18 h. ago Northern Lights dazzles Scots skies as readers share stunning photos of rare phenomenon

From purple swirls above the fields of Orkney, to pinks and greens over Lossiemouth, Scotland got an eyeful

Culture

31 h. ago Met Office issues rare Northern Lights alert for when Scots may spot phenomenon

Scots in these five areas will be able to see the 'best views' of the Northern Lights as the Met Office issues rare alert

Events

4 d. ago Archaeologists unearth structures 7,000 years older than Stonehenge in discovery that reshapes human history

In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have unearthed ancient structures that they believe reshape our understanding of human history.

Politics

6 d. ago Tory chair says party would consider deal with Taliban to return Afghan migrants – UK politics live

Kevin Hollinrake says party would ‘potentially’ set up returns agreement with country as he says deportation plan is ‘far more comprehensive’ than Reform’sNigel Farage has been accused of “ugly” and “destructive” rhetoric after announcing plans to deport hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and pledging to pay despotic regimes such as the Taliban to take them back.Unveiling Reform UK’s “Operation Restoring Justice” at a combative press conference in Oxford, Farage said he would rip up the UK’s postwar human rights commitments, contained in a range of international conventions, to deport “absolutely anyone” – including women and children – arriving by small boat.We really are through the looking-glass now. Nigel Farage pretending to be patriotic while pledging to rip up Britain’s proud record of leading the world on human rights.As we’ve seen across history, his populist playbook is ugly, powerful and incredibly destructive. We know where it will lead if we don’t stop it.If today ...

Society

7 d. ago Bombshell discovery that rewrites human history: Scientists find lost city destroyed by 'Genesis Flood' 20,000 years ago

Archaeologists may have found evidence of an advanced civilization wiped out by a global flood 20,000 years ago, a discovery that could rewrite human history.

Events

2 w. ago ‘I luxuriate in the weird details’: why Highlander is my feelgood movie

The latest in our series of writers paying tribute to their favourite comfort watches is a journey back to the unusual sci-fi antics of 1986With all due respect to Flash Gordon, there is only room in my heart for one maximalist 1980s movie blending science fiction, fantasy and romance with a banging Queen soundtrack. That film is Highlander, the stylised but strangely lofty 1986 wannabe blockbuster with a premise so ridiculous – immortals tussle throughout human history in a beheading battle royale – it is often deployed as a pop culture punchline. (In the Nascar comedy Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Will Ferrell’s blowhard racer confidently asserts that Highlander won the Academy Award for “best movie ever made”.)Even Highlander’s production history sounds like a mistranslated joke about national stereotypes walking into a bar. Australian director Russell Mulcahy chose French-American actor Christopher Lambert to embody the titular mythic Scottish hero, then cast actu...

Politics

2 w. ago Mysterious species found living alongside our earliest ancestors deemed missing link in evolution

A new fossil discovery is adding a lost species to the picture of human evolution, rewriting the history of a famous skeleton.

Events

2 w. ago Missing chapter of human evolution dating back 2.8 million years uncovered in Africa

A new fossil discovery is adding a lost species to the picture of human evolution, rewriting the history of a famous skeleton.

Events

3 w. ago Holiday hotspot to see rare natural phenomenon as tourists flock to island

The holiday hotspot — beloved by British sunseekers — is said to be one of the best places to see the astronomical phenomenon in the world on August 12, at the height of the summer holidays

Politics

3 w. ago Tuesday was one of the shortest days on record. An astronomer explains why

You won’t notice the sunrise arrive 1.33 milliseconds sooner, but to precision atomic clocks, it will be obvious

Politics

4 w. ago Shortest day in human history is today in rare phenomenon – but it comes with a warning

The planet will spin slightly faster at its poles due to a change driven by the moon's gravitational pull, shaving 1.25 milliseconds off the usual 86,400 seconds over the course of a day

Events