Latest news with #VictoryinEuropeDay
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Local veterans celebrate Health for Heroes Award at VE Day Event
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure invited veterans for afternoon tea at Barrhead Foundry to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Veterans were recently invited to an afternoon tea at Barrhead Foundry to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and efforts to support them in East Renfrewshire. The special gathering saw East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure receive the Armed Forces' Covenant Employer Bronze Award, in recognition of its support for the armed forces community. As part of this support, the leisure team developed the Health for Heroes scheme. The initiative launched in 2019 as the first programme of its kind in Scotland, offering free fitness memberships to support local veterans in partnership with East Renfrewshire Council. Veteran Kevin Potts was in the Royal Air Force as a photographic specialist for 22 years. His wife, Fiona, is also a veteran and they are Health for Heroes members. Kevin told the Paisley Daily Express: 'The Health for Heroes initiative is important because there is very little support for veterans when they come out, whether they've served for a short period or had a longer period of service. 'They're left going from a massive family environment to very little, so any support outside is massive to them. It means a lot and makes them feel like they're still part of the veteran family. 'Getting like-minded people together who may have lost touch with the military family gives veterans an opportunity to tell their stories. Having the Health for Heroes environment allows them to pass information on and keep the rhetoric.' James McEwan, from Barrhead, joined the army at the age of 18 and served in Germany and Northern Ireland. The 70-year-old veteran, added: 'There are so many soldiers with so many needs when they come out of the army. I try to push the message that it's not weak to go to combat stress. 'It's not a 'manly' thing to stay away from it - get help if you're struggling with your mental health. 'It's always good if you can do physical exercise. 'I'm just getting back into the gym again and usually come down to use Barrhead Foundry's gym once or twice a week, when I can manage.' Captain David Hanley, 102 Field Squadron's PSAO (Permanent Staff Administration Officer), presented the recognition award at the event, which was attended by veterans, local partners who support the armed forces community and local councillors, including council leader Owen O'Donnell and councillor and veterans champion Kate Campbell. Councillor Campbell said: 'I'd like to congratulate East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure for achieving the bronze award. 'They have been undertaking fantastic work in supporting our local armed forces community, both internally with their employees and across East Renfrewshire. 'Having spoken with a number of veterans, it is clear that the Health For Heroes scheme has been a success and is making a real difference to the lives of local residents. I would encourage anyone from our armed forces community to get involved and see how it could help and support you.' East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's chief executive Anthony McReavy said: 'We are very proud to receive the Armed Forces' Employer Recognition Bronze Award and for our Health for Heroes programme, recognising the positive impact it has in supporting veterans in our community.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton's Facial Expressions Were Prince Louis-Level at Yesterday's Outing
Prince Louis has won the hearts of royal fans with his cheeky moments and meme-worthy expressions at several public events. For instance, during his grandad's coronation ceremony in 2023, he stole the show with his silly antics. Then, during last year's Trooping the Colour, he showed off his dance moves and made funny faces while joining his family on the palace balcony. Once again, the young royal entertained fans with his playful personality when he attended the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. And now, his mom is following suit. This week, Princess Catherine joined her husband, Prince William, at the official naming ceremony of the HMS Glasgow. On Instagram, the couple shared highlights from the event and wrote, "Everything is looking ship shape! A pleasure to meet with members of the Ship's Company and their families, as well as BAE Systems' Shipbuilding Academy apprentices and graduates, and some of the incredibly skillful teams involved in the building of the ship." Per usual, the princess looked stunning in her navy and white ensemble, but I couldn't help but notice that she was much more expressive during the royal outing. For example, after boarding the ship, the princess was quite animated as she spoke with team members, using hand gestures and speaking with raised eyebrows. Also, in one standout photo, the princess is captured in the middle of a friendly pipe-building competition with her husband. Towards the end, when the royal mom is declared the winner, her piece begins to fall apart—and her facial expression is priceless. Andy Barr -Middleton is also pictured bursting into laughter after her husband teases, "Perfectly timed," from across the table. ANDY BARR/POOL/AFP via Getty Images The royal's enthusiasm instantly made me think of Prince Louis's many candid moments with the family, and I'm beginning to see where he gets his cheeky expressions from. Samir Hussein/WireImage It looks like the proud mom passed down more than just her love of photography. Perhaps this means we'll see more meme-worthy snaps of the mother-son duo together? (I certainly hope so.) Want all the latest royal family news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Royal News Roundup: Kate Middleton's Wax Statue, Prince Archie's Sweet Pic & King Charles's Rare Health Update
Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Urgent strategy is required to halt the march of tyranny in Europe
On Victory in Europe Day, 1945, Winston Churchill gave an address to an exhausted but jubilant nation from the balcony of the ministry of health. In it, he reminded the British people that 'we were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny'. Britain's early move to arrest the grotesque ambitions of the Nazi regime rightly remains a source of national pride. Indeed, it partly informs the strong collective UK backing for Ukraine in the face of Russian invasion and atrocities. In his speech at the London Defence Conference on the 80th anniversary of VE day, Sir Keir Starmer drew an explicit line between the 'forces of hatred, tyranny and evil' in the Second World War and the Russian threat to
New European
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New European
Robert Fico goes to Moscow
The prime minister, Robert Fico, was en route to Moscow for a meeting with Putin, his second visit in recent months. He was the only EU leader present in Moscow on that day. Fico's previous trip triggered widespread outrage and months of mass demonstrations. At one point, Fico described the protests as an attempted coup. In an extravagant show of military might, Vladimir Putin presided over a grand parade in Moscow's Red Square to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the second world war. More than 10,000 troops marched through the capital, even as the war in Ukraine continued. Meanwhile, in Slovakia, almost 10,000 demonstrators gathered in central Bratislava on Victory in Europe Day, the day before the Moscow parade. People protested outside the government's headquarters, with Slovak and EU flags filling the square in a show of dissent. Michal Šimečka, leader of Progressive Slovakia, the main opposition party, which is currently leading in the opinion polls, has criticised Fico's foreign policy direction. 'It is a disgrace and a betrayal of Slovakia's national interests, which is driving our country out of the EU. This is happening against the will of our citizens,' he told me. 'I am convinced that there will be a political change in Slovakia and that we will bring Slovakia back to the European table'. A few hours before his departure for Moscow, Fico marked Victory Day in the town of Piešťany. His speech was met with a mix of applause and boos. Then it was off to Moscow, where he had a brief exchange with Putin, a meeting with the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, a cheerful photo op with the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vučić, and even a meeting with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, their second in six months. Fico did not attend the parade itself – the EU had made clear that his attendance would have crossed a red line. In protest at Fico's show of friendship towards Putin, the Baltic states barred his plane from their airspace, forcing a lengthy detour. Rastislav Káčer, our former foreign minister, told me he thought the trip was 'both a disgrace and a strategic mistake'. The trouble with Fico, he said, was that he 'targets 'the west', despite the fact that we conduct almost 90% of our trade with the west. Yet when he is in trouble, he turns to Brussels, seeking compensation, subsidies, and diplomatic support.' Since the start of the year, Fico has managed, albeit with difficulty, to hold his fractured coalition together, while using foreign affairs as a tool of self-promotion. It began in February with a trip to the conservative gathering of MAGA Republicans at the CPac conference in the US. It was meant to be a photo opportunity with Donald Trump, but events did not unfold as planned. In the end, Fico managed only a brief meeting with Elon Musk and a mention on the welcome list from Trump. He returned from Washington without his longed-for photo, or even a handshake from his political idol. Trump is no friend of Slovakia. His tariffs on the car industry pose a significant threat to our economy – Slovakia produces around 1m vehicles each year. Jakub Filo, deputy editor-in-chief of Slovak daily SME, said: 'Fico is a Slovak proponent of authoritarian national conservatism. His approach to foreign affairs is not focused on strengthening ties with Slovakia's natural partners and allies, but rather on forging connections with other national conservatives and autocratic leaders. 'Domestically it serves him, as a significant portion of his and the governing coalition's electorate holds pro-Russian sentiments and is susceptible to Russian propaganda.' Against this backdrop, Fico appears to be cultivating a carefully crafted image of strength, just like Putin. However, also like Putin, Fico's foreign adventures are leaving him increasingly isolated. They may no longer be delivering the domestic political gains they once did. Branislav Ondrášik reports for the Slovak daily SME
Canada Standard
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence mark 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
Ottawa, ON - Today, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence issued the following statement: "On 8 May 1945, Sir Winston Churchill took to the airwaves to declare the unconditional surrender of all German land, sea and air forces in Europe. The announcement marked the end of the Second World War in Europe, and a decisive victory for the Allied forces. "For Canada, it meant the safe return of hundreds of thousands of troops that had fought so valiantly for freedom, democracy and global stability. Among them was Chief Warrant Officer Anton "Tony" Pearson, who enlisted in 1943 and helped liberate the Netherlands. He was in Oldenburg, Germany, with the South Saskatchewan Regiment when the German surrender was confirmed. "The end of the war was a moment of triumph for Canada, Newfoundland, and their Allies, but also one of solemn reflection as the more than 45,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who made the ultimate sacrifice were mourned. These losses would not be in vain. "Canada would go on to play a key role in shaping the post-war order, becoming a founding member of the United Nations (UN) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and advocating for diplomacy, international development, the protection of human rights and the prevention of future conflicts. "At this time of increased volatility in the world, we must never forget that the peace won in the Second World War is not self-sustaining. It requires vigilance, cooperation, and a deep commitment from likeminded allies who believe in the values of democracy, justice, and human dignity. Through organizations like the UN and NATO, Canada is committed to collective defence, international cooperation and the pursuit of a world where conflicts are resolved through diplomacy rather than war. "As Churchill himself declared on Victory in Europe Day, 80 years ago today: 'Long live the cause of freedom!' Associated Links: 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War - Veterans Affairs Canada
