Latest news with #Alba
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Alba Party urges independence supporters to 'max the Yes vote' at Hamilton and Larkhall by-election
EXCLUSIVE: Kenny MacAskill compared this week's Hamilton by-election with the historic vote in 1967 that saw Winnie Ewing triumph. Alba has called for independence supporters to "max the Yes vote" at a crunch by-election this week. Kenny MacAskill, the party leader, stopped short of endorsing the SNP candidate in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency - but insisted the "cause of independence transcends everything". Alba have not entered the race in South Lanarkshire and are instead focused on rebuilding the party after a bruising leadership contest caused by the sudden death of Alex Salmond last year. MacAskill, a former SNP justice secretary, helped co-found the breakaway party with Salmond in 2021. He was named the new leader in March after winning a two-horse race with Ash Regan, Alba's sole MSP. The veteran Nationalist compared this week's by-election in Hamilton with the historic victory of Winnie Ewing in 1967. MacAskill said: "Winnie Ewing transformed Scottish politics and galvanised the independence movement with her stunning victory in Hamilton, 57 years ago. "She did so by relentlessly pushing the cause of Scottish independence - and highlighting the perversity of a country on the point of unparalleled wealth through the discovery of North Sea oil having so many of its people in poverty. "'Stop the World Scotland wants to get on' was her famous quip. It stands true today, but the oil wealth has been squandered, our refinery shut and the independence cause sidelined by the SNP. "Yet support for independence stands at levels never imagined in her time, and when Scotland stands on the verge of another energy bounty with renewables, but finds so many of its people facing fuel poverty. "Hamilton is again a political battleground. People are understandably angry with failing services, lack of housing and a falling standard of living. Sadly, some of the issues of concern rest not with London but a Parliament in Edinburgh - which Winnie was pivotal in securing. "Her vision, which appealed to so many then, was on a Scotland looking after the needs of its people in health, housing, jobs, crime and the quality of life. "The answer now, as then, is independence and the power to use our nation's wealth for our people. "The Alba Party stepped aside in this by-election out of respect for a well-loved local MSP. Our advice now, as it will be next year, is to max the Yes vote - but if that is unacceptable to many, given actions and incompetence, then at least not to vote for a Unionist party. "The cause of independence transcends everything. But the SNP have been warned that their failure to pursue our cause vigorously and their failings in office are damaging our cause."
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Alex Salmond: news and interviews on the former first minister
He first joined the party in 1973 and led the SNP into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. Alex Salmond, who grew up in Linlithgow, died of a heart attack last year at age 69. Read on for all Alex Salmond news and interviews on the former first minister. Alex Salmond news As reported by The National, here is a selection of the latest Alex Salmond news stories. Alba will build on the strategy left by Alex Salmond Kenny MacAskill beats Ash Regan to be elected Alba leader Shock as Alex Salmond died without leaving a will Alex Salmond as first minister Salmond served as the first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He helped lead the Yes movement in the 2014 independence referendum and resigned as first minister shortly after the result. His then-deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, succeeded him unopposed. Salmond later formed the pro-independence Alba Party in 2021 and was the party's leader. He has been credited for turning the SNP from the fringes into the mainstream as he led them into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. The party subsequently won an unprecedented majority in the election four years later, which paved the way for the referendum on Scottish independence. Alex Salmond death A post-mortem examination confirmed that the former first minister died of a heart attack. Salmond collapsed during a lunch in a crowded room with fellow participants at an event in North Macedonia in October 2024. The day before, he had given a speech at the Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Ohrid and participated in meetings the morning before his death. In a statement, Salmond's family said he was 'a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend'. The family's statement said: 'Alex was a formidable politician, an amazing orator, an outstanding intellect and admired throughout the world. 'He loved meeting people and hearing their stories and showed incredible kindness to those who needed it. 'He dedicated his adult life to the cause he believed in – independence for Scotland.' Alex Salmond wife Salmond was married to Moira McGlashan for four decades. The couple did not have any children. Recent reports suggest that he did not leave behind a will. A source close to the family told The Times there is concern about the impact on the late SNP leader's widow, adding: 'There was shock among the family when it became clear that Alex hadn't left a will." Alex Salmond sister Alex Salmond's sister is Gail Hendry, convener of Alba Borders. Gail and her daughter Christina backed Kenny MacAskill to be the leader of the Alba Party. MacAskill served in Salmond's cabinet and defected with him to his new party in 2021. Alex Salmond accusations Alex Salmond was accused of bullying colleagues when he led the Scottish Government in a BBC documentary that aired before his death. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was Salmond's deputy from 2007 to 2014, claimed she 'intervened' to stop Alex Salmond from bullying colleagues 'many times' and that he could be 'really rough on people'. Sturgeon (below) told the Financial Times: 'He would be really rough on people. Many times I intervened to stop him.' (Image: Gettty) Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon fall out The BBC documentary, Salmond And Sturgeon: A Troubled Union, which aired before his death, explored the broken relationship between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. It featured interviews from both former first ministers, who spoke about the public breakdown of their long-term political partnership. Hitting out at the documentary on X (formerly known as Twitter), Salmond described it as 'venomous bias' against Scottish independence. He said the documentary had 'plumbed new depths' and advised to 'turn it off after the first episode'. Salmond and Sturgeon's friendship began fracturing after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Salmond while in office to both police and the Scottish Government. Sturgeon's government investigated the allegations, which led to a bitter split between them, with Salmond saying he 'seriously doubts' he will ever be on speaking terms with Sturgeon, according to the documentary. Salmond took legal action against the Government for its handling of the investigation into him and accused the Government of a plot against him. He was cleared of the allegations. Sturgeon had said that she mourned her relationship with Salmond after their friendship ended.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Yes party leaders urged to stand against genocide in Gaza
The non-party affiliated Scottish Independence Convention (SIC) called on Yessers to condemn the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people and 'take every action possible to inhibit those atrocities from continuing'. It comes as at least 31 people were killed and more than 170 wounded while on their way to receive food in the Gaza Strip, according to health officials and multiple witnesses. The SIC wrote to Yes party leaders on May 25 to ask them to sign the pledge. Only the Alba party confirmed to The National that they would be signing and supporting the contents of the letter. READ MORE: UK Government response to Israel 'gravely inadequate', 15 human rights groups say The letter calls for pro-independence party leaders to condemn the Gaza genocide in the 'strongest possible terms' and 'commit to sanctioning Israel where possible and to pushing all Scottish business and suppliers to divest from Israeli products'. It also calls for Israel to be banned from taking part in international events such as football championships and Eurovision, as well as divesting Scottish Government and local authority pension schemes to any companies who have links to arming Israel. The letter also asks Yes leadrs to 'commit to doing all within their power to uphold international law and to arresting anyone suspected of war crimes that steps on Scottish soil, support and promote the key organisations and the United Nations offering aid to the Palestinian people; demand that the UK Government do the same, sanction Israel, end any complicity and end all arms trading with Israel without exception'. The SIC calls for the commitments listed to remain in place until a 'permanent treaty for peace is established' and Palestine is 'formally recognised by Israel and the international community as a free and independent nation state'. 'The offer to sign up in acceptance will first be put to all the leaders of the major pro-independence political parties with elected representatives,' the SIC added. READ MORE: Scots minister hits back at Defence Secretary 'student union politics' jibe 'If they ignore or refuse to sign we will put it to the next most senior person in the party and so on, so forth. 'Any political party, party leader, MSP or MP who signs up will be commended for their humanity.' The National understands that First Minister John Swinney was approached to sign the letter. Swinney previously condemned Israel for blocking aid entering Gaza, and said there was a 'need to end the conflict' in discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Alba leader Kenny MacAskill, said: "I confirm the full support and endorsement by Alba Party for your call. A genocide is being perpetrated and we cannot stand idly by. "Independence remains our goal but as you detail that neither precludes comment and indeed humanity dictates its requirements." It comes as witnesses said Israeli forces fired on crowds around 1000 yards from a new aid site run by an Israeli-US-backed foundation. Israel's military said in a statement that its forces did not fire at civilians near or within the site, citing an initial inquiry. Before Sunday, 17 people were killed while trying to reach the sites set up to distribute aid, according to Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Health Ministry's records department.
Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Ash Regan's prostitution blunder
To Scotland, where once Britain's greatest schools were found. These days, sadly, that can no longer be said, thanks to the SNP's mismanagement over the past 18 years in office. One of those who served as a minister in its wretched regime was Ash Regan, who held the Scottish Government's Community Safety brief from 2018 to 2022. Having failed to win the party leadership in 2023, she now sits as an MSP in the Alex Salmond fan club that is the Alba party. Her latest Holyrood initiative is to restart the debate on prostitution north of the border. Regan is championing a new 'Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill' which aims to criminalise the buying of sex in Scotland while decriminalising those selling sexual services. The 51-year-old is in the midst of a big publicity push for her Bill. But it seems she has now come unstuck in her latest interview with
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain-listed companies' net profits rise 2.2%
Bahrain - Bahrain-listed companies saw a modest uptick in net profits during the first quarter of 2025, climbing 2.2 per cent year-on-year to $465.3 million. Analysis by Kuwait-based Kamco Invest shows that this slight increase was primarily driven by strong performance in the banking, transportation, and capital goods sectors, which helped offset declines across the majority of the exchange's 14 industry segments. The banking sector emerged as the clear leader, with its net profits surging 16.8pc to $289.4m in Q1-2025. This boost largely stemmed from Bahrain Islamic Bank, which reported a multi-fold increase in net profits to $26.5m. The bank's improved performance was attributed to higher net interest income, despite a dip in non-interest income and increased impairments. Arab Banking Corporation (Bank ABC) posted the highest net profits among Bahraini banks, reaching $76m, a slight rise from the previous year, aided by reduced impairments. National Bank of Bahrain also saw a 2.2pc gain in net profits, hitting $74.6m, propelled by an increase in non-interest income. In contrast, the materials sector experienced a significant setback, with net profits plummeting 25.9pc to $48.1m. Alba, the sector's sole constituent, cited higher production costs as the main culprit, which eroded its EBITDA and ultimately its bottom line. This occurred despite a 20pc rise in LME aluminium prices and a 38pc increase in premiums. The telecom sector also faced headwinds, with total net profits declining 3pc to $51.1m. Batelco (Beyon), the dominant player, reported a 3.8pc drop in net profits to $48m. The company attributed this decline to the implementation of Domestic Minimum Top-Taxes (DMTT), which took effect on January 1, 2025, as well as costs associated with acquisitions completed in 2024. Meanwhile, aggregate net profits for companies listed on GCC exchanges rose 2pc year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching $58.6 billion, primarily driven by strong performances in the banking, telecom, and real estate sectors. This modest improvement came despite a 5.7pc decline in profits from the energy sector, largely due to a 7.5pc year-on-year drop in net profits from Saudi Aramco. Excluding Aramco's results, total GCC corporate profits would have increased by 10.7pc in Q1 2025. The GCC banking sector was a significant positive contributor, with aggregate earnings surging 10pc year-on-year to $16bn. Banks in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain all reported double-digit profit growth. While the energy sector as a whole saw a decline, 17 out of 27 listed energy companies reported improved net profits. The GCC telecom sector experienced a robust 45.3pc year-on-year growth in net profits, reaching $3.5bn, with broad-based double-digit gains across most GCC countries. The GCC real estate sector also posted a strong performance, with net profits increasing by 55.5pc year-on-year to $2.9bn. This growth was led by substantial gains in the UAE, where real estate company profits rose 38pc to $2.1bn, and in Saudi Arabia, which saw a multi-fold increase to $472.7m. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
