Once the bustling heart of Christian pilgrimage, Bethlehem now faces shuttered hotels, empty streets and a shrinking Christian community, while Israel’s assault on Gaza and the tightening grip of occupation destroy hopes of peace at the birthplace of Christ, writes Father GEOFF BOTTOMS
THERE is an important motion currently before the Scottish Parliament which enjoys the support of Green, SNP and Labour MSPs, including leading left MSPs like Labour leader Richard Leonard, Neil Findlay and Elaine Smith.
It also has the backing of Trade Justice Scotland — a coalition of 27 trade unions, organisations and local activist groups campaigning against unjust trade deals.
The motion demands, among other (good) things that “trade deals should not allow courts outside of the domestic legal system to grant special legal rights to corporations … and that public services should always be excluded from trade deals.”
US tariffs have had Von der Leyen bowing in submission, while comments from the former European Central Bank leader call for more European political integration and less individual state sovereignty. All this adds up to more pain and austerity ahead, argues NICK WRIGHT
Starmer sabotaged Labour with his second referendum campaign, mobilising a liberal backlash that sincerely felt progressive ideals were at stake — but the EU was then and is now an entity Britain should have nothing to do with, explains NICK WRIGHT



