Scotland enjoyed the greatest victory in their cricket history by holding their nerve to beat world number one-ranked England by six runs in a thrilling one-day international at Edinburgh on Sunday.

Despite making a mammoth 371 for five, thanks mainly to Calum MacLeod's brilliant 140 not out, Scotland were in danger of defeat as England's Jonny Bairstow took advantage of a good pitch and short boundaries at the Grange to make 105.

But a middle-order collapse gave non-Test nation Scotland renewed hope.

England rallied again, thanks to a 71-run eighth-wicket partnership between Moeen Ali and Liam Plunkett.

But paceman Safyaan Sharif sealed Scotland's victory with seven balls to spare when he had No.11 Mark Wood plumb lbw to spark a pitch invasion by jubilant home fans.

Scotland's first win in international cricket over England came in their first match since they were cruelly denied a place at next year's World Cup after a poor umpiring decision and rain saw them miss out in their final qualifier against the West Indies in Harare in March.&nbsp

"I'm lost for words, I don't know what to say," Sharif told Sky Sports. "We've been waiting for this for so long. England are a brilliant side but scoring 371 against them means the world."

The International Cricket Council's decision to shrink the World Cup from 14 teams to 10 had already been heavily criticised long before Scotland and their fellow associate or non-Test nations impressed with the quality of their play in Zimbabwe.

Asked if Scotland had sent a message to the ICC with this win, Sharif replied: "I'm not going to say anything -- they've seen it all today."

'Not the end of the world'

This was an embarrassing reverse for 2019 World Cup hosts England ahead of their upcoming five-match home ODI series against Australia and a reminder of how Eoin Morgan's side have been undone in one-off games, such as last year's Champions Trophy semi-final loss to eventual winners Pakistan in Cardiff.&nbsp

"(Scotland) are a very dangerous side, I thought they played close to their best cricket today and we didn't," said Morgan

"It's not the end of the world for us, it was a really good run out and good to have a practice coming into the series against Australia," he added ahead of a five-match campaign that gets underway at The Oval on Wednesday.

Scotland's total was their highest at this level, surpassing their 341 for nine against fellow non-Test nation Canada at Christchurch four years ago.

Bairstow set a record by becoming the first England batsman to make three ODI centuries in successive innings but it was not enough to deny the Scots.

Scotland saw captain Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross share a century stand after Morgan won the toss.

But they lost both openers in quick succession to be 107 for two.

MacLeod, however, ensured a promising start was not wasted and together with George Munsey (55) put on 107 for the fourth wicket.

The 29-year-old former Durham batsman went to a hundred off just 70 balls, his seventh at this level and the first by any Scotland batsman against England.

Jason Roy and Bairstow launched England's reply with a century stand but Bairstow holed out when he might have won the game.

Test skipper Joe Root was carelessly run out and England then lost Morgan and Alex Hales off successive deliveries to be 245 for five.

Ali's 46 threatened to spare England's blushes only for the all-rounder to be undone by a slower delivery from left-arm spinner Mark Watt.

The victory completed a notable double over England for the Sole family.

David Sole, the captain of the Scotland rugby union side that beat England at Edinburgh's Murrayfield in 1990 to win a Grand Slam in the old Five Nations, was among the Grange crowd to watch his son Chris, one of Scotland's new-ball bowlers.

Scotland enjoyed the greatest victory in their cricket history by holding their nerve to beat world number one-ranked England by six runs in a thrilling one-day international match

Scotland enjoyed the greatest victory in their cricket history by holding their nerve to beat world number one-ranked England by six runs in a thrilling one-day international at Edinburgh on Sunday. Despite making a mammoth 371 for five, thanks mainly to Calum MacLeod's brilliant 140 not out, Scotland were in danger of defeat as England's Jonny Bairstow took advantage of a good pitch and short boundaries at the Grange to make 105. But a middle-order collapse gave non-Test nation Scotland renewed hope. England rallied again, thanks to a 71-run eighth-wicket partnership between Moeen Ali and Liam Plunkett. But paceman Safyaan Sharif sealed Scotland's victory with seven balls to spare when he had No.11 Mark Wood plumb lbw to spark a pitch invasion by jubilant home fans. Scotland's first win in international cricket over England came in their first match since they were cruelly denied a place at next year's World Cup after a poor umpiring decision and rain saw them miss out in their final qualifier against the West Indies in Harare in March. "I'm lost for words, I don't know what to say," Sharif told Sky Sports. "We've been waiting for this for so long. England are a brilliant side but scoring 371 against them means the world." The International Cricket Council's decision to shrink the World Cup from 14 teams to 10 had already been heavily criticised long before Scotland and their fellow associate or non-Test nations impressed with the quality of their play in Zimbabwe. Asked if Scotland had sent a message to the ICC with this win, Sharif replied: "I'm not going to say anything -- they've seen it all today." 'Not the end of the world' This was an embarrassing reverse for 2019 World Cup hosts England ahead of their upcoming five-match home ODI series against Australia and a reminder of how Eoin Morgan's side have been undone in one-off games, such as last year's Champions Trophy semi-final loss to eventual winners Pakistan in Cardiff. "(Scotland) are a very dangerous side, I thought they played close to their best cricket today and we didn't," said Morgan "It's not the end of the world for us, it was a really good run out and good to have a practice coming into the series against Australia," he added ahead of a five-match campaign that gets underway at The Oval on Wednesday. Scotland's total was their highest at this level, surpassing their 341 for nine against fellow non-Test nation Canada at Christchurch four years ago. Bairstow set a record by becoming the first England batsman to make three ODI centuries in successive innings but it was not enough to deny the Scots. Scotland saw captain Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross share a century stand after Morgan won the toss. But they lost both openers in quick succession to be 107 for two. MacLeod, however, ensured a promising start was not wasted and together with George Munsey (55) put on 107 for the fourth wicket. The 29-year-old former Durham batsman went to a hundred off just 70 balls, his seventh at this level and the first by any Scotland batsman against England. Jason Roy and Bairstow launched England's reply with a century stand but Bairstow holed out when he might have won the game. Test skipper Joe Root was carelessly run out and England then lost Morgan and Alex Hales off successive deliveries to be 245 for five. Ali's 46 threatened to spare England's blushes only for the all-rounder to be undone by a slower delivery from left-arm spinner Mark Watt. The victory completed a notable double over England for the Sole family. David Sole, the captain of the Scotland rugby union side that beat England at Edinburgh's Murrayfield in 1990 to win a Grand Slam in the old Five Nations, was among the Grange crowd to watch his son Chris, one of Scotland's new-ball bowlers.

Cricket: Scotland stun top-ranked England in huge cricket shock

A global team of scientists plans to scour the icy depths of Loch Ness next month using environmental DNA (eDNA) in an experiment that may disover whether Scotland's fabled monster really does, or did, exist.

The use of eDNA sampling is already well established as a tool for monitoring marine life like whales and sharks.

Whenever a creature moves through its environment, it leaves behind tiny fragments of DNA from skin, scales, feathers, fur, faeces and urine.

"This DNA can be captured, sequenced and then used to identify that creature by comparing the sequence obtained to large databases of known genetic sequences from hundreds of thousands of different organisms," said team spokesman Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago in New Zealand.

The first written record of a monster relates to the Irish monk St Columba, who is said to have banished a "water beast" to the depths of the River Ness in the 6th century.

The most famous picture of Nessie, known as the "surgeon’s photo", was taken in 1934 and showed a head on a long neck emerging from the water. It was revealed 60 years later to have been a hoax that used a sea monster model attached to a toy submarine.

Countless unsuccessful attempts to track down the monster have been made in the years since, notably in 2003 when the BBC funded an extensive scientific search that used 600 sonar beams and satellite tracking to sweep the full length of the loch.

The most recent attempt was two years ago when a high-tech marine drone found a monster - but not the one it was looking for. The discovery turned out to be replica used in the 1970 film "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes", which sank nearly 50 years ago.

Gemmell's team, which comprises scientists from Britain, Denmark, the United States, Australia and France, is keen to stress the expedition is more than just a monster hunt.

"While the prospect of looking for evidence of the Loch Ness monster is the hook to this project, there is an extraordinary amount of new knowledge that we will gain from the work about organisms that inhabit Loch Ness," Gemmell said on his university website.

He predicts they will document new species of life, particularly bacteria, and will provide important data on the extent of several new invasive species recently seen in the loch, such as Pacific pink salmon.

Their findings are expected to be presented in January 2019.

Gemmell's team, which comprises scientists from Britain, Denmark, the United States, Australia and France, is keen to stress the expedition is more than just a monster hunt.

A global team of scientists plans to scour the icy depths of Loch Ness next month using environmental DNA (eDNA) in an experiment that may disover whether Scotland's fabled monster really does, or did, exist. The use of eDNA sampling is already well established as a tool for monitoring marine life like whales and sharks. Whenever a creature moves through its environment, it leaves behind tiny fragments of DNA from skin, scales, feathers, fur, faeces and urine. "This DNA can be captured, sequenced and then used to identify that creature by comparing the sequence obtained to large databases of known genetic sequences from hundreds of thousands of different organisms," said team spokesman Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago in New Zealand. The first written record of a monster relates to the Irish monk St Columba, who is said to have banished a "water beast" to the depths of the River Ness in the 6th century. The most famous picture of Nessie, known as the "surgeon’s photo", was taken in 1934 and showed a head on a long neck emerging from the water. It was revealed 60 years later to have been a hoax that used a sea monster model attached to a toy submarine. Countless unsuccessful attempts to track down the monster have been made in the years since, notably in 2003 when the BBC funded an extensive scientific search that used 600 sonar beams and satellite tracking to sweep the full length of the loch. The most recent attempt was two years ago when a high-tech marine drone found a monster - but not the one it was looking for. The discovery turned out to be replica used in the 1970 film "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes", which sank nearly 50 years ago. Gemmell's team, which comprises scientists from Britain, Denmark, the United States, Australia and France, is keen to stress the expedition is more than just a monster hunt. "While the prospect of looking for evidence of the Loch Ness monster is the hook to this project, there is an extraordinary amount of new knowledge that we will gain from the work about organisms that inhabit Loch Ness," Gemmell said on his university website. He predicts they will document new species of life, particularly bacteria, and will provide important data on the extent of several new invasive species recently seen in the loch, such as Pacific pink salmon. Their findings are expected to be presented in January 2019.

Global scientists team to hunt for Loch Ness monster

Scotland has now become the first country to introduce a minimum unit price of alcohol with the aim to reduce number of deaths in the country, reports said on Tuesday.

The primary goal in mind is to improve public health by raising cost of cheap, strong drinks which the younger crowd would opt for as well as the binge-drinkers.&nbsp;

A unit of alcohol, defined as 10 millilitres (8 grammes) of pure alcohol, must not cost less than 50 pence ($0.68) as Scotland becomes one of the first countries in the world to introduce minimum alcohol pricing.

It means a standard 750ml 13% bottle of wine cannot be sold for less than £4.88, a 700ml 40% bottle of whiskey for £14 and two liters of 5% cider for £5.

Moreover, the Scottish government has given a direction to the retailers that there will be no grace period and that if the guidelines are not followed the license could be revoked.&nbsp;

Twenty-two people lose lives from alcoholism and related problems in Scotland every week - a problem which costs Scotland's health system more than £3bn annually.

This decision has been hailed by the medical professional and health campaigners as a major breakthrough in improving public health since the ban on smoking in public.&nbsp;

"Over the first five years of this policy, the estimate is that several hundred fewer deaths from alcohol will be recorded and we will reduce admissions to hospital," Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Sky News.

The primary goal in mind is to improve public health by raising cost of cheap, strong drinks which the younger crowd would opt for ad well as the binge-drinkers

Scotland has now become the first country to introduce a minimum unit price of alcohol with the aim to reduce number of deaths in the country, reports said on Tuesday. The primary goal in mind is to improve public health by raising cost of cheap, strong drinks which the younger crowd would opt for as well as the binge-drinkers. A unit of alcohol, defined as 10 millilitres (8 grammes) of pure alcohol, must not cost less than 50 pence ($0.68) as Scotland becomes one of the first countries in the world to introduce minimum alcohol pricing. It means a standard 750ml 13% bottle of wine cannot be sold for less than £4.88, a 700ml 40% bottle of whiskey for £14 and two liters of 5% cider for £5. Moreover, the Scottish government has given a direction to the retailers that there will be no grace period and that if the guidelines are not followed the license could be revoked. Twenty-two people lose lives from alcoholism and related problems in Scotland every week - a problem which costs Scotland's health system more than £3bn annually. This decision has been hailed by the medical professional and health campaigners as a major breakthrough in improving public health since the ban on smoking in public. "Over the first five years of this policy, the estimate is that several hundred fewer deaths from alcohol will be recorded and we will reduce admissions to hospital," Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Sky News.

Scotland becomes first country to introduce minimum alcohol pricing to cut deaths

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday announced that all its 104 member nations - both men and women's team - will be granted T20I status.

The news was confirmed by ICC CEO David Richardson in a press conference in Kolkata.

He also said that a global ranking system will be launched for the format.

At present, there are 18 members with T20I status - 12 full members plus Scotland, Netherlands, Hong Kong, UAE, Oman and Nepal.

"All Women's team matches will be awarded T20 International status on July 1st 2018. All the men's team matches will be given T20 International status on January 1st 2019," Richardson said.

ICC said the move is a part of the wider strategic aim of using the T20 format to globalise the game.&nbsp;

It said that the new minimum standards will be introduced making it as easy as possible for members to play international cricket in a sustainable and affordable way.

Earlier this year, there were reports doing the rounds that from the year 2020, there won’t be any international cricket played during the IPL – paving the way for a separate window for the T20 league.

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All ICC member nations are to receive T20I status and the 2021 Champions Trophy is to be replaced with a World T20 in the approved 2019-23 Future Tours Programme. 
 
Details ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Z9sOtqEVVA">https://t.co/Z9sOtqEVVA</a> <a href="https://t.co/DUbpqtQ0ds">pic.twitter.com/DUbpqtQ0ds</a>
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Talking about the cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, Richardson said that it will take more than both the boards to agree.

“There is a common desire that it will be great if India and Pakistan can play each other, specifically in bilateral series. The issue is quite complicated I am afraid, it is going to take a lot more than just two boards agreeing,” he added.

The news was confirmed by ICC CEO David Richardson

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday announced that all its 104 member nations - both men and women's team - will be granted T20I status. The news was confirmed by ICC CEO David Richardson in a press conference in Kolkata. He also said that a global ranking system will be launched for the format. At present, there are 18 members with T20I status - 12 full members plus Scotland, Netherlands, Hong Kong, UAE, Oman and Nepal. "All Women's team matches will be awarded T20 International status on July 1st 2018. All the men's team matches will be given T20 International status on January 1st 2019," Richardson said. ICC said the move is a part of the wider strategic aim of using the T20 format to globalise the game. It said that the new minimum standards will be introduced making it as easy as possible for members to play international cricket in a sustainable and affordable way. Earlier this year, there were reports doing the rounds that from the year 2020, there won’t be any international cricket played during the IPL – paving the way for a separate window for the T20 league. All ICC member nations are to receive T20I status and the 2021 Champions Trophy is to be replaced with a World T20 in the approved 2019-23 Future Tours Programme. Details ➡️ https://t.co/Z9sOtqEVVA pic.twitter.com/DUbpqtQ0ds — ICC (@ICC) April 26, 2018 × Talking about the cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, Richardson said that it will take more than both the boards to agree. “There is a common desire that it will be great if India and Pakistan can play each other, specifically in bilateral series. The issue is quite complicated I am afraid, it is going to take a lot more than just two boards agreeing,” he added.

ICC grants T20 International status to all 104 member countries

Dozens of dinosaur footprints were found on the coast of Scottish island, Skye. According to the experts, the footprints belong to long-necked Sauropods that walked on Earth in Middle Jurassic era around 170 million years ago.&nbsp;

The interesting bit? Close to 50 newly-found footprints carry the&nbsp;fleshy heel-pads of the giant dinosaurs.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://t.co/KvV5H3e0mA">https://t.co/KvV5H3e0mA</a> 
Huge Dinosaur Footprints Discovered on Scottish Coast<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dinosaur?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dinosaur</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dinosaurs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dinosaurs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/scotland?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#scotland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fossil?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fossil</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/footprint?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#footprint</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/footprints?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#footprints</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/history?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#history</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Archaeology?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Archaeology</a> <a href="https://t.co/QdQ6A6Txe5">pic.twitter.com/QdQ6A6Txe5</a>
— areavis (@AreavisOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AreavisOfficial/status/981021094319620096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The footprints suggest that Sauropods, in reality, were much bigger than what was documented so far. Details of the discovery were published in the Scottish Journal of Geology yesterday.&nbsp;

The recent finding sheds more light on the Middle Jurrasic era and the evolution of Sauropods.

Sauropods, also known as Sauropoda, are believed to be characterised by very long necks and tails. They had relatively smaller heads as compared to the rest of their body and lizard-like limbs. They are often known to be the largest animals to have ever lived on the planet.

The recent finding sheds more light on the Middle Jurrasic era and the evolution of Sauropods

Dozens of dinosaur footprints were found on the coast of Scottish island, Skye. According to the experts, the footprints belong to long-necked Sauropods that walked on Earth in Middle Jurassic era around 170 million years ago. The interesting bit? Close to 50 newly-found footprints carry the fleshy heel-pads of the giant dinosaurs. https://t.co/KvV5H3e0mA Huge Dinosaur Footprints Discovered on Scottish Coast#dinosaur #dinosaurs #scotland #fossil #footprint #footprints #history #Archaeology pic.twitter.com/QdQ6A6Txe5 — areavis (@AreavisOfficial) April 3, 2018 × The footprints suggest that Sauropods, in reality, were much bigger than what was documented so far. Details of the discovery were published in the Scottish Journal of Geology yesterday. The recent finding sheds more light on the Middle Jurrasic era and the evolution of Sauropods. Sauropods, also known as Sauropoda, are believed to be characterised by very long necks and tails. They had relatively smaller heads as compared to the rest of their body and lizard-like limbs. They are often known to be the largest animals to have ever lived on the planet.

Footprints of 'world's largest dinosaur' discovered in Scotland

Two-times World Champions West Indies qualified for next year&#39;s cricket World Cup to be held in England &amp; Wales by beating Scotland through the DLS method in Harare.

West Indies were bowled out for 198 as rain interrupted play as Scotland managed to score 125 for the loss of 4 wickets in 14.4 overs.

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Number five falls! Richie Berrington is given out lbw to Ashley Nurse on 33. Scotland are 105/5 after 31.4 overs.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIvSCO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIvSCO</a> LIVE ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/aqWLCpMy5n">https://t.co/aqWLCpMy5n</a> <a href="https://t.co/v0GjBEUMTb">pic.twitter.com/v0GjBEUMTb</a>
&mdash; Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketworldcup/status/976455397828685824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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West Indies were declared winners by five runs through the DLS method knocking out Scotland from next years finals.

West Indies has won the World Cup earlier in 1975 and 1979.

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The rain has got very heavy at Harare Sports Club. The full covers are on. ☔<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWCQ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWCQ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIvSCO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIvSCO</a> <a href="https://t.co/fYgEonp7S8">pic.twitter.com/fYgEonp7S8</a>
&mdash; Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketworldcup/status/976463154887700480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;I&#39;m extremely pleased to get through to the World Cup. We&#39;ve been through a lot in the last two years,&quot; said captain Holder.

&quot;We had to play to expectation -- there was pressure in every game and the guys really put their hands up. I&#39;m really pleased to get over the line but my thoughts go out to Scotland for how they&#39;ve played in this tournament,&quot; the captain said moments after qualifing for the World Cup.

Had the rain come with Scotland on the same score but four wickets down, they would have qualified instead.

&quot;There are a couple of decisions that have hurt us in the last two games and obviously another one didn&#39;t go our way today,&quot; said Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer.

West Indies were bowled out for 198 as rain interrupted

Two-times World Champions West Indies qualified for next year's cricket World Cup to be held in England & Wales by beating Scotland through the DLS method in Harare. West Indies were bowled out for 198 as rain interrupted play as Scotland managed to score 125 for the loss of 4 wickets in 14.4 overs. Number five falls! Richie Berrington is given out lbw to Ashley Nurse on 33. Scotland are 105/5 after 31.4 overs.#WIvSCO LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/aqWLCpMy5n pic.twitter.com/v0GjBEUMTb — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 21, 2018 × West Indies were declared winners by five runs through the DLS method knocking out Scotland from next years finals. West Indies has won the World Cup earlier in 1975 and 1979. The rain has got very heavy at Harare Sports Club. The full covers are on. ☔#CWCQ #WIvSCO pic.twitter.com/fYgEonp7S8 — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 21, 2018 × "I'm extremely pleased to get through to the World Cup. We've been through a lot in the last two years," said captain Holder. "We had to play to expectation -- there was pressure in every game and the guys really put their hands up. I'm really pleased to get over the line but my thoughts go out to Scotland for how they've played in this tournament," the captain said moments after qualifing for the World Cup. Had the rain come with Scotland on the same score but four wickets down, they would have qualified instead. "There are a couple of decisions that have hurt us in the last two games and obviously another one didn't go our way today," said Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer.

Former champions West Indies beat Scotland to qualify for cricket World Cup

A small town named Patna in the East Ayrshire region of Scotland marked &#39;Bihar Diwas&#39; today to celebrate its historic links with the Bihar capital.

Patna was established in 1802 by Scottish agriculturist William Fullarton to provide housing for people who worked on his Skeldon estate and coalfields. He named the town after Patna in Bihar, where he was born and spent his formative years.

Patna had always been an important centre of learning and trade,&nbsp;said Y K Sinha, the Indian high commissioner to the UK who was the chief guest at the event over the weekend.

Fullarton created Patna in Scotland in memory of his father, Surgeon William Fullarton, who was associated with the British East India Company and served in India between 1744-66, during which time he established close contacts with local historians, painters, artists and traders.

Bihar Diwas, which marks the day the state of Bihar was carved out of the Bengal Presidency by the British in 1912, is celebrated every year on March 22.

The event in Scotland on March 17 was organised by the Patna Community Association, along with the Vibrant Communities group. It involved cultural performances by Indian dance groups and young people from Patna Primary.

Sinha, himself from the state of Bihar, promised to extend all possible support to the institutions linking the two cities. He traced the history of Patna, the ancient city of Patliputra, capital of past empires, and highlighted the role of the city in India&#39;s freedom struggle and in the making of modern India.

Reliving some of his own memories of Patna, he made a special mention of the Nalanda University, one of the earliest and biggest centres of learning in the ancient world. Today, the modern Nalanda University revives the glorious academic heritage of India, he noted.

The event coincided with an exhibition depicting the culture and cuisine of Patna. Community members also presented glimpses of major festivals of Bihar such as Chhat Pooja, Sama Chakeva, Teej and celebrated the lives of Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Guru Gobind Singh.

The Consulate General of India in Edinburgh, which is headed by Anju Ranjan, also presented an audio-visual tour of the culture and touristic destinations of Bihar and history of Patna.

The Provost of East Ayrshire, Jim Todd, and Provost of South Ayrshire, Helen Moonie, were among the guests of honour and Scottish Minister for Social Security Jeane Freeman represented the Scottish government at the event.

Bihar Diwas, which marks the day the state of Bihar was carved out of the Bengal Presidency by the British in 1912, is celebrated every year on March 22.

A small town named Patna in the East Ayrshire region of Scotland marked 'Bihar Diwas' today to celebrate its historic links with the Bihar capital. Patna was established in 1802 by Scottish agriculturist William Fullarton to provide housing for people who worked on his Skeldon estate and coalfields. He named the town after Patna in Bihar, where he was born and spent his formative years. Patna had always been an important centre of learning and trade, said Y K Sinha, the Indian high commissioner to the UK who was the chief guest at the event over the weekend. Fullarton created Patna in Scotland in memory of his father, Surgeon William Fullarton, who was associated with the British East India Company and served in India between 1744-66, during which time he established close contacts with local historians, painters, artists and traders. Bihar Diwas, which marks the day the state of Bihar was carved out of the Bengal Presidency by the British in 1912, is celebrated every year on March 22. The event in Scotland on March 17 was organised by the Patna Community Association, along with the Vibrant Communities group. It involved cultural performances by Indian dance groups and young people from Patna Primary. Sinha, himself from the state of Bihar, promised to extend all possible support to the institutions linking the two cities. He traced the history of Patna, the ancient city of Patliputra, capital of past empires, and highlighted the role of the city in India's freedom struggle and in the making of modern India. Reliving some of his own memories of Patna, he made a special mention of the Nalanda University, one of the earliest and biggest centres of learning in the ancient world. Today, the modern Nalanda University revives the glorious academic heritage of India, he noted. The event coincided with an exhibition depicting the culture and cuisine of Patna. Community members also presented glimpses of major festivals of Bihar such as Chhat Pooja, Sama Chakeva, Teej and celebrated the lives of Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Guru Gobind Singh. The Consulate General of India in Edinburgh, which is headed by Anju Ranjan, also presented an audio-visual tour of the culture and touristic destinations of Bihar and history of Patna. The Provost of East Ayrshire, Jim Todd, and Provost of South Ayrshire, Helen Moonie, were among the guests of honour and Scottish Minister for Social Security Jeane Freeman represented the Scottish government at the event.

Patna in Scotland celebrates 'Bihar Divas'

Prashant Kumar, a mechanical engineer from Arrah, Bihar and Ben Reid-Howells, a teacher from Canada, have joined hands to undertake a unique journey to cover the distance from Pune to Scotland.&nbsp;

Kumar and Howells met last year at a workshop and instantly bonded over their interest of peacebuilding.&nbsp;

&quot;We are from different countries still we are brothers. We met in Pune, we were under different projects for peace and education. Right now we are going from Bihar to Nepal. We got a lot of support of the people,&quot; Ben said.

The duo has now decided to take a bike ride and carry out a series of projects under &quot;Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- one world one family&quot;.

&quot;We thought this would send a better message and decided to carry it forward. This trip is of two years. This is the project driven motorcycle ride,&quot; Prashant noted.

The duo will ride to Nepal traversing through Tibet, China, Central Asia and Europe before finally ending their journey at Edinburgh, Scotland. Prakash and Howells will finish their journey by January 2019.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

The duo will ride to Nepal traversing through Tibet, China, Central Asia and Europe before finally ending their journey at Edinburgh, Scotland

Prashant Kumar, a mechanical engineer from Arrah, Bihar and Ben Reid-Howells, a teacher from Canada, have joined hands to undertake a unique journey to cover the distance from Pune to Scotland. Kumar and Howells met last year at a workshop and instantly bonded over their interest of peacebuilding. "We are from different countries still we are brothers. We met in Pune, we were under different projects for peace and education. Right now we are going from Bihar to Nepal. We got a lot of support of the people," Ben said. The duo has now decided to take a bike ride and carry out a series of projects under "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- one world one family". "We thought this would send a better message and decided to carry it forward. This trip is of two years. This is the project driven motorcycle ride," Prashant noted. The duo will ride to Nepal traversing through Tibet, China, Central Asia and Europe before finally ending their journey at Edinburgh, Scotland. Prakash and Howells will finish their journey by January 2019. (With inputs from ANI)

Biker duo to ride from Pune to Scotland for peace

Scotland`s first minister said on Tuesday that the devolved Scottish parliament would not consent to legislation necessary to keep Britain`s Brexit plans on track, presenting another thorny issue for the government to surmount.

Prime Minister Theresa May`s government on Monday indicated that it would go no further in offering concessions to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who are concerned that they will lose powers in a constitutional realignment after Britain leaves the European Union.

The United Kingdom`s devolved nations do not have a veto on Brexit legislation, but ignoring their wishes risks worsening already strained relations, stoking nationalism in Scotland, and further complicating the already-difficult withdrawal process.

&quot;I will not sign up to something that effectively undermines the whole foundation on which devolution is built,&quot; Nicola Sturgeon, whose party supports independence for Scotland, told BBC radio. As things stand, her government could not recommend consent for the bill, she said.

Cabinet minister David Lidington said on Monday that most currently devolved powers would now automatically stay in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the devolved nations` capitals, after Britain leaves the European Union.

But the British government would make exceptions if it believed that would damage the UK as a whole, he said, comments that raised hackles in Scotland and appeared to overturn progress made between the sides last week.

The British government needs a deal before the summer in order to pass the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill in Britain`s national parliament. The bill will formally sever the UK`s ties to the EU and &quot;copy and paste&quot; EU legislation into British law.

May`s government on Monday indicated that it would go no further in offering concessions to Scotland

Scotland`s first minister said on Tuesday that the devolved Scottish parliament would not consent to legislation necessary to keep Britain`s Brexit plans on track, presenting another thorny issue for the government to surmount. Prime Minister Theresa May`s government on Monday indicated that it would go no further in offering concessions to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who are concerned that they will lose powers in a constitutional realignment after Britain leaves the European Union. The United Kingdom`s devolved nations do not have a veto on Brexit legislation, but ignoring their wishes risks worsening already strained relations, stoking nationalism in Scotland, and further complicating the already-difficult withdrawal process. "I will not sign up to something that effectively undermines the whole foundation on which devolution is built," Nicola Sturgeon, whose party supports independence for Scotland, told BBC radio. As things stand, her government could not recommend consent for the bill, she said. Cabinet minister David Lidington said on Monday that most currently devolved powers would now automatically stay in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the devolved nations` capitals, after Britain leaves the European Union. But the British government would make exceptions if it believed that would damage the UK as a whole, he said, comments that raised hackles in Scotland and appeared to overturn progress made between the sides last week. The British government needs a deal before the summer in order to pass the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill in Britain`s national parliament. The bill will formally sever the UK`s ties to the EU and "copy and paste" EU legislation into British law.

Scotland says won't consent to Brexit bill after latest UK offer

Scotland&rsquo;s devolved government will shortly introduce its own, alternative Brexit bill, increasing pressure on the UK government over legislation needed to pass in Britain&rsquo;s national parliament.

The &ldquo;continuity bill&rdquo;, to be announced on Tuesday afternoon in the Scottish parliament by Brexit minister Mike Russell.&nbsp;

It will be introduced at Holyrood as a stop-gap solution if MSPs do not give consent to the UK bill and will aim to ensure stability of devolved law once Britain leaves the EU.&nbsp;

Russel said that there is still a possibility of a good deal to be agreed with Westminster, but has rejected the current offer from UK ministers.

Prime Minister Theresa May&rsquo;s government on Monday indicated that it would go no further in offering concessions to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who are concerned that they will lose powers in a constitutional realignment after Britain leaves the European Union.

The United Kingdom&rsquo;s devolved nations do not have a veto on Brexit legislation, but ignoring their wishes risks worsening already strained relations, stoking nationalism in Scotland, and further complicating the already-difficult withdrawal process.

&ldquo;I will not sign up to something that effectively undermines the whole foundation on which devolution is built,&rdquo; Nicola Sturgeon, whose party supports independence for Scotland, told BBC radio. As things stand, her government could not recommend consent for the bill, she said.

Cabinet minister David Lidington said on Monday that most currently devolved powers would now automatically stay in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the devolved nations&rsquo; capitals, after Britain leaves the European Union.

But the British government would make exceptions if it believed that would damage the UK as a whole, he said, comments that raised hackles in Scotland and appeared to overturn progress made between the sides last week.

The British government needs a deal before the summer in order to pass the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill in Britain&rsquo;s national parliament. The bill will formally sever the UK&rsquo;s ties to the EU and &ldquo;copy and paste&rdquo; EU legislation into British law.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The “continuity bill”, to be announced on Tuesday afternoon in the Scottish parliament by Brexit minister Mike Russell

Scotland’s devolved government will shortly introduce its own, alternative Brexit bill, increasing pressure on the UK government over legislation needed to pass in Britain’s national parliament. The “continuity bill”, to be announced on Tuesday afternoon in the Scottish parliament by Brexit minister Mike Russell. It will be introduced at Holyrood as a stop-gap solution if MSPs do not give consent to the UK bill and will aim to ensure stability of devolved law once Britain leaves the EU. Russel said that there is still a possibility of a good deal to be agreed with Westminster, but has rejected the current offer from UK ministers. Prime Minister Theresa May’s government on Monday indicated that it would go no further in offering concessions to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who are concerned that they will lose powers in a constitutional realignment after Britain leaves the European Union. The United Kingdom’s devolved nations do not have a veto on Brexit legislation, but ignoring their wishes risks worsening already strained relations, stoking nationalism in Scotland, and further complicating the already-difficult withdrawal process. “I will not sign up to something that effectively undermines the whole foundation on which devolution is built,” Nicola Sturgeon, whose party supports independence for Scotland, told BBC radio. As things stand, her government could not recommend consent for the bill, she said. Cabinet minister David Lidington said on Monday that most currently devolved powers would now automatically stay in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, the devolved nations’ capitals, after Britain leaves the European Union. But the British government would make exceptions if it believed that would damage the UK as a whole, he said, comments that raised hackles in Scotland and appeared to overturn progress made between the sides last week. The British government needs a deal before the summer in order to pass the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill in Britain’s national parliament. The bill will formally sever the UK’s ties to the EU and “copy and paste” EU legislation into British law. (With inputs from Reuters)

Scotland to introduce 'continuity bill' as alternative Brexit bill

A farmer in North East Scotland called the police on Saturday night to rescue him from a tiger who was found in his cowshed.&nbsp;

The farmer discovered the tiger in his shed when he went to check his cow.

On reaching there he was stunned to find the big cat and&nbsp;immediately sent the photographs of the animal to the control room.&nbsp;

Following which several units of the police along with dog handler were sent to the location to catch the tiger.

The officials tried figuring it out if the tiger had eaten any cattle in the cowshed.&nbsp;

After an operation of about 45 minutes, the police negated the claims that they had made earlier.&nbsp;

Initially, the police took over the operation only after confirming that it was a real tiger.&nbsp;

The entire hue and cry ended after they discovered that it was a mere soft toy.&nbsp;

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The soft toy was spotted by a farmer his cowshed

A farmer in North East Scotland called the police on Saturday night to rescue him from a tiger who was found in his cowshed. The farmer discovered the tiger in his shed when he went to check his cow. On reaching there he was stunned to find the big cat and immediately sent the photographs of the animal to the control room. Following which several units of the police along with dog handler were sent to the location to catch the tiger. The officials tried figuring it out if the tiger had eaten any cattle in the cowshed. After an operation of about 45 minutes, the police negated the claims that they had made earlier. Initially, the police took over the operation only after confirming that it was a real tiger. The entire hue and cry ended after they discovered that it was a mere soft toy. ×

Scotland Police conduct 45-minute rescue operation for toy tiger

India finished seventh overall in the WSF-world men&#39;s team squash championship in Marseille, France. India defeated Scotland 2-1 in the 7th-8th place match, on Sunday.

It was the good work of Harinder Pal Sandhu and Mahesh Mangaonkar that did the trick, said a SRFI press release here.

After losing to New Zealand for the sixth place earlier, the Indians geared up to perform better against Scotland.The team was without Saurav Ghosal but that did not lessen India&#39;s chance.

Harinder and Mahesh proved that after Vikram Malhotra had lost the first match.

Result: for 7th-8th positions: India beat Scotland 2-1 (Vikram Malhotra lost to Alan Clyne 5-11, 14-16, 7-11; Harinder Pal Sandhu bt Greg Lobban 11-9, 12-10, 11-9; Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Dougie Kempsell 11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 11-1).&nbsp;

India defeated Scotland 2-1 in the 7th-8th place match, on Sunday

India finished seventh overall in the WSF-world men's team squash championship in Marseille, France. India defeated Scotland 2-1 in the 7th-8th place match, on Sunday. It was the good work of Harinder Pal Sandhu and Mahesh Mangaonkar that did the trick, said a SRFI press release here. After losing to New Zealand for the sixth place earlier, the Indians geared up to perform better against Scotland.The team was without Saurav Ghosal but that did not lessen India's chance. Harinder and Mahesh proved that after Vikram Malhotra had lost the first match. Result: for 7th-8th positions: India beat Scotland 2-1 (Vikram Malhotra lost to Alan Clyne 5-11, 14-16, 7-11; Harinder Pal Sandhu bt Greg Lobban 11-9, 12-10, 11-9; Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Dougie Kempsell 11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 11-1).

India finishes seventh in world men's team squash

Scotland, globally known for its whisky production, is to become one of the first countries in the world to introduce minimum alcohol pricing in an attempt to tackle a worsening public health problem.

The landmark move was announced by Britain&#39;s Supreme Court after a five-year legal battle in which the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), the industry lobby, lost an appeal.

The British drinks industry is already grappling with an uncertain outlook after Britain&#39;s exit from the European Union. The SWA called for government help to overcome trade barriers and protect jobs in Scotland.

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Major distillers Diageo, Pernod and Remy Cointreau were not immediately available to comment.

Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have risen 10 percent since 2015, and the government says Scotland&#39;s troubled relationship with alcohol is significantly worse than the rest of the UK, with 17 percent more alcohol sold per adult in Scotland than in England and Wales in 2016.

The Scottish government has prepared for the introduction of a minimum preferred price per unit of 50 pence ($0.66) per unit, meaning that four 440 ml cans of five percent strength lager would cost at least 4.40 pounds, a 12 percent alcohol bottle of wine would cost at least 4.50 pounds, and a 70 cls bottle of whisky could not be sold for less than 14 pounds.

&quot;Given the clear and proven link between consumption and harm, minimum pricing is the most effective and efficient way to tackle the cheap, high-strength alcohol that causes so much damage to so many families,&quot; Scottish health minister Shona Robison said in a statement. The move would be introduced as quickly as possible, she said.

In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court said: &quot;Minimum pricing is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.&quot;

The SWA had argued that there are alternative pricing measures which are less disruptive of free trade and less distortive of competition and are equally effective. It said it accepted the ruling, however.

&quot;We will now look to the Scottish and UK Governments to support the industry against the negative effects of trade barriers being raised in overseas markets that discriminate against scotch whisky as a consequence of minimum pricing,&quot; SWA&#39;s Chief Executive Karen Betts said in a statement.

On average, alcohol misuse causes about 670 Scottish hospital admissions and 24 deaths a week, almost 1.5 times higher than in the early 1980s.

Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have risen 10 percent since 2015

Scotland, globally known for its whisky production, is to become one of the first countries in the world to introduce minimum alcohol pricing in an attempt to tackle a worsening public health problem. The landmark move was announced by Britain's Supreme Court after a five-year legal battle in which the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), the industry lobby, lost an appeal. The British drinks industry is already grappling with an uncertain outlook after Britain's exit from the European Union. The SWA called for government help to overcome trade barriers and protect jobs in Scotland. The landmark move was announced by Britain's Supreme Court after a five-year legal battle in which the Scotch Whisky Association, the industry lobby, lost an appeal × Major distillers Diageo, Pernod and Remy Cointreau were not immediately available to comment. Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have risen 10 percent since 2015, and the government says Scotland's troubled relationship with alcohol is significantly worse than the rest of the UK, with 17 percent more alcohol sold per adult in Scotland than in England and Wales in 2016. The Scottish government has prepared for the introduction of a minimum preferred price per unit of 50 pence ($0.66) per unit, meaning that four 440 ml cans of five percent strength lager would cost at least 4.40 pounds, a 12 percent alcohol bottle of wine would cost at least 4.50 pounds, and a 70 cls bottle of whisky could not be sold for less than 14 pounds. "Given the clear and proven link between consumption and harm, minimum pricing is the most effective and efficient way to tackle the cheap, high-strength alcohol that causes so much damage to so many families," Scottish health minister Shona Robison said in a statement. The move would be introduced as quickly as possible, she said. In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court said: "Minimum pricing is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim." The SWA had argued that there are alternative pricing measures which are less disruptive of free trade and less distortive of competition and are equally effective. It said it accepted the ruling, however. "We will now look to the Scottish and UK Governments to support the industry against the negative effects of trade barriers being raised in overseas markets that discriminate against scotch whisky as a consequence of minimum pricing," SWA's Chief Executive Karen Betts said in a statement. On average, alcohol misuse causes about 670 Scottish hospital admissions and 24 deaths a week, almost 1.5 times higher than in the early 1980s.

Scotland to introduce minimum alcohol pricing to boost public health

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted Saturday that Scotland will have another referendum on seceding from the UK, as she blasted British Prime Minister Theresa May.

At a raucous rally of her leftwing Scottish National Party (SNP), Sturgeon said May&#39;s centre-right Conservatives were &quot;terrified&quot; of how Scotland would vote in a second referendum on independence.

Sturgeon said the will of the semi-autonomous Scottish Parliament &quot;must prevail&quot; as she seeks a new referendum before Britain leaves the European Union.

&quot;After the terms of Brexit are clear but while there is still an opportunity to change course, the people of Scotland will have a choice,&quot; she told the SNP conference in the oil city of Aberdeen on the northeast coast.

&quot;There will be an independence referendum,&quot; she said to huge cheers.

&quot;Scotland should not be dragged out of Europe by a Tory government intent on a disastrous hard Brexit. They are now terrified of the verdict of the Scottish people,&quot; she added.

Sturgeon caught the British government off-guard on Monday when she demanded a new referendum by early 2019 at the latest, just before the UK is expected to leave the EU.

But May hit back, saying &quot;now is not the time&quot; for another referendum, arguing all energies should be devoted to getting a good Brexit deal for the UK as a whole.

Sturgeon will ask the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday for its approval to ask the British government for the power to call another referendum.

The SNP runs a minority administration in Edinburgh but the leftwing Greens have pledged their support, which would give Sturgeon enough votes for a majority.

&quot;If a new referendum is to happen, it should come about by the will of the people, and not be driven by calculations of party political advantage,&quot; the Greens` manifesto says.&nbsp;

&quot;In such a referendum, the Scottish Greens will campaign for independence.&quot;

In Scotland&#39;s 2014 plebiscite, 55 per cent backed staying in the UK. But the SNP says the political landscape has dramatically changed since then, requiring another vote within the next two years.

Sturgeon said if May was concerned about the timing, she was happy to have a discussion on the date -- &quot;within reason&quot;. 
Delegates greeted her address with standing ovations.

&quot;The people of Scotland have a right to take their future into their own hands,&quot; 70-year-old SNP member Tony Martin told AFP.

&quot;We don&#39;t want to go down on the Good Ship Brexit,&quot; he said.

In last year&#39;s referendum on EU membership, 62 per cent in Scotland voted for Britain to remain in the bloc, but across the whole kingdom, 52 per cent backed Brexit. In a speech to her Conservative Party on Friday, May accused the SNP of &quot;tunnel vision&quot; and &quot;obsessive nationalism&quot;.

&quot;It is now clear that using Brexit as the pretext to engineer a second independence referendum has been the SNP&#39;s sole objective,&quot; she said.

As the debate heats up, former prime minister Gordon Brown on Saturday waded in with a compromise solution: grant Scotland sweeping new autonomy, such as the power to set sales tax and to sign international treaties.

Control over agriculture, fisheries and environmental regulation -- currently areas under EU control -- would be handed to Scotland as Britain leaves the EU, he said.

The Scot, who is from the main opposition Labour Party, said this was would be &quot;a patriotic Scottish way&quot; to avoid both &quot;die-hard conservatism&quot; and &quot;hardline nationalism&quot;.

Scotland&#39;s relationship with the EU is at the forefront of the SNP&#39;s renewed call for independence, although EU officials have indicated it would have to reapply to join the bloc rather than inherit Britain&#39;s membership.

But the SNP is also banking on a growing desire for independence.

According to the latest annual ScotCen Scottish Social Attitudes survey released on Wednesday, 46 per cent of Scottish voters now back leaving the UK -- a record high.

&quot;Last time a lot of people voted for the status quo and against the unknown, but this time there is no status quo,&quot; said 58-year-old SNP member Paul Wright.

(AFP)

'Scotland should not be dragged out of Europe by a Tory government intent on a disastrous hard Brexit,' Sturgeon said

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted Saturday that Scotland will have another referendum on seceding from the UK, as she blasted British Prime Minister Theresa May. At a raucous rally of her leftwing Scottish National Party (SNP), Sturgeon said May's centre-right Conservatives were "terrified" of how Scotland would vote in a second referendum on independence. Sturgeon said the will of the semi-autonomous Scottish Parliament "must prevail" as she seeks a new referendum before Britain leaves the European Union. "After the terms of Brexit are clear but while there is still an opportunity to change course, the people of Scotland will have a choice," she told the SNP conference in the oil city of Aberdeen on the northeast coast. "There will be an independence referendum," she said to huge cheers. "Scotland should not be dragged out of Europe by a Tory government intent on a disastrous hard Brexit. They are now terrified of the verdict of the Scottish people," she added. Sturgeon caught the British government off-guard on Monday when she demanded a new referendum by early 2019 at the latest, just before the UK is expected to leave the EU. But May hit back, saying "now is not the time" for another referendum, arguing all energies should be devoted to getting a good Brexit deal for the UK as a whole. Sturgeon will ask the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday for its approval to ask the British government for the power to call another referendum. The SNP runs a minority administration in Edinburgh but the leftwing Greens have pledged their support, which would give Sturgeon enough votes for a majority. "If a new referendum is to happen, it should come about by the will of the people, and not be driven by calculations of party political advantage," the Greens` manifesto says. "In such a referendum, the Scottish Greens will campaign for independence." In Scotland's 2014 plebiscite, 55 per cent backed staying in the UK. But the SNP says the political landscape has dramatically changed since then, requiring another vote within the next two years. Sturgeon said if May was concerned about the timing, she was happy to have a discussion on the date -- "within reason". Delegates greeted her address with standing ovations. "The people of Scotland have a right to take their future into their own hands," 70-year-old SNP member Tony Martin told AFP. "We don't want to go down on the Good Ship Brexit," he said. In last year's referendum on EU membership, 62 per cent in Scotland voted for Britain to remain in the bloc, but across the whole kingdom, 52 per cent backed Brexit. In a speech to her Conservative Party on Friday, May accused the SNP of "tunnel vision" and "obsessive nationalism". "It is now clear that using Brexit as the pretext to engineer a second independence referendum has been the SNP's sole objective," she said. As the debate heats up, former prime minister Gordon Brown on Saturday waded in with a compromise solution: grant Scotland sweeping new autonomy, such as the power to set sales tax and to sign international treaties. Control over agriculture, fisheries and environmental regulation -- currently areas under EU control -- would be handed to Scotland as Britain leaves the EU, he said. The Scot, who is from the main opposition Labour Party, said this was would be "a patriotic Scottish way" to avoid both "die-hard conservatism" and "hardline nationalism". Scotland's relationship with the EU is at the forefront of the SNP's renewed call for independence, although EU officials have indicated it would have to reapply to join the bloc rather than inherit Britain's membership. But the SNP is also banking on a growing desire for independence. According to the latest annual ScotCen Scottish Social Attitudes survey released on Wednesday, 46 per cent of Scottish voters now back leaving the UK -- a record high. "Last time a lot of people voted for the status quo and against the unknown, but this time there is no status quo," said 58-year-old SNP member Paul Wright. (AFP)

Scotland's Nicola Sturgeon insists on second referendum

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has demanded a new independence referendum be held in late 2018 or early 2019, once the terms of Britain&#39;s exit from the European Union have become clearer. To do so, she needs authorisation from Britain&#39;s parliament, which is sovereign.

The Brexit referendum last June called the future of the United Kingdom into question because majorities in England and Wales voted to leave but in Scotland and Northern Ireland most people voted to stay.

Until recently, polls showed that support for independence had barely moved from the 45 per cent who backed it in the 2014 referendum. But polls in the last month have shown support for independence rising.

Scotland joined England in a political union in 1707. While Prime Minister Theresa May&#39;s centre-right Conservative Party has a majority in the UK parliament, it has only one lawmaker in Scotland and 54 of the 59 Scottish seats are held by the Sturgeon&#39;s Scottish National Party (SNP).

&nbsp;

LEGALLY, WHO DECIDES?

Britain&#39;s national parliament is sovereign and is therefore the only legitimate authority to legislate on constitutional issues. Such matters are among the &quot;reserved&quot; topics that in general are not devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

With prior agreement between governments in London and Edinburgh, the UK government can devolve power temporarily from Westminster to the Scottish parliament, Holyrood, making a bill to legislate for an independence referendum in Edinburgh legally watertight. This is known as a Section 30 order.

This is what happened to allow the 2014 independence referendum.

Although a spokesman for May criticised Sturgeon for wanting a new vote on Monday, many observers believe May&#39;s government ultimately would give its blessing to a secession vote once more if requested, to avoid being seen to stand in the way of the Scottish people as represented in Scotland&#39;s parliament.

Both Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and Kezia Dugdale, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, have said the UK government should not block &quot;IndyRef2&quot; as it is known, if backed by the Scottish people. Both parties formally oppose independence and the holding of a second referendum.

A likely point of contention between Edinburgh and London will now be the timing of a new vote; the Scottish government wants to keep the vote within the two year timeframe in which Britain leaves the EU so Scotland has a chance of retaining its EU membership.

The UK government will likely seek to push that timing back.

&nbsp;

COULD SCOTLAND JUST CALL ANOTHER VOTE ON ITS OWN?

If the Scottish parliament voted to hold another independence referendum without the consent of Westminster, constitutional experts say the Scottish bill would be legally challenged, ultimately at the UK&#39;s highest judicial body, the Supreme Court.

Such a situation would mark a full-blown constitutional crisis.

The Scottish could still choose to press ahead with a symbolic, non-legally binding vote to put moral pressure on the Westminster government, echoing the &quot;consultation of citizens&quot; plebiscite held in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia in 2014.

That poll was carried out without legal backing and Catalonia&#39;s former regional governor went on trial for staging it. However Scotland&#39;s independence referendum legislation, prepared in October in readiness for this potential outcome, tacitly recognises that the UK government will have to sign off on allowing a vote, constitutional experts say.

&quot;If the Scottish Government tried to introduce a referendum bill without prior agreement, then the UK government could challenge this in the Supreme Court,&quot; said Akash Paun, from the Institute for Government.

&nbsp;

APPETITE

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon last month told the Herald newspaper that Scotland could &quot;forget it&quot; if it expected London to facilitate a new referendum on independence, causing a row with the Scottish government who accused him of arrogance.

Michael Gove, another Conservative lawmaker, said a few days later that the decision on a new vote was down to the British prime minister and that Sturgeon would be &quot;foolish&quot; to try to call one.

After the Supreme Court in London ruled that the devolved assembly in Edinburgh did not need to be consulted on triggering Brexit, Sturgeon asked:

&quot;Is Scotland content for our future to be dictated by an increasingly right-wing Westminster government with just one MP (lawmaker) here,&quot; she asked. &quot;Or is it better that we take our future into our own hands?&quot;

Some commentators have argued that Sturgeon had boxed herself into a corner and was practically obliged to call a new vote regardless of public appetite for one.

(Reuters)

Here are answers to a few common questions people are asking concerning Scotland's demand for another vote on its independence

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has demanded a new independence referendum be held in late 2018 or early 2019, once the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union have become clearer. To do so, she needs authorisation from Britain's parliament, which is sovereign. The Brexit referendum last June called the future of the United Kingdom into question because majorities in England and Wales voted to leave but in Scotland and Northern Ireland most people voted to stay. Until recently, polls showed that support for independence had barely moved from the 45 per cent who backed it in the 2014 referendum. But polls in the last month have shown support for independence rising. Scotland joined England in a political union in 1707. While Prime Minister Theresa May's centre-right Conservative Party has a majority in the UK parliament, it has only one lawmaker in Scotland and 54 of the 59 Scottish seats are held by the Sturgeon's Scottish National Party (SNP). LEGALLY, WHO DECIDES? Britain's national parliament is sovereign and is therefore the only legitimate authority to legislate on constitutional issues. Such matters are among the "reserved" topics that in general are not devolved to the Scottish Parliament. With prior agreement between governments in London and Edinburgh, the UK government can devolve power temporarily from Westminster to the Scottish parliament, Holyrood, making a bill to legislate for an independence referendum in Edinburgh legally watertight. This is known as a Section 30 order. This is what happened to allow the 2014 independence referendum. Although a spokesman for May criticised Sturgeon for wanting a new vote on Monday, many observers believe May's government ultimately would give its blessing to a secession vote once more if requested, to avoid being seen to stand in the way of the Scottish people as represented in Scotland's parliament. Both Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and Kezia Dugdale, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, have said the UK government should not block "IndyRef2" as it is known, if backed by the Scottish people. Both parties formally oppose independence and the holding of a second referendum. A likely point of contention between Edinburgh and London will now be the timing of a new vote; the Scottish government wants to keep the vote within the two year timeframe in which Britain leaves the EU so Scotland has a chance of retaining its EU membership. The UK government will likely seek to push that timing back. COULD SCOTLAND JUST CALL ANOTHER VOTE ON ITS OWN? If the Scottish parliament voted to hold another independence referendum without the consent of Westminster, constitutional experts say the Scottish bill would be legally challenged, ultimately at the UK's highest judicial body, the Supreme Court. Such a situation would mark a full-blown constitutional crisis. The Scottish could still choose to press ahead with a symbolic, non-legally binding vote to put moral pressure on the Westminster government, echoing the "consultation of citizens" plebiscite held in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia in 2014. That poll was carried out without legal backing and Catalonia's former regional governor went on trial for staging it. However Scotland's independence referendum legislation, prepared in October in readiness for this potential outcome, tacitly recognises that the UK government will have to sign off on allowing a vote, constitutional experts say. "If the Scottish Government tried to introduce a referendum bill without prior agreement, then the UK government could challenge this in the Supreme Court," said Akash Paun, from the Institute for Government. APPETITE Defence Secretary Michael Fallon last month told the Herald newspaper that Scotland could "forget it" if it expected London to facilitate a new referendum on independence, causing a row with the Scottish government who accused him of arrogance. Michael Gove, another Conservative lawmaker, said a few days later that the decision on a new vote was down to the British prime minister and that Sturgeon would be "foolish" to try to call one. After the Supreme Court in London ruled that the devolved assembly in Edinburgh did not need to be consulted on triggering Brexit, Sturgeon asked: "Is Scotland content for our future to be dictated by an increasingly right-wing Westminster government with just one MP (lawmaker) here," she asked. "Or is it better that we take our future into our own hands?" Some commentators have argued that Sturgeon had boxed herself into a corner and was practically obliged to call a new vote regardless of public appetite for one. (Reuters)

Factbox: Who decides whether Scotland holds an independence referendum?

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday demanded a new independence referendum to be held in late 2018 or early 2019, once the terms of Britain&#39;s exit from the European Union have become clearer.

A vote that could rip apart the United Kingdom just months before Brexit adds a tumultuous twist and highly uncertain consequences to the two-year process of leaving the EU after more than four decades.

&quot;If Scotland is to have a real choice - when the terms of Brexit are known but before it is too late to choose our own course - then that choice must be offered between the autumn of next year, 2018, and the spring of 2019,&quot; Sturgeon told reporters.

Her demand comes just as British Prime Minister Theresa May is poised to launch the Brexit process, something opposed by most Scots in last June&#39;s vote on leaving the bloc.

Ultimately it is the UK parliament in Westminster - where May commands a majority - which makes the call on whether Scotland can hold a second referendum. But if May refused to approve such a vote she could provoke a constitutional crisis.

This month, she accused Sturgeon&#39;s Scottish National Party of sacrificing not only the United Kingdom but also Scotland with its &quot;obsession&quot; with securing independence.

Sturgeon has previously said she wanted Scotland to be allowed to strike its own deal with the EU to keep access to the bloc&#39;s tariff-free single market. But on Monday she said her efforts had hit a &quot;brick wall of intransigence&quot; in London.

&quot;If the UK leaves the EU without Scotland indicating beforehand - or at least within a short time after it - that we want a different relationship with Europe, we could face a lengthy period not just outside the EU but also the single market,&quot; she said.

The results of the June 23 Brexit referendum called the future of the UK into question because England and Wales voted to leave the EU but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay, with an overall 51.9 per cent in favour of leaving.

Scots rejected independence by 55-45 per cent in a referendum in September 2014, though the vote energised Scottish politics and support for the SNP has surged since then.

Sterling rose after Sturgeon said the earliest date for a new Scottish independence referendum was in the autumn of next year. British government bond prices fell.

Recent opinion polls have shown support for independence running at close to 50 per cent.

At her news conference on Monday, Sturgeon was asked if she believed she could win a second independence vote: &quot;Yes I do. Absolutely, I believe that.&quot;

(Reuters)

The decision on whether Scotland can hold a second referendum will be made in the UK parliament in Westminster where May commands a majority

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday demanded a new independence referendum to be held in late 2018 or early 2019, once the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union have become clearer. A vote that could rip apart the United Kingdom just months before Brexit adds a tumultuous twist and highly uncertain consequences to the two-year process of leaving the EU after more than four decades. "If Scotland is to have a real choice - when the terms of Brexit are known but before it is too late to choose our own course - then that choice must be offered between the autumn of next year, 2018, and the spring of 2019," Sturgeon told reporters. Her demand comes just as British Prime Minister Theresa May is poised to launch the Brexit process, something opposed by most Scots in last June's vote on leaving the bloc. Ultimately it is the UK parliament in Westminster - where May commands a majority - which makes the call on whether Scotland can hold a second referendum. But if May refused to approve such a vote she could provoke a constitutional crisis. This month, she accused Sturgeon's Scottish National Party of sacrificing not only the United Kingdom but also Scotland with its "obsession" with securing independence. Sturgeon has previously said she wanted Scotland to be allowed to strike its own deal with the EU to keep access to the bloc's tariff-free single market. But on Monday she said her efforts had hit a "brick wall of intransigence" in London. "If the UK leaves the EU without Scotland indicating beforehand - or at least within a short time after it - that we want a different relationship with Europe, we could face a lengthy period not just outside the EU but also the single market," she said. The results of the June 23 Brexit referendum called the future of the UK into question because England and Wales voted to leave the EU but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay, with an overall 51.9 per cent in favour of leaving. Scots rejected independence by 55-45 per cent in a referendum in September 2014, though the vote energised Scottish politics and support for the SNP has surged since then. Sterling rose after Sturgeon said the earliest date for a new Scottish independence referendum was in the autumn of next year. British government bond prices fell. Recent opinion polls have shown support for independence running at close to 50 per cent. At her news conference on Monday, Sturgeon was asked if she believed she could win a second independence vote: "Yes I do. Absolutely, I believe that." (Reuters)

Scotland demands new independence vote before Brexit: Sturgeon

A second Scottish independence referendum is now looking inevitable and ministers in the United Kingdom government have now concluded it is a question of when such a vote will be held, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that Scotland could hold an independence vote in late 2018, just months before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union, though Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly said there is no need for such a vote.

&quot;It&rsquo;s looking inevitable, I don&rsquo;t think we&rsquo;re in any position to stop it happening,&quot; the FT quoted one unidentified minister close to the discussions as saying.

Another unidentified person briefed on current thinking in PM Theresa May&#39;s office said: &quot;The debate is only going to be about the date.&quot;

The FT said that the London government would fight to delay the vote until after the exit from the European Union.

The prospect of an independence vote in Scotland that could rip apart the United Kingdom just months before an EU exit would add a tumultuous twist to Brexit with uncertain consequences for the world&#39;s fifth largest economy.

The results of the June 23 Brexit referendum called the future of the United Kingdom into question because England and Wales voted to leave the EU but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay.

(Reuters)

UK govt ministers have concluded it is a question of when the vote will be held, the Financial Times reported Friday

A second Scottish independence referendum is now looking inevitable and ministers in the United Kingdom government have now concluded it is a question of when such a vote will be held, the Financial Times reported on Friday. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that Scotland could hold an independence vote in late 2018, just months before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union, though Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly said there is no need for such a vote. "It’s looking inevitable, I don’t think we’re in any position to stop it happening," the FT quoted one unidentified minister close to the discussions as saying. Another unidentified person briefed on current thinking in PM Theresa May's office said: "The debate is only going to be about the date." The FT said that the London government would fight to delay the vote until after the exit from the European Union. The prospect of an independence vote in Scotland that could rip apart the United Kingdom just months before an EU exit would add a tumultuous twist to Brexit with uncertain consequences for the world's fifth largest economy. The results of the June 23 Brexit referendum called the future of the United Kingdom into question because England and Wales voted to leave the EU but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay. (Reuters)

Second Scottish independence vote looking inevitable: Report

Scotland&#39;s opposition leader insisted Saturday there should be no second referendum on Scottish independence, urging the governing nationalists to concentrate on making the best of Brexit rather than exploiting it for another secession push.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson told the party&#39;s conference in Glasgow that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party (SNP) was trying to bounce the country into a new referendum.

Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom by 55 per cent in the 2014 vote.

It also voted by 62 per cent for the UK to remain in the European Union last year, while the UK-wide vote was to leave, which Sturgeon seized upon.

She has said Brexit makes a second independence referendum &quot;highly likely.&quot;&nbsp;

Many in her left-wing secessionist party hope she will announce a fresh bid at the SNP conference on March 17-18, with Britain set to trigger two years of divorce talks with the EU by the end of the month.

Davidson, leader of the second-biggest party in the semi-autonomous Scottish Parliament, reaffirmed her opposition to independence.

&quot;Scotland said no to independence. Scotland is saying: stop trying to bounce us into another referendum,&quot; she told her centre-right party.

&quot;The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party will never waver in our determination to stand up for the decision we made as a country. We will fight you every step of the way.

&quot;We said &#39;no,&#39; we meant it. Are you listening, Nicola? No second referendum.

&quot;We deserve a Scottish government that is focused on helping Team UK get the best Brexit deal for all of us, not using it to revive its independence obsession.&quot;

Nationalists protest outside&nbsp;

Outside the conference, around 200 nationalists gathered to protest, chanting &quot;Tory scum&quot; and waving banners calling for another referendum.

Susan McGilvray, 41, an SNP member from East Ayrshire on Scotland&#39;s west coast, told AFP: &quot;I would love to see the call for a second referendum.&quot;

While polls have shifted slightly, support for independence remains in a minority.

McGilvray said: &quot;We might lose it, but no-one ever got anywhere by saying &#39;what if&#39;?&quot;

The Scottish Parliament does not have the authority to hold a second independence referendum. It must seek the permission of the staunchly unionist British Prime Minister Theresa May.

John Menzies, 48, an SNP councillor from Hamilton near Glasgow, was among several dozen motorcyclists who gathered under the banner &quot;Bikers for Yes.&quot;

May, Britain&#39;s Conservative leader, would be &quot;very silly&quot; if she blocked a fresh referendum, he argued.

&quot;That would irk even more of the Scottish people, who then go on and vote for independence,&quot; he said.

On Friday, May told the conference in Glasgow that the SNP&#39;s &quot;obsession&quot; with independence and &quot;tunnel vision nationalism&quot; had caused it to neglect running Scotland&#39;s public services properly.

(AFP)

Ruth Davidson urged governing nationalists to concentrate on making the best of Brexit rather than exploiting it for another secession push

Scotland's opposition leader insisted Saturday there should be no second referendum on Scottish independence, urging the governing nationalists to concentrate on making the best of Brexit rather than exploiting it for another secession push. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson told the party's conference in Glasgow that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party (SNP) was trying to bounce the country into a new referendum. Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom by 55 per cent in the 2014 vote. It also voted by 62 per cent for the UK to remain in the European Union last year, while the UK-wide vote was to leave, which Sturgeon seized upon. She has said Brexit makes a second independence referendum "highly likely." Many in her left-wing secessionist party hope she will announce a fresh bid at the SNP conference on March 17-18, with Britain set to trigger two years of divorce talks with the EU by the end of the month. Davidson, leader of the second-biggest party in the semi-autonomous Scottish Parliament, reaffirmed her opposition to independence. "Scotland said no to independence. Scotland is saying: stop trying to bounce us into another referendum," she told her centre-right party. "The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party will never waver in our determination to stand up for the decision we made as a country. We will fight you every step of the way. "We said 'no,' we meant it. Are you listening, Nicola? No second referendum. "We deserve a Scottish government that is focused on helping Team UK get the best Brexit deal for all of us, not using it to revive its independence obsession." Nationalists protest outside Outside the conference, around 200 nationalists gathered to protest, chanting "Tory scum" and waving banners calling for another referendum. Susan McGilvray, 41, an SNP member from East Ayrshire on Scotland's west coast, told AFP: "I would love to see the call for a second referendum." While polls have shifted slightly, support for independence remains in a minority. McGilvray said: "We might lose it, but no-one ever got anywhere by saying 'what if'?" The Scottish Parliament does not have the authority to hold a second independence referendum. It must seek the permission of the staunchly unionist British Prime Minister Theresa May. John Menzies, 48, an SNP councillor from Hamilton near Glasgow, was among several dozen motorcyclists who gathered under the banner "Bikers for Yes." May, Britain's Conservative leader, would be "very silly" if she blocked a fresh referendum, he argued. "That would irk even more of the Scottish people, who then go on and vote for independence," he said. On Friday, May told the conference in Glasgow that the SNP's "obsession" with independence and "tunnel vision nationalism" had caused it to neglect running Scotland's public services properly. (AFP)

Scotland's opposition takes dim view of second independence referendum

The Scottish and Welsh governments will be allowed to intervene in the upcoming Supreme Court case to decide how Britain will begin negotiations to leave the European Union, the court said Friday.

Judges are set to hear the Conservative government&#39;s appeal against an earlier ruling that parliament must approve the triggering of Article 50 of the EU&#39;s Lisbon Treaty, which begins formal exit talks.

British Prime Minister Theresa May wants to trigger the start of the process by the end of March, but requiring approval by parliament could delay the process.

While Britain as a whole voted to leave the EU in the June 23 referendum, Scotland voted strongly for it to remain in the bloc.

From December 5, 11 judges will hear four days of arguments from the British government and the claimants who brought the case, as well as representatives from the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales.

&quot;The Supreme Court has today confirmed that the following applications to intervene in the above case have been granted: The Lord Advocate, Scottish Government; The Counsel General for Wales,&quot; said a statement.

The initial ruling prompted outrage among Brexit supporters, who believe that pro-European lawmakers will seek to water down the break with the EU and derail May&#39;s plans to invoke Article 50 by the end of March.

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier announced that her semi-autonomous government would seek to join the case in a bid to secure a vote not just for the House of Commons but for the Scottish parliament.

&quot;The democratic wishes of the people of Scotland and the national parliament of Scotland cannot be brushed aside as if they do not matter,&quot; she said.

&quot;So legislation should be required at Westminster and the consent of the Scottish Parliament should be sought.&quot;

Sturgeon&#39;s pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) party has threatened a fresh vote on leaving the UK if Scotland cannot keep its ties with the EU.

The court is expected to rule early next year.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

UK govt is opposing an earlier court ruling that said the Parliament must approve Article 50 to begin formal Brexit talks

The Scottish and Welsh governments will be allowed to intervene in the upcoming Supreme Court case to decide how Britain will begin negotiations to leave the European Union, the court said Friday. Judges are set to hear the Conservative government's appeal against an earlier ruling that parliament must approve the triggering of Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which begins formal exit talks. British Prime Minister Theresa May wants to trigger the start of the process by the end of March, but requiring approval by parliament could delay the process. While Britain as a whole voted to leave the EU in the June 23 referendum, Scotland voted strongly for it to remain in the bloc. From December 5, 11 judges will hear four days of arguments from the British government and the claimants who brought the case, as well as representatives from the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales. "The Supreme Court has today confirmed that the following applications to intervene in the above case have been granted: The Lord Advocate, Scottish Government; The Counsel General for Wales," said a statement. The initial ruling prompted outrage among Brexit supporters, who believe that pro-European lawmakers will seek to water down the break with the EU and derail May's plans to invoke Article 50 by the end of March. Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier announced that her semi-autonomous government would seek to join the case in a bid to secure a vote not just for the House of Commons but for the Scottish parliament. "The democratic wishes of the people of Scotland and the national parliament of Scotland cannot be brushed aside as if they do not matter," she said. "So legislation should be required at Westminster and the consent of the Scottish Parliament should be sought." Sturgeon's pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) party has threatened a fresh vote on leaving the UK if Scotland cannot keep its ties with the EU. The court is expected to rule early next year. (AFP)

Scotland, Wales allowed to intervene in Brexit court case

England captain Wayne Rooney will return to the starting line-up for his country&#39;s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Friday, interim manager Gareth Southgate announced on Thursday.

Rooney, 31, started on the bench in England&#39;s last game, a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia, after losing his place in Manchester United&#39;s starting XI.

But he has started United&#39;s last two games, scoring from range in their 2-1 Europa League defeat at Fenerbahce last week, and will win his 119th cap from the start against Scotland at Wembley.

&quot;He&#39;s confident and I think experience in a game like this is important,&quot; Southgate told reporters at the St George&#39;s Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England.

&quot;He&#39;s in a better place than he was for the last get-together in terms of his sharpness, his confidence. There was no hesitation to be playing him.

&quot;He&#39;s playing well. He&#39;s played well in his last couple of matches for Manchester United. When he&#39;s in a rhythm of playing, that helps.&quot;

Rooney takes the captain&#39;s armband back from Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, who Southgate confirmed will start.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is also in contention to start after proving his fitness in training following his comeback from a seven-week lay-off with an ankle ligament injury.

Southgate said he had a fully fit squad to choose from and all 25 players at his disposal were present at the pre-match training session.

England are top of UEFA qualifying Group F after three games, two points above Lithuania and Slovenia and three points clear of old rivals Scotland.

England host Spain in a friendly on Tuesday, for what will be the last game of Southgate&#39;s four-match stint following the departure of previous manager Sam Allardyce.

British newspaper reports suggest Southgate will be given the role full-time provided England avoid embarrassment against Scotland, but he said he did not feel any pressure.

&quot;I&#39;m really enjoying being in the role,&quot; said the former England Under-21 coach.

&quot;What happens to me is not important. We&#39;ve got to win this game for the country and to be top of the group, heading to (World Cup hosts) Russia.

&quot;That&#39;s the task I ws given. What happens to me is important to my family, but it&#39;s not the reason and the focus for the game.

&quot;I want the players to go out, enjoy their football and play well, and I&#39;m sure they will.&quot;

Southgate was reluctant to declare an interest in taking on the role full-time, but FA chief executive Martin Glenn is hopeful he will put his name forward.

&quot;We get through the next two games and then we are going to put our heads together, talk to Gareth and really understand what his level of interest is in the role,&quot; Glenn told reporters at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club in London.

&quot;I hope he is interested and wants to put his hat in the ring. We have a bit of time then to assess him and then the other candidates.&quot;

(AFP)

Rooney started on the bench in England's last game, a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia, after losing his place in Manchester United's first XI

England captain Wayne Rooney will return to the starting line-up for his country's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Friday, interim manager Gareth Southgate announced on Thursday. Rooney, 31, started on the bench in England's last game, a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia, after losing his place in Manchester United's starting XI. But he has started United's last two games, scoring from range in their 2-1 Europa League defeat at Fenerbahce last week, and will win his 119th cap from the start against Scotland at Wembley. "He's confident and I think experience in a game like this is important," Southgate told reporters at the St George's Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England. "He's in a better place than he was for the last get-together in terms of his sharpness, his confidence. There was no hesitation to be playing him. "He's playing well. He's played well in his last couple of matches for Manchester United. When he's in a rhythm of playing, that helps." Rooney takes the captain's armband back from Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, who Southgate confirmed will start. Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is also in contention to start after proving his fitness in training following his comeback from a seven-week lay-off with an ankle ligament injury. Southgate said he had a fully fit squad to choose from and all 25 players at his disposal were present at the pre-match training session. England are top of UEFA qualifying Group F after three games, two points above Lithuania and Slovenia and three points clear of old rivals Scotland. England host Spain in a friendly on Tuesday, for what will be the last game of Southgate's four-match stint following the departure of previous manager Sam Allardyce. British newspaper reports suggest Southgate will be given the role full-time provided England avoid embarrassment against Scotland, but he said he did not feel any pressure. "I'm really enjoying being in the role," said the former England Under-21 coach. "What happens to me is not important. We've got to win this game for the country and to be top of the group, heading to (World Cup hosts) Russia. "That's the task I ws given. What happens to me is important to my family, but it's not the reason and the focus for the game. "I want the players to go out, enjoy their football and play well, and I'm sure they will." Southgate was reluctant to declare an interest in taking on the role full-time, but FA chief executive Martin Glenn is hopeful he will put his name forward. "We get through the next two games and then we are going to put our heads together, talk to Gareth and really understand what his level of interest is in the role," Glenn told reporters at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club in London. "I hope he is interested and wants to put his hat in the ring. We have a bit of time then to assess him and then the other candidates." (AFP)

Football: Rooney to make England return against Scotland

Northern Ireland&#39;s players will not wear the black armbands with poppies to pay tribute on Armstice Day in their World Cup qualifier, the Irish Football Association said, news agency AFP reported.

England and Scotland&#39;s football&#39;s associations decided to wear the poppy despite a sanction threat from the world governing body FIFA. Britain remembers its war dead on November 11, which happens to be the day England play Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

FIFA bans political, religious and commercial symbols on team uniforms while playing a match.&nbsp;

Northern Ireland&#39;s players will wear plain black armbands for their Armistice Day game in Belfast.

&quot;We asked FIFA if permission could be granted for the Northern Ireland team to wear a poppy on the shirt or on an armband,&quot; IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson said in a statement on Tuesday, AFP reported.

&quot;FIFA advised that they could give no guarantee that there would not be disciplinary proceedings if the Northern Ireland team was to wear a symbol of remembrance on the playing shirt.&quot;

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane said that wearing the poppies would make him &quot;happy&quot;.

&quot;As long as we&#39;re wearing the poppy, we&#39;re happy,&quot; Kane told a press conference at the St George&#39;s Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England. &quot;We all wanted to wear it. Being on the top or the sleeve, it doesn&#39;t matter too much. As long as we&#39;re wearing it, it&#39;s a big positive.&quot;

British Prime Minister Theresa May has described FIFA&#39;s stance on the matter as &quot;utterly outrageous&quot;.

(With inputs from AFP)

Northern Ireland's players will wear plain black armbands for their Armistice Day game in Belfast

Northern Ireland's players will not wear the black armbands with poppies to pay tribute on Armstice Day in their World Cup qualifier, the Irish Football Association said, news agency AFP reported. England and Scotland's football's associations decided to wear the poppy despite a sanction threat from the world governing body FIFA. Britain remembers its war dead on November 11, which happens to be the day England play Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley. FIFA bans political, religious and commercial symbols on team uniforms while playing a match. Northern Ireland's players will wear plain black armbands for their Armistice Day game in Belfast. "We asked FIFA if permission could be granted for the Northern Ireland team to wear a poppy on the shirt or on an armband," IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson said in a statement on Tuesday, AFP reported. "FIFA advised that they could give no guarantee that there would not be disciplinary proceedings if the Northern Ireland team was to wear a symbol of remembrance on the playing shirt." Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane said that wearing the poppies would make him "happy". "As long as we're wearing the poppy, we're happy," Kane told a press conference at the St George's Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England. "We all wanted to wear it. Being on the top or the sleeve, it doesn't matter too much. As long as we're wearing it, it's a big positive." British Prime Minister Theresa May has described FIFA's stance on the matter as "utterly outrageous". (With inputs from AFP)

Football: North Ireland decide against wearing poppies

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said today she would start preparatory work on splitting Scotland from the rest of Britain in order to keep the option of independence available following the June 23 vote to leave the European Union (EU). 
 
Although Britain voted to end its EU membership at the referendum, Scottish voters overwhelmingly backed remaining inside the bloc, reigniting the debate over Scotland&#39;s future as a constituent nation of the United Kingdom. 
 
&nbsp;&#39;Uncertainty, upheaval and unpredictability&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Sturgeon renewed her position that a fresh independence bid, only two years after the country voted against it, should remain an option, depending on the shape of Britain&#39;s future ties with the bloc and how well they worked for Scotland. 
 
&quot;If we find that our interests can&#39;t be protected in a UK context, independence must be one of those options that Scotland must have the right to consider,&quot; Sturgeon said in a speech. 
 
&quot;That&#39;s why we&#39;ll take the preparatory steps to ensure that it&#39;s an option open to the Scottish parliament if the Scottish parliament considers it necessary.&quot; 
 
Sturgeon did not say what form the preparatory work would take, but stressed that the unprecedented nature of Britain&#39;s exit meant all options for future ties with the EU and the rest of the United Kingdom should be considered. 
 
&quot;The UK that we voted to stay part of in 2014, a UK within the EU, is fundamentally changing. The outlook for the UK is uncertainty, upheaval and unpredictability,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;In these circumstances it may well be that the option that offers us the greatest certainty, stability, and maximum control over our own destiny is that of independence.&quot; 
 
Brexit could be unfavourable for Scotland: Sturgeon&nbsp; 
 
An opinion poll late last month showed that Scots do not think there should be a second independence referendum, with 44.7 per cent against a fresh vote and 41.9 per cent in favour. 
 
New British Prime Minister Theresa May has previously stressed the need for the exit from the EU to work for all regions of the country, and a desire to engage with Scotland on the Brexit process. 
 
However, responding to Sturgeon&#39;s comments, a spokeswoman for May said the decision to leave the EU must be respected. 
 
Sturgeon also said she did not think a prolonged period of negotiations with the EU over how to leave the bloc would be in anyone&#39;s interests, and she feared the terms of Britain&#39;s exit could be unfavourable for Scotland. 
 
&quot;If we can read anything from the early signs, whether from government appointments, or from initial pronouncements - I hope I&#39;m wrong about this - (it&#39;s) that the UK is heading towards a hard rather than a soft Brexit,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;A future outside the single market with only limited access and significant restrictions on free movement.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

Although Britain voted to end its EU membership at the referendum, Scottish voters overwhelmingly backed remaining inside the bloc

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said today she would start preparatory work on splitting Scotland from the rest of Britain in order to keep the option of independence available following the June 23 vote to leave the European Union (EU). Although Britain voted to end its EU membership at the referendum, Scottish voters overwhelmingly backed remaining inside the bloc, reigniting the debate over Scotland's future as a constituent nation of the United Kingdom. 'Uncertainty, upheaval and unpredictability' Sturgeon renewed her position that a fresh independence bid, only two years after the country voted against it, should remain an option, depending on the shape of Britain's future ties with the bloc and how well they worked for Scotland. "If we find that our interests can't be protected in a UK context, independence must be one of those options that Scotland must have the right to consider," Sturgeon said in a speech. "That's why we'll take the preparatory steps to ensure that it's an option open to the Scottish parliament if the Scottish parliament considers it necessary." Sturgeon did not say what form the preparatory work would take, but stressed that the unprecedented nature of Britain's exit meant all options for future ties with the EU and the rest of the United Kingdom should be considered. "The UK that we voted to stay part of in 2014, a UK within the EU, is fundamentally changing. The outlook for the UK is uncertainty, upheaval and unpredictability," she said. "In these circumstances it may well be that the option that offers us the greatest certainty, stability, and maximum control over our own destiny is that of independence." Brexit could be unfavourable for Scotland: Sturgeon An opinion poll late last month showed that Scots do not think there should be a second independence referendum, with 44.7 per cent against a fresh vote and 41.9 per cent in favour. New British Prime Minister Theresa May has previously stressed the need for the exit from the EU to work for all regions of the country, and a desire to engage with Scotland on the Brexit process. However, responding to Sturgeon's comments, a spokeswoman for May said the decision to leave the EU must be respected. Sturgeon also said she did not think a prolonged period of negotiations with the EU over how to leave the bloc would be in anyone's interests, and she feared the terms of Britain's exit could be unfavourable for Scotland. "If we can read anything from the early signs, whether from government appointments, or from initial pronouncements - I hope I'm wrong about this - (it's) that the UK is heading towards a hard rather than a soft Brexit," she said. "A future outside the single market with only limited access and significant restrictions on free movement." (Reuters)

Scotland must have right to consider independence: Sturgeon

Two decades after Scotland&#39;s Dolly, the sheep, became the first cloned mammal, consumers may well wonder whether they are drinking milk or eating meat from cookie-cutter cows or their offspring. 
 
The simple answer: &quot;probably&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
The fact is, there is no way to know for sure, say experts, even in Europe, which has come closer to banning livestock cloning than anywhere else in the world. 
 
With the possible exception of the ram sacrificed by Abraham in the Bible, Dolly must be the world&#39;s most famous sheep.&nbsp;The ewe&#39;s birth in an Edinburgh laboratory on July 5, 1996 was front-page news, provoking hype and hand-wringing in equal parts.&nbsp; 
 
For the most part, cloning turned out to be a dead end. 
 
But there is one sector in which Dolly&#39;s legacy is alive and well: the duplication of prize breeding animals. 
 
How aggressively the private sector has developed this niche market has depended in a large part on national or regional regulations, with key differences between the United States, China and the European Union.&quot;The most dramatic impact of the cloning of Dolly has been on animal cloning in the United States,&quot; said Aaron Levine, an expert in bioethics and cloning at Georgia Tech. 
 
In 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration concluded that &quot;food from cattle, swine and goat clones is as safe to eat as food from any other cattle, swine or goat&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
&#39;Cloned animals are not intended to enter food supply directly&#39; 
 
Not even scientists can distinguish a healthy clone from a conventionally bred animal, the regulatory agency said. 
 
There are no requirements to label meat or milk from a cloned animal or its offspring, whether sold domestically or abroad. 
 
For the industry, the aim was never to set up assembly-line production -- cloning is difficult and expensive at more than 10,000 Euros ($11,000) a pop, and the success rate low, with few clones surviving to birth. 
 
So the focus, instead, is on copying genetically outstanding specimens so they may naturally sire exceptional progeny. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s fairly widespread in US to use cloning to produce breeding stock,&quot; said Levine. &quot;Cloned animals are not intended to enter the food supply directly.&quot; 
 
&quot;I suspect some may have,&quot; he added. 
 
US companies typically produce hundreds or few thousand clones per year&nbsp; 
 
Among the leaders in commercial livestock cloning in the US are Cyagra, based in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and ViaGen, in Austin, Texas. 
 
At least one company, ViaGen, also provides services for copying cherished cats and dogs. US companies typically produce hundreds or a few thousand clones per year. 
 
The Boyalife Group&#39;s cloning new factory near the northern coastal city of Tianjin in China, however, is aiming for an annual output of 100,000 cows this year, scaling up to a million by 2020. 
 
Also in the pipeline are thoroughbred racehorses, pets and police dogs specialised in searching and sniffing. 
 
Boyalife has said it is working with South Korean partner Sooam and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to improve primate cloning technology, to create better test animals for human disease research. 
 
And in December, Boyalife&#39;s lead scientist and chief executive Xu Xiaochun, said he would not shy away from cloning humans if regulations allowed it. Faced with strong public opinion against cloning of any kind, the European Union does not allow the practice in animal husbandry. 
 
But officials acknowledge that meat or milk derived from cows with a cloned ancestor may very well have made its way into the market, whether directly imported, obtained from a live imported animal, or one bred domestically from genetic material brought into the EU. 
 
&quot;Without knowing it, Europeans are probably eating meat from the descendents of clones that cannot be traced,&quot; said Pauline Constant, spokeswoman for the European Office of consumer associations, based in Brussels. 
 
Officials say they are not concerned about any impact on human health. 
 
In September, the European Parliament called, by a large majority, not only for a ban on cloned animals, but also on products derived from them.&nbsp; 
 
The final decision rests with the European Commission, which has taken a less hard-line position.&nbsp; 
 
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Australia are among the other countries which clone livestock. 
 
(AFP)

'Not even scientists can distinguish a healthy clone from a conventionally bred animal'

Two decades after Scotland's Dolly, the sheep, became the first cloned mammal, consumers may well wonder whether they are drinking milk or eating meat from cookie-cutter cows or their offspring. The simple answer: "probably". The fact is, there is no way to know for sure, say experts, even in Europe, which has come closer to banning livestock cloning than anywhere else in the world. With the possible exception of the ram sacrificed by Abraham in the Bible, Dolly must be the world's most famous sheep. The ewe's birth in an Edinburgh laboratory on July 5, 1996 was front-page news, provoking hype and hand-wringing in equal parts. For the most part, cloning turned out to be a dead end. But there is one sector in which Dolly's legacy is alive and well: the duplication of prize breeding animals. How aggressively the private sector has developed this niche market has depended in a large part on national or regional regulations, with key differences between the United States, China and the European Union."The most dramatic impact of the cloning of Dolly has been on animal cloning in the United States," said Aaron Levine, an expert in bioethics and cloning at Georgia Tech. In 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration concluded that "food from cattle, swine and goat clones is as safe to eat as food from any other cattle, swine or goat". 'Cloned animals are not intended to enter food supply directly' Not even scientists can distinguish a healthy clone from a conventionally bred animal, the regulatory agency said. There are no requirements to label meat or milk from a cloned animal or its offspring, whether sold domestically or abroad. For the industry, the aim was never to set up assembly-line production -- cloning is difficult and expensive at more than 10,000 Euros ($11,000) a pop, and the success rate low, with few clones surviving to birth. So the focus, instead, is on copying genetically outstanding specimens so they may naturally sire exceptional progeny. "It's fairly widespread in US to use cloning to produce breeding stock," said Levine. "Cloned animals are not intended to enter the food supply directly." "I suspect some may have," he added. US companies typically produce hundreds or few thousand clones per year Among the leaders in commercial livestock cloning in the US are Cyagra, based in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and ViaGen, in Austin, Texas. At least one company, ViaGen, also provides services for copying cherished cats and dogs. US companies typically produce hundreds or a few thousand clones per year. The Boyalife Group's cloning new factory near the northern coastal city of Tianjin in China, however, is aiming for an annual output of 100,000 cows this year, scaling up to a million by 2020. Also in the pipeline are thoroughbred racehorses, pets and police dogs specialised in searching and sniffing. Boyalife has said it is working with South Korean partner Sooam and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to improve primate cloning technology, to create better test animals for human disease research. And in December, Boyalife's lead scientist and chief executive Xu Xiaochun, said he would not shy away from cloning humans if regulations allowed it. Faced with strong public opinion against cloning of any kind, the European Union does not allow the practice in animal husbandry. But officials acknowledge that meat or milk derived from cows with a cloned ancestor may very well have made its way into the market, whether directly imported, obtained from a live imported animal, or one bred domestically from genetic material brought into the EU. "Without knowing it, Europeans are probably eating meat from the descendents of clones that cannot be traced," said Pauline Constant, spokeswoman for the European Office of consumer associations, based in Brussels. Officials say they are not concerned about any impact on human health. In September, the European Parliament called, by a large majority, not only for a ban on cloned animals, but also on products derived from them. The final decision rests with the European Commission, which has taken a less hard-line position. Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Australia are among the other countries which clone livestock. (AFP)

The Dolly legacy: Are you eating cloned meat?

Spain&#39;s acting premier Mariano Rajoy said on Wednesday that Madrid would oppose any separate talks with Scotland on its future in the European Union after Britain voted to leave the bloc. 
 
Spain has consistently opposed Scottish independence for fear of setting a precedent for its own separatists, especially in Catalonia, its richest region.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The Spanish government is opposed to any negotiations with anyone else but the British government,&quot; Rajoy said after 27 EU leaders, excluding Britain, met in Brussels to discuss the Brexit vote. 
 
&quot;The United Kingdom leaves and with it, all those who make up the United Kingdom,&quot; he said. 
 
Rajoy was speaking just hours before European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was due to meet Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. 
 
Sturgeon has said she is ready to defend Scotland&#39; s place in the EU by all means, including another independence referendum if need be. 
 
European Council President Donald Tusk, however, declined to meet the first minister as it was &quot;not the appropriate moment&quot;, a source in the council said on Tuesday.&nbsp; 
 
While Britain as a whole voted 52-48 per cent to leave the EU, Scotland voted 62-38 per cent to remain. 
 
Scots rejected independence in 2014 but since last Thursday&#39;s Brexit vote, there have been calls for another referendum to give Scotland the option to remain in the EU. 
 
(AFP)

Spain has consistently opposed Scottish independence for fear of setting a precedent for its own separatists, especially in Catalonia

Spain's acting premier Mariano Rajoy said on Wednesday that Madrid would oppose any separate talks with Scotland on its future in the European Union after Britain voted to leave the bloc. Spain has consistently opposed Scottish independence for fear of setting a precedent for its own separatists, especially in Catalonia, its richest region. "The Spanish government is opposed to any negotiations with anyone else but the British government," Rajoy said after 27 EU leaders, excluding Britain, met in Brussels to discuss the Brexit vote. "The United Kingdom leaves and with it, all those who make up the United Kingdom," he said. Rajoy was speaking just hours before European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was due to meet Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Sturgeon has said she is ready to defend Scotland' s place in the EU by all means, including another independence referendum if need be. European Council President Donald Tusk, however, declined to meet the first minister as it was "not the appropriate moment", a source in the council said on Tuesday. While Britain as a whole voted 52-48 per cent to leave the EU, Scotland voted 62-38 per cent to remain. Scots rejected independence in 2014 but since last Thursday's Brexit vote, there have been calls for another referendum to give Scotland the option to remain in the EU. (AFP)

Spanish Prime Minister opposes EU talks with Scotland after Brexit

Heidi Alexander, who resigned as health policy chief for Britain&#39;s opposition Labour Party today, said she expected several of her colleagues in party leader Jeremy Corbyn&#39;s top team to do the same. 
 
The party is in open conflict following Britain`s vote to leave the European Union on Thursday. Labour&#39;s widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in Corbyn. 
 
&quot;I think that there are a fair number,&quot; Alexander told ITV television in response to a question about how many of her colleagues she expected to resign. 
 
&quot;I know from the conversations that I&#39;ve had with colleagues that this is a very difficult time for all of us. It&#39;s not a decision that we want to take but some of the time you do have to take tough decisions in politics and so I know a lot of my colleagues will be asking themselves similar questions to the one I&#39;ve asked myself this morning.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Labour's widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in party leader Corbyn

Heidi Alexander, who resigned as health policy chief for Britain's opposition Labour Party today, said she expected several of her colleagues in party leader Jeremy Corbyn's top team to do the same. The party is in open conflict following Britain`s vote to leave the European Union on Thursday. Labour's widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in Corbyn. "I think that there are a fair number," Alexander told ITV television in response to a question about how many of her colleagues she expected to resign. "I know from the conversations that I've had with colleagues that this is a very difficult time for all of us. It's not a decision that we want to take but some of the time you do have to take tough decisions in politics and so I know a lot of my colleagues will be asking themselves similar questions to the one I've asked myself this morning." (Reuters)

'Fair number' of UK Labour policy chiefs to resign: Heidi Alexander

Nearly 60 per cent of Scots now support Scottish independence after Britain voted to leave the European Union this week, according to an opinion poll reported by a newspaper on Saturday. 
 
The Sunday Post said 59 per cent of respondents in the poll backed independence from the United Kingdom. That was sharply higher than the 45 per cent of votes cast in favour of independence at a referendum in 2014 which resulted in the country staying in the UK. 
 
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said earlier on Saturday that a fresh independence referendum was possible. Many Scots voted in favour of remaining in the UK in 2014 because of concerns that breaking away might leave them outside the bloc. 
 
Scots voted by 62-38 per cent to remain in the EU in Thursday&#39;s EU membership referendum but British voters as a whole voted by 52-48 per cent to leave. 
 
The Sunday Post reported the poll finding on its front page which was pictured and posted on Twitter by editorial staff. The newspaper declined to provide further details of the poll. 
 
(Reuters)

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a fresh independence referendum is possible

Nearly 60 per cent of Scots now support Scottish independence after Britain voted to leave the European Union this week, according to an opinion poll reported by a newspaper on Saturday. The Sunday Post said 59 per cent of respondents in the poll backed independence from the United Kingdom. That was sharply higher than the 45 per cent of votes cast in favour of independence at a referendum in 2014 which resulted in the country staying in the UK. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said earlier on Saturday that a fresh independence referendum was possible. Many Scots voted in favour of remaining in the UK in 2014 because of concerns that breaking away might leave them outside the bloc. Scots voted by 62-38 per cent to remain in the EU in Thursday's EU membership referendum but British voters as a whole voted by 52-48 per cent to leave. The Sunday Post reported the poll finding on its front page which was pictured and posted on Twitter by editorial staff. The newspaper declined to provide further details of the poll. (Reuters)

60% Scots want independence: Poll

Britain&#39;s opposition Labour party plunged into turmoil today and the prospect of Scottish independence drew closer, ahead of a showdown with EU leaders over the country&#39;s seismic vote to leave the bloc. 
 
Two days after Prime Minister David Cameron resigned over his failure to keep Britain in the European Union, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a revolt by his lawmakers who called for him, too, to quit. 
 
US secretary of state John Kerry will also fly first to Brussels and then on to London on Monday, amid dismay in Washington over Britain&#39;s decision. 
 
European leaders have called for a swift divorce amid fears of a domino-effect of exit votes in eurosceptic member states that could imperil the integrity of the 28-country alliance. 
 
Britain&#39;s political world is in disarray, while two new polls today showed a surge in support for independence in Scotland, where voters defied the national mood and chose to stay in the EU. 
 
European leaders meet on Monday to discuss the result, which wiped $2.1 trillion from global equity markets Friday amid fears of a new threat to the global economy. 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and EU President Donald Tusk for talks in Berlin. 
 
Cameron is then due to attend a summit of EU leaders on Tuesday to explain Britain&#39;s decision. 
 
Britons cast aside warnings of isolation and economic disaster to vote 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of quitting the EU in Thursday&#39;s referendum. 
 
The historic vote, fought on the battlefronts of the economy and immigration, exposed deep divisions in the country that politicians are scrambling to respond to. 
 
Cameron has said he will stay on until a successor is found from within his governing Conservative party, which could take until October, at which point the new prime minister will launch the EU exit negotiations. 
 
But EU foreign ministers on Saturday urged Britain not to delay, with France&#39;s Jean-Marc Ayrault directly calling on Cameron to go quickly. 
 
&quot;A new prime minister must be designated, that will take a few days but there is a certain urgency,&quot; he told AFP. 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Britain&#39;s exit talks should not &quot;drag on forever&quot; but said that until they were completed, Britain would remain a fully-fledged EU member. 
 
&quot;There is no reason to be nasty in the negotiations. We have to follow the rules of the game,&quot; she said. 
 
Labour revolt 
 
Likely candidates to succeed Cameron, including Brexit campaigner and former London mayor Boris Johnson, began sounding out support over the weekend. 
 
The referendum decision has also lit a fuse under disgruntled members of the Labour party, many of whom have been unhappy with Corbyn&#39;s leadership since he took office last September. 
 
Support for leaving the European Union was strong across northern England, the Midlands and Wales, including many areas that traditional vote Labour. 
 
The party leadership had campaigned to stay in the EU, but critics accuse Corbyn of failing to reach out to working-class voters drawn in by the &quot;Leave&quot; camp&#39;s anti-establishment rhetoric. 
 
After a symbolic vote of no confidence on Friday against Corbyn, he sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn late Saturday for challenging his leadership. 
 
Hours later, health spokeswoman Heidi Alexander quit, and media reports suggested several other colleagues were poised to join her.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding,&quot; Alexander wrote in her resignation letter. 
 
But allies of the veteran socialist said he had no plans to step down. &quot;He&#39;s not going anywhere,&quot; finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC television. 
 
The motion of no confidence is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party on Monday. 
 
Any challenger would need the support of 20 percent of the party&#39;s 229 MPs and it would then be put to party members. 
 
Boost for Scottish independence&nbsp; 
 
As Westminster politicians bickered, Scotland appeared to be moving closer towards independence, just two years after they voted by 55 per cent to stay in the UK. 
 
&quot;The UK that Scotland voted to stay in in 2014 does not exist any more,&quot; First Minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon told BBC television Sunday. 
 
Scots had defied the national trend and voted to remain in the European Union, and the prospect of being taken out against their will has boosted the nationalist cause. 
 
Two polls today support for independence at 59 percent and 52 percent respectively. 
 
Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum was now &quot;highly likely&quot;, and a meeting of her cabinet on Saturday agreed to start drawing up the necessary legislation. 
 
&quot;This is not going to be a re-run of the 2014 referendum. The context and the circumstances have changed dramatically,&quot; she told the BBC. 
 
Across Britain, more than three million Britons signed up to a rapidly-growing petition on an official government website pleading for a new vote. 
 
The number of signatories far surpassed the 100,000 required for a proposal to be discussed in the House of Commons. A committee will consider the motion on Tuesday.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

Scots defied the national mood and voted to stay on in EU. The 'leave' sentiment was strong in northern England, Midlands and Wales

Britain's opposition Labour party plunged into turmoil today and the prospect of Scottish independence drew closer, ahead of a showdown with EU leaders over the country's seismic vote to leave the bloc. Two days after Prime Minister David Cameron resigned over his failure to keep Britain in the European Union, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a revolt by his lawmakers who called for him, too, to quit. US secretary of state John Kerry will also fly first to Brussels and then on to London on Monday, amid dismay in Washington over Britain's decision. European leaders have called for a swift divorce amid fears of a domino-effect of exit votes in eurosceptic member states that could imperil the integrity of the 28-country alliance. Britain's political world is in disarray, while two new polls today showed a surge in support for independence in Scotland, where voters defied the national mood and chose to stay in the EU. European leaders meet on Monday to discuss the result, which wiped $2.1 trillion from global equity markets Friday amid fears of a new threat to the global economy. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and EU President Donald Tusk for talks in Berlin. Cameron is then due to attend a summit of EU leaders on Tuesday to explain Britain's decision. Britons cast aside warnings of isolation and economic disaster to vote 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of quitting the EU in Thursday's referendum. The historic vote, fought on the battlefronts of the economy and immigration, exposed deep divisions in the country that politicians are scrambling to respond to. Cameron has said he will stay on until a successor is found from within his governing Conservative party, which could take until October, at which point the new prime minister will launch the EU exit negotiations. But EU foreign ministers on Saturday urged Britain not to delay, with France's Jean-Marc Ayrault directly calling on Cameron to go quickly. "A new prime minister must be designated, that will take a few days but there is a certain urgency," he told AFP. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Britain's exit talks should not "drag on forever" but said that until they were completed, Britain would remain a fully-fledged EU member. "There is no reason to be nasty in the negotiations. We have to follow the rules of the game," she said. Labour revolt Likely candidates to succeed Cameron, including Brexit campaigner and former London mayor Boris Johnson, began sounding out support over the weekend. The referendum decision has also lit a fuse under disgruntled members of the Labour party, many of whom have been unhappy with Corbyn's leadership since he took office last September. Support for leaving the European Union was strong across northern England, the Midlands and Wales, including many areas that traditional vote Labour. The party leadership had campaigned to stay in the EU, but critics accuse Corbyn of failing to reach out to working-class voters drawn in by the "Leave" camp's anti-establishment rhetoric. After a symbolic vote of no confidence on Friday against Corbyn, he sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn late Saturday for challenging his leadership. Hours later, health spokeswoman Heidi Alexander quit, and media reports suggested several other colleagues were poised to join her. "I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding," Alexander wrote in her resignation letter. But allies of the veteran socialist said he had no plans to step down. "He's not going anywhere," finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC television. The motion of no confidence is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party on Monday. Any challenger would need the support of 20 percent of the party's 229 MPs and it would then be put to party members. Boost for Scottish independence As Westminster politicians bickered, Scotland appeared to be moving closer towards independence, just two years after they voted by 55 per cent to stay in the UK. "The UK that Scotland voted to stay in in 2014 does not exist any more," First Minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon told BBC television Sunday. Scots had defied the national trend and voted to remain in the European Union, and the prospect of being taken out against their will has boosted the nationalist cause. Two polls today support for independence at 59 percent and 52 percent respectively. Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum was now "highly likely", and a meeting of her cabinet on Saturday agreed to start drawing up the necessary legislation. "This is not going to be a re-run of the 2014 referendum. The context and the circumstances have changed dramatically," she told the BBC. Across Britain, more than three million Britons signed up to a rapidly-growing petition on an official government website pleading for a new vote. The number of signatories far surpassed the 100,000 required for a proposal to be discussed in the House of Commons. A committee will consider the motion on Tuesday. (AFP)

UK's split with EU boosts Scottish nationalists

Turmoil unleashed by Britain&#39;s vote to leave the EU engulfed the opposition Labour Party, while policymakers as far away as China, Japan and South Korea fretted today over the threat to global financial stability, hours before markets reopen. 
 
In the oldest parliamentary democracy, three million Britons have signed a petition calling for a re-run of Thursday&#39;s referendum that split the nation, and one opinion poll showed a strong majority of Scots now want to break with the United Kingdom rather than with the European Union. 
 
Labour&#39;s left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn sacked his foreign policy chief as the party plunged into open conflict. 
 
His health chief responded by resigning, calling for a new leader and reflecting accusations among pro-EU lawmakers that Corbyn&#39;s failure to win over traditional Labour voters had played a major role in the referendum result. 
 
Sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn also called for Corbyn, who was elected last year largely by Left-wing party members and supporters, to go. &quot;He is a good and decent man but he is not a leader,&quot; Benn told BBC television. 
 
The 52-48 per cent referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project of forging greater unity across the continent. 
 
Sterling fell as much as 10 per cent against the Dollar on Friday to levels last seen in 1985, while world stocks saw more than $2 trillion wiped off their value. The weekend gave some respite from the turmoil, but with markets opening shortly in Asia, anxiety is growing. 
 
Prime Minister David Cameron resigned on Friday after Britons ignored his passionate appeals to stay in the EU, but left formally notifying Brussels of Britain&#39;s exit to his successor, who is unlikely to be in office for about three months. That signals a long period of limbo. 
 
Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said the vote &quot;will cast a shadow over the global economy&quot;. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s difficult to predict now,&quot; he said at the first annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing. &quot;The knee-jerk reaction from the market is probably a bit excessive and needs to calm down and take an objective view.&quot; 
 
Japan likewise fretted over the effect on the global currency market and contemplated official action. &quot;Speculative, violent moves have extremely negative effects,&quot; said Tomomi Inada, policy chief of the ruling LDP party. &quot;If necessary, the government should not hesitate to respond, including currency intervention,&quot; Nikkei daily quoted him as saying. 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to engineer a weaker Yen to encourage exports to help revive the Japanese economy. But after initial success, investors have sought safety in the Yen this year due to stock market turmoil and now the Brexit vote, pushing the currency back up. 
 
No respite 
 
South Korea&#39;s finance minister also said he feared international markets will remain volatile throughout negotiations on the British exit. 
 
The United States, which during campaigning made clear it wanted Britain to stay in the EU, also showed signs of unease. 
 
Secretary of state John Kerry will meet EU foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini in Brussels and British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond in London on Monday. 
 
The visit is largely meant to offer symbolic reassurance at a critical juncture for Europe, but a senior US official said Kerry would also stress the importance of other members not following Britain&#39;s lead and further weakening the EU. 
 
Despite the international expressions of concern, respite from the uncertainty is unlikely for months, at the very least. 
 
Cameron has offered to stay on as a caretaker, but he has refused to invoke Article 50 of the EU&#39;s Lisbon Treaty, which allows for two years of exit negotiations. Instead he left that job to his successor, who is due to be elected by his Conservative Party sometime before its annual conference in October. 
 
Only after the new leader has invoked can work on thrashing out Britain&#39;s new relationship with the bloc begin. The man widely tipped as the next prime minister is former London mayor Boris Johnson, the most prominent member of the campaign to leave the EU. 
 
No lying down 
 
Signs are growing that not all the 16 million Britons who voted to stay in the EU are willing to take the result lying down. Many flocked to back an online petition demanding a second vote, with signatures exceeding three million today morning, more than double the figure the previous afternoon. 
 
The petition, posted on Parliament&#39;s website before the referendum, said there should be another vote if the outcome was close on a turnout of less than 75 per cent - three points above Thursday&#39;s figure. 
 
It will have to be considered for debate by lawmakers, but has no legal force and its backers compare with the 17.4 million who voted &quot;leave&quot;. 
 
The referendum has also re-energised support for Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, to break away from the United Kingdom instead. 
 
An opinion poll in The Sunday Post said 59 per cent of respondents backed independence, rocketing from 45 per cent of votes cast in a referendum in 2014. 
 
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a fresh independence referendum is possible 
 
&quot;My challenge now as first minister is to work out how I best protect Scotland&#39;s interests, how I try to prevent us being taken out of the EU against our will with all of the deeply damaging and painful consequences that that will entail,&quot; she told the BBC&#39;s Andrew Marr show.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

The 52-48% referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project forging unity across the continent

Turmoil unleashed by Britain's vote to leave the EU engulfed the opposition Labour Party, while policymakers as far away as China, Japan and South Korea fretted today over the threat to global financial stability, hours before markets reopen. In the oldest parliamentary democracy, three million Britons have signed a petition calling for a re-run of Thursday's referendum that split the nation, and one opinion poll showed a strong majority of Scots now want to break with the United Kingdom rather than with the European Union. Labour's left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn sacked his foreign policy chief as the party plunged into open conflict. His health chief responded by resigning, calling for a new leader and reflecting accusations among pro-EU lawmakers that Corbyn's failure to win over traditional Labour voters had played a major role in the referendum result. Sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn also called for Corbyn, who was elected last year largely by Left-wing party members and supporters, to go. "He is a good and decent man but he is not a leader," Benn told BBC television. The 52-48 per cent referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project of forging greater unity across the continent. Sterling fell as much as 10 per cent against the Dollar on Friday to levels last seen in 1985, while world stocks saw more than $2 trillion wiped off their value. The weekend gave some respite from the turmoil, but with markets opening shortly in Asia, anxiety is growing. Prime Minister David Cameron resigned on Friday after Britons ignored his passionate appeals to stay in the EU, but left formally notifying Brussels of Britain's exit to his successor, who is unlikely to be in office for about three months. That signals a long period of limbo. Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said the vote "will cast a shadow over the global economy". "It's difficult to predict now," he said at the first annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing. "The knee-jerk reaction from the market is probably a bit excessive and needs to calm down and take an objective view." Japan likewise fretted over the effect on the global currency market and contemplated official action. "Speculative, violent moves have extremely negative effects," said Tomomi Inada, policy chief of the ruling LDP party. "If necessary, the government should not hesitate to respond, including currency intervention," Nikkei daily quoted him as saying. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to engineer a weaker Yen to encourage exports to help revive the Japanese economy. But after initial success, investors have sought safety in the Yen this year due to stock market turmoil and now the Brexit vote, pushing the currency back up. No respite South Korea's finance minister also said he feared international markets will remain volatile throughout negotiations on the British exit. The United States, which during campaigning made clear it wanted Britain to stay in the EU, also showed signs of unease. Secretary of state John Kerry will meet EU foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini in Brussels and British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond in London on Monday. The visit is largely meant to offer symbolic reassurance at a critical juncture for Europe, but a senior US official said Kerry would also stress the importance of other members not following Britain's lead and further weakening the EU. Despite the international expressions of concern, respite from the uncertainty is unlikely for months, at the very least. Cameron has offered to stay on as a caretaker, but he has refused to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which allows for two years of exit negotiations. Instead he left that job to his successor, who is due to be elected by his Conservative Party sometime before its annual conference in October. Only after the new leader has invoked can work on thrashing out Britain's new relationship with the bloc begin. The man widely tipped as the next prime minister is former London mayor Boris Johnson, the most prominent member of the campaign to leave the EU. No lying down Signs are growing that not all the 16 million Britons who voted to stay in the EU are willing to take the result lying down. Many flocked to back an online petition demanding a second vote, with signatures exceeding three million today morning, more than double the figure the previous afternoon. The petition, posted on Parliament's website before the referendum, said there should be another vote if the outcome was close on a turnout of less than 75 per cent - three points above Thursday's figure. It will have to be considered for debate by lawmakers, but has no legal force and its backers compare with the 17.4 million who voted "leave". The referendum has also re-energised support for Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, to break away from the United Kingdom instead. An opinion poll in The Sunday Post said 59 per cent of respondents backed independence, rocketing from 45 per cent of votes cast in a referendum in 2014. Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a fresh independence referendum is possible "My challenge now as first minister is to work out how I best protect Scotland's interests, how I try to prevent us being taken out of the EU against our will with all of the deeply damaging and painful consequences that that will entail," she told the BBC's Andrew Marr show. (Reuters)

British EU exit turmoil alarms Asia, rocks Labour opposition

Scotland sees its future in the European Union (EU) despite Britain&#39;s vote to leave, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said today, raising the spectre of a new Scottish independence vote and the possible dissolution of the United Kingdom. 
 
Scotland voted by a margin of 62 per cent to 38 per cent to remain in the EU in a referendum on Thursday that put it at odds with Britain as a whole, which voted 52-48 in favour of Leave. 
 
&quot;Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status,&quot; said Sturgeon, head of the Scottish National Party. 
 
Former first minister Alex Salmond explicitly said Scotland is now likely to push for a second independence referendum after the conditions spelled out in the SNP manifesto before re-election in May appeared to have been met. 
 
One key reason Scots rejected independence in a referendum almost three years ago was because independence meant leaving the EU too. After Thursday&#39;s vote, the question is whether some Scots who wavered but eventually voted to stick with the UK in 2014, may now prefer to join the secessionists. 
 
Splitting Scotland from the UK would end three centuries of shared history, upending another successful economic relationship shortly after the now-impending divorce between Britain and the EU. 
 
Most voters in Northern Ireland also voted to remain and Irish nationalist leaders there called for a poll on leaving the United Kingdom and uniting with Ireland. 
 
Calling a new Scottish vote would not be quick or simple and the SNP, marked by caution since Sturgeon took over as leader, would want to first ensure a new vote could be won. 
 
Where the last Scottish independence campaign fell down is considered to be the economic argument; a new Scotland was then projected to stick with its old currency, the pound, and was underpinned by an oil price then over $100 but which is now roughly a half of that level. 
 
Sturgeon would have to build a robust economic independence strategy to convince those emotionally persuaded in 2014 but not economically so. 
 
She would also have to make sure that the maelstrom around Britain&#39;s EU exit does not sweep away some of the support the SNP currently has. 
 
There are other big factors hindering a divorce. One may fear that a lightweight EU, without Britain, is a less attractive partner for Scotland, which sends two thirds of its output to the rest of the UK. 
 
Another rests on concerns about what a border between England and Scotland would do to both security and the economy. 
 
&quot;It could be that in the panic that ensues after a British exit, some people might want to stick with what we still have,&rdquo; said an SNP lawmaker speaking on condition of anonymity. 
 
Polls do not indicate that support for secession has changed much since 2014, but there are several other factors, beyond leaving the EU, which mean that could change. 
 
The biggest is Sturgeon herself, a skilled politician, highly rated by both political friends and foes. 
 
With approval ratings of 60 percent among Scots according to pollster Yougov, she is a convincing messenger for independence which she told Reuters last week she &quot;desperately&quot; wants. 
 
Yet Sturgeon needed to play it cautiously for &quot;good reason,&quot; said Anand Menon of think tank UK in a Changing Europe. 
 
&quot;Nicola Sturgeon knows that if Scotland is independent and England is out of the EU, you have an external EU border between Scotland and England. An external border means the prospects of terrorists, its means the prospect of different regulations, and trade will be obstructed,&quot; Menon said. 
 
Many voters remain sceptical but acknowledge the departure of Britain from the EU shone a new light on the issue. 
 
&quot;The SNP will have to come back with a better argument for independence in a European context to convince me,&quot; said Catherine, a 41-year-old operations manager from Aberdeen. 
 
&quot;If they come back with some real proper facts and figures I would think about it. We&rsquo;re a small country, we definitely don&rsquo;t want to be on our own.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

It voted 62 to 38% to remain, is now likely to push for a second independence referendum which could mean the dissolution of the UK

Scotland sees its future in the European Union (EU) despite Britain's vote to leave, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said today, raising the spectre of a new Scottish independence vote and the possible dissolution of the United Kingdom. Scotland voted by a margin of 62 per cent to 38 per cent to remain in the EU in a referendum on Thursday that put it at odds with Britain as a whole, which voted 52-48 in favour of Leave. "Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status," said Sturgeon, head of the Scottish National Party. Former first minister Alex Salmond explicitly said Scotland is now likely to push for a second independence referendum after the conditions spelled out in the SNP manifesto before re-election in May appeared to have been met. One key reason Scots rejected independence in a referendum almost three years ago was because independence meant leaving the EU too. After Thursday's vote, the question is whether some Scots who wavered but eventually voted to stick with the UK in 2014, may now prefer to join the secessionists. Splitting Scotland from the UK would end three centuries of shared history, upending another successful economic relationship shortly after the now-impending divorce between Britain and the EU. Most voters in Northern Ireland also voted to remain and Irish nationalist leaders there called for a poll on leaving the United Kingdom and uniting with Ireland. Calling a new Scottish vote would not be quick or simple and the SNP, marked by caution since Sturgeon took over as leader, would want to first ensure a new vote could be won. Where the last Scottish independence campaign fell down is considered to be the economic argument; a new Scotland was then projected to stick with its old currency, the pound, and was underpinned by an oil price then over $100 but which is now roughly a half of that level. Sturgeon would have to build a robust economic independence strategy to convince those emotionally persuaded in 2014 but not economically so. She would also have to make sure that the maelstrom around Britain's EU exit does not sweep away some of the support the SNP currently has. There are other big factors hindering a divorce. One may fear that a lightweight EU, without Britain, is a less attractive partner for Scotland, which sends two thirds of its output to the rest of the UK. Another rests on concerns about what a border between England and Scotland would do to both security and the economy. "It could be that in the panic that ensues after a British exit, some people might want to stick with what we still have,” said an SNP lawmaker speaking on condition of anonymity. Polls do not indicate that support for secession has changed much since 2014, but there are several other factors, beyond leaving the EU, which mean that could change. The biggest is Sturgeon herself, a skilled politician, highly rated by both political friends and foes. With approval ratings of 60 percent among Scots according to pollster Yougov, she is a convincing messenger for independence which she told Reuters last week she "desperately" wants. Yet Sturgeon needed to play it cautiously for "good reason," said Anand Menon of think tank UK in a Changing Europe. "Nicola Sturgeon knows that if Scotland is independent and England is out of the EU, you have an external EU border between Scotland and England. An external border means the prospects of terrorists, its means the prospect of different regulations, and trade will be obstructed," Menon said. Many voters remain sceptical but acknowledge the departure of Britain from the EU shone a new light on the issue. "The SNP will have to come back with a better argument for independence in a European context to convince me," said Catherine, a 41-year-old operations manager from Aberdeen. "If they come back with some real proper facts and figures I would think about it. We’re a small country, we definitely don’t want to be on our own." (Reuters)

Divided Kingdom? Scotland says its future lies in the EU

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