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TODAY’S INSTALMENT (25 August) of the CommonSpace daily news roundup includes the discovery of a new planet, claims it would be “ridiculous” for Corbyn to rule out an alliance with SNP, and police appealing for information after ducks stolen.
News: Potentially Earth-like planet discovered in ‘habitable zone’ of Proxima Centauri
A planet with a probable mass 1.3 times the size of Earth has been discovered orbiting Proxima Centauri
A planet has been discovered within the ‘habitable zone’ of the star Proxima Centauri, meaning that liquid water could potentially exist on the planet. The planet, which has been named Proxima b, has a probable mass of at least 1.3 times the size of Earth, and could be capable of sustaining life in an Earth like fashion if liquid water exists on the planet.
Death toll from Italian earthquake reaches 247 as rescue efforts continue
More than 4,300 people are taking part in rescue efforts in the Rieti and Ascoli Piceno provinces of Italy as the death toll from an earthquake on Wednesday 23 August has risen to 247. Three-quarters of the town of Amatrice have been destroyed by the quake, and strong aftershocks have shaken already damaged buildings.
Colombia signs historic peace accord with Farc rebels after more than fifty years of conflict
Colombia has signed an historic peace agreement with the Farc rebel group after more than fifty years of conflict. The Colombian government signed the peace accord with the lead Farc negotiatior in Havana, in which both groups agreed to work towards improving social inclusion and build a lasting, secure peace.
Politics: Think tank says it would be “ridiculous” for Jeremy Corbyn to rule out alliance with SNP
Corbyn has announced that he would oppose an alliance with the SNP
Neal Lawson, the head of the leftwing think tank Compass has said that it would be “ridiculous” for Jeremy Corbyn to rule out an alliance with the SNP. Senior members of Scottish Labour including leader Kezia Dugdale have recently dismissed the prospect of an alliance between Labour and the SNP. A Scottish Labour spokesperson said that “there should be no Westminster deal with the SNP”.
Islands Bill to be brought forward during the next 12 months
The Scottish Government minister for transport and islands Humza Yousaf has said that the Islands Bill is to be progressed within the next 12 months. Yousaf said that the bill would match the aspirations of Island communities with an “empowerment agenda”. The Bill will be shaped by findings from a public consultaiton and information from the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group.
Sport: Josh Taylor to face Dave Ryan for Commonwealth super lightweight belt
East Lothian boxer Taylor will face Ryan at Meadowbank in October
East Lothian boxer Josh Taylor will face England’s Dave Ryan in his first title fight at Meadowbank in October. Twenty-five-year-old Taylor turned professional last year and will face Ryan for the vacant Commonwealth super lightweight belt on 21 October.
Culture: Tramway announces autumn programme featuring National Theatre of Scotland’s Home and Away festival
Arts, dance and theatre hub in Glasgow announces autumn season of events
The Tramway arts hub in Glasgow has announced its autumn programme which features the National Theatre of Scotland’s participatory arts festival Home and Away. Other highlights include a trilogy of abstract dance pieces from Ballet Black in October and an exhibition of paintings by Ella Kruglyanskaya in collaboration with Tate Liverpool.
Weather: Clouds make a reappearance as weather gears up for scattered showers
The sun could put in an occasional appearance but scattered showers are on the horizon
Cloud cover is forecast to continue towards the weekend as occasional sunny spells give way to scattered showers on Friday. Temperatures should remain even despite the changeable weather.
And another thing: Police appealing for information after feathery heist
Police Scotland appeal for information after 230 ducks stolen in Aberdeenshire
Police Scotland are appealing for anyone with information to come forward after 230 ducks were stolen from a farm near Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire. The ducks are not a common breed and are worth over £1,000. Due to the number of ducks stolen Police Scotland suspect that a van may have been used to transport them. If you have any information, please contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Pictures courtesy of NASA Goddard Space Flight, Chris Beckett, Jeffrey Pott, Chris Carter, Dennis Amith, Andrew Wippler
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