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The Kingston Bridge, a major crossing over the River Clyde in Glasgow, will be closed to traffic for four nights starting from Monday, October 30. The closure is part of the essential inspection works on the M8 motorway between Junctions 19 and 20, carried out by Amey on behalf of Transport Scotland. Why is the bridge closing? The inspection works are aimed at completing the Kingston Bridge spandrel wall inspection, which is a vital part of the bridge’s structure. The spandrel wall is the vertical wall between the arches of the bridge, which supports the deck and transfers the load…

The Scottish Government is facing scrutiny over its handling of communications during the Covid-19 crisis, after reports emerged that several officials, including former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, manually deleted their WhatsApp messages. What were the messages about? According to the Sunday Mail newspaper, which obtained the information through a Freedom of Information request, the messages were related to the Scottish Government’s response to the pandemic and its coordination with the UK Government and other devolved administrations. The newspaper said that 70 Scottish Government figures, including current First Minister Humza Yousaf and former deputy first minister John Swinney, admitted that their…

Scotland has seen a significant decrease in the number of deliberate fires in the three weeks before November 5, according to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). The SFRS said that the reduction was a result of its prevention efforts, such as school visits and community engagement, to educate young people on the dangers of fire-setting, bonfires and fireworks. However, the SFRS also warned that the majority of firework injuries occur at private properties and urged people to attend organised events where possible. How Scotland reduced deliberate fires The SFRS said that it had recorded 907 deliberate fires in…

The Middle East is a region of turmoil, conflict and instability. The roots of its problems can be traced back to a century ago, when Britain and France secretly carved up the former Ottoman territories after World War I. This article explores how the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Balfour Declaration shaped the fate of millions of people and the geopolitics of the region. The Sykes-Picot Agreement: A colonial carve-up In 1916, Britain and France agreed to divide the Middle East into spheres of influence, with a straight line from Acre to Kirkuk separating their zones. Russia, their ally, was also…

Scotland has the potential to make a significant contribution to the world by becoming an independent state that advocates for peace and climate action, according to the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). The group is holding a Festival for Survival on Saturday to discuss how Scotland can address the twin threats of nuclear weapons and climate change, which it says are not separate but interact. The festival will feature speakers from various backgrounds and perspectives, including activists, academics, politicians and journalists. Why Scotland matters in the global context Scotland is currently home to the largest concentration of nuclear firepower…

The Scottish health secretary Humza Yousaf has expressed his anguish and anger over the situation in Gaza, where his wife’s parents are trapped amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Yousaf said he had no contact with his in-laws since Friday, when communications were cut off in the besieged territory. He said he did not know if they were alive, injured, or buried under rubble. He also criticized the UK government for abstaining from a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire, saying it was “complicit in some of the violence”. A desperate phone call Yousaf said he last spoke…

Scotland is heading to the polls on May 6, 2023, for a crucial election that could determine the future of the United Kingdom. The pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) is hoping to win a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament and use that mandate to demand a second referendum on breaking away from the UK. Why does Scotland want independence? Scotland has a long and complex history with England, dating back to the Middle Ages. The two countries were united under one crown in 1603, when James VI of Scotland became James I of England. In 1707, the Acts…

The UK government has announced a new round of oil and gas exploration licences in the North Sea, sparking criticism from environmentalists and questions over energy security. What are the new licences and why are they controversial? The UK government has offered 27 new licences for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, covering 113 blocks or part-blocks. The licences are part of the 33rd round of offshore licensing, which opened in October 2022 and received 115 applications from 76 companies. The government said the new licences will help reduce the UK’s reliance on foreign imports and support the…

Scotland to publish new white paper on migration policy for independence Scotland is preparing to release a new white paper that will outline its vision for migration policy after becoming an independent country. The paper, which is part of the Building a New Scotland series, will argue that Scotland needs to take a different approach from the UK government on the issue of immigration. The white paper is expected to highlight the social and economic benefits of migration for Scotland, as well as the challenges posed by an ageing population and a slow population growth. The paper will also set…