| Good morning, Welcome to Thursday, it's been a turbulent week so far as many of us come to grips with the latest lockdown restrictions. As ever you can see all the latest headlines on The Scotsman website. Like many businesses, we've found the pandemic tough. If you value what we do and are willing to support us, you can do so by taking out a digital subscription with us from just £3 a month. There are no obligations, and you can cancel anytime. Try us out today and support our journalism. Scottish Government block release of Covid-19 second wave death forecasting The Scottish Government has been accused of “absurd” decision making after officials blocked the release of forecasting analysis examining the potential number of deaths from a second wave of Covid-19, Conor Matchett exclusively reports. The analysis had been requested by The Scotsman via Freedom of Information in September prior to the current wave of Covid-19, with the Scottish Government responding more than a month later than is required by law in mid-November. The failure to release the forecasts for deaths and Covid-19 cases in a second wave was lambasted by opposition politicians and raises serious questions about transparency in Nicola Sturgeon's administration. Read the full report, and have your say in the comments section, here. 'This is what it's really like to work for Donald Trump' The man behind the grand opening of Donald Trump's short-lived Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City in 1990, has revealed what life was like working for the businessman decades before he was President. Professor Joe Goldblatt, who moved to Scotland, tells of Mr Trump threatening not to pay him and the team of "yes men and women" who surrounded him. In an opinion column, Professor Goldblatt argues there were signs of Mr Trump's absolute refusal to listen to expert views that go against his own even then. Victory for Culloden campaigners Campaigners are celebrating after Scottish Ministers made the ‘unprecedented’ move to stop a house being built on Culloden Battlefield. It comes after the Scottish Government took the unusual step of refusing a decision by the Planning Reporter, who recommended that a luxury steading conversion at Culchunaig go ahead. The area saw 'major action' on the Jacobite right wing during the battle in April 1746 and was the scene of the last fight of 'legendary' Culloden hero Gillies MacBain. Find out more about the battlefield and the controversial developments here. Major spike in military spending Boris Johnson is set to announce the largest military investment in decades. The Prime Minister will set out a £16.5 billion increase over four years to the defence budget that will ensure the UK remains the second highest defence spender in Nato. Mr Johnson will also promise that Scotland and other devolved nations will now play a bigger role in the UK’s defences. Thanks for reading, more headlines are below.
Stay safe, Sam Shedden, [email protected] | 