Nafta: US and Canada reach agreement
Reports from the north America suggest that the United States has reached an agreement with Canada that will retain the North American Free Trade Agreement as a trilateral pact with Mexico. Reuters broke the news citing sources “with direct knowledge of the talks”. President Trump apparently approved a “framework” deal with Canada at the last minute before a midnight deadline. The agreement will allow the US access to about 3.5 percent of Canada's domestic dairy market, worth some $16 billion annually, while also protecting Canada from US tariffs on its automobile and lumber exports. CNBC and CNN have more.
Indonesia: tsunami death toll rises
Indonesian president Joko Widodo has authorised the country to begin accepting international aid as the death toll rises from the tsunami that hit the island of Sulawesi on Friday. An earthquake caused 6-metre waves to strike the city of Palu. The Guardian, which has rolling coverage of the disaster, says that authorities reckon the death toll could reach thousands. Australian was one of the first countries to pledge help in the rescue and clean-up operation.
Musk and Tesla settle with SEC
Tesla founder Elon Musk is to step down as chairman of the board of the innovation company after reaching a deal with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Musk will remain CEO of the company, but both he and Tesla will pay a $20 million fine. The case stemmed from a tweet by Musk about having “funding secured” to privatise Tesla. More on CNBC and The Guardian.
Macedonians boycott name change vote
Only 34.7% of Macedonians turned out to vote in a referendum on renaming the state North Macedonia on Sunday. However, over 91 % of those who did turn up at the polls voted in favour of the deal struck with Greece. The name change agreements is aimed at easing the country’s entry into the EU.
Not Easy for Netflix
The Guardian and PressTv.com reports that easyGroup is suing Netflix over the title of the broadcaster’s “Easy” comedy show. It wants to prevent the title being used when Netflix streams the show in Europe. EasyGroup is the license holder of airline easyJet and several other companies that use the “easy” suffix. Company founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said Netlfix “...should have checked with their European lawyers before using [the name]. We own the European trademark in the word easy…” Netflix responded by stating that “viewers can tell the difference between a show they watch and a plane they fly in.”
Brazil protests
A Facebook group called Women United Against Bolsonaro has mobilised mass protests across Brazil against far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro just one week before the country holds elections. More in The Guardian.
Sports roundup
Europe beat the United States 17½-10½ to recapture the Ryder Cup in front of 70,000 spectators at Le Golf National just outside Paris. The victory included two milestones for European players--Francesco Molinari became the first player to win 5 points in the Ryder Cup and Sergio Garcia surpassed Nick Faldo as the Ryder Cup's leading points scorer. Lewis Hamilton won the Russian grand prix and extended his lead at the top of the F1 championship to 50 points. The United States beat Australia 73-56 to win the women’s basketball world cup. New Zealand claimed the Rugby Championship with a 35-17 win over Argentina that has given the All Blacks an unassailable lead over South Africa, who beat Australia 21-12 but failed to secure a bonus point.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts