3 hours ago Liam Payne's ex Sophia Smith announces engagement to boyfriend James Bridgwood

The singer and the influencer, 30, dated from 2013 after having been friends since their schooldays in Wolverhampton until October 2015.

Politics

14 hours ago Teacher creates ingenious exam question to find cheaters and catches 14 students

A teacher who became fed up with students using their mobile phones to find answers and cheat on university exams came up with a devious way to catch them out - and failed the pupils who fell for it

Society

4 hours ago Euro giants eye Celtic star, Rangers plot moves, Hearts ace 'has price', Scots boss return

The latest transfer news across Scottish football

Economics

10 hours ago Xbox Game Pass January lineup kicks off 2025 with Game of the Year contender

Call of Duty fans have been desperate for more games to come to Xbox Game Pass now that Microsoft owns the brand, and it appears a fantastic entry could be top of the list

Sport

87 minutes ago 'Devastated' Scots man whose dad died is stranded due to thick fog delaying 1000 UK flights

John Mitchell is desperate to get back to Scotland after finding out his father passed away on Friday morning.

Events

17 hours ago Riverview High School, Venice High School Bands to Perform in London New Year's Day Parade

Riverview High School, Venice High School Bands to Perform in London New Year's Day Parade  SRQ Magazine

Culture

36 hours ago Schoolgirls falling out on Snapchat, a row over a parking space and a dead cat outside someone's home are all recorded as non

Freedom of information requests showed that other non-hate crime incidents included a rude word spelt with alphabet cups in Tesco and an 'offensive' dog name.

Technology

33 hours ago Doctor's receptionist shared patients' medical records to 'impress friends'

Arman Vyas, 23, was employed by two GP practices in the north of Glasgow and in East Dunbartonshire.

Science

3 hours ago Scots motorist 'can't get rid of stench' in car after sewage spill on M8

The westbound slip road on the M8 at junction 25A for Braehead was shut due to “contaminated water” on the route at around 8.30am on Friday.

Transport

5 hours ago Starmer’s VAT raid will ensure private schools become even more elitist

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Politics

15 hours ago Arsenal sent £70million Matheus Cunha transfer message as Wolves stance revealed

Wolves are desperate to keep Matheus Cunha, who highlighted his quality with a Boxing Day goal against Manchester United, as the club's new manager makes his views clear on the transfer interest

Economics

11 hours ago Good and bad news for classic Call of Duty fans as Xbox Game Pass plans leak

Call of Duty fans have been desperate for more games to come to Xbox Game Pass now that Microsoft owns the brand, and it appears a fantastic entry could be top of the list

Sport

3 hours ago Cops hunt for schoolboy, 11, who 'sexually assaulted woman' in broad daylight

The hunt is on for a schoolboy who 'sexually assaulted a woman' in broad daylight.

Events

40 hours ago ‘I get spotted in the M&S knicker department’: Lorraine Ashbourne on her 2024 TV takeover

From Bridgerton to Sherwood and Alma’s Not Normal, the actor has lit up our screens all year – and her ‘victory lap’ is only just starting Lorraine Ashbourne has had a massive year. “I know! People keep saying: oh God, Lorraine, get off the telly, we want somebody else,” she says. “But it has been extraordinary.” She kicked things off in January with ITV’s entertaining disaster thriller After the Flood, playing Sophie Rundle’s tough, grieving mother, Molly. As the year went on, she returned to two of her biggest and most significant roles yet, as the former secret spy cop Daphne Sparrow in Sherwood, and Grandma Joan in the wrenching, hilarious second series of Alma’s Not Normal. Has she ended up in such outstanding shows because she’s picky? “Absolutely not. I’ll do anything! I’m a cheap date. It’s just timing that these things have fallen into place.”Right now, Ashbourne is at home in north London. She grew up in Manchester, where she went to drama school. She met her husband, Andy...

Culture

5 hours ago Three men charged after pyrotechnic incidents ahead of Edinburgh derby

All three are expected to appear in court at a later date following incidents ahead of the Hearts v Hibernian match on Boxing Day.

Politics

22 hours ago I have been left in a lifetime of debt after fighting the council to get my son in school... we had to remortgage our home

EXCLUSIVE: Suzanne Hollinshead, 53, from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, had to remortgage her home to help pay off a 'lifetime of debt' from the fight with Central Bedfordshire Council.

Economics

27 hours ago Man Utd concede direct from a corner and Red Devils fans all blame one player

Manchester United conceded from another set-piece against Wolves with Matheus Cunha scoring directly from a corner - leading to fans blaming one player in particular

Sport

4 hours ago 'Deeply shocked': Tributes flow as pilot killed in plane crash near Scottish airport is named

The man involved in the fatal plane crash has been named

Events

6 hours ago Retailer Quiz to ‘run out of cash’ in early 2025 after poor Christmas trading

The struggling Scottish clothing retailer has about 1,500 employees but has hired advisers as it nears running out of money.

Politics

22 hours ago Special needs pupils will be forced out of private schools into homeschooling as a result of Labour's tax raid, education boss claims

Suzanne Hall, proprietor at Farrowdale House Preparatory School, said the new VAT on fees being introduced next month will be particularly punishing for children with conditions such as autism and ADHD.

Economics

4 hours ago Bin men forced to dump load in middle of Scots street after lorry catches fire

Fire crews raced to the scene on Lochrin Place, near Tollcross, Edinburgh, after the alarm was raised at around 1.30pm on Friday.

Events

6 hours ago Gavin and Stacey's Mathew Horne announces new career move after Christmas special success

Mathew Horne, who plays Gavin Shipman in Gavin and Stacey, is set for a huge New Year's Eve gig in London after the BBC One Christmas special was watched by millions

Politics

28 hours ago Thousands enjoy Boxing Day sales in Scotland splurging '£587k a minute' in

Insiders said big Boxing Day bargains may have helped retailers avoid a knockout blow over the festive period.

Economics

4 hours ago Police hunt for schoolboy, 11, who 'sexually assaulted woman' in broad daylight

The incident happened when a boy aged 11-12, approached a woman in Woodford, Northamptonshire, and touched her inappropriately, police said

Events

6 hours ago BBC's Gabby Logan branded 'weird' by husband Kenny after tearful moment

Gabby Logan was left in tears after driving past a school and being reminded of her children's time at school, with husband Kenny branding her reaction as "weird"

Politics

30 hours ago Prestigious Scottish university posts £13m deficit amid 'challenging' pressures

Three other Scottish institutions record a surplus in latest published accounts

Economics

5 hours ago US teacher jailed in Russia is formally designated as wrongfully detained

The State Department says an American schoolteacher arrested in Russia on drug charges more than four years ago has been designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained

Events

7 hours ago Scottish Premiership January transfers: The 18 most expensive signings ever

Here are the 18 most expensive January transfers ever made in the Scottish Premiership.

Politics

7 hours ago Drill rapper 'Young Dizz' releases music video goading Keir Starmer after being released from jail early for kidnapping and torturing teenage boy

Isaac Donkoh, a gang member from Newham in East London , was jailed in April 2019 for seizing the schoolboy a year earlier before posting footage of his ordeal on Snapchat .

Events

8 hours ago Christmas Day dumpers at Asda slammed as piles of rubbish ditched at Scots store

"There's no really any need for that though is there the recycle centres will be open tomorrow if they can drive to Asda surely they could wait another day."

Politics

8 hours ago Scots households have power restored after car crashed into electricity box on Christmas Day

Residents were left without any power until 1am on Boxing Day.

Events

8 hours ago BBC announce new Scottish football highlights show and increased number of live SPFL matches

A new deal will see more second tier matches than ever before on TV, whilst a highlights programme will shine a light on the lower leagues

Politics

9 hours ago First picture of pilot who died in horror Fife Airport plane crash days before Christmas

Nicholas Denison-Pender, 50, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Monday, December 23.

Events

9 hours ago Black school worker told he was 'punching above his weight' for having age

Jamiu Alagangan sued Ormiston New Academy in Wolverhampton for discrimination after he was told by a colleague he had 'punched above his weight', an employment tribunal heard.

Politics

9 hours ago Celtic v St Johnstone injury news: 5 out and 2 doubts as Brendan Rodgers awaits latest update on key man

Here is the early team news ahead of Celtic vs St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park

Events

10 hours ago Seaside Scottish town with famous beach named 'perfect winter staycation' spot

Just in time for 2025, a charming and historic Scottish town has been named "the perfect winter staycation destination" — and it is home to a famous beach and acclaimed restaurants.

Politics

10 hours ago British schoolgirl, 9, who played a munchkin in Wicked reveals how Ariana Grande saved her when production was halted because she was injured on set

Hattie Ryan, nine, starred as a munchkin in Wicked, which won rave reviews after debuting in November.

Events

11 hours ago 'Manager' sought for stunning remote Scottish island nature reserve with no residents

The job is to effectively manage a remote and beautiful island, its wildlife and visitors.

Politics

11 hours ago Police search gardens and sheds for tourist last seen at Scots beauty spot on Christmas Eve

"We also ask people to check gardens, sheds and outbuildings in case he has sought shelter."

Events

12 hours ago My holidays were blighted by moany voicenotes, so I imposed a Whatsapp ban – with mixed results | Poorna Bell

The incessant notifications make me pine for the days when staying in touch required greater effortThough my internal age is set to about 28, the time when I feel profoundly 43 is when I get nostalgic for things rendered obsolete by technology. One of those things was being able to go on holiday without being continually contacted, because the price of sending a text message was the same as a glass of wine. WhatsApp has obliterated that.Over the past year, I’ve noticed how much harder it has been to switch off as a result of the incessant flow of information. I have walked in the Polish countryside foraging for mushrooms under a crisp blue sky, while listening to a friend’s voice note about their work worries in minute detail. After I spent a glorious day out with my 10-year-old niece in Barcelona, eating dumplings and buying stickers, a friend decided to share a non-urgent but emotionally difficult update about a mutual friend’s bad health. While I was in the Maldives, after I had ...

Politics

12 hours ago 'The trouble hadn't begun with sex... he'd begun to doubt if he really liked his wife': Read acclaimed author TESSA HADLEY'S new short story Treasure only here

Millie, aged six, was on her way to school; she sat strapped into her booster seat in the back of her father's car. Improbably, beyond the car windows, it was snowing - a sleety, mushy kind of snow...

Events

12 hours ago I imposed a holiday WhatsApp ban – but would my friends and family respect it? | Poorna Bell

After one too many moany voicenotes and streams of incessant notifications, I knew something had to changeThough my internal age is set to about 28, the time when I feel profoundly 43 is when I get nostalgic for things rendered obsolete by technology. One of those things was being able to go on holiday without being continually contacted, because the price of sending a text message was the same as a glass of wine. WhatsApp has obliterated that.Over the past year, I’ve noticed how much harder it has been to switch off as a result of the incessant flow of information. I have walked in the Polish countryside foraging for mushrooms under a crisp blue sky, while listening to a friend’s voice note about their work worries in minute detail. After I spent a glorious day out with my 10-year-old niece in Barcelona, eating dumplings and buying stickers, a friend decided to share a non-urgent but emotionally difficult update about a mutual friend’s bad health. While I was in the Maldives, after...

Politics

12 hours ago Six youths charged after ‘unprovoked attack’ on woman at Scottish bus station

The attack has been described as ‘completely unprovoked’ by police

Events

13 hours ago Motherwell v Rangers injury news: 7 out and 2 doubts as Philippe Clement faces Fir Park injury crisis

Here is the early team news ahead of Motherwell vs Rangers in the Scottish Premiership at Fir Park.

Events

16 hours ago John Swinney's simple political strategy to save the SNP, as 2025 looms as the critical year

Both Labour and the SNP will seek to seize the narrative in a crucial year for Scottish politics

Politics

16 hours ago Scottish rail network 'wholly unequipped' for digital world amid 'Nightsleeper' cyber attack fears

Network Rail admits some of its communications technology is ‘not that secure’ amid concerns over a Nightsleeper-style cyber security threat

Events

17 hours ago Best of 2024: ‘If there’s nowhere else to go, this is where they come’: how Britain’s libraries provide much more than books – podcast

Every Monday and Friday for the rest of December we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2023, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it.From July: In 2024, libraries are unofficial creches, homeless shelters, language schools and asylum support providers – filling the gaps left by a state that has reneged on its responsibilities. By Aida Edemariam Continue reading...

Politics

17 hours ago Scots warned spending festive season around open fire could damage their health

Asthma and Lung UK Scotland is calling on Holyrood ministers to raise awareness of the dangerous pollutants that come from burning wood in our homes.

Events

17 hours ago Russell Grant's horoscopes as Taurus told staying positive and energised is key

Today's horoscopes, brought to you by Russell Grant.

Politics

17 hours ago Scots woman demands rapist is brought to justice as cops won't go after attacker

Jan Cruickshank, 60, received a cash payout from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for being raped by a colleague but police did not take the case forward.

Events

17 hours ago Dear Coleen: I'm married but can't stop thinking about one that got away

"We had such an incredible connection – it felt like I’d known this person all my life. I loved his smile, he was so cool and funny, and we had many enjoyable times together both inside and outside of work."

Politics

22 hours ago SNP accused of 'failing rural Scotland' as condition of schools revealed

SNP ministers have been accused of letting down rural Scotland after it was revealed that the condition of schools is more likely to be better in towns and cities.

Events

21 hours ago Person sneaks onto Delta flight from Seattle to Hawaii without a boarding pass before being booted from plane

‘The individual bypassed the identity verification and boarding status stations and boarded an aircraft’ at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, TSA said in a statement

Politics

23 hours ago Coronation Street icon diagnosed with 'deadly' cancer after fan spotted 'sinister' sign

Coronation Street legend Sue Nicholls - who has played Audrey Roberts on the ITV soap for years - was approached by a fan who had grown worried about the actress

Events