Archive

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Labour MPs urge Keir Starmer to drop legal challenge against Netanyahu arrest

MORE than a dozen Labour MPs have backed a parliamentary motion urging the Keir Starmer to drop the Tory legal challenge seeking to prevent the International Criminal Court (ICC) from issuing an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister. In

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Humza Yousaf announces birth of second child with wife Nadia El-Nakla

THE former first minister Humza Yousaf has announced the birth of his second child with wife Nadia El-Nakla.  In a post on X/Twitter, the SNP MSP welcomed the new baby to the world and said both mother and child were doing well.  Yousaf and

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MacIntyre aims for another silver lining as Open swings into action

How do you win a golf event? Well, you try not to win it. That’s how Robert MacIntyre sees it anyway. And who are we to argue? But more about his theory shortly. The one they all want to win this week, of, course is The Open. Royal Troon is ready

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Waste workers in 14 Scottish council areas vote for strike action in row over pay

COUNCIL waste and street cleaning staff have voted for strike action in a row over pay which could see “rubbish piling up in the streets”, union leaders said. Leaders of the Unison trade union said waste, recycling and street cleaning workers in

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Is David Lammy's trip to Israel a taste of the 'change' we can expect?

SO who exactly was David Lammy – the new Foreign Secretary – representing when he visited Israel? Is it the same people who got Starmer to throw out parliamentary protocol to stop the SNP using their motion day to call for Israel to stop their genocide

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Somehow there is still enough money to pay for this royal pantomime

WHAT is it with these “royals”? First we had the BBC opening their news bulletin on Sunday afternoon with Wee Baldy Bill’s long-suffering wife presenting the trophy at Wimbledon, the BBC proudly announcing this before even mentioning who had actually

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Wee Ginger Dug: Keeping the two-child benefit cap shames the Labour Party

IT’S full fat flummery time today in Westminster. Charlie was there in his bejewelled hat, trying and failing not to look bored and annoyed, the default setting for Windsor’s when they are not out slaughtering wildlife. This faux medieval

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Local man McDonald ready for dawn patrol in Open Championship debut

Time marches on, doesn’t it? In fact, it sometimes feels like it tramples all over us. It’s 10 years now since Jack McDonald went toe-to-toe with a young man called Bryson DeChambeau in the closing singles of the Palmer Cup. And beat him. A decade

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'Absurd': Stephen Flynn schools Labour MP on devolution basics after interruption

YOU would hope Labour MPs, especially ones who have been at Westminster for a fair while, would have a grasp on the devolution settlement. You would hope that. Unfortunately, one such elected representative seemed a little clueless as to how

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Scottish boxing champ Josh Taylor's fortune increases by over 5000 per cent

EAST LOTHIAN boxing champion Josh Taylor has increased his fortune by more than 5000%, according to newly released figures. The 33-year-old was crowned undisputed light-welterweight champion after his win over American opponent Jose Ramirez in

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'Affront': Anger as Labour water down Lords reforms in King's Speech

LABOUR have sparked anger after watering down pledges to reform the House of Lords – with Scottish representatives accusing the party of offering only “bland and insipid platitudes”. In their General Election manifesto, Keir Starmer’s party pledged

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Will Labour's policy promises actually deliver anything for Scotland?

LABOUR have set out their political agenda for the coming months and it is a weighty beast. Totalling 40 bills and draft bills – not all new or original, it must be said, as in the case of the smoking ban – it is double the length of the average

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MSP challenges BBC director-general over 'misleading' SNP headline

THE BBC’s director-general has been challenged by an SNP MSP after a “simply misleading” headline about his party. Former Scottish government minister Kevin Stewart has penned a letter to BBC chief Tim Davie raising concerns about a story on the

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What was confirmed for Scotland and devolution in Keir Starmer's King's Speech?

KING Charles delivered a speech in the House of Lords on Wednesday laying out 40 bills which Keir Starmer’s Labour government will aim to bring forward. The plans were later debated in the House of Commons, with the Prime Minister facing questions

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Scottish shipyard wins multi-million-pound salmon vessel contract

A SCOTTISH shipyard has won a multi-million-pound contract to supply the country’s salmon sector with a new workboat. Inverlussa Marine Services, who are one of Scotland’s leading workboat operators, has appointed Macduff Shipyards to design and

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Scottish estate's licences suspended after police find evidence of bird poisoning

SCOTLAND'S nature agency has placed restrictions on an estate on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park for three years following evidence of bird poisoning on the property.  The decision affecting Lochindorb Estate near Grantown-on-Spey was

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Scottish council demolishes 'eyesore' royal hotel after buying it for £1

A SCOTTISH council has demolished an "eyesore" former hotel after buying it for just £1. Falkirk Council announced on Wednesday that the “abandoned former Royal Hotel in Slamannan has been torn down” after lying empty on the village’s high street

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Police search ramped up as 14-year-old schoolgirl missing for four days

SCOTTISH police are ramping up the search for a teenage girl who has been missing for more than four days. Julia Gradecka, who is 14, was last seen in Dalkeith on Saturday July 13, and officers are appealing for help in the search. Gradecka

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Campaigners propose Citizens' Convention to break stalemate on independence

A GRASSROOTS campaign group is calling for the creation of a Scottish Citizens’ Convention which could forge a new path to independence. Believe in Scotland (BiS) – a group which brings together 142 local and national Yes groups – has proposed

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American investors 'interested' in re-opening Scottish golf course and mansion house

AMERICAN investors are reportedly interested in re-opening a Scottish golf course and mansion house. The Courier reported that talks are at an early stage but that the investors have an “active interest” – according to Dundee City Council leader

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How to watch The Open at Royal Troon in Ayrshire – Everything you need to know

THE Open is back for another year, seeing some of the biggest names in golf go head-to-head to be crowned champion. The competition is being held at Royal Troon in Ayrshire after being hosted in Liverpool last year. Beginning in 1860, the annual

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Experts dismiss Labour's claim that two-child cap harms are 'open to debate'

EXPERTS have dismissed a Labour Cabinet Secretary’s claim that it is “open to debate” whether the two-child cap on benefits causes harm. Pat McFadden, a close Keir Starmer ally serving as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, made the remarks

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Billionaire plans to turn former Scottish city centre Debenhams into luxury hotel

A FORMER Debenhams department store in Edinburgh city centre looks set to become a luxury hotel under a billionaire’s “ambitious” plans. Zedwell Hotels plans to open its first hotel in Scotland in the vacant nine-storey Princes Street building.

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King's Speech transcript: The full text of monarch's address in Parliament

THE King’s Speech was the longest monarch’s speech at a State Opening of Parliament in more than two decades. It was also the most legislation-heavy speech since 2005, with its 40 bills being the highest number to be announced at a State Opening

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Here are seven pictures which show just how ridiculous the King's Speech is

THE official State Opening of Parliament took place on Wednesday, marking Labour's first time in Government since 2010. The day, which is marked by the King's Speech laying out the Government's plans for the next parliamentary term, has its fair

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18-year-old woman pulled from Scots river after major police search

THE body of a teenage woman has been discovered in a Scottish river after a major search. Emergency crews were sent to the Tillydrone area of Aberdeen after a call from a member of the public. Now, Police Scotland have confirmed they have found

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East Lothian town declared one of the best foodie breaks in the UK

A POPULAR East Lothian town has been named one of the top foodie breaks in the UK by a prestigious travel magazine. Conde Nast Traveller looked at locations across Britain to find the best places to sample some of the "most delicious produce and

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I protested the King's Speech in Parliament Square – here's why

On Wednesday morning, a crowd of protesters gathered at a corner of Parliament Square, raising their yellow banners, as well as their voices, when the King arrived with the rest of the royal procession for the State Opening of Parliament. No-one

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Anti-monarchy campaigners stage protest outside State Opening of Parliament

ANTI-MONARCHY campaigners have staged a protest outside the first State Opening of Parliament under the new Labour Government. Around 200 republicans gathered opposite Parliament on Wednesday to protest the monarchy, king Charles and his role in

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Hundreds of jobs at Scottish firm in the balance after billionaire brother buy-out

INVERCLYDE'S billionaire businessmen brothers have bought the EE call centre in Greenock - and raised some hope of keeping the communications giant in the town. Sandy and James Easdale are understood to have acquired the sprawling 60,000 sq/ft

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'Bitterly disappointing': SNP blast Labour's 'timid' King's Speech

KEIR Starmer’s political agenda has been branded “timid” as he was accused of throwing away the chance to deliver “clear and substantial change”. The King’s Speech on Wednesday set out Labour’s law-making plans – including commitments to renationalise

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'Heavy heart': Scottish pub announces shock closure after nearly 25 years

A POPULAR Glasgow pub has announced its shock closure after welcoming customers for almost 25 years. The Lab, which is just off Buchanan Street in Springfield Court close to Princes Square, reportedly announced it would be closing its doors for

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What was in the King's Speech? All 40 Labour bills explained

THE King has delivered a speech laying out 40 bills which Keir Starmer’s Labour government will aim to bring forward. The monarch delivered the speech, which lasted around 13 minutes, in the House of Lords, before MPs moved to the Commons ahead

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It was the English media that put me off watching English football

IT has been interesting to see the reaction generated by The National’s football-themed front page and the pelters you have been taking accordingly. Firstly to explain: I am English. By which I mean I am English-voice-booming-through-a-crowd, “

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How long will the King's Speech be during the State Opening of Parliament?

KING Charles is due to give his King’s Speech as part of the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday. It will mark the official beginning of Keir Starmer’s Labour Government and the sitting of Parliament – the first time Labour has been in power

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Brewdog accused of having 'no morals' after pulling out of carbon neutral scheme

BREWDOG has been accused of having “no morals” by a union following it scrapping part of its carbon neutral policy. The Scottish brewery announced on Tuesday it will exit the carbon credit market in a move that has been criticised by Unite Hospitality

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'Open to debate' whether two-child cap harms children, Labour Cabinet minister says

WHETHER the two-child cap on benefits causes harm is “open to debate”, a Cabinet Secretary has said as he insisted the Labour-run UK Government would keep the policy in place. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on Wednesday morning, Pat McFadden insisted

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Seven ridiculous things that happened during the State Opening of Parliament

WEDNESDAY July 17 marked the ceremonial opening of the UK Parliament where King Charles delivered the first King's Speech of the Labour Government (which is, as ever, written by the Prime Minister). It's an event which marks the formal start

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Scottish Tory 'cabal leaking negative stories about leadership hopefuls', MSPs allege

THE Scottish Tory leadership contest has descended into bitter infighting after negative stories about potential challengers were fed to a right-wing newspaper. Supporters of Russell Findlay, who is considered one of the favourites to take over

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Black Rod's role in Parliament explained ahead of King's Speech

KING Charles is due to give his King’s Speech today and the Black Rod will be sent from the Lord's Chamber to the Commons to summon MPs for the State Opening of Parliament. The King’s Speech will mark the official beginning of Keir Starmer’s Labour

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UK inflation remains at two per cent target for second month in a row

UK inflation held steady in June as price rises across the country stayed at the Bank of England’s target level for the second month running, according to official figures. The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation remained unchanged at

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RECAP: Keir Starmer unveils government's 'timid' priorities in King's Speech

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The door is opening for the return of indy-supporting radical left

WHEN Anthony Charles Lynton Blair was elected prime minister on May 1, 1997, with a 179 majority, the sense from many on the progressive left back then was that “there’s nothing he can’t do” with that advantage. The spirit of the times was the

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'Still time for Keir Starmer to see sense' and scrap two-child cap, say SNP

THE SNP have said there is “still time for Keir Starmer to see sense” and axe the two-child benefit cap ahead of the King’s Speech. The Prime Minister’s law-making agenda will be delivered on Wednesday morning and will unveil a package of more

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Campaigners urge John Swinney to introduce new law protecting nature

DOZENS of environmental organisations have backed a new campaign calling on the Scottish Government to introduce new legislation which would improve the legal protection of nature. A total of 38 organisations including RSPB Scotland, the Scottish

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Scottish economy forecast to grow at faster rate, report says

THE Scottish economy is predicted to grow at a faster rate in 2024 than the previous year but the outlook remains subdued, a report has forecast. PwC’s UK Economic Outlook report predicts a gross value added (GVA) of 0.9% for Scotland in 2024,

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Assa Samake-Roman: French left can’t go on pretending they won’t have to compromise

RIGHT now, I’m not even asking for a French government that matches all my ideals perfectly. I just want one that I can live with – one that, while not perfect, gets the important things done and works well overall. This is what compromise in politics

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Alyn Smith: Decisions EU is making now will still impact Scotland

  THE EU is only going to become more relevant for the independence​ movement over the rest of this decade. We ignore it to our detriment. Much of the oxygen over the past few weeks in the media has understandably revolved around the UK General

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Caitlin Logan: Government must ensure rights of non-binary people aren’t left behind

‘AT the moment, for all that we have ‘they/them’ in our work signatures, it feels impossible to be truly recognised as non-binary,” says Bo, 35, an agender public-sector worker in the Highlands. For Bo, who took part in a consultation workshop

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I'm a new MP – and there's one thing I hope this King's Speech addresses

TODAY we will be reminded of one of the principal pomp and ceremony events of the Westminster establishment and the British state. Someone called Black Rod will bang on a door. Various people will busy themselves with medieval weaponry. An MP will

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Everything you need to know about the King’s Speech as parliamentary term starts

KING Charles is due to give his King’s Speech as part of the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday. It will mark the official beginning of Keir Starmer’s Labour Government and the sitting of Parliament – the first time Labour has been in power