From the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website, external:

The power of words is the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2018.

Words can make a difference – both for good and evil.

'I want to go on living even after my death! And that’s why I am so grateful to God for having given me this gift, which I can use to develop myself and to express all that’s in me. When I write I can shake off all my cares; my sorrow disappears; my spirits are revived.' - Anne Frank, written in her diary, 5 April 1944

Spoken and written words from individuals, corporations, community organisations or the state, can have a huge impact, whether good or bad.

Image source, bbc

The theme for HMD 2018 explores how language has been used in the past, and how it is used in the present day.

HMD activities could focus on the impact that words had in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, through propaganda used to incite, through slogans written in resistance, and through memoirs written to record and respond to what was going on.

The words that we see and hear all around us today – in newspapers, online, in conversations – the words that we choose to use, all have an impact upon us and those around us.

Mr Tomkins says those sent to death camps faced mass systematic organised murder.

On a single day at Auschwitz 24,00 people were murdered, he says.

The Tory MSP says that was just because the Nazis hated jews.

Image source, bbc

This story must be told and keep being told Mr Tomkins says.

He adds the Nazis used words to mask their monstrous deeds.

"We must use words not to mask the truth but to reveal it."

He cites the collection of eye witness accounts as being crucial and tells the story of Anne Frank.

On 27 January every year, it is Holocaust Memorial Day.

It's a day for everyone to remember the millions of people who were killed, or whose lives have been changed, by an event in history called the Holocaust.

On this day we also remember the millions of people who were killed or have been affected by Nazi persecution and terrible crimes committed during conflicts in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Image source, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

Click here to read the Holocaust life stories on the Holocaust Memorial DayTrust website, external.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins begins by describing for Holocaust as a "new order of criminality" never before seen.

The number of Jews killed during the Holocaust outnumbers the entire population of Scotland, he says.

Referring to this years theme, 'The Power of Words', Mr Tomkins says "Words can wound."

However, he adds: "But words can also enlighten and inform."

Mr Tomkins uses his motion to say it serves as an opportunity for learning institutions, faith groups and communities across Scotland to remember the six million men, women and children murdered by the Nazi regime in occupied Europe.

He says this year's theme is 'The Power of Words' and looks at how words can make a difference, both for good and evil.

Image source, UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

The Tory MSP values the Holocaust Education Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz project, which gives two post-16 students from every school and college in Scotland the opportunity to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau.

He celebrates the Holocaust survivors who subsequently made Scotland their home and thanks them for their contribution to Scotland as a nation.

Mr Tomkins says that anti-Semitism in all its forms should be challenged without fear or favour.

Image source, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins will now lead a member's debate marking Holocaust Memorial Day, which is on 27 January 2018.

Image source, Glasgow 2018

MSPs vote against the amendment from Tory MSP Brian Whittle, with

The Labour amendment and the government motion as amended are passed unanimously.

Image source, Glasgow 2018

Image source, Glasgow 2018

Click here for Euorpean Championships Glasgow 2018., external

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop closes the debate on behalf of the government.

She reiterates the government is investing £0.5m in sporting hubs across the country which will target the most inactive communities and promote participation.

The national events strategy is mentioned, with the cabinet secretary stating this will secure Scotland's reputation in the sector.

Glasgow is ranked a five in the world in the ultimate sport cities awards, she notes.

The potential TV audience of over one billion people will promote Scotland as a welcoming destination, Ms Hyslop adds.

"Create an even louder support, a wall of noise, than even Brian Whittle experiences to support our athletes."

Image source, Getty Images

An official report into the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has said it was worth £740m to the Scottish economy.

It also estimated Glasgow itself gained £390m. Over the years 2007-14, an average of 2,100 jobs were created, over half of them in Glasgow.

The report said the games were delivered on time and on budget.

It concluded the largest multi-sport event ever held in Scotland enjoyed "high levels" of public support and participation.

Take a look back at our collection of the Glasgow 2015 highlights, external

In terms of tourism, Glasgow 2014 attracted about 690,000 unique visitors.

The report said infrastructure for high performance sport had "clearly" been enhanced as a result of Glasgow and Scotland hosting the games.

The range of sports benefitting were said to include swimming, diving, cycling, bowling, hockey and badminton.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

In 2015 we reported that here has been almost no change in levels of physical activity in Scotland since the Commonwealth Games.

The statistics were contained in the Scottish Health Survey for 2014., external

They suggest a 1% decrease for adults and just a 1% increase for children meeting the government's recommended guidelines for exercise.

Only 4% of those questioned said they were thinking about doing more sport as a result of the Glasgow Games.

Low activity is the second biggest cause of mortality in Scotland and contributes to about 2,500 deaths each year.

Image source, Pa

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton says this debate has been a "Glasgow love in".

Ms Hamilton says she is sure everyone will support Glasgow 2018.

She says the games will help Scotland in the long run.

The success of the games will be decided on three key areas:

1. how well our athletes do
2. how well the host city welcomes the other nations
3. the legacy of the games

Image source, bbbc

Scottish Labour MSP David Stewart says the important theme this afternoon is legacy, continuing on fom the work on the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Mr Stewart says one billion viewers will watch this event being co-hosted by Glasgow and Berlin.

He says: "Legacy doesn't just happen."

"This is a chance to support Scottish culture and promote Scotland."

"A new era in world sport will get underway in the summer of 2018 as Glasgow and Berlin host the inaugural European Championships — an exciting new multi-sport event bringing together some of the continent’s leading sports including the existing European Championships for Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon with a new Golf Team Championships.

"To be staged every four years starting in August 2018, the European Championships will be a new highlight on the global sporting calendar, elevating the status of European Champions during an 11-day celebration of world-class sport and a packed 10-day broadcast schedule."

Image source, Glasgow 2018 European Championships

"Glasgow and Scotland will host Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon while Berlin hosts Athletics.

"The Championships will take Scotland’s sporting reputation to the next level. With a potential television audience of up to 1.03 billion across Europe set to watch the action, Glasgow will again be in the spotlight with the event being covered by free-to-air broadcasters, including the BBC, across the continent."

Read more here., external

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says the power of sport is indicated by North Korea meeting South Korea yesterday.

The talks were the first in two years and led to the announcement that North Korea would send a delegation to the Olympics in Pyeongchang later this year.

Read more about that here.

Mr Scott says: "Sport has power quite unlike any other aspect of life."

He cites concerns about the loss of lottery funding for sporting activities.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says she is a director of Scottish Athletics.

Ms Johnstone says the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games were truly great

The former athlete highlights the benefits of sport but says not everyone is accessiing it, as highlighted in the Health and Sport Committee report: "Sport for Everyone".

Ms Johnstone calls for sport to be made more accessible for those with mental health issues.

She says Scotland has great outdoors and we should utilise this for exercise.