Friday briefing: Six lessons from three years of bringing you this newsletter

In today’s newsletter: After more than 450​ early alarms, countless headlines and one rogue squirrel​, it’s time ​for me to say goodbye. ​It’s been a privilege to share the biggest stories – and some very small ones – with youAfter an unholy number of good mornings – 468, to be precise – it’s time to say goodbye. I’m moving to an editing job here next week, so this is my final First Edition. It’s not exactly Dot Cotton leaving EastEnders, I know, but my hair and voice are very like hers at this time of day, so I hope you’ll allow me a sentimental leaving monologue all the same.It’s a great job, this. You get to write about the most interesting story every day, and talk to whoever the best person is to help you explain it, or say why it’s being infuriatingly misunderstood. You also get to impose your jokes on a readership who could be forgiven for narrowing their eyes and scrolling to the Upside. (I do recommend today’s.)ICC | The woman who has accused the prosecutor of the international criminal court of sexual abuse has been targeted by private intelligence firms as part of a covert operation said to have taken place on behalf of Qatar, the Guardian can reveal.UK politics | Labour should stand by its manifesto commitment not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT, its deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has said in a challenge that will put pressure on Rachel Reeves.Prisons | A fraudster mistakenly released from prison this week has handed himself back in as a hunt continues for a convicted sex offender who was also accidentally freed.UK news | The father of the Southport killer has said his son “turned out to be a monster” as he tearfully expressed regret for failing to tell police about the teenager’s weapons or his attempted attack on his former school.Corporate pay | Tesla shareholders approved a $1tn compensation plan for CEO Elon Musk on Thursday, awarding the world’s richest man what would be the largest corporate payout in history if he meets the goals necessary to receive it. Continue reading...