UK's jolly good idea about nuclear weapons is utter nonsense and this is why
The Russian invasion of Ukraine seems to give us a fine example of nuclear deterrence at work.
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Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
John Swinney urged not to drop Scotland's ban on cash for weapons in face of Russia threat
The First Minister said he could 'reconsider' the SNP's longstanding policy against directly funding munitions amid the threat from Putin. John Swinney is under pressure not to drop the Scottish Government ban on sending public cash to weapons manufacturing projects. The First Minister last week revealed he could "reconsider" the longstanding policy due to the threat from Russia. It follows an internal review by its business quango, Scottish Enterprise, into its funding of arms companies. Scottish taxpayers have shelled out £8million in grants since 2019 to arms dealers like Leonardo, Raytheon and BAE Systems. The money is not currently allowed to go towards the direct manufacture of munitions, but critics describe the current system of human rights checks as "inadequate". The Scottish Greens and Amnesty International say cash has been awarded to firms involved in manufacture of F-35s and other military tech in Gaza. Greens MSP Patrick Harvie said: 'Scottish tax payers' money should never go towards companies arming regimes that commit war crimes. "In recent years the UK has armed Israel as it engaged in genocide, Saudi Arabia as it pursued a brutal war in Yemen, and Hong Kong and Egypt as they attacked pro-democracy protests. 'The SNP generally falls back on the 'no manufacture of munitions' line to defend the fact that they still fund companies complicit in such crimes. 'Far from retreating from their policy, they should strengthen it by applying human rights checks that actually mean something, instead of the rubber stamp currently applied." He added: 'There are hundreds of projects across the country that provide jobs and positive, productive outcomes for Scotland that would welcome financial support from the government. "There's simply no need to give it to arms dealers and war profiteers.' Swinney had previously said the government's stance against directly funding munitions would remain, with his Cabinet minister Mairi Gougeon previously saying it was based on the party's "principles". But speaking to the Holyrood Sources podcast last week, the SNP chief said: "I'm conscious we are living in a very different context today. The Russian threat is very real. We have to consider these questions." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Deputy first minister Kate Forbes revealed this week a tighter regime of human rights checks for Scottish Enterprise funding of arms firms following a review, but opponents said it would effectively allow the status quo to continue. Neil Cowan, Scotland director at Amnesty International, said: 'The Scottish public must be assured that this review has not simply swept the issues under the carpet.'
Sky News
3 hours ago
- Sky News
Trump says Israel has agreed on terms for 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and has warning for Hamas
Donald Trump has said Israel has agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and is urging Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US president announced the development ahead of hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House next week. He has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to work out a ceasefire and hostage agreement to end the war. "My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalise the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War," Mr Trump wrote on social media - adding that Qatari and Egyptian officials would deliver the final proposal. "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE." It comes as Israel's minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, was in Washington for talks with senior administration officials to discuss a potential ceasefire in Gaza, as well as Iran and other matters. Mr Dermer was expected to meet Vice President JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Analysis: Trump wants to be seen as a peacemaker US correspondent @skydavidblevins This development is significant, but it's not entirely surprising. Behind the scenes, the Israelis have been indicating for a while that they were prepared to sign up to a 60-day ceasefire. The extremists in Benjamin Netanyahu's government are not prepared to accept a permanent truce - so if he were to sign up to that, he risks collapsing his entire government. Sixty days takes them to the point where the Israeli parliament is in recess, so it is much safer for him, politically speaking. But Hamas has always been adamant that it wants a permanent end to the violence in Gaza, and there's no indication at this stage that the organisation is prepared to compromise. So this is Donald Trump piling the pressure on Hamas ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington next Monday. He's hoping he may be in a position at that stage to announce a ceasefire in Gaza - hard on the heels of having brokered an agreement between Israel and Iran. Mr Trump ultimately wants to continue to proclaim himself as the peacemaker in this region. Earlier in the day, Mr Trump told reporters he is hopeful a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement can be achieved between Israel and Hamas next week. Hamas has said it is willing to free the remaining hostages in Gaza under a deal to end the war, while Israel has said the conflict can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled.
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Trump says Israel has agreed on terms for 60-day ceasefire in Gaza
Mr Trump announced the development on Tuesday as he prepares to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House next week. The US leader has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war in Gaza. 'My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,' Mr Trump wrote on social media, saying the Qataris and Egyptians would deliver the final proposal. 'I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.' Israeli minister for strategic affairs Ron Dermer was in Washington on Tuesday for talks with senior administration officials to discuss a potential Gaza ceasefire, Iran and other matters. Me Dermer was expected to meet vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The development came as more than 150 international charities and humanitarian groups called for the disbanding of a controversial Israeli and US-backed system to distribute aid in Gaza because of chaos and deadly violence against Palestinians seeking food at its sites. The joint statement by groups including Oxfam, Save the Children and Amnesty International followed the killings of at least 10 Palestinians who were seeking desperately needed food, witnesses and health officials said. Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes killed at least 37 in southern Gaza's Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital. Before Mr Trump's announcement, Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, had warned that his country would respond forcefully to the firing of a missile the military said originated from Yemen. Sirens sounded across parts of Israel, alerting residents to the attack and the launch of two projectiles from Gaza. All were intercepted by Israeli defence systems. The missile launch marked the first attack by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels since the end of the 12-day war initiated by Israel with Iran. Mr Katz said Yemen could face the same fate as Tehran.
