Friday afternoon news briefing: Reasons to be optimistic about Brexit?
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Brexit: Boris Johnson set for first Jean-Claude Juncker talks
Could this be the boost Brexit needs? Boris Johnson is to meet Jean Claude-Juncker for the first time next week, it has been announced, amid growing optimism in London that a breakthrough on the Irish backstop could unlock Brexit talks. Speaking in Yorkshire this afternoon, the Prime Minister said he was "cautiously optimistic" ahead of his visit to Luxembourg on Monday. But he was heckled by an audience member, who told him to "get back to Parliament". Watch Mr Johnson's response. The PM insisted the "rough shape" of a deal is in place. But what exactly is his "all-Ireland" solution to the border issue - and how does it differ from Theresa May's backstop? Daniel Capurro does his best to explain. For more expert insight and analysis from our team in Brussels and beyond, I can recommend the subscriber-exclusive Brexit Bulletin newsletter.
Meanwhile, a senior Tory MP has accused John Bercow - who last night appeared to liken Mr Johnson to a bank robber - of running a "majoritarian dictatorship" in the House of Commons. Sir Bernard Jenkin warned that the office of Speaker has become "irretrievably politicised and radicalised". And here is a reminder from Camilla Tominey of how Mr Bercow became the self-appointed chair of repeated Remainer attempts to block Brexit.
Byron Burger: Firm 'misled' allergic teenager killed by meal
The family of a teenager who died after eating a birthday meal at a Byron Burger restaurant have demanded a change in the law on allergen labelling. A coroner today concluded Owen Carey - who told staff he was allergic to dairy - was misled into thinking the meal was safe for him to eat. Gareth Davies has more from Southwark Coroner's Court. The case bears "remarkable parallels" to the death of a teenager who had an allergic reaction to a Pret A Manger baguette.
Artificial grass: 'Hidden dangers' of trend for plastic lawns
It might be easier to maintain, but what is the cost to wildlife of having artificial grass at home? The Royal Horticultural Society has warned of the "hidden dangers" of swapping grass for plastic. Helena Horton has everything you need to know before carpeting your lawn with the alternative.
News briefing
Heathrow protest | Police jam drone signal to get tough on eco-warriors
Biggest fake visa scam | Fraudsters helped 900 migrants stay in UK
'Hidden victims' | Domestic violence murder rate at five-year high
Citizen's arrest | Milkman detains drunken reveller who hijacked float
Friday 13th | How a Buckingham Palace bombing fed the superstition
Podcast: Rees-Mogg, by the man who knows him best
Jacob's Ladder | Lord Ashcroft, former Conservative Party deputy chairman, and new biographer of Jacob Rees-Mogg, tells Chopper's Brexit Podcast whether or not he believes the Leader of the House of Commons has what it takes to become prime minister - and why his honesty is key to his popularity.
Comment
Molly Giles | Tory grassroots losing patience with out-of-touch party
Telegraph View | The European Union is pale, stale and illiberal
Reader letters | Interfering in politics puts judges on collision course
Lauren Davidson | I lowballed a seller - then married his best friend
Annabel Fenwick Elliott | Baby boomers have wrecked marriage
World news: The one story you must read today...
Race to the White House | After the latest TV debate in the Democrat Party's race for the 2020 US presidential nomination, what did we learn? US Editor Ben Riley-Smith was in Houston, Texas, and has identified five takeaways.
Editor's choice
World's most secretive state | Michael Palin in North Korea - exclusive diary
Inside story | How one photographer revealed the iconic 'Tank Man' photo to the world
Katie Investigates | 'RAC breakdown assistant swore at me - then ruined my Audi A3'
Business and money briefing
Profits up… tax down | Twitter paid just £41,000 in UK taxes last year, cutting its bill from £2.4m a year earlier. As Hannah Boland reports, it is a rebuff to growing pressure on Silicon Valley giants to hike their payments.
No hope of a U-turn | Why smart motorways are here to stay
Trump to ban vaping | Are tobacco stocks set for a comeback?
Stay on top of the markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day
Sport briefing
Jose Mourinho | The former Chelsea and United manager is taking his first major managerial career break in 19 years. What has he learned? Read his exclusive interview with Chief Football Writer Sam Wallace.
England v Australia | Follow live commentary from day two at The Oval
Top 20 | The 100 best rugby players in the world - final part of series
Jamie Carragher | Sterling's development reminds me of Ronaldo
And finally...
All white | White flurries of snow fell from a mild autumn sky in Tokyo this morning - not the latest example of extreme global weather, but part of a heat-busting experiment by Olympics officials. Danielle Demetriou explains more.