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Friday briefing: President Donald but not the one you're thinking Friday briefing: Buffy at 20 – and, the other President Donald
(35 minutes later)
Top story: ‘Let Britons keep freedom of movement’Top story: ‘Let Britons keep freedom of movement’
Hello, it’s Warren Murray getting you started.Hello, it’s Warren Murray getting you started.
The European Union’s Brexit negotiator has given at least a little hope to remainers in quotes that are being reported this morning. Britons should be able to keep their rights as EU citizens, including freedom of movement, if they choose, Guy Verhofstadt said.The European Union’s Brexit negotiator has given at least a little hope to remainers in quotes that are being reported this morning. Britons should be able to keep their rights as EU citizens, including freedom of movement, if they choose, Guy Verhofstadt said.
In earlier happenings at the EU spring summit in Brussels, a strange kind of furore erupted after Poland tried to roll its own former PM as president of the European council. Donald Tusk instead won overwhelming support in a major humiliation to the rightwing government in Warsaw, which has a bitter vendetta against the pro-European, centre-right politician.In earlier happenings at the EU spring summit in Brussels, a strange kind of furore erupted after Poland tried to roll its own former PM as president of the European council. Donald Tusk instead won overwhelming support in a major humiliation to the rightwing government in Warsaw, which has a bitter vendetta against the pro-European, centre-right politician.
It was a diversion from questions of the Brexit “divorce bill”. Boris Johnson invoked Margaret Thatcher as he urged Theresa May to resist a potential £50bn tab. The PM was asked in Brussels to respond – and seemed to fudge her answer a bit.It was a diversion from questions of the Brexit “divorce bill”. Boris Johnson invoked Margaret Thatcher as he urged Theresa May to resist a potential £50bn tab. The PM was asked in Brussels to respond – and seemed to fudge her answer a bit.
South Korea’s president sacked – In news that broke overnight a constitutional court has upheld the impeachment of Park Geun-hye and removed her from office for corruption. At least two people have died, authorities say, amid demonstrations by her supporters and opponents after the announcement. Park is now facing charges over the “Choi-gate” scandal where her close confidante Choi Soon-sil is accused of peddling her influence with the president to rake in millions from South Korean companies including Samsung. An election must be held within 60 days.South Korea’s president sacked – In news that broke overnight a constitutional court has upheld the impeachment of Park Geun-hye and removed her from office for corruption. At least two people have died, authorities say, amid demonstrations by her supporters and opponents after the announcement. Park is now facing charges over the “Choi-gate” scandal where her close confidante Choi Soon-sil is accused of peddling her influence with the president to rake in millions from South Korean companies including Samsung. An election must be held within 60 days.
‘Foreign agent’ – Michael Flynn was not only in touch with the Russians but lobbied for Turkey’s hardline president while working on Donald Trump’s campaign. The ex-general has just disclosed he was acting as a “foreign agent” from September to November last year. He even wrote an article calling for a chief rival of President Erdoğan to be deported from the US – without declaring the connection. Trump went on to make his ill-fated appointment of Flynn as national security adviser.‘Foreign agent’ – Michael Flynn was not only in touch with the Russians but lobbied for Turkey’s hardline president while working on Donald Trump’s campaign. The ex-general has just disclosed he was acting as a “foreign agent” from September to November last year. He even wrote an article calling for a chief rival of President Erdoğan to be deported from the US – without declaring the connection. Trump went on to make his ill-fated appointment of Flynn as national security adviser.
Axe attack – There was no indication of a terrorist motive after a man wounded seven people with an axe in a Düsseldorf train station last night, German authorities said. The terror question was bound to be immediately asked as the shock of the Christmas market atrocity in Berlin continues to reverberate. In Thursday’s attack the suspect taken into custody was described as a man from the former Yugoslavia with mental health problems.Axe attack – There was no indication of a terrorist motive after a man wounded seven people with an axe in a Düsseldorf train station last night, German authorities said. The terror question was bound to be immediately asked as the shock of the Christmas market atrocity in Berlin continues to reverberate. In Thursday’s attack the suspect taken into custody was described as a man from the former Yugoslavia with mental health problems.
Tax backdown – The national insurance rise for self-employed people has been put on hold after Wednesday’s budget caused an immediate outcry about broken election promises. Theresa May is hoping the issue will die down enough for the hike to 10%, then 11%, to be legislated in the autumn. But some Tory MPs want it dropped, arguing that not increasing NICs was a “solemn promise” in the party’s 2015 manifesto.Tax backdown – The national insurance rise for self-employed people has been put on hold after Wednesday’s budget caused an immediate outcry about broken election promises. Theresa May is hoping the issue will die down enough for the hike to 10%, then 11%, to be legislated in the autumn. But some Tory MPs want it dropped, arguing that not increasing NICs was a “solemn promise” in the party’s 2015 manifesto.
Gaming the league tables – Schools will be investigated for using underhanded tactics to boost their rankings. Some are suspected of manipulating the curriculum and shunting lower-achieving students into non-academic qualifications so they don’t drag down GCSE results. It is “nothing short of a scandal”, says Amanda Spielman, the incoming chief inspector of schools, with young people robbed of the full benefit of their schooling. “There is more to a good education than league tables.”Gaming the league tables – Schools will be investigated for using underhanded tactics to boost their rankings. Some are suspected of manipulating the curriculum and shunting lower-achieving students into non-academic qualifications so they don’t drag down GCSE results. It is “nothing short of a scandal”, says Amanda Spielman, the incoming chief inspector of schools, with young people robbed of the full benefit of their schooling. “There is more to a good education than league tables.”
‘Safe return’ review – Refugees will be unable to rebuild their lives, advocates have warned, as they face being turned out by Britain after five years if deemed no longer in need of protection. About 59,000 current refugees may be affected. Britain is meanwhile being criticised for funding camps in Libya that hold asylum-seekers indefinitely as part of efforts to stem Mediterranean crossings.‘Safe return’ review – Refugees will be unable to rebuild their lives, advocates have warned, as they face being turned out by Britain after five years if deemed no longer in need of protection. About 59,000 current refugees may be affected. Britain is meanwhile being criticised for funding camps in Libya that hold asylum-seekers indefinitely as part of efforts to stem Mediterranean crossings.
Lunchtime read: 20 years later, how Buffy changed televisionLunchtime read: 20 years later, how Buffy changed television
Two decades after it first went to air, Lucy Mangan pays glowing tribute to Joss Wheedon’s genre-crunching portrayal of a schoolgirl vampire slayer fending off the armies of darkness while dealing with the trials of adolescence. “The vampires stood for all they have ever stood for – rebellion, subversion, predation and sexuality. Buffy, by virtue of her slayer status, was the perennial outsider, a walking (‘in stylish yet affordable boots’) embodiment of teenage alienation.”Two decades after it first went to air, Lucy Mangan pays glowing tribute to Joss Wheedon’s genre-crunching portrayal of a schoolgirl vampire slayer fending off the armies of darkness while dealing with the trials of adolescence. “The vampires stood for all they have ever stood for – rebellion, subversion, predation and sexuality. Buffy, by virtue of her slayer status, was the perennial outsider, a walking (‘in stylish yet affordable boots’) embodiment of teenage alienation.”
SportSport
After the deluge of praise we have Ewan Murray’s takedown of Barcelona’s diving culture as he asks the question: why are more people not condemning the cheating and calling for the club to clean up its act?After the deluge of praise we have Ewan Murray’s takedown of Barcelona’s diving culture as he asks the question: why are more people not condemning the cheating and calling for the club to clean up its act?
From the US, DJ Gallo writes about his week braving the bile on Breitbart Sports. In the Caribbean, centuries from Alex Hales and Joe Root saw England’s cricketers hammer the West Indies in a first-ever series clean sweep.From the US, DJ Gallo writes about his week braving the bile on Breitbart Sports. In the Caribbean, centuries from Alex Hales and Joe Root saw England’s cricketers hammer the West Indies in a first-ever series clean sweep.
English rugby’s highest paid player, Kurtley Beale, is leaving Wasps at the end of the season to return to his native Australia in the hope of adding to his 60 Wallabies caps and playing at the 2019 world cup.English rugby’s highest paid player, Kurtley Beale, is leaving Wasps at the end of the season to return to his native Australia in the hope of adding to his 60 Wallabies caps and playing at the 2019 world cup.
BusinessBusiness
Shell boss Ben van Beurden has warned that maintaining public support for the energy industry is the “biggest challenge” of his career as consumers demand greener sources of power. The oil major backed up the message by selling most of its Canadian tar sands assets for $8bn and tying 10% of directors’ bonuses to how well they manage emissions targets.Shell boss Ben van Beurden has warned that maintaining public support for the energy industry is the “biggest challenge” of his career as consumers demand greener sources of power. The oil major backed up the message by selling most of its Canadian tar sands assets for $8bn and tying 10% of directors’ bonuses to how well they manage emissions targets.
Asian markets were mostly in the black ahead of expected strong jobs figures from the US later in the day. The pound was buying $1.22 and €1.15.Asian markets were mostly in the black ahead of expected strong jobs figures from the US later in the day. The pound was buying $1.22 and €1.15.
The papersThe papers
The front pages STILL don’t like the budget.The front pages STILL don’t like the budget.
The Mail hates the rise in national insurance for the self-employed and says Tory MPs are rebelling. The Sun hates it so much it has decided to launch a campaign to scrap the rise, with the headline: “Fight Van Scam.” It seems the Sun’s editor abides by the old tabloid adage “never start a campaign you can’t win” because the Times reports that Theresa May is already having second thoughts – May has “put the brakes” on the rise amid a Conservative rebellion. The Times has a haunting picture of Tony Blair at the Iraq war memorial on its front.The Mail hates the rise in national insurance for the self-employed and says Tory MPs are rebelling. The Sun hates it so much it has decided to launch a campaign to scrap the rise, with the headline: “Fight Van Scam.” It seems the Sun’s editor abides by the old tabloid adage “never start a campaign you can’t win” because the Times reports that Theresa May is already having second thoughts – May has “put the brakes” on the rise amid a Conservative rebellion. The Times has a haunting picture of Tony Blair at the Iraq war memorial on its front.
The Telegraph attempts to join in but looks like it’s trying a bit too hard with its headline, “OmNICshambles” – the NIC stands for national insurance contributions.The Telegraph attempts to join in but looks like it’s trying a bit too hard with its headline, “OmNICshambles” – the NIC stands for national insurance contributions.
The Mirror diverts from the budget to remind us that the NHS is still in crisis, with A&Es having their worst month on record. Only 85% of patients were seen within four hours of presenting at a hospital, says the Mirror.The Mirror diverts from the budget to remind us that the NHS is still in crisis, with A&Es having their worst month on record. Only 85% of patients were seen within four hours of presenting at a hospital, says the Mirror.
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