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North Korea has reportedly amended its constitution to mandate an automatic nuclear strike if leader Kim Jong Un is assassinated or the country’s nuclear command system comes under attack. The amendment was approved by the country’s Supreme People’s Assembly after a two-day meeting

Edinburgh Council has reached an out-of-court settlement with DLA Piper over legal advice provided during the capital’s troubled tram project. The council had originally sought £200 million in damages, alleging “negligent legal advice” given to TIE, the arms-length company re

The majority of MSPs sworn in yesterday made a secular affirmation in a Holyrood first. All MSPs must swear allegiance to the Monarch before they can take up their roles. The Oaths Act 1978 permits elected officials to choose between a religious oath or a secular affirmation. This allows humani

A sheriff has found there were no precautions which could reasonably have been taken that might realistically have resulted in the death of a prisoner being avoided but has made six recommendations which might realistically prevent other deaths in similar circumstances. Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC has

UK real gross domestic product is estimated to have increased by 0.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire housing market showed broad stability in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest Aberdeen Housing Market Report published by the Centre for Real Estate Research (CRER) at the University of Aberdeen Business School, using data supplied by ASPC.

Our weekly round-up of human rights stories from around the world. Drones now leading cause of civilian deaths in Sudan

Dorothy Bain KC has informed First Minister John Swinney that she intends to leave office. Ms Bain, who was appointed by Nicola Sturgeon in 2021, is expected to depart as Mr Swinney prepares to form a new government following next week’s swearing-in of the Scottish Parliament.

For many people the rolling hills of the Lake District offer gentle escapism, but for Digby Brown media manager Sam Whyte it provided the setting for a physical test that pushed him to his limits.  On Sunday 10 May he completed The Fred Whitton Challenge – regarded as the UK’s tough

A company has been fined £350,000 after the catastrophic collapse of a storage tank at its Peterhead premises which left a self-employed worker with life-changing injuries. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident, which occurred on 21 June 2023 at Tetra Technologies UK

Nearly 590,000 Americans who paid deposits of £74 for Donald Trump's gold-plated T1 smartphone have been faced with the reality that their money, totalling roughly £43.7 million, is gone, and the device may never exist. Unveiled by Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump at Trump Tower in June 20

The impact of coerced debt as a form of economic abuse in Scotland has been revealed in a new study. The report, "It’s always there, like a shadow behind you”: Women’s Experiences of Coerced Debt and Recovery in Scotland, provides recommendations for cross-sector reform.

The University of Dundee has been reprimanded by the Scottish Information Commissioner after failing to respond on time to freedom of information questions concerning its anti-money laundering procedures. The Courier submitted an FOI request in October 2025 seeking details of how the university impl

Plans by the UK government to reform anti-money laundering regulation in Scotland are “misplaced, misguided and counterproductive” and risk weakening the fight against economic crime, the Law Society of Scotland warned today. The concern follows yesterday's King’s Speech, which inc

The Scottish Sentencing Council has launched a public consultation to seek views on a draft sentencing guideline for domestic abuse offences. The consultation, which will run for 12 weeks, is available on the council website and organisations and people from all backgrounds, legal or otherwise, are