Parliament vote on Brexit in June
British prime minister Theresa May will ask parliament to vote again on the withdrawal agreement bill to take the UK out of the EU before its summer recess. The Guardian reports that the week beginning 3 June is a likely date. But May’s talks with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn have not made much progress. Business Insider cites Labour's John McDonnell saying that the government was “nowhere near” to accepting his party’s demands.
US Huawei ban imminent
Reuters cites sources that reckon Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order forbidding US companies from using telecoms equipment made by firms posing a national security risk. Without specifying any names, the chief target of the ban would be Chinese firm Huawei, which the US believes could use telecoms technology to spy on citizens. But the BBC says that Huawei chairman Liang Hua has said the company is “willing to sign no-spy agreements with governments”.
Alabama outlaws abortion
The state senate in Alabama has voted to outlaw abortion outright, the BBC reports. The new legislation does not allow exemptions for cases of rape or incest, though it would be allowed in certain circumstances if there is a “serious health risk” to the mother's health, says The Guardian.
Risk of a US recession is rising
The trade dispute with China is increasing the risk of a recession in the United States, analysts say. CNBC cites Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek Research, as saying that the risk of a US recession “is rising, sharply and quickly.” And the New York Fed’s gauge of recession probability over the next 12 months is now at 27.5%, which CNBC says is easily the highest since the financial crisis.
Sudan agreement
Sudan will undergo a three-year transition period towards a civilian administration the BBC reports. Military leaders reached an agreement with the opposition alliance that will see the country ruled by a new sovereign council until elections are held.
San Francisco bans facial recognition
Law enforcement agencies and the transport authority in San Francisco will be banned from using facial recognition technology, the BBC reports. Legislators argue that current technology is unreliable and represents an infringement on privacy.
Australia to import wheat
In what is a major decision, Australia is set to import wheat for the first time in 12 years, The Guardian reports. The move was necessitated after drought caused grain production to fall 20%. But grain growers say the risk of bringing in disease via imports is “too high a price for us to be able to bear”.
Later today
6.30 pm: Paperjam Club hosts a European Parliament election debate with seven candidates, in French.
Coming up
Later this week: Donald Trump plans to lay out his views on how immigration laws should be overhauled, Reuters says. Thursday: Delano hosts its next Breakfast Talk with Arnd Heßeler, executive manager Luxembourg at zeb consulting.
Hatari through to Eurovision final
Icelandic punk band Hatari won through the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. The BBC reports that Australia will also be represented in the final for the fifth time after singer Kate Miller-Heidke qualified.
Today's breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts