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TODAY’S INSTALMENT (Wednesday 8 February) of the CommonSpace daily news roundup includes: Court proceedings continue on Muslim ban ahead of protests, House of Commons Speaker under increased Tory pressure to resign for Trump remarks, and Donald Trump – news faker.
News: Court proceedings continue on Muslim ban ahead of protests

Appeals court judge questions whether executive order is a Muslim ban if only 15 per cent of world’s Muslims are affected
An appeals court in the US is continuing its deliberations on whether to uphold a restraining order against US President Donald Trump’s Muslim ban, which bars people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the US. During the appeal case, the court judge Richard Clifton asked whether it could be termed a Muslim ban if it only affected 15 per cent of all Muslims. Protests against the ban are set to continue, including a protest in Edinburgh this Saturday (11 February).
Politics: House of Commons Speaker under increased Tory pressure to resign for Trump remarks

Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi calls on John Bercow to “think about” resigning
The Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow has come under increasing Tory pressure to stand down from his position after he publicly stated his opposition to US President Donald Trump addressing the UK Parliament. Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi has called on Bercow to “think about” his position. The leader of the Lords, Lord Fowler, has also criticised Bercow.
Finance secretary to be quizzed on Scottish budget
Scottish finance secretary Derek McKay is set to be quizzed in the Scottish Parliament today about the latest Scottish budget, which was arrived at by a compromise with the Scottish Greens.
Sport: Russian deputy Prime Minister accuses coaches of doping

Vitaly Mutko says some coaches “do not know how to work without doping”
Russia’s deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko has said some Russian coaches “do not know how to work without doping”. The comments represent a departure from earlier statements, with Mutko and other politicians seeking to downplay accusations of widespread doping in Russian athletics
Culture: Ayr Flower show axed amid council funding row

What now for my cacti?
Organisers of the Ayr Flower show, one of Scotland’s most celebrated horticultural events, have announced they will be unable to continue with the event due to a row with South Ayrshire Council who are refusing to invest a sum of £20,000 in the event, estimated by organisers to be worth some £1.5m to the local economy. I used to submit a little pot of cacti to that show when I was small (no I never won anything).
Weather: Calm before the cold

Cold snap on its way
It’s still cool, but a rather drier day than yesterday. Temperatures hanging around 5-6 degrees across a mostly cloudy Scotland.
And another thing: Donald Trump – news faker

BBC responds with list of reports to every ‘unreported’ terror attack
In an attempt to bolster his case for the Muslim ban and shame what he calls the fake media for not reporting terrorist attacks, US President Donald Trump released a list of terror attacks which he alleges were not reported by the media. The BBC has responded with an article listing reports to every incident.
Picture courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Joe Gratz, JULIAN MASON, University of Liverpool faculty of health and life sciences, Terry Robinson, Andi Campbell-Jones
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