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Marine One arrives as Scotland gears up for Trump's visit... while back home he targets old foe Obama in bizarre AI generated posts

Marine One arrives as Scotland gears up for Trump's visit... while back home he targets old foe Obama in bizarre AI generated posts

Daily Mail​6 days ago
Scotland was gearing up for the visit of US President Donald Trump yesterday as US military aircraft gathered at Prestwick Airport.
The huge security operation began in earnest at the Ayrshire hub as US military planes and helicopters gathered ahead of his arrival on Friday.
Two US Army C17A Globemaster aircraft arrived carrying what was thought to be the S92 Marine One Presidential Helicopter.
The helicopter was spotted flying out from the HMS Gannet airbase at Prestwick yesterday in test flights around Ayrshire with US servicemen.
Last week the President claimed the UK needed to 'get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil' as he announced he will meet Sir Keir Starmer in Aberdeen.
Mr Trump hit out at the renewables drive as he prepared for his four-day private visit to open his latest golf course in Aberdeenshire.
Confirming the talks with Sir Keir, the President said his 'state meeting with the Prime Minister' will be 'up in Aberdeen, which is the oil capital of Europe'.
He added: 'They should bring it back too. They have so much oil there. They should get rid of the energy windmills and bring back the oil.'
The 79-year-old already owns two Scottish golf courses, one in Menie, Aberdeenshire, as well as Turnberry, in Ayrshire, where it is thought he will be staying.
His latest golf links is named the MacLeod Course after his mother Mary, who was born on Lewis.
It comes as Trump marked his six-month anniversary in office by posting a string of bizarre videos, including an AI-generated clip of Barack Obama being arrested at the White House and a fake mugshot of him.
The US leader told the former President to 'lawyer up' following disclosures linking Obama-era officials to the origins of the FBI Russia investigation.
The tirade came after Trump administration officials and conservative media widely promoted declassified documents suggesting Mr Obama played a central role in what Mr Trump has called the 'Russia hoax', the investigation into his administration's ties to the foreign adversary.
The doctored video portrayed Mr Obama in an orange jumpsuit, accompanied by the message 'No one is above the law'.
The footage, created by a little-known TikTok user, was one of dozens of posts uploaded to Mr Trump's Truth Social account.
A separate video with a grim reaper figure describes the most 'co-ordinated political deception in US history' regarding Mr Obama's meeting with top intelligence officials to undermine Mr Trump's original election.
'Intelligence was politicised at the highest levels under the direction of a sitting president to frame the incoming one,' the ominous figure declares. 'It was a soft coup.'
Last week, director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a cache of declassified documents from the final weeks of the Obama administration, alleging they expose a 'treasonous conspiracy' to undermine Trump after his 2016 victory.
Several of Mr Trump's posts featured clips of Gabbard calling for Mr Obama to be prosecuted over claims of Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election.
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Keir Starmer & John Swinney face difficult ‘balancing act' after Donald Trump admits he's in a grumpy mood
Keir Starmer & John Swinney face difficult ‘balancing act' after Donald Trump admits he's in a grumpy mood

Scottish Sun

time14 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Keir Starmer & John Swinney face difficult ‘balancing act' after Donald Trump admits he's in a grumpy mood

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SIR Keir Starmer and John Swinney face a difficult 'balancing act' in talks with Donald Trump - after the US President admitted he was in a grumpy mood. The Prime Minister will fly to Scotland on Monday morning to meet Mr Trump at his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire for a 'wide-ranging' summit on issues including trade and the Israel-Hamas war. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Donald Trump is 'not in a good mood' before summit 3 The Prime Minister and First Minister are set to meet with the US President 3 He made the admission after he striking an EU trade deal Later, the PM and the First Minister will attend a banquet-style dinner hosted by the US leader in the north-east, ahead of him opening a new 18-hole golf course in honour of his late Scottish mother, Mary Anne Macleod, at Menie, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday. 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The President insisted it was nothing to do with imminent talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, and asked why he was in a bad mood and if it was to do with his latest golf round, Mr Trump said: 'No, the golf was beautiful. Golf can never be bad.' But minutes later, a tetchy-sounding President launched into another of his trademark attacks on windfarms, which he famously battled against - in vain - off the Aberdeenshire coast. In a two-and-half minute blast, he claimed he would 'not allow a windmill to be built in the US' as 'they're killing the beauty of our scenery, our valleys, our beautiful planes - and I'm not talking about aeroplanes, I'm talking about beautiful planes, beautiful areas in the US'. He said 'almost all' were made in China and 'when they start to rust and rot in eight years, you can't really turn them off, you can't bury them'. Mr Trump said windmills 'kill the birds' and said: 'You have a certain place in the Massachusetts area that over the last 20 years had one or two whales wash ashore .. cause it's driving them loco. It's driving them crazy.' TRUMP V WINDMILLS Slamming windfarms off the Ayrshire coast, he said 'I mean, today, I'm playing the best course I think in the world, Turnberry - even though I own it, it's probably the best course in the world, right - and I look over the horizon and I see nine windmills right at the end of the 18th hole. 'And I said, 'Isn't that a shame? What a shame.' UK and Scottish government aides are known to be on edge about today's talks with Mr Trump, which will take place between the PM and President at Turnberry, before the pair fly together to Aberdeen, where Mr Swinney will then meet the US leader. All three will then attend a private ceremonial dinner said to involve a 'broad range' of guests including politicians and business figures. Sir Keir is under intense pressure from Labour backbenchers and opposition parties including the SNP to push Mr Trump for the US to revive Gaza ceasefire talks, and also to further the recent UK-US trade deal by pressuring for the removal of punishing ten per cent tariffs on products including Scotch whisky. And Mr Swinney is under fire from left-wingers in the SNP and at Holyrood for even meeting with Mr Trump. The First Minister was blasted by critics at the weekend for announcing £180,000 to help Mr Trump's Menie course to host a golf comp, which wannabe Greens leader Ross Greer claimed was like 'bending the knee' to the US President or 'giving the school bully your lunch money'. A senior Nats source defended Mr Swinney's approach, with the Tories also accusing him of hypocrisy after claims he had last wee 'whipped up' anti-Trump protests, but was now trying to curry favour with the world's most powerful man. The insider said 'There will be complaints about our approach to Trump whatever we do. 'The funding for the event at Trump International Golf Links was a positive announcement and it's our job to make the best of this visit as we possibly can.' Tomorrow morning Mr Trump will carry out the ceremonial opening of the Macleod course at his Menie estate, which it emerged on Saturday was set to get £180,000 from the Scottish Government's tourism and events organisation, VisitScotland, to support its hosting of the 2025 Nexo Championship next month. Police lock down Scots country park and beach ahead of Donald Trump's arrival HOLIDAYMAKERS have been ordered to leave a country park boasting one of Scotland's best beaches as police prepared for Donald Trump's visit to his nearby golf course. Visitors were told to vacate the beauty spot as security is beefed up ahead of US president's trip to his neighbouring Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire tomorrow. Officers locked down Balmedie Country Park and its coastal stretch — which has won 20 awards for the quality of its sand and water. Locals have vowed to protest after the Scottish Government announced a tournament held at his Trump International resort is being given £180,000 of taxpayers' cash. An onlooker said: 'Police were shutting off the beach and the park. 'It's one of the country's best and we're in the middle of the school holidays. 'Trump doesn't own it so it feels ridiculous that people who live here are being told to leave. "Loads of people were told to go. 'Is it any wonder most people around here hate him so much?' Downing Street last night said Mr Trump and Sir Keir are expected to discuss progress on implementing the UK-US trade deal agreed in May, hopes for a ceasefire in the Middle East and applying pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. It comes amid pressure on Starmer from Labour MPs to urge the US to rejoin Israel-Hamas peace talks, amid the starvation of kids in Gaza. No10 said in a statement that the 'strength of the UK-US relationship will be on display again' as the PM meets Mr Trump in 'for wide-ranging talks'. It said: 'The leaders are expected to talk one-on-one about advancing implementation of the landmark Economic Prosperity Deal so that Brits and Americans can benefit from boosted trade links between their two countries. 'The Prime Minister is also expected to welcome the President's administration working with partners in Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. 'Mr Trump's visit comes amid mounting global anger over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Police lock down Scots country park and beach ahead of Donald Trump's arrival Foreign Secretary David Lammy said access to aid in Gaza must be 'urgently accelerated', after air drops by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates yesterday. It came hours after Israel opened up aid corridors and 'refuted' the 'false claim of intentional starvation'. Mr Swinney said: 'My meeting with the US President during his visit to Scotland presents a significant opportunity to speak up for the issues that matter to people in Scotland on the highest platform. Global, humanitarian issues are rightly at the forefront of many people's minds. 'It is of utmost importance that we discuss what action can be taken to end the horrific suffering we are witnessing around the world, particularly the unimaginable hardship being endured by people in Gaza and the need for an urgent ceasefire. 'Both the US President and I share a fundamental desire to build peace across the world and to end the suffering endured by so many. I hope that our discussion helps to further that aim.' Mr Trump will visit the UK again in September for the official state visit announced earlier this year. But a senior whisky industry source warned: 'If the PM comes away from the Trump visit with nothing more on trade there will be serious questions to answer about whether he really fought as hard as possible for Scotland and the UK's interests, or if he just went there and tried not to upset Trump.'

John Swinney is accused of 'grandstanding' after holding private talks with top European official
John Swinney is accused of 'grandstanding' after holding private talks with top European official

Daily Mail​

time14 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

John Swinney is accused of 'grandstanding' after holding private talks with top European official

John Swinney has been accused of 'grandstanding' on issues outside his remit during private talks with a top European official who was in Scotland to meet Donald Trump. The First Minister met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Glasgow. The talks happened on Saturday evening without any media being alerted about the meeting, with officials disclosing yesterday that 'the UK's relationship with the European Union ' was discussed, as well as the current situation in Gaza and Ukraine, and Scotland's 'important partnership' with Europe. International relations are reserved to Westminster and Scottish ministers are supposed to stick to devolved areas when holding talks with overseas political leaders. The Scottish Government last night confirmed that no officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) were present despite the First Minister's discussions covering foreign affairs. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'John Swinney may enjoy meeting international leaders and grandstanding about issues outwith the SNP 's remit. 'But most Scots would prefer him to reduce taxes, put businesses on an equal footing with firms in other parts of the UK, and repair the damage his government has inflicted on essential services like our schools and NHS.' Mr Swinney met Ms von der Leyen on Saturday after she arrived in Scotland to hold talks about an EU/US trade deal with President Trump at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire. Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet the President to discuss issues including a ceasefire in Gaza and the UK's trade deal with the US today at the same venue. Mr Swinney is also due to hold talks with the President during his four-night stay in Scotland. Labour peer Lord George Foulkes said Mr Swinney's discussions with Ms von der Leyen about reserved issues are a 'huge concern'. He said: 'He is interfering in areas which they [the Scottish Government] do not have responsibility. They don't know the sensitivities, they don't have the advice of the FCDO and MOD specialists, so they are not advised properly and they cause confusion if they give different messages from the UK Government. 'On all those reserved areas, the UK Government speaks for Scotland just as much as the rest of the UK. This is them pretending to be independent, which is a total nonsense.' He also raised concerns that Mr Swinney could cause further confusion during his planned talks with Mr Trump. Lord Foulkes said: 'There could be a confusion of the message to Ursula von der Leyen and indeed to Trump. 'He is going to talk about trade to President Trump. Trade is a reserved area. It's an absolute nonsense and perpetuates the myth that Scotland is somehow different to the rest of the UK.' Mr Swinney last night confirmed he will raise 'global humanitarian issues' which are 'at the forefront of many people's minds' with the President. He said: 'It is of utmost importance that we discuss what action can be taken to end the horrific suffering we are witnessing around the world, particularly the unimaginable hardship being endured by people in Gaza and the need for an urgent ceasefire.' Humza Yousaf, Mr Swinney's predecessor, sparked a row with the previous Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron after holding private talks about Gaza with the president of Turkey without UK Government representatives in attendance. Protocols require FCDO officials to attend meetings between representatives of the devolved administrations and representatives of foreign governments. After Mr Yousaf's talks with Mr Erdogan, Lord Cameron threatened to throw Scottish Government officials out of overseas Foreign Office premises if there are any more breaches of the protocol. The Scottish Government said FCDO officials 'assisted in facilitating' the meeting between Mr Swinney and Ms von der Leyen. Sir Keir will meet the US Trump for a formal bilateral meeting this afternoon. Afterwards, they are due to travel for a 'private engagement' at Mr Trump's other Scottish venue on the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire, which is expected to include dinner. Details of the Menie engagement have been kept under wraps and Downing Street was unable to confirm if the Prime Minister will take part in a round of golf. Sir Keir will risk a major clash with Mr Trump by raising Gaza. Last week, Mr Trump said Hamas 'didn't really want to make a deal' on a new Gaza ceasefire deal. A Number 10 spokesman said: 'The leaders are expected to talk about advancing implementation of the landmark Economic Prosperity Deal so that Brits and Americans can benefit from boosted trade links between their two countries. 'The Prime Minister is also expected to welcome the President's administration working with partners in Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. 'He will discuss further with him what more can be done to secure the ceasefire urgently, bring an end to the unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza and free the hostages who have been held so cruelly for so long.' Sir Keir is hoping to use the talks to display the strength of the UK/US relationship. It comes ahead of the President's State visit to the UK in September.

The Guardian view on talking in class: the writers speaking up for oracy education are right
The Guardian view on talking in class: the writers speaking up for oracy education are right

The Guardian

time27 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

The Guardian view on talking in class: the writers speaking up for oracy education are right

Two years ago, Sir Keir Starmer enthused about teaching speaking skills. So schools campaigners were understandably dismayed when oracy – otherwise known as speaking and listening – did not appear in the interim report of the curriculum review for England headed by Prof Becky Francis. Peter Hyman, the former New Labour adviser who became a headteacher, has been a key figure behind the revival, over the past decade, of an idea developed in the 1960s. Steps to embed the importance of verbal communication in education have already been taken, with more than 1,000 schools working with the charity Voice 21, and a parallel project in Scotland. The hope expressed by children's authors and others last week is that its absence from the draft report was an oversight which will soon be rectified. The task before Prof Francis's commission is a daunting one, with reformers of all kinds looking to it for solutions. An evidence call attracted 7,000 responses, with the future of special educational needs provision, and a wish to reduce exams, among key issues raised. But it should be clear to the panel, and to ministers, that oral learning also matters. One reason is the rising number of children arriving in primary school with speech and language skills below the expected level. While some pupils catch up later, others need specialist help. Communication difficulties are one reason for the increase in the number of education, health and care plans (EHCPs), which set out what such support entails. The reasons for such complex changes are not yet fully understood, although the pandemic has had an impact. The challenge of artificial intelligence, in relation to university studies as well as schools, is another factor behind a renewed emphasis on talking. Given the easy availability of technological tools to aid writing, it is arguably more important than ever that people are equipped to share ideas and knowledge through speech as well. In many European countries oral examinations are far more common, in schools as well as universities, whereas in the UK 'vivas' are mostly reserved for postgraduate studies. In foreign language learning, the importance of speaking is taken for granted. But while oracy already features in the maths and science curriculum, as well as in English, it is often marginalised. The tricky task of reformers is to alter teaching practice so that more weight is placed on verbal communication, without making this yet another assessment hurdle to be cleared. For its champions, the core of oracy education is the ability to make connections. They want young people to be able to express themselves, and point out that this is a vital life skill – for example, in job interviews and the kinds of public‑facing work that seem least likely to be taken over by machines – for which school should prepare them. Big gaps in confidence about public speaking have long been recognised among the most glaring social inequalities. This doesn't mean that everyone should aspire to be a debating champion. Different accents, personalities and ways of relating should be valued, not ironed out. But if our schools are to keep pace with our frenetically changing world, it is surely right that they should maximise the facility for language, which is part of what makes us human.

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