Latest news with #DanielJohnson
The Star
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Mandela's legacy hijacked: Christian groups slam NMF for anti-faith campaign
Daniel Johnson | Published 2 days ago The Christian Leaders' Forum, South African Friends of Israel (SAFI), and the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem are painfully dismayed by the latest attack against Christianity mounted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF). Their latest campaign, dressed as the 'Solidarity in Action Awards', seeks to award applicants with proposals on ' creative, courageous, and effective initiatives geared towards challenging Christian Zionism.' The organisations, among several other parties, are jointly calling for renewed respect for the constitutional right of South African Christians to freely express their religious convictions, particularly regarding support for Israel. This comes amid growing concern about what the groups describe as a troubling ideological drift within the Nelson Mandela Foundation, made clear by its blatant hostility towards Christian Zionism, as characterised by the Solidarity in Action Awards. 'It appears that the NMF has been hijacked by radicals with political agendas, and it is no coincidence that it has been steered in this horrific ideological direction following the recent appointment of Naledi Pandor as its chairperson', comments Bafana Modise, spokesperson at SAFI. He adds that: 'Pandor has demonstrated profound hostility towards the State of Israel and is notoriously known to have friendly relations with Hamas, a designated terrorist group that has been actively pursuing genocide against the LGBTQ+ community, Christians, Israelis and Jews since its inception.' Nelson Mandela explicitly recognised 'the legitimacy of Zionism as a Jewish nationalism' in 1993 and insisted on 'the right of the state of Israel to exist within secure borders'. He also, as President of our great country, received an honorary doctorate from one of Israel's prestigious universities that was bestowed upon him at the Three Arts theatre in Cape Town. At this event, he underlined the importance of Israel's contribution to the world and stressed the need to come to a peaceful agreement with the Palestinian people whereby the two peoples could live side by side in peace. 'This is something we all pray for. Zionism is fundamentally supported by Christians, especially evangelicals, who constitute approximately 50% of South African Christians and share a deep understanding of Biblical Scripture that highlights God's everlasting covenant with Israel. We are beginning to see an alarming trend where respectable South African organisations are being indirectly hijacked by hostile foreign forces promoting an agenda which is harmful to the average South African,' adds Modise. 'Support for Israel and its right to exist, a reasonable position that serves as the foundation of Zionism, is rooted in biblical truth and genuine faith, far removed from the politicised falsehoods that distort or undermine it. The NMS's attempts to rebrand Zionism as colonialism or apartheid undermine and disrespect the religious beliefs of millions of South Africans,' comments Vivienne Myburgh, spokesperson for the ICEJ. The organisations point to the growing silencing of Christian voices in public discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 'Our concern is not only theological. It is also deeply humanitarian,' says Myburgh. 'In Sub-Saharan Africa, Christians face persecution from radical Islamists. In 2024 alone, approximately 4,476 Christians were murdered, with over 16 million displaced by attacks in Nigeria, Sudan, the Central African Republic, and other countries. These militant groups aim to eradicate Christianity similarly to Israel's enemies - through terror, destruction, and repression.' Bizarrely, while Christian communities have halved in most Middle Eastern countries, the number of Christians in Israel has increased roughly fourfold. Many Christians in South Africa view Israel's security concerns as valid and urgent. Attacks from Iran-backed proxies, targeting Israel with missiles, terrorism, and hostility, pose existential threats. 'Rather than condemning terrorism, we've witnessed local political factions extending solidarity to the perpetrators. This is not the South Africa Mandela envisioned,' adds Myburgh. The ICEJ, SAFI, and Christian Leaders Forum urge the Foundation, once a global beacon of dialogue and reconciliation, to return to Mandela's principles of religious tolerance and bridge-building, not division. They also stressed that Christian Zionism in South Africa should not be misrepresented or weaponised in public debates. 'Supporting Israel is not colonialism. It is a covenant,' said Pearl Kupe from the Christian Leaders Forum. 'To delegitimise that is to delegitimise the faith of millions of law-abiding, peace-loving South Africans.' SAFI, the ICEJ, and the Christian Leaders Forum call on national leaders, religious institutions, and civil society to reaffirm South Africa's foundational commitment to freedom of belief, robust dialogue, and principled peace. Daniel Johnson Johannesburg
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
The worst Scottish town centres for empty shops as SNP criticised for ‘decades of decline' on high streets
Scottish high streets 'laid to waste' by SNP, says Scottish Labour Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The SNP has overseen 'decades of decline' in Scotland's high streets, according to Scottish Labour. It comes as a new report revealed that one in every eight shops across the country is lying empty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In 2023-24, the town centre rate in Scotland hit 12.3 per cent after rising for the second consecutive year. The worst hit area was South Ayrshire, with a staggering 35.3 per cent of town centre shops vacant, while in Aberdeen City Council it was 20.7 per cent. You can see the full figures below. Scottish Labour criticised the SNP's failure to pass on business rates relief received by businesses in England. In previous years this relief was not passed on at all, and this year retail businesses and larger hospitality businesses in Scotland missed out. Scottish Labour has renewed pledges to support high streets by delivering fair funding for local government and by reforming business rates to level the playing field between local businesses and online giants. Daniel Johnson, Scottish Labour Economy spokesperson, said: 'The SNP has overseen decades of decline in Scotland's high streets. From our iconic cities to our small towns, high streets right across Scotland have been laid to waste by this SNP government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Under the SNP, businesses are struggling, shops are lying empty, and pavements are crumbling. For years the SNP has starved local communities of funding and failed to fully pass on rates relief to local businesses. 'A Scottish Labour government will breathe fresh life into town centres by delivering fair funding for councils and overhauling business rates to level the playing field between local businesses and online giants.' David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: 'Scotland's high streets haven't had their troubles to seek in recent years following the upheaval wrought by the pandemic and cost of living crunch. 'Even now where they do have disposable income to spend, households are prioritising experiences rather than products bought in shops. Meanwhile, business rates and the cost of employing store staff are being ratcheted up by the government, loading onerous additional costs onto the very stores which help underpin the vitality of Scotland's high streets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'If stores struggle to trade profitably it leads to more empty units and gap-toothed retail destinations. Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of overseeing Scotland's 'decades of decline' in high streets as new figures show the country's town centres are littered with vacant properties. Photo from Danny Lawson/PA Images | Danny Lawson/PA Images 'Scotland's shops saw their business rates bill rise by £7.6 million in April, taking their business rate to a 26-year high. UK Ministers are introducing a permanent rates cut for shops in England from Spring 2026, in recognition of the disproportionate amount they pay. 'We need to see all retailers in Scotland benefit from a permanent rates reduction too. This would increase retailers' confidence about investing in new and refurbished shops and help revive Scotland's town centres.' The Scottish Government has been approached for comment. Town centre vacancy rates by Local Authority, 2023-24: Aberdeen City - 20.70 per cent Aberdeenshire - 10.30 per cent Angus - 17.40 per cent Argyll & Bute - 13.20 per cent Clackmannanshire - 10.80 per cent Dumfries & Galloway - 13.50 per cent Dundee City - 17.70 per cent East Ayrshire - 12.00 per cent East Dunbartonshire - 8.60 per cent East Lothian - 11.90 per cent East Renfrewshire - 4.60 per cent Edinburgh City - 5.40 per cent Eilean Siar - 3.30 per cent Falkirk - 17.00 per cent Fife - 18.80 per cent Glasgow City - 12.10 per cent Highland - 14.30 per cent Inverclyde - 4.90 per cent Midlothian - 9.00 per cent Moray - 14.10 per cent North Ayrshire - 7.80 per cent North Lanarkshire - 17.70 per cent Orkney Islands - 9.20 per cent Perth & Kinross - 11.00 per cent Renfrewshire - 17.70 per cent Scottish Borders - 11.80 per cent Shetland Islands - 5.80 per cent South Ayrshire - 35.30 per cent South Lanarkshire - 14.80 per cent Stirling - 13.10 per cent West Dunbartonshire - 13.90 per cent West Lothian - 8.40 per cent
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
1 in 8 Scottish high street shops lying empty after 'decades of decline'
New figures showed that the average rate of vacant properties in Scotland's town centres was 12.3 per cent in 2023-24. One in eight Scottish high street shops are lying empty after "decades of decline". The average rate of vacant properties in Scotland's town centres was 12.3 per cent in 2023-24. This was up from 11.9 per cent in 2022-23 and 11.4 per cent in 2021-22. Scottish Labour has called for better funding for councils and rates to be slashed for local businesses to "breathe fresh life into town centres". Scottish Labour Economy spokesperson Daniel Johnson said: 'The SNP has overseen decades of decline in Scotland's high streets. 'From our iconic cities to our small towns, high streets right across Scotland have been laid to waste by this SNP government. 'Under the SNP, businesses are struggling, shops are lying empty, and pavements are crumbling. 'For years the SNP has starved local communities of funding and failed to fully pass on rates relief to local businesses. 'A Scottish Labour government will breathe fresh life into town centres by delivering fair funding for Councils and overhauling business rates to level the playing field between local businesses and online giants.' The worst hit area was South Ayrshire, with 35.3 per cent of town centre shops vacant. The next worst was Aberdeen on 20.7 per cent, with Fife not far behind at 18.8 per cent. Dundee, North Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire were all at 17.7 per cent, with Angus at 17.4 per cent and Falkirk at 17 per cent. The area with the lowest share of empty town centre shops was the Western Isles on 3.3 per cent. This was followed by East Renfrewshire on 4.6 per cent and Inverclyde on 4.9 per cent. Edinburgh was just behind on 5.4 per cent, as was Shetland on 5.8 per cent. Several Scottish town centres are due to have regeneration projects in the near future. Hamilton is set to revamp the Regent Shopping Centre by drastically reducing the number of vacant retail units, building new houses and creating new leisure activities, including a park. Both Kilmarnock and Irvine are set to receive £2 million a year over the next decade to redevelop their centres. Town centres up and down the country have been in decline for the past few decades, due to out of town shopping centres and people preferring to buy things online rather than in person. A Scottish Government Spokesperson said: 'We are working with businesses to drive economic growth and prosperity in our towns, cities and communities and provide support through a competitive non-domestic rates relief package worth an estimated £733 million this year. This includes the the most generous small business rates relief in the UK. 'Scottish Ministers have repeatedly called on the UK Government to reverse its decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions, with recent analysis by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce highlighting it as a significant concern for businesses damaging confidence, investment, growth and jobs.' What percentage of high street shops are vacant in my area? Aberdeen City - 20.70% Aberdeenshire - 10.30% Angus - 17.40% Argyll & Bute - 13.20% Clackmannanshire - 10.80% Dumfries & Galloway - 13.50% Dundee City - 17.70% East Ayrshire - 12.00% East Dunbartonshire - 8.60% East Lothian - 11.90% East Renfrewshire - 4.60% Edinburgh City - 5.40% Eilean Siar (Western Isles) - 3.30% Falkirk - 17.00% Fife - 18.80% Glasgow City - 12.10% Highland - 14.30% Inverclyde - 4.90% Midlothian - 9.00% Moray - 14.10% North Ayrshire - 7.80% North Lanarkshire - 17.70% Orkney Islands - 9.20% Perth & Kinross - 11.00% Renfrewshire - 17.70% Scottish Borders - 11.80% Shetland Islands - 5.80% South Ayrshire - 35.30% South Lanarkshire - 14.80% Stirling - 13.10% West Dunbartonshire - 13.90% West Lothian - 8.40%
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hull City Ladies to start season under new management
Hull City Ladies will start the season under new management following a scandal involving its former Johnson, who was also a director, was accused of misusing £250,000 of club funds and making sexualised remarks to Emma Hardy announced changes would be made to women's football nationally, as well as to Hull City Ladies, after a meeting with the Women's Football said: "Because of the bravery of the Hull City [Ladies] players putting forward their stories, this has gone to government and they're looking to change the rules around the governance of the league." According to Hardy, the Football Association (FA) provided an overview of the situation at Hull City Ladies and committed to a review of Women's National League review includes the introduction of owners' and directors' tests, which Hardy described as similar to the Fit and Proper Person Test Framework used in professional football."What this means is that people who put themselves forward to be managers of a club will undergo various checks to make sure they're the right kind of people to be running these clubs," Hardy said."We want the right kind of people to be involved in managing the club, people we can trust to behave in the way that they should behave and that's the focus of it."Having these rules for the entirety of women's football is important for everyone."Hardy said details of what will be checked will be determined when the Women's Football Taskforce meet in Parliament. Hull City Ladies have a new management committee and a general manager has also been appointed. The Tigresses will also be relocating from their previous home ground at Easy Buy Stadium in Barton-upon-Humber to North Ferriby FC's ground, which is closer to comes after multiple sources told the BBC that former co-owner Mr Johnson used the company bank account to pay for holidays, shopping and claimed he "stole" £3,000 from a foundation set up in memory of former goalkeeper Donna Police confirmed it received a report on 9 April and its economic crime unit was investigating reports of "suspected financial fraud".Eighteen former and current players, sponsors and coaches also submitted statements to the FA about Mr Johnson's FA previously said it was "working with the club" regarding the player allegations. The BBC has approached them for a Johnson has also been approached for a comment. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Finextra
19-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Validus appoints Daniel Johnson from Hargeaves Lansdown as CTO
Validus Risk Management (Validus), a leading software and tech-enabled services platform for financial risk management, today announces the appointment of Daniel Johnson as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). 0 Based in London and reporting to CEO Kevin Lester, Daniel will lead on developing the company's technology strategy as it continues to scale operations and develop its product offering. With over 15 years of experience working in both large and small tech-driven organisations, Daniel brings significant technical and leadership experience. Most recently, Daniel spent four years at Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK's largest and most successful online investment platform, as Chief Digital Platforms Officer. Prior to Hargreaves Lansdown, Daniel worked as CTO for a number of successful software businesses helping them to build scale and efficiency. The appointment follows the announcement, in February 2025, of a $45 million growth equity investment from FTV Capital. In addition to supporting the company's continued expansion into the APAC, US and European markets, the investment will enable Validus to accelerate its go-to-market efforts and invest in technology and product innovation. Commenting on his appointment, Daniel Johnson said: 'I'm delighted to be joining Validus at such an exciting time for the business. I look forward to working with the team to continue driving product innovation and leading the firm's ongoing development from a technology perspective.' Kevin Lester, CEO of Validus Risk Management, added: 'We are committed to regularly evaluating our technology stack and strategy to ensure we can most effectively support our clients. With his deep expertise, focus on continuous improvement and technology innovation, Daniel is a valuable addition to our executive team as we continue to deliver on our ambitious growth plans.' Earlier this month, Validus announced the opening of its new Singapore office and the appointment of Shawn Koh as Head of Asia Client Coverage, to lead operations across APAC following growing client demand for its services in the region.
