‘Unacceptable': Michelle O'Neill hits out after Palestine campaign group denied Stormont entry
A refusal to allow a Palestinian campaign group entry to Stormont was 'absolutely unacceptable', First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said.
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The National
an hour ago
- The National
Scottish councillors to vote on arms testing in public parks today
The motion, brought by Green councillor Ben Parker aiming to prohibit the practice, was prompted by backlash last year over arms firm Leonardo testing equipment in the city's Braid Hills. Leonardo, which employs around 1800 people at its site near Crewe Toll, was given a licence to test communications equipment in the Braid Hills in December last year. Parker is now calling for such testing to be stopped – and calling for the council to "stand against the arms trade". READ MORE: David Pratt: Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb was remarkable by any standards Speaking about his motion, Parker said: 'The council has taken a strong stance on opposing advertising and sponsorship from arms manufacturers, and it is completely hypocritical to then allow these same companies to use our beautiful public space to test their equipment. "At a time when we are witnessing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, we should not be supporting companies who profit from arms sales to the Israeli Government in any way. "When news of testing in the Braid Hills emerged last year, the local community were clear in their opposition, and I hope councillors from all parties will see sense and make sure this kind of thing can never happen again in Edinburgh.' In a written deputation submitted in advance of the committee meeting, the Chair of the Friends of the Braid Hills Group, Elaine Le Geyt-Anderson, said: 'As chair of Friends of the Braid Hills I have stated clearly to the Council, as stakeholders, that we strongly oppose the use of Edinburgh Greenspaces, gifted to the people of Edinburgh, to be used in this way by a company which manufactures components which kill children and bomb hospitals. "It is unbearable to watch news on our televisions seeing children maimed and orphaned by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and now tested on the Braid Hills. "This testing includes using the Braid Hills as a 6km line of sight from the Leonardo lab in Crewe Toll for its targeting systems.' She added: 'The new Park Management Rules must reflect a clear decision never to give permission to any arms manufacturer for the testing of components or equipment on the Braid Hills or any other of Edinburgh's beautiful Greenspaces which were gifted to the city for our enjoyment and wellbeing.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Israel says it has recovered the bodies of two hostages from Gaza
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the remains of Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai had been recovered and returned to Israel in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency. 'Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed,' he said in a statement. Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Ms Weinstein, 70, and Mr Haggai, 72, both of whom had Israeli and US citizenship, in December 2023. The military said they were killed in the October 7 attack and taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, the small armed group that it said had also abducted and killed Shiri Bibas and her two small children. The army said it recovered the remains of Ms Weinstein and Mr Haggai overnight into Thursday from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. The couple were taking an early morning walk near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of October 7 when Hamas militants burst across the border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. In the early hours of the morning, Ms Weinstein was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family. The couple were survived by two sons and two daughters and seven grandchildren, the kibbutz said. Ms Weinstein was born in New York and taught English to children with special needs at Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small community near the Gaza border. The kibbutz said she also taught meditation techniques to children and teenagers who suffered from anxiety as a result of rocket fire from Gaza. Mr Haggai was a retired chef and jazz musician. 'My beautiful parents have been freed. We have certainty,' their daughter, Iris Haggai Liniado, wrote in a Facebook post. She thanked the Israeli military, the FBI and the Israeli and US governments and called for the release of all the remaining hostages. Hamas-led militants are still holding 56 hostages, around a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages from Gaza and recovered dozens of bodies. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed large parts of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly two million Palestinians. The US, Egypt and Qatar have been trying to broker another ceasefire and hostage release after Israel ended an earlier truce in March and imposed a blockade that has raised fears of famine, despite being eased in recent weeks. But the talks appear to be deadlocked. Hamas says it will release the remaining hostages only in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It has offered to hand over power to a politically independent Palestinian committee. Mr Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying Israel will only agree to temporary ceasefires to facilitate the return of hostages. He has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. He has said Israel will maintain control over Gaza indefinitely and will facilitate what he refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population to other countries. The Palestinians and much of the international community have rejected such plans, viewing them as forcible expulsion that could violate international law.
The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Education Department sends warning to Columbia's accreditor
The agency notified Columbia's accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, that the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights had found the school to be "in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws," according to a press release. The university, therefore, "fails to meet the standards for accreditation," the Education Department said. There is no indication that Middle States intends to rescind Columbia's accreditation, which was granted in 1921. Accreditors are nonpartisan, independent organizations recognized by the Education Department to provide oversight of higher education institutions across the United States. The letter is the latest swipe from President Donald Trump's administration at an Ivy League school. Yet unlike Harvard University, Columbia agreed in March to reform elements of its teaching, hiring and admissions practices in response to a series of demands by the federal government. Still, the Trump administration has not restored $400 million in funding that it paused, halting research and prompting layoffs at the university. Read more: Columbia University promises swift crackdown on planned pro-Palestinian encampments In a statement on April 14, Columbia's recently installed acting president, Claire Shipman, said that although the university would "seek to continue constructive dialogue with the government," it would "reject any agreement that would require us to relinquish our independence and autonomy as an educational institution." Rawan Abbasi, a spokesperson for Middle States, confirmed that the accreditor received the Trump administration's letter about Columbia. Abbasi declined to comment further. Columbia University did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Zachary Schermele is an education reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@ Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @
