we still don t know whether it will be a state funeral. some suggestion there may be elements of a state funeral. and what will happen on saturday is mr gorbachev s casket will lie in the column hall of the house of unions. that s just across from red square. for a farewell ceremony that will be open to the public. novodevichy cemetery, where mr gorbachev will be laid to rest beside his late wife, raisa. nicola sturgeon is to meet union leaders in a bid to end the council workers strike crisis . the first minister will chair talks this afternoon, with the discussions taking place as the clean up gets under way in some of scotland s largest councils after a walkout by cleansing department workers. let s speak to our scotland correspondent lorna gordon.