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The interior of Notre-Dame before it was ravaged by fire. With donations pouring in, Emmanuel Macron has promised to rebuild the cathedral “even more beautifully”. Photo: DiegoMariottini / Shutterstock 

Notre-Dame to be rebuilt in 5 years

French president Emmanuel Macron has pledged to “rebuild Notre-Dame even more beautifully” within five years, following Monday evening’s devastating fire, the BBC reports. According to Reuters TV, some €750 million has already been donated to the reconstruction fund, including €500 million from the families that own Kering, LVMH and L’Oreal. Meanwhile, The Guardian says that firefighters saved the building from total collapse at the last minute by creating a wall of water to protect the two towers. World leaders, including Grand Duke Henri, have sent their condolences to France--ABC has a roundup of global reaction.

Trump vetoes resolution over Yemen war

Donald Trump has used his power of veto to override votes in both houses of congress calling for an end to US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Reuters says the resolution had marked the first time both chambers had supported a War Powers resolution. In its report, The Guardian cites Trump saying that the resolution was “an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members...”.

Indonesian elections

Some 192 million Indonesians go to the polls on Wednesday in what the BBC is calling “identity defining” presidential, parliamentary and regional elections. The presidential contest is a re-match of the 2014 election between incumbent Joko Widodo and ex-general Prabowo Subianto. The Guardian says Joko maintains a double-digit lead over Prabowo, who is seen as a member of the establishment.

China says GDP exceeded expectations

The Chinese economy grew by 6.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2019 according to official economic data released on Wednesday. That beats the 6.3% expectation, says CNBC. Industrial production, retail sales and fixed asset investment also exceeded predictions, the FT reports.

EP approves whistleblower protection

The European Parliament on Tuesday voted in favour of new legislation that means individuals won’t be obliged to report breaches of EU law internally, Politico reports. Rapporteur for the new law, French socialist MEP Virginie Roziere, cited the LuxLeaks case and the Panama Papers as examples of why whistleblowers need protection, Deutsche Welle says.

Thunberg addresses MEPs

Also in Strasbourg on Tuesday, teenage environmental activist Great Thunberg chided MEPs and EU officials for focusing on Brexit and failing to hold a single “emergency summit regarding the breakdown of the climate and the environment.” The Guardian has the full story and you can watch the speech on YouTube.

Climate protest arrests in UK

Over in London, meanwhile, hundreds of climate activists have been arrested as police crackdown on the Extinction Rebellion protestors blocking bridges and squares in the British capital, the BBC reports. More arrests were also made at a demonstration in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Live says. But that has not deterred the protestors, who plan to disrupt rail and tube lines in London on Wednesday according to The Guardian.

Marvel producers plea for no spoilers

Producers of Marvel’s upcoming superhero movie “Endgame” have had to plea with fans not to reveal anything about the movie to others once they have seen it. Joe and Anthony Russo tweeted that they had “worked tirelessly” to deliver “a surprising and emotionally powerful conclusion” to the saga, Reuters reports.

Today's breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts