Latest news with #Co-op
Spectator
an hour ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Oxfam's Gaza propaganda
An astonishing email from Oxfam, one of Britain's oldest and biggest humanitarian charities, dropped into my inbox this week. Dramatically titled (in blood scarlet) 'Red Lines for Gaza', it demanded that if I am as outraged by the 'horrors that Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza' as Oxfam is, and I want to do something about it, I should scrawl a red line across the palm of my hand and send the image to the charity. They will then use it to make a striking design for their campaign on the Gaza issue in the coming days. The email simply assumed that I must share Oxfam's one sided, extreme and unbalanced views, and would automatically lend my support to their absurd and sinister propaganda stunt Nowhere in the angry text of the email was there any attempt to explain or explore why there is a conflict in Gaza. There was no mention either of what happened on 7 October 2023. Nor was there any indication that the Strip is controlled by Hamas – an armed jihadist terrorist group banned in Britain, which is sworn to the destruction of Israel and the death of its Jewish citizens. A terrorist group who are still holding more than 50 of the hostages they abducted during their invasion of Israel on that deadly October day. The email simply assumed that I must share Oxfam's one sided, extreme and unbalanced views, and would automatically lend my support to their absurd and sinister propaganda stunt. Oxfam has always been a leftist and anti-western organisation, but it's a swift moral decline when the charity ignores the actions of a ferocious and murderous bunch of terrorists so it can focus on Israel. It is not the only household name to take up the anti-Israel cause this week. On Tuesday, the Co-op food retailer announced it would no longer stock produce from Israel or 16 other countries that it deemed guilty of serious human rights violations. The Co-op claimed it made this move as a result of pressure from their members. I hold a Co-op loyalty card myself – but have never once been asked by them for my views on Israel, Gaza, or any other 'human rights' issue. Like Oxfam, the Co-op is a venerable British institution with deep left-wing roots (it was affiliated with the Labour party and even sponsored many of their MPs), but its open support for one side on such a controversial issue is not what I expect from my grocer, and clearly limits its customers' freedom of choice in selecting what they can and cannot buy from the supermarket chain. International politics and buying toilet tissue should be kept firmly apart. Founded in Oxford in 1942 in the midst of the second world war, Oxfam began life as an initiative by a bunch of bien pensant local Quakers and university academics to bring food to people ravaged by the global conflict. After the war, as it grew into an industry and expanded with branches across the world, Oxfam doubtless did much worthy good work in alleviating hunger in famines and relieving suffering caused by wars, earthquakes, floods and similar natural and manmade catastrophes. But in doing so, the charity conglomerate became drawn away from disaster relief and into politics over issues such as national debt and climate change (inevitably on the 'progressive' leftist side). It also has been embroiled in several scandals, leading to suggestions that the once-upstanding institution had become irredeemably tainted. Oxfam workers in Haiti and Chad were accused of sexual abuse and exploitation of the very people they were supposed to be helping; the charity's higher executives drew obscenely high salaries; and in 2017 Oxfam was fined under the Data Protection Act for misusing private information naively entrusted to them by donors. But in its Gaza propaganda, Oxfam has plumbed new depths. That may give the naturally generous and fair-minded British public second thoughts, the next time they are asked by the charity to reach into their wallets.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I tested best supermarket wines to pair with BBQ food for under £10 – winner is perfect with 3 dishes
Scroll down for the exact kind of wine that makes your steak really pop RED, WHITE AND BBQ I tested best supermarket wines to pair with BBQ food for under £10 – winner is perfect with 3 dishes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITAIN will bask in 30-degree heat this weekend, so it's time to fire up the barbie and eat al fresco. But when you are buying the best foods to enjoy grilled in the garden, don't forget to think about what to drink. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Helena Nicklin has matched barbecue dishes with the perfect wine accompaniments Credit: Oliver Dixon 10 Pick up the perfect vino pairing in the supermarket to enjoy alongside your barbecue creations Credit: Getty Whether it's charred, smoky burgers, sizzling sausages or griddled chicken wings, you can pick up the perfect vino pairing in the supermarket to enjoy alongside. Wine expert Helena Nicklin suggests the best wines to sip this summer with popular barbecue foods – all for a tenner or less. Best for burgers RED: Toro Loco Superior Tempranillo, £5.29, Aldi 10 Aldi's iconic Toro Loco is a gluggable strawberry and herb-scented drop Credit: Aldi WHETHER it's traditional beef or fancy lamb burgers on the menu for your garden buffet, this bargain bottle of red will have you covered when you tuck in. Offering extraordinary value for what I regard as a 'proper' wine, Aldi's iconic Toro Loco is a gluggable strawberry and herb-scented drop with enough grip to take on the meaty protein from your grill, but light enough to chill too. Whatever you smother your bun in – ketchup, mayonnaise, tomatoes or onions – it will go down a treat. It can even handle the sides, from chips to garlic bread and even coleslaw. At just over a fiver it's a bargain, too. RATING: 4/5 Best for sausages ROSÉ: Ramon Bilbao Rosado £8.75, Co-op in store 10 This Spanish sipper is the perfect pink plonk to wash sausages down with Credit: Co-op WHO can resist the delicious aroma of a smoky, slightly burnt sausage? Whether you like your bangers as they come or in a bun with all the trimmings, this Spanish sipper is the perfect pink plonk to wash them down with. It's had a makeover for the 2024 vintage – and what's inside the bottle is just as pretty as the very photogenic bottle. Think strawberries and cream with a refreshing crispness thanks to those high-altitude vineyards. It pairs perfectly with pork sausages, and also chicken and veggie options, so it's the perfect standby for al fresco dining. And it is excellent value. RATING: 5/5 Best for halloumi WHITE: Sicilia Doc Grillo £9 (£8 Nectar), Sainsbury's 10 Sicilia Doc Grillo works well with halloumi Credit: Sainsburys SALTY Greek halloumi cheese is a perennial favourite on the barbie, with its rubbery texture holding together and tasting delicious when warmed over coals. To drink alongside, try this Grillo, which is one of Sicily's own grape varieties that makes wine taste of sunshine. This one's a great example with its crowd-pleasing notes of orange blossom, peach and pineapple. Its refreshing fruitiness will balance out the salt of the cheese perfectly, as well as pair nicely with creamy or starchy sides such as potato salad. It'll love a buttery corn on the cob too, should you have one. A great garden vino that's just a bit different. RATING: 3/5 Best for veggie grills WHITE: Unearthed Gemischter Satz, £8.99, Aldi 10 Sauvignon Blanc is a go-to for greens, but a much more interesting option is this awesome Austrian blend Credit: Aldi VEGETABLES often need just the right vino or it throws things off balance, so it's worth getting a bottle of this if there'll be veggies at your do. Sauvignon Blanc is a go-to for greens, but a much more interesting option is this awesome Austrian blend. Part of Aldi's Unearthed range championing lesser-known styles of wine, its name Gemischter Satz translates as Field Blend. There's a bit of everything in this, from subtle tropical fruit notes to citrus and a cool, mineral freshness. A great all rounder for on-the-skewer items like peppers, onions and aubergines. It will slip down nicely with veggie burgers, too. RATING: 4/5 Best for chicken WHITE: Wakefield Pinot Grigio £10, Tesco 10 Not all Pinot Grigio is created equal and this Aussie version is a world away from some of the cheap Italian offerings Credit: Tesco SMOKY charred chicken is an al fresco essential and Pinot Grigio is the perfect plonk to glug with it. Not all Pinot Grigio is created equal however, and this Aussie version is a world away from some of the cheap Italian offerings that don't taste of much. Hailing from the cooler Clare Valley in South Australia, this wonderful white offers the clean, thirst-slaking purity that the Pinot Grigio grape is famous for, but with more character in the form of fresh lemon, subtle white blossom and a twist of creamy almond. Pricier than other Pinot Grigios, but worth it. It's a dream with grilled chicken. RATING: 4/5 Best for sticky ribs RED: Castellore Primitivo Puglia £6.49, Aldi 10 Castellore Primitivo Puglia is nice and affordable, and is becoming a cult classic Credit: Aldi IF trendy ribs are on the menu in your garden kitchen and you're serving them with a sweet, sticky sauce, you'll need a red that packs a punch in the ripe fruit department. They need some similar, plummy spice notes. Enter Primitivo, from Puglia in Italy. This simple yet sultry Italian is hard to ignore with its full-on and full-bodied, chocolate-dipped raisin style. The great news is that it's often seriously affordable too – and this Aldi version is becoming a cult classic. Perfect for share-and-tear spares or any other glazed, smoky meaty eats. At this price, it's definitely one to try. RATING: 3/5 Best for baked potatoes WHITE: Macon-Villages Reserve £9.82, Asda 10 Macon-Villages Reserve pairs nicely with baked potatoes, which taste great during barbecue season Credit: Asda WHO doesn't love a barbecued baked potato with lashings of butter in the sunshine? In most cases, a decent, fruity white with crisp acidity like this Chardonnay will suit, especially if you're talking toppings such as sour cream, cheese, salmon and chicken. The ripe melon and peach flavours stand up to the richness of the spud, and the acidity cuts through, cleansing the palate from the charred carbs. White Burgundy with its subtle oak is perfect here, and this little Macon has just had a price rollback so it's worth treating yourself while on offer. RATING: 3/5 Best for steak RED: Deluxe Argentinian Malbec £6.29, Lidl 10 Whether it's a T-bone, ribeye, sirloin or filet, any steak needs a bold red like the Deluxe Argentinian Malbe Credit: Lidl IF there's one thing that Lidl does brilliantly in the wine department, it's great-value Malbec. If you're going all out on a cut of steak for the barbecue then this wine is the one to drink with it. This deluxe edition hails from the premium cooler Uco Valley, which means concentrated flavours of ripe blueberry and chocolate spice. Whether it's a T-bone, ribeye, sirloin or filet, any steak needs a bold red and this one delivers in fruit, flavour and texture. It'll cover you for your burgers too, and the slight smokiness will sing with the grill. For the price it's hard to beat, so stock up for summer occasions. RATING: 3/5
The Herald Scotland
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Why cyber resilience ought to be everyone's business
These incidents are a stark reminder that cyber security is not a tick-box exercise; it is an existential issue that must be treated seriously, from boardrooms to local communities. In Scotland and beyond, threats are evolving fast – and our response must evolve too. Marks & Spencer hit the headlines in April when it announced it had been the victim of a cyber-attack and what happened next was a snowball effect – online orders halted, card payments failed, staff couldn't order stock and digital systems were down. The retailer has since warned of a £300 million hit to profits, with some impacts likely to continue into the summer. While the response was swift and professional, the effect on business operations and customer trust was severe. No matter how prepared we are, attackers remain several steps ahead. Cyber-attacks don't just harm businesses, they affect communities. On Scotland's islands, residents often rely on a single local Co-op for essentials, so the disruption was significant. Stock deliveries were delayed or unavailable, leaving customers without access to necessities. For island communities, where alternative options are limited, this disruption was a reminder of how vulnerable vital supply chains are in a digital-first world. Supply chains are only as strong as their weakest link. Businesses often depend on a complex web of suppliers and tech providers, where one vulnerability can affect many. Organisations must identify and manage cyber risks in their supply chains – both technical and human. Outsourcing a service does not outsource the responsibility. These recent attacks should serve as a reminder for public and private sector organisations to assess their own defences. Cyber security is often treated as a background function rather than a core element of operational resilience. Businesses should: Assess their preparedness Educate staff Test backup and recovery systems regularly Update and rehearse incident response plans Identify and manage cyber risks across supply chains Cyber resilience is also a personal responsibility. Small, simple actions from individuals can reduce risk and improve wider resilience. The public should: Use strong, unique passwords Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible Scotland takes a joined-up approach to cyber resilience through the CyberScotland Partnership – a hub bringing together government, law enforcement, industry and academia to raise awareness and strengthen national defences. The reality is simple: organisations must be ready to prevent and respond to cyber-attacks. Staff need to recognise threats and act fast. The time to act is now. Cyber resilience is not optional – it is essential. The recent attacks are a wake-up call that must drive change, not just conversation. Ultimately, it's up to each of us to act. Let's not wait for the next crisis to remind us what's at stake. The time to build cyber resilience is now. For more information go to and if you are a victim of a cyber-attack, contact Police Scotland on 101 Jude McCorry is CEO of the Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Lana Del Rey spotted 'exploring' Glasgow ahead of concert
The 40-year-old Summertime Sadness singer performed at Hampden Park in the Southside on Thursday, June 26. However, before her concert, the star posted pictures on Instagram teasing that she had arrived in the city. READ MORE: Lana Del Rey's love for Glasgow from Celtic to shopping In one of the images, Lana was in the sky, flying over the area. She captioned the picture: "Glasgow, we're here. Unbelievable." In a follow-up post, the New York-born musician posted a photograph of her exploring some woodlands with pals, which is understood to be somewhere in or near Glasgow. (Image: Instagram) Lana is widely known for her hit tunes, including Young and Beautiful and Cinnamon Girl. But she is also known for her love of Glasgow. From previously donning a Celtic top to shopping in a Co-op store in the city, the singer has a rather unexpected love affair with the city.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major supermarket chain at risk of closing 34 stores after ‘struggling financially' in major blow to shoppers
They claimed their problems had been 'exacerbated' by increases in National Insurance contributions and the living wage SHOPS FOR THE CHOP Major supermarket chain at risk of closing 34 stores after 'struggling financially' in major blow to shoppers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR supermarket chain could be shuttering 34 stores after "struggling financially". Shoppers were devastated to hear a significant number of Co-op branches are at risk of closing. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 More than 34 Co-op stores could be at risk of closing down Credit: Getty There are also nine Co-op funeral homes that could be forced to pull the shutters down. The string of closures would hit Essex highstreets, if a merger is not approved imminently. A spokesperson from Chelmsford Star Co-op confirmed the news, as reported by Essex Live. Locations at risk would include stores in Braintree, Chelmsford, Basildon, Thurrock and Southend among other locations, as well as two travel agencies. The society also operates branches in George Yard Shopping Centre in Braintree and Moulsham Street in Chelmsford. Chelmsford Star Co-op said it is "struggling financially" and needs to merge with the larger Central Co-op society. They claimed their issues have been "exacerbated" by increases in National Insurance contributions and the living wage. It comes as the two Quadrant stores are set to shutter in October later this year, with bosses blaming "long-term and increasing financial loss". Neither site has fetched a profit since 2008. Plans or a merger should be decided at meetings on July 16 and August 5. However, one member of Chelmsford Star Co-op, feared a merger would still see smaller store closures in villages and housing estates. They said: "I believe that there are other options, including the disposal of department stores, the sale of the quadrant department stores building in Chelmsford and the use of that to reinvest in the business." Chelmsford Star Co-op said there are no confirmed plans in place. A spokesman said: "As with any business integration, there will be a period of transition where the combined Society will review how best to organise itself to meet the needs of its members and communities. "While no decisions have been made at this early stage, we can confirm there are no planned closures of Chelmsford Star food stores, funeral homes or travel agencies as part of the proposed transfer. "Some support functions may evolve over time to ensure the organisation is fit for purpose and sustainable long-term, but this would be done with care, transparency and engagement with colleagues, members and unions. Importantly, the focus of both Societies is to safeguard as many roles and services as possible." Meanwhile Chelmsford Star execs dubbed a potential merger an "incredibly exciting moment". Chief executives of Chelmsford Star and Central Co-ops, Barry Wood and Debbie Robinson, said: "This is an incredibly exciting moment for co-operation. During the UN International Year of Co-operatives, we have a shared vision to be a leading force in the co-operative movement, realising the transformative impact that co-operatives have on economies, communities and individuals. "In an increasingly competitive marketplace, we believe that by harnessing our shared values, we will build a stronger and more secure society. "We welcome the proposed transfer and invite members to support this important moment which will deliver a future that continues to put members, colleagues and communities at the heart of everything we do.' Tony Price and Elaine Dean, presidents of Chelmsford Star and Central Co-op, added: 'Central Co-op and Chelmsford Star Co-operative are committed to putting the interests of our members first and supporting the communities where we trade. "The transfer will ensure that all members continue to have an important voice as part of a stronger, more secure Society - ready to serve them for many more years to come. "Both Boards are supportive of this transfer of engagements and the exciting opportunities that it presents.' OTHER CO-OP NEWS This comes as Co-op is rolling out a major change to stores across the country. The supermarket giant is replacing paper product tags with electronic labels throughout its whole estate over the coming months. The retailer has already made the change in 340 branches but will roll out the tags more widely. The chain said 1,500 stores will have the labels by the end of the year and will be rolled out across all its nearly 2,400 by the end of 2026. We have asked Co-op if all labels will be replaced with electronic ones in stores and will update this story when we've heard back. The electronic labels are designed and created by VusionGroup, which also works with Asda. Steven Logue, Co-op's head of operations, said: 'With convenience at the heart of everything we do Co-op is committed to continually exploring innovative technology that can improve how we operate." Co-op said the new electronic labels will show allergen and nutritional information and products' country of origin, as well as deals and savings. And, Co-op was one of a number of retailers hit by a cyber attack recently which saw supermarket stock and customer data affected. However, by May 14, the supermarket chain confirmed it was in a "recovery phase" and ready to turn online orders back on. Customers had been complaining of shortages of fresh produce, ready meals, yoghurts and confectionery since the incident began at the end of April. The attack also pushed contactless card payments offline in nearly one in 10 stores, forcing customers to pay with cash or enter their PINs at the till. The retailer also confirmed customers' private details were stolen during the attack after its IT systems were compromised. Some customers' names, contact information and dates of birth were exposed, however passwords, credit card details and transaction information were not.
