THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BRAND HAS TAKEN A FEW NEAR-MORTAL BLOWS... THE JOE BIDEN PRESIDENCY WAS A CATASTROPHE... IT SHOWED THAT THE PARTY WAS RUNNING ON EMPTY WITH A BOGUS PRESIDENT AND VERY UNPOPULAR POLICIES. IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO REGAIN THE HIGH MORAL GROUND WITHOUT LOSING THE MIDDLE OF THE POPULACE...

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David Hogg will not run again for his Democratic National Committee vice chairman position, he announced on Tuesday, amid a firestorm the 25-year-old activist sparked over his pledge to take on “ineffective” Democratic incumbents.

Network Ten has axed its long-running current affairs show The Project as part of a major programming overhaul aimed at rebuilding its early evening viewership.

Network president Beverley McGarvey informed staff of the decision in a meeting at the broadcaster’s Melbourne headquarters on Monday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has congratulated Russians on Russia Day and stressed his commitment to building constructive relations with Moscow for peace with Ukraine.

"On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day. The United States remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future. We also take this opportunity to reaffirm the United States’ desire for constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine. It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries," Rubio said in a statement posted by the US State Department.

Hours after being deported from Israel, Greta Thunberg accused the country of kidnapping her and her fellow activists in international waters, adding that she had refused to sign a document stating that she had entered Israel illegally.

Speaking to reporters at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, the Swedish campaigner stressed that she and others on a Gaza-bound ship intercepted by Israel on Monday had simply been attempting to bring much-needed aid to the war-torn territory.

Diplomatic tensions escalate as Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and a former UK Member of Parliament make startling claims about Western involvement in a secret war targeting Russian bases. According to Lavrov, certain entities were operating under orders from Western powers. The UK MP corroborates this, shedding light on the alleged covert operations. The revelation sparks intense debate and raises questions about global security and international relations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NkbqV19_74

The US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has suggested "Muslim countries" should give up some of their land to create a future Palestinian state.

In an interview with the BBC, Huckabee said "Muslim countries have 644 times the amount of land that are controlled by Israel".

"So maybe, if there is such a desire for the Palestinian state, there would be someone who would say, we'd like to host it," he said.

The ambassador also called a two-state solution - a proposed formula for peace between Israel and the Palestinians that has generally received international backing, including from multiple US administrations - "an aspirational goal".

There’s a trace of John Shakespeare in all his caricatures. “Even when he’s drawing all the worst pollies, there’s a warmth – there’s something that reminds you of him,” says his close friend and fellow artist, Simon Letch. “There’s a softness straight away, in the eyes. You feel drawn to them. They’re lovable.”

‘Unfailingly big-hearted and generous’: Beloved Herald cartoonist John Shakespeare dies after cancer battle

Von der Leyen Unveils 18th EU Sanctions Package: Crushing Russia’s Economy, Targeting Energy, Banks, and Shadow Fleet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia, warning that Putin’s regime is not interested in peace but seeks to impose force.

Despite Ukraine’s call for an unconditional ceasefire, Russia continues its aggression, prompting the EU to intensify economic pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDoai2ItqnE

Russia launched almost 500 drones and missiles at Ukraine on Sunday night in the largest in a string of record-breaking aerial assaults as peace talks between the warring nations have stalled.

Despite pressure from the Trump administration to work toward a cease-fire, Russia has been stepping up its large-scale barrages in recent months. That effort has further escalated since Ukraine mounted coordinated drone strikes on strategic bombers at air bases inside Russia on June 1.

Jimmy joins the show from the road to discuss with guest hosts Russell Dobular and Keaton Weiss how despite Turmp’s campaign promise to end the Ukraine War “in 24 hours,” the conflict appears to be dragging on with no apparent end in sight.

The deliberate undermining of democratic norms and the conflation of personal power with national interest are consistent with patterns seen in states that have tipped into authoritarian rule.

The United States has entered a phase that resembles the early stages of a failed state. What once seemed impossible, in a country with vast resources and robust democratic traditions, now appears increasingly plausible.

Jesse MacKinnon

In planning its future release of up to 80 billion tonnes of planet-heating carbon, Australia has committed itself to the destruction of nations and wrecking of big cities throughout the Indo-Pacific Region.

Despite the platitudes of its political leadership, in what amounts to a declaration of war on its lowlying neighbours, Australia — a country that has criticised both Russia and Israel for assaults on their border states — continues to authorise huge fossil fuel developments that will accelerate global warming, ocean rise and the obliteration of entire societies in the region.

Julian Cribb

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has repeatedly insisted that the alliance should be "stronger" and "more capable of deadly strikes,” calling on European militaries to “step up” and spend “considerably north of 3%” of GDP on defense.

Mark Rutte has warned NATO countries that unless they raise military spending to 5% of GDP, they should "learn to speak Russian." 

Alternative media is reshaping Australia’s political landscape, challenging traditional narratives and amplifying marginalised voices. As online platforms gain influence, they are shifting public perceptions on issues like China, elections, and political identity.

Australian Alternative Media and Its Impact on Australian Public Debate

By Lewis Taylor

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday told delegates at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France: "The ocean is the ultimate shared resource. But we are failing it."

The UN boss cited collapsing fish stocks, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, plastic pollution, destructive fishing and the quest for mineral riches at the ocean floor as key threats in his remarks.

The conference was organized to ratify a treaty that would give nations the right to establish protected marine areas in international waters.