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Yesterday in Ireland, as reported in the Irish Times, Labour Deputy Prime Minister Joan Burton was trapped in a car for two hours after being surrounded by demonstrators protesting against water charges. She had to be rescued by Garda Síochána officers (Police) and the Public Order Unit when her vehicle was trapped within a large angry crowd in the Jobstown area of west Dublin.

At the Scottish National Party conference in Perth, Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Southside, was appointed as the new party leader. She paid tribute to Alex Salmond, who has just stood down saying: "We owe him the most enormous debt of gratitude. Lets us thank him from the bottom of our hearts."

Nicolas Sturgeon, who will become Scottish First Minister next week, told delegates that although the SNP had seen a surge in support and increase in membership, there was still much to do. She said:

Alex Salmond undertook his final session of First Minister's questions at the Scottish Parliament today. There can be no doubt that his achievements have been staggering since he became leader of the Scottish National Party in 1990. At that time there was not a Scottish Parliament, Scotland was ruled by Malcolm Rifkind the Tory Secretary of State and the Scottish National Party had only four MP's (Members of Parliament) in Westminster, the UK Parliament. 

This media release issued by the Kernow Branch of the Celtic League:

MEDIA INFORMATION

Meeting with English Heritage

As widely reported in the press and media on September 2nd, 2014, a high level meeting organised by the Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League is set to occur between representatives of English Heritage and the Celtic League in Redruth on November 20th.

New research has revealed how Scottish Gaelic is an economic and social asset to Scotland.  A partnership project led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) development agency collaborated with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Scottish Natural Heritage, Creative Scotland, The Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council, and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to commission the research. 

This just published by the Celtic League

Scottish News Channel – Campaign Officially Launched!

News from Celtic League

A new internet based Scottish television channel campaign has been launched today (10/11/14) that aims to raise enough capital so that it can provide a 30-minute online news bulletin every day.

Ffred Ffransis, spokesman for the Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Laith Gymraeg), has acclaimed the results a poll commissioned by his organisation which shows that  63% of the people surveyed agreed that schools “should teach all pupils to communicate effectively in Welsh” thus ensuring graduates enjoy a command of the Welsh tongue upon graduation.  

Caarjyn ny Gaelgey  is a Manx Gaelic language organisation established in 1991. The aim of the organisation is to provide opportunities for people to use and learn the language. On Saturday November 15 they will hold a book sale. The sale will include books written in Manx as well as on Manx topics and will run from 11am until 4pm in the Old Schoolhouse at St John’s (Manx: Balley Keeill Eoin).

November 11th 1918 marked the end of the First World War, one of the deadliest conflicts in history. It is estimated that about 10 million members of the armed forces and 7 million civilians were killed over the four year duration of the War. Many millions were wounded. Around the Celtic lands and other parts of the world memorial services are taking place to commemorate this disastrous event. This year of 2014 also marks one hundred years since the start of the conflict. We quite correctly remember the carnage and death suffered by people in the First World War.

An informal vote on independence for Catalonia has shown more than 80% in favour. Despite attempts at bullying by Spain more than 2 million turned out to vote on 9th November. Now the pressure is on Spain to respond to the democratic will of the Catalan people and for a formal independence vote to go ahead. The Spanish government had used the puppet Spanish Constitutional Court to ban Catalan people from exercising their democratic right in a formal vote. But this is now being thrown in the face of the Spanish government by a Catalan people who want their freedom.