Recognizing a Palestinian State Is a Rebuke to Hamas
Yet with the Gaza crisis still unfolding, this focus on recognition seems totally beside the more pressing realities. Amid the suffering of Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages—and Israel's announced plan to occupy all or part of the enclave—averting famine, recovering the hostages and ending the conflict in Gaza are the priorities. Talk of two states can wait.
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Axing public notices will threaten local democracy, Cleverly tells Rayner
Rachel Reeves' proposal to axe rules that require businesses to share their licence bids in newspapers would threaten the future of local democracy, Sir James Cleverly has told the Government. In a letter to Angela Rayner, the shadow local government secretary said suggestions that statutory notices could be scrapped raised 'concerning questions' about the future of local journalism. He told the PA news agency Government changes had been proposed 'without any consideration' of the effect on local press and could have the 'perverse effect of making it harder for many pubs and clubs to operate.' Last month, the Chancellor said she would look at dropping the requirement for venues such as pubs and restaurants to advertise licensing applications in local newspapers, in a bid to cut red tape for the hospitality sector. Sir James demanded the Government share its assessments of how the move would affect the press amid industry fears that it could interfere with the public's right to know and lead to revenue losses for local journalism. He said that while there was scope to reform the statutory notice regime, 'rather than embracing innovation, it would appear that the Government intends to axe support entirely'. Sir James told PA: 'Labour don't have a clue about the pub and hospitality industry. 'Labour are tying them in red tape and higher taxes. Their proposed changes to licensing rules could have the perverse effect of making it harder for many pubs and clubs to operate. 'Labour's proposed changes to notification on licensing changes has been made without any consideration on the effect on local newspapers, or how to best ensure that the public know about matters which affect their lives. 'Local democracy needs an independent free press, so empowered local representatives are held to account, and local residents have their voice listened to.' In his letter to Ms Rayner, who is Deputy Prime Minister and also Local Government Secretary, Sir James said: 'If local newspapers close down this will be to the detriment of local democracy. 'The devolution of responsibility and finance to local government needs stronger local accountability and transparency to go hand in hand with new powers, and an independent free press is essential to this.' Ministers last month announced a new licensing framework would aim to fast-track permissions for al fresco dining in dedicated areas and make it easier to open new venues. Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Ms Reeves said she would also look at removing the 'outdated rule that means (a business) needs to advertise in locally printed press when applying for a licence'. The remarks prompted a backlash from industry figures, with the News Media Association warning the proposals would amount to a 'betrayal of local communities and the public's right to know'. 'Changing this would, at a stroke, disenfranchise local communities and deprive local journalism of a vital revenue stream,' News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith said. 'Local pubs, like local papers, are at the heart of their communities and the Government should rightly support them. 'This proposal does nothing to help either. 'It is not a cut to bureaucratic red tape, as framed, but a damaging assault on democratic engagement.' The Government has been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
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France halts renewing work visas to El Al security personnel deployed to Paris
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Two thirds of Britons back removal of Duke of York's titles
Two thirds of Britons believe the Duke of York should be stripped of his remaining royal titles, according to a new poll. Research by YouGov found that 67% of the public would back the removal of Andrew's York dukedom, as well as his princely title. An unflattering biography of the disgraced duke by Andrew Lownie this month delved into the private life of the late Queen's son, depicting him as sex obsessed, a 'useful idiot' and easy prey for Jeffrey Epstein. Some 13% opposed the removal of his titles and 21% were unsure, the survey showed. Three years ago, 62% believed Andrew should have his York title removed, with the current 67% in-favour figure seeing a jump of five percentage points. Another YouGov survey found that just 5% have a positive view of the King's brother, with Andrew languishing at the bottom of the royal favourability tables, beneath the Duchess of Sussex who has a 20% positive rating and the Duke of Sussex at 28%. Legislation would be required for Parliament to prevent Andrew continuing as the Duke of York, while his birthright to be a prince, as the son of a monarch, could be changed if a Letters Patent were issued by the King. The duke stopped using his style of His Royal Highness following his disastrous Newsnight interview, but it could be removed entirely by a Letters Patent. Andrew stepped away from his public role in 2019 amid the furore over his friendship with convicted billionaire paedophile Epstein. He later paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein as a teenager and who Andrew claimed never to have met.
