At a recent meeting I was asked why I came to Scotland. Because such a question has been cropping up many times on many an occasion, I had my points ready to present. But – to be absolutely honest – every time I struggle a bit, because all the reasons I give – all true – are rather the results…

The Little Prince, in the book by Saint-Exupéry, is concerned about baobabs growing on his tiny planet. If the Prince were to allow the baobab trees to grow, they would eventually split it open and destroy it with their roots. But he must be careful not to dig out the good plants – just the dangerous baobab shoots. Today’s first…

When the Ukrainian President fled his country last weekend, his impoverished compatriots could visit his lavish residence, full of gold-plated bits and pieces, bizarre artefacts and exotic animals. All that, built on the misery of ordinary people. The place was instantly christened ‘the monument of corruption’. What truly surprised me was the reaction of the Ukrainians. We would have expected…

Last night a fragile agreement was signed by the President and Opposition leaders in Ukraine. It followed three month-long street protests that had started out as peaceful demonstrations but had escalated to violence over time, leading to the bloodshed of recent days. The outcome of the negotiations was threatened, as neither side trusted their opponents and neither side was ready…

Our country has been battered in recent weeks by an unusual string of powerful winter storms. Swathes of the country flooded, fallen trees all over the place, houses destroyed, blackouts… Scientists were giving explanations for that unusual weather. Some blamed humankind for global warming and changes in the climate caused by it; others saw a rather natural cycle similar to…