News

A planned fireworks display at a country park in Scotland was cancelled on Tuesday evening after the organisers received threats to harm the staff and the animals living in the park. The event, called Fawkes Festival, was supposed to be held at Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock, but was called off by East Ayrshire Leisure Trust, which runs the park. Why were the threats made? The threats were made by some members of the public who were concerned about the welfare of the animals in the park. The Scottish SPCA, an animal welfare charity, had also called for the cancellation…

The UK government has announced that it will ban the ownership and breeding of American XL bullies, a type of dog that has been involved in several fatal attacks. The ban will take effect from December 31, 2021 in England and Wales, but not in Scotland. What are American XL bullies? American XL bullies are a crossbreed of American pit bull terriers and mastiffs, created in the US in the 1990s. They are known for their large size, muscular build, and powerful jaws. They can weigh up to 150 pounds and stand up to 23 inches tall at the shoulder.…

A 16th century silver-gilt ewer and basin, known as the Panmure set, has been acquired for the nation under a scheme that allows inheritance tax to be paid with artworks. The Panmure ewer and basin: a glimpse into the past The Panmure ewer and basin are among the rarest and most exquisite examples of Renaissance silverware in Britain. They were made in London in 1586 or 1587 by a Dutch immigrant goldsmith named Harman Copleman. They have intricate designs of dolphins, flying fish, snails and other animals, reflecting the fascination with natural history at the time. The ewer and basin…

Why are school staff striking? School staff in Scotland are members of Unison, a trade union that represents public service workers. Unison members rejected a pay deal from Cosla, the council body that negotiates with local government workers, that was accepted by other unions. Unison says the pay deal amounts to a real-terms pay cut and does not reflect the value and contribution of school staff. Unison wants a decent wage rise and a minimum rate of pay of £15 per hour for all local government workers. How is the strike affecting schools and nurseries? The strike on Wednesday is part of a rolling programme of action, Unison says,…

How the third named storm of the season is affecting the country Storm Ciarán, the third named storm of the season, has brought strong winds and rain to parts of the UK, especially Scotland. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain in southwest, central and eastern Scotland until 6am on Friday. The warning comes as clean-up operations in the wake of Storm Babet continue with hundreds still unable to return to their homes. The heavy rain is expected to cause flooding, disruption to transport and difficult driving conditions. Some areas could see 20-30 mm of…

As the Scottish Premiership witnessed a Hallowe’en thriller, Hibernian FC’s aspirations to climb the league table were dashed in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Ross County. The match, filled with twists and turns, left fans on the edge of their seats and the team’s fate hanging in the balance. Elie Youan and Jair Tavares Shine for Hibs Hibernian FC’s Elie Youan and Jair Tavares delivered standout performances, with Youan’s deflected shot opening the scoring and Tavares’s powerful drive doubling their lead. Their efforts, however, were overshadowed by a resilient comeback from Ross County. Youan’s Goal: A 30-yard run culminating in…

The UK Government has announced the award of 27 new licences for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, sparking outrage from environmentalists and green politicians. What are the new licences and why are they controversial? The new licences are part of the 33rd licencing round by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), which oversees the development of the UK’s offshore energy resources. The licenced blocks are located in the Central and Northern North Sea and West of Shetland, and have the potential to produce oil and gas within the next five years. The UK Government says the new…

The RSNO and conductor Kristiina Poska delivered a thrilling performance of music by Copland, Price and Sibelius, featuring the stunning violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Copland’s Appalachian Spring: a luminous opener The concert opened with Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a suite of music inspired by the American frontier. Poska led the orchestra with a clear vision and a crisp rhythm, creating a vivid atmosphere of pastoral beauty and folk dance. The soloists, especially flautist Katherine Bryan and clarinettist Yann Ghiro, played with expressive nuance and charm. Price’s Second Violin Concerto: a rediscovered gem The highlight of the concert was the Second Violin…

Scottish leader faces scrutiny over her government’s handling of the pandemic Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister of Scotland, has denied deleting WhatsApp messages that could be relevant to the public inquiry into her government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. She said she has “nothing to hide” and is committed to full transparency. Sturgeon was asked repeatedly by journalists whether she had deleted any messages from the period of the pandemic, but she refused to answer, citing the confidentiality agreement between witnesses and the inquiry. She also rejected suggestions that she governed using WhatsApp and said she was not a…