THE GUARDIAN – OPINION: This is a war of choice, based on misinformation. If the US and UK join it, they risk a rerun of the Iraq debacle of 2003
Like the US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, Israel’s war on Iran is neither legal nor just. It is a war of choice, not of necessity – and should the US or its European allies, particularly Britain, join in, they risk being dragged into another disastrous and unlawful conflict in the Middle East.
A US military intervention would be in direct contravention of international law. Already, the US, once the architect and guardian of the international order, is now among its chief violators. Instead of pressuring Benjamin Netanyahu to end his siege and destruction of Gaza, Donald Trump has fully sided with Netanyahu and called Israel’s attacks on Iran “excellent”. He has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender”. Trump is considering military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Doing so is explicitly prohibited under article 56 of the additional protocol to the Geneva conventions because of the danger of nuclear contamination. » | Fawas Gerges | Friday, June 10, 2025
We find ourselves in this pickle because the American electorate naïvely re-elected Donald Trump back into the White House as a know-nothing in spite of their awful experience of his first term in office. Donald Trump understands neither economics nor geopolitics. – © Mark Alexander
Friday, June 20, 2025
Espoir, frayeur et déception : l’agitation de Charles III et de la reine Camilla dans les tribunes du Royal Ascot
MADAME FIGARO : Mardi 17 juin, Charles III et la reine Camilla étaient à l’hippodrome à l’occasion des courses hippiques de Royal Ascot. Mais le couple a essuyé une cruelle déception.
Coiffés de leurs plus beaux chapeaux, la reine Camilla et le roi Charles III, étaient présents pour le premier jour des courses hippiques Royal Ascot. Les époux sont arrivés le 17 juin à l’hippodrome d’Ascot en calèche, saluant la foule. Après un petit tour sur la pelouse au milieu des invités, ils ont rejoint les tribunes et notamment la loge royale. Si le prince William et Kate Middleton n’étaient pas présents ce jour-là, d’autres membres du clan Windsor sont venus assister à l’évènement. Parmi les habitués de cette compétition hippique, on retrouvait Zara et Mike Tindall, ainsi que la mère de la cavalière, la princesse Anne, mais aussi son frère, Peter Phillips et sa nouvelle compagne Harriet Sperling. La princesse Beatrice faisait partie du public, avec son époux, Edoardo Mappeli Mozzi. » | Par Leonie Dutrievoz | jeudi 19 juin 2025
MPs Back Assisted Dying by 23 Votes
THE TELEGRAPH: Assisted dying will be legalised after MPs backed landmark legislation in the House of Commons.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was supported by 314 votes to 291, a majority of 23, as it cleared the Commons, paving the way for assisted dying services to be introduced by the end of the decade.
The legislation will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny but the decision by MPs to give the Bill its third reading means it is now almost guaranteed to make it onto the statute book and become law.
The Bill will allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. » | Jack Maidment Politics Live Blog Editor. Genevieve Holl-Allen Political Reporter. Dominic Penna Political Correspondent | Friday, June 20, 2025
I see that our MPs have voted to put God out of one of His jobs! – © Mark Alexander
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was supported by 314 votes to 291, a majority of 23, as it cleared the Commons, paving the way for assisted dying services to be introduced by the end of the decade.
The legislation will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny but the decision by MPs to give the Bill its third reading means it is now almost guaranteed to make it onto the statute book and become law.
The Bill will allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. » | Jack Maidment Politics Live Blog Editor. Genevieve Holl-Allen Political Reporter. Dominic Penna Political Correspondent | Friday, June 20, 2025
I see that our MPs have voted to put God out of one of His jobs! – © Mark Alexander
Spain Anti-tourism Protests Take Place across the Country | BBC News
Jun 20, 2025 | Last year's anti-tourism protests in Europe drew global headlines - and this summer, the tensions are back.
Earlier this week, locals in Spain shot water guns at visitors, saying a flood of summer tourists is driving up housing costs in their cities and pushing out the locals.
However, many residents and businesses are concerned that tourists may be frightened away.
Earlier this week, locals in Spain shot water guns at visitors, saying a flood of summer tourists is driving up housing costs in their cities and pushing out the locals.
However, many residents and businesses are concerned that tourists may be frightened away.
Absurder „Kinderschutz“: Viktor Orbán attackiert Menschenrechte – und die EU | RTL DOKU
Jun 18, 2025 | Putin in Russland, Trump in den USA - und Viktor Orbán in der EU?
Ungarns Ministerpräsident Viktor Orbán tanzt der EU immer wieder auf der Nase herum. EU-Abgeordnete aus Brüssel unterstellen ihm, ein Verbündeter von Putin zu sein. Außerdem blockiert er immer wieder Entscheidungen in der EU. Mittlerweile wächst die Zahl der Unterstützer für Orbán - wie geht es weiter zwischen Ungarn und der EU?
Außerdem treibt Orbáns Haltung zu LGBTQ-Themen die angespannte Beziehung auf den Höhepunkt. Seit Jahren diskriminiert seine Politik queere Menschen. Jetzt will Viktor Orbán die Pride-Parade in Budapest verbieten. Es gibt massive Kritik aus Brüssel - und auch die Menschen in Budapest nehmen das nicht einfach hin. Sie gehen auf die Straßen und protestieren für ihre Rechte und für die Demokratie in Ungarn.
Wird die Pride in Budapest stattfinden? 🏳️🌈 Mehr dazu erfahrt ihr in der Reportage.
Orbán ist ein Problem für die EU, so wie Trump ein Problem für die Welt ist. Stellen Sie sich eine Welt ohne diese Unruhestifter vor. Wie schön wäre die Welt! – © Mark Alexander
Ungarns Ministerpräsident Viktor Orbán tanzt der EU immer wieder auf der Nase herum. EU-Abgeordnete aus Brüssel unterstellen ihm, ein Verbündeter von Putin zu sein. Außerdem blockiert er immer wieder Entscheidungen in der EU. Mittlerweile wächst die Zahl der Unterstützer für Orbán - wie geht es weiter zwischen Ungarn und der EU?
Außerdem treibt Orbáns Haltung zu LGBTQ-Themen die angespannte Beziehung auf den Höhepunkt. Seit Jahren diskriminiert seine Politik queere Menschen. Jetzt will Viktor Orbán die Pride-Parade in Budapest verbieten. Es gibt massive Kritik aus Brüssel - und auch die Menschen in Budapest nehmen das nicht einfach hin. Sie gehen auf die Straßen und protestieren für ihre Rechte und für die Demokratie in Ungarn.
Wird die Pride in Budapest stattfinden? 🏳️🌈 Mehr dazu erfahrt ihr in der Reportage.
Orbán ist ein Problem für die EU, so wie Trump ein Problem für die Welt ist. Stellen Sie sich eine Welt ohne diese Unruhestifter vor. Wie schön wäre die Welt! – © Mark Alexander
I Grew Up on American Food. Trust Me, It’s the Last Thing Europe Needs
THE GUARDIAN – OPINION: The EU is under pressure to strike a trade deal with Trump, but an influx of mass-produced, low-quality food must be off the table
ll over European media, the take seems to be similar – that the EU is “under pressure” to conclude some sort of deal with the US in order to avoid Donald Trump’s 9 July deadline for the unilateral imposition of broad tariffs. What might be on the table in the attempt to secure that? In early May, the EU trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, was already suggesting that a deal to increase purchases from the US could include agricultural products – a possibility that seems to remain even though Šefčovič later clarified that the EU was not contemplating changing its health or safety standards.
Since I have failed to Abba (“Always be boldly acronyming”) and don’t have anything as good as Taco (“Trump always chickens out”) – coined by the Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong – at the ready, I’ll simply reach for the easy line: opening the door even slightly to more US food imports into the EU would leave a bad taste in all our mouths. Trump’s hostage-taking approach to trade should not be rewarded, certainly not with something that hits as close to home as food does. » | Alexander Hurst | Friday, June 20, 2025
ll over European media, the take seems to be similar – that the EU is “under pressure” to conclude some sort of deal with the US in order to avoid Donald Trump’s 9 July deadline for the unilateral imposition of broad tariffs. What might be on the table in the attempt to secure that? In early May, the EU trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, was already suggesting that a deal to increase purchases from the US could include agricultural products – a possibility that seems to remain even though Šefčovič later clarified that the EU was not contemplating changing its health or safety standards.
Since I have failed to Abba (“Always be boldly acronyming”) and don’t have anything as good as Taco (“Trump always chickens out”) – coined by the Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong – at the ready, I’ll simply reach for the easy line: opening the door even slightly to more US food imports into the EU would leave a bad taste in all our mouths. Trump’s hostage-taking approach to trade should not be rewarded, certainly not with something that hits as close to home as food does. » | Alexander Hurst | Friday, June 20, 2025
Thursday, June 19, 2025
The Warning with Steve Schmidt: Pete Hegseth Gets Put in His Place by Senator
‘He’s Moving at a Truly Alarming Speed’: Trump Propels US into Authoritarianism
THE GUARDIAN: A senator handcuffed, people snatched in public, military deployed – Trump’s slide towards autocracy has come quicker than critics feared
It reads like a checklist of milestones on the road to autocracy.
A succession of opposition politicians, including Alex Padilla, a US senator, are handcuffed and arrested by heavy-handed law enforcement for little more than questioning authority or voicing dissent.
A judge is arrested in her own courthouse and charged with helping a defendant evade arrest.
Masked snatch squads arrest and spirit people away in public in what seem to be consciously intimidating scenes.
The president deploys the military on a dubious legal premise to confront protesters contesting his mass roundups of undocumented migrants.
A senior presidential aide announces that habeas corpus – a vital legal defence for detainees – could be suspended.
The sobering catalogue reflects the actions not of an entrenched dictatorship, but of Donald Trump’s administration as the president’s sternest critics struggle to process what they say has been a much swifter descent into authoritarianism than they imagined even a few weeks ago. » | Robert Tait in Washington | Thursday, June 19, 2025
It reads like a checklist of milestones on the road to autocracy.
A succession of opposition politicians, including Alex Padilla, a US senator, are handcuffed and arrested by heavy-handed law enforcement for little more than questioning authority or voicing dissent.
A judge is arrested in her own courthouse and charged with helping a defendant evade arrest.
Masked snatch squads arrest and spirit people away in public in what seem to be consciously intimidating scenes.
The president deploys the military on a dubious legal premise to confront protesters contesting his mass roundups of undocumented migrants.
A senior presidential aide announces that habeas corpus – a vital legal defence for detainees – could be suspended.
The sobering catalogue reflects the actions not of an entrenched dictatorship, but of Donald Trump’s administration as the president’s sternest critics struggle to process what they say has been a much swifter descent into authoritarianism than they imagined even a few weeks ago. » | Robert Tait in Washington | Thursday, June 19, 2025
Is Iran Close to Having Nuclear Weapons? | BBC News
Jun 19, 2025 | Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long warned that Iran is close to developing nuclear weapons.
After Israel launched attacks on Iran last week, Netanyahu said Iran could produce a bomb within months.
Israel's military says it targeted nuclear sites including the "inactive" Arak heavy water reactor and Natanz facility and have it sights set on the Fordo nuclear facility.
Tehran has insisted its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes.
BBC Verify's Ros Atkins explains what we know about Iran's nuclear programme.
After Israel launched attacks on Iran last week, Netanyahu said Iran could produce a bomb within months.
Israel's military says it targeted nuclear sites including the "inactive" Arak heavy water reactor and Natanz facility and have it sights set on the Fordo nuclear facility.
Tehran has insisted its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes.
BBC Verify's Ros Atkins explains what we know about Iran's nuclear programme.
Spürbare Folgen der Massenflucht für die Wirtschaft in Irans Hauptstadt | DW Nachrichten
"No Special Treatment for Islam" - Tory MP Makes Defiant Commons Plea in Blasphemy Debate
Jun 10, 2025 | Conservative MP Nick Timothy introduced a new bill in the House of Commons today, championing freedom of religious expression amidst the ongoing blasphemy debate.
He asserted that the UK "will not tolerate intimidation, violence, or censorship," emphasising that there "will be no special treatment for Islam."
He asserted that the UK "will not tolerate intimidation, violence, or censorship," emphasising that there "will be no special treatment for Islam."
Record Number of Anti-LGBTQ Bills Filed in Texas
What the hell is the matter with people? Live and let live, FFS! – © Mark Alexander
Iran Says 'No Surrender' after Trump Threatens War
Richard Branson Warned Us — Tories Still Deny It
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Dozens of MEPs to Attend Budapest Pride in Defiance of Viktor Orbán
THE GUARDIAN: As many as 70 said to be planning to show solidarity at LGBTQ+ march after Hungary’s PM tried to ban it
Dozens of MEPs are expected to attend the Pride march in Budapest this month, in defiance of the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, who has tried to ban the event.
In a debate in the European parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs from liberal, left and green groups pledged to be in Budapest on 28 June for the parade to show solidarity with gay Hungarians.
The pledges came after the city’s mayor said the event would go ahead, circumventing a law that allows police to ban LGBTQ+ marches. Gergely Karácsony said on Monday that the march would be a municipal event – and a celebration of freedom – so “no permits from authorities are needed”.
“In this city, there are no first- or second-class citizens … neither freedom, nor love can be banned, and the Budapest Pride cannot be banned either,” Karácsony said. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Isn’t it high time that Viktor Orbán went into retirement? The international political stage is no place either for people with mediæval thinking or for fossils. – © Mark Alexander
Dozens of MEPs are expected to attend the Pride march in Budapest this month, in defiance of the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, who has tried to ban the event.
In a debate in the European parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs from liberal, left and green groups pledged to be in Budapest on 28 June for the parade to show solidarity with gay Hungarians.
The pledges came after the city’s mayor said the event would go ahead, circumventing a law that allows police to ban LGBTQ+ marches. Gergely Karácsony said on Monday that the march would be a municipal event – and a celebration of freedom – so “no permits from authorities are needed”.
“In this city, there are no first- or second-class citizens … neither freedom, nor love can be banned, and the Budapest Pride cannot be banned either,” Karácsony said. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Isn’t it high time that Viktor Orbán went into retirement? The international political stage is no place either for people with mediæval thinking or for fossils. – © Mark Alexander
A Peek into Life in East Germany: Not Everything Was Bad in the German Democratic Republic (GDR)
Vague de chaleur en France : des températures déjà très au-dessus des normales ce mercredi
LE FIGARO : CARTE – Ce début d’été météorologique est marqué par des températures inhabituellement élevées.
Ambiance estivale avant l’heure. Ce mois de juin 2025 s’ouvre par une vague de chaleur généralisée, inédite par sa précocité et son intensité. Jamais une telle douceur n’avait été observée aussi tôt dans l’année et sur une aussi large portion de l’Hexagone. «Il y a un consensus des modèles en faveur de températures supérieures aux moyennes saisonnières», confirme Régis Crépet, météorologue à La Chaîne Météo*. Selon ses prévisions, juillet pourrait même devenir le mois le plus chaud de l’été en France. De son côté, Météo-France annonce dans son bulletin saisonnier publié fin mai que «le scénario plus chaud que la normale est le plus probable pour la France, pour les mois de juin, juillet et août». Depuis le début de la semaine, une dynamique de surchauffe s’installe, et l’intensité est encore montée d’un cran ce mercredi. » | Pa Horia Mustafa Douine | mercredi 18 juin 2025
Ambiance estivale avant l’heure. Ce mois de juin 2025 s’ouvre par une vague de chaleur généralisée, inédite par sa précocité et son intensité. Jamais une telle douceur n’avait été observée aussi tôt dans l’année et sur une aussi large portion de l’Hexagone. «Il y a un consensus des modèles en faveur de températures supérieures aux moyennes saisonnières», confirme Régis Crépet, météorologue à La Chaîne Météo*. Selon ses prévisions, juillet pourrait même devenir le mois le plus chaud de l’été en France. De son côté, Météo-France annonce dans son bulletin saisonnier publié fin mai que «le scénario plus chaud que la normale est le plus probable pour la France, pour les mois de juin, juillet et août». Depuis le début de la semaine, une dynamique de surchauffe s’installe, et l’intensité est encore montée d’un cran ce mercredi. » | Pa Horia Mustafa Douine | mercredi 18 juin 2025
The Warning with Steve Schmidt: Tucker Carlson EMBARRASSES Ted Cruz on Iran
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