CommonSpace brings you the news so you don’t have to go looking for it
TODAY’S INSTALMENT (5 August) of the CommonSpace daily news roundup includes the Zika virus vaccine, Brexit’s affects on Scotland’s jobs, and power station pine martens.
News: Zika vaccines show promise in early tests
Three designs of potential Zika vaccine have shown promise in early stages of testing
Scientists in the US have had success in the early stages of developing a vaccine for the Zika virus, the BBC reports. The virus can cause serious birth defects and has been declared a public health emergency. Early tests of three different designs of a potential vaccine appeared to offer complete protection and were not linked to any major side-effects.
Drop in local support for ANC in South African elections
The African National Congress (ANC) has recieved its worst result at a local level since apartheid. The return of 85 per cent of municiple election results showed the ANC behind its main rival the Democratic Alliance in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. The ANC is still in the lead at the national level.
Plane overshoots runway and crashes onto road in Bergamo
A Boeing 737 has crashed in Italy after overshooting the runway at Bergamo’s Orio al Serio airport, the Guardian reports. The plane, which belongs to courier company DHL, crashed onto the road during bad weather in the early hours of the morning. The crew on board were unharmed, and no one else was injured.
Politics: Brexit affects number of permanent placements available in Scotland survey reveals
Brexit vote caused drop in number of permanent placements available in Scotland according to survey
The number of permanent job placements available in Scotland has taken its steepest drop since 2009, according to a survey reported in the Herald. The survey was carried out by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation after the EU referendum vote and around 37 per cent of particpants recorded a drop in the number of permanent job placements on offer.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd says child abuse inquiry will continue “without delay”
The Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said that the child abuse inquiry will continue “without delay” after the resignation of New Zealand high court judge Dame Lowell Goddard. Rudd thanked Goddard for her contribution to the inquiry “so that it may continue to go about its vital work.” Goddard is the third chairwoman to resign from the inquiry.
Sport: 271 Russian athletes cleared by IOC for Rio games
271 Russian athletes have been cleared to take part in the the Rio Olympic games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has cleared 271 Russian athletes to compete in the Rio games. An alleged state sponsored Russian doping scandal caused the world anti-doping agency to recommend a blanket ban on all Russian athletes, but the IOC has cleared 271 of the 389 people originally put forward for the games by Russia after stringent tests.
Culture: Festival fever hits Edinburgh
Packed cultural diary in Edinburgh in August as festivals kick off
It’s that time again – festival fever has taken hold in Edinburgh as a packed month of cultural activities gets underway. Over the next few weeks the Edinburgh international fesitval, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will delight hundreds of thousands of visitors to the capital.
Weather: Weekend showers and high winds forecast
Scattered showers and cloud to move in over weekend
Sunny intervals are likely to last to the end of the day, but its probably best not to leave the washing hanging out unsupervised this weekend as scattered showers and high winds are forecast for both Saturday and Sunday.
And another thing: Pine martens make a meal of it at Cruachan
Nevermind hungry hippos, these cute critters have been scoffing lunch at Cruachan visitor centre
A family of four pine martens has been delighting visitors to the above-ground cafe and visitor centre at Cruachan power station on the banks of Loch Awe, the Herald reports. Locally known as the ‘Cruachan critters’, the pine martens have been observed snacking on leftovers provided by the cafe, and helping themselves to the odd treat from unsuspecting tourist’s picnic baskets. CommonSpace advises you to keep an eye on your flapjacks if you are in the area…
Pictures courtesy of Wellcome Images, Thijs ter Haar, Chris Eason, Moyan Brenn, calamity_sal, Flickpicpete (Thanks for 2
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