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TODAY’s INSTALMENT (28 July) of the CommonSpace daily news roundup includes: Lloyds bank to cut 3,000 jobs, Barnier to negotiate Brexit, ostrich on the loose in Ayrshire.
News: Lloyds bank plans cuts 3,000 jobs, increases number of branches to be closed
Lloyds bank has announced the loss of another 3,000 jobs in the UK and further branch closures
Lloyds bank has announced it will cut 3,000 jobs and increased the number of branches it plans to close in the UK as it recorded a 101 per cent increase in pre tax profits. These cuts are in addition to the loss of 9,000 jobs and 200 branch closures announced in 2014. The company recorded £2.5bn pre-tax profits for the first half of the year which is largely due to a marked decrease in the amount paid out in payment protection insurance compensation.
Pope Francis calls for compassion and generosity towards refugees
Speaking in Kraków during his first visit to Poland, Pope Francis spoke of the need for a “spirit of readiness to welcome those fleeing from wars and hunger,” the Guardian reports. The pontiff made the comments at Wawel Cathedral in the city, where he also spoke of the importance of the right to express one’s faith in “freedom and safety”. His Holiness is expected to appear repeatedly throughout his visit to interact with crowds.
UN condemns “almost unimaginable” Boko Haram violence in Nigeria
Humanitarian co-ordinator for the UN Stephen O’Brien has condemned the "heinous, barbaric and unconscionable" violence of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Thousands of people have been forced to flee as a result of the violence and the UN estimates that upwards of nine million people in the region require humanitarian assitance. Of this nine million, seven million are in Nigeria which O’Brien says is “bearing the brunt of the crisis”.
Politics: Michel Barnier appointed by European Commission as ‘Brexit negotiator’
Former EU commissioner and French cabinet minister Michel Barnier will lead Brexit talks with UK
Michel Barnier has been appointed by the European Commission to negotiate Brexit with the UK. The former EU commissioner and French cabinet minister will take up his position as “chief negotiator in charge of leading the commission taskforce for the preparation and conduct of the negotiations with the United Kingdom” on 1 October. When announcing the appointment, European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker said he wanted and experienced politician for this “important and challenging job”.
Scottish Labour releases action plan paper calling on Scottish Government to create ‘Brexit fund’
Scottish Labour has released an action plan paper, outlining steps for protecting jobs and the economy post-Brexit. The plan calls on the Scottish Government to set up a ‘Brexit fund’ that would offer loans to small businesses, and also includes calls for an increase in infrastructure spending in the wake of the EU referendum vote.
Sport: Aberdeen FC opens public consultation on plans for new stadium
Aberdeen FC has opened a consultation on plans for a new stadium on outskirts of city
A 12-week consultation period has been opened by Aberdeen FC to allow the public input into plans to build a new stadium for the club on the outskirts of the city. The proposed new stadium would seat 20,000 people and offer a variety of facilities to the local community, however there is concern among local groups about traffic problems and loss of green belt land.
Culture: Scottish indy publishing house makes Man Booker Prize longlist with novel by Graeme Macrae Burnet
Author Graeme Macrae Burnet makes the Man Booker Prize longlist with novel ‘His Bloody Project’
Independent Scottish publishing house Saraband is celebrating after a novel by one of the authors on its crime imprint Contraband made the Man Booker Prize longlist announced on 27 July. ‘His Bloody Project’ by Graeme Macrae Burnet is a psychological crime thriller set in the 19th century.
Weather: So long sunshine, clouds and showers on the horizon
Cloud cover set to last into the weekend
It looks like we may have seen the last of the sun for this week as cloud cover and scattered showers are forecast to last into the weekend, so make sure to remember your brolly if you’re out and about!
And another thing: Cloudy with a chance of ostrich in Ayrshire
Probably not the ostrich in question…
Residents of Patna were left mystified yesterday after several sightings of an ostrich in the area. The Scottish SPCA has warned people should not get too close to the great bird if they see it as it may have young chicks in tow and could become aggressive to protect them. In unrelated news, CommonSpace journalist Stuart Rodger has lost his ostrich, so if anyone sees it, please get in touch…
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Pictures courtesy of Elliott Brown, Valsts kanceleja/ State Ch, Nicolai, Twitter/Graeme Macrae Burnet, Daniel Spiess, Nature'sAura – C.McKee