The US Democratic Party is in need of a rebuild. Their first problem is Bernie Sanders
As the US Democratic Party tries to rebuild following a series of devastating election defeats, they find themselves with a dilemma. His name is Bernie Sanders, and he's shouting himself hoarse on a stage in Pennsylvania.
The Vermont senator, now 83 years old, refuses to go away — no matter how much party bosses might want him to.
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Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
TP O'Mahony: Pope Leo's words on Gaza have gone unheeded in the Knesset and the White House
With Gaza haunted by the spectre of mass starvation, Pope Leo XIV's call for respect for humanitarian law has gone unheeded in the two places on Earth where it requires compliance if peace in the Middle East is ever to be achieved - the White House in Washington DC and the Knesset in Jerusalem. The phrase 'the globalisation of indifference' has for too long accurately described the inaction of the international community to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza, and its collective punishment of the Palestinian people. When I learned just over a month ago that nine out of 10 members of one family had been killed in Gaza during an Israeli raid, I thought - in my naivety - that if one incident could stir the conscience of the international community this was surely it. Never, it seemed to me, were the lessons of Pope John XXIII's great encyclical Pacem in Terris ('Peace on Earth') more apposite. But in today's troubled world it is the absence of peace - the peace of which John XXIII spoke so eloquently and movingly back in 1963 - that is one of its most worrying features. Gaza is a shocking example, but it is by no means the only example of the world's lawlessness. In 2024 there were 61 'state-based conflicts' in the world, the most since 1946, according to the Peace Research Institute in Oslo. And that was before the Israel-Iran conflict. We may well ask: why are there so many wars? That lawlessness - fostered by President Donald's Trump's disregard for international law, conventions and norms - is tragically evident on a daily basis in Gaza. Each day Palestinians continue to be killed while attempting to collect food for their families. Medicins Sans Frontieres has accurately described the system as 'slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid'. The Belfast rap trio Kneecap - who have drawn a lot of criticism, especially in the British media - have been unflinching in their support for the Palestinian people. JJ O Dochartaigh, one of the group, said in a pre-Glastonbury interview: Everyone knows what's happening is wrong. You can't even try to deny it now - Israel's government is just acting with impunity and getting away with it. Gaza's health ministry says that over 58,000 people (mostly civilians) have died in Israeli attacks since the war began. And that number grows daily. Studies at Yale and other universities suggest the official tolls are being underestimated. Meanwhile, the two-state solution - backed by Ireland and other countries - is looking more and more remote. The political situation is not helped by the fact that the Trump White House does not see an independent Palestinian state as a goal. Matters are also not helped by the fact that the EU is divided on support for a Palestinian state, or how to respond to the systematic destruction of Palestinian life in Gaza, beyond mere words. Kaja Kallas, the foreign policy chief of the EU - Israel's biggest trading partner - has said that 'all options are on the table'. But so far there is no agreement on a plan of action. Ireland has played its part, at least in terms of recognition, much to the chagrin of the Israelis. On May 22, 2024, it was officially announced by the then Taoiseach Simon Harris that 'Ireland will recognise the State of Palestine, effective 28 May'. Ireland made the announcement on the same day as Spain and Norway. 'Ireland today recognises Palestine as a nation among nations with all the rights and responsibilities that entails,' said the Taoiseach. Ireland has for many decades recognised the State of Israel and its right to exist in pace and security. We had hoped to recognise Palestine as part of a two-state peace deal but instead we recognise Palestine to keep the hope of that two-state solution alive. The formal recognition of the State of Israel was an altogether different story. The new state of Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948, and it immediately sought diplomatic recognition from countries around the world. The United States, under President Truman, was the first to grant recognition. On May 28, 1948, Ireland received a telegram from the Israeli foreign secretary asking that 'Eire may grant official recognition to the state of Israel and its provisional government'. On June 4, the Irish government discussed the telegram, and it was decided that 'no action be taken on the telegram apart from the appropriate acknowledgement'. 'For Ireland the issues of Israeli statehood, protection of the Holy Places, the status of Jerusalem and diplomatic recognition remained unresolved. It could have chosen any tack concerning Israel, including the Arab position that the partition of Palestine was illegitimate . . . Instead, Ireland chose the position of the Holy See as a basis for its policy towards Israel. "Not only did the Holy Places argument win prestige for Ireland from the Holy See, but placing such a condition on recognition meant that Ireland would not be entering into diplomatic relations with Israel in the immediate future,' according to Paula Wylie, lecturer in international relations at the University of North Carolina (she studied at UCC). A charity organization distributed food to Palestinians facing severe difficulties accessing basic necessities due to Israel's ongoing blockade and military operations in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. Photo: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images The Holy See's policy was that there would be no recognition of Israel until it guaranteed the internationalisation of Jerusalem and the protection of, and free access to, the Holy Places throughout Palestine. 'Ireland's policy of non-recognition towards Israel was maintained by the Department of External Affairs from 1949 to 1963 as a unilateral foreign policy. To date, historians have accepted the thesis that Ireland refused de jure recognition to protest Israel's lack of regard for the Holy Places in and around Jerusalem,' wrote Ms Wylie. On February 11, 1949, the Irish Government had granted de facto recognition to the state of Israel, an acceptance of the situation on the ground. The New York Times reported Ireland's de jure recognition of Israel in January 1964, just after Pope Paul VI's historic visit to Israel and the Holy Places. Recognising the State of Palestine On June 29, 2025 - 10 years after the Holy See formally recognised the State of Palestine - the new minister of state for foreign affairs of the Palestinian Authority, Varsen Aghabekian, said the 2015 agreement offered a 'vision of hope for the future of the Holy Land'. The historic agreement between the Holy See and Palestine was signed on June 26, 2015, making the Holy See one of the first states in Europe to recognise the statehood of Palestine. The question now is who will follow the example of the Holy See and Ireland? The 'vision of hope' to which the Palestinian foreign minister referred will remain dormant until Israel's ends its collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza. The Trump White House is the key to that. Only Washington can persuade Benjamin Netanyahu to abandon his genocidal war. Meanwhile, the peace for which Pope John XXIII so fervently pleaded and prayed still seems in this troubled world a distant prospect. But without it, at least in the Middle East, the dialogue that could prepare the way for a solution in which two states, Israel and Palestine, can co-exist side-by-side with equal dignity, respect and security, cannot even begin. Read More Israeli official says Gaza ceasefire proposal from Hamas is 'workable'
RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Donald Trump to travel to Scotland for five-day trip
US President Donald Trump will travel to Scotland today for a five-day trip that will see him visit two of his golf resorts. During the latter part of his semi-private visit Mr Trump is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney. However, a number of protests have been organised across Scotland, in opposition to Mr Trump's visit. They are due to take place tomorrow in areas such as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. In a statement this week, the PSNI said that officers would "support Police Scotland colleagues in the planning and safe delivery of policing around the US presidential visit". Mr Trump will visit his Turnberry resort on the west coast of Scotland and his Aberdeen hotel on the east coast, where he is due to open a second golf course, named after his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. It is expected that the focus of Mr Trump's meeting with Mr Starmer will be on refining a trade agreement, with hopes on the British side that 25% tariffs on steel can be reduced. Speaking ahead of his arrival, Eddie Barnes, director of the school of social and political sciences at the University of Glasgow, said the visit presented an "opportunity" for Mr Starmer, in terms of having a chance to discuss key issues such as Gaza, Ukraine and trade. He also said it presented a similar opportunity for Mr Swinney, who has previously criticised Donald Trump and called for September's state visit not to go ahead. "Like the Irish, who have always been great at using any connection that visiting Presidents might have to Ireland, here we have a President who has a strong connection to Scotland and it's therefore a great opportunity for John Swinney to use those connections in Scotland's best interest", Mr Barnes explained. The visit to Scotland comes ahead of Donald Trumps official state visit to the UK in September.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump's friendship from president getting schooled in ring to WWE superstar ripping shirt at RNC
DONALD Trump has memorialized his close friend and fellow patriot Hulk Hogan, who made a wild transformation from Barack Obama supporter to MAGA loyalist before his sudden death at 71. The two 8 Donald Trump and Hulk Hogan developed a tight-knit friendship before the WWE star's sudden death Credit: X/DanScavino 8 Hogan and fellow wrestler Andre the Giant met at a wrestling match hosted at a Trump Plaza in 1987 Credit: Alamy 8 Last year, Hogan brought down the house when he ripped his shirt during a speech at the Republican National Convention Credit: Getty On Thursday morning, Hogan His death came after years of health struggles brought on by decades of intense weight lifting and sparring in the ring. In May, he had a "fusion" neck surgery, but quickly got back to work one day later. Just weeks before he collapsed, Hogan was in the hospital, but his wife Sky quashed rumors that his health was failing and said that his heart was "strong." more on hulk hogan Most fans know Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, for being a wrestling legend who However, in recent years, voters may have seen him crop up more at Trump rallies and, just about a year ago, give a fiery speech at the Republican National Convention. In his jaw-dropping address, Hogan called the president the "toughest of them all" and said he was looking forward to four more years of a MAGA-run White House. "As an entertainer, I try to stay out of politics," said Hogan. Most read in Sport "But after everything that's happened to our country over the past four years, and everything that happened last weekend, I can no longer stay silent." Hogan called Trump a "real American hero" and told viewers that he was proud to support the candidate for another term. WWE legend Ric Flair leads tributes to 'close friend' Hulk Hogan who has died aged 71 "At the end of the day, with our leader up there, my hero, that gladiator, we're going to bring America back together one real American at a time, brother," Hogan said. The wrestling legend ended his speech by ripping off a black sleeveless t-shirt and revealing a Trump Vance 2024 shirt underneath as the president watched on and smiled. In his emotional tribute, Trump remembered this speech, calling it "electric" as he mourned his "great friend." "Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way - Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart," he wrote in a Truth Social post. "He entertained fans from all over the world, and the cultural impact he had was massive [...] Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!" 8 Hogan said he fondly remembered Trump taking part in WrestleMania 23 Credit: YouTube/WWE 8 Trump is a massive wrestling fan and befriended Hogan before he ran for office Credit: Getty 8 In October, Hogan came to a Trump event at Madison Square Garden in New York City Credit: AP HOGAN PRAISES TRUMP Hogan said that he "learned a lot" from watching Trump in an episode of The wrestler described the president as "personable," and fondly remembered the time Trump went head-to-head against WWE co-founder Vince McMahon for WrestleMania 23. Trump and McMahon each sponsored a wrestler for the event and made a bet that whoever lost the match would have to get their head shaved. McMahon ended up losing, so Trump brought clippers and a razor into the ring and shaved the founder's head as he screamed to the crowd. Hogan admired the future president for taking the bit even further, as he actually agreed to take part in some wrestling action. "We wanted a little something extra out of Trump," said Hogan. Hogan said that they asked if WWE star "Stone Cold" Steve Austin could kick Trump in the belly after the shaving stunt, and Trump said, "Oh, no problem." Hulk Hogan career timeline 1977: Made his professional wrestling debut. 1979: Joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and gained recognition. 1982: Appeared as "Thunderlips" in the film Rocky III , significantly boosting his mainstream exposure. 1984: Defeated The Iron Sheik to win his first WWF Championship, ushering in the "Hulkamania" era. 1985: Main evented the first-ever WrestleMania, teaming with Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. 1987: Slammed Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in one of wrestling's most iconic moments. 1993: Departed WWF for World Championship Wrestling (WCW). 1996: Shocked the wrestling world by turning heel and forming the New World Order (nWo) with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash at Bash at the Beach, becoming "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan. 2001: Returned to WWE after WCW was acquired. 2002: Had a memorable match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8. 2005: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. 2005-2007: Starred in the reality TV show "Hogan Knows Best." 2012: Had his last official televised match for TNA Impact, though he made sporadic appearances in WWE afterward. 2020: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for a second time as a member of the nWo. Hogan also remembered when he first met Trump after they rented out a Trump Plaza hotel for a wrestling event in 1987. He said that he was struck by how humble and friendly Trump was when they first met, and how the billionaire stuck around to watch nearly all of the matches. "He came to the back, met all the wrestlers, just sat down, started talking to us," Hogan said. "He's the same guy now that he was back then; he hasn't changed a bit. He's just a really quality person." 8 Hogan and his wife chatted with the Trump family at the RNC Credit: Getty 8 Trump took part in a WWE tournament one year Credit: YouTube/WWE REPUBLICAN TURN Hogan admitted that he was a staunch Obama supporter before making a shocking u-turn to the GOP in 2011 over a petty issue. The wrestler explained that he was soured by the Democrat leader when Obama used his song Real American for his entrance at that year's White House Correspondents' Dinner. 'I kind of was a little upset that he didn't ask me permission to use my music,' Hogan said in a 2011 interview with Fox and Friends. 'I was a big Obama supporter and kinda, like, believed everything he said he was gonna do,' Hogan said. Hulk Hogan tributes Tributes have poured in for Hulk Hogan following his death at 71 years old. "When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother." - "Saddened To Hear About The Passing of Hulk Hogan…I Guess God Needed An Incredible Angel. R.I.P. My Friend." - "He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!" - "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans." - "R.I.P to a legend. HULK HOGAN." - "Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we'd get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace." - The WWE star went on to endorse Mitt Romney for the 2012 election, and he wanted Americans to have a "fresh start." After his death, Vice President JD Vance deemed Hogan a "great American icon and said he was "one of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid." "The last time I saw him we promised we'd get beers together next time we saw each other," Vance said. "The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace." Police statement on Hulk Hogan's death Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach. The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. A media briefing will be at 1:30 p.m. at Clearwater Police Department headquarters, 645 Pierce St. Some parking is available east of the building; additional parking is in the old fire station parking lot just west of police headquarters. The briefing is being held at the police department in an attempt to protect the privacy of the family. Any media compelled to respond to the scene should park in the rear of the Carlouel Yacht Club, 1091 Eldorado Ave. The staging area is located at Eldorado and Bay Esplanade.
