Yahoo News Thursday morning news briefing: Are there cracks in royal dream?
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Problems have to be tackled, says Duke of Cambridge
His comments will be seen as a subtle reference to the Royal family's own ongoing difficulties. The Duke of Cambridge has spoken of the importance of tackling challenges head-on to avoid "paralysis" and "move forward". He said it was essential to acknowledge problems in order to deal with them, rather than "pretend they don't happen, which is no good". It came amid days of high-level negotiations in the Royal family about the future of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are seeking a "financially independent" future. It has emerged that the Vancouver women's shelter that hosted Meghan in her first public appearance since stepping back as a senior royal had just one day's notice before her visit - and starstruck staff were not even told who their special guest would be. And Bethan Holt explains how Jessica Mulroney became Meghan's trusted confidante, protector and fashion secret-weapon.
Prince Harry is due to host the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws at Buckingham Palace today in what could prove to be his last royal engagement as a fully-fledged member of the "Firm". But with Harry seemingly beginning to "regret" how the Queen felt blindsided by his desire to "step back", and after a crunch meeting that did not actually include his American wife, Camilla Tominey asks: are cracks already beginning to appear in the Sussexes' North American dream?
Police forces attacked for going soft on cannabis
Police have been accused of decriminalising cannabis by the back door as up to two thirds of users are let off with informal "community resolutions". Between 50 and 70 per cent of people caught with the drug in parts of Britain are being dealt with by police through such agreements - which do not result in a criminal record - to avoid drawing them into the justice system, according to analysis of official data. Compare how your local force handles cannabis possession. As Charles Hymas reports, it raises questions over whether the police are in effect decriminalising cannabis by shifting from punishment to treatment.
'Extinct' white rhino may be brought back to life
They may look like meaningless blobs. But tiny sacs of cells pictured here hold the embryo of a northern white rhino... and the future of an entire sub-species. The creature could be brought back to life by 2022 - four years after the last male died in Kenya. Only two females survive from a population that numbered 2,000 in the Sixties, effectively making the subspecies extinct. As Sarah Knapton reports, scientists hope to reverse its fortunes after creating three viable embryos which they hope to implant into a surrogate southern white rhino later this year.
News digest
Trump impeachment | Charges move to Senate for trial next week
Prostate cancer | Disease to become most common - the symptoms
Marcus Wareing | 'Crime tourists' steal £33k jewellery from chef
Burnt gorilla | Animal hurt in zoo fire put down with submachine gun
School fines | Parents pay for every five minutes late to pick-up
Gallery: The big picture
Floody hell | Cars negotiate a flooded road at Christian Malford, Wiltshire, after the river Avon burst its banks. View our picture editor's selection of more of the day's most striking images.
Comment
Allister Heath | PM must rescue UK from technocratic tyrants
Michael Deacon | St Jeremy the martyr sacrifices himself
Ross Clark | There is little logic to the bail-out of Flybe
Sherelle Jacobs | Race is now an issue we cannot even discuss
Shane Watson | Under 40? It is time to 'step back' in life
Editor's choice
Meaty myths | The truth about why a vegan diet can be good for your pet
Life without sunlight | 100 days of darkness in town where no one is allowed to die
Lexus RX450h review | If there's such a thing as an ideal urban SUV, this is it
Business and money briefing
Turbulence | Airline chiefs, train companies and industry experts have attacked the £100m state bailout of crippled airline Flybe amid fears ministers are propping up a "lame duck" in a betrayal of Thatcherism. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is coming under mounting pressure to explain the rescue. Matt uses the crisis as inspiration for today's cartoon.
The Think Tank | Four charts that show Iran's economic woes
Investment tip | Why this 'wealth preservation' trust is a hold
Alex cartoon | See our brilliant cartoonist's latest work
Sport briefing
Manchester United 1 Wolves 0 | It had appeared last season that Juan Mata was on his way out of Man Utd. But he has re-emerged to score the vital goal that earned them a FA Cup Third Round replay victory. Read Jason Burt's match report from Old Trafford.
Ben Stokes | Nick Hoult on England's most complete batsman
Teenage dragon | Wales ready to unleash Gloucester wonder boy
Eni Aluko quits | Former England striker calls time on career
And finally...
Open justice | Old Bailey criminal cases are to be televised for the first time under government plans to open Crown courts to cameras. All trials overseen by High Court and senior circuit judges will be open to be televised. Here is what will be filmed, where it will be broadcast - and when the first live transmissions are expected.
