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British citizens killed and missing in Israel rocket attack

British citizens killed and missing in Israel rocket attack

A rocket attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel has claimed the lives of several British citizens and left others missing, according to their families and friends. Bernard Cowan: “The kindest, most generous person” One of the victims was Bernard Cowan, who was murdered on Saturday in Ashkelon, a city near the Gaza border. His brother confirmed his death on social media, saying he was “heartbroken” by the loss of his sibling. “My brother was murdered by the terrorists Hamas, he was the kindest, most generous person you would ever meet, and would go out his way to help others,…
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Scientists warn of addiction to ultra-processed foods

Scientists warn of addiction to ultra-processed foods

What are ultra-processed foods and why are they harmful? Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are foods that have undergone industrial processing and contain additives, such as sugar, salt, fat, preservatives, and flavor enhancers. Examples of UPFs include ice cream, crisps, mass-produced bread, breakfast cereals, and ready meals. UPFs are widely consumed around the world, especially in developed countries. They account for 58% of calories consumed in the United States, according to a recent study. However, UPFs have been linked to a number of health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. They also have a negative impact on mental…
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New scalpel with built-in sensors could revolutionize surgery training

New scalpel with built-in sensors could revolutionize surgery training

A team of researchers from Edinburgh University has developed a scalpel that can measure the amount of force applied by surgeons during procedures. The scalpel could be used to assess and improve the skills of trainees and pave the way for robotic surgery. How the scalpel works The scalpel has a force-sensing system that consists of two thin layers of metal separated by a thin layer of air. When the scalpel is pressed against a surface, the air layer is compressed and changes the electrical resistance of the system. The scalpel can then detect the amount of force applied by…
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Scotland braces for more floods and snow after record-breaking rainfall

Scotland braces for more floods and snow after record-breaking rainfall

Scotland is facing more wet and wintry weather after a weekend of record-breaking rainfall that caused landslides, floods and disruption across the country. A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office for Tuesday, covering parts of the northwest Highlands down to Glasgow and North Ayrshire. The warning also affects regions including Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Falkirk, Argyll and Bute, Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire. How bad was the weekend’s weather? The weekend’s weather was unprecedented in some areas, with Dunstaffnage in Argyll and Bute recording 68.8mm of rainfall in 24 hours, beating the previous record of 59.5mm…
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Aberdeen’s historic Belmont Cinema to reopen as a not-for-profit

Aberdeen’s historic Belmont Cinema to reopen as a not-for-profit

Aberdeen’s only independent filmhouse, which closed last year due to financial troubles, is set to reopen in 2024 as a not-for-profit community cinema. A local charity has launched a £2m fundraising campaign to restore the historic venue and make it a hub for film education and culture. The closure of Belmont Cinema Belmont Cinema was Aberdeen’s only independent filmhouse, offering a diverse range of films from around the world, as well as hosting festivals, events and workshops. The cinema was housed in a Grade B listed building that dates back to 1896 and was originally a school. However, in October…
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UK Government snubs Holyrood committee over deposit return scheme

UK Government snubs Holyrood committee over deposit return scheme

Scottish Secretary refuses to give evidence on Internal Market Act powers The UK Government has rejected a second invitation from a Scottish Parliament committee to explain its decision to block a deposit return scheme (DRS) in Scotland. The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee wanted to hear from Scottish Secretary Alister Jack and other UK ministers about the impact of the Internal Market Act (IMA) on devolved powers and intergovernmental relations. However, Jack said the responsibility for answering questions on DRS fell with the Scottish Government, not the UK Government. Deposit return scheme delayed by UK legislation The DRS is…
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Labour MP refuses to rule out blocking Scottish legislation using Section 35

Labour MP refuses to rule out blocking Scottish legislation using Section 35

What is Section 35 and why is it controversial? Section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 is a provision that allows the UK Government to prevent the Scottish Parliament from passing laws that would affect reserved matters, such as defence, foreign affairs, immigration, and taxation. The UK Government can use Section 35 to block any Scottish bill that it considers to be incompatible with UK law or international obligations. Section 35 has been rarely used in the past, but it has become a source of tension between the UK and Scottish Governments in recent years. The most notable example was…
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Bird farm fined after employee suffers severe burns in fire

Bird farm fined after employee suffers severe burns in fire

How the fire started A bird farm in Leeds, UK, has been fined £26,680 after a fire in a rearing shed resulted in serious injuries to one of its employees. The incident happened at Yorkshire Game Farm, in Woodlesford, on 6 May 2020. The employee had been installing gas heaters in a pheasant rearing shed, ready for a new crop of birds. Upon turning on the gas supply and lighting the heaters, the shed burst into flames, leaving the employee with significant burns and totally destroying the shed. What the investigation found An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety…
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Construction choir to sing for charity at Christmas concert

Construction choir to sing for charity at Christmas concert

A group of construction professionals in Scotland has formed a choir to raise funds for two causes and showcase their musical talents. Building Harmony Choir: How it started The choir was launched in May 2023 by Claire Rosset and Molly Armstrong, both of BakerHicks, a design and engineering company. They wanted to create a fun and relaxing way for people in the construction sector to network and socialize, without the usual pressure of formal events. They also wanted to share their passion for singing and music with others. The choir is open to anyone who works in the construction industry,…
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British man among hundreds killed in Hamas attack on Israel

British man among hundreds killed in Hamas attack on Israel

Gaza under siege as Israel vows to retaliate with ‘enormous force’ A British man from Glasgow was among the hundreds of people killed in a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend. Bernard Cowan, 57, was described by his family as the “kindest, most generous person” who was “horrifically murdered” by the terrorist group. The attack, which targeted a music festival near the border with Gaza, also left 10 other British citizens missing or presumed dead. More than 700 Israelis and 500 Palestinians have died in the violence so far, as Israel launched a massive counterattack on…
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