Top story: Lords coalition fight for amendments to Brexit bill
Good morning, this is Martin Farrer bringing you the Guardian’s morning briefing.
It’s going to be a big day in the Brexit battle. A group of peers are hoping today to force amendments to the government’s bill despite warnings from Tory MPs that their efforts will result in reform or abolition of the upper house. Almost 200 Labour, Liberal Democrat, Tory and crossbench peers want to speak in the debate which will focus on flashpoint issues such as the rights of EU nationals living in the UK.
Today will also see thousands of migrant workers beginning a series of protests to highlight their contribution to the UK economy. They will march on Westminster and – under the banner of One Day Without Us – people are being asked to gather in public spaces across the country to demonstrate.
And, for further reading, our economics editor Larry Elliott says the boom in retail spending since the Brexit vote is over and grimmer times lie ahead for the UK economy.
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JeSuisIkea – Donald Trump’s erroneous suggestion about Sweden suffering a terror attack has sparked a huge response with the president being mocked, including with the hashtag #jesuisIkea. Even Gary Lineker joined in the fun. But it has also prompted Trump’s supporters to claim that the mainstream media is covering up “what migrants have done to Sweden”.
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A mega load of trouble – Kim Dotcom is eligible for extradition to the US, a New Zealand court has ruled. The founder of Megaupload now faces piracy and racketeering charges in the US over allegations that users on his site cost film companies millions of dollars in lost earnings. Undeterred, his lawyers say he’ll appeal.
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Caught on camera – Japanese TV has released footage that appears to show the moment that Kim Jong-nam was fatally attacked at Kuala Lumpur airport. The grainy video shows a woman putting her hands across his face from behind and then making off. An agitated Kim is then shown seeking help from airport staff.
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Corbyn not going anywhere – Supporters of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn say he will stay in the job even if the party loses one or both of the Stoke-on-Trent and Copeland byelections on Thursday. Any defeat would further damage Corbyn’s leadership but his ally Diane Abbott dismissed the idea that he could be replaced, saying the party “has to go forward”.
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Fancy the day off? – If you’ve got the Monday blues this morning, what about relocating to New Zealand? A startup company in Dunedin offers staff unlimited leave and a profit share in order to attract them to the remote city.
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Lunchtime read: Why the great supermarket food gamble may be up
The sudden shortage of some fresh fruit and vegetables earlier this year is a sign that climate change may yet undermine the shopping revolution that has delivered summer produce all year round. Our industry expert Felicity Lawrence argues today that our coming departure from the EU is a chance to rethink our food system. Otherwise, she says, as we post pictures of tasty dishes on Instagram, we might end up in a few decades time looking like Victorian big game hunters standing around dead lions, unaware that we were consuming our world out of existence.
Sport
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench to sink Blackburn 2-1 and book an FA Cup last-eight clash with manager José Mourinho’s former club, Chelsea. Non-league Lincoln City will meet Arsenal, if the Gunners can overcome Sutton United and their artificial pitch tonight. Toni Minichiello, the highly regarded coach of Jessica Ennis-Hill, is set to be warned by British Athletics over swearing at a female athlete, and Jonny May says tougher competition for wing places can only improve England as the team prepare to face Italy in the Six Nations on Sunday.
Business
Marmite safe in Britain – The US food giant Kraft has withdrawn its controversial £115bn bid to buy the Marmite-to-Persil consumer goods company Unilever just two days after making its first offer. In a surprise statement on Sunday, the two companies said Kraft had “amicably agreed to withdraw”. It marks a victory for trade unions who said the deal would threaten the 9,000 Unilever jobs in the UK.
On the markets, the pound is buying $1.24 and €1.17.
The papers
The Times continues reporting on the government’s proposed business rates rise with a minister claiming anger over the increases is due to “distortions and half truths” in the media.
The Telegraph splashes with defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon saying British troops were needed to stay in Afghanistan otherwise “millions of refugees” from the country would come to Europe. The Mail leads on a “shock” report that 15,000 hospital beds have been cut in the past six years.
The Mirror splashes on the former boxer Michael Watson vowing to track down attackers who sprayed him and his carer with ammonia as they stole his car. The Sun leads on the latest problems for EastEnders actor Danny Dyer with a video apparently showing him agitated at the National Television Awards.
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