International News

Liz Cheney -Why being a Trump martyr could be good for her

Congresswoman Liz Cheney's time on the leadership team for Republicans in the House of Representatives may be coming to an unceremonious end. Her offence? Speaking ill of former President Donald Trump - and doing so frequently and with seeming relish. On 12 January, she voted to impeach the then-president for inciting the pro-Trump mob that attacked the US Capitol the previous week, calling it a "betrayal" of his oath of office. She has since stood by that vote, calling allegations of election fraud a "big lie" and condemning all those who worked to challenge Joe Biden's victory.

Covid: US backs waiver on vaccine patents to boost supply

The US has thrown its support behind a move at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily lift patent protection for coronavirus vaccines. India and South Africa proposed the plan, which they said would increase vaccine production around the world. But drugs manufacturers argue it may not have the desired effect. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that "extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures". India and South Africa were the leading voices in a group of about 60 countries which for the last six months has been trying to get the patents on vaccines set aside.

UK sends patrol vessels as 80 French protest boats gather off Jersey

Two British naval patrol vessels have arrived off the coast of Jersey as about 80 French boats also gathered at the port in St Helier in protest over post-Brexit rules on fishing rights. HMS Severn and HMS Tamar were deployed a mile off the coast of Jersey while observing the French flotilla amassing at about 6am south of the Channel Island’s capital before it headed into the port just before 7am. Downing Street said the patrol vessels, which are armed, had been sent to “monitor the situation”, but some criticised the decision as a heavy-handed reaction designed to boost the Conservatives’ credentials on the day of local elections across Britain.

Germany to bring forward climate goals after constitutional court ruling

Germany’s government is to revise its emission reduction targets after the country’s constitutional court declared the current climate protection measures insufficient, aiming to become greenhouse gas neutral by 2045 rather than 2050. The finance minister, Olaf Scholz, and the environment minister, Svenja Schulze laid out a legislative proposal on Wednesday to cut emissions by 65% from 1990 levels by 2030. An 88% reduction of carbon emissions is to be reached by 2040.

 

FBI raid exposes Giuliani and signals widening criminal search, experts say

The extraordinary FBI raid on Rudy Giuliani’s New York apartment and office has sparked debate about what criminal charges Giuliani may face, and signals a widening criminal investigation into his Ukraine drive to help Trump in 2020 by sullying Joe Biden, former prosecutors say. The high-profile nature of the raid meant it required senior Department of Justice signoff, and underscored the investigation’s seriousness and progress. It also obtained several of Giuliani’s electronic devices and thus may have harvested a rich trove of new evidence and leads for investigators to follow.

 

As McCarthy moves to boot Cheney, a favorite successor emerges

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and some of his allies are moving quickly to nudge GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney from her leadership post, publicly criticizing her and privately lining up a potential successor. During a Tuesday interview on Fox News, McCarthy gave his strongest signal yet that he would support a new attempt to oust Cheney from the No. 3 spot in leadership, saying his members have voiced concerns about her “ability to carry out” her job duties.

George Floyd killer Derek Chauvin asks for new trial

The white former Minneapolis police officer convicted last month of the murder of the black man George Floyd has requested a new trial. Derek Chauvin's legal team have filed court documents alleging misconduct by both prosecutors and jurors. Chauvin, who was captured on video kneeling on Mr Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes, was found guilty of murder and manslaughter. The rare verdict against a police officer was considered a milestone in the racial history of the US and was widely applauded by Americans. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison.

Trump launches new 'communications' platform

Donald Trump has launched a new "communications" website, which says it will publish content "straight from the desk" of the former US president. Mr Trump was banned by Twitter and suspended by Facebook and YouTube after the Capitol riots in January. The former president has since been releasing statements by press release - which the new website will now host. Users will be able to like posts - and also share them on Twitter and Facebook accounts. The website is reportedly built by Campaign Nucleus, a digital services company created by Mr Trump's former campaign manager Brad Parscale. Several posts on the site repeat debunked claims that last year's presidential election was rigged.

Coalition faces calls to cancel investment deal between Western Australia and China

The Morrison government faces calls to cancel an agreement between Western Australia and the same Chinese government agency that was the partner in the now-vetoed Victorian belt and road deals. Under the agreement, originally struck by previous Liberal premier Colin Barnett, WA and China’s National Development and Reform Commission pledged to work together to find investment opportunities, including infrastructure and in the state’s significant resources sector.

 

French fishers threaten to blockade Jersey ports as row escalates

French fishers are threatening to blockade the ports in the Channel Islands in an escalation of a post-Brexit row in which the French maritime minister has backed calls to cut off Jersey’s electricity supply. French officials have also said they will close their offices in Jersey and stop products from the island entering France. The Jersey Evening Post has reported that the possibility of stopping all commercial vessels accessing French ports and cutting off the electricity was discussed at two protests in France.