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The A83 trunk road between Tarbet and Inveraray in Scotland has reopened to all traffic after being closed for five days due to multiple landslides caused by heavy rainfall. How the landslides happened The area around the A83 saw a month’s worth of rainfall, around 160mm, fall over 36 hours on Friday and Saturday, October 6 and 7. This triggered seven landslides that reached the road, with the A83/A815 junction to the west end of Glen Kinglas badly affected. The Rest and Be Thankful, a scenic spot on the road, also suffered a small landslip. How the cleanup was done…

Israel and Hamas escalate their conflict Israel and Hamas are engaged in a deadly war that has claimed at least 2,300 lives on both sides since Saturday. Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel through a border fence, killing hundreds of Israelis in their homes and streets. Israel responded with intense airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, destroying buildings, infrastructure and the only power plant. Both sides have vowed to continue fighting until they achieve their goals. Netanyahu joins with rival to form wartime Cabinet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that he has formed a wartime Cabinet with…

The mysterious disappearance and discovery of a 16th Century gravestone A 16th Century gravestone that once marked the grave of a Scottish clan chief was stolen from a remote island churchyard and found in a London flat five years later. The stone, which some believe carries a curse, was discovered by the parents of the late Lawrence Mabon, who had died at the age of 33. The ancient grave of John of Moidart, chief of Clanranald The stone belonged to John of Moidart, who was the chief of Clanranald in the 16th Century. He was a legendary figure who secured…

How the novel became a cultural phenomenon Trainspotting is a novel by Scottish writer Irvine Welsh that was published in 1993. It tells the story of a group of heroin addicts in Edinburgh in the 1980s. The novel was a huge success, selling over a million copies in the UK and being translated into more than 30 languages. It also spawned several sequels, two films directed by Danny Boyle, and two stage adaptations. Why Irvine Welsh decided to create a musical According to Welsh, he was persuaded to create a musical version of Trainspotting by Phil McIntyre, a west end…

Nadia El-Nakla speaks out about her parents’ ordeal Nadia El-Nakla, the wife of Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, has spoken of her fears for her parents, who have been trapped in Gaza since the Hamas attack on Israel. She told the BBC that her parents are “terrified” and have no electricity, water, or food. They travelled to Gaza last week to see a sick relative and are now unable to leave. Hamas attack kills hundreds in Israel The Hamas attack on Israel started on Monday, killing hundreds of people and injuring thousands more. Hamas fired rockets from Gaza into Israel,…

A father-daughter drama set in Turkey Aftersun is a critically acclaimed drama film directed by Edinburgh-born Charlotte Wells. It stars Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio as a father and daughter who go on a holiday to Turkey after a family tragedy. The film explores their strained relationship and their attempts to reconnect with each other and themselves. The film was released in 2022 and has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. It has been praised for its realistic and nuanced portrayal of grief, guilt, and healing. The film has also been lauded for its stunning cinematography, authentic dialogue,…