Latest news with #freedomOfMovement
LBCI
4 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
UNIFIL condemns attack on peacekeepers during patrol in South Lebanon
UNIFIL announced in a statement that Tuesday morning, while UNIFIL peacekeepers were conducting a planned patrol in coordination with the Lebanese Army near Hallousiyyeh El-Tahta in South Lebanon, they were confronted by a group of civilians. "The group attempted to obstruct the patrol using aggressive means, including throwing stones at the peacekeepers. One peacekeeper was assaulted, but fortunately, no injuries were reported," the statement read. In response, UNIFIL personnel used non-lethal measures to ensure the safety of the patrol members and those present. The Lebanese Army was immediately notified and arrived at the scene shortly afterward. The situation was quickly brought under control, and the patrol was able to continue its work. It added that "freedom of movement is a fundamental requirement for UNIFIL's mandate, which includes the ability to operate independently and impartially, as outlined in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. Any restriction of this freedom, whether during operational activities with or without the Lebanese Army, is a violation of this resolution." "Continued targeting of UNIFIL peacekeepers is unacceptable," it noted. UNIFIL calls on Lebanese authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure its peacekeeping forces can carry out their duties without hindrance or threat. A post shared by LBCI Lebanon News (@lbcilebanonnews)
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Starmer signals youth mobility scheme with EU would not cross red line
Sir Keir Starmer has signalled that a youth mobility scheme would not cross Labour's red line on freedom of movement with the EU. The Prime Minister said youth mobility is 'not freedom of movement' ahead of a UK-EU summit in London on Monday which is part of efforts to 'reset' relations after Brexit. Reports suggest a deal on British access to a major EU defence fund could be on the table but arguments over fishing rights and a youth mobility scheme may provide stumbling blocks to an agreement. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the EU summit will not be a 'one-off' and suggested it would pave the way for future talks. Sir Keir has repeatedly declined to give a 'running commentary' on the talks but said on Friday he was 'positive going into Monday'. He spoke after meeting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Albania at the European Political Community Summit. Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, had earlier said work was progressing on a defence deal, but that 'we're not there yet.' Sir Keir said a stronger trading relationship with the EU would be 'measured in the pockets of working people'. 'People will be better off because of this deal,' the Prime Minister told The Times. Amid reports that discussions for an agreement with the EU to allow young people to live in the UK for a limited period are under way, Sir Keir rejected claims that would be a backdoor to freedom of movement. He said: 'We have a red line in our manifesto about freedom of movement. 'We've been really clear about that but youth mobility is not freedom of movement.' A youth mobility scheme was proposed by the EU but initially rejected by Labour. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said the Government is giving 'mixed messages' and that he wanted to hear it 'speaking in one voice and say they would like a youth mobility scheme'. Such a scheme would give young British people the chance to work in the EU but also 'put rocket boosters up businesses in London' where there are gaps in hospitality, creative industries, health and social care, and other sectors, he told the BBC's Newsnight programme. Ms Reeves meanwhile suggested any deals unveiled on Monday would only mark the beginning of closer ties with the bloc. 'I am ambitious for our future. This isn't a one-off. There will be things that we achieve, some concrete outcomes on Monday, but there will also be a step towards where we want to go next between our countries,' the Chancellor told The Guardian. 'And I see that as a journey, not that what happens on Monday is the end; there will be future areas where we can do more.'
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
DAN HODGES: Keir Starmer is a mouthpiece - THIS is the man who really tells the Prime Minister what to say and think
The clip Nigel Farage chose to circulate perfectly incapsulated the problem. It was of the Prime Minister, then in the middle of the 2020 Labour leadership campaign, addressing the issue of immigration. 'We have to make the case for the benefits of immigration,' he exclaimed ardently, 'the benefits of free movement. We have to make the case for freedom of movement. And we have to make it strongly.'
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Dining across the divide: ‘I was expecting her to shout me down'
Occupation Litigation solicitor Voting record Usually votes Conservative Amuse bouche Was shortlisted for a Legal Hero award, the only solicitor from outside the London area that year Occupation Associate professor Voting record Holds an Irish and a US passport, and votes wherever she can. Did not vote for 'that man', voted for Kamala. Votes Labour or Green, depending on who needs the help Amuse bouche Was a keen figure skater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a teenager – but found out after three years that if you want to be the best, you have to start when you're four, not 11 Katie She was warm and welcoming from the start, very mellow. She'd chosen the restaurant, and recommended the paneer tikka, which was delicious. Parvien She was very sweet. I was expecting someone really feisty. Katie We both had mock mojitos. Parvien I had peshwari lamb with raw green chillies; it blew my head off. Katie I believe in freedom of movement for everyone. I'm an immigrant myself – I believe everyone should have access to that, all the time. Migration to the UK should be made less punitive. We need to remove existing barriers to incoming migrants. A phrase we both arrived at was 'universal freedom of movement'. She said it was utopian, and it is a utopian idea, but it's something I believe in. Parvien There have to be the resources, conditions in place. I'm quite swayed by what the public think as well. We need to look at how immigration is benefiting society as a whole, and whether we have the infrastructure. In places like Dubai you can work there, but you don't immediately get full rights. Just because you're there, doesn't mean you can then stay there after the role is redundant. Katie I think she could see where I was coming from when I said, 'If I get to move around, everyone should get to do it.' I didn't want to armwrestle her. I wouldn't say she's very swayable, but we had such a great conversation. It was quite warm. She had concrete experience of working with people who have migrated, and the difficulties they experience. Parvien We need to have a good look at why we have a skills shortage, rather than just getting migrants to plug it. We import doctors, yet our own universities are blocking students from doing medicine. When you import doctors, how do you verify their qualifications? In my profession, I've come across people with fake degrees. There's a disparity there – I can understand people are going to get a bit annoyed about that. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Katie I was curious to hear her take on the idea of the UK leaving the European convention on human rights. My question to her was: what equips the UK, acting alone, to be a better protector of human rights? She gave an example of a ruling where Europe basically overturned the disenfranchisement of all prisoners – the point she made was that the resources used to argue that change of policy could have been used to fight poverty instead. Parvien I thought that was rubbish. If you've broken the law, how can you demand your rights under the law? The number of cases I deal with where I have a legal aid opponent on the other side, and there's no merit in what they're bringing: what is the cost to the taxpayer of this exercise? Katie I object to generative AI, in part because I teach. My students use ChatGPT for their assessments. The sentences are too smooth, it's very weird. That's not the problem, the problem is what it does to students. They don't produce arguments based on their own reading and thinking. Parvien Katie's view was that big tech was going to get rid of her job – I think I agreed with her; it probably would. I'm not worried about my job. If it gets rid of my job, I'll just do something else. I'll probably be the person programming the AI judges. Katie We left on gorgeous terms. We spoke for three hours – she had all this knowledge – and she drove me home. Parvien I was expecting someone shouting me down. She did not do that. We kept giggling. Additional reporting: Kitty Drake Parvien and Katie ate at The Tipu Sultan in Oadby, near Leicester Want to meet someone from across the divide? Find out how to take part
