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Swinney brands rapist taxi licence row a 'terrible controversy'

First Minister John Swinney has called the Highland Council licensing row over convicted rapist David Brown a “terrible controversy” as councillors face further fallout.

5 min read

David Brown has close-cropped, dark hair. He is wearing glasses, a dark suit and tie and a white shirt. He is on a mobile phone outside a court.

Qatar says diplomacy continues as Iran denies US talks amid Gaza toll

Qatar says diplomatic efforts remain ongoing as Iran denies direct US talks, while fresh Strait of Hormuz shipping incidents and Gaza deaths deepen regional tensions.

7 min read

An Iranian woman walks past an anti-US billboard at Enghelab Square in central Tehran, Iran.

Report says PUL exodus from Londonderry had lasting impact

A new report says the movement of thousands of PUL families from Cityside to Waterside in Londonderry during the Troubles left a lasting impact on the city.

5 min read

Terry Wright has short white hair and is wearing black-rimmed glasses. He is wearing a navy blue pin striped suit and a white and blue chequered suit.

About 1,000 fewer prisoners to be released early after Burnham rule change

About 1,000 fewer prisoners will be released early after Andy Burnham excluded rape, grooming and serious child sexual offence cases from the scheme.

9 min read

People in grey clothing carrying bags walk near a prison transport vehicle at HMP Pentonville

No 10 says government will function normally while Burnham is away

Downing Street says Andy Burnham's government will function normally while he takes a family holiday, despite criticism from Reform UK and calls from Kemi Badenoch for Parliament to be recalled.

4 min read

Plea to find photos of 11 'forgotten' Welsh WWII heroes in Dutch cemetery

Volunteers at Venray war cemetery in the Netherlands are seeking photos of 11 missing Welsh WWII soldiers buried there, saying they should not be forgotten.

5 min read

Rows of gravestones at the cemetery in Venray, with a candle lit in front of every gravestone.

Barnet man pleads guilty to killing neighbour's fish over pump noise

Gerry Duffy, 76, admitted damaging his neighbour's pond, pump and pipes and killing fish in March after a dispute over pump noise in Barnet, north London.

2 min read

A close-up of a Gerry Duffy seen with short white hair, a neat white beard and moustache, and black-rimmed glasses looking directly at the camera with a somber expression. He is wearing a formal white collared shirt and a diagonal grey and white striped tie. The background shows a blurred outdoor setting with a red brick wall, green foliage, and a dark pole.

Animal activists urge Aberaeron mackerel festival to become cabbage fiesta

Animal rights group Peta has urged Aberaeron’s annual mackerel festival to become a cabbage fiesta, prompting local pushback from councillor Elizabeth Evans, who said fishing remains part of the town’s heritage.

5 min read

A large blue and white paper mache mackerel. A small black hat is placed on top of the mackerel. It is being carried by six bearers who are wearing black tops with a mackerel printed in the centre. They are wearing black hats, like the one on top of the paper mache mackerel and black and white masks on their faces.

Hungary narrowly avoids nuclear shutdown as drought hits Danube

Hungary narrowly avoided shutting down its Paks nuclear plant as low Danube water threatened cooling, while Romania and the EU also respond to a wider heatwave-driven energy crunch.

12 min read

people walk on dried up river bed in front of a nuclear power plant

Vote on Blanche nomination after Republicans drop opposition

Todd Blanche is poised to become US attorney general after Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis dropped opposition following written confirmation over a disputed fund.

4 min read

Todd Blanche at a Senate judiciary hearing last month

Afghan boxer back in Athens court over death of Scottish woman

Afghan boxer Sharif Ahmadzai has returned to court in Athens over the death of Scottish woman Elisabeth Ross, whose body was found in a suitcase in Kypseli on 18 July.

4 min read

A man with dark hair smiling with a boxing belt over his shoulder.

Over 150 migrants rescued after dinghy fire in Channel

French authorities said 157 migrants were rescued after their dinghy caught fire while crossing the Channel on Tuesday morning. No injuries or deaths were reported.

1 min read