Donald Tusk: Johnson May Make Brexit More Exciting, But We Won't Budge

THE GUARDIAN: EU chief says member states are united in rejecting further talks on the withdrawal deal

Brexit may become “even more exciting” when Boris Johnson is in Downing Street but the deal will not change, Donald Tusk has said, as the EU readied itself for a new British prime minister.

An offer to listen to the ideas of whoever replaces Theresa May came with a warning from the European council president and fellow leaders that the withdrawal agreement was final.

“Maybe the process of Brexit will be even more exciting than before because of some personnel decisions in London, but nothing has changed when it comes to our position,” he said. » | Daniel Boffey and Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Friday, June 21, 2019

The Guardian View on the Tory Leadership Election: Things Fall Apart

THE GUARDIAN: Britain’s next premier is likely to be a committed Brexiter. This would mean the leavers having to own the mess they created

On Thursday evening, after five ballots in eight days among Conservative MPs, the 10 original would-be successors to Theresa May were finally reduced to two: Boris Johnson and, trailing a distant second, the foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt. The two will now face the Tory membership before one of them emerges next month in a postal ballot as the new party leader. For the first time, a prime minister of the UK will be chosen by party grassroots activists. This means the new leader will largely be the choice of middle-class white men over 55 in the south of England who support the death penalty, oppose income redistribution and back a no-deal Brexit. » | Editorial | Thursday, June 20, 2019

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — June 21, 2019

How Boris Johnson's Record Fits with the Values of the British Army – James O'Brien – LBC

Continental Europe Braced for 'Potentially Dangerous' Heatwave

THE GUARDIAN: High pressure pulling hot air northward from Africa will send temperatures soaring

A potentially record-breaking heatwave is forecast to grip much of continental Europe next week, with temperatures in cities from Spain to Germany set to exceed 32C and climb to more than 38C or even 40C in the hottest areas.

The combination of a storm stalled over the Atlantic and high pressure over central Europe would pull very hot air from Africa northward, leading to a “potentially dangerous heatwave over a large portion of western and central Europe”, forecaster AccuWeather said.

In France, temperatures of between 35C and 40C are expected across most of the country except Brittany from Monday, Météo-France said, and are unlikely to fall below 20C overnight.

“Even though it will be shortlived, this heatwave could be remarkable for its momentum and intensity,” the forecaster said in a bulletin. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Friday, June 21, 2019

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — June 20, 2019

'Joints Will Be Separated': Grim New Details of Khashoggi Murder

Last week the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman ordered the case on the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi closed. But a new UN report has unearthed gruesome details based on an audio recording. Al Jazeera's Jamal ElShayyal looks at the sequence of events leading up to his death.

UN Urges Investigation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS)

A scathing report by the United Nations on the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi cites “credible evidence” as grounds for further investigation into the role that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had in the murder. RT America’s Sayeh Tavangar has more on the report.

Complicit US Lets Saudi Government ‘Keep on Chopping’ – Galloway

An independent UN investigation has found what they call credible evidence suggesting that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman should be investigated for his role in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Former UK MP George Galloway shares his insights.

Saudi Slams UN Report on Khashoggi Killing as 'Unfounded'

Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir says the UN report by Agnes Callamard "contains clear contradictions and unfounded allegations, casting doubt on its credibility”. Meanwhile, Turkey's foreign minister says Ankara strongly endorses UN report on the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Al Jazeera's correspondents Hashem Ahelbarra reports from Istanbul, James Bays from United Nations, and Mike Hanna from Washington, DC.

Will Donald Trump Win a Second Term? | Inside Story

The US President launches his bid for re-election in 2020. Few, including Donald Trump, expected him to win the US presidential election in 2016. Now he's well into his first term, and campaigning hard for a second in 2020.

He launched his re-election bid in Florida, a swing state that he must win. Trump didn't offer new policies during the rally, and again attacked what he called the 'fake news media' and the political establishment for undermining him and his supporters.

Opinion polls suggest Trump could lose to most of the possible Democratic challengers such as Joe Biden. So will he win a second term?

Presenter: Martine Dennis | Guests: Joel Rubin - Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; Lauren Zelt - Founder & Chief Executive, Zelt Communications & conservative strategist; Rashawn Ray - Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Maryland

Donald Trump’s Reckless Iran Policy Casts Doubt on the US as Global Leader

THE GUARDIAN: Washington’s European allies need to ask themselves whether the US government has become a dangerous liability

Irrespective of whether Iran is responsible for the recent attacks on Gulf shipping, the crisis now unfolding is fundamentally one manufactured out of thin air by the Trump administration. The implications go beyond the threat of a major war and consequent worldwide economic crash. Donald Trump’s reckless, incoherent Iran policy also throws into question the viability of the role of the United States as the global leader.

The US achieved its hegemonic status in the world system not simply through raw strength, but also by convincing the second-tier capitalist powers that it could manage that system in their interests as well as its own. Washington could be relied on to confront and put down challenges to the capitalist order, expand and deepen its reach, and handle crises as they arose. It was through responsible management of the system in the interests of western capital and state power more broadly (if not of humanity as a whole) that the US secured consent from its allies to lead this new form of empire. » | David Wearing | Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Iranian Ambassador – Tanker Attacks Are a Plan to Provoke US - Iran War!

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to Iran’s Ambassador to the UK Hamid Baeidinejad on the recent escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, the Gulf of Oman tanker accident and Western accusations that Iran is to blame, how Iran can defend itself against the US and other Western powers, the status of the Iran Deal as Iran increases uranium enrichment after the US and other Western powers have violated the nuclear deal, tension with Saudi Arabia across the region, the ability for Iran to defend itself against Israel and if a US-Iran war is looming!

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — June 19, 2019

SNP's Ian Blackford Calls Boris Johnson 'Racist'

Boris Johnson has been labelled 'racist' in the House of Commons by the Scottish National party's Westminster leader, who said the Conservative leadership frontrunner was 'unfit' to be prime minister. Ian Blackford asked Theresa May if she agreed with Johnson that the Scottish people were a verminous race who should be 'exterminated', referring to a poem published in the Spectator when Johnson was the magazine’s editor

UN: Saudi Arabia Must Accept Responsibility for Khashoggi Murder

UN extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard on Wednesday released her report into the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, she said the dismemberment of Khashoggi was discussed before his killing on October 2, and added that it was important to insist the execution was a killing by the Saudi Arabian state. Callamard also said Riyadh should take steps to ensure such abuse of diplomatic privileges to commit an international crime was not repeated.

Khashoggi Killing: 'Credible Evidence' Linking MBS to Murder – UN

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman should be investigated over killing of journalist Khashoggi, UN expert concludes. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, should be investigated over the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a United Nations rights expert has concluded, citing "credible evidence". UN extrajudicial executions investigator, Agnes Callamard, released her report on the killing of Khashoggi on Wednesday. Al Jazeera's James Bays reports live from the UN.


THE GUARDIAN: 'Credible evidence' Saudi crown prince liable for Khashoggi killing – UN report » | Nick Hopkins and Stephanie Kirchgaessner | Wednesday, June 19, 2019

It’s Time for Christians to Speak Out against Boris Johnson

THE GUARDIAN: The amoral man most likely to be Britain’s future prime minister has no sense of humility or public duty. Churches should say so

It’s a long time since vicars like me presided over a Church of England that could be described as the Conservative party at prayer. I don’t know if that’s such a bad thing for the church, which surely ought to be apolitical. But it might be deemed to have been a bad thing for Conservatives, who by most accounts appear to have idolatrously wandered so far from gospel truth that they’re about to elect a golden calf as their next leader and, by default, their prime minister.

The charge sheet against Boris Johnson is well rehearsed. He is a serial liar, philanderer and shirker. He was fired from the Times for making up quotes as a reporter, and as an opposition spokesman for lying to his leader about an affair; a spendthrift mayor of London, who relied on his deputies while he played to the gallery with vanity projects; incompetent beyond belief as foreign secretary; said to have deliberately misled the people on the post-Brexit economy; and a provocateur of racism and hate crime through his casual insults of our ethnic minorities. That’s before we get to the vacuous promises of what he’d do next with the British economy. » | George Pitcher* | Tuesday, June 18, 2019

* The Rev George Pitcher is a vicar in the Church of England and a visiting fellow at the LSE; he was secretary for public affairs to the archbishop of Canterbury, 2010-11

Pompeo Interferes in UK PM Election

US State Sec. Pompeo has pledged to “push back” against UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the event that he becomes the UK’s next Prime Minister. RT’s Charlotte Dubinsky reports. Then Daniel McAdams of the Ron Paul Institute joins Rick Sanchez to weigh in.

Saudi Crown Prince Tells Iran: 'We Won't Hesitate to Deal with Any Threat'

THE GUARDIAN: Mohammed bin Salman speaks publicly for first time about latest tanker attacks amid fears of regional conflict

Mohammed bin Salman has spoken publicly for the first time since a second attack on Saudi oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, blaming arch-rival Iran and vowing that Saudi Arabia “won’t hesitate to deal with any threat” to the kingdom’s interests.

According to an interview for pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, published on Sunday, the crown prince said: “We do not want a war in the region ... But we won’t hesitate to deal with any threat to our people, our sovereignty, our territorial integrity and our vital interests.

“The Iranian regime did not respect the presence of the Japanese prime minister as a guest in Tehran and responded to his [diplomatic] efforts by attacking two tankers, one of which was Japanese.” » | Patrick Wintour and agencies | Sunday, June 16, 2019

Attaques de pétroliers en mer d’Oman : une dangereuse escalade

LE MONDE: Editorial. Le sabotage de tankers, jeudi 13 juin, accroît la tension autour du golfe Persique. La diplomatie doit continuer à œuvrer pour que les Etats-Unis et l’Iran évitent une rupture dramatique.

Editorial du « Monde ». L’attaque de deux pétroliers en mer d’Oman, jeudi 13 juin, un mois après le sabotage de quatre navires dans les mêmes eaux, représente une escalade dangereuse. Elle accroît la tension autour du golfe Persique, par où transite un cinquième de la production mondiale de pétrole. Elle annonce un déploiement militaire accru des Etats-Unis dans la région, sur fond de bras de fer entre l’Iran d’un côté et Washington et ses alliés régionaux, l’Arabie saoudite, les Emirats arabes unis et Israël, de l’autre. » | Éditorial | samedi 15 juin 2019

LE MONDE: « MBS » accuse l’Iran d’être responsable de l’attaque de pétroliers en mer d’Oman » |dimanche 16 juin 2019

Robert Reich: Who Will Be the Next President?

Robert Reich offers looks at the 2020 candidates for the Democratic nomination for president.

Boris Johnson à la tête du Royaume-Uni ? Non merci !

LE MONDE: Editorial. Pour l’Union européenne, l’accession de M. Johnson au poste de premier ministre équivaudrait à l’installation à Londres d’un Trump au petit pied se consacrant à la saboter.

Editorial du « Monde ». En juin 2016, au lendemain de la victoire de la campagne en faveur du Brexit qu’il avait conduite, Boris Johnson avait disparu, passant le week-end à jouer au cricket. Dépassé par un succès non anticipé, lâché par son compère Michael Gove, il avait renoncé à briguer Downing Street et à gérer la sortie de l’Union européenne (UE) pour laquelle il avait pourtant ardemment milité. Trois ans après, alors que le divorce avec l’UE tourne au cauchemar pour le Royaume-Uni, revoilà Boris Johnson en pole position pour succéder à Theresa May, dont il n’a cessé de savonner la planche.

Une partie de la biographie de Boris Johnson ressemble à celle d’un leader nationaliste ordinaire, comme l’Europe mais aussi les Etats-Unis en produisent désormais en quantité. Correspondant du Telegraph à Bruxelles dans les années 1990, souvent à coup de bobards sur de prétendues décisions de l’UE, il a largement contribué à la transformation de l’europhobie en cause populaire au Royaume-Uni et en arme redoutable pour le Parti conservateur, jusque-là proeuropéen. Qu’il prenne enfin aujourd’hui la responsabilité du Brexit pourrait découler d’une certaine logique. » | Éditorial | mercredi 12 juin 2019

The Guardian View on the Tories and No Deal: Choosing Rogue Government

THE GUARDIAN: With Boris Johnson as the frontrunner, Tory MPs are abandoning seriousness and responsibility as qualifications to be prime minister

All 10 candidates running in the race to be Conservative leader have sat around the cabinet table. Six are serving ministers. Naturally, none voted in parliament on Wednesday for an opposition motion designed to obstruct the path to a no-deal Brexit.

Even in the disturbed climate of British politics it would be bizarre if applicants to the job of party leader defied that party’s whip mid-contest. (Although Rory Stewart, the boldest and most pro-European of the contenders, briefly hinted that he might.) The motion was defeated by 11 votes, meaning that a chaotic Brexit remains the default setting on 31 October, if the next prime minister is unable to achieve what Theresa May failed to do – persuade a majority of MPs to endorse the negotiated EU withdrawal agreement. » | Editorial | Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Iran Calls Tanker Explosions 'Suspicious' as Global Concern Grows

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has described reported attacks on oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz as "suspicious" as they coincided with a meeting between Japan's prime minister and Iran's supreme leader. The incidents on Thursday near the strategic sea lane - through which one-third of all oil traded by sea passes - left one vessel ablaze and the other adrift, forcing scores of the crew to abandon the ships. Al Jazeera's correspondents report from from the White House, Tehran, and the United Nations.

Brexit ‘Shambles’ Has Ruined UK Reputation, Says Senior Diplomat

THE GUARDIAN: Outgoing high commissioner in Singapore says Britain seen as divided and ‘careless of truth’

Scott Wightman, Britain’s outgoing senior diplomat in Singapore, has said Britain is now seen worldwide as a country beset by division, obsessed with ideology and careless of truth.

In a valedictory note, he compared Brexit to the fall of Singapore in 1942 and said major investors expect future investment in Europe to be directed more towards Germany and France.

The remarks, first reported by Politico, came as the high commissioner left his post to take up a job in his native Scotland.

Ironically, many Brexiter MPs have claimed the UK can become a free-market haven like Singapore once it is freed from the regulations associated with the European single market.

Wightman said that as a result of Brexit, the nation that Singaporeans “admired for stability, common sense, tolerance and realism grounded in fact, they see beset by division, obsessed with ideology, careless of the truth … I fear many around the world share their view.” » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Wednesday, June 12, 2019

'US Turns Blind Eye to Saudi Atrocities' as Teen Sentenced to Death for Joining Anti-Government Rally

Human rights organizations and the media are urging the Saudi government to not execute a teenage boy, for among other 'alleged crimes', 'taking part in anti-government rallies'.

With the activists now sounding the alarm, it's not the first time the Saudi authorities are being accused of violating human rights.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — June 10, 2019

How Donald Trump and Boris Johnson Threaten Democracy

FT chief political commentator Philip Stephens says the US president and the Tory leadership favourite share a common politics that ignores truth

President Donald Trump Makes 'Totally Undignified' Move in France | Morning Joe | MSNBC

During an interview with Fox News, the president appeared with the graves of U.S. veterans behind him in Normandy, France and took shots at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Robert Mueller. The Morning Joe panel discusses.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — June 7, 2019

USA schränken Reisen nach Kuba ein

Die US-Regierung holt zum nächsten Schlag gegen Kuba aus - diesmal zielt sie auf die Tourismusbranche. Viele Reisewege nach Kuba wie Kreuzfahrten sind künftig für US-Bürger verboten. Kuba drohen nun weiter immense finanzielle Einbußen. US-Präsident Trump rechtfertigt die Sanktionen, dass das Land die ganze Region destabilisiere. Er prangerte die kubanische Unterstützung für die linksgerichteten Regierungen in Venezuela und Nicaragua an. Im Alltag treffen die Sanktionen vor allem die normalen Bürger: stundenlanges Anstehen, um etwas zu essen zu bekommen.

Secret Recording of Trump Official Goes Public

There has been another leak in the Trump Administration. Ana Kasparian, Maytha Alhassen, and Nando Vila, hosts of The Young Turks, break it down.

Lawrence's Last Word: Trump's Lies about Why He Didn't Serve in Vietnam | The Last Word | MSNBC

Trump says he didn't serve in Vietnam because he was "never a fan" of the war.

After Pelosi’s "Prison" Threat, Dems Clash over "Lock Him Up" | The Beat with Ari Melber | MSNBC

Speaker Pelosi saying behind closed doors she doesn’t want to impeach Trump, she wants to see him “in prison.” The Root’s Jason Johnson says it’s “just as silly” as Trump’s calls to “lock her up” and Pelosi is “speaking against her own base.” The Daily Beast's Margaret Carlson cautions impeaching Trump could embolden his 2020 base.

Life after Brexit: A Trump Trade Deal?

What did Gideon Rachman of the Financial Times and Professor John Bew, biographer of Attlee and author of Realpolitik, make of the week when President Trump came to town?

Report: Pelosi Told Democrats She Wants Trump in Prison

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats pushing for an impeachment effort that rather than

Trump Completely Embarrassed America During London Trip

Donald Trump put his stupidity on full display this past week during his trip to London where he was allowed to mingle with members of the British royal family. The President appeared almost cartoonish in his tuxedo, lied about protestors, and mocked the mayor of London with untrue statements. But it was his disagreement with Prince Charles on climate change that stands out as one of the most embarrassing moments of the trip, as Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins explains.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — June 6, 2019

Macron to Trump at D-day Ceremony: Fulfil the Promise of Normandy

THE GUARDIAN: French president praises multilateralism of Nato and EU while offering gratitude to US

France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, has appealed directly to Donald Trump to fulfil the “promise of Normandy” by embracing pillars of the postwar peace such as the European Union and Nato as the two leaders marked the D-day landings 75 years ago.

In a speech that trod a fine diplomatic line, Macron offered both sincere expressions of gratitude for the valour of US troops in the second world war and vehement calls for the White House to re-engage with the principles of multilateralism.

Speaking in front of 15,000 people gathered at the American cemetery and memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, the resting place for 9,387 US troops killed in the Normandy campaign, Macron repeatedly name-checked Trump, even at times turning to face the US president who was sitting behind him. » | Daniel Boffey in Colleville-sur-Mer | Thursday, June 6, 2019

Trump Explaining How Stupid He Is

Trump is so easily manipulated by war hawks. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian, hosts of The Young Turks, break it down.

D-Day: How the US Supported Hitler's Rise to Power

Historian Peter Kuznick joins Paul Jay to discuss the role of Ford, GM, and other industrialists in rearming Germany and supporting Hitler’s rise to power

Trump Likens Irish Border to Wall between US and Mexico

THE GUARDIAN: Leo Varadkar tells US president Ireland wishes to avoid border or wall after Brexit

Donald Trump has started his visit to Ireland by comparing its post-Brexit border with Northern Ireland to the US border with Mexico, along which he wants to build a permanent wall.

Trump, sitting next to a visibly uncomfortable taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, waded into the Brexit debate minutes after Air Force One touched down at Shannon airport on Wednesday afternoon.

“I think it will all work out very well, and also for you with your wall, your border,” he said at a joint press conference. “I mean, we have a border situation in the United States, and you have one over here. But I hear it’s going to work out very well here.”

Varadkar interjected that Ireland wished to avoid a border or a wall, a keystone of Irish government policy. » | Rory Carroll in Shannon | Wednesday, June 5, 2019


King Klown’s understanding of geopolitics is remarkable – remarkably stupid! Each and every time he opens his mouth, his lack of understanding is a dead giveaway. – @Mark

Trump Protests Wrap

Trafalgar square became the focal point for hundreds of anti-Trump protesters on the second day of the US presidents state visit to the UK. Protesters voiced their concerns on a range of issues including climate change, the impact of a trade deal with the US. Speakers at the event included Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Trump visit brings full spectrum of protesters to Trafalgar Square

THE GUARDIAN: Trump is spreading hate and division, Corbyn tells protesters » | Ben Quinn, Damien Gayle and Poppy Noor | Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Trump Offers Trade Deal to the UK | DW News

US President Donald Trump has offered the UK what he calls "a very substantial" trade deal once Britain has left the EU. On the second day of his state visit, Trump met Prime Minister Theresa May. They held a discussion with business leaders from both sides of the Atlantic. Meanwhile parts of London are on security lock-down to seclude Donald Trump from protesters and anti-Trump rallies.

Video of Boris Johnson Criticising Trump Beamed onto Big Ben

A 2015 video in which Boris Johnson claims Donald Trump is "unfit to hold the office of president" was projected onto Big Ben on Sunday night. The campaign group behind the stunt, Led By Donkeys, said they intended to embarrass Johnson - who has reportedly courted Trump for support in recent weeks - on the eve of the president's state visit to the UK

Jared Kushner Speaks Out about President Donald Trump in Rare Interview | Velshi & Ruhle | MSNBC

The president’s senior advisor and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, spoke out in a rare interview with Axios. The publication’s Editor-in-Chief Nick Johnston joins Stephanie Ruhle to break down some of Kushner’s shocking responses.