Scotland getting ready for fresh independence referendumSeptember 7, 2016 - 14:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of placing a “lead weight” on Scotland’s economy after announcing her government will draw up plans for a second independence referendum that are ready for “immediate introduction,” The Telegraph said. Unveiling her program for government for the coming year, the First Minister announced a £500 million Scottish Growth Scheme to help companies cope with the fallout of the Brexit vote. She said the three-year scheme represented “an exceptional response to an exceptional economic challenge” but then confirmed she will also consult on a draft Referendum Bill that can be tabled instantly if she concludes independence is Scotland’s best option. But Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, argued that the “biggest single economic lever” Sturgeon could use to boost growth would be to rule out a rerun of the 2014 vote. She told MSPs that the First Minister’s threat to stage another referendum was “stifling investment” in Scottish firms and posing a “direct threat” to economic growth. Even before June’s Brexit vote, Scotland’s growth figures were sluggish and last year it had a £15 billion deficit. Sturgeon made the announcement despite an opinion poll last week stating that only 37 per cent of Scots want another independence referendum before the UK leaves the EU, and a majority would vote No if one was held, The Telegraph says. Davidson and Kezia Dugdale, her Labour counterpart, said the rest of the program for government showed the SNP has run out of ideas after nearly a decade in power, despite deep-seated problems in the NHS and education system. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Armenian PM sends condolences to Iran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a message of condolence to the Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. |