Friday afternoon news briefing: Britain braced for weekend of chaos amid climate change protests

Britain braces for weekend of chaos amid global climate protests

Millions of people are taking to the streets across the world in what is expected to be the largest climate protest in history. Two protesters have been arrested in London for breaching public order conditions restricting the gathering to the Millbank area, but thousands have poured onto the streets of Westminster, where they are allowed to congregate. Protesters are enjoying a day of unseasonably warm weather as they call on businesses and politicians to cut emissions. More disruption is expected in the coming days. Here are the details.  It is fair to say climate change has never been in sharper focus around the world. Earlier this week, experts gave this warning. Meanwhile, Amazon has made a symbolic investment as it pledges to be carbon neutral by 2040. Yet amid all these calls for action, Sarah Newey has the story explaining why Australia, the US and Japan will not be allowed to speak at the UN's flagship climate summit.

EU leaders 'panicking and desperate' about no-deal, says IDS

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has met with the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels today. The pair have at least agreed on something. Here’s what. It comes as Iain Duncan Smith, speaking on Chopper’s Brexit Podcast, said EU leaders are "panicking and desperate" about the prospect of a no-deal Brexit. His interview is well worth a listen, while Asa Bennett argues Boris Johnson is leaving Brussels in no doubt about what he wants as a Brexit deal. Here is what the latest chat about a deal has done to the value of the pound. And Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House, has revealed her concerns as she aims to become the Commons Speaker ahead of John Bercow's resignation.

Holidaymakers likely to lose out as Thomas Cook on the brink

Holidaymakers with trips booked through ailing travel agent Thomas Cook have been hit with further bad news after lenders demanded an extra £200m. Barring a last minute reprieve, the company will crash into administration in the coming days. Ben Marlow explains why the collapse will leave a trail of destructionacross Europe. The business, which has survived both world wars and has been through all manner of takeovers and corporate overhauls, is one of Britain's oldest high street names. It is worth reading this in-depth history of the firm.

News briefing

Apple update | Millions of iPhone users warned against upgrading to iOS 13

'It's shameful' | Number of children leaving school without five good GCSEs

Compensation battle | Child sex abuse victims being 're-traumatised'

Fighting extremism | Soldiers urged to report far-Right colleagues

Jesus comes back | 800-year-old figure of Christ returned to York

Video: Mercury act holds aloft 'severed head' of PM

Shy, eloquent Streatham-born rapper Dave was named the winner of the Mercury Prize last night. Yet his victory is being overshadowed by another British rapper, Slowthai, after the BBC were forced to cut live footage of his performance when he held aloft an effigy of Boris Johnson's severed head.

Comment

• Camilla Tominey | What my stint on Question Time last night exposed

• John Longworth | It's easier to get a cocktail than a chance to speak in EU

• Katy Hayward | The biggest obstacle to a workable backstop alternative

• Helen Chandler-Wilde | Qualified 'hurrah' for RBS appointing female boss

• Jamie Carragher | Bust-ups with your team-mates look bad - but can help

World news: The one story you must read today...

Taiwan shunned | China has been accused of "chequebook diplomacy" after the former British protectorate Kiribati became the second nation to drop recognition of Taiwan in a week. Taiwan and Kiribati severed ties today after the tiny Pacific island nation decided to switch its diplomatic allegiance to China. Earlier this week, Tsai Ing-wen accused China of “dollar diplomacy” after theSolomon Islands also changed its diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

Editor's choice

1. Changing face | How Hollywood is de-ageing its stars, from Will Smith to Robert De Niro

2. iPhone 11 Pro tested | The Telegraph team's first impressions of Apple's flagship phone

3. Katie Morley Investigates | ‘Hackers enjoyed £12k spree after hijacking my PayPal'

Business and money briefing

RBS boss | Government-owned RBS has named Alison Rose as its new CEO, becoming the first woman to run one of the UK's big four banks. Lucy Burtonhas a profile of the "workaholic" taking on the "toughest role in banking".

• Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | UK's gamble on offshore wind hits the jackpot

• Fit for investment | Build a portfolio based on a Rugby World Cup team

• Stay on top of the markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day

Sport briefing: Rugby World Cup 2019 special

Winning start | Rugby World Cup hosts Japan have kicked off the tournament by beating Russia thanks to a Kotaro Matsushima hat-trick. Match report here.

• How Eddie Jones rebuilt England | Inside story of 'scary Eddie's' battles

• Will Greenwood | Tonga opener: 'At his best this guy is off-the-charts good'

• Tournament predictions | Telegraph's expert team name their winners

And finally...

Taking the, erm… | Belgians have reacted with disbelief after an image of the Manneken Pis - the national symbol of a naked urinating boy - was censored on the box of the Brussels edition of Monopoly. Read on for details.