Day: April 15, 2025

Tracy Gilbert MP shares government response on Syria with local Syrian Group following  constituent concerns 

Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Tracy Gilbert, has welcomed the lifting of  sanctions on Syria. 

Tracy Gilbert MP wrote to the Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer MP, following  concerns raised by her constituent, Youssef Al Hariri. Al Hariri contacted Tracy Gilbert’s office  expressing his deep concern about the ongoing sanctions in Syria. In response, the Minister  confirmed that the UK had recently revised aspects of its Syria sanctions regime. 

As of 6 March, the UK government lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities including the Central  Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines, and energy companies.

In a letter from the Minister for the  Middle East to Tracy Gilbert MP, he confirmed that: “On 6th March we lifted asset freezes on 24  Syrian entities that were previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of the  Syrian people, including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines, and energy companies. 

“These de-listings underscore our commitment to help the people of Syria rebuild their country  and economy.” 

Speaking after the meeting, Tracy Gilbert MP said: ““I was grateful to meet with members of the Syrian community here in Edinburgh and to share  the government’s response.

“While these policy changes were already underway, it’s thanks to input from constituents like Youssef Al Hariri that the UK government takes the positive  decisions to support Syria as it tries to end the decade long civil war, move on from the  oppression of the Assad regime and develop for the future.” 

Youssef Al Hariri said: “I am grateful to Tracy Gilbert for taking the time to visit our group today  and for bringing positive news. This is an important step forward by the British Government, and  it is most welcome.

“However, it is vital that this positive progression continues and at a swift  pace to avoid further instability in Syria. I look forward to working closely with Tracy and her  team as we continue to push for peace.”

From the science behind sins to the chemistry of Star Wars: Edinburgh Science Festival 2025 continues

Still to come at Edinburgh Science Festival 2025

From the science behind the seven deadly sins to the chemistry of Star Wars, there’s lots still to uncover at Edinburgh Science Festival 2025.

Running until Sunday 20 April, the Festival explores the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources, through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration with the theme Spaceship Earth.

This week’s highlights include:

A Climate of Truth (15 April) 
We have all the technology we need to live better than ever before, and yet humanity is still accelerating into a climate emergency. Sustainability expert, Prof Mike Berners-Lee looks at the challenge from new angles, and reveals how the need for radically higher standards of honesty in our politics, media, and business is the single most critical point of leverage for those seeking change. Berners-Lee shows what all of us can do to be part of the evolution that humanity so urgently needs to deal with the polycrisis.

Seven Deadly Sins (15 April)
Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Pride. Envy. Lust. Anger. Do these sins really represent moral failings, or are they simply important and useful human functions that aid us? Professor of neurology, Guy Leschziner reveals the hidden science and humanity behind our so-called flaws and follies.

Mission Bake: From Bake Off to Blast Off (18 April)
Are you ready to see some “out-of-this-world” treats? Join scientist and Great British Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley as he showcases the wonders of space through the art of baking, with edible meteorites and macaron planets. Plus, space expert Dhara Patel from the National Space Centre will be bringing real meteorites to the show!
Josh Smalley also joins the Festival for The Easter Baking Show, also on 18 April.

Memory Lane: the Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember (18 April)
We often think our impressions of the past remain preserved somewhere inside our brains. In fact, we reconstruct our memories every time we try to recall them. But a faulty memory isn’t always a bad thing…Explore the cutting-edge science of human memory, the ethical implications of memory manipulation and the pitfalls of false recollections. Psychologists Ciara Greene and Gillian Murphy reveal the surprising benefits of a flexible memory system and explain why no two trips down memory lane are ever quite the same.

The Chemistry of Star Wars (20 April)
In a galaxy far, far away, there is a Star Wars universe packed with captivating science, from the biology of alien species to the astrophysics of hyperspace. But what about Chemistry? Join Alex Baker, a chemist from the University of Warwick, as he explores the freezing of Han Solo, the colours of lightsabers, the reactions that power star ships and much more.

DiscoveryLab (Running until 19 April)
Visit the Festival’s reimagined flagship family experience at City Art Centre and explore five floors packed with hands-on activities designed for all the family to get involved in. Children aged 5–11 can also book entry to one premium workshop including Splat-tastic, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Wild Vets.

To view the full programme, visit: 

https://www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/whats-on/

Portobello disturbance: Man arrested and charged

MAN TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged following a disturbance in the Portobello area of Edinburgh.

Around 10.55pm on Saturday, 12 April, 2025, police were called to Bath Street and Mentone Avenue.

Three males, one aged 17 and two aged 18, were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

The 21-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Tuesday, 15 April, 2025.

A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Enquiries remain ongoing.

Thank you to those who have assisted with enquiries so far.

UK Government secures raw materials to save British Steel

NATIONALISATION BY ANY OTHER NAME?

The Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is pushing ahead with efforts to safeguard British Steel. Today [Tuesday 15 April] he will travel up to Immingham as the raw materials that have been waiting in the dock are unloaded and transported to the site, following the government settling payment for them.

The materials – which have arrived from the US – are enough to keep the blast furnaces running for the coming weeks, with officials continuing to work at pace to get a steady pipeline of materials to keep the fire burning.

A separate ship which contains yet more coking coal is on the way to the UK from Australia. This cargo was the subject of a legal dispute between British Steel and Jingye over the weekend that has now been resolved. The materials have been paid for using existing DBT budgets.

New legislation passed last weekend, in an unprecedented move, gives Government the power to direct the company’s board and workforce, ensure they get paid, and order the raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running. It also permits the Government to do these things itself if needed. 

The government acted to protect 37,000 jobs in supply chains and ensure we can build the infrastructure needed to deliver growth which is fundamental to the Plan for Change.

On Monday, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed the appointment of Allan Bell as interim Chief Executive Officer, and Lisa Coulson as interim Chief Commercial Officer, both with immediate effect – ensuring the right expertise is in place to keep the site running smoothly.

After intensive work over the weekend, the government has secured coke and iron ore pellets for the blast furnaces and is confident there will be enough materials to keep the furnaces burning.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “We will always act in the interest of working people and UK industry. Thanks to the work of those at British Steel, and in my department, we have moved decisively to secure the raw materials we need to help save British Steel.

“Our industries depend on UK steel and – thanks to our Plan for Change – demand is set to shoot up: helping build the 1.5 million homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to usher in a decade of national renewal.”