Grand Duke speaks out against populism
Grand Duke Henri spoke out against populism and fake news in his National Day address at the Kanounenhiwwel in Luxembourg City on Wednesday. The head of state said that the pandemic had highlighted the good, such as cross-border solidarity, and bad, like populism and untruth “which do not deserve credibility”. Globalisation had been shown not to be a panacea, the grand duke said, and added that it is “important to obtain local, regional and European production of essential products in order to be able to react quickly in times of crisis.” The ceremony also included a minute’s silence for the 818 people who have died with covid in the grand duchy. But the grand duke also looked forward to a better future, saying that national day in 2022 national day will mark 60 years since the celebrations were moved to 23 June. “My big hope is that we can all celebrate together again,” he concluded.
Britney pleas for end to father’s control
Britney Spears makes court plea to end the conservatorship her father, Jamie, has had over her personal and business affairs since she was hospitalised with mental health issues in 2008. “I want to end this conservatorship without being evaluated," Spears told the LA court via phone. She said her father’s control was abusive and that she was being denied a chance to start a family. “I just want my life back,” she said. The BBC, CNN and The New York Times have more and Variety has Britney’s full statement.
Last edition of Apply Daily
Copies of the final edition of Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily were eagerly snapped up in the early hours of 24 June. The paper increased its print run by ten-fold to 1 million copies as it was forced to shut down by authorities after 26 years as a voice of dissent and supporter of the pro-democracy movement. Reuters, the BBC and The South China Morning Post have more.
Merkel and Macron want EU-Russia summit
A Franco-German proposal for the EU and Russia to sit down and “reset” their relationship has caught many in the 27-strong bloc by surprise. The initiative arose as US secretary of state Anthony Blinken tours Europe--he met with Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday and is also stopping off in Paris and Rome. Reuters, the FT and The Guardian report.
John McAfee found dead in cell
Antivirus software entrepreneur John McAfee has been found dead in his cell in Barcelona, Spain after apparently hanging himself. Hours earlier Spain’s national court had approved his extradition to the United States where he was wanted in the US for federal criminal tax evasion charges in Tennessee and was also facing a separate case linked to a so-called “pump-and-dump” scheme involving cryptocurrencies. CNBC, The Guardian and NPR have details.
Senators hopeful on infrastructure deal
A bipartisan group of US senators have “made progress towards an outline of a potential agreement” on president Joe Biden’s infrastructure spending bill. The so-called G21 group has been working on a $1.2 trillion, eight-year plan--much lower than Biden’s ambitious $2.3 trillion original proposal. CBS News, The Wall Street Journal and Reuters report.
Buffett gives away another chunk of fortune
Billionaire Warren Buffett has donated a further $4.1 billion worth of his shares in holding company Berkshire Hathaway to five foundations he pledged to support through annual gifts in 2006. “Today is a milestone for me,” Buffett said as he announced that he is “halfway there” to giving away all of his Berkshire shares. At the same time, Buffet has stepped down as a trustee at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. CNBC and Aljazeera have more.
Xpeng Motors to get Hong Kong listing
CNBC reports that Chinese electric carmaker Xpeng Motors will launch an IPO as a dual primary listing in Hong Kong that could raise between $1 billion to $2 billion. Xpeng is already listed on the New York exchange.
Planets could be observing Earth
Researcher in the US who used the European Space Agency’s Gaia catalogue of star positions and motions estimate that there are 29 potentially habitable planets that could observe an Earth transit and pick up human transmissions, The Guardian reports.
Germany set up England match
In a topsy-turvy final group stage match up at Euro2020, Germany sealed a final 16 place by drawing 2-2 with Hungary in Munich. France and Portugal also both progressed after also playing out a 2-2 draw. Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka scored the equalizer for Germany, who looked like being eliminated until his 84th minute strike. But Portugal, for whom Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to equal the men's all-time international goalscoring record, were also heading out a one stage. Germany now face England at Wembley on 29 June. France will play Switzerland and Portugal come up against Belgium. The Guardian and the BBC have reports.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts