Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond Dies

Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland, passed away at the age of 69 from a suspected heart attack while attending a conference in North Macedonia. He was a prominent advocate for Scottish independence and led the Scottish National Party (SNP) to its first majority in the Scottish Parliament, orchestrating the 2014 independence referendum. Just hours before his death, Salmond criticized current SNP leader John Swinney for accepting a perceived 'regional status' for Scotland during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasizing his commitment to Scotland's sovereignty. Tributes poured in from various political figures, including King Charles III, who hailed Salmond's dedication to Scotland. His death is seen as marking the end of an era in Scottish politics, characterized by his fiery nationalism and mastery of media engagement.