44 m. ago Scotland 'reaching the limits of devolution' as John Swinney blames Westminster for drop in living standards

The First Minister denied the SNP was running out of steam after 18 years in power as he repeated his belief that only independence could fix the country's most serious problems.

Politics

2 h. ago Scots households would be £10,000 better off with independence, paper claims

First Minister John Swinney warned of a ‘rightward shift’ in the UK.

Economics

3 h. ago BBC apologises for calling Hamas's October 7 murderous attacks an 'escalation' on second anniversary of the slaughter

The BBC has apologised after referring to Hamas 's October 7 attacks as an 'escalation' on the second anniversary of the massacre that left more than 1,200 people dead.

Events

11 h. ago John Swinney to unveil another white paper on Scottish independence and urge voters to choose 'fresh start'

The SNP Government previously shelved its long-running series of white papers on independence after the public lost interest.

Politics

18 h. ago Hundreds of Edinburgh University staff and students join pro

Protesters rejected Sir Keir Starmer’s assertion that holding a demonstration on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks was ‘un-British’.

Politics

19 h. ago Missing camper found mauled by a bear days after vanishing from tent

A man's body was found after authorities were called to a campsite - days later the bear was identified with as the same beast which attacked the 60-year old on Sunday 5 October.

Events

20 h. ago Palestine protest held at Edinburgh University to mark October 7 attacks as John Swinney hatred claims denied

A Scottish University principal has warned protesters not to fall into the trap” of moving to “justify or glorify acts of gratuitous violence against innocents”.

Events

20 h. ago Palestine protests held on anniversary of October 7 attacks as John Swinney denies fanning flames of hatred

A Scottish University principal has warned protesters not to fall into the trap” of moving to “justify or glorify acts of gratuitous violence against innocents”.

Events

23 h. ago Voices: ‘Undemocratic and unlawful’: Readers react to police crackdown on repeat protests

Most readers condemned the government’s move to bolster restrictions on protests, arguing it is conflating Palestine Action demonstrations with antisemitism

Events

25 h. ago Two years on from 7 October, hostage families hope that a deal can finally bring them home

Hamas militants captured 250 hostages in Israel in the most devastating attack on Israel in its history on 7 October, 2023. Their families tell Alex Croft that they hope a peace deal can finally bring them home - but say for two years they have been ‘collateral damage’

Society

27 h. ago Council responds after it's called 'disgrace' for letting Palestine protest use its power supply

A nine-hour ‘Know Their Names’ event was held on the steps of Bolton town hall

Events

28 h. ago This war of revenge has lasted two nightmare years. There’s only one hope for peace: Israel recognising Palestine | Raja Shehadeh

Donald Trump’s proposals are in play, but here in the West Bank we live in fear that the devastation of Gaza is coming our wayBeing an eternal optimist, I hoped that the events of 7 October 2023 – Hamas’s attack on southern Israel and breaking of the Israeli siege of Gaza – might precipitate a reappraisal of Israeli strategy towards the Palestinians. I hoped Israeli leaders would come to realise the futility of protecting their country by building walls, however impregnable.Instead, the attack did the opposite. It led to a war of revenge that has now lasted for close to two years, killing more than 65,000 Palestinians and causing the widespread devastation of Gaza, including destroying 92% of its residential buildings. Initially, I was shocked by this, and the dehumanisation of the people of Gaza which immediately came from Israeli leaders – Yoav Gallant, who was defence minister at the time of the attack, justified the war by declaring: “We are fighting human animals and are acting...

Politics

29 h. ago Gaza latest: Ceasefire talks underway in Egypt as Israel marks anniversary of October 7 attack

Parties have wrapped up the first round of negotiations, agreeing on most of first-phase terms, which include ceasefire and release of hostages, Egyptian official says

Events

31 h. ago Gaza latest: Israel marks anniversary of 7 October attack after Trump hails ‘tremendous progress’ in peace talks

Parties have wrapped up the first round of negotiations, agreeing on most of first-phase terms, which include ceasefire and release of hostages, Egyptian official says

Politics

31 h. ago Israelis gather to mark two years since 7 October Hamas attack that killed 1,200

Commemorations held in kibbutzim whose members were killed or kidnapped and Tel Aviv rally will call for hostages’ releaseIsraelis will gather across the country on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the 7 October attack, in which Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages during an assault on southern Israel.Unofficial commemorations will be held in the small kibbutzim of southern Israel whose members were killed or kidnapped, and a large rally will be held in Tel Aviv to call for the release of the remaining hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago Keir Starmer says 'time does not diminish evil' of October 7 attacks on sombre anniversary

In a statement to mark the two-year anniversary of October 7, PM Keir Starmer said he would not cease in his efforts to bring home the hostages and secure a ceasefire in Gaza

Events

41 h. ago Who are the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza and what might happen to them?

More than 250 hostages were taken by Hamas in the 7 October attack but they could be freed under a deal being proposed by Trump

Politics

43 h. ago ‘I hear him screaming’: brother of Israeli hostage describes agonising two years

Guy Gilboa-Dalal was taken from Nova festival in 7 October Hamas attack that led to Israel’s devastating assault on GazaSometimes two years seem to have lasted for ever. Sometimes Gal Gilboa-Dalal feels trapped in an eternal present, still living the agonising, endless day when his brother, Guy, was kidnapped by Hamas.The siblings were at the Nova festival, dancing in a grove of trees just a few kilometres from Gaza, when militants broke through the border to launch the deadliest attacks since Israel was founded and take 250 people hostage. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago Gaza flotilla members allege beatings and insults in Israeli detention

Some of those held say guns were pointed at them, they were threatened with dogs and deprived of sleepInternational activists, journalists and lawyers deported from Israel after attempting to breach the 16-year maritime blockade of Gaza as part of a humanitarian flotilla have alleged being subjected to brutal physical and verbal abuse by Israeli forces during their detention.The alleged abuses included sleep and medication deprivation, beatings, having automatic rifles pointed at their heads, dogs set upon them, having to sleep on the floor, being subjected to insults and being made to watch footage of the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. Continue reading...

Politics

46 h. ago John Swinney defends Palestine stance after First Minister heckled at vigil for Hamas hostages

The First Minister was booed by some in the crowd while he addressed the vigil outside the Scottish Parliament.

Politics