Today’s news summary – Paper Talk: Extension of truce ‘encouraging step’
Tuesday’s front pages lead with the extension of the truce between Israel and Hamas as more Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. Aid trucks carrying food, water, fuel and medicines have also been able to enter the Gaza Strip.
Israel-Hamas truce
The Guardian leads with an image of a young Palestinian man surrounded by children trying to leave northern Gaza, as the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues. The paper says the extension to the truce has raised hopes of more hostages being released.
The Daily Mirror’s editorial calls the extension of the truce a “small but encouraging step.” The paper says “a return to the slaughter of Palestinian civilians after this pause would be impossible for much of the world to stomach”.
The Times says Rishi Sunak has been warned by government lawyers that opting out of the European Convention on Human Rights in an attempt to push through his Rwanda policy will backfire. The paper says ministers are considering emergency legislation that would mean British courts were not bound by the convention. However, government lawyers believe this could lead to more legal challenges.
The i newspaper reports up to 40 Tory MPs are set to rebel if PM Sunak fails to take steps to override the convention. A Tory source is quoted saying the government is “soft pedalling on Rwanda because they don’t really know where they are going”.
The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission could be blocked from UN rights bodies, according to the Telegraph, because of its stance on legislation affecting trans people. The paper says the UN is assessing the EHRC after it gave advice to minister suggesting the law should define sex as “biological sex.”
The Daily Express is angry with Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey. On Monday, Bailey had said the UK’s economic growth prospects were lower than they had been for much of his working life. The paper’s headline reflects the Express’ hopes – “Time for a bank chief who talks Britain up!”.
New royal book
Several of the papers leave space on their front pages to report on the latest royal book to be released.
The Daily Mail calls the book “poisonous,” the i says the book lays blame for William and Harry’s poor relationship with Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, whilst the Express says the book takes a ‘nasty’ swipe at Princess Kate.
The Telegraph calls it a ‘hatchet job’ whilst, away from the book, The Guardian asks if the monarchy is on its way out.