Middle Eastern Politics Headlines at 9:02 a.m. GMT
Two candidates drop out of Iran presidential election, due to take place Friday amid voter apathy
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The TelegraphThe world must prepare for President Michelle Obama
The 2024 US Presidential race intensifies. Speculation abounds over potential replacements for President Joe Biden amid increasing pressure from his party and the media to step aside after a jaw-dropping, catastrophic debate against Donald Trump last week. Among the names circulating, a game-changer is emerging: Michelle Obama. Could this be America’s worst nightmare?
- HuffPost
New Poll Finds 1 Democrat Absolutely Trouncing Trump
Just one problem: This person doesn't seem interested in running, should the opportunity arise.
- The Telegraph
Biden ‘seriously considering’ leaving election race
Joe Biden has for the first time said that he is considering ending his presidential campaign, according to reports.
- The Telegraph
Michelle Obama the only Biden alternative who would beat Trump
The only prospective candidate who could beat Donald Trump in the presidential election is Michelle Obama, according to a new poll.
- The Telegraph
Ukraine to be told it is too corrupt to join Nato
Ukraine will be told it is currently too corrupt to join Nato, in a major blow to Volodymyr Zelensky.
- HuffPost
Tyranny Expert Sums Up A Donald Trump Win With 2 Ominous Words
Timothy Snyder succinctly predicted what will happen “unless Trump loses.”
- AFP News
Philippines says US mid-range missile system to be pulled out
A US mid-range missile system deployed in the Philippines for annual joint military exercises -- to the annoyance of China -- will be pulled out of the country, a Philippine Army spokesman said Thursday.The US Army said in April it had deployed the Mid-Range Capability missile system which can fire the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in the northern Philippines.
- The Telegraph
Russian air strike ‘destroys five Ukrainian fighter jets’ at airbase
A Russian missile attack destroyed five warplanes at a Ukrainian airbase primed to receive F-16 fighter jets from Kyiv’s Nato allies.
- Reuters
Biden says he 'nearly fell asleep' during debate after world travel
U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday acknowledged his performance during last Thursday's presidential debate wasn't his best, but blamed it on jet lag after two overseas trips earlier in June. Biden has faced mounting questions about his 2024 reelection bid after last week's shaky debate performance, with one House of Representatives fellow Democrat on Tuesday publicly calling on him to withdraw from the race. Speaking at a campaign event in McLean, Virginia, on Tuesday evening, Biden admitted the debate against former President Donald Trump, his Republican rival, did not go well.
- Associated Press
US deports 116 Chinese migrants in first 'large' flight in 5 years
The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that it sent 116 Chinese migrants from the United States back home in the first “large charter flight” in five years. The flight, which happened over the weekend, comes as Chinese immigration has become the subject of intense political debate in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. "We will continue to enforce our immigration laws and remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.
- The Telegraph
Have the Houthis sunk a British warship? Here’s what actually happened
Yesterday afternoon the Iranian-backed militia in Yemen, the Houthis, claimed they had targeted four ships which they deemed to belong to the US/UK/Israel “trio evil”. According to the rapidly becoming famous Houthi spokesman Yahya Sare’e – the Comical Ali of the 2020s – “the British landing ship Anvil Point” was targeted and “the hit was accurate and direct. The ship was targeted by a number of cruise missiles.”
- INSIDER
Russia missed probably its best opportunity to steamroll Ukraine, war analyst argues
War expert Mick Ryan says Russia failed to act decisively in the Ukraine war, missing a chance to strike a decisive blow.
- Associated Press
House Democrat is proposing a constitutional amendment to reverse Supreme Court's immunity decision
A leading House Democrat is preparing a constitutional amendment in response to the Supreme Court's landmark immunity ruling, seeking to reverse the decision “and ensure that no president is above the law.” Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, sent a letter to colleagues informing them of his intent to file the resolution, which would kickstart what's traditionally a cumbersome amendment process. "This amendment will do what SCOTUS failed to do — prioritize our democracy,” Morelle said in a statement to AP.
- The Telegraph
Anthony Fauci defends ‘groggy’ Biden as pressure mounts for president to quit
Anthony Fauci, one of America’s most senior and often controversial medical officials, has defended Joe Biden after his “groggy” performance in his debate with Donald Trump.
- People
Are UFOs Real? What the Pentagon Has Learned
"The most common misconception is that [UFOs] are all the same thing and they're all extraterrestrial, and neither of those are true," said one government expert
- The Independent
Biden insists ‘I’m not leaving’ while allies prepare for end of his campaign
White House denies that the president is confronting the possibility of dropping out
- The Telegraph
Biden says he ‘nearly fell asleep’ during debate and blames poor performance on jet lag
Joe Biden has blamed jet lag for his poor debate performance on Thursday after two overseas trips earlier in June.
- The Independent
Hugh Grant urges UK public to ‘destroy’ Rishi Sunak in general election
‘Notting Hill’ star has long been outspoken on subject of politics
- CNN
US government employees who resigned over Gaza policy release joint statement for first time
The US government employees who have publicly resigned in protest of the Biden administration’s Gaza policies released a joint statement on Tuesday for the first time, stating they “stand united in a shared belief that it is our collective responsibility to speak up” and outlining steps they believe the US government should take.
- Evening Standard
OPINION - Joe Biden has presented Democrats with a big lie of his own
The ridiculous claim that Donald Trump won the 2020 US presidential election was the first big lie to infect its politics. Now Joe Biden has presented Democrats with a big lie of his own. There are plenty of Americans who would rather vote for a dead Biden than a live Trump, but not enough to win.