Biden says “the United States is back”
US president Joe Biden launched his first overseas trip since taking office with an address to US troops in the UK in which he said he would make clear to allies and other nations that “the United States is back”. Biden is keen to strengthen ties between the US and Europe in the face of competition from China and Russia. During his eight-day trip he will attend the G7 summit in Cornwall and a Nato ministerial meeting before a face-to-face with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Geneva on 16 June. “We're not seeking conflict with Russia,” Biden told the troops, but added that at the meeting with the Russian president he will “let him know what I want him to know.” It is thought Biden will tackle Putin on the recent spate of ransomware attacks as well as Russia’s threats against Ukraine. Reuters, the BBC and CNN report.
US-UK “Atlantic Charter” will cement ties
On Thursday Biden and UK prime minister Boris Johnson will signal their agreement on a new “Atlantic Charter” covering trade, travel and technology. Modelled on a 1941 charter signed by Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the new agreement will open up travel between the two allies as soon as possible but also includes provisions for cooperation between British and American tech firms and tackles issues such as climate change and protecting biodiversity. Boris Johnson has said the agreement will “form the foundation of a sustainable global recovery.” CNBC, Sky News and Politico have more.
CSV launches controversial attack on law and order
Justice minister Sam Tanson has reacted to a severe critique of the government’s law and order policy by saying that Luxembourg applies the rule of law, meaning that it is the judiciary and not the state that decides on sentencing of criminals. Previously on Wednesday CSV MPs Laurent Mosar and Léon Gloden had called a press conference in which they said that more than 40,000 crimes had been committed in 2020, that it was clear these were being committed by foreign offenders who were not even legally resident and that if convicted they should be sent back to their native country. RTL (in Luxembourgish) has more.
Inflation rises to 2.5%
Annual inflation in the grand duchy stood at 2.5% at the end of May, compared to 2.1% a month earlier Statec has reported. An increase in fuel prices and certain foodstuffs, as well as air fares, drove the rise. Delano reported.
EU prize for Collective
The Lux Audience Award, organised by the EU parliament and the European Film Academy, has been given to Luxembourg-Romania documentary Collective. Director Alexander Nanau received the prize from EP president David Sassoli during a ceremony hosted at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The film, co-produced by Luxembourg company samsa, is a masterclass in investigative reporting into corruption. Delano has more.
Navalny’s FBK banned
With parliamentary elections in Russia due to take place in September, a court has ruled that the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) run by jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is an “extremist” organisation. The ban means FBK activists who continue to publicly protest can now be jailed and have assets frozen. A defiant Navalny said he won’t give up and that his lawyers will appeal the ruling. The BBC and Reuters report.
Keystone XL abandoned
TC Energy has announced it is officially terminating its controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline months after Joe Biden revoked a key cross-border presidential permit for the project. The pipeline would have carried oil from Alberta in Canada to the US Gulf Coast, passing through indigenous tribal land in Nebraska. NPR and The Verge have details.
US pledges half a billion vaccines to Covax
The United States will announce on Thursday a plan to distribute some 500,000 vaccine doses to 92 lower-income countries and the African Union via the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Covax scheme. 200 million shots will be sent out before the end of 2021, with the other 300 million planned for 2022 reports suggest. Forbes and Sky News have more.
Alter moon’s orbit, suggests congressman
Maybe he has watched It’s A Wonderful Life too often and taken James Stewart’s promise to lasso the moon too literally, but Republican congressman Louie Gohmert from Texas on Tuesday asked whether US government departments could alter the orbit of the moon to help fight climate change. The Hill and The Guardian report.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts