1. "Hottest places in hell"
Former US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich has released an extraordinary, an quite undiplomatic, statement on Donald Trump and his executive order on immigration and refugees.
Writing on his Facebook, Bleich warned that the "hottest places in hell" are reserved for those staying neutral during times of "great moral crisis." [My report/Fairfax]
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Turnbull soft on Trump
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While other world leaders take a strong stand against Donald Trump's anti-immigration policy, our PM has tried to skirt the issue.
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Turnbull soft on Trump
While other world leaders take a strong stand against Donald Trump's anti-immigration policy, our PM has tried to skirt the issue.
Did you see Malcolm Turnbull, on behalf of Australia, declining to condemn Trump's executive order, saying it wasn't his job to comment on other nations' policies? [David Wroe/Fairfax]
But Peter Hartcher argues don't lecture Trump, take advantage of his impotence. I love this piece as Trump's America will surely trigger a brain drain. [The Sydney Morning Herald]
Interesting piece from the Courier Mail's political editor arguing Trump's ban is not that different to previous actions by Obama. [Dennis Atkins]
Trump defended his executive order, which has caused chaos since its inception, saying the airport chaos was the cause of a Delta Airlines computer outage. He also said it was necessary to give no advance warning so authorities could prepare for the changes because "bad dudes" could have slipped into the country. [ABC]
Trump tweeted that he would announce his Supreme Court pick live on television at 8pm tomorrow (primetime) (midday on Wednesday Canberra time). Proof indeed that reality television is a hard format to let go of for the narcissistic.
2. Trump petition
Donald Trump has galvanised at least 1.4 million Britons... against him. [Alex Morales/The Washington Post]
At the time of writing, that's how many people had signed a petition calling for the US President to be banned from entering the UK for his official state visit because it would "cause embarrassment to the Queen." [Petition]
British Prime Minister Theresa May with US President Donald Trump. Photo: Andrew Harrer
The invitation for a state visit was issued by May on behalf of the Queen during her Friday trip to meet Trump in Washington.
Trump, the son of a Scottish-born mother and self-professed anglophile, accepted. He is expected in the British summer but no exact time-frame has been given.
Unlike in Australia, the UK Parliament accepts electronic petitions and it considers all which garner more than 100,000 signatures. The government responds to all which gather 10,000 signatures.
This is not the first time a petition has been lodged calling for Trump's ban from the UK. Last year the Commons debated banning Trump, who was then a candidate, after a petition called for him to be blocked over hate speech gathered half a million signatures.
Back then May was the Home Secretary and described Candidate Trump's proposed Muslim ban as "divisive, unhelpful and wrong." She's toned down the attack now she's the PM and he's the President.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was called before the Commons to answer questions. He condemned the executive order, said the UK government would not introduce it but also accused Labour of "pointlessly demonising" the Trump administration, which he said would damage British interests.
A protest is planned outside 10 Downing on Monday night local time.
3. One Nation's rise and rise
One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson. Photo: Lisa Maree Williams
Now to Australia and an examination of the party most closely aligned to Trump - One Nation. The fringe party looks like it is on the cusp of being mainstreamed in what should terrify the Liberals first and Labor second. (Think UKIP's effect on the British Tories and then on British Labour).
The WA Liberals are expected to legitimise One Nation in a preference deal, which Rob Harris reports is a "radical break" from John Howard's edict. [Herald Sun]
A total of four Liberal National MPs have defected to One Nation in Queensland. [Rachel Clun/Brisbane Times]
One Nation has struck a chord with indigenous voters, a Queensland indigenous MP claims, despite leader Pauline Hanson's infamous criticisms of indigenous Australians in her earlier foray into politics. Billy Gordon, dumped by Labor, is considering a preference deal with One Nation when he contests the next state election as an Independent. [Sean Parnell/The Australian]
In other politics news:
A poll commissioned by the free-market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs has found a small rise in support for changing the Racial Discrimination Act so that it's no longer unlawful to "offend" or "insult" a person based on their race - a test critics say is too subjective to be hauled before a court over. The three per cent increase is within the margin of error. [Philip Hudson/The Australian]
Nice comment from an unnamed Liberal MP on how Tony Abbott enforced discipline on his team when leader, to make Labor their target, but as a dumped Prime Minister he now seems intent on making the government the story. [Sarah Martin/The Australian]
4. Sixth person dies after Bourke St rampage
The Bourke St, Melbourne memorial. Photo: Jesse Marlow
A 33-year old woman is the latest victim of the terrible carnage witnessed in Melbourne's Bourke Street 10 days ago. [Marissa Calligeros/The Age]
5. Quebec
Six people are dead and two men were detained over a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is reporting though that one of the men who was detained may in fact be a witness and not a suspect in the attack. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called the shooting an act of terrorism. [CBC]
6. Fake news inquiry
Britain's parliament has launched an inquiry into fake news. It will be interesting to see if they think they will be able to recommend any solutions. [Gizmodo UK]
And that's it from me today, you can follow me on Facebook for more.
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