Brexit deal unlikely before end October
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has warned EU ambassadors that British customs proposals for the Irish border remained an “untested” risk, The Guardian reports. A technical extension to allow further negotiations on the current proposals, or a longer extension to accommodate a general election have been discussed in Brussels. The Mail says that Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, has been deployed to reassure Tory Eurosceptics about the deal as a backlash from DUP threatens to derail it. Meanwhile, the FT is among media that have reported on a new study showing that the impact of prime minister Boris Johnson’s proposed deal would reduce national income in the UK per head by 2.5% after ten years.
Kurds get help from Syrian forces
Syrian government forces had been deployed to the north of the country to help the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) resist an offensive by Turkey’s armed forces, the BBC reports. The New York Times has a good explainer of the situation and in particular the ISIS prison camps the SDF runs. Aljazeera reports that France is now also taking measures to ensure the safety of its military and civilians in northeastern Syria.
US threatens Turkey sanctions
US president Donald Trump said on Sunday that there “is great consensus” in Congress to impose economic sanctions on Turkey over its military incursion into Syria, Reuters reports. This follows Trump’s pledge last week to “obliterate Turkey’s economy” if it took advantage of the withdrawal of US military support for the Kurds.
Saied wins Tunisian election
Conservative academic and political outsider Kais Saied looks set to become the next president of Tunisia, according to The Guardian. Exit polls gave Saied, nicknamed “Robocop”, more that 76% of the vote as he beat media magnate Nabil Karoui. 90% of 18- to 25-year-olds voted for Saied, according to estimates by the Sigma polling institute. The Washington Post says the result showcased Tunisia’s unique position in the Arab world as it shunned the political elite.
Law and Justice set for majority in Poland
Poland's governing Law and Justice party appears to have done enough to win a majority in parliament, the BBC reports. Exit polls from Sunday’s election give it 43.6% of the vote ahead of the centrist Civic Coalition on 27.4%. But some observers have cautioned that official results in Poland may not necessarily reflect exit polls, as happened in the European elections, and that a swing of 2% could change everything, Euronews says.
Defeat for Orbán candidate in Budapest
In what Deutsche Welle calls a major blow to Viktor Orbán, Gergely Karacsony has defeated Fidesz-backed incumbent Istvan Tarlos to become Budapest's next mayor. Politico says that a wide range of parties and grassroots groups agreed to run joint candidates for mayoral and district posts in the local elections in an effort to weaken Fidesz.
Japan clearing up typhoon devastation
Typhoon Hagibi has left at least 31 dead, with 15 missing in Japan, the BBC reports. More than 110,000 people are taking part in search and rescue operations.
Later today
UK: the Queen’s speech to parliament will set out the post-Brexit plans of the Boris Johnson government. USA: Donald Trump's former top Russia advisor Fiona Hill is expected to be interviewed behind closed doors by three House panels as part of the Democrats' impeachment probe. Luxembourg: details will be unveiled of the next phase of construction of the tram, down to the main railway station. And EY Luxembourg is publishing its annual report.
Sports roundup
Marathon: 24 hours after Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon in under 2 hours, Kenya's Brigid Kosgei ran the Chicago marathon in 2:14:04, knocking over a minute off Paula Radcliffe’s 2003 world record. Rugby: hosts Japan reached the world cup quarter finals for the first time after defeating Scotland. They will face South Africa, while Ireland play New Zealand, Wales take on France and England play Australia. Gymnastics: Simone Biles of the USA earned her 24th medal in Stuttgart on Sunday to become the most decorated gymnast in world championship history. Cricket: India secured a record 11th straight home Test series win with victory over South Africa in the second test in Pune.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts