A UK Socialist's blog

Witch’s cat

Black cat Spider passed today at age fifteen. His life is celebrated at it’s conclusion, he had a good life and was the best of cats.
Edit: Shall we get real here? I asked for him to be euthanised and it was done. It’s a difficult decision with your loved ones. You obviously don’t want them in pain (and that was very important for me).

I loved my cat Spider. I also had respect for him and would not see him suffer Xl

Continue ReadingWitch’s cat

Surfers to ‘paddle out’ across Britain in protest over failing water sector

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/surfers-paddle-out-across-britain-protest-over-failing-water-sector

 People take part in a protest by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), in Falmouth, who are calling for an end to the sewage discharges plaguing the UK’s rivers and seas, May 18, 2024

SURFERS are set to paddle out across Britain’s coasts, rivers and lakes tomorrow in nationwide protests demanding an end to private ownership of the water sector.

Led by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), groups will gather at more than 50 locations for the annual protest.

Protesters in England will also oppose the Water Reform Bill, announced in the King’s Speech on Wednesday, which they say will entrench privatisation in law rather than reverse it.

Ministers have ruled out returning water companies to public ownership. An annual survey by the Consumer Council for Water found that trust in water companies has plunged to a new low, with most concerns centring on sewage mismanagement and soaring bills.

SAS chief executive Giles Bristow said: “The Water Reform Bill is nothing more than a whitewash, locking in a failed system that has seen pollution, shareholder profits and consumer bills soar over three decades.

“Public support for privatised water has all but vanished and while thousands take to the beaches in protest, the government is burying its head in the sand.”

Polling commissioned by SAS found that only 7 per cent of adults in England believe water companies should remain privately owned.

Some 77 per cent supported a change in operating model, with 35 per cent backing full public ownership.

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/surfers-paddle-out-across-britain-protest-over-failing-water-sector

Continue ReadingSurfers to ‘paddle out’ across Britain in protest over failing water sector

Human Rights Watch says reports of sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners align with previous findings

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Palestinian prisoners detained by the Israeli army are taken to the Nasser Hospital for medical treatment after being released by the Israeli forces in Khan Yunis, Gaza on August 20, 2024 [Doaa Albaz/Anadolu Agency]

Human Rights Watch said reports detailing sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention facilities are consistent with findings from previous investigations conducted by the organisation and other rights groups.

The statement was made by deputy Director of Human Rights Watch and its representative to the European Union institutions, Claudio Francavilla in remarks to Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

Francavilla said information published in a report by Nicholas Kristof regarding sexual abuse and rape of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons corresponds with evidence previously documented by Human Rights Watch and other organisations.

He called for impartial and transparent investigations, fair legal proceedings and unrestricted access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and independent monitors to all Israeli detention facilities.

Francavilla also urged the European Union to take concrete measures to pressure Israeli authorities to halt what he described as ongoing grave human rights violations and ensure accountability.

The comments came after The New York Times published a report alleging that Palestinian men and women detained in Israeli prisons had been subjected to multiple forms of sexual violence.

Israel criticised the report following its publication on Monday.

READ: International human rights organisations call for UN action on proposed “Execution of Palestinian Prisoners Law”

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ...
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone …
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says disinhibition and swearing are typical and common symptoms, small Orca speaks bluntly.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says disinhibition and swearing are typical and common symptoms, small Orca speaks bluntly.

Continue ReadingHuman Rights Watch says reports of sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners align with previous findings