News

Search for missing man continues near Marykirk A major search operation is under way for a man who was reported to be trapped in a vehicle in floodwater near the village of Marykirk in Aberdeenshire. The incident happened around 3am on Friday morning, when a red warning for heavy rain and flooding was in place for the area. The Coastguard helicopter and coastal rescue teams are involved in the multi-agency hunt, along with police, fire and ambulance services. Police have asked the public to avoid the area due to safety concerns as the search continues. Woman dies after being swept…

Rishi Sunak expresses solidarity with Israel over Hamas attack The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has arrived in Israel for a two-day visit to show his support for the country after a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7. He will meet with Israeli leaders and urge them to avoid further escalation of violence in the region. Sunak said he was in Israel to “express my solidarity with the Israeli people” who have suffered a “horrific act of terrorism”. He also said he wanted to ensure the UK was at the forefront of efforts to prevent more bloodshed. The Prime…

Sir Keir Starmer hails ‘phenomenal’ night for Labour Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has praised the party’s candidates and activists for delivering a “phenomenal” night of by-election victories. Labour overturned two huge Conservative majorities in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire, sending a clear message to the government that the country deserves better. Sir Keir said that winning in these Tory strongholds shows that the people overwhelmingly want change and are ready to put their faith in Labour’s positive vision. He added that Labour will spend every day acting in the interests of the voters and focused on their priorities. He also…

A court has granted Scottish Power the permission to enter homes and fit prepayment meters against the customers’ will, despite a ban by the regulator Ofgem. What are prepayment meters and why are they controversial? Prepayment meters are devices that require customers to pay for their energy in advance, usually by topping up a card or a key at a shop. They are often used by suppliers to recover debts from customers who have fallen behind on their bills. However, prepayment meters are also controversial because they can be more expensive than other types of meters, and they can cut…

Gaza conflict sparks fears of wider confrontation The recent violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has raised concerns about the possibility of a broader conflict in the Middle East. The former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, who has extensive military experience, warned of the risks of provoking major powers and destabilizing neighboring countries. Barak compared the current situation to the previous invasions of Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon, which he said were triggered by acts of terrorism but ended up causing severe damage to both the invaders and the invaded. He urged caution and diplomacy to avoid repeating the same…

A letter signed by over 1,000 business leaders, human rights activists and celebrities has condemned the UK government and the Labour party for their complicity in Israel’s bombing and blockade of Gaza. The letter, published in The Guardian, calls for an urgent and lasting ceasefire and an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. UK’s role in arming and supporting Israel The letter accuses the UK government of providing political cover and military aid to Israel, which has been carrying out a brutal bombing campaign against the besieged population of Gaza. The letter says that the UK has licensed…

A former Labour Party official in Scotland has resigned from his role after being told not to discuss the situation in Gaza at a local branch meeting. He said the leadership’s “gag order” was indicative of Keir Starmer’s fear of democracy. Why did Peter Duffy quit? Peter Duffy was the secretary of Glasgow Kelvin’s constituency Labour Party (CLP) until Thursday, when he quit along with nine others, including Baroness Pauline Bryan. He said the local branch had intended to debate a motion on Gaza at their monthly meeting, but received an email from Scottish Labour saying no branches were to…

A man in Brechin, Scotland, has built a wall around his garden to protect his home from the floods caused by Storm Babet. He says he will not leave his home despite the evacuation order from the local authorities. Storm Babet brings heavy rain and floods to Scotland Storm Babet is a powerful weather system that has brought torrential rain and strong winds to parts of Scotland. The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for eastern Scotland, indicating a danger to life from flooding and disruption to transport and power supplies. Storm Babet could bring up to 220mm…