Former Scotland first minister and Alba Party leader Alex Salmond has died, aged 69.
The former MP and MSP, who led Scotland between 2007 and 2014, became ill while giving a speech in North Macedonia.
Senior political figures in London and Edinburgh have paid tribute.
Mr Salmond led the independence campaign and resigned as first minister when the referendum vote in 2014 was lost.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the tributes, calling him a “monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics” who “leaves behind a lasting legacy”.
“As first minister of Scotland, he cared deeply about Scotland's heritage, history and culture, as well as the communities he represented as MP and MSP over many years of service,” Mr Starmer said.
UK Conservative leader Rishi Sunak posted on X: “Alex Salmond was a huge figure in our politics. While I disagreed with him on the constitutional question, there was no denying his skill in debate or his passion for politics. May he rest in peace.”
First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply shocked and saddened at the untimely death”.
“Over many years, Alex made an enormous contribution to political life, not just within Scotland, but across the UK and beyond,” he said. “He took the Scottish National Party [SNP] from the fringes of Scottish politics into government and led Scotland so close to becoming an independent country.”
Despite not being in power, Mr Salmond stayed in Scottish politics. In September, he called for a ceasefire in Gaza. He said: “It is paramount that the international community unite to secure a ceasefire. We have to stop the killing now or face the danger of escalation.”
He will forever be linked to the 2014 campaign for an independent Scotland and, staying loyal to the cause, he joined the pro-independence Alba Party in 2021 as leader.
He was born in Linlithgow in 1954 and educated at Linlithgow Academy and St Andrews University, where he joined the SNP, and graduated with a degree in economics and history,
He was first elected as an MP to Westminster for the Banff and Buchan constituency in 1987.
With the reopening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, he went on to serve as leader of the opposition in Holyrood, while retaining his seat at Westminster.
He guided his party to a narrow Scottish election win in 2007, then led a minority government as he became Scotland's first SNP first minister.
That success was superseded in the 2011 election, when Mr Salmond led his party to an unprecedented victory, with a heavy defeat of its main rival and pre-election poll leaders, Labour.
In turn, that meant the SNP could hold an independence referendum.
As the vote on September 18, 2014 drew closer, the polls narrowed and 'Yes Scotland' appeared to have gained enough momentum. Many wondered whether the first minister could become the ultimate Scottish political history-maker.
But the result – a 55 per cent-45 per cent vote to stay in the UK – led to his resignation as first minister on September 19.
He said that, having taken the independence cause to “base camp”, it was someone else's turn to try to reach the summit. The SNP has been in government for the past 17 years.
As recently as last month, Mr Salmond said he regretted his decision to step down the day after the referendum vote, describing it as a mistake.
He married his partner, Moira, in 1981. He was a keen golfer and a fan of horse racing.
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
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Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
