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TODAY’S INSTALMENT (4 January) of the CommonSpace daily news roundup includes a landmark case for Palestinian human rights, the final week for the Scottish Government’s independence referendum draft bill consultation and Brexit with a hint of schadenfreude courtesy of the Simpsons.
News: Israeli soldier who killed wounded Palestinian convicted of manslaughter
Palestinian Abdul Fatah al-Sharif was shot dead as he lay wounded on the ground
An Israeli soldier who shot and killed an unarmed and apparently incapacitated Palestinian man as he lay on the ground last year has been convicted in an Israeli court of manslaughter. Sergeant Sgt Elor Azaria executed 21 year-old Abdul Fatah al-Sharif last March in occupied Palestine. The landmark case is being heralded as a victory for Israeli and Palestinian human rights campaigners.
“Fat Cat Wednesday” sees business chiefs outstrip annual pay of British workers
The UK’s top earners will by today, just four days into the year, earn as much as the average UK annual salary. The calculation by the High Pay Centre has found that chief executives will break the UK average of £28, 200 per year by lunchtime.
Politics: Indyref 2 bill consultation enters final week
Scots urged to provide their views on Scottish Government legislation for holding a second independence referendum
The Scottish Government is urging Scots to have their say in the final week of a consultation on the Scottish Government’s draft bill that would enable a second referendum on Scottish independence to be held. The draft bill was introduced following the UK’s vote to leave the EU in June 2016. The Scottish Government is attempting to secure Scotland’s relationship with the EU, but has said that a second referendum is “on the table” if an acceptable accommodation cannot be reached.
Sport: Andy Murray continues winning spree into 2017
Newly knighted Tennis star gets 2017 off to a strong start
Scottish Tennis star Andy Murray has continued his career-best winning streak with a win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the Qatar Open. Murray was knighted after his nomination in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Culture: Slashed Edinburgh Festival budget restored in time for 70th event
£250,000 restored to funds of world renowned Edinburgh event
The Scottish Government will restore £250,000 of funding cut in 2015 from the Edinburgh Festival in time for its 2017 event, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the world renowned cultural event.
Weather: Cool and dry across the country
Sunshine in the central belt and south
2017 has left behind the balmy days of, er, December with a chilly but mainly dry day across the country. Temperatures will hover around 3 degrees, with some sunshine in the central belt and south.
And another thing: Brexit schadenfreude with a side of Simpsons
BREAKING: Sir Ivan Rogers #Brexit press conference pic.twitter.com/XdR00Gko8A
— Sean M Tuffy (@SMTuffy) 4 January 2017
Wallowing in the mess you’ve made
The Tory Government’s year has gotten off to a bad start with the resignation of their EU ambassador over claims they have neither the plan nor capacity to carry out successful Brexit negotiations. What better way to celebrate this first major political embarrassment than with a classic Simpsons quip?
Pictures courtesy of Israel Defense Forces, Maria Navarro Sorolla, Carine06, neil roger, Mark Dries
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