May blames MPs for Brexit chaos
In a televised appeal on Wednesday evening, British prime minister called on members of parliament to back her deal so that Brexit can finally be resolved. She said the public was “tired of infighting and political games” and needed politicians to make a decision. The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg called the move risky and said, “May has pitched herself tonight against Parliament and on the side of the people.” The Guardian reports that ministers will decide on Monday whether to implement Operation Yellowhammer contingencies for food, medicine and banking. Meanwhile, in The Telegraph (paywall) Nigel Farage, whose march for Brexit is proving a damp squib, has pledged to tear the Conservative party “limb from limb” if May delays Brexit.
European reaction is tough
Donald Tusk responded to Theresa May’s letter asking for an extension to Article 50 by saying that a short delay is possible but only if MPs back her deal next week, Time says via Associated Press. The Guardian cites a tweet from German foreign minister Heiko Maas saying that the letter from May “has not solved any problem yet” and that an agreement to an extension would be contingent on knowing “what is the concrete purpose.” The Express quotes Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker telling Deutschlandfunk radio that if the UK does not leave at the end of March “then we are…in the hands of God. And I think even God sometimes reaches a limit to his patience.”
EPP suspends Fidesz
The European People’s Party, the centre-right bloc in the European Parliament, has officially suspended Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, The New York Times reports. The EPP has agreed to commission an investigation into Fidesz’s “acceptability” before making a final decision, a move that The Economist says is hardly necessary given a report by a Dutch MEP last year “amply charting abuse of migrants, restrictions on press freedom, corruption and constitutional abuses.”
Cyclone Idai rescue operation
Aid agencies says thousands of people are waiting rescue after being stranded by catastrophic flooding following the devastation wreaked by Cyclone Idai in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The BBC says 300 people are confirmed dead in, but the toll is expected to rise.
Fed says China, EU slowdown affecting US growth
Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell has said that US economic growth is being slowed by weakening economies in China and Europe. CNBC says the Fed reduced its 2019 GDP forecast for the United States to 2.1% from a 2.3% forecast in December. “Just as strong global growth was a tail wind, weaker global growth can be a headwind to our economy,” Powell said.
New Zealand to ban assault rifles
As funerals continue in Christchurch of the victims of last Friday’s terrorist attacks in two mosques, the New Zealand government announced it will ban all military-style semi-automatic firearms. The BBC says that farmers and duck hunters will have some exemptions, but prime minister Jacinda Arden said “I strongly believe that the vast majority of legitimate gun owners in New Zealand will understand that these moves are in the national interest.” The Guardian has a comprehensive explainer on the new laws.
US whiskey exports decline
Exports of whiskey from the United States fell by 11% in the second half of 2018, Reuters reports. The decline is blamed on tariffs imposed by Canada, China, Mexico and the EU on whiskey and bourbon in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
You should have seen the one that got away
The BBC reports on a giant Ocean sunfish, or Mola mola that washed up on an Australian beach. The fish was 1.8 metres long, but apparently was just averaged sized for the species, which can grow to over 4 metres and weigh more than 2.5 tonnes.
Today's breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts