Nato summit overshadowed by video
Candid video of world leaders allegedly making fun of US president Donald Trump caused a rift at the end of the 70th anniversary Nato summit in London on Wednesday. The BBC has footage and says that Trump called Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau “two-faced” over remarks he made caught on the video. The Washington Post reckons it is Trump who has put Nato “on life support”, but James Carafano at Fox News says the tape is “much ado about nothing” and that there “is nothing new about elitists trashing presidents.” Taking a broader view, The Guardian examines the state of the alliance and its relationships, and reckons “it’s complicated”. And The Atlantic says the summit “highlighted how far apart its members now stand”.
France wakes up to travel chaos
Fresh from his combative appearances at the Nato summit, French president Emmanuel Macron faces trouble at home. France on Thursday is bracing for what Euronews says are the largest strikes it has seen in years over proposed reforms to pensions. The Independent reckons some 250,000 international travellers have already been hit by the strikes. The Local France has a guide to how the strikes will affect domestic transport. The Guardian reckons the pension reforms Macron is trying to push through “take a bludgeon to one of the best retirement systems in the world.”
Legal experts say Trump actions impeachable
Reuters reports that three law professors chosen by the Democrats leading the House of Representatives judiciary committee on Wednesday testified that they think President Trump’s attempts to get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden are impeachable offenses. CNBC has top takeaways from Wednesday’s public hearing. CNN reports that Melania Trump was incensed that one of the legal experts made fun of her son Barron at the hearing.
Chinese media hits back at Uighur bill
Chinese official media has called for harsh reprisals after the US passed a bill calling for tough measures over its treatment of the Uighur people. Reuters cites the People’s Daily newspaper’s front page, which said the bill “harbors evil intent and is extremely sinister”. The Guardian says China’s ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, told a US-China Business Council dinner that “some destructive forces are taking advantage of the ongoing trade friction.”
Germany chucks out Russians over murder
Germany has expelled two Russian diplomats over the murder in Berlin in August of a former Chechen rebel commander, Deutsche Welle reports. The BBC says German media have likened the killing, in a public space, to the attack on Russian former intelligence agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in 2018.
Something for the weekend
Friday: start early with a free lunchtime recital by mezzo-soprano Naama Liany at the protestant church at 12:30pm. For something more jazzy, check out Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano and Jan Lundgren at the Phil at 8pm. Saturday: Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov performs at the Phil at 8pm. There’s also a last chance to catch English play “Dealing With Clair” at the Capucins at 8pm. And later de Gudde Wëllen celebrates its 5th anniversary with a party until the wee hours. Sunday: relax after your post-lunch walk with Voices International singing festive songs at Bridel Church at 5pm
Fake frontier
The Guardian reports on a man from central Asia who built a fake frontier post near Russia’s border with Finland and charged four men from south Asia more than $10,000 to take them into the EU.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts