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TODAY’S INSTALMENT (26 August) of the CommonSpace daily news roundup includes the US Navy firing warning shots at an Iranian vessel, Mike Russell is appointed Scotland’s Brexit Minister, and £20,000 for doggy digital marketing.
News: US Navy patrol ship fires shots to warn off Iranian military vessel
US Navy vessel has fired warning shots at an Iranian military ship in the Gulf
A US patrol ship has fired three warning shots at an Iranian military vessel in the Gulf, the BBC reports. The USS Squall fired the warning shots after an Iranian vessel came within 200 metres of the Squall in a head on course in international waters. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said that this was the latest in a series of incidents involving Iranian vessels approaching US ships without cause.
Spain could see third general election in just over a year on Christmas Day as struggle to form government continues
Spain could face its third general election in just over a year on Christmas Day as acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy prepares for a confidence vote on 30 August. Despite recently reaching an agreement with the centrist Ciudadanos party, Rajoy’s People’s Party does not yet have the numbers to guarantee success in the confidence vote. If an agreement with other parties is not reached within two months after the confidence vote, the King of Spain will issue a decree dissolving parliament and set the date for a general election, which will fall on 25 December.
Bolivian deputy interior minister kidnapped and killed by striking miners, says government
The Bolivian government has reported that the deputy interior minister Rodolfo Illanes has been kidnapped and killed by striking miners. Illanes and his bodyguard were taken at a roadblock in Panduro, which is south of La Paz. Miners have been holding the roadblock since Tuesday, and Bolivian interior minister Carlos Romero said that Illanes had been killed in an atack that was both “cowardly and brutal”.
Politics: Scottish Government appoints Mike Russell as ‘Brexit minister’
Mike Russell MSP has been appointed to lead Scottish negotiations with Westminster over EU exit
MSP for Argyll and Bute Mike Russell has been appointed by the Scottish Government to the post of Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe. Russell has previously held briefs for environment, culture and education and has been out of the cabinet since late 2014. As ‘Brexit minister’, Russell will lead the Scottish Government’s negotations with Westminster over the future of the relationship between the UK and the EU.
Glasgow City Council joins Edinburgh and Scottish Borders in proposal to outsource IT services to Canadian firm
Glasgow City Council has joined councils in Edinburgh and the Borders in announcing proposals to outsource its IT services to Canadian firm CGI Group. The proposed deal would see CGI provide all IT services for benefits provision, schools, social work and council payroll, and if approved would launch in 2018. The arrangement between Edinburgh City Council and CGI is a seven-year contract and is worth around £190m.
Sport: Martin Laird goes into second round of Barclays golf tournament in shared lead with Patrick Reed
Laird shares lead with Reed going into second round of Barclays golf tournament
Martin Laird has gone into the second round of the Barclays golf tournament with a lead that he shares with America’s Peter Reed. The 33-year-old shot five-under-par 66s, as did Reed, putting them both ahead of Australian world number one Jason Day as the second round of the tournament gets underway.
Culture: Idlewild to headline new Daytripper music and food festival in Dunbar
Idlewild will headline a new music and food festival in Dunbar, partly sponsored by East Lothian Council
Idlewild are set to headline the new Daytripper music and food festival in Dunbar on 3 September. The festival has been organised by Café Lauderdale and is supported by East Lothian Council, Core Design, Nocowknowhow and Thistly Cross Cider, with all profits invested back into the local community.
Weather: Occasional showers but sun should win through by the end of the day
Light showers forecast for the morning but the sun could burn off clouds by late afternoon
We’re looking out for rainbows above the CommonSpace office today as showers and sunshine are forecast throughout the day. The sun doesn’t look set to last for the weekend, with cloud and showers due to make a reappearance.
And another thing: Campaign to promote taking your dog on holiday awarded £20,000
Digital marketing campaign ‘Paws for a Break’ has been awarded £20,000 by Visit Scotland
A digital marketing campaign aimed at encouraging holidaymakers towards self-catering options that allow pets has been awarded £20,000 by Visit Scotland. The ‘Paws for a Break’ campaign targets the ‘hound pound’, with VisitScotland research showing that 30 per cent of holidaymakers base accomodation choices on how suitable they are for pets.
Pictures courtesy of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Scottish Government, Tord Sollie, kaysgeog, Justin Warner, Neha Viswanathan
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