This week, we marked the 80th anniversary of the first nuclear bomb being dropped on the city and the people of Hiroshima. We honour and remember the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, drawing focus on the horrific impact of nuclear bombs.
Some 214,000 people died⊠an overwhelming number. Buried in that awful statistic is the child victim figure of 38,000. Survivors envied the dead.
Let us awaken to the reality of the true inhumanity of nuclear weapons. There can be no compromise on the issue of nuclear weapons...we either put an end to nuclear weapons, or they will put an end to us.
We make our own pledge to continue to work for peace and disarmament and to do all we can to promote world peace and an end to nuclear armaments.
Current tensions around the globe shows us that nuclear escalation is not a relic of the Cold War, but an increasing clear and present danger. Nuclear weapons have a combined destructive capability of 100,000 Hiroshima or Nagasaki sized bombs. Bringing an end to the world as we know itâŠwith the ability to kill millions of people and kill the climate catastrophically. I believe that nuclear weapons cannot, must not, coexist with humanity.
We are regressing into a world in which the rule of law is replaced with the rule of power.
Let us say loudly on this 80th anniversary: No to War! No to Nuclear Weapons! Yes to Peace! Yes to Disarmament!
Adi Roche, Chernobyl Children International
Church has power to help Gazans
The Catholic Church has an opportunity to make a positive impact on the dire situation in Gaza.
Shortly after his election, the late Pope Francis visited the Island of Lampedusa and made a significant impact in highlighting indifference to migrants and asylum seekers.
Pope Leo could make an equal impact, by visiting Gaza, on the dire situation of the Palestinian people as they die from bullets and starvation.
Even if he got as far as the Raffah crossing, it would send out a powerful message to the people of Gaza that religion has no borders.
Brendan Butler, Drumcondra, DublinÂ
Rich and poor gap widens further
I found Mondayâs article by the Irish Examinerâs Ann Murphy (Cork Crime: Soaring prices drive a surge in the theft of meat) to be a most compelling read.
In her piece, Ms Murphy reports about a rise in shoplifting of expensive cuts of meat where more and more cases are coming before the courts in Cork.
She delineates how the theft-to-order of luxury food is just one of the patterns revealed in this paperâs two-day series based on data from Garda stations.
We learn of situations where certain meats like legs of lamb and steak are being stolen and then sold back on to the black market. One would have to say this that this is really quite indicative of the fact that meat is nearly like a real premium product at this stage.
It is also very much a reflection of the way that prices have surged.
If you look at meats such as fillet steak, one is talking something to the order of âŹ30, âŹ40 or possibly even âŹ50, depending on the size of the packet and depending on the weight. So itâs of significant value in terms of its ability to be sold on, and also the demand that these meats hold.
One must remember that thereâs an inherent appeal for beef, certainly among Irish shoppers.
It would be true to say that beef is very much one of those products thatâs in almost every single shopping basket.
I do believe supermarkets are conscious of the impact of meat prices on shoppers.
The fact that high beef prices are leading to a spike in shoplifting is an indicator of how great the wealth gap is between the rich and the poor.
John OâBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
AI governance framework vital
John Whelanâs article (Every penny of Apple cash needed to back Irish AI, Irish Examiner August 4) reporting on Chinese and American AI initiatives is further proof that digital innovation is accelerating and that all countries are struggling with the societal challenges of AI-driven digital transformation.
Significantly, neither of these initiatives referred explicitly to the existential threats to humanity posed by AI.
These threats have been airbrushed out of the US AI action plan which is designed to facilitate US Big Tech companies, in their go-it-alone, headlong rush to an unregulated era of AI-powered super profits.
However the Chinese proposal, made by premier Li Qiang, at the Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on 26 July, emphasises co-operation, underlining the need to âstrengthen co-ordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possibleâ and to help create a âworld AI co-ordination organisationâ.
Rather than a kneejerk rejection, this proposition should be taken at face value.
Thus Naoise Ă CearĂșilâs proposed national Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 could include an action to spearhead an initiative by Ireland with the EU, the UK, Ukraine, India, and China to create a Global AI Governance framework, supported by appropriate international institutions, that would resonate with citizens, communities and governments everywhere.
Underpinned by a philosophy of digital humanism, it could be the catalyst to garner support worldwide for the global solutions that are necessary for a safer digital future for us all.
This global AI governance framework could be launched at the planned AI conference during Irelandâs EU presidency next year.
Declan Deasy, Castlebellingham, Co Louth
Litter plan must not be binned
I read with interest in your publication recently that Cork County Council is contemplating the creation of a new litter management plan.
As has been the situation so often in the past, when the above subject is discussed, local councillors immediately seek headlines on the issue of illegal dumping.
What is overlooked by local authorities throughout the country is the lack of essential infrastructural provision to reduce and eliminate, where possible, the litter and waste that is dropped on our streets.
This process should be initiated with the adoption of a proactive concept of having all waste taxed at the point of creation in contrast to the present reactionary method where the taxation of waste is not contemplated until it is about to be disposed.
Next the numbers of litter bins and cigarette receptacles should be substantially increased, but unfortunately to date the numbers continue to decline.
I live in the Fermoy municipal district where the entire electoral area including the towns of Fermoy, Mitchelstown, and Doneraile and surrounding villages are denied the most basic environmental infrastructure, namely an civic amenity site.
In conclusion, any plan that lacks the above supports is not worth the paper it is written on.
Tadhg OâDonovan, Fermoy, Co Cork
US must find power to end war
Israelâs recent war waged against Iran was brief, efficient, and effective with outcomes that strengthened its military might and prestige.
However, the war in Gaza is becoming endless, indiscriminate and pointless from a military perspective and with Israel portrayed as a pariah state. Following ceasefire talks in Qatar, it is now time for the USA to muster its power to find a negotiated solution to end the war.
It is indeed essential to do so in order to avoid mass starvation. Moreover, it is in Israelâs national self-interest and would create opportunities to develop a government for Gaza and without whatever is left of Hamas.
Given the weakness of Hamas, the proposed 60-day truce period and ceasefire could be used to form a new governing body supported by the Palestinian Authority, which would take control of Gaza in the next phase with Western and Arab backstop.
What is clearly manifest is the ineptitude, incompetence, cynicism, and indifference that Hamas has shown to Palestinian lives and Gaza citizens.
Without a ceasefire, Gaza will not escape a full-blown famine of apocalyptic dimensions.
Patrick L OâBrien, Kerry Pike, Co Cork
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