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Jeremy Corbyn, seen here during the 2017 campaign, says he will call for a fresh election if parliament rejects the EU withdrawal agreement on 15 January. Photo: Dominic Dudley / Shutterstock 

Corbyn to call for election

The UK could face a general election if, as expected, parliament rejects the EU withdrawal agreement in a vote on 15 January. The leader of the main opposition party, Jeremy Corbyn, will use a speech on Thursday to say an election “is not only the most practical option, it is also the most democratic option” according to The Guardian.

May loses plan B vote

Corbyn’s move comes after MPs were allowed to vote on an amendment tabled by former attorney general Dominic Grieve calling for the government to introduce an alternative plan for Brexit if the withdrawal agreement is rejected. The BBC says MPs could now vote on alternatives to the agreement, ranging from a "managed no-deal" to a second referendum.

Trump walks out of talks with Democrats

Calling it “a total waste of time”, US president Donald Trump walked out of a meeting with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi on government funding on Wednesday. CNN cites Schumer as saying, “we saw a temper tantrum because he couldn't get his way”. The BBC reports that Some 800,000 federal workers will go without pay this week.

Fitch warns US over Triple A status

Meanwhile, CNBC reports that Fitch's global head of sovereign ratings has warned the US’s triple A rating is in jeopardy if the government shutdown continues. James McCormack told the channel’s Squawk Box Europe show that Congressional Budget Office numbers indicate debt levels moving higher and that there is “a meaningful fiscal deterioration there, going on the United States”.

Cautious optimism over US-China talks

Analysts say some progress has been made in the latest round of trade talks between China and the United States. CNBC says that the 3 days of negotiations yielded some small signs of progress, but also lists the outstanding issues. The Guardian’s Larry Elliott says peace in the trade war could be declared at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Bezos divorce

News that Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie are to divorce has prompted a flurry of speculation in the media. Bloomberg says the divorce settlement could make MacKenzie the richest woman in the world. CNBC looks at the implications for Amazon as a business and for its shareholders. The Guardian published a tweet signed by the couple in which they say they “remain cherished friends.”

Tshisekedi declared DR Congo winner

Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi has been declared the winner of the 30 December presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Guardian reports. But the candidate who had been thought to be leading the polls, Martin Fayulu, has challenged the results saying they “have nothing to do with the truth of the ballot box” according to The New York Times.

Seals cause havoc

Dozens of stranded seals have inundated the Canadian town of Roddickton-Bide Arm in Newfoundland, the BBC reports. The animals, stranded after nearby waters suddenly froze, have blocked traffic and entrances to homes and public buildings. The townsfolk can do nothing, as it is against Canadian law to interfere with marine mammals.

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts