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TODAY’S INSTALMENT (2 February) of the CommonSpace daily news roundup includes: Trump sets counter-extremism sights exclusively on Muslims, Westminster vote to be followed by hard Brexit white paper, and what Trump’s administration don’t know about Black History Month.
News: Trump sets counter-extremism sights exclusively on Muslims
Muslim communities singled out despite dramatic rise in rightwing terrorism
US President Donald Trump is elaborating a counter-extremism strategy focused entirely on perceived threats in the Muslim community, according to Reuters. The decision comes despite the enormous rise in far-right terrorist activity, including the killing of six Muslims in a Mosque in Quebec City Canada. Protests have continued across the US and around the world in the face of Trump’s ban on entry to the UK from seven Muslim-majority nations, including a riot at Berkley University campus in California.
Politics: Westminster vote to be followed by hard Brexit white paper
Little new information expected after overwhelming vote to give UK Government Article 50 power
The UK Government will publish its white paper on Brexit today, following the overwhelming victory of the Brexit Bill at Westminster last night. The Bill passed by 498 votes to 114, with opposition led by the SNP. The white paper is expected to outline a strategy for so-called hard Brexit, divorcing the UK from the major institutions of the EU as well as membership.
Sport: Recuperating Andy Murray not to compete in Davis Cup
Team GB captain confirms absence
Leon Smith, the Davis Cup GB team leader, has confirmed that world number one Andy Murray will not join the team in order to take time to recuperate.
Culture: Nicola Sturgeon offers mentorship for Scots young woman
Call goes out for Scotland’s best internship
In an effort to promote gender equality, Nicola Sturgeon will be taking on a young woman aged 18-23 to mentor in leadership skills. Depending on how you view Scottish politics, this is either a touching gesture to promote woman in leadership, or a terrifying ploy to create a sort of Sturgeon Mini-Me.
Weather: Mild and cloudy
Some showers in the east
It will be another mild and cloudy day across Scotland today with temperatures reaching 12 degrees in Edinburgh. There will be showers in parts of the east of the country.
And another thing: Sean Spicer quizzed on black history is painful
Frederick Douglass still ticking and making great contributions apparently, which is good
Watching Trump’s team attempt to get to grips with Black History Month is a pretty painful affair. Sean Spicer’s knowledge of massively influential anti-slavery pioneer Frederick Douglass seems to be limited, as he appears to believe Douglass, who died in 1895, is still fighting the good fight.
Pictures courtsy of Gage Skidmore, UK Parliament, Not enough megapixels, Scottish Government, Ib Aarmo, West Chester University
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