3 h. ago Plans approved for multiple occupancy flat above former Ayr pub

Plans were previously lodged with South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for a change of use to the first floor of the property on 61 High Street.

Events

31 h. ago By calling a genocide a genocide, Andor just made its most political point yet

Tony Gilroy’s Star Wars show has repeatedly felt like it was ripped from today’s headlines – but Mon Mothma’s radical speech was written two years agoWarning: this contains spoilers for episode nine of Andor season twoSince it started in 2022, the Star Wars spin-off Andor has proved an unexpectedly bolshie addition to the Disney-owned mega-franchise. By portraying worker uprisings, surveillance states, sexual violence and prison industrial complexes, showrunner Tony Gilroy added fresh political nuance and human stakes to George Lucas’s endless galactic civil war.And since its April premiere, the show’s second and final season has only doubled down. In the first episode, viewers saw smarmy spin doctors from the Empire’s “Ministry of Enlightenment” discuss how to “weaponise” galactic opinion to manufacture public approval for ethnic cleansing on the planet Ghorman. News anchors parrot Imperial talking points, while the military plots a long game: to provoke an uprising from “rebels yo...

Politics

45 h. ago Seize Gaza, or make it uninhabitable. That’s Netanyahu’s plan – and either way he wins | Yair Wallach

The talk of a major new offensive may be strategic bluster, but either way it serves a purpose. It shows extremist policy is now mainstreamAfter two months of daily bombings, raids and a total blockade preventing the entry of food and medication to Gaza, Israel approved a military plan on Monday it claims will bring about the final destruction of Hamas. The intensified offensive by the Israel Defense Forces will aim to occupy large parts of the strip and maintain a permanent Israeli presence there. It has been dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots – but it might be more accurate to call it the Roadmap to Hell. More of the population would be forced into an ever-shrinking “humanitarian zone”, while Israel explores options for their permanent displacement from the strip altogether.While Israeli officials explain that the renewed onslaught would help to release hostages, it is abundantly clear that intensifying military operations would only put them at greater risk. Hostages’ families ha...

Politics

66 h. ago Netanyahu says new offensive in Gaza focused on consolidating seizure of territory

Israeli PM says operation will lead to significant displacement of the population ‘for its own protection’Middle East crisis – live updatesBenjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has said a new “intensified” offensive in Gaza will involve Israeli troops holding on to seized territory and significant displacement of the population.Speaking after officials said Israel’s security cabinet had approved a plan for “conquering” the Gaza Strip and establishing a “sustained presence” there, Netanyahu posted a video on X in which he said Israeli soldiers would not go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Trump’s 100% film tariff plan ‘not in the interests of American businesses’ – US politics live

Australian and UK politicians push back against US president’s move, which is expected to send ‘shock waves’ through global industry Israel is to expand its military operations in Gaza in the coming weeks, with the aim of “conquering” the territory and establishing a “sustained presence” there, Israeli officials have said.The plan, which was unanimously approved at a security cabinet meeting late on Sunday, goes beyond any aims so far outlined by Israel for its offensive in the devastated Palestinian territory and is likely to prompt deep international concern and fierce opposition. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Israel to expand military operations in Gaza to establish ‘sustained presence’

Plan goes beyond any aims so far outlined and is likely to prompt international concern and fierce oppositionMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael is to expand its military operations in Gaza in the coming weeks, with the aim of “conquering” the territory and establishing a “sustained presence” there, Israeli officials have said.The plan, which was unanimously approved at a security cabinet meeting late on Sunday, goes beyond any aims so far outlined by Israel for its offensive in the devastated Palestinian territory and is likely to prompt deep international concern and fierce opposition. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Israel's cabinet ‘approves plan to capture and occupy all of Gaza’ as military offensive expanded

The move, if implemented, would vastly expand Israel's operations in the Palestinian territory

Events

3 d. ago Israel's cabinet ‘approves plan to capture all of Gaza’ as military offensive expanded

The move, if implemented, would vastly expand Israel's operations in the Palestinian territory

Events

3 d. ago Israeli cabinet approves plan to capture all of Gaza and keep its soldiers there indefinitely

Netanyahu has called up tens of thousands of reservists to free up soldiers for ‘the next stage’ of war in Gaza

Politics

3 d. ago Middle East crisis live: Israeli ministers ‘approve plan to capture all of Gaza’

Officials tell Associated Press that plan would involve troops staying there for an unspecified amount of timeYemen’s Houthis have said the US of carried out strikes in and around Sana’a, after the Iran-backed rebels claimed a missile strike on Israel’s main airport yesterday, AFP reports.The Houthi-run Saba news agency said the strikes included two on Arbaeen Street in the capital and the airport road, blaming them on “American aggression”. Saba said 16 people were wounded, citing the Houthi’s health ministry. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Middle East crisis live: Israel approves plans to intensify Gaza operations

Plan could mark a significant escalation in fighting in the beleaguered territoryIsraeli ministers on Monday agreed to ramp up the war against Hamas in Gaza, an official said.Associated Press reported Israel has plans to capture more territory in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave and call up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers. The plan, which the official said would be gradual, could mark a significant escalation in the fighting in Gaza, which resumed in mid-March after Israel and Hamas failed to agree on an extension to an eight-week truce. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. On Sunday, Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, said the army was calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers and said Israel would “operate in additional areas” in Gaza and continue to strike militant infrastructure. Israel already controls roughly half of Gaza’s territory, including a buffer zone along the border with Israel as well as three corrid...

Politics

3 d. ago Israel approves plans to intensify Gaza operations, official says

An Israeli official says Cabinet ministers have approved plans to intensify military operations in the Gaza Strip

Politics

4 d. ago Elon Musk’s company town: SpaceX employees vote to create ‘Starbase’

Residents – most of them SpaceX workers – in remote Texas community approve plan to create new cityVoters in a small patch of south Texas voted on Saturday to give Elon Musk a town to call his own, officially creating a new city called Starbase in the area where Musk’s SpaceX holds rocket launches.A couple of hundred residents of what was previously known as Boca Chica decided to make their unincorporated neighborhoods into a town that will grant them the authority to pass city ordinances. Continue reading...

Technology

5 d. ago Elon Musk’s company town: SpaceX employees to vote on ‘Starbase’

Residents – most of them SpaceX workers – in remote Texas community expected to approve plan to create new cityVoters in a small patch of south Texas are casting their ballots on Saturday in an election that could give Elon Musk a town to call his own. The vote would officially create a new city called Starbase in the area where Musk’s SpaceX holds its Texas rocket launches.A couple of hundred residents of what was previously known as Boca Chica will decide whether to make their unincorporated neighborhoods into a town that would grant them the authority to pass city ordinances. The outcome, which will be decided almost entirely by SpaceX employees and their families, who make up the majority of the local population, is nearly guaranteed to result in incorporation. Continue reading...

Technology

5 d. ago Data storage centre of 'regional importance' to be built in part of Wales

The plans for land off the A4119 at Mwyndy Cross were approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf's planning committee. Such facilities are regarded by the UK Government as 'critical infrastructure'

Politics

6 d. ago Town 'saturated' with 13 barber shops just got a 14th given permission to open

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's planning committee approved plans to turn an amusement arcade in Hannah Street, Porth, into a barber shop

Events

6 d. ago Letting agency loses appeal after being told to stop using property as a house of multiple occupation

Planning inspector cited 'a distinct lack of evidence' on the agency's behalf

Society

7 d. ago Hotel in Shotts seeks permission to remodel its interior and create additional rooms for guests

The Station Hotel has applied to North Lanarkshire Council seeking planning approval for alterations to its internal layout, removing lounge space, a function room and a kitchen area to build four new rooms.

Events

8 d. ago Historic Ayr church building to become new family home after plans approved

The former church was previously listed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.

Society

1 week ago One of Europe’s strongest floating cranes to recover Mike Lynch’s sunken yacht

Recovery work is due to begin in May after Italian authorities approved a detailed salvage plan.

Politics