75 m. ago ‘It was a bad dream – but I never woke up’: what it is like to lose your best friend

For 25 years, Justin and Nichola were an essential part of each other’s lives. Then, one random Wednesday, came a terrible, wrenching phone callMany lifelong alliances begin with a period of mild intimidation, and so it was with my friendship with Nichola. We were 18, in the first year at university, and shared a few French classes. I didn’t know her name, had never heard her speak in English but, with her voluminous curls and friendly, curious stare, she stood out. I assumed she would be too cool to hang around with someone like me.One weekend, at a student social in the grotty union bar, booze acted as an icebreaker and the guardrails dropped. Nods of recognition in the corridor became cheery hellos, then toasties in the cafe, followed by nights out and nursing hangovers in front of the TV in our dilapidated student houses. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago SNP Government warned of £770m black hole in Adult Disability Payment

Audit Scotland has produced a report on a key benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland.

Events

2 h. ago Parents issued urgent advice on safest place for children in the car

Children must normally use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall. Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt

Society

5 h. ago QUENTIN LETTS: If Starmer won't admit that his beloved human rights law is a democratic liability, he'll go the way of the Scottish Earl executed by the guillotine he invented

William Shakespeare would have savoured such a comeuppance. That priggish legalist Sir Keir Starmer has been snagged by, oops, the law.

Politics

5 h. ago King Charles jokes about nearly being 'married off' to Richard Nixon's daughter

During his speech at the state banquet last night, King Charles referred to an occasion in 1970 when, then 21, he spent time with then-president Richard Nixon's daughter Tricia at social occasions

Politics

6 h. ago Children being robbed of wellbeing by social media, campaign warns

The National Education Union and supporting organisations have launched Robbed: Big Tech’s Little Victims.

Events

7 h. ago ‘I wouldn’t go fishing right now’: JD Vance sparks backlash after joking about controversial US strikes on Venezuelan boats

‘This regime gets giddy about violence. It's sick,’ one social media user wrote

Events

7 h. ago Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner displays ankle tag while smoking and scoffing on McDonald's

The prime suspect in the case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance was spotted wearing an ankle tag just hours after his release from prison in Germany today. 

Politics

7 h. ago FBI chief Kash Patel admits he hasn’t read all Epstein files — then blows up when asked if Trump is in them

Patel ends two-day congressional hearings with furious exchanges attacking Democratic lawmakers

Politics

8 h. ago West Coast states issue joint vaccine recommendations ahead of CDC advisers meeting

Four Democratic-led Western states announced joint recommendations Wednesday about who should be vaccinated for seasonal respiratory viruses, including the flu and COVID-19, saying the Trump administration has jeopardized public health by politicizing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Politics

8 h. ago Melania Trump's canary yellow dress at UK state dinner divides critics: 'She looks like a banana!'

The striking outfit failed to land social media users, who were quick to slate it online.

Politics

9 h. ago Rangers FAB 'forcibly challenge' Russell Martin backing from board during Stewart and Thelwell summit

The Rangers Fan Advisory Board took to social media to update supporters on their meeting with the Ibrox hierarchy

Politics

10 h. ago Adult Southport survivors tell of 'vile abuse' they received on social media after Axel Rudakubana's attack

The adult Southport survivors experienced 'vile abuse' on social media after Axel Rudakubana's launched an attack on the dance class last summer, the public inquiry has heard.

Events

11 h. ago Irish police find child remains in hunt for boy not marked as missing for four years

Gardaí believe body is that of Daniel Aruebose, whose 2022 disappearance was not noticed by authorities until last monthIrish police investigating the fate of a boy who disappeared four years ago but was only registered by authorities as missing last month have found the remains of a child on Dublin wasteland.Gardaí named the missing boy as Daniel Aruebose, who is thought to have vanished in 2022 aged three, after they discovered the remains on Wednesday in the Donabate area of north Dublin. Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Obama says Trump deepened US divide in rush to ‘identify enemy’ after Charlie Kirk shooting

Former president describes a ‘dangerous moment’ in the US, following White House response to shootings of Kirk and Melissa HortmanBarack Obama addressed the recent killing of Charlie Kirk and told a crowd in Pennsylvania on Tuesday the country was “at an inflection point”, but that political violence “is not new” and “has happened at certain periods” in US history.Obama added that despite history, political violence was “anathema to what it means to be a democratic country”.This article was amended on 17 September 2025. A previous version misspelled the name of Melissa Hortman. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago RFK Jr’s actions risk restricting children’s access to vaccines, say ousted CDC officials

Former officials testify before US Senate, saying the CDC under Kennedy is ‘supporting policies not based in science’US politics live – latest updatesTop former officials at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) accused Robert F Kennedy Jr of hobbling the country’s ability to respond to outbreaks and disease threats.The two officials testified at a hearing on Wednesday before the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) committee. Susan Monarez, the CDC director chosen by Kennedy, was fired after less than a month. Debra Houry, chief medical officer at the CDC, resigned after serving under six CDC directors during both Republican and Democratic administrations. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Phil Salt unsure on England ODI recall despite starring in T20 win over Ireland

Salt was the star of the show in the series opener in Malahide, crashing 89 off 46 balls to set up a four-wicket win for the visitors.

Politics

12 h. ago Peter Kay issues urgent warning to fans attending his Manchester show amid strikes

Comedian Peter Kay has warned Manchester fans about bus strikes affecting travel to his show as he faces criticism over ticket value and social media copyright removals

Events

12 h. ago Obama warns US at ‘inflection point’ after Charlie Kirk shooting

Former president called recent attacks ‘horrific’ and urged leaders to lower political temperatureBarack Obama addressed the recent killing of Charlie Kirk and told a crowd in Pennsylvania this week that the country was “at an inflection point”, but that political violence “is not new” and “has happened at certain periods” in US history.Obama added that despite history, political violence was “anathema to what it means to be a democratic country”. Continue reading...

Events

12 h. ago SNP MP left 'red faced' over criticism of Donald Trump state banquet

Chris Law deleted a social media post criticising those attending the dinner, who include SNP leader John Swinney

Politics