EP passes copyright directive

The European Parliament has voted by 348-274 to pass the European Union copyright directive. The new law is a softened version of an original draft that was rejected last summer, says Business Insider. Last weekend saw protests across Europe against the law, which contains two contentious articles--Article 11, the so-called "link tax” and Article 13, which requires the filtering of uploaded content that infringes copyright. The Guardian cites Catherine Stihler of the Open Knowledge Foundation saying that the law is “a massive blow for every internet user” that “restricts freedom of speech and expression online.” CNBC says Google has been particularly critical of the law, because it threatens the business model of both YouTube and Google News. But artists and publishers have praised the decision.

Brexit indicative voting to start

Members of the British parliament will today will begin voting on alternatives to prime minister Theresa May’s EU withdrawal agreement. The BBC reports that the indicative votes will require MPs to fill out a series of ballots testing support for different ideas in a process likely to continue into next week. Meanwhile, The Guardian says hardline Conservative MPs want May to set out a timetable for her resignation as prime minister.

Apple credit card launches this summer

According to CNBC, Goldman Sachs says its new Apple credit card will be rolled out in the United States this summer and could eventually become available internationally. The investment bank’s CEO also told CNBC that there are plans to take its online retail bank, Marcus, to Germany.

Lloyd’s tackles sexual harassment

An emergency meeting of industry executives has agreed to set up an independent whistleblower hotline for victims of sexual harassment in the Lloyd’s market, Bloomberg reports. The clampdown comes after a report by Bloomberg found a deep-seated culture of sexual misconduct in the London insurance market. The new agreement could also see potential lifetime bans imposed for inappropriate behaviour.

Renewed pressure on Algerian president

Pressure was mounting on Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Tuesday after the army chief of staff called for the use of a law that allows for the position of president the be declared vacant if the leader is deemed unfit to rule. The BBC reports on the latest developments.

Opioid lawsuit settled

Purdue Pharma has reached a $270m settlement in a lawsuit filed by the state of Oklahoma for deceptively marketing painkillers and fuelling the so-called opioid crisis. Reuters says roughly 2,000 lawsuits have been filed in federal and state courts against Purdue and other drug companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. The BBC reports that 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day. The settlement will see Purdue pay $102.5m towards the creation of a new national centre to study addiction.

MEPs stop the clocks

The European Parliament on Tuesday voted in favour of stopping seasonal clock changes. If the directive is passed by ministers, clock changes will cease from 2021, and member states will have to choose between permanent summer time or winter time, the BBC reports.

Luxembourg protests Ukraine result

24-my.info reports that the Luxembourg Football Federation is to appeal the result of its defeat in Monday’s Euro2020 qualifier after it was revealed that Ukraine’s Junior Moraes may have violated naturalisation laws. If successful, the 1-2 defeat would be reversed and counted as a 3-0 victory for the Red Lions, leaving them top of qualifying Group B.

McGregor faces sexual assault charge

Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor, who announced his retirement this week, is under investigation over allegations of sexual assault The Guardian reports.

Singer asked to change EU dress

The Guardian reports that British soprano Anna Patalong was asked to change her EU-themed dress for a concert at the Royal Albert Hall after the producer of a show said “there was no desire as to any possible misinterpretation of the show trying to take any stance…”

Manneken no longer pisses drinking water

The Brussels Times reports that action has been taken to engineer a new water flow system for the iconic Manneken Pis statue after it was discovered that the peeing boy had been pissing between 1,000 and 2,500 litres a day of fresh clean drinking water directly into the city’s sewers.

Today's breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts