Brexit: some issues still need resolution
British prime minister Theresa May emerged from a 2-hour meeting on the Brexit political declaration with Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday evening in cautiously optimistic mood. The Guardian reports that May said that some further issues need resolution, but that both sides had given direction to negotiators to start work on them. Meanwhile, Scottish National party leader Nicola Sturgeon has said there is “an emerging cross-party consensus” in the British parliament that “must reject both the current proposal and a no-deal outcome.”
Italy budget rejected as sanctions loom
The European Union is closer to issuing sanctions against Italy over its proposed budget for 2019, Business Insider and CNBC report. The Italian government has not made significant enough changes to its original budget to satisfy the European Commission, which could launch the Excessive Deficit Procedure allowing it to fine the country. The budget, which includes a basic income for the poor, tax cuts and changes to pension reform, would see Italy’s deficit pushed to 2.4%.
Chief Justice and Trump argue in public
US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has reacted to a statement by president Donald Trump in which he called district judge Jon Tigar in California an "Obama judge". As reported by The Guardian, Tigar on Monday had blocked the Trump administration from refusing asylum to migrants who cross the US southern border illegally. Roberts told the Associated Press on Wednesday: “We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them.” The BBC reports that later Trump contradicted Roberts and said that “you do indeed have “Obama judges,” and they have a much different point of view than the people who are charged with the safety of our country.”
New Interpol chief is tenacious
Career policeman Kim Jong-yang has a reputation in his native South Korea for tenacity and has been compared to a “bulldozer”, The Guardian says in a profile of the freshly elected head of Interpol. Kim, who was chosen ahead of Kremlin insider Alexander Prokopchuk, will be tasked with salvaging the organisation’s reputation according to the article.
Taiwan prepares for gay marriage referendum
Debate has been heated ahead of Taiwan’s referendum on same-sex marriage on Saturday, The Guardian reports. The country’s highest court ruled last year that same-sex marriage should be legal, but conservative groups pressured the government into giving the people a vote. And they have since spent millions on a campaign to define marriage as between a man and a woman only.
Sentinelese tribe victim wanted to be explorer
The BBC has more on John Allen Chau, the 27-year old US citizen killed by Sentinelese tribal people after illegally landing on North Sentinel island, part of India's Andaman and Nicobar islands. Local officials said Chau was a Christian missionary, but he had told an outbound adventure magazine four years ago that he was “an explorer at heart."
Free homes in Japan
CNBC reports on the phenomenon of Japan’s “akiya banks”, websites promoting a growing number of vacant residential properties, many of which are being given away for free, with the buyer having to pay only taxes and fees such as agent commissions.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts