Comedy writer David Davis, who co-created the indelible ensemble comedies `The Bob Newhart Show` and `Taxi,` passed away at 86 on November 4 in Los Angeles. 
 
According to Variety, Davis` death was confirmed Saturday by his daughter, Samantha Davis-Friedman. Survivors also include his wife of many decades, `Rhoda` star Julie Kavner, now best known as the voice of Marge Simpson. 
 
In the MTM Television organisation, Davis was well-known for his work. Along with contributing to the creation of two sitcoms that are in the Hall of Fame, he wrote for `The Mary Tyler Moore Show` and `Rhoda.` 
 
Following his retirement from writing in 1979, Davis served as a consultant on a number of TV and movie productions, including the ABC TV series `Phenom` and renowned films like 1987`s `Broadcast News` and the 1983 Oscar-winning `Terms of Endearment.`Davis, who was born in Brooklyn in 1936, began his career in television as a script supervisor on comedies like `The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis` and the `Gilligan`s Island` pilot in the early 1960s. 
 
By the middle of the 1960s, he had advanced to associate producer, working on shows like Richard Benjamin and Paul Prentiss` 1967 romantic comedy `He and She` and `My Mother the Car,` frequently regarded as the pinnacle of ridiculous `60s sitcoms. 
 
According to Variety, early in the 1970s, Davis captured footage showcasing Chicago`s post-modernist construction boom for the show`s iconic opening credits. In addition, he shot the iconic `Rhoda`s Wedding` episode of `Rhoda,` a spinoff of `Mary Tyler Moore,` from 1974, in which Valerie Harper raced through New York City wearing a wedding gown. 
 
The `Bob Newhart Show` was co-created by Davis and Newhart, who had a well-known humorous persona by that time. From 1972 through 1978, CBS broadcast the show. Davis then produced `Taxi,"`which was broadcasted from 1978 to 1983. (at first on ABC and in its final season on NBC). Davis and fellow MTM writers, producers, and directors James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, and Ed Weinberger collaborated to create the acclaimed series.&nbsp;

Comedy writer David Davis, who co-created the indelible ensemble comedies `The Bob Newhart Show` and `Taxi,` passed away at 86 on November 4 in Los Angeles. According to Variety, Davis` death was confirmed Saturday by his daughter, Samantha Davis-Friedman.

Comedy writer David Davis, who co-created the indelible ensemble comedies `The Bob Newhart Show` and `Taxi,` passed away at 86 on November 4 in Los Angeles. According to Variety, Davis` death was confirmed Saturday by his daughter, Samantha Davis-Friedman. Survivors also include his wife of many decades, `Rhoda` star Julie Kavner, now best known as the voice of Marge Simpson. In the MTM Television organisation, Davis was well-known for his work. Along with contributing to the creation of two sitcoms that are in the Hall of Fame, he wrote for `The Mary Tyler Moore Show` and `Rhoda.` Following his retirement from writing in 1979, Davis served as a consultant on a number of TV and movie productions, including the ABC TV series `Phenom` and renowned films like 1987`s `Broadcast News` and the 1983 Oscar-winning `Terms of Endearment.`Davis, who was born in Brooklyn in 1936, began his career in television as a script supervisor on comedies like `The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis` and the `Gilligan`s Island` pilot in the early 1960s. By the middle of the 1960s, he had advanced to associate producer, working on shows like Richard Benjamin and Paul Prentiss` 1967 romantic comedy `He and She` and `My Mother the Car,` frequently regarded as the pinnacle of ridiculous `60s sitcoms. According to Variety, early in the 1970s, Davis captured footage showcasing Chicago`s post-modernist construction boom for the show`s iconic opening credits. In addition, he shot the iconic `Rhoda`s Wedding` episode of `Rhoda,` a spinoff of `Mary Tyler Moore,` from 1974, in which Valerie Harper raced through New York City wearing a wedding gown. The `Bob Newhart Show` was co-created by Davis and Newhart, who had a well-known humorous persona by that time. From 1972 through 1978, CBS broadcast the show. Davis then produced `Taxi,"`which was broadcasted from 1978 to 1983. (at first on ABC and in its final season on NBC). Davis and fellow MTM writers, producers, and directors James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, and Ed Weinberger collaborated to create the acclaimed series.

David Davis, 'Bob Newhart Show' co creater, passes away at 86

As former cabinet minister David Davis joins calls for Boris Johnson's resignation, WION's Jodie Cohen speaks with UK lawmaker Lord Oates on the mounting trouble for the British prime minister.

Scope of probe has clearly grown: UK Lawmaker Lord Oates on No 10 boozy parties

Who might be Britain's next prime minister if May goes?

British Prime Minister Theresa May will&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;publish her preferred fall-back plan to avoid a hard Irish border after Brexit, government sources said, seemingly having overcome opposition from eurosceptic ministers that prompted speculation of a possible resignation.

Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc.

May held separate face-to-face meetings&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;morning with Davis and fellow eurosceptics Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, and trade minister Liam Fox, her Downing Street office said.

Asked if she expected Davis to remain in his position at the end of the day, the prime minister's spokeswoman said: "Yes... of course."

The so-called backstop proposal would kick in only if no other solution were found to avoid customs checks between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, but there are fears if implemented that it would last indefinitely.

Davis was said to be concerned about the lack of an end date and was pushing for a provision stating that Britain can withdraw unilaterally from the arrangement -- something Brussels is unlikely to accept.

May's meetings with her ministers came just hours before the cabinet sub-committee charged with taking key decisions on Brexit was due to meet at lunchtime.

Downing Street sources initially said the committee was not going to talk about the backstop, implying it was already agreed in principle.

However, Davis told reporters&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;that it would, saying: "It would be improper of me to pre-empt the negotiation there, but I suspect it will be fairly decisive&nbsp;tomorrow."

Asked if he could stay in his job if the proposals did not have his explicit approval, he said: "That's a question I think for the prime minister to be honest."

Sarah O'Grady, a newspaper journalist and the wife of Davis's chief of staff, had tweeted early&nbsp;Thursday: "Backstop not backed up by DD. Crunch time."

The government insists that it has no intention of using the backstop, and will instead find a way to avoid border checks in Ireland through an overarching trade deal with the EU.

However, striking a new trade deal could take years.

The latest round of Brexit negotiations wrap&nbsp;on Friday, but hopes of a breakthrough at the next EU summit in Brussels at the end of this month are fading.

Both sides say they want to agree a deal by October, to allow time for it to be ratified before Brexit on&nbsp;March 29, 2019.

Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc

British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Thursday publish her preferred fall-back plan to avoid a hard Irish border after Brexit, government sources said, seemingly having overcome opposition from eurosceptic ministers that prompted speculation of a possible resignation. Brexit minister David Davis was reportedly furious and considered quitting over May's plan in which Britain could stay aligned to the EU's customs union for years after leaving the bloc. May held separate face-to-face meetings on Thursday morning with Davis and fellow eurosceptics Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, and trade minister Liam Fox, her Downing Street office said. Asked if she expected Davis to remain in his position at the end of the day, the prime minister's spokeswoman said: "Yes... of course." The so-called backstop proposal would kick in only if no other solution were found to avoid customs checks between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, but there are fears if implemented that it would last indefinitely. Davis was said to be concerned about the lack of an end date and was pushing for a provision stating that Britain can withdraw unilaterally from the arrangement -- something Brussels is unlikely to accept. May's meetings with her ministers came just hours before the cabinet sub-committee charged with taking key decisions on Brexit was due to meet at lunchtime. Downing Street sources initially said the committee was not going to talk about the backstop, implying it was already agreed in principle. However, Davis told reporters on Wednesday that it would, saying: "It would be improper of me to pre-empt the negotiation there, but I suspect it will be fairly decisive tomorrow." Asked if he could stay in his job if the proposals did not have his explicit approval, he said: "That's a question I think for the prime minister to be honest." Sarah O'Grady, a newspaper journalist and the wife of Davis's chief of staff, had tweeted early Thursday: "Backstop not backed up by DD. Crunch time." The government insists that it has no intention of using the backstop, and will instead find a way to avoid border checks in Ireland through an overarching trade deal with the EU. However, striking a new trade deal could take years. The latest round of Brexit negotiations wrap on Friday, but hopes of a breakthrough at the next EU summit in Brussels at the end of this month are fading. Both sides say they want to agree a deal by October, to allow time for it to be ratified before Brexit on March 29, 2019.

UK set to publish Brexit fall-back plan despite cabinet row

Britain and the European Union on Monday reached a landmark deal on a transition phase that will see London follow the bloc&#39;s rules for nearly two years after the Brexit divorce.

Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Davis said the agreement, which European leaders will sign at a summit this week, was a &quot;decisive step&quot;.

The two sides also agreed on a &quot;backstop&quot; solution for the thorny issue of the future of the Irish border, just weeks after Prime Minister Theresa May said no British premier could ever accept such an idea.

The deal, secured after what Frenchman Barnier called an &quot;intensive&quot; weekend of talks in Brussels, paves the way for talks on a future trade deal to start next month and sent the pound surging.

&quot;We were able this morning to agree, after all those days and nights of hard work, on a large part of what will be an international agreement for the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom,&quot; Barnier told a press conference with Davis.

The transition will begin on Brexit day -- March 29, 2019 -- and last until December 31, 2020. During that period, Britain &quot;will no longer participate in the European Union decision-making process,&quot; Barnier said.

&quot;Nevertheless, it will preserve the benefits, the advantages of the single market and the customs union... and will therefore be required to respect all the European rules just like all member states do.&quot;

&nbsp;&#39;Certainty&#39; for the future

Standing against a backdrop of British and EU flags, Davis told the news conference that the 21-month transition &quot;gives the certainty demanded by businesses and citizens across Britain and the European Union.&quot;

Firms across Europe that need to plan their business years in the future have been clamouring for both sides to reach a deal to avoid a cliff-edge departure, and Davis said it was &quot;near enough&quot; the full two years Britain had demanded.

Davis said Britain would be able to sign trade deals with other countries during the transition, despite EU rules saying it should not be while subject to the bloc&#39;s customs rules.

He added that Britain would now allow EU citizens moving to Britain during the transition phase to have the same rights to work and live in the country as those who arrived before, a policy London previously rejected.

May, who reached an outline deal on the divorce with the EU in December, said in a statement that the deal showed that &quot;we can get an arrangement for the future which will be in the interests&quot; of both sides.

Both sides wanted the transition deal in place so that it could be signed off by EU leaders at a Brussels summit on Friday, allowing the unlocking of talks on the future British-EU relationship in April.

&#39;Backstop&#39; solution&nbsp;

Britain meanwhile agreed to the EU&#39;s &quot;backstop&quot; plan for the status of the Irish border, under which British-ruled Northern Ireland would remain part of the EU&#39;s customs union if there is no better idea.

The thorny issue will, however, require further talks to be fully resolved, the two sides said.&nbsp;

The EU insists that any divorce deal must ensure there is no &quot;hard border&quot; between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, saying it could compromise the 1998 peace accord that ended decades of sectarian violence in the British province.

The move appeared to be a climbdown for May, who insisted in February that &quot;no UK prime minister could ever agree&quot; to the plan as it would threaten Britain&#39;s constitutional integrity.

The pro-British party in Northern Ireland that props up her government has previously deemed the backstop arrangement &quot;unacceptable&quot;.

Davis however denied that Britain had backed down, saying it was still pushing for a solution as part of a trade deal which would mean there was no need for the backstop.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, who met Barnier in Brussels, said on Twitter on Monday that &quot;Brexit negotiations are moving forward.&quot;

Sterling climbed to $1.41 against the dollar and reached 87 pence against the euro on news of the deal.

London and Brussels had already drawn closer in recent days over the poisoning of a Russian ex-spy, with EU foreign ministers on Monday offering &quot;unqualified solidarity&quot; over the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal.&nbsp;

Britain and the European Union on Monday reached a landmark deal on a transition phase that will see London follow the bloc's rules for nearly two years after the Brexit divorce

Britain and the European Union on Monday reached a landmark deal on a transition phase that will see London follow the bloc's rules for nearly two years after the Brexit divorce. Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Davis said the agreement, which European leaders will sign at a summit this week, was a "decisive step". The two sides also agreed on a "backstop" solution for the thorny issue of the future of the Irish border, just weeks after Prime Minister Theresa May said no British premier could ever accept such an idea. The deal, secured after what Frenchman Barnier called an "intensive" weekend of talks in Brussels, paves the way for talks on a future trade deal to start next month and sent the pound surging. "We were able this morning to agree, after all those days and nights of hard work, on a large part of what will be an international agreement for the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom," Barnier told a press conference with Davis. The transition will begin on Brexit day -- March 29, 2019 -- and last until December 31, 2020. During that period, Britain "will no longer participate in the European Union decision-making process," Barnier said. "Nevertheless, it will preserve the benefits, the advantages of the single market and the customs union... and will therefore be required to respect all the European rules just like all member states do." 'Certainty' for the future Standing against a backdrop of British and EU flags, Davis told the news conference that the 21-month transition "gives the certainty demanded by businesses and citizens across Britain and the European Union." Firms across Europe that need to plan their business years in the future have been clamouring for both sides to reach a deal to avoid a cliff-edge departure, and Davis said it was "near enough" the full two years Britain had demanded. Davis said Britain would be able to sign trade deals with other countries during the transition, despite EU rules saying it should not be while subject to the bloc's customs rules. He added that Britain would now allow EU citizens moving to Britain during the transition phase to have the same rights to work and live in the country as those who arrived before, a policy London previously rejected. May, who reached an outline deal on the divorce with the EU in December, said in a statement that the deal showed that "we can get an arrangement for the future which will be in the interests" of both sides. Both sides wanted the transition deal in place so that it could be signed off by EU leaders at a Brussels summit on Friday, allowing the unlocking of talks on the future British-EU relationship in April. 'Backstop' solution Britain meanwhile agreed to the EU's "backstop" plan for the status of the Irish border, under which British-ruled Northern Ireland would remain part of the EU's customs union if there is no better idea. The thorny issue will, however, require further talks to be fully resolved, the two sides said. The EU insists that any divorce deal must ensure there is no "hard border" between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, saying it could compromise the 1998 peace accord that ended decades of sectarian violence in the British province. The move appeared to be a climbdown for May, who insisted in February that "no UK prime minister could ever agree" to the plan as it would threaten Britain's constitutional integrity. The pro-British party in Northern Ireland that props up her government has previously deemed the backstop arrangement "unacceptable". Davis however denied that Britain had backed down, saying it was still pushing for a solution as part of a trade deal which would mean there was no need for the backstop. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, who met Barnier in Brussels, said on Twitter on Monday that "Brexit negotiations are moving forward." Sterling climbed to $1.41 against the dollar and reached 87 pence against the euro on news of the deal. London and Brussels had already drawn closer in recent days over the poisoning of a Russian ex-spy, with EU foreign ministers on Monday offering "unqualified solidarity" over the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal.

Britain, EU agree Brexit transition deal

Brexit minister David Davis rekindled a debate about the credibility of the government&rsquo;s own forecasts by saying on Thursday that every economic prediction on the British economy since the EU referendum has been wrong.

Davis made the comments in parliament after being asked about leaked analysis, drawn up by government officials, which suggests Britain would be worse off after Brexit under a wide range of potential scenarios.

He questioned the value of such research, saying the work is &ldquo;incredibly difficult&rdquo; and that every institution that had tried it had failed.

&ldquo;Every forecasting model on the performance on the British economy post the referendum by every major organization, the banks, the government organizations and, indeed, international organizations has proven wrong,&rdquo; Davis said.

&ldquo;One of the ways it has been proven wrong is because employment in this country has grown despite the forecasts to record levels today. We will be seeking to do the best we can to ensure that growth record is maintained.&rdquo;

Bodies such as the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England have raised their forecasts from gloomy predictions made around the time of 2016 referendum. However, Britain&rsquo;s economy has underperformed many of its peers and is likely to lag global growth this year.

In the same debate, junior Brexit minister Steve Baker suggested government officials may be undermining government policy by calibrating their work to show only the downside of Brexit.

When asked by another Member of Parliament whether he had heard claims that Treasury officials had &ldquo;deliberately developed a model&rdquo; to show that leaving the EU customs union was damaging to influence policy, Baker said he agreed.

&ldquo;I&lsquo;m sorry to say that my honorable friend&rsquo;s account is essentially correct,&rdquo; Baker said, adding that this was &ldquo;quite extraordinary&rdquo;.

British officials are legally obliged to remain impartial on policy.

The minister then quickly clarified that he had not suggested the accusation itself was correct.

&ldquo;To be absolutely clear, I&rsquo;ve said it was correct that the allegation was put to me,&rdquo; Baker said. &ldquo;I did not in any way seek to confirm the truth of it.&rdquo;

Some of the most vocal advocates of a total separation from the EU, known as a hard Brexit, have repeatedly suggested that the machinery of government was biased against Brexit and working behind the scenes to sabotage it.

Brexit minister David Davis rekindled a debate about the credibility of the government’s own forecasts by saying on Thursday that every economic prediction on the British economy since the EU referendum has been wrong

Brexit minister David Davis rekindled a debate about the credibility of the government’s own forecasts by saying on Thursday that every economic prediction on the British economy since the EU referendum has been wrong. Davis made the comments in parliament after being asked about leaked analysis, drawn up by government officials, which suggests Britain would be worse off after Brexit under a wide range of potential scenarios. He questioned the value of such research, saying the work is “incredibly difficult” and that every institution that had tried it had failed. “Every forecasting model on the performance on the British economy post the referendum by every major organization, the banks, the government organizations and, indeed, international organizations has proven wrong,” Davis said. “One of the ways it has been proven wrong is because employment in this country has grown despite the forecasts to record levels today. We will be seeking to do the best we can to ensure that growth record is maintained.” Bodies such as the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England have raised their forecasts from gloomy predictions made around the time of 2016 referendum. However, Britain’s economy has underperformed many of its peers and is likely to lag global growth this year. In the same debate, junior Brexit minister Steve Baker suggested government officials may be undermining government policy by calibrating their work to show only the downside of Brexit. When asked by another Member of Parliament whether he had heard claims that Treasury officials had “deliberately developed a model” to show that leaving the EU customs union was damaging to influence policy, Baker said he agreed. “I‘m sorry to say that my honorable friend’s account is essentially correct,” Baker said, adding that this was “quite extraordinary”. British officials are legally obliged to remain impartial on policy. The minister then quickly clarified that he had not suggested the accusation itself was correct. “To be absolutely clear, I’ve said it was correct that the allegation was put to me,” Baker said. “I did not in any way seek to confirm the truth of it.” Some of the most vocal advocates of a total separation from the EU, known as a hard Brexit, have repeatedly suggested that the machinery of government was biased against Brexit and working behind the scenes to sabotage it.

All Brexit economic forecasts were wrong, British minister says

The head of Britain&#39;s new Brexit ministry on Sunday said that EU migrants arriving between now and the country&#39;s official departure from the bloc may not be guaranteed the right to remain. 
 
David Davis told the Mail on Sunday that he would negotiate with European leaders to secure &quot;a generous settlement for EU migrants here now and a generous settlement for British citizens in the EU&quot;, but offered no such assurances for newcomers. 
 
&quot;There are a variety of possibilities,&quot; he said of plans to deal with a predicted &quot;surge&quot; in arrivals from the EU ahead of Britain&#39;s departure. 
 
&quot;We may have to say that the right to indefinite leave to remain protection only applies before a certain date. But you have to make those judgments on reality, not speculation.&quot; 
 
Britain will have to stick to the EU&#39;s freedom of movement rules until it officially leaves, but will then have control over who stays in the country, including over those who arrived before the pullout date. 
 
Davis has said that invoking Article 50, which would trigger official negotiations to leave the EU, should happen by the beginning of 2017. The negotiations have a two-year time limit, meaning Britain would leave by early 2019, at the latest. 
 
The EU Commission is refusing to hold talks until Article 50 takes effect, but Davis said some dialogue was inevitable. 
 
&quot;We don&#39;t have to do any negotiations, just find out where their interests are,&quot; he told the paper.&nbsp;&quot;(Foreign Secretary) Boris Johnson is going to the EU foreign affairs council this weekend. Are they going to say, &#39;Oh, I can&#39;t mention this to you?&#39; Of course not.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Davis, 67, has been a long-time eurosceptic and was briefly Europe Minister in the Conservative government of former Prime Minister John Major in the 1990s. 
 
(AFP)

Britain is bound to the EU's freedom of movement rules until it officially leaves, then controls who stays, including new and old migrants

The head of Britain's new Brexit ministry on Sunday said that EU migrants arriving between now and the country's official departure from the bloc may not be guaranteed the right to remain. David Davis told the Mail on Sunday that he would negotiate with European leaders to secure "a generous settlement for EU migrants here now and a generous settlement for British citizens in the EU", but offered no such assurances for newcomers. "There are a variety of possibilities," he said of plans to deal with a predicted "surge" in arrivals from the EU ahead of Britain's departure. "We may have to say that the right to indefinite leave to remain protection only applies before a certain date. But you have to make those judgments on reality, not speculation." Britain will have to stick to the EU's freedom of movement rules until it officially leaves, but will then have control over who stays in the country, including over those who arrived before the pullout date. Davis has said that invoking Article 50, which would trigger official negotiations to leave the EU, should happen by the beginning of 2017. The negotiations have a two-year time limit, meaning Britain would leave by early 2019, at the latest. The EU Commission is refusing to hold talks until Article 50 takes effect, but Davis said some dialogue was inevitable. "We don't have to do any negotiations, just find out where their interests are," he told the paper. "(Foreign Secretary) Boris Johnson is going to the EU foreign affairs council this weekend. Are they going to say, 'Oh, I can't mention this to you?' Of course not." Davis, 67, has been a long-time eurosceptic and was briefly Europe Minister in the Conservative government of former Prime Minister John Major in the 1990s. (AFP)

UK Brexit minister can't guarantee new arrivals from EU the right to remain

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