed in London Saturday after mowing over a crowd on the London Bridge and going on to stab others nearby. 7 people have been killed so far, while at least 48 others were injured.

Bill Maher has apologized for using the n-word on his show Friday night ... claiming he's lost a lot of sleep over it.

Maher just released a statement saying ... "Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I'm up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn't have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment."

He added that using the word on his HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher" was offensive, regretful, and he's very sorry.

As we reported ... Maher was joking with Republican Sen. Ben Sasse about adults wearing Halloween costumes before he dropped the racial slur.

Donnie Wahlberg's not afraid of terrorists ... and he's doing his best to get fans on the same page.

Donnie and the rest of "New Kids on the Block" performed Friday night at the Hollywood Bowl, and Wahlberg took a moment to spread a message of peace and love ... and being fearless in the face of terrorists.

There was good reason to feel safe at the Bowl -- security was everywhere. Checkpoints at entrances were fortified as bomb-sniffing dogs patrolled the venue.

9:30 AM PT -- HBO released a statement condemning Maher's use of the n-word, calling it ... "completely inexcusable and tasteless." They are removing his "deeply offensive comment" from any subsequent airings of the show.

Bill Maher jokingly used a racial slur during an interview on his TV show, but as expected -- lots of people aren't laughing.

Maher was interviewing Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse on his HBO show Friday night when he brought up how adults in California dress up for Halloween. Sasse said that's frowned upon in his state and invited Maher to come ... and that's when the TV host dropped the N-bomb.

Maher was quick to tell the audience he was joking, but the backlash on social media was immediate.

Sasse has chimed in as well, saying he wish he's spoken up to Maher right away and asked him ... "Why would you think it's OK to use that word? The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity ... Don't use it."

Kelsey Grammer ain't buying what Kathy Griffin's selling -- her career won't be ruined in the wake of the President Trump beheading photo ... IF she follows his advice.

We got Kelsey at The Palm and asked him about Kathy's tearful news conference in which she lashed out at the First Family and accused them of trying to bury her, professionally.

Kelsey stated the obvious -- the photo shoot was NOT a great idea, but he's sure Kathy can get past the controversy if she can follow a tried and true path. With very few exceptions ... Kelsey's dead-on.

A terrorist threat has upended a German music fest, and forced the swift evacuation of more than 80,000 fans.

The Rock am Ring festival was starting Friday in Nuerburg, but organizers suddenly announced police were advising they immediately clear out the grounds "due to a terrorist threat."

Fans appeared to be pouring out in an orderly fashion ... no stampede at all. In fact, thousands were singing along as they filed out of the Nuernburgring stadium. There was already a massive police presence -- 1,200 officers -- and backpacks had been banned at the event in the wake of the Manchester bombing.

Machine Gun Kelly, System of a Down, Macklemore, Liam Gallagher and Sum 41 are just a few of the acts scheduled to play the 3-day festival.

Police haven't released any specifics about the threat. Organizers are hoping to resume the concert on Saturday.

D.L. Hughley's strongly defending Kathy Griffin's beheading photo of President Trump -- saying all these haters were dead silent when Ted Nugent threatened President Obama.

The comedian was at LAX Friday when he labeled most of Kathy's haters hypocrites. He also said Trump has no right to be offended ... considering the controversial things he's said about women and women's bodies.

One of Fox News' most outspoken Donald Trump supporters is giving major props to CNN for firing Kathy Griffin.

We got Judge Jeanine Pirro Wednesday in NYC, where she told us CNN firing Kathy over her Trump beheading stunt was supremely appropriate -- adding Kathy's lucky if she's not facing criminal charges.

Most people agree with Jeanine -- normalizing violence toward the President is wrong, no matter which Prez is in the Oval.

Ariana Grande may be fearless -- vowing to return to Manchester after the terrorist attack at her concert -- but she's not foolhardy, because her family home is being guarded by enough security to protect a head of state.

Security vehicles were positioned in front of her mom's home in Boca Raton. It's a gated community, but no one's taking any chances. In addition to private security, 2 cop cars are stationed on the street.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Ariana's mom, Joan, always gets extra security when her daughter's in town. However, local police are more actively patrolling the area given the circumstances around Manchester ... and they're calling that shot on their own.