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Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch

Starmer hits back at Badenoch’s claim sandwiches ‘not real food’

According to one study, Donald Trump’s plans could add as much as $15 trillion to the nation’s debt over a decade (Picture: Chip Somodevilla)

Why Trump’s election could hasten the end of US dollar dominance Professor David McMillan

A wild turkey finds itself in a residential area of Shirley on New York's Long Island (Picture: Bruce Bennett)

Here's why we need to think twice about turkey for Christmas dinner Philip Lymbery

Keir Starmer's plans to bulldoze through housing and infrastructure construction ─ including the relentless march of wind turbines ─ may not go down well with voters (Picture: Chris Radburn)

Labour's disastrous start is setting up a 2029 independence showdown John McLellan

Farmers protest in Whitehall over planned changes to inheritance tax (Picture: Yui Mok)

Stopping super-rich buying land as tax dodge could end farming tax row
A proposal that inheritance tax on farms would only kick in if the land was sold off after being passed on offers a solution both farmers and the Treasury could...
Alistair Carmichael

John Swinney was challenged over falling teacher numbers at First Minister's Questions

Swinney accused of failing on education after teacher numbers drop

National Museum of Scotland gallery

I visited the National Museum of Scotland and something bothered me Gaby Soutar

Plans to create a national park in Galloway have proved controversial

New National Park plan poised for referendum amid council concerns

The owners of world-renowned, five-star Inverlochy Castle have acquired Knockendarroch Hotel in Pitlochry, Scotland for an undisclosed sum.

Owners of five-star Scottish castle hotel snap up this country retreat

Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club

R&A bans trans athletes from competing in women’s golf tournaments

First Minister John Swinney

Swinney to give 'serious consideration' to new strangulation offence

UK News

Blind comedian Chris McCausland is through to the Strictly Come Dancing final

Strictly finalist says contest is 'most rewarding thing' he has done

Michael Gove, former Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, is now the editor of the Spectator

Gove brands Ipso ruling on trans complaint ‘offensive’ to free speech

Colin Firth plays Dr Jim Swire in the new Sky drama series Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.

Inside new Colin Firth drama following Lockerbie campaigner Jim Swire

An armed woman flashes the V for victory sign as Syrian Kurds celebrate the fall of capital Damascus to anti-government fighters, in the city of Qamishli

Starmer: 'No decision pending' on banned status of Syrian rebel group

The wreckage of the Pan-Am 747 plane which was blown up en route to New York

Lockerbie plane wreckage moved to US for alleged bomb maker's trial

Baroness Helena Kennedy advised against including misogyny in Scotland’s hate crime legislation as the ubiquity of sexist behaviour meant there would need to be entirely separate legislation (Picture: Isabel Infantes)

Why hate crime legislation is not the right way to tackle sexism Christine Jardine

World

This refurbished chapel in Dumfriesshire has become a focal point for Ukrainian refugees

Why 80-year-old chapel has become a haven for Ukrainian refugees Ronnie Kerr

Understanding Russia's war aims will help people understand which politicians are serving or opposing Vladimir Putin’s strategic agenda (Picture: Grigory Sysoyev)

West is already at war with Russia. Major conflict may not be far off Professor Robert Dover

Smoke billows from a Syrian naval ship destroyed in an overnight Israeli attack on the port city of Latakia

Israel launches strikes across Syria as troops seize more territory

Will Abu Mohammed al-Golani, aka Ahmed Hussein al-Shar'a, the leader of rebel group HTS, now try to become a dictator like the ousted Bashar Assad or allow democracy in Syria? (Picture: Aref Tammawi)

Syrian dictator’s downfall has made me realise my true ‘nationality’ Ian Johnston

A Syrian Kurd in the city of Qamishli celebrates the fall of capital Damascus to rebel forces (Picture: Delil Souleiman)

World must help Syria achieve original aim of 2011 Arab Spring revolt Scotsman comment

Tasmin Helmi (centre) said the fall of the Assad regine is 'like a dream come true'.

Exclusive 'Like a dream coming true': Syrian refugee in Scotland on Assad's fall

Get The Scotsman app for mobile and tablet

The Scotsman app brings you exclusive, quality news and analysis from The Scotsman, Scotland’s National Newspaper.

Weather

Dog walkers in Cathkin Braes, as freezing fog persists for a second day in Glasgow and the surrounding area. Picture: John Devlin

Met Office issues travel warning for freezing fog

Rough seas at the Roker lighthouse in Sunderland, after Storm Darragh hit the UK. Picture: PA

Roof ripped off school by 80mph high winds driven by Storm Darragh

Politics

Health Secretary Neil Gray.

Neil Gray to take responsibility if SNP miss NHS waiting times targets

The SNP says no one will wait longer than 12 months for an NHS appointment by 2026

Offshore wind milestone - how £50m investment landed at Port of Leith

“We have a clear vision and today we commit to investing a further £50m in Leith, from our own resou...

Catherine Calderwood speaking at a briefing on the Covid pandemic in 2020.

Key Scottish Covid figure 'to be excused' from UK pandemic inquiry

Catherine Calderwood was chief medical officer for Scotland at the beginning of the pandemic

Swinney warned over 'Trumpification' after 'friendly chats' with Trump David Bol

David Bol

Why it's right to be cynical about 'charter of rights' for drug users

Politicians need to make fewer promises and focus instead on doing things to improve the lives of or...

Scottish Government body working on crisis-hit university rescue plan

Institution is the latest in Scotland to embark on a financial recovery plan this year

Transport

The vast majority of the A9 between Perth and Inverness is single carriageway (Picture: John Devlin)

Why A9 dualling project may be archaeology before it's actually done Scotsman comment

The wreckage of the ScotRail "High Speed Train" after it derailed at Carmont. Picture: John Devlin

Fatal ScotRail train derailment that killed three headed for court

The SNP is planning to re-introduce free bus passes for asylum seekers.

Call to axe £2m re-introduction of free bus travel for asylum seekers

Passengers at Edinburgh Airport could face disruption.

Strikes at Edinburgh Airport set to ground flights over Christmas

Education

Ad Feature From satellites to AI: Dive into Scotland’s geospatial future

(Images: GCHQ/Pexels)

GCHQ's annual Christmas card invites you to crack geography puzzles

An example of a battery energy storage system. These consist of one or more large batteries that store electrical power for use at a later time.

Anger over plans for battery storage site 70m from Scottish school

The next generation of lawyers are training to help those dealing with trauma and 'harrowing' back stories

Exclusive Scottish lawyers training to help those with 'harrowing' back stories

Environment

The northern fulmar is one of the globally important seabird species which are in decline

The 8 seabird species in stark decline - and the plan to save them

Campaigners have flagged various environmental concerns over the forest project at Stobo Hope.

Exclusive Legal action launched over 700-hectare Scottish Sitka forest

Tony Davidson of Kilmorack Gallery said "people and nature" were being sacrificed by the energy developments now encircling Beauly.

Highlanders 'under siege' as aristocrat opens up land for substation

Health

Paul Bell, The Anchor Practice

Edinburgh New Town specialist psychotherapy clinic grows to meet demand

Ad Feature The Fourth Frontier heart rate monitor for heart health and recovery

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women. Credit: Kim Mogg / NationalWorld

Almost one in five women fear their GP won't take them seriously

People who are eligible are being encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the 'quad-demic'.

What is the 'quad-demic'? Symptoms of Covid, RSV, norovirus and flu

Crime

Father Daniel Doherty has been jailed for sexual assualt

'Predatory' priest sentenced to 16 months in jail over sexual assaults

Childlight Global Child Safety Institute says there are around 400 cases of online sex abuse in Scotland each day

‘Around 150,000 children’ subject to online sex abuse in past year

The Fire Stick makes any TV smart

How police detect people using ‘dodgy’ firesticks

A fire stick

Every area targeted in police crackdown on 'dodgy' firesticks

Cybercrime is a growing focus for Police Scotland, adding to more traditional duties like ensuring public order is maintained (Picture: Jane Barlow/pool)

Why police must embrace new tech like AI, facial recognition and more Tom Wood

The damaged clock in Bridge of Allan. Picture: Bridge of Allan Community Council

Salvage bid launched after 'cherished' 126-year-old clock hit by car

Future Scotland

More than two dozen businesses were created every day in Glasgow during the first half of 2024

Top spots for new companies in 2024 revealed and one city stands out
“Businesses across Britain are making a strong comeback and remain central to driving economic growth” – Seema Desai, Iwoca
Scott Reid

Ad Feature Glasgow is home to new precision medicine hub

Innovec was launched in 2009 by its chief executive Iain Wham, using his redundancy pay-off from a manufacturing company.

Fast-growing IT firm eyes push into Edinburgh amid data and AI explosion

Nicky Deasy (investment director), Ross McDermid (Biotangents), Fiona Marshall (Biotangents), and Jill Arnold (Eos). Picture by Stewart Attwood

Scottish firm’s testing tech set to ‘revolutionise dairy farming industry’

Amazon Fire TV 50 inch 4-series is among the Black Friday offers

The exact time when the best Black Friday deals will go live

Obituaries

Gordon Maxwell's impact on the archaeological record was dramatic

Scotsman Obituaries: Gordon Maxwell, Scottish archaeologist

Katie Goodwin was a supporter of many local and international charities

Scotsman Obituaries: Katie Goodwin, Scottish business owner and voluntary leader

Judith Goodier had a lifelong passion for Botany

Scotsman Obituaries: Judith Goodier, early years education specialist

Lord Sandy Leitch believed in giving back to society

Lord Leitch, Scot who rose from humble beginnings to become top businessman

UK Trending

Elliot Badger with his huge collection of railway tickets.

Watch: Man collecting classic train ticket from every UK station

Masterchef: The Professionals finalists: Dan, Chiara and George.

This is who won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2024

Deals are rife on waterproof robes by Dryrobe competitors

Why it's a perfect time to save on discounted Dryrobe rivals from £49

(Photos: Getty Images)

The rules and regulations for storm and bad weather insurance payouts

Sonos Ace review

4 of the best pairs of headphones to give this Christmas

A exciting Christmas cocktail menu at a famous restaurant chain

Bottomless brunch with awesome Christmas cocktails