
Scotland's moments of remembrance to mark VE Day
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will attended the Glasgow ceremony, while Scottish Secretary Ian Murray is visiting Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh.Scotland's political party leaders paid tribute ahead of First Ministers' Questions at Holyrood.First Minister John Swinney said: "The lessons and the suffering of the Second World War must be remembered today."He offered a personal tribute to his own uncle, Thomas Hunter, who was killed in the conflict in Italy, 35 days before the end of World War Two.
Elsewhere, a memorial is being held in Lerwick, Shetland, after six historic boats arrived there from Norway on Tuesday. They sailed in commemoration of the Shetland Bus that operated between Scotland and Norway during the war.In World War Two, the small fishing boats delivered valuable cargo to Europe and carried refugees fleeing the occupation on the return journeys.Edinburgh Castle was among the UK buildings that have been illuminated red in the run-up to the anniversary.The Scottish government's Victoria Quay and St Andrew's House buildings in Edinburgh have also been lit up as part of the campaign.The events mark 80 years to the day since the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945.It brought World War Two in Europe to an end after more than five years of fighting.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tories deliberately trying to fuel hatred against asylum seekers, Yousaf says
The former first minister of Scotland has accused the Tories of 'deliberately trying to fuel hatred' against asylum seekers by presenting them as a threat to women and children. Humza Yousaf said politicians like Robert Jenrick were 'reviving the old colonial lie that people from the east are somehow dangerous savages'. Mr Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has said he supports 'every peaceful protest outside an asylum hotel' and later attended one in Epping, where an asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Demonstrations against asylum seekers staying in hotels have sprung up across the UK, including in Scotland, with those attending claiming they are making their communities less safe. Mr Jenrick, who previously ran for the Tory leadership, said small boat crossings in the English Channel amounted to a 'national security emergency', adding: 'The truth is that mass, uncontrolled immigration has been fuelling crime and made women and girls less safe. ' In a video posted to social media, Mr Yousaf hit back at the Tory claims, saying it was 'predatory men' who posed a danger to women, rather than people from any one group, such as asylum seekers. He said: 'As a father of three girls, let me tell you that it's not asylum seekers I'm worried about when it comes to my daughter's safety – it's men, predatory men, who come in every colour, every religion, are from every background. 'Of course, those who do commit heinous crimes against women, be they asylum seekers or those who have lived in the UK for 10 generations, they should and must feel the full force of the law. 'But when you purposely single out asylum seekers, as the Tories are doing, you're not interested in protecting women, you're deliberately trying to fuel hatred. 'You're reviving the old colonial lie that people from the east are somehow dangerous savages.' The former SNP leader said such rhetoric has turned 'fear into mobs who are ready to set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers', in reference to a riot in Rotherham last year in which a man who attempted to set fire to an asylum hotel. 'It leads to bricks through windows,' he added. 'It leads to fire bombs aimed at vulnerable families who've already fled war and persecution. 'And here's the truth, violence against women is committed by men from every walk of life. 'Blaming asylum seekers doesn't make women safer, it just makes society more divided, more suspicious, more willing to turn on the most vulnerable. 'What the Tories are doing isn't about women's safety, it's about stoking fear. It's the oldest populist trick in the book, let's make sure we don't fall.'


The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Green MSP calls to block Palestine Action prosecutions
Mr Greer highlighted the case of a 78-year-old man in Scotland repeatedly visited by police after being arrested for wearing a t-shirt reading: 'Genocide in Palestine. Time to take Action.' The Labour Government placed Palestine Action on the same list as ISIS and Al-Qaeda earlier this summer, triggering hundreds of arrests across the UK. Last week alone, nearly 500 people were detained at Westminster protests, many for carrying placards supporting the group. Mr Greer has urged First Minister John Swinney to use the Criminal Justice Modernisation Bill to press the Lord Advocate to issue prosecution guidance, similar to measures taken on drug consumption facilities and prison overcrowding. READ MORE: John Swinney demands action from UK to bring Gaza students to Scotland No arrests at rally after 'Plasticine Action' video emerges No 10 warns against funding Palestine Action after Sally Rooney cash pledge Mr Greer told The Herald: 'Wearing a t-shirt isn't terrorism. The UK Government's attempt to silence pro-Palestine protests is a disgusting crackdown on dissent. That's why I'm calling on the Scottish Government to take every step available under devolved powers to undo this cowardly decision from Westminster. 'The independence of the Lord Advocate must be respected. But there are plenty of examples where they have set common-sense policies following the clear will of our Government and Parliament. "The safe drug consumption facility in Glasgow came after years of pressure across Scotland and was only possible thanks to the Lord Advocate issuing non-prosecution guidance which prevents arrests. Just last year she came to Holyrood to set out revised prosecution guidance in the face of capacity issues in the prison system. 'I am calling on the First Minister to use the Criminal Justice Modernisation Bill, currently going through Parliament, to set out Parliament's clear desire that the Lord Advocate to issue sensible guidance and end the ludicrous scenes we have witnessed of Police Scotland officers arresting peaceful pensioners for the 'terrorism-related offence' of wearing t-shirts and holding signs opposing the genocide in Gaza. 'This is a farcical waste of police and court time and it is obviously not in the public interest. We cannot overturn the ban on Palestine Action here in Scotland, but we can at least make sure it isn't enforced to this ludicrous extent. 'Of course people are disgusted by Israel's brutality and feel compelled to take action and call out the UK Government's complicity. No matter how hard Labour Ministers try, they cannot hide from the fact that they have enabled this genocide through the supply of arms, intelligence and military training to Israel. They certainly cannot shut down dissent and protest against their own actions. 'People across the country oppose this genocide and are desperate for the UK Government to end its support for Israel's disgusting actions. They also expect the Scottish Government to defend their right to peaceful protest.' International groups including Amnesty International and the UN's human rights chief have criticised the proscription, calling it a misuse of counter-terror laws. The Crown Office has been contacted for comment.

The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Labour must allow Gazan students to study in Scotland, SNP say
First Minister John Swinney made a call over the weekend for the UK Government to 'do everything in its power' to support Palestinian students following reports a young woman, who has a place at the University of Edinburgh, has been unable to leave Gaza due to visa issues. The Sunday Mail reported that Shaymaa, 32, who is using her first name due to safety concerns, is one of 10 Palestinians in Gaza who have been accepted onto fully-funded courses in Scotland. But, due to the only biometric processing centre in Gaza being closed – and all routes out of the country blocked by Israel - there is no way for the students to be allowed to complete the visa checks. READ MORE: Budding Scottish Labour candidate defends anti-Gaelic remarks Shaymaa is due to begin her PhD in English literature at Edinburgh University on September 1. SNP MSP Bob Doris has now echoed the First Minister's calls, as he accused Labour of "slamming the door" in the faces of Palestinian students. He said: 'The First Minister is absolutely right to demand urgent action. Students from Gaza have already endured unimaginable suffering. The very least Labour can do is ensure they are not denied the opportunity to study here in Scotland. 'Keir Starmer's Labour Party has shown again and again that it will not stand up for Palestine. From refusing to back an immediate ceasefire, to punishing MPs who spoke up for peace, to refusing to recognise Palestine as an independent state. (Image: Archive) 'Now, that same callousness is punishing young Palestinian students whose only wish is to learn in safety. Scotland is ready to welcome them with open arms, but Labour is slamming the door in their faces. 'There is much more to be done to end the genocide in Gaza. The SNP has been absolutely consistent. We recognise Palestine, we demand an end to Israel's killing in Gaza, and we will always stand with those seeking peace, justice and education. 'Westminster must step up and act. Labour's failure to act is not just heartless, it is risking lives and futures.' READ MORE: Paul Weller sues ex-accountants after being dropped over Gaza statements The First Minister said Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth had contacted UK officials over the issue on August 13, and added that France, Ireland and Italy had managed to successfully evacuate students from Gaza. Earlier this month, 80 MPs signed an open letter to the Prime Minister urging him to take action to help the 78 students. SNP MP Pete Wishart, LibDem Wendy Chamberlain and Brian Leishman were among those who signed the letter. Shaymaa, originally from Absan al-Kabira, in the south of Gaza, was forced to flee her home when Israeli strikes started and has been displaced multiple times in the past 18 months. She is now living in a tent on a beach in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, with 11 others. 'Coming to Scotland wouldn't just allow me to continue my academic journey– which has been severely disrupted – but would also give me the chance to live and study in physical safety,' she said.