Darroch resignation causes a stir
Outgoing British prime minister Theresa May is considering appointing a new US ambassador in her last week in office following the resignation on Wednesday of Sir Kim Darroch, The Guardian reports. The move follows criticism of Boris Johnson, May’s likely successor, who was accused of throwing Darroch “under the bus” by refusing to support him over leaked confidential memos that upset US president Donald Trump. The New York Times claims that disdain for Trump among the Washington diplomatic corps is rife and cites one serving ambassador who says, “it could have been any of us”. The BBC has Darroch’s resignation letter in full. Meanwhile, in a fascinating insight, Ben Judah in The Atlantic says the UK has simply not kept pace with the changes in the way Washington diplomacy works.
Von der Leyen rules out Brexit renegotiation
And there was more bad news for prime minister-designate Johnson when EU commission president-in-waiting Ursula von der Leyen said the Commission will be no more willing to renegotiate than before. RTE reports that von der Leyen did however suggest that Brexit could be delayed for a third time. The BBC cites her as telling the UK “though I still hope you remain, it is in our interests to have you sort things out.”
French digital tax plan under fire
The French parliament is today expected to approve a 3% tax on tech companies, the BBC reports. But the US government says the tax “unfairly targets American companies” and has suggested retaliatory tariffs could follow, according to CNBC.
Fed could cut rates
Federal Reserve policymakers are seriously considering cutting rates for the first time in a decade, Reuters reports. Fed chair Jerome Powell told the House financial services committee on Wednesday that the central bank will “act as appropriate” to sustain the current economic expansion, says CNBC. U.S. stocks soared after Powell’s comments, The Washington Post reports.
Asteroid landing success
Japan’s Hayabusa2 probe has successfully landed on the Ryugu asteroid, some 300m km from Earth, The Guardian reports. Its mission is to grab the first pristine sample of an asteroid to bring back to Earth, says Space.com.
Sugary drinks, even juice, linked to cancer
A new report published in the British Medical Journal suggests that sugary drinks, even one glass of fruit juice, is associated with a greater risk of some cancers Bloomberg and The Daily Mail report.
Iranian boats harass British tanker
US officials have reported an incident in the Gulf in which five boats believed to belong to Iranian Revolutionary Guards approached a British oil tanker, Reuters reports.
Coming up
12 & 13 July: Luxembourg hosts the first ever annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank outside Asia. 12 July: free music festival Rock Um Knuedler takes place in the city centre featuring an eclectic line-up of local artists.
Kiwis reach World Cup final
New Zealand beat India in a thrilling match that concluded a day late in rainy Manchester on Wednesday. The Guardian has a match report. They will now face the winner of today’s second semi-final, between Australia and England, in the final at Lord’s on Sunday.
Man survives Niagara fall
A man who plummeted 57 metres over the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara on Tuesday survived with non-life threatening injuries, the BBC reports.
Today's breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts