Scottish public broadcaster and regional sister to the BBC
Paisley’s two‑day Halloween festival is underway with thousands watching a parade and street theatre, but Saturday’s events are cancelled due to wind ahead of Storm Boelo. Grandstand tickets will be refunded; safety is the priority.
A wave of convictions against Police Scotland officers for sexual and physical abuse spans 2014–2023. The courts have handed down sentences, with one officer receiving 12 years in prison and others facing lengthy terms. The cases highlight a crisis of confidence and emphasize the need for reforms in policing.
A US judge has allowed a Libyan claim of a forced confession in the Lockerbie bombing case to be used as evidence. Abu Agila Mas’ud Al-Marimi, extradited from Libya in 2022, faces trial in Washington for the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 attack. Defence alleging the confession was coerced has been rejected; the trial remains scheduled for January after multiple delays.
Celtic has collapsed from a 4-0 aggregate lead to a 5-4 loss in Linz, exiting the Champions League playoff. Manager Martin O’Neill has taken responsibility, while players defend the team as they face a costly European setback.
Stacy Hunter’s death near Houston has sparked calls for GPS monitoring of high-risk domestic-abuse offenders. Her family say the system failed her and call for a dedicated GPS scheme, with Scottish ministers signalling openness to debate.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has expanded from Sevier County roots to millions of children worldwide, delivering free books monthly to under-fives. Following Parton’s death, communities in Scotland, the US, and beyond highlight its impact on literacy, foster care, and family routines.
Dead and missing rise after floods near the Nepal-Tibet border. Authorities warn of possible second floods as rescue operations continue. Foreign nationals are among those unaccounted for, with UK tourists among the missing.
Victims in a Balloch and Aberdeen abuse case have been beaten, starved and psychologically tormented between 2003 and 2012. The court has handed criminal sanctions to three adults, with varying terms of probation and unpaid work. The case highlights the lasting trauma faced by victims and the need for safeguarding in vulnerable households.
The Scottish government has published a draft independence referendum bill to set out the proposed question and eligible voters. Reform UK and other critics argue about the threshold needed for a fresh vote, with the SNP’s and Greens' support waning in recent elections. Westminster remains firm that another referendum is off limits.
Elizabeth Quigley has revealed she is leaving BBC Scotland due to health reasons linked to multiple sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia. She has spent decades in political journalism, including coverage of the Scottish Parliament, and has been recognised for her resilience amid chronic illness.
Multiple road incidents have left two men dead this week. In Newcastle-under-Lyme, a 20-year-old man died from a stab wound after a crash on Orme Road; three males aged 19, 22 and 20 have been arrested on suspicion of murder or conspiracy. In Scotland, a 57-year-old man died following a collision near Pennan on the B9031; Police Scotland is appealing for information.
Napoli's Scott McTominay has undergone a pulsed field ablation for a mild benign arrhythmia and will rest for two weeks before resuming training, keeping him out through the international break and affecting Scotland duty.
The 70-metre Bayeux Tapestry has opened at the British Museum, drawing sell-out ticket demand and generating about
A government-backed inquiry into maternity and neonatal care is expanding to include sessions with families. Campaigners say the process is a turning point for the trust involved, as families share experiences to guide the review.
Scotland is expanding GPS tracking and bail monitoring as part of a government push to tackle misogyny and violence against women. The measures include potential exclusion zones around victims’ homes or workplaces and faster police responses when conditions are breached.
Celtic have navigated a tricky period as Yang Hyun-jun heads to the Asian Games and Kasper Hogh and Tierney return from injury. Duran and Mheuka are stepping up, with Osmand returning next month as O’Neill aims to preserve title prospects while juggling squad depth.
A derelict Glasgow tenement has been renovated into affordable housing. A blaze on Stonyhurst Street sparked online rumours that the flats would host asylum seekers; authorities say the claims are false. Investigations continue, with no injuries reported.
A wave of art and urban-design initiatives is reshaping public spaces in European cities. From Aberdeen’s Bon Accord Baths hosting a large-scale art installation to Glasgow’s archives becoming public, the trend emphasizes accessible, site-specific works that invite community engagement.
Four women recount years of sexual exploitation by drug gangs, revealing patterns of grooming, coercion, and violence. They say authorities failed to protect them, and public discussion has long overshadowed this issue. The BBC documentary Britain’s Forgotten Girls documents these experiences from 2002 to last year.
Rockstar North workers have testified at an employment tribunal in Glasgow, with claims that some were unfairly dismissed for trade union activity. Rockstar denies the claims, saying dismissals followed gross misconduct after sharing confidential information. The tribunal is ongoing as GTA VI nears release.
The Ness Guga Hunt remains a flashpoint as campaigners press for change and officials weigh the potential impact on seabird populations. Local communities stress cultural significance while NatureScot and government face ongoing public interest and petitions.
Leaders of the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin have signed a memorandum in Cardiff calling on the UK government to prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change. They have committed to cooperate on energy, the economy and relations with Europe and to press for referendums where domestic politics allow; Westminster has reiterated a referendum is off limits for now.
A wave of illegal e-bikes and dockless bikes is prompting authorities to intensify enforcement and licensing rules across London and other cities. Seizures have risen, and officials say safety and pavement access are at the heart of the crackdown. Meanwhile, operators face tighter regulation and potential penalties.
The Scottish government has announced a pilot to GPS-track individuals on bail, including domestic-abuse suspects, with a rollout aimed for 2027 in Tayside, Fife and Central regions. Survivors call for broader reforms and safeguards, while lawmakers debate the balance between protection and justice.
The Scottish government has introduced environmental impact assessments for data centres above 50MW and will pause decisions until guidance is published, as Holyrood weighs a national strategy to manage a rapid boom in hyperscale AI facilities.
Residents of Piddington have voted 285–26 to secede from the UK in a symbolic referendum against Home Office plans to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at MoD Bicester. The vote highlights local backlash over national distribution of asylum accommodation as authorities push to move away from hotels and HMOs.
Glasgow City Council has paused its plan to dismiss and rehire 23,000 non-teaching staff amid continuing talks with unions over a new pay and grading system designed to address previous gender pay disparities. About 11% face wage cuts, while most staff will see pay stay the same or rise. Talks with Unison, Unite and GMB are ongoing.
Scotland’s new head coach has overseen a goalless draw with Slovenia in Ljubljana in his first match in charge. Billy Gilmour returns from injury to drive the midfield; Oli McBurnie and Robbie Ure debut while Stephen Welsh occupies a new left-back/centre-back role. Scotland improve after a half-time reshuffle but fail to convert chances, leaving the Nation League opener with a point.
The Guardian reports Clarkson urges a single Britflix to survive streaming era; Reuters notes Channel 4 and the BBC are weighing collaboration amid funding pressures and audience fragmentation. Both pieces frame pressure on UK public-service media as competition from global platforms grows.
Glasgow City Council has moved to implement a phased pay-and-grading overhaul to address a long-running equal-pay dispute. Some staff still await job evaluations, with no timetable given. A council spokesman says the plan remains on track for next April, but workers face uncertainty as phased evaluations continue.
Independent Moray councillor Neil McLennan continues representing Buckie ward while living in Cairo, raising questions about constituency access. He remains entitled to a Moray Council salary as he works remotely, while official guidance suggests attendees should spend time with constituents.
Two Scottish Labour figures have seen bullying allegations levelled against Monica Lennon, who denies the claims as a leadership race nears its end. Michael Marra has said Lennon could join his shadow cabinet as scrutiny continues. Labour officials say no formal complaints have been lodged with the party or Parliament.
Scotland has expanded its bluetongue restriction zone to cover the whole country, aiming to ease trade while vaccination remains the key defence. Authorities say movement licences will be scrapped, but farmers are urged to vaccinate for next season amid rising cases linked to climate-driven spread. The latest season has seen cases across stretching areas, with vaccines in high demand.
Gina Saarberg has won the Golden Spurtle at the World Porridge Making Championship in Carrbridge, using the same Dutch-championship-winning recipe of organic pinhead oats, water and salt. Rob Reid takes the speciality prize with a cannoli-porridge creation. Thirty competitors from 14 countries competed in the event.
A husband has admitted a string of offences including rape and sexual assault against his wife, with a separate defendant also admitting multiple charges. The case, heard at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, involves 13 others and spans 2018 to 2025. The trial for remaining defendants is due to open in October.
The Scotsman and BBC reports show Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn was emailed about a CalMac methane leak on the Glen Sannox. FOI documents indicate officials suggested lines for Flynn to use; Flynn says he was not briefed. The controversy centers on whether a briefing existed before a transport committee appearance.
Rockstar Games faces an employment tribunal in Glasgow where 23 ex-employees allege unfair dismissal for union activity in a case linked to 34 dismissals last October over sharing confidential information. Rockstar denies targeting unionists, arguing terminations were due to misconduct and violations of confidentiality.
Threatening messages claiming a bomb was placed in hundreds of schools have been sent to dozens of schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Police say the threats are being treated as hoaxes and investigations are under way. Several Edinburgh schools evacuated; some remain in disruption as pupils return from autumn breaks.
The BBC has announced a plan to move BBC Scotland, BBC Three, and related services online as part of a broader effort to save £500m over the next two years. Linear channels will close in spring, with content rerouted to iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and YouTube while some programming shifts to BBC One/Two in Scotland. The changes aim to align with changing audience habits while preserving key regional content.