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by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines political and otherwise (economic, environmental, etc.) for Saturday, June 20. Also, check out the brilliant discussion between David Rothkopf and Norm Ornstein, in which among other things, Ornstein explains why it’s wrong to be optimistic at this point about the theory that “Trump is finished” or whatever. In fact, he remains EXTREMELY dangerous, as does his regime, including vile – sociopathic, psychopathic,etc. – characters like JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, etc.
INTERNATIONAL
- Can we electrify the world? Ambition moves from nerdish backwater to centre stage (“Apart from effort to electrify, there were geopolitical tensions around climate science and the 1.5C goal at pre-Cop31 climate talks”)
- Global framework for reparatory justice adopted at landmark conference in Ghana (“Ensuring fair compensation for those affected by legacies of enslavement and measures to address debt burdens, part of 18-point strategic roadmap”)
- Elon Musk and the trillionaire class test democracy’s limits (“The one-person, one-vote principle never accounted for billionaires, let alone trillionaires” Especially with Citizens United and other rulings that money=speech!)
- No fuel, no weapons: How Ukraine’s new drone strategy is mauling Russian supply lines
- Ukrainian officials criticize Polish president’s decision to strip Zelenskyy of honor (“Nawrocki announced on Friday that he will strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle over the Ukrainian leader’s decision to name a military unit after a Ukrainian paramilitary organization accused of massacring Poles during World War II. Former Polish President Andrzej Duda bestowed the award on Zelenskyy in 2023 for services to security, resilience and the defense of human rights.”)
- China is counting its wins from the Iran war (“Four months on, the limits of US power lie exposed, and Tehran’s Beijing-friendly regime is still intact”)
- Mark Rutte Needs to Stop Talking (“Flattering Trump will get Europe nowhere.”)
- Pentagon chief’s review appears out of step with what NATO allies are already doing
- Oil tanker traffic in Strait of Hormuz jumps after U.S. and Iran implement deal to open sea lane
- Our Allies Are Wondering Whether Supporting the American War Machine Is Worth It (“Is the Iran war an early sign of ‘superpower suicide’?”)
- Iranian Guards’ business empire to win big if U.S. sanctions lifted
- Iran imposes mandatory insurance on ships transiting Strait of Hormuz, with fees likely to follow (“Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority is imposing mandatory, Iran‑approved insurance for all ships using the Strait of Hormuz — free for 60 days, but with fees likely afterward. The move challenges a US-Iran agreement guaranteeing toll‑free passage. Iran demands vessels use its preferred northern route, with threats of penalties for non‑compliance. Shipowners, MEG states and IMO warn the policy could destabilise transit norms, while US officials emphasise keeping the strait open as negotiations continue on a long‑term framework.”)
- Trump assured Musk and Carlson he wouldn’t go to war with Iran, new book claims (“Book also details Trump’s ‘enthralled’ reaction to pictures of injuries caused by Israeli pager attack on Hezbollah” Sadistic.)
- US-Iran Nuclear Talks Stall Over Lebanon Before They Begin
- Israeli strikes kill 10 in Lebanon after truce, with prospect of U.S.-Iran talks unclear
- Lebanon Emerges as Weak Link in U.S.-Iran Deal to End War
- Trump’s Iran Deal Is Off to a Chaotic Start (“The preliminary agreement, not yet a week old, has sown confusion: nixed Swiss signing ceremonies, rifts with Israel and Congress, and uncertainty over new talks.”)
- If Obama Had Done What Trump Just Did on Iran, He’d Be Crucified (“The United States just unambiguously lost a war that it started for no good reason. A sane country would remove the imbecile who did this immediately.”)
- U.S., Qatar Work to Give Iran Access to Billions of Dollars in Frozen Cash
- Israel and Hezbollah agree to halt fighting, officials say, as US-Iran talks hang in the balance
- U.S. intelligence warns Israel is likely to undermine Iran peace deal, officials say (“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure to continue a military campaign in Lebanon, current and former U.S. officials said.”)
- Obama says U.S. may be ‘worse off’ now than before Iran war (FAR worse!)
- The U.S.-Iran negotiations have been chaotic. But the confusion has only grown since the MOU was signed.
- Trump envoys head to Switzerland for potential Iran talks (Witkoff is an idiot, so…)
- What lessons will Iran’s new leadership draw from the 110-day war? (“Now fighting is over, the question is how Iran’s government will behave. Early clues point to more authoritarianism and prioritising relations with China”)
- Trump and Iran: Stupid Is As Stupid Does (“Or: How not to go to war.”)
- ‘It’s a big mistake’: Israelis feel betrayed and angry after Iran peace deal (“In ‘middle Israel’ there are fears Iran could rebuild stronger – and there is particular ire for Donald Trump” Anyone who ever trust Trump is an IMBECILE!)
- Israelis Turn Decisively Against Trump (Duhhhhh…)
- Italy Doesn’t ‘Beg,’ Giorgia Meloni Tells Trump (“President Trump said the Italian leader had ‘begged’ him to take a photo together at the Group of 7 summit in France. The remarks come as their once-friendly relationship has frayed.”)
- Italian foreign minister cancels trip to US over Trump’s comments about Meloni
- Britain’s Next Leader Has Emerged(“Andy Burnham, Manchester’s mayor, prepares to challenge Keir Starmer—and is likely to win…The question for Britain is whether his easygoing charm and gift for communication will be enough to successfully lead a grumpy, stagnant country that has already had six prime ministers since the Brexit referendum in 2016.”)
- Could ‘king in the north’ become Britain’s new prime minister? (“Makerfield victory gives Andy Burnham a path back to Westminster and a chance to challenge Keir Starmer”)
- PM under pressure from Labour MPs and ministers to set timetable for exit
- Exclusive: Trump says Cuba operation could mirror Venezuela triumph
- Trump Called Him a ‘Radical Left Marxist.’ Can He Be Colombia’s President? (Trump calls anyone who’s not MAGA “far left,” “radical,” “Marxist,” etc.)
- The Right-Wing Political Outsider Endorsed by Trump (“Abelardo De La Espriella, a criminal defense lawyer and businessman, seemingly came out of nowhere to challenge for the Colombia’s presidency.”)
- At least 30 deaths at Congo camp show Ebola could be spreading fast
- In killing gang leader, Trump brings war-on-terror tactics to Latin America
NATIONAL
- How the Trump Administration Pushed Judges to Deport Children (“The D.O.J. has fast-tracked immigration cases for unaccompanied minors and fired judges who appear not to comply.”)
- Shot by ICE and still in pain. LA detainee highlights gaps in DHS oversight
- Datacenters driving US clean energy growth while still threatening climate (“As datacenters’ connections to electric grids are held up, big tech is forced to throw money at producing its own power”)
- America’s Economic Anxiety Is Rising Up the Income Ladder (“A Wall Street Journal poll finds that even the wealthiest worry about financial security for themselves and their children”)
- Disability Groups Fear Kennedy’s New Special Education Role
- RFK Jr. is now in charge of helping some of the students he has publicly insulted (Bonkers.)
- I’m a critical care doctor. I’ve never seen the US harm its children this deliberately (“At every stage of childhood, the Trump administration is withdrawing a protection. It is also dismantling the tools that would measure the harm” Pure evil.)
- How Pulte’s new role is a win for CIA’s John Ratcliffe (“CIA is best positioned to be the victor who claims the spoils”)
- Bill Pulte assumes role of US acting director of national intelligence (“Head of Federal Housing Finance Agency who investigated Trump’s enemies takes over top intelligence role” This is REALLY BAD!)
- Secret Vetting and Blocked Promotions: Inside Hegseth’s War on Diversity
- Juneteenth Is a Reminder That Progress Is Never Absolute (“Rep. LaMonica McIver, who is facing 17 years in prison at the hands of the Trump administration, writes about the need for courage in the face of oppression”)
- Big Tech Is a Thief and a Liar, Says New York Times Publisher (“Sulzberger’s core argument when addressing the annual WAN-IFRA World News Media Conference on June 1 was that Big Tech is stealing the news media’s property and undermining democracy, and that the only solution is for news organizations to work together to resist it…In sum, the publisher of one of the world’s most influential newspapers has accused some of the richest, most powerful companies on earth of being criminals; of building their vast fortunes on a foundation of lies and theft at grand scale.”)
- Obama’s Harsh New Takedown of Trump Points to a World After MAGA (“The forty-fourth president’s library dedication speech was a powerful explication of liberal patriotism—and a much-needed repudiation of the Trump-Vance fascist variant.”)
- Trump unveils new Air Force One jet gifted by Qatar (“The president said the $400 million luxury jet would lead a flyover in Washington, D.C., on July 4 to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.” MASSIVE corruption.)
- Federal judge gives DOJ green light to turn Biden’s audio files over to the Heritage Foundation (“Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee, wrote in her ruling that the former president’s privacy concerns ‘though substantial,’ paled in comparison to the significant public interest in the case”)
- Trump’s arch — or any federal building — can flout D.C. height law, administration argues
- Blue paint seen chipping off in Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after algae turn it green (“Trump’s effort to renovate the pool on the National Mall ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary has hit another snag.”)
- The blue paint is peeling off the Reflecting Pool
- Science Has a Name for What’s Plaguing the Reflecting Pool (“Testing reveals that efforts to suppress one algal bloom seem to be fueling another.”)
- Trump claims Reflecting Pool was vandalized and says law enforcement is investigating (Hahahahahahaha, riiiiight. With Trump, nothing can EVER be his fault, even when it’s totally his fault!)
- Kennedy Center says it isn’t required to reschedule shows after judge blocks 2-year closure
- ‘A Literal Coverup’: What Is the Kennedy Center Hiding Behind Those Tarps? (“The arts center says it pulled President Trump’s name from the building front. But the result remains hidden by tarps, prompting questions and speculation.”)
- Trump endorses a second candidate in the South Carolina governor’s race
- California’s Newsom, Under Federal Investigation, Leans Into Fight With Trump
- What Democrats want: New York congressional race showcases fight over party’s future (“In NY-12, four Democrats, including one Kennedy, are vying to replace Jerry Nadler – and potentially shake things up”)
- Justice department says it will investigate MLB amid Pride hats controversy (Bonkers.)
- Trump’s DC makeover frenzy bewilders locals and visitors: ‘It’s like we’re under occupation’ (“From East Wing demolition and ‘restoration’ of reflecting pool to bridge and fountain renovations, US capital is ‘a different city right now’” It’s awful.)
VIRGINIA
- Warner reacts to dire findings surrounding Southampton Medical Center
- With Virginia Early Voting Underway for the 8/4 Primaries, Here Are the VA01 Democratic Candidates Vying to Take on Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA01) This Fall
- Ben Cline is against Medicare fraud, except when it’s done by Republicans
- VA Senate Finance & Appropriations Chair Louise Lucas, House Appropriations Chair Luke Torian Statement on Reaching a Budget Agreement
- Va. budget deal emerges with energy consumption tax on data centers
- General Assembly budget proposal expected to generate $600 million a year in revenue from data centers
- Virginia lawmakers release long-awaited budget agreement (“Includes new taxes for data centers, raises for teachers and state employees”)
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger Marks Juneteenth by Hosting First-of-Its-Kind Celebration for State Employees (Spanberger: “Juneteenth Is a Reminder That Freedom in All Its Forms Must Be More Than Just Declared”)
- Drought conditions mean it’s time to cut back water use, Spanberger says
- Wild Virginia to offer free Clean Water Advocates training program
- DC-area forecast: A warm, low-humidity start to summer
