Today, representatives of the majority of the world’s nations will gather in New York to negotiate the text of a new “Convention on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” (commonly known as the Nuclear Ban Treaty). The Nuclear Ban Treaty has been demanded by millions of citizens across the world. …
The implications of Donald Trump’s rejection of the Paris climate deal
Yesterday President Trump isolated his Government from the rest of the world on climate change. Donald Trump’s reasoning for his action on Paris is clear; he does not believe that the agreement is good for American business. In terms of near-term profitability he may be right, although there are …
Attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt
On 9 April bombs at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria and in St George’s Church, Tanta during Palm Sunday services killed at least 45 people and injured over 120. These attacks on the Coptic Christian community have been claimed by Islamic State. At a time when attacks are increasing, Palm Sunday …
The failed Trident missile test is emblematic of a wider malaise
How fitting that the UK’s failed test firing of a Trident nuclear missile in June occurred as Donald Trump launched his Presidential campaign. President Trump has stated that he is not in favour of subsidising the cost of Europe’s nuclear weapons. The US-owned Trident missiles are leased …
Action on arms sales to Saudi Arabia
(Updated 6 Nov 2018) In the light of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi there is a renewed public focus on the human rights abuses of the government of Saudi Arabia. See Following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi the UK must halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The conflict in Yemen has killed over 10,000 …
For Wednesday 1st April – Pray and Fast for the Climate
Pray and Fast for the Climate Earth Hour was celebrated on 28 March. It is described as the world’s largest environmental event. At 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time in 172 participating countries lights are switched off on monuments, public and office buildings. With over 1,400 landmarks and close …
UK Government announces attendance at Humanitarian Impacts of Nuclear Weapons Conference in Vienna
Governments do listen sometimes. The UK Government has stated today that it will attend next week’s conference in Vienna on the Humanitarian Impacts of Nuclear Weapons. The UK boycotted the first two humanitarian impacts conferences but has come under much domestic pressure to join with 150 nation …
Minister says charities should keep out of politics and stick to their knitting
“We really want to try and keep charities and voluntary groups out of the realms of politics,” Brooks Newmark MP, the new Minister for Charities said. “The important thing charities should be doing is sticking to their knitting”. We agree. So last month, up and down our country, thousands of …
Five Christians on trial today
The United Reformed Church (URC) has issued a statement on the Arms Trade as five Christians go on trial today for blocking the London Arms Fair in September 2013. The DSEI fair describes itself as “the world leading defence and security event” and entertains arms buyers from around the globe, …
Dear Daily Mail, This isn’t a competition
The Daily Mail has joined the call for the UK 11 billion overseas aid budget to be used to aid people affected by floods in the UK. Of course we are concerned for those in the UK whose homes have been flooded or who find themselves cut off. Every day we hear people’s distress and despair at the …