News

The Aim-quoted firm, which in 2011 launched an initial public offering valuing it at £50 million, is being bought by Sienna Bidco. Picture: contributed.

Glasgow-based Smart Metering Systems snapped up in £1.4bn mega deal

Smart Metering Systems is being snapped up in a £1.4 billion deal that sees it become the latest Sco...

How Iran rapes and tortures children as young as 12 to suppress protests

Amnesty International’s Agnés Callamard says survivors’ testimonies ‘point to a wider pattern in the...

A general view of BBC Broadcasting House, in central London. Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire

BBC licence fee to rise from April

The BBC licence fee will rise from April – but not by quite as much as the original 9 per cent that had been mooted

FMQs live blog: Scottish Budget & education results Joseph Anderson

Joseph Anderson

Analysis Rishi Sunak has no challengers but leadership crisis still devouring party

Rishi Sunak came in to steady the ship, but instead it’s crashing on the rocks....

Five key areas ministers will need to consider ahead of the Scottish Budget

Humza Yousaf is struggling to balance the books in the face of a £1 billion black hole...

Tracy Black, director of CBI Scotland: 'The Scottish Budget marks an important moment for the Scottish Government to outline its ambitions for growth.'

'Restrictive' and 'uncompetitive' - CBI says Scottish Government must act now

Aberdeenshire Council is now ready to accept applications up until January 19, 2024.

Applications invited for Storm Babet support funding

Skipper Colin Stephen says the devastation caused by HPMAs would be huge.

Consultation response sparks concerns

The project is part of a wider upgrade of the network across Great Britain.

Changes to overhead line project following consultations

An artist\'s impression of the new development on the site of the former Tufted Duck hotel in St Combs (Image: Baxter Design)

St Combs development worries

The Nephrops fishery is critical to the UK, with nearly 59% of the global catch occurring in UK waters in 2021.

Scampi sustainability a major priority for industry, says Seafish

Cllr Isobel Davidson with Chris Brace, Principal Network Development Manager at Sustrans Scotland.

£896,000 of improvements started on the Formartine and Buchan Way

Future Scotland

Nicola Anderson, chief executive of FinTech Scotland, says the cluster body is 'uniquely positioned' within the Scottish financial technology industry to lead the initiative.

FinTech Scotland launches 'ground-breaking' lab to stimulate collaboration

Dr Leslie Mabon is a Lecturer in Environmental Systems in the School of Engineering and Innovation at The Open University. Image: contributed

Ad Feature Equipping Scotland for climate change

Glasgow-headquartered Iomart is a cloud computing and IT managed services business providing hybrid cloud infrastructure, network connectivity, security and digital workplace capability.

Iomart 'very much on front foot' as Glasgow cloud firm seals latest takeover

Transport

The exhilaration of bikepacking, if you can travel light – Alastair Dalton

Prestwick Airport was bough by the Scottish Government for a nominal £1 in 2013 to save it from closure. (Photo by Robert Perry/Getty Images)

Prestwick Airport’s £52m debts ‘may not be repaid until sale’

A yellow weather warning is in place for rain for parts of Scotland. Picture:: Getty Images

Yellow warnings for rain and flood alerts issued for parts of Scotland

The RRS Sir David Attenborough in front of A23a iceberg in Antarctica. Picture: British Antarctic Survey via AP

RRS Sir David Attenborough crosses paths with world’s largest iceberg

Young men, alcohol and high spirits can be a fatal combination on winter roads Karyn McCluskey

The hilarious names of Scotland's gritters and how to track them

Exclusive A9 dualling: Three mega contracts to speed up completion considered

Crime

The government has been told rapists should always be recorded as men. Image: Clara Molden/National World.

Scottish Government urged to always record rapists as men

Val Pitt is a Partner, Horwich Farrelly

Incredible tales from the Scottish courts - Val Pitt

Vicky Crichton is Director of Public Policy, Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

No complaints for most after mediation is tried - Vicky Crichton

Minister for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Michael Matheson arrives ahead of First Minster's Questions (FMQ's) at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh.

How to save a reputation - Kirsteen MacDonald

Weather

Fire fighters inspect damages caused by heavy rain which led to flood homes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

How Scottish charities will use £2 million 'loss and damage' fund

The snow-covered peak of Beinn Eighe and the mountains of Torridon are reflected in Loch Droma near Ullapool, Wester Ross. Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Snow and ice warning after temperatures plummeted to -12.5C in parts of Scotland

Do you hate cold mornings as much as I do? Maybe Finland has the answer Laura Waddell

Road users are being warned of icy conditions as the Met Office issued snow and ice yellow alerts for large areas of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland amid plummeting temperatures. Picture: Owen Humphreys /PA Wire

Snow and ice alerts issued for large parts of Scotland amid travel warning

Politics

The UK must not support Israel in its war against Hamas Kenny MacAskill

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Dorland House in London, where he is giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Johnson's admissions over Covid failings show how unfit he was to be PM

Poorest can’t afford to heed Dowden’s warning to prepare for a major crisis Laura Waddell

Scotland's independence angels just can't seem to stop dancing Scotsman comment

Scotland's educational performance has declined again on the Pisa international league tables (Picture: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Scotland's terrible Pisa results show 'Curriculum for Excellence' isn't working

First Minister Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf set to hold special Cabinet meeting amid budget struggles

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick leaves 10 Downing Street. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images

Rishi Sunak rocked as immigration minister Robert Jenrick quits

Coronavirus

Analysis The key questions Boris Johnson must answer at the UK Covid Inquiry

Amanda Croft, interim chief executive of NHS Forth Valley, and Janie McCusker, chair of NHS Forth Valley, ahead of the the public session. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

'Ageing population' contributing to issues at 'stage four' health board

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan departs following his appearance at the UK Covid inquiry. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Khan tells UK Covid inquiry 'lives could have been saved' amid Cobra snub

Opinion

Image: Adobe Stock

We want people to enjoy our whisky responsibly - Tom Sellis

Scottish Green minister Patrick Harvie, seen with other anti-nuclear activists blocking an entrance to the Faslane naval base in 2015, is resolute in his opposition to nuclear energy (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Greens' superstitious dread of nuclear is damaging efforts to reach net zero

Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance at Holyrood

Readers' Letters: Constance must explain how trans prisoner risks are assessed

Mortgages or home insurance may become dependent on EPC ratings (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

Boiler consultation needs a more conciliatory tone - David Alexander

More needs to be done to inspire girls to consider maths and science subjects (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Gender stereotypes are holding Scotland's education system back

People

Glasgow Film Festival director Allison Gardner. Picture: Eoin Carey

Film festival chief on a landmark anniversary year and a shake-up for a new era

Nicola Benedetti's handprints can now be seen outside the City Chambers after she was recognised with the Edinburgh Award. Picture: Greg Macvean

Nicola Benedetti issues rallying cry for end to ‘desperation’ over arts support

Mobile branches will go.

Councillors criticse withdrawal of bank mobile branch

Richard Eakin, MarramWind Project Director welcomes guests.

Packed supply chain event as businesses explore MarramWind opportunities

Stephen Main, Commercial Director and Ryan Scatterty, CEO. with the Aldi team.

Thistle Seafoods looks to the future thanks to longstanding partnership with Ald...

The BBC Scotland headquarters at Pacific Quay in Glasgow. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

More arts and culture radio shows set to be made in Scotland under BBC shake-up

David McCreath was an important figure on Scottish agricultural scene

Scotsman Obituaries: David McCreath OBE, founder of McCreath Simpson & Prentice

Obituaries

Allan Brodie with the Scottish Amateur Championship cup

Scotsman Obituaries: Allan Brodie, among top amateur golfers of last 50 years

Henry Kissinger pictured in September 1972 (Picture: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Scotsman Obituaries: Henry Kissinger, controversial US diplomat

Lord Douglas-Hamilton at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Scotsman Obituaries: Rt Hon Lord Selkirk of Douglas, ex-Scotland Office minister

Environment

Highlands Rewilding, a unique company which aims to generate ethical profits and boost communities through nature-restoration, recently purchased Tayvallich estate in Argyll for £10.5 million – adding to a property portfolio which includes Bunloit in Inverness-shire and Beldorney in Aberdeenshire

Argyll villagers in landmark deal to create homes and boost nature

Jon Lambert, a partner at Goldcrest, said public perceptions of Sitka spruce need to change for the nation to meet targets and reduce reliance on imported timber (pic: Goldcrest)

Public perception of Sitka spruce needs to change, industry leaders say

North Sea oil and gas companies' expertise in offshore engineering can help build renewable energy schemes (Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)

Why oil and gas companies are a vital part of the transition to net zero

Why Scotland and Vanuatu have forged a new bond in fight against climate change Ralph Regenvanu

The report outlines how 70 per cent of leaders believe the oil and gas industry should allocate more resources to advance UK offshore wind (file image). Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images.

Pessimistic offshore wind bosses urge industry overhaul to reach net zero goal

Beavers and the Cairngorms seem like a good fit (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

First Cairngorms beavers in 400 years is well worth celebrating

Heat pumps like this one on a house near Oslo are commonplace in Norway and other Scandinavian countries (Picture: Petter Berntsen/AFP via Getty Images)

Heat pumps are new battleground for those opposed to climate change action

UK News

Christmas is the perfect time for a vinyl and CD revival Euan McColm

Thatcher wouldn't think much of Starmer's stance on private school fees John McLellan

Cleverly's immigration crackdown is about politics, not the national interest Scotsman comment

The first use of 'rizz' to mean 'charisma' is credited to Kai Cenat, seen accepting the YouTube Streamer of the Year award (Picture: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Dick Clark Productions)

Got rizz? Oxford University Press's word of the year may be refudiated soon

The Queen's Gallery at Holyrood. Photo: Google

The Queen’s Gallery at Holyrood to change name following King’s accession

'Rizz' has been named Oxford word of the year after Tom Holland helped it to go viral. Picture: AFP via Getty

Rizz named word of the year by leading lexicographers

World

CosMc aims to open ten stores in the coming year

McDonalds to launch new CosMc cafe chain to rival Starbucks

A German U-boat from the First World War is likely to have been sunk deliberately rather than being handed to the Allies, according to a 3D map produced by researchers at the University of Dundee. Picture: Prof Chris Rowlan/University of Dundee/PA Wire

German First World War submarine deliberately sunk, Scottish research suggests

President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, speaks during a press conference on the day after Venezuelans voted in the referendum about the border conflict with neighbouring country Guyana at the weekend.

Why is Venezuela claiming ownership of oil-rich territory Essequibo?

An Etihad Airways advert was among three ads from airlines banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for claiming green credentials.

Three airlines have adverts banned for environmental claims

CSM McVean (left). Photo: Toronto Scottish Regiment Archives

First World War grave identified as belonging to Scottish soldier

Home secretary James Cleverly in Rwanda. Picture: Ben Birchall - Pool/Getty Images

Universities could face skilled labour shortage due to salary threshold hike

Read This

Meet the 18-stone 'gentle giant' who eats £4,000 of food a year

Meet 'Trains Billy' - the viral train enthusiast who is just six

Two young men were surrounded by armed police at a McDonald's drive-through and ordered out of their car at gunpoint. Driver Joel Thorogood, 21, said he was "shocked and scared" as guns were pointed directly at him and his passenger during the incident in Taunton, Somerset, on Monday evening (4 Dec).
Picture: SWNS

Men terrified as armed police surround them at McDonald's over 'gun'