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California State Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Photo: Shutterstock 

Against the wall

The State of California has said it will challenge US President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration to obtain funds for a wall on the Mexico border. Reuters quotes State Attorney General Xavier Becerra as saying on Sunday that a lawsuit was “imminent”. Meanwhile, scientists investigating global migration have concluded that it is a “fantasy” to think a wall on the Mexican border will keep immigrants out of the US. More on this from the Independent.

An article too far

Poland’s government was fuming when media seemingly quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that “the Poles co-operated" with the Nazis during the holocaust. A later clarification found he said “Poles co-operated” (without the definite article). Politico explains that Poles and Jews in Poland were on the receiving end of Nazi aggression during WWII. However, it is true some Poles collaborated.

Yellow vests abuse philosopher

Yellow vest protestors in France were slammed by the country’s president after shouting anti-Semitic abuse at the son of a Polish Auschwitz survivor. Jeers of “Go back to Tel Aviv” and “Zionist!” aimed at intellectual Alain Finkielkraut were heard during a protest on Saturday, euronews reports.

Repatriating Isis members

After a number of stories in the media of women wishing to return home after joining Islamic State, like this one in The Guardian, euronews examines the policy of repatriating ISIS members in European countries. CNBC, meanwhile, cites US President Donald Trump urging European countries to take back and try Isis fighters captured in Syria.

Inside May’s head

Politico treads where few others dare: inside the mind of UK prime minister Theresa May. In its article “Inside Theresa May’s mind”, it tries to work out which route she will take—a no-deal Brexit, which it likens to driving the UK over a cliff edge, or the humiliating option of requesting a delay from Brussels.

Flybmi bust

UK-based airline Flybmi appears to be the latest victim of uncertainty over the process of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union after its collapse was announced on Saturday. The airline, which employs 376 staff and operates over 600 weekly flights, cited spikes in fuel costs and Brexit, which they said impacted flying contracts in Europe and funding. According to The Guardian, all flights were cancelled with immediate effect. More on this story from inews, and the Independent.

Sovereignty challenge in Gibraltar

A Spanish warship ordered commercial boats to leave British waters off of Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, on Sunday. The Guardian reports that the Gibraltar Port Authority told the boats to remain. The Royal Navy later deployed a boat to the scene following the challenge on British sovereignty.

YouTube and flat earthers

YouTube has been blamed for a rise in the number of people who think the Earth is flat. Interviews by researchers with “Flat Earthers” at their annual conference in 2017 found that a large number had been convinced after watching videos on the media sharing website. More about this from the Independent and The Guardian.

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Jess Bauldry