Scott McCafferty

⭕️ Israel Extends Death Penalty Law to West Bank Palestinians The commander of Israel’s Central Command signed an order Sunday extending Israel’s new death penalty for “terrorism” law to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, despite warnings from Israeli legal officials that the measure applies discriminatorily because no equivalent law exists for Jewish Israelis accused of nationalist violence. The law applies to anyone acting “with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel” — wording legal advisers said makes prosecuting Jewish nationalist terrorism under the statute “difficult, if not impossible,” while Palestinians could face execution for the same offense. Israeli legal officials warned the move could amount to de facto annexation, as Israel extends civilian legislation into occupied territory while maintaining separate legal systems for Jews and Palestinians — a system widely described by human rights organizations as apartheid. A Justice Ministry representative reportedly called the extension “highly problematic.” The law does not apply to Hamas fighters who participated in October 7, who fall under separate legislation.

International creditors are alarmed that of the £132bn Labour borrowed during the fiscal year to March, a jaw-dropping £110bn went on debt interest payments – almost the same as state education spending, twice what we spend on defence. Yes, the Tories left national debt north of 90pc of GDP. But this economically naive government has made a bad situation far worse. Now, with Labour lurching further left after getting hammered in recent local elections, the markets are calling time. It’s clear Keir Starmer will soon be replaced by someone even more leftwing. All leadership rivals in the frame would crank up borrowing and spending even more than Labour already has since taking office in July 2024. Back then, the Office for Budget Responsibility was forecasting state borrowing of £323bn by the end of the fiscal year 2029. Labour’s run-away spending and growth-crushing tax rises means that same five-year borrowing forecast is now £583bn – 80pc higher. But the trade unions, MPs and Labour activists who will choose Starmer’s successor want even more. Since Labour took office, the UK’s 10-year gilt yield has risen by 1.16 percentage points (or 116 basis points), compared to 86bps in France, 79bps in Germany and just 17bps in Italy. 🧵6/7

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the rise of social media is a major reason for US people's view of Israel as unfavorable.