Suspect arrested for banking fraud totaling SR493 million as Nazaha pursues corruption charges    Arab leaders and heads of state congratulate US President-elect Donald Trump    Neymar suffers muscle tear, out for 4-6 weeks    Crown Prince, Pakistan Army Chief discuss ways to enhance military cooperation    Crown Prince aspires to strengthen strategic US-Saudi ties in call with Trump    Crown Prince hails Saudi medical team that performed world's first fully robotic heart transplant    Prince Badr signs MoUs with Al-Qasabi and Al-Falih to empower entrepreneurs and boost investments in cultural sector    Quality of life of Madinah residents and enriching visitor experience highlighted in Cairo event    Trump sweeps to historic victory as swing states turn red    Heavy Equipment and Truck Show to spotlight Tata Motors' cutting-edge mobility solutions    IKEA Alsulaiman opens Madinah store as part of an ambitious expansion plan in the Kingdom    Trump's claim of 'massive cheating' in Philadelphia rejected by officials    China is building new villages on its remote Himalayan border    Netanyahu fires Israeli Defense Minister after months of clashes over war and politics    Al Nassr secures 5-1 victory over Al Ain to edge closer to knockout stage    Top climber falls to death after rare Himalayan feat    Al Ahli extends perfect start with 5-1 victory over Al Shorta    Mitrovic's hat-trick leads Al Hilal to 3-0 victory over Esteghlal    Quincy Jones, titan of US music, dies aged 91    Hidden sugars in Asia's baby food spark concerns    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Nicola Sturgeon resigns saying politics is brutal
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 15 - 02 - 2023

Scotland's longest-serving first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced her intention to resign, saying that part of serving in politics is knowing when it is time to make way for someone else.
Speaking at a news conference at her official residence in Edinburgh, Bute House, Sturgeon said she wrestled with the decision, but that the pressure of the job was relentless and that she is a human being as well as a politician.
Sturgeon, who has led the country's devolved government and the Scottish National Party for eight years, has faced months of controversy over a law that makes it simpler for people to change their gender on official documents.
The decision caught political observers by surprise, despite the ongoing controversy over the gender recognition measure. She had vowed to take the British government to court over its decision to block the law and argued that the Conservative UK government was making a "profound mistake" by vetoing the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.
But the measure was only one controversy in a career where Sturgeon has been noted for rarely putting a foot wrong.
She had been lauded for her response, for example, to the COVID-19 pandemic, where she won praise for her sober, straight-talking abilities.
That catapulted the idea of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom — the long-held dream of Sturgeon's nationalist government — back up the political agenda.
Scotland is part of the UK but, like Wales and Northern Ireland, has its own semi-autonomous government with broad powers over areas including health care.
The deputy first minister John Swinney wrote on Twitter: "I am very sorry Nicola Sturgeon has decided to step down as first minister and as SNP leader.
"She has given outstanding leadership to our country, government and party."
He said she has "achieved much" particularly with her leadership during the COVID pandemic.
"She has delivered breath-taking electoral success, winning every election during her leadership, and securing two Scottish Parliament victories," he added.
"It has been my privilege to support her as deputy first minister. She has my warmest good wishes for the future and heartfelt thanks for all that she has done for Scotland, for the cause of Independence and the Scottish National Party."
Alex Salmond, the Alba party leader and Nicola Sturgeon's predecessor, said he "feels for her personally" on the day of her resignation.
He saids there are two questions for the future — the first around the strategy for independence and the second addressing the issue of who will take her place.
"The previously accepted referendum route has been closed and the defacto referendum/election proposal is now, at best, up in the air," he said. "It is to be hoped that those voices which wish to reunite the national movement emerge to win that contest," he added.
Meanwhile, politicians across the political divide have also been reacting to Sturgeon's resignation announcement.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked her "for her long-standing service", adding on Twitter: "We will continue to work closely with the scotgov on our joint efforts to deliver for people across Scotland."
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said she was "a once in a generation politician, driven by an unwavering passion for her country".
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Sturgeon was an "able politician" and led Scotland through some of the most "challenging times" in recent history.
While Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill paid tribute "to the huge strides she has made in advancing the campaign for Scottish independence, the strong stance against Brexit and the undermining of devolution by the Tories in London". — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.