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Scotland's health secretary has quit as Nicola Sturgeon unveiled a major reshuffle of her Scottish government cabinet.

There are five new cabinet secretaries in the first minister's expanded top team, which remains gender balanced.

Shona Robison handed in her resignation as health secretary ahead of the reshuffle being announced.

She will be replaced by Jeane Freeman, with Keith Brown and Angela Constance also quitting the government.

• Who's who in the Scottish cabinet
• Profile: Shona Robison

Ms Sturgeon said the "fresh talent" being brought into her government would help "meet the challenges and opportunities facing the country in the months ahead".

Read more here.

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The first minister confirms it is with regret she will not ask for approval of the nomination of Gillian Martin.

She says she was not previously aware of all the comments in Ms Martin's blog from 10 years ago and says this content does not reflect the views of the person she knows.

Ms Sturgeon says she will reflect on the appointment.

The first minister nominates the other cabinet secretaries and ministers.

She thanks the outgoing ministers and cabinet secretaries and pays warm tribute to Shona Robison who is leaving her post as health secretary.

First minister's questions draws to a close and now MSPs will debate new ministerial appointments.

Ms Sturgeon says Scottish Canals are funded mainly by the Scottish government.

She highilights an increase in government funding from £10m to £11.6m.

The first minister announces extra funding of more than £1.6m for Scottish Canals.

Mr Mountain welcomes this but points out the financial difficulties at Scottish Canals and calls for canals across Scotland to be kept open.

Ms Sturgeon insists if she had listened to the Tories on the budget she would not have had the extra money to give to scottish Canals.

According to The Herald........., external

"Transport bosses have pledged to “explore” a rescue package for Scotland’s canal network amid fears parts of it will close to boats.

"Scottish Canals said a major cash shortage meant maintaining navigation across its routes was “unsustainable”, with barges facing being banished from key sections such as around the world-famous Falkirk Wheel.

"But critics have blasted the plans, insisting it would leave parts of the ancient network no more than “stagnant ditches”.

"They accused those in charge of squandering a £79 million fund to modernise the waterways at the turn of the millennium."

Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks about Scottish Canal's financial situation.

The first minister says the government is very concerned by the US imposition of tarrifs and warns a full scale trade war will hit Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon highlights the potential impact on the whisky industry.

Mr Lochhead calls for the first minister to make representations to the UK government to ask them to protect the industry.

The first minister cites measures to support the whisky industry.

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The European Union (EU) has introduced retaliatory tariffs on US goods as a top official launched a fresh attack on President Donald Trump's trade policy.

The duties on €2.8bn (£2.4bn) worth of US goods came into force on Friday.

Tariffs have been imposed on products such as bourbon whiskey, motorcycles and orange juice.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said duties imposed by the US on the EU go against "all logic and history".

Addressing the Irish parliament in Dublin, he added that "we will do what we have to do to rebalance and safeguard" the EU.

• Full list of US goods hit by new EU import tariffs, external
• US trade row: What has happened so far
• What is a trade war and why should I worry?
• Is the European Union a 'protectionist racket'?
• Trump and the US economy in six charts

In a tweet on Friday, President Trump threatened to go further by slapping a 20% tariff on all imported EU cars.

Read more.

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead seeks an assessment of the potential impact on Scotland of a trade war between the United States and Europe following the recent imposition of new tariffs.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr highlights the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster.

The first minister says many members across the chamber will remember this tragedy.

She emphasises the need to ensure safety in the North Sea is "never, ever compromised on".

Image source, Andrew Cowan

Earlier this year, Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey was criticised for describing the so-called "rape clause" as an opportunity for victims to get help.

The minister was giving evidence to the social security committee at Holyrood.

She told MSPs that sexual assault victims having to give DWP staff details of their ordeal was offering "potentially double support".

The session was disrupted twice by heckling from members of the public.

Read more.

SNP MSP Gail Ross asks about DWP figures showing thousands of families hit by the two child cap and highlights opposition to the "rape clause".

Ms Ross says: "It is time to scrap the cap."

"These statistics are really horrifying," says the first minister.

She says today we see evidence for the first time of the impact of the two child cap and the "rape clause" which she goes on to describe as "horrifying, grotesque and a stain on the Conservatives".

Ms Sturgeon says it is time to get rid of two child cap and the "rape clause".

Tory MSP John Scott raises the dwindling stocks of carbon dioxide across Europe, leading to issues in Scotland's food and drinks sector.

Are there interim measures the Scottish government can take to help businesses until normal production is restored, he asks.

The first minister says Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing is currently engaging with the issue.

She then pivots to Brexit, arguing one of the biggest risks to the good and drinks sector in Scotland is export barriers.

Mr Rennie says it is the policy and the leadership of the NHS that counts and says he is not hearing a commitment to change from Ms Sturgeon.

He pivots to the "crisis" in education and points to the "shambles" of a cancelled Education Bill.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader asks if the first minister can honestly say that now is the time to hit the "independence red button".

The first minister accuses Willie Rennie of "ridiculous hyperbole".

Ms Sturgeon agains cites advances she says the government have made in education.

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Doctors in Scotland are being "pushed to the brink" by a lack of resources and staff shortages, according to the British Medical Association.

Two thirds of doctors responding to a BMA survey said "inadequate" resources "significantly" affected the quality and safety of care provided by the NHS.

BMA Scotland chairman Dr Peter Bennie said the survey suggested the NHS was being "stretched to the very limit".

The Scottish government said it was committed to improving the NHS.

Read more here.

Scottish Lib Dem leader WIllie Rennie highlights GP shortages, issues with waiting times in mental health, cancer and A&E, and a "multi-million" shortfall in NHS budgets.

Can the first minister tell us what new policies the new health secretary will now pursue to "clear up this mess", he asks.

The first minister says Mr Rennie has been calling for the health secretary to be changed for weeks and now it has, he is insisting policy - not the health secretary - is the problem.

She provides information on recruitment efforts, including more training placements and investment in reform.

Ms Sturgeon also points to high patient satisfaction.

Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie welcomes the dumping of the Education Bill but calls for more investment in education.

The first minister cites improvements in education including closing of the attainment gap and improvements in literacy and numeracy.

Mr Harvie insists the Scottish government should not push through structural changes instead of funding changes

He highlights this is the third anniversary of the TIE campaign and he welcomes so many TIE ties being worn

Mr Harvie calls for LGBTI inclusive education to be made a reality in Scotland's schools.

Ms Sturgeon says she is very proud to wear the TIE (Time for Inclusive Education), external campaign badge today and she praises the campaigners.