3 h. ago Laughter returns to the North East as Aberdeen Comedy Festival kicks off next week

Aberdeen Comedy Festival makes a welcome return next week with a fortnight of funny in the Granite City from Monday, September 22 to Sunday, October 5. Revived by Aberdeen Performing Arts and supported by Aberdeen Inspired, the festival promises a packed line-up of leading names to rising stars, household favourites to local heroes, from stand-up to improv to tickle your funny bone.

Culture

29 h. ago Aldi opening 80 new stores with list of first locations confirmed

A total of 21 stores are set to open in the next 13 weeks, including Shoreditch in London, Durham in the North East, and Kirkintilloch in Scotland

Politics

32 h. ago Fish mint, Himalayan chives and berry pickle: how wild ingredients are transforming school lunches in India

In the remote state of Meghalaya, foraged foods are helping to diversify state-provided menus – and tackle chronic malnutritionExcited chatter and the clattering of steel plates drown out the din of the monsoon rains: it is lunchtime in Laitsohpliah government school in the north-east Indian state of Meghalaya. The food has been cooked on-site and is free for everyone, part of India’s ambitious “midday meal” – PM Poshan – programme to incentivise school enrolment.The scheme covers more than 1m state-run schools across the country, but the menu at Laitsohpliah is hyperlocal, thanks to a recent charity initiative in the state.A lunch of rice, dal, potatoes with east Himalayan chives, cured dry fish and sohryngkham, a wild berry pickle Continue reading...

Events

39 h. ago Ryan Reynolds donates £10,000 to British girl, 13, with aggressive heart cancer 'who dreams of visiting New York'

Lexi, 13, from Wrexham, North East Wales, was diagnosed with the disease just weeks after returning from a 'carefree and happy' holiday with her family this June.

Economics

3 d. ago 'Neighbour from hell' Scots author admits blasting music in 'threatening manner'

David Aston, 57, and his wife Jacqueline, 59, were found guilty of stalking charges against their next door neighbours at a plush estate in North Berwick, East Lothian.

Culture

3 d. ago National Trust to remove Union flag flown from monument without permission

The large flag was spotted on Penshaw Monument on Wearside on Friday.

Events

3 d. ago Piper Sandler's Sportschallenge surpasses £1 million fundraising goal in night to remember

Sportschallenge, the North-east’s premier sports-themed corporate fundraising dinner, has broken the £1 million barrier raised for charity over its eleven events.

Economics

4 d. ago Moray crime: Teenager, 16, charged after 'four deliberate fires' at Lossiemouth quarry

The 16-year-old will appear at court at a later date.

Events

4 d. ago Her name and age are unconfirmed, but she could be North Korea’s next Supreme Leader

Here’s what we know about the teen believed to be called Kim Ju Ae

Politics

4 d. ago Israel has replaced Iran as the biggest security threat to the Gulf states | Sanam Vakil

As the US waits on the sidelines, Israel’s actions – as evidenced by the attack on Doha – are becoming increasingly audaciousSanam Vakil is director of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa programmeIsrael’s assassination of Hamas negotiators in Doha this week has crossed a line that even its closest Arab partners cannot ignore. Israel has long justified pre-emptive and extraterritorial strikes as necessary for its security. Over the course of two years, in response to the 7 October attacks by Hamas, it has struck at six countries in the region (including Palestine), seeking to eradicate all threats to its security. But hitting the capital of Qatar, a wealthy Gulf monarchy, a security partner and non-Nato ally of the US, and the site of painstaking negotiations between Israel and Hamas at the behest of Washington, is not simply another targeted killing. It represents a fundamental shift where Arab states no longer see Iran as the only principal destabiliser of the region. Tod...

Events

5 d. ago Stanhope Silver Band walk on water! Richard Grassick’s best photograph

‘There was only room for one band member on each stepping stone. When they saw me standing in the middle of the River Wear, I imagine they just thought, “Here he goes again”’I joined the Amber Film & Photography Collective in 1983. Amber’s aim was to capture working-class life in north-east England, and over nearly 30 years I amassed a body of work documenting life in the upper Durham Dales – a project I later called People of the Hills. In 1994, I moved with my young family into a derelict plumber’s workshop and yard in Stanhope, Weardale. Living there over the next six years meant I met people in all kinds of circumstances – I got to know and photograph many local owners of smallholdings because my kids befriended theirs at school.The members of the Stanhope Silver Band, seen in this photograph, were well known in the village. One was a joiner who paid us five quid a month to use our outbuildings as workshop space. I don’t know how many of those in the picture are still in the...

Culture

6 d. ago Lewis Capaldi Aberdeen: What you need to know including gig times, support act, tickets, setlist and more

If you’re seeing Lewis Capaldi in Aberdeen, here is everything you need to know Before You Go - including his support act, event timings, setlist and more.

Politics

6 d. ago Europe's 'most charming Old Town' also has one of the best cheap Christmas markets

Europe's most beautiful cities often boast breathtaking old towns but there's one budget-friendly destination that's worth having on your radar especially when the festive season kicks off

Politics

6 d. ago Labour bigwigs like Bridget Phillipson enter race to replace Angela Rayner as deputy leader

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, billed herself as "a proud working-class woman from the north east". Dame Emily Thornberry, an influential committee chair, also threw her hat in the ring

Politics

8 d. ago Great North Run apologises over ‘Newcastle map’ medals that actually show Sunderland

Finisher T-shirts also feature outline of River Wear, as organisers spin medals as ‘most unique’ in event’s historyThe organisers of the Great North Run have apologised after finisher T-shirts and medals were printed with a map of rival north-east city Sunderland instead of Newcastle.About 600,000 took part in the half marathon on Sunday, running 13.1 miles from the centre of Newcastle, across the River Tyne, and through Gateshead, finishing by the coast in South Shields. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Photo Highlights from the Toronto International Film Festival

The Toronto International Film Festival kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Culture

1 week ago Pretty UK seaside town has golden sands and people travelling miles for fish and chips

It's been named as one of the North East's most 'magical' seaside destinations by travel experts, with people travelling miles for the famous chippy and golden sandy beaches

Politics

1 week ago Ray taught Dezi Freeman about the bush. Later, he watched in dismay as his friend became ‘radicalised’

Accused Porepunkah killer’s former bushwalking companion speaks out as survival experts say Freeman’s chances of evading capture are waningFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLast month Dezi Freeman fled into the thick bushland of Victoria’s high country. Despite 450 police officers, members of the Australian defence force, paramilitary vehicles and helicopters tracking the fugitive, he has managed to keep hiding.On Tuesday, it will be two weeks since Freeman disappeared into the Mount Buffalo national park, after allegedly shooting and killing two police officers and injuring a third at his residence on Rayner Track in Porepunkah, 300km north-east of Melbourne. The funeral for Sen Const Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 35, was held on Friday at the Victoria police academy, with hundreds of mourners including the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and premier, Jacinta Allan, attending. A funeral service for Det Leadi...

Politics

1 week ago Aberdeenshire crash: Ellon residential street closed after car and lorry crash

Emergency services are on the scene.

Events

1 week ago Flood and thunderstorm warnings issued as parts of Britain could be hit with more than two inches of rain in just one hour

A yellow thunderstorm warning was activated at 2am in the East and West Midlands, the north of England and parts of Wales, and will be in place until 5pm on Thursday.

Events