Pope's comments about the genocide in Gaza did not go far enough
On February 25, Francis said 'there should be an investigation into whether Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide.'
Was he unaware that the United Nations had already investigated and called what Israel was doing a genocide, or that 15 months ago the International Court of Justice said Israel was committing a plausible genocide, or that the International Criminal Court indicted Netanyahu for war crimes?
READ MORE: Bishop to represent Scottish Catholics at Pope Francis funeral
Although he was in poor health these past few months, Francis could have gone to Gaza last year to tell Israel to stop. Imagine the impact this would have had.
Archbishop Oscar Romero took such a stand 45 year ago, and in 2018 Francis made him a saint. Romero was assassinated by a US-backed Salvadoran death squad in March 1980 while celebrating mass in San Salvador. The day before he was murdered, he addressed members of the military: 'It is time to regain your conscience. In the name of God and the name of the suffering people, I implore you, I beg you, I order you, stop the repression!'
Another disaster is looming. Netanyahu has been begging the US to attack Iran for years – not because it's on the brink of developing a nuclear bomb (it isn't, although Israel has the bomb), but because, other than Yemen which the US is mercilessly bombing, it opposes Israel's genocide and domination of the Middle East.
READ MORE: Israeli police officers aimed guns at two British MPs in West Bank
The George W Bush administration planned a series of wars on Israel's targets in the Middle East (Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Syria) and Islamic East Africa (Libya, Somalia and Sudan). All these countries, apart from Iran, are in ruins.
Will church leaders condemn this and the other horrors? These 'moral leaders' should remember what Archbishop Oscar Romero said in 1979: 'A church that doesn't provoke any crisis, a gospel that doesn't unsettle, a word of God that doesn't get under anyone's skin, a word of God that doesn't touch the real sin in the society in which it is being proclaimed, what kind of gospel is that?'
Leah Gunn Barrett
Edinburgh
A FEDERAL judge has threatened the Trump administration with contempt of court over its failure to comply with an instruction not to deport alleged gang members to El Salvador. You can almost hear the laughter in the White House from here.
The US Supreme Court previously ruled that a president cannot be charged for any action carried out while in office. In addition, the president has the power to pardon any and all of his various henchmen at will. This power has been wielded increasingly corruptly in favour of cronies, friends and family members in recent years, even apparently for unnamed future indictments.
READ MORE: Mike Small: US history is being rewritten as we enter Orwell's endless present
Combined with Trump's predilection for declaring states of emergency to justify government by executive order, elsewhere called presidential decree, this does not bode well for the survival of US democracy. This calculated bypass of Congressional authority is not only dubious in its legality, its performative implementation is deliberately provocative.
He has already demonstrated he is prepared to interfere in the election process and to incite a mob of his gullible supporters to attack the seat of government in an attempt to overthrow the result when he lost. Upholding the much-vaunted but clearly fragile constitution has not proved to be one of his strong suits.
In a country where there are estimated to be 20 to 30 million assault rifles in civilian hands, a large proportion of them in the possession of Trump's most devoted followers, there is potential for the widespread breakdown of public order, particularly if Trump starts to make moves to run for an unconstitutional third term.
The first real test may come in the run-up to the midterm elections next year. Let's hope the constitution prevails.
Cameron Crawford
Rothesay
STEPH Brawn's article of April 22 highlights the SNP's Nibelung love affair with the EU (with Alyn Smith in the starring role).
Given that three-eighths of Scotland's electorate voted for Brexit, I reckon this SNP dogma harms the cause of indy. The EU-sceptic Alba has positioned itself wisely but, deprived of Alex, is unlikely to make any significant headway at Holyrood.
READ MORE: How campaigners are fighting for Scotland to get back into EU
A further reason to be sceptical is the EU's by now blatant militarism, risking a disastrous confrontation with Russia. An independent Scotland should keep a neutral stance, lest we land in the line of fire as Poland well could, perhaps even Germany and France if their courts stymie the revolt led by the 'Putin-understanders' Marine Le Pen and the AfD.
The UK was always a net contributor to the EU, latterly to the tune of some £9 billion annually (the equivalent of circa £150 per adult!). Scotland back in would be liable for at least that, especially if Ukraine is granted accession.
George Morton
Rosyth
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South Wales Argus
31 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Nigel Farage calls for ‘re-industrialisation' of Wales
On a visit to South Wales, the leader of Reform UK said the resumption of traditional steelmaking and coal production is the party's long-term ambition if it comes to power. The speech came one year ahead of the Senedd elections in May next year, where the party is looking to end Labour's 26 years of domination. Addressing reporters, Mr Farage acknowledged that plans to open a traditional furnace could take years and cost 'in the low billions'. The GMB Union has branded the plans 'more lies from an opportunistic chancer'. Port Talbot's remaining blast furnaces were shut down in September, with a new electric arc furnace being built in their place. Tata Steel, the owner of the plant, said the closure of the furnaces was necessary, with the steelworks losing £1m a day. 'Our ambition is to re-industrialise Wales,' Mr Farage said. 'We are going to be using more steel over the next few years than we have probably ever used. 'As we increase military spending and as we attempt a house building programme in Wales, and even more so in England, of massive proportions, just to catch up with the population explosion over the last 20 years, we are going to need a lot of steel.' Tata Steel's Port Talbot steelworks in south Wales (Ben Birchall/PA) The Reform leader said 'specific types of coal' are needed in the UK, particularly for a new blast furnace. 'I'm not saying let's open all of the pits,' he said. 'What I am saying is coal, specific types of coal for certain uses that we still need in this country – and we certainly will need for the blast furnaces here – we should be producing ourselves rather than importing.' While he acknowledged 'mining is dangerous', Mr Farage said the industry could provide well-paying jobs. The Reform leader acknowledged the plan to open a new furnace would cost 'in the low billions' and would be 'no easy thing'. 'It's a massive, expensive job to reopen blast furnaces, we're going to need cheaper energy, we're going to need much cheaper coal, we are going to need private business partners prepared to come into a joint venture,' he said. Responding to the GMB Union allegations that his party's plans were 'lies', Mr Farage said the union was tied to the Labour Party as one of its biggest funders. He said: 'They see us as a challenge, and therefore, they'll be rude about us. 'What you will find is that increasingly, GMB members are going to vote for us, and the more GMB members vote for us, the more upset GMB officials and leaders will become. 'Frankly, the trade unions have done nothing to protect British workers through open borders over the last 20-25 years.' During his speech, Mr Farage said he doubted that the electric arc furnace, which is due to come online in 2028, 'will ever, ever be switched on'. Challenged on what evidence he had, he argued that with British energy prices being so high, it would be producing 'very, very expensive secondary steel'. He added: 'I hope I'm wrong, an electric arc furnace is not the real deal, but it's better than nothing.' Mr Farage said the party's campaign for the Senedd election next May 'starts today', but would not say when Reform would announce a leader in Wales. Regional officer Ruth Brady, speaking at the GMB's annual conference in Brighton, said: 'The people of Port Talbot will see this for what it is – more lies from this opportunistic chancer. 'Nigel Farage was happy to let British Steel go to the wall. He'll trot out any line when the cameras are rolling. He doesn't care about steel communities or steel workers.' Ms Brady said the plans to shut the blast furnaces were made by the last Tory government and the union wanted Labour to 'make good on their promises to our members in Port Talbot'. Political opponents hit out at Reform's plans, with a Welsh Labour spokesperson saying the people of Wales would 'see through' Mr Farage's false hopes and promises. 'His answer is to bring back the mines. The only thing Nigel Farage is trying to mine is votes from communities that have already gone through tough times,' they said. 'Nigel Farage has today brought his fantasy politics and magic money tree to Port Talbot. He's gambling with real people's livelihoods.' Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, accused Mr Farage of making 'wild promises' without speaking to Tata. Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick argued mining was Wales' past, not its future. Nigel Farage acknowledged 'mining is dangerous' but said the industry could provide well-paying jobs (Ben Birchall/PA) 'My relatives in South Wales worked hard to ensure that their children and grandchildren wouldn't have to do the dangerous work of going down the pits and for future generations to have better opportunities in life,' he said. 'The fact that Nigel Farage doesn't see this shows how poorly he understands Welsh communities.' Heledd Fychan, speaking for Plaid Cymru, accused Mr Farage of 'taking advantage' after the industry said reopening the existing furnaces would be 'impossible.' 'You can imagine my surprise at his calls to reopen the coal mines in Wales, especially considering the actions taken by his political hero, Margaret Thatcher,' she said. 'Reform clearly have no interest in actually improving the lives of the people of Wales, they can only come up with unrealistic and unsubstantiated headlines that will be of no material benefit to the people of Port Talbot or Wales. Greenpeace also hit out at the plans, saying bringing back British coal 'has about as much chance of success as resurrecting dinosaurs'.
Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Britain's Bond-style ‘Q' boffins unveil underwater drone to take on Putin's cable-cutters…by blowing them to smithereens
BRITAIN'S top defence brainboxes have unveiled a Bond-style underwater drone designed to stop Putin's cable-cutting saboteurs in their tracks. The super sub can hunt out and destroy sabotage threats lurking on the seabed - by blowing them to smithereens. 5 The underwater drone can prevent adversaries from sabotaging undersea cables and pipelines by disarming or removing threats Credit: UK Gov 5 The high-tech robot has already been trialled Portsmouth's Horsea Island, Portland Harbour, South Wales and Norway Credit: UK Gov 5 The sub targets any potential saboteurs by blowing them to smithereens Credit: UK GOV Developed by the MoD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), it is armed and ready to protect the UK's vital undersea cables and pipelines. Using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), Dstl's boffins have added cutting-edge sensors, cameras, and explosive systems to high-tech underwater robot. That way, operators are able to spot unexploded bombs, place charges remotely, and safely neutralise the threat — without risking Royal Navy divers. John, a Dstl explosives engineer, said: 'This technology would be a valuable toolset for keeping our Armed Forces safe whilst providing the public with value for money. 'This unique capability with its sensors, tools and cameras will give operators a real time ability to deal with these underwater hazards in a safe, effective and efficient way.' The underwater drone goes deeper than any diver can, staying down for far longer and working tirelessly. It can be launched from a ship or even a shoreline, sending back sonar and video feeds to operators who remain at a safe distance while disarming explosives or fending off hostile actions. Crucially, it's reusable. Once a threat is neutralised, the drone sub lives to dive another day - cutting costs while keeping seas safe. The project is also a win for British industry, supporting specialist jobs through partnerships with firms like Alford Technologies, Atlantas Marine, Sonardyne and ECS Special Projects. Trials have already taken place in Portsmouth's Horsea Island, Portland Harbour, South Wales and as far afield as Norway. Putin humiliated as Russian war facility EXPLODES in Ukrainian drone strike The Royal Navy is now developing tactics and techniques to make full use of the new tech. The Ministry of Defence hailed the innovation on social media, calling it a leap forward in protecting sailors and vital undersea cables. The new underwater drone arrives amid warnings about Russian undersea activity in UK waters. In April, it was revealed that Kremlin spy sensors had been found close to British territory — believed to be tracking the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines. The sensors, reportedly deployed using Russian oligarchs' luxury yachts, were discovered washed ashore and picked up by Navy minehunter ships. Officials fear the covert operation could be part of a wider 'greyzone' campaign to gather intelligence and target undersea infrastructure. Royal Navy and RAF assets were scrambled last November when the suspected Russian spy ship Yantar was seen 'lurking around pipelines and internet cables' in the Irish Sea. Around the same time, RAF fighter jets intercepted a Russian warplane over the North Sea, and unmanned Russian underwater vehicles were also detected near communication cables. 5 The Minehunter HMS Cattistock (R) shadowing Admiral Vladimirsky through the English Channel Credit: SWNS 5 One senior source told The Sunday Times: 'It's a bit like the space race. This is a world clouded in secrecy and subterfuge… but there's enough smoke to suggest something is on fire somewhere.' In March, HMS Cattistock and a Wildcat helicopter were sent to monitor the Admiral Vladimirskiy, a so-called research ship revealed in 2023 to be a spy vessel suspected of probing Britain's power supply and internet links. HMS Somerset and other Royal Navy units were also deployed multiple times to escort Russian vessels including a beach landing ship returning from the Mediterranean. At least 11 internet cables in the Baltic Sea have been damaged in the past 15 months — some suspected to have been dragged by Russian ships — while surface vessels like the Admiral Vladimirskiy have continued probing waters near the UK. In response, military chiefs are drawing up Operation Atlantic Bastion — a sweeping new patrol mission using air, land and sea forces to defend UK and Nato interests in the North Atlantic.
Leader Live
42 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Nigel Farage calls for ‘re-industrialisation' of Wales
On a visit to South Wales, the leader of Reform UK said the resumption of traditional steelmaking and coal production is the party's long-term ambition if it comes to power. The speech came one year ahead of the Senedd elections in May next year, where the party is looking to end Labour's 26 years of domination. Addressing reporters, Mr Farage acknowledged that plans to open a traditional furnace could take years and cost 'in the low billions'. The GMB Union has branded the plans 'more lies from an opportunistic chancer'. Port Talbot's remaining blast furnaces were shut down in September, with a new electric arc furnace being built in their place. Tata Steel, the owner of the plant, said the closure of the furnaces was necessary, with the steelworks losing £1m a day. 'Our ambition is to re-industrialise Wales,' Mr Farage said. 'We are going to be using more steel over the next few years than we have probably ever used. 'As we increase military spending and as we attempt a house building programme in Wales, and even more so in England, of massive proportions, just to catch up with the population explosion over the last 20 years, we are going to need a lot of steel.' The Reform leader said 'specific types of coal' are needed in the UK, particularly for a new blast furnace. 'I'm not saying let's open all of the pits,' he said. 'What I am saying is coal, specific types of coal for certain uses that we still need in this country – and we certainly will need for the blast furnaces here – we should be producing ourselves rather than importing.' While he acknowledged 'mining is dangerous', Mr Farage said the industry could provide well-paying jobs. The Reform leader acknowledged the plan to open a new furnace would cost 'in the low billions' and would be 'no easy thing'. 'It's a massive, expensive job to reopen blast furnaces, we're going to need cheaper energy, we're going to need much cheaper coal, we are going to need private business partners prepared to come into a joint venture,' he said. Responding to the GMB Union allegations that his party's plans were 'lies', Mr Farage said the union was tied to the Labour Party as one of its biggest funders. He said: 'They see us as a challenge, and therefore, they'll be rude about us. 'What you will find is that increasingly, GMB members are going to vote for us, and the more GMB members vote for us, the more upset GMB officials and leaders will become. 'Frankly, the trade unions have done nothing to protect British workers through open borders over the last 20-25 years.' During his speech, Mr Farage said he doubted that the electric arc furnace, which is due to come online in 2028, 'will ever, ever be switched on'. Challenged on what evidence he had, he argued that with British energy prices being so high, it would be producing 'very, very expensive secondary steel'. He added: 'I hope I'm wrong, an electric arc furnace is not the real deal, but it's better than nothing.' Mr Farage said the party's campaign for the Senedd election next May 'starts today', but would not say when Reform would announce a leader in Wales. Regional officer Ruth Brady, speaking at the GMB's annual conference in Brighton, said: 'The people of Port Talbot will see this for what it is – more lies from this opportunistic chancer. 'Nigel Farage was happy to let British Steel go to the wall. He'll trot out any line when the cameras are rolling. He doesn't care about steel communities or steel workers.' Ms Brady said the plans to shut the blast furnaces were made by the last Tory government and the union wanted Labour to 'make good on their promises to our members in Port Talbot'. Political opponents hit out at Reform's plans, with a Welsh Labour spokesperson saying the people of Wales would 'see through' Mr Farage's false hopes and promises. 'His answer is to bring back the mines. The only thing Nigel Farage is trying to mine is votes from communities that have already gone through tough times,' they said. 'Nigel Farage has today brought his fantasy politics and magic money tree to Port Talbot. He's gambling with real people's livelihoods.' Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, accused Mr Farage of making 'wild promises' without speaking to Tata. Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick argued mining was Wales' past, not its future. 'My relatives in South Wales worked hard to ensure that their children and grandchildren wouldn't have to do the dangerous work of going down the pits and for future generations to have better opportunities in life,' he said. 'The fact that Nigel Farage doesn't see this shows how poorly he understands Welsh communities.' Heledd Fychan, speaking for Plaid Cymru, accused Mr Farage of 'taking advantage' after the industry said reopening the existing furnaces would be 'impossible.' 'You can imagine my surprise at his calls to reopen the coal mines in Wales, especially considering the actions taken by his political hero, Margaret Thatcher,' she said. 'Reform clearly have no interest in actually improving the lives of the people of Wales, they can only come up with unrealistic and unsubstantiated headlines that will be of no material benefit to the people of Port Talbot or Wales. Greenpeace also hit out at the plans, saying bringing back British coal 'has about as much chance of success as resurrecting dinosaurs'.
