Von der Leyen nominated to head Commission
EU leaders meeting in Brussels found a compromise on Tuesday evening, after what The Guardian called “three days of tortuous negotiations”, that saw them propose German defence minister Ursula von der Leyen as the successor to Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission. The 60-year old graduate of the London School of Economics--a “conservative Europhile”, as the BBC calls her--must still be confirmed by the European Parliament. But Politico points to criticism of her stewardship of the German military and questions over her ministry’s use of external consultants.
Lagarde lands ECB role
Christine Lagarde, picked to be head of the European Central Bank, is set to temporarily relinquish her responsibilities at the International Monetary Fund during the nomination period, Reuters reports. The Irish Times says Lagarde is a higher-profile figure than the typically cautious economists who have headed the ECB. And The Wall Street Journal says her departure from the IMF will set off a complicated process to find a successor.
Michel, Borrell and EP compromise
43-year old Belgian prime minister Charles Michel--"used to being the youngest politician in the room”, according to The New York Times--has been chosen to replace Donald Tusk as president of the European council. Spain’s foreign minister Josep Borrell--whom France24 says is “known not to mince his words”--is set to be the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs. Meanwhile, there is speculation over a few names as the next president of the European Parliament. Euractiv suggests Bulgaria’s Sergei Stanishev could share the 5-year term with EPP Spitzenkandidat Manfred Weber, while New Europe and other European media have Italian MEP David-Maria Sassoli in the frame for the job.
Air strike on Libyan migrant camp
The BBC reports that an air strike that hit a migrant detention centre in Libya on Wednesday morning has left at least 40 dead and another 80 injured. The government has blamed the rebel Libyan National Army for the attack.
Trump announces Fed nominations
CNBC reports that Donald Trump intends to nominate Christopher Waller, from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and Judy Shelton, an economic adviser during Trump’s 2016 campaign, to the Federal Reserve’s board.
Tesla delivers
Tesla has announced it set new production and delivery records during the second quarter of 2019, CNBC reports. Its shares went up 7% in after-hours trading on Tuesday, says Reuters.
Census citizenship question dropped
A question on citizenship will now not be included in the 2020 US census, the White House has said, according to Reuters. The decision comes days after the Supreme Court blocked efforts to include the question, ruling that the government's justification seemed “contrived”, the BBC reports.
USA reaches WWC final
The USA has reached the final of the Fifa Women’s World Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 win over England, who had a goal disallowed for marginal offside and also had a penalty saved. The BBC has a match report. Meanwhile US forward Alex Morgan’s tea-sipping goal celebration has “caused a stir”, according to The Guardian.
Brazil beat Argentina
And in the men’s game, goals from EPL strikers Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino sealed a 2-0 victory for Brazil over Argentina to move the Seleção into the final of the Copa America. The Guardian has a report.
Foxy mover
Scientists tracking a female arctic fox were dumfounded when it transpired she had walked more than 3,500km from Spitsbergen in Norway to Ellesmere Island in Canada via Greenland and using floating sea ice, The Guardian reports.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts