Richard Barton

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there would be 'no quarter, no mercy' as US continues to pummel Iran

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there would be 'no quarter, no mercy' as US continues to pummel Iran https://aje.news/mbm3af

Advocates push for major probe as US boat strikes in Latin America kill 157 The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is set to hold first hearing on US's alleged extrajudicial killings.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is set to hold first hearing on US’s alleged extrajudicial killings.

The 1996 Helms–Burton Act locked the 🇺🇸 blockade into law & threatens companies that trade with the island.
For 20+yrs presidents suspended Title III – but Trump activated it in 2019, allowing lawsuits against foreign firms and escalating economic warfare on 🇨🇺
#handsoffcuba

Gates with scrolling foliage design in four quadrants.

Wrought iron & brass gates - 1862-65
Designer - Bruce James Talbert

Made by Skidmores Art Manufactures, Coventry, England.

Now National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

#IronworkThursday
#MetalworkThursday

Dismay as ancient heritage sites across Iran damaged in US-Israel bombing Golestan palace in Tehran, a world heritage site, and buildings in historic city of Isfahan harmed, despite Unesco sending coordinates * Middle East crisis – latest updates The governor of the historic Iranian city of Isfahan has accused the US and Israel of a “declaration of war on a civilization” as heritage sites across the country suffer damage in their bombing campaign. The most serious confirmed damage to date has been to Tehran’s Golestan palace, dating back to the 14th century, and the 17th-century Chehel Sotoon palace in Isfahan. Continue reading...

Dismay as ancient heritage sites across Iran damaged in US-Israel bombing

Missile strike hits boundary of archaeological site in Tyre, Lebanon as minister calls for Unesco intervention An Israeli airstrike caused “material damage” to the entrance of the Unesco World Heritage site according to the Lebanese ministry of culture

www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/10/l...

A splendid 'Berkeley Arch' - thank you!

The global rights group says erosion of health, safety in Gaza 'a deliberate act of war targeting women and girls'

The global rights group says erosion of health, safety in Gaza 'a deliberate act of war targeting women and girls' https://aje.news/gcds54

What is the ‘acid rain’ in the wake of U.S. bombings in Iran? Iranian residents have reported headaches, difficulty breathing, and oil-contaminated rain settling on buildings and cars after the bombing of oil depots

What is the ‘acid rain’ in the wake of U.S. bombings in Iran?

🚢 28 tonnes of rice and lentils on their way to Cuba.

With fuel sanctioned, shortages are worsening.

The is the 1st Cuba Vive food shipment following 6 consignments of medical aid already sent.

More containers leaving soon.
Please donate if you can. bit.ly/CubaViveFood26

Brilliant event today. Thank you Salim and Leeds comrades.

🇨🇺 CSC Leeds host Salim Lamrani, French academic, historian, journalist and author of 'The Economic War Against Cuba', to discuss the the current crisis facing the island.

🗓️ Tue 10 March
🕛 12pm - 1pm
📍 Online
🔗 cuba-solidarity.org.uk/events/560/hands-off-cuba---csc-leeds-online-meeting

James II depicted dressed as a Jesuit, Unknown artist, during or after 1688 "Mais un Orange a tout gâté" (British Museum)

Toads

Israel unlawfully used white phosphorus in Lebanon: HRW Images verified by Human Rights Watch show Israel fired white phosphorus in populated areas of southern Lebanon.

Images verified by Human Rights Watch show Israel fired white phosphorus in populated areas of southern Lebanon.

Westminster Meeting House raided by Metropolitan Police again. Statement: “For Quakers, faith and action are inseparable. Peaceful protest, prayer and nonviolent action are integral parts of many Quakers' religious life. Whilst we take the planning of criminal acts very seriously, we believe that this incident is a deliberate targeting of committed young people who want to make our country a more equitable place. This raid is part of a systematic stifling of dissent. That this is the second time in a year that the police have raided our meeting house dramatically illuminates the broader trend in the UK of cracking down on those who disagree with the government. The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. It's a key part of how people make their voices heard between elections.” – Oliver Robertson, Head of Witness and Worship Quakers in Britain, 5 March 2026

Yesterday evening, for the second time in a year, the Met Police raided Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrested a number of young nonviolent activists.

STATEMENT: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

‘We're here to make politics bolder’ WELSH GREEN leader Anthony Slaughter is an unusual politician because he has not studied a politics degree, been a political researcher, nor is he a lawyer.Slaughter used to work as a gardener until r...

‘We're here to make politics bolder’ - In the second of a series of interviews with leaders of progressive parties in Wales ahead of the May 7 Senedd election DAVID NICHOLSON talks to Welsh Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/were...

The Festival of the Toadstool Dance
by Annie Stegg

Belgian Art Deco (Boom BE)

Belgian Art Deco (Boom BE)

According to Scottish folklore, hedgehogs were associated with wisdom, protection, and magic. In English folklore, hedgehogs were believed to be witches' familiars or even shape-shifting witches.

🎨Lily Seika Jones #Folklore

Bluebells in West Woods
from The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame, born #OTD (1859)

🎨Chris Dunn

The bronze door of the Roskilde Cathedral in Denmark, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The bronze door of the Roskilde Cathedral in Denmark, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Campaign seeks 50 objects to ‘take the heat’ out of Englishness debate Billy Bragg, Sarah Lucas and Kojo Koram among those encouraging people to share cultural artefacts For some people it’s a Morris Minor, for others, a beach windbreak, chicken tikka masala or Magna Carta. A new campaign is aiming to collect 50 objects that sum up Englishness in an effort to move the conversation away from reductive arguments over whether to hang a St George’s flag or not. Continue reading...

Campaign seeks 50 objects to ‘take the heat’ out of Englishness debate

Where structural masonry becomes architectural expression the stunning new belvedere at Begijnhof Hasselt, Belgium.

Where structural masonry becomes architectural expression the stunning new belvedere at Begijnhof Hasselt, Belgium.

Most Reform members believe non-white UK citizens born abroad should be forced or encouraged to leave, poll finds Nigel Farage’s recent efforts to woo centre-ground voters may cause tension in party’s right flank, says Hope Not Hate

People vote for Reform UK for a variety of different reasons, including deep economic pessimism.

But this polling shows that there is an extreme and racist group within the membership.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Drone video showed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem empty at the start of the third Friday in Ramadan, after Israeli authorities restricted access to holy sites.

Reform are denying me access to the Welsh manifesto launch...

Remember a few weeks ago when Reform UK threatened to defund Bangor University in the name of "free speech"?

Well despite repeated requests, Reform are not allowing me to attend their manifesto launch.

1/3

And as I was green and carefree, famous among the barns
About the happy yard and singing as the farm was home

~Dylan Thomas

This week #BookologyThursday takes a pastoral jaunt in literature, art & lore with the theme:

🍃🐏IDYLLIC IDYLS🐑🍃

🎨Dora Carrington (1921)

U.S. Troops Were Told Iran War Is for “Armageddon,” Return of Jesus Advocacy group reports commanders giving similar messages at more than 30 installations in every branch of the military

EXCLUSIVE: At more than 30 installations, U.S. commanders told troops the war on Iran is a Christian war.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has been “inundated” with more than 110 complaints.

One NCO said they were told the U.S. war is to bring about Armageddon and the return of Jesus…

UK slashes climate aid programmes for developing countries Exclusive: Schemes worth hundreds of millions of pounds to protect biodiversity and oceans likely to be substantially reduced UK programmes to protect nature and the climate in developing countries are suffering swingeing budget cuts despite ministers’ promises, the Guardian has learned. The cuts belie the government’s claims to be fulfilling international obligations on climate finance and are veiled behind a system that experts have slammed as opaque. The cutting and partial closure of the £100m Biodiverse Landscapes Fund, intended to protect nature in vital ecosystems in poor regions overseas. Six regions were originally targeted, in Africa, South America and Asia, but this has been reduced to two. Coast – a project for Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition – and Pact (Prepare and Accelerate Climate Transitions) are having substantial cuts. The future of the £500m Blue Planet Fund has been thrown into doubt despite its successful operation. Other schemes have been reduced in scope, for instance by allowing only one year’s funding where years were expected. Requests for data under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed spending has been slashed among the departments responsible for international climate finance (ICF). Continue reading...

UK slashes climate aid programmes for developing countries