5 h. ago ‘They first come for great acts of culture’: Cate Blanchett sets up grant for displaced film

Actor and UN refugee ambassador gives warning about authoritarian regimes at launch of film fundAuthoritarian regimes “first come for great acts of culture” when they start to curtail civil liberties, Cate Blanchett warned as she launched a new grant for displaced film-makers.The two-time Oscar winner and goodwill ambassador for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), has teamed up with the international film festival Rotterdam’s (IFFR) Hubert Bals Fund to set up the Displacement Film Fund, which will support displaced film-makers or those with experience in refugee storytelling. Continue reading...

Culture

18 h. ago Military intervention must be used to stop the genocide in Gaza | Ahmed Ibsais

In Kosovo, Nato intervened in 1999 after mass killings and the threat of further ethnic cleansing. Why aren’t Gazans being protected in the same way?On 20 May, the secretary-general for humanitarian affairs at the United Nations stated that 14,000 babies would be dead unless the blockade was lifted immediately. The day before, the former Knesset member Moshe Feiglin said: “Every child in Gaza is the enemy.” And now, world leaders in the UK and France threaten vague “concrete actions” if Israel “does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid”. But undefined “concrete actions” are woefully insufficient. To those leaders I say: Gaza’s children cannot eat statements.Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli finance minister, declared last week: “We are destroying everything in Gaza, the world isn’t stopping us.” So let’s say what must be said, without apology: military intervention to defend Gaza is not only justified – it is required. It is humanitarian...

Events

21 h. ago Michael Sheen shares emotional message following dad's death

His father was a 'hugely valued regular' of the dementia group in Port Talbot prior to his death and the star has shared a fundraiser to support the cause

Events

25 h. ago Mystery vandalism attacks on north London primary schools leave 40 shattered windows and £200,000 bill

Police investigating six late-night hammer attacks on primaries

Economics

39 h. ago Don Cowie claims Livingston fan spat in Ross County staff member's face amid 'ugly' playoff penalty drama scenes

Ronan Hale stepped up to the spot for the Staggies to level the showdown in West Lothian

Events

42 h. ago RFK’s health report omits key facts in painting dark vision for US children

Maha report ignores leading causes of death for children, firearms and crashes, and focuses on lifestyle and vaccinesA new report led by health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr lays out a dark vision of American children’s health and calls for agencies to examine vaccines, ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, lack of exercise and “overmedicalization”.Kennedy has made combatting the chronic disease “epidemic” a cornerstone of his vision for the US, even as he has ignored common causes of chronic conditions, such as smoking and alcohol use. Continue reading...

Society

46 h. ago West Lothian Council say "small percentage" of data stolen in recent cyber attack

On May 6, the council experienced a “sophisticated” ransomware attack from a group of unknown cyber-assailants.

Events

46 h. ago West Lothian Specsavers Home Visits team take action to support customers with dementia

The full team has recently become qualified Dementia Friends, after completing a training course to professionally care for the eye health and hear care of customers who have the condition.

Economics

48 h. ago Army Reserves help to keep the cycle going with generous donation to West Lothian Bike Library

They were handed over as part of a wider community engagement effort

Politics

49 h. ago North Lanarkshire councillors endorse plan supporting families and improving school attendance

The report, which was unanimously endorsed by North Lanarkshire Council’s education committee, described how the council is using additional funding from external bodies to provide preventative support at the earliest stage.

Culture

61 h. ago ‘Child sexual abuse support services face closure or cuts in funding shortfall’

The centre of expertise on child sexual abuse said currently thousands of children and adults are left waiting months or even years to access support.

Events

69 h. ago West Lothian councillor known for defending greenbelt to lead planning committee

Labour’s Harry Cartmill returned to the council’s Development Management Committee this week.

Politics

69 h. ago More adoptions likely to fail in England amid funding cuts, warn charities

Adoption UK says families at breaking point and cuts to support fund are ‘morally and economically nonsensical’A growing number of adopted children are at risk of returning to the care system as funding cuts and lack of support pushes England’s families into crisis, charities have warned.Adoption UK said cuts to funding were already having a “devastating” effect on children who have been adopted, describing them as “morally and economically nonsensical”. Continue reading...

Events

69 h. ago Pothole fixing machine 'not worth it' for West Lothian due to problems with winter repairs

The Pothole Pro has been promoted by the opposition SNP group as the answer to the almost £2m problem of fixing the county’s roads.

Politics

2 d. ago West Lothian locals in with chance of winning year’s supply of free beer thanks to supermarket giant

Aldi Scotland is on the hunt for the nation’s biggest beer lover, as it revamps its popular Best Home Bar Competition by expanding the criteria.

Politics

3 d. ago Bid to save West Lothian pensioners' café fails as councillors reject call to step in

A meeting of the full council voted down a motion from the SNP’s Willie Boyle to intervene in plans to close the cafe in Rosemount Gardens in Bathgate.

Events

3 d. ago Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund gives Lanarkshire sports clubs chance to win share of £50,000 in funding

Aldi Scotland introduced its Scottish Sport Fund in 2016 to support individuals of all ages and abilities to get involved in physical activity in their local communities.

Economics

3 d. ago Thousands to get £100 in cost of living help as scheme reopens

In the recent extension of the Household Support Fund scheme, Hartlepool Council received £1.75million in funding and recently confirmed how it planned to spend it

Economics

3 d. ago Praise for West Lothian teenager Jak's lasting legacy from cabinet secretaries

There are now five pop-up dens across Scotland thanks to the teenager's vision

Politics

4 d. ago Over £3 million received by people in West Lothian since Carer Support Payment introduced

'This is a lifeline for people across West Lothian who care for loved ones every day'

Economics