Top story: Legal fix sought to rule out customs limbo

Hello, it’s Warren Murray updating you on matters of moment and import this Wednesday morning.

“Alternative arrangements” and the “Malthouse compromise” have been declared dead as Theresa May returns to Brussels today. Instead of trying to replace the Irish border backstop, the prime minister will pursue legal assurances that it will not permanently bind the UK into a customs union.

If May and Jean-Claude Juncker can agree a possible way forward, officials will start work on the technical and legal practicalities. The goal is for Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, to be able to change his legal advice to the government, which currently states the backstop could mean a permanent customs union. Cox is expected to give a speech later this week setting out his thinking. With time running out, cabinet was updated yesterday on the option of a no-deal Brexit. A cabinet source said the general mood in the room had noticeably turned against no deal as a negotiating tactic.

After Honda confirmed its Swindon plant’s closure, a former UK ambassador to Tokyo has told the Guardian overnight that it is “fanciful” to suggest Brexit did not play a part in the decision. Lord Mandelson, the former Labour business secretary, writes today that getting a deal still won’t be enough to end the uncertainty that is causing British business to haemorrhage. “If we leave the EU at the end of March on May’s terms, the exact same argument will simply begin all over again on 1 April: whether we are going to be close to or distant from the EU, aligned or not with single market rules, in a customs union or not, assuming control of our policies or becoming an EU regulatory satellite, and whether we are going to have an independent trade policy or not.”

Midweek catch-up

> The home secretary is seeking to revoke the UK citizenship of Shamima Begum, who joined Isis at 15 and has just given birth in a Syrian refugee camp. The revocation may face legal challenge – her parents are from Bangladesh but she is British-born and under international law cannot be left stateless.

> The Independent Group of ex-Labour MPs has been criticised for registering as a limited company rather than a political party. The group says it will follow electoral law on donations. Joan Ryan, the Enfield North MP, has become its eighth member.

> Thousands of people in France have joined protests against antisemitism after Jewish graves were painted with swastikas. The government has warned antisemitism is “spreading like poison”. In recent weeks shots have been fired at a synagogue and prominent Jewish people publicly vilified.

> Bernie Sanders has announced he will once again run for the Democratic nomination and the US presidency. Asked what will be different about his 2020 campaign, Sanders replied: “We’re gonna win.”

Plastic bullet bill – Scotland Yard has tripled its spending on plastic bullets in a single year, according to figures seen by the Guardian. The figures have emerged amid growing fears about the potential for a no-deal Brexit to result in civil disorder. In policing jargon they are known as “attenuating energy projectiles” (AEPs). “It is very concerning that police forces would want to stockpile such weapons,” said Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary. Over the years plastic bullets have been linked to the deaths in Northern Ireland of at least 17 people, eight of whom were children.

Young people’s health plight – Young Britons are dying from asthma at a higher rate than in any other European country, according to a study. Researchers say the UK is languishing near the bottom of an international league table for a host of problems among the young like obesity and lack of exercise. There are concerns the age group has been overlooked as being largely fit and healthy, when in fact almost 20% of 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK have a chronic health problem.

In other health coverage today, we look at the painful plight of women and girls suffering the life-changing consequences of chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) – and meet the doctor who has uncovered the failings of routine UTI testing as he pioneers a promising new approach to treatment. Separately, researchers say cervical cancer could be eliminated by the end of this century if high rates of HPV vaccination and screening can be achieved.

Push for green farming – Europe could feed its growing population entirely through organic and environmentally friendly agriculture, according to a scientific paper. Pesticides that are linked to a decline in insect populations could be phased out, argues the IDDRI thinktank, and greenhouse gas emissions radically reduced through “agroecological farming” – using ecological principles first and chemicals last in agriculture. More than half the EU’s cereals and oilseed crops are fed to animals. The study models a future in which meat production would be cut by 40%, with the greatest reductions in grain-fed pork and poultry, and the European diet oriented towards plant-based proteins and pasture-fed livestock. It is being published in parallel with the UK launch of the Eat-Lancet “planetary health diet”.

No flossing over it – Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, have taken legal action against the organisers of a disastrous live event based on the computer game. An estimated 2,800 people turned up at Norfolk showground for Fortnite Live on Saturday, but there was only space for four children to practise archery at the same time and one climbing wall tower, which could accommodate three climbers. Epic Games said it was “not in any way associated with the event that took place in Norwich and we’ve issued a claim against the organisers in the high court of London”. Shaun Lord, the organiser, said 19 staff failed to turn up and ticket refunds were given on an “individual basis”.

Today in Focus podcast: Free my mother, who killed my father

In 2010 Sally Challen hit her husband, Richard, more than 20 times with a hammer, killing him.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sally and Richard Challen at their wedding reception in 1979. Photograph: Courtesy of David Challen

Her son, David Challen, explains why she did it. And: Lauren Gambino on the 16 states suing Trump’s administration.

Lunchtime read: Young designers to watch this season

What label has everyone talking with its inflatable toy-inspired clothes? And which designer is making pearls a thing for spring? This season, we have the answers … and you can read more from the spring/summer 2019 edition of The Fashion, our biannual fashion supplement.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Green top £391, trousers £830, bag £909, all Area NYC. Styling: Melanie Wilkinson. Hair: Shukeel Murtaza using Bumble and bumble. Makeup: Delilah Blakeney using Nars. Model: Bimpe at Premier Photograph: David Newby

Sport

Jürgen Klopp claimed Liverpool will have to be more courageous in the second leg if they are to progress in the Champions League, complaining his side were too passive in the scoreless draw against Bayern Munich, although Jordan Henderson was quietly magisterial from start to finish at Anfield. Barcelona failed to score despite managing 25 shots in a goalless stalemate at Lyon in their last-16 first leg, leaving the tie finely balanced. Jonny May is the most improved player in world rugby and, with Wales up next for England, he admits his searing displays now constitute a psychological barrier for opposition teams.

England are hot favourites for the five-match, 50-over series against West Indies but their captain, Eoin Morgan, is taking nothing for granted. Lando Norris, who took to the track for the first time as a Formula One driver in testing on Tuesday, capped a strong performance by setting the second-fastest time. The world No 1, Naomi Osaka, crashed out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after losing in straight sets against France’s Kristina Mladenovic. And Anthony Joshua has said his opponent at Madison Square Garden on 1 June, Jarrell Miller, is “jealous” of him and that he “can’t beat me, even on his best day”.

Business

Job losses related to Honda’s decision to close its Swindon factory could exceed the company’s estimate of 7,000, industry experts believe, amid mounting scepticism that the move was not prompted by Britain’s imminent departure from the EU. On Asian markets, shares have rallied again to their highest level since October amid mouting optimism that the US and China can do a deal on trade issues. The FTSE100 is poised to fall slightly while the pound is buying $1.306 and €1.151.

The papers

One story dominates the front pages today and it is Sajid Javid’s decision to revoke Shamima Begum’s UK citizenship. The Mirror says: “Isis bride stripped of British citizenship”, the Express’s lead is: “Isis bride told: you’re no longer British”, the Mail has: “Stripped of her passport”, the Times reports: “Isis runaway stripped of her British citizenship” and the Guardian’s splash is: “Javid faces legal threat after move to strip Isis recruit of citizenship”.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Guardian front page, Wednesday 20 February 2019.

The i’s lead story is: “Tories on high alert with senior MPs ready to walk out”. The Telegraph reports on Sir Philip Green: “US police launch Green ‘grope’ investigation” and the FT has “Honda plant closure’s impact on supply line puts 7,000 jobs at risk”. The Sun’s lead story – “Meg’s heir miles” – gives the paper the opportunity to kill three birds with one stone: criticising the duchess for travelling while heavily pregnant, running photographs of her, and getting a pun into their splash.

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