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Cricket Scotland's CEO, Trudy Lindblade, has been invited to join the newly formed World Cricket Connects Advisory Board, a prestigious body designed to shape the future of global cricket. This announcement marks an exciting milestone for Lindblade and the Scottish cricket community. New Advisory Board Replaces MCC World Cricket Committee The World Cricket Connects Advisory Board, which replaces the former MCC World Cricket Committee, aims to serve as a key forum for the discussion of strategic issues in cricket. It brings together prominent figures from across the global cricket landscape, including former international players, cricket executives, and influential figures from…

Sainsbury's has announced the temporary closure of its supermarkets and convenience stores across Scotland and Northern Ireland on January 24, 2025, due to severe weather conditions. This move comes as part of the retailer's commitment to safeguarding its customers and staff. Store Closures Across Northern Ireland and Scotland On Friday, January 24, all Sainsbury's locations in Northern Ireland will be closed from 7am to 3pm, while stores in Scotland, specifically those in areas most affected by the weather, will close from 7am until 6pm. These closures come in response to severe weather warnings issued for both regions. While these closures…

Millions of people across the UK have received emergency phone alerts ahead of the imminent arrival of Storm Éowyn. With the storm expected to bring severe weather conditions, the alert serves as a warning for residents to prepare for significant disruption, particularly in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. Red Weather Warnings Issued The Met Office has issued rare red weather warnings for these regions, indicating the potential for extreme conditions. In some coastal areas, gusts of wind are expected to reach up to 100mph (161km/h), putting residents and infrastructure at risk. The weather warnings are in place for Friday,…

The tragic death of six-year-old Hope Gordon in West Calder, West Lothian, is being treated as murder, as Police Scotland continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death and that of her father, 36-year-old Mark Gordon. Discovery of the Bodies On Monday afternoon, officers were called to the property on Harburn Drive after concerns for the welfare of the family. Upon forcing entry to the home, they discovered the bodies of both Mark Gordon and his daughter Hope. While Hope’s death is being treated as murder, police have yet to determine the exact cause of her father’s death, which is…

Scotland's ambitious plan to establish a National Care Service (NCS) has been scrapped after years of delay, political dispute, and growing concerns over its feasibility. Initially presented as a flagship initiative by former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the vision of a national network for care services has been significantly reduced to a non-statutory advisory board. Here's a breakdown of the events leading to the collapse of the National Care Service plans. The Original Vision When the National Care Service was first proposed, it was hailed as a groundbreaking reform that would address inequalities in social care access across Scotland. The…

A new law in Scotland is set to create a code of practice for dog ownership, aimed at encouraging more responsible decisions when acquiring a pet. The Welfare of Dogs Bill, passed by MSPs, aims to ensure potential dog owners understand the full commitment required before bringing a dog into their lives. A Checklist for Dog Owners Under the new legislation, the Scottish government will be tasked with creating a code of practice within 12 months. This code will feature a checklist of questions that future dog owners must consider before purchasing or adopting a pet. The goal is to…

Leslie Jamison reflects on an unforgettable trip to the Isle of Jura in the Hebrides, where she and her daughter ventured to connect with their Scottish heritage. The adventure, which included a luxurious stay at Glenapp Castle followed by days of exploration on remote islands, brought the pair face-to-face with the rugged beauty and history of Scotland. Waking Up in the Wild At the break of dawn, far from civilization, the sounds of nature were the only things to break the silence. The rain drummed against their tent on the Isle of Jura, wind howled between the ropes, and the…

Millions of people across the UK are being urged to stay at home on Friday as Storm Éowyn, a potentially life-threatening storm, is set to hit with wind gusts reaching up to 100mph. This powerful storm is expected to cause significant disruption, particularly in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, where red weather warnings have been issued. Red Warnings for Northern Ireland and Scotland The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for Northern Ireland, which will remain in place from 07:00 GMT to 14:00 on Friday. This is the most serious warning level, indicating a risk to life…

Openreach has hit a significant milestone in its fibre broadband rollout across Scotland, with its network now reaching 50% of Scottish homes and businesses. The company’s £435 million investment has allowed 1.45 million properties to access ultrafast broadband, with 38% of eligible homes and businesses already connected—surpassing the UK average for fibre take-up. Expanding Fibre Connectivity in Scotland The rollout of full fibre connections is not limited to urban areas. Approximately 30% of the new fibre coverage is focused on rural regions, with particularly challenging locations like Tiree, Iona, and Mull now benefiting from the upgraded service. Around 100,000 of…

The recent escalation of violence in Israel has left many students and families grappling with the emotional toll, particularly those who find themselves far from home. For some, the experience of social isolation while studying abroad has been exacerbated by the tragic events unfolding in their home country. A Divided Family, Separated by Distance Jonathan Jaffe, 56, and ReCheng Tsang, 57, live in Tel Aviv but also split time between the U.S. and Israel. Their children, Knoa Tsang Jaffe, 23, and Avi Tsang Jaffe, 20, have found themselves scattered across the globe—Knoa living in San Francisco and Avi studying in…