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Scotland's last oil refinery, Grangemouth, has stopped processing crude oil, transitioning to an import terminal. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced 66 inquiries for clean technology projects as part of Project Willow, aimed at securing the site's future amid job losses and economic concerns.
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From July 1, UK households will see a 7% decrease in energy bills, while nearly half a million households in Australia will face price hikes. The UK’s Ofgem attributes the drop to falling wholesale prices, while the Australian Energy Regulator cites rising costs as the reason for increases. Both regions continue to grapple with cost-of-living pressures.
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The UK government has raised the income threshold for winter fuel payments to £35,000, allowing nine million pensioners to receive the benefit automatically. In Scotland, the government will match this scheme, providing £203.40 per household, with higher payments for those over 80. Concerns about scam texts targeting pensioners have also emerged.
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Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes criticized the detrimental effects of social media abuse on women in politics during a conference in Edinburgh. She highlighted the misogynistic language used against female politicians, referencing comments made by Rupert Everett about Nicola Sturgeon. Forbes warned that this trend could deter young women from entering politics.