
It comes after a Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
Could discoveries of alien life ever change the human psyche in how we view ourselves and each other?
The president of the Board of Deputies says he disagrees with the letter criticising the war in Gaza.
The car had been traversing the 1,100m-high mountain when a cord to one of the cabins snapped say local media.
The former England cricketer speaks about his recovery from the crash ahead of a new documentary.
Travellers are warned of disruption as workers stage industrial action over pay and conditions.
The chief executive of the company which felled an ancient oak apologises and opens a review.
Hundreds of contacts were mistakenly added to a group set up to promote the Tory MP's marathon run.
Witnesses in al-Mawasi told the BBC that people were burned alive as tents were engulfed in flames.
Witkoff appeared to suggest that a peace deal hinged on the status of five Ukrainian regions.
The ruling on the meaning of the term "woman" in law is a "victory for common sense", the EHRC's chair says.
The UK Supreme Court's ruling could have wide implications, including in sport.
Campaigners say the trans community is now worried that "people are coming after their right to exist" as a result of the ruling.
Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders have tied themselves in knots over the question: "What is a woman?"
The temporary measure by the government is aimed at stopping the spread of foot and mouth disease.
The Trump administration is headed on a collision course with the judicial branch, a rare and historic scenario.
A Palestinian child coping with amputation and a young Ukrainian girl traumatised by war are among the winning images.
Actress Aimee Lou Wood criticised a Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch that impersonated her using exaggerated prosthetic teeth.
China is encouraging it's retirees to spend their savings on fun initiatives to help boost its economy, as the country's trade war with the US rages on.
A mysterious group has accused Justice Minister Gérard Darmanin of declaring "war" on prisoners.
The Crime and Policing Bill puts a new duty on teachers, GPs, and other professionals to report concerns or face criminal sanctions.
One person was taken into custody after the shooting on Thursday, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
The woman died in hospital on Tuesday, after being struck by a van involved in a police chase on Friday.
The plaque outlining his role in the slave trade is installed despite being labelled "shameful".
The National Education Union's general secretary says Labour MPs could pay a 'high political price'.
The three-year-old disappeared from an apartment in Portugal in May 2007.
The specially minted coins were given to 76 men and 76 women - the same number as the monarch's age.
Top stories, breaking news, live reporting, and follow news topics that match your interests
NHS could be forced to change gender guidance.
El Salvador’s president has become a key White House ally
The story behind Simon and Garfunkel's most famous album, Bridge over Troubled Water.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock explains the importance of keeping Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to the way they play under boss Arne Slot.
The former England cricketer speaks about his recovery from the crash ahead of a new documentary.
Lando Norris is leading the drivers' championship but says he is being forced to drive in a different way in order to get the best out of his car.
Serena Williams says she would have been banned for 20 years had she committed a doping offence similar to that of men's player Jannik Sinner.
Kevin Booth is accused of indecently communicating with the woman who gave him massages at his Highland lodge in 2022.
Iain Dominick's son was killed in a crash in the Highlands and wants to spare others the pain of such a loss.
Highland councillor Michael Baird was "disrespectful" towards a community group, a watchdog finds.
The statistics are five times higher than the world figure, a University of Aberdeen study says.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop says money has been earmarked for another new large ferry for the Western Isles.
Quinn Young from Inverness has taken on her second round of Munros alongside her dad Ian.
Paddleboarders and swimmers could be asked to avoid part of Loch Ruthven to help the Slavonian Grebe.
A project aims to restore an almost lost type of habitat in the Cairngorms.
Dalmagarry quarry has been examined in the past in connection with the killing of a mum and son.
A selection of photographs submitted to BBC Scotland News from around the country this week.
A car was driven into one of the retail units in Inverness before being set alight on 8 March.
More than 30 years after its controversial formation, the Highland club is fighting for survival.
Kevin Booth's former partner Tammy Conner says she fears someone could die if he is not stopped.
Skye's South Sleat Estate involves 20,000 acres of land.
Images taken in Shetland, Orkney, Highlands and Edinburgh were among the winners.
Dave Goulder was named in the New Year’s Honours list for services to dry stane dyking.
What stories would you like BBC News to cover in the Highlands and Islands?
Evelyn Coull Macleod visits deserted villages in Uig, Harris and the district of Lochs.
Kate travels to Heisker, the beautiful islands west of North Uist.
Rosalind Main looks at her favourite flowers in bloom this spring.
1. How to be likeable. Being likable isn’t about trying to win popularity contests. It’s about creating genuine human connections - the kind that make people want to work with you, trust you, and follow your lead. And the good news? Likability isn’t a mysterious talent that a few lucky people are born with. It’s built on three core traits: empathy, authenticity, and enthusiasm. Let’s break them down. READ MORE 2. Who will hurt most from the tariff war? Trump’s tariffs have the markets dropping faster than a bad stock tip, leaving investors scrambling and businesses uneasy. But is this just a temporary hiccup, or are we in for a much longer, more turbulent ride? Whether you’re eyeing the market like a hawk, hoping for a swift recovery, or bracing for worse, it’s time to take your stance. The impact of these tariffs could be far-reaching, but who really stands to lose the most? Will this crisis turn into a quick recovery, or will it lead to lasting market turmoil? Vote now, and let’s see where everyone stands - no hedge funds involved! VOTE HERE 3. Thousands of businesses file for insolvency. Thousands of businesses file for insolvency. Recent reports indicate that over 3,700 UK businesses filed for insolvency in the past month, a 32% increase from the same period last year. This surge coincides with significant tax hikes introduced on April 6, 2025, including an increase in employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15% and a reduction in the earnings threshold from £9,100 to £5,000. Additionally, the National Minimum Wage has risen by 6.7%, from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. These changes are expected to raise business costs by 10-15%, with small and medium-sized firms being the hardest hit. The Times 4. Ban on hidden fees and fake online reviews. The UK has enacted the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024, targeting hidden mandatory fees and fraudulent online reviews. Businesses are now required to display all unavoidable charges, such as booking or installation fees, upfront. This measure addresses the estimated £2.2 billion annual cost to consumers from these “dripped fees,” which could previously inflate prices by over 25%. Additionally, the law mandates that companies monitor and eliminate fake reviews, a practice that had influenced 90% of online purchases and significantly impacted consumer spending. The Competition and Markets Authority will oversee enforcement to ensure transparency and fairness in the online marketplace. The Guardian 5. Young people facing barriers to employment. Around 500,000 young people in the UK are neither working nor studying and have never held a job, according to the Learning and Work Institute. Disturbingly, 59% of them are not actively seeking employment, pointing to a deeper issue. Of those disengaged, 27% cite long-term illness or disability – a figure that has doubled in the past decade. This growing trend raises concerns, highlighting a widening gap in opportunities for a generation struggling to enter the workforce. More than just statistics, these figures reflect a crisis of access, mental health, and economic disparity, leaving many young people feeling stuck. The Times |
6. RTO could trigger mass resignations. A survey by recruiter Hays revealed that nearly 50% of UK workers would consider quitting if they were required to work full-time in the office. The poll, which included 8,000 participants, found that 77% are currently working in a hybrid arrangement, with three days in the office being the most common setup. More women (58%) than men (42%) expressed a willingness to leave if forced to return to the office every day. Only 8% of employers indicated plans to enforce full-time office work within the next six months. The Guardian 7. Ireland has the most powerful passport in the world. Ireland boasts the most powerful passport in the world, according to the 2025 Nomad Passport Index. This index ranks passports based on their “true value,” which includes factors such as visa-free travel, taxation, and personal freedoms. The Irish passport leads this year, offering its holders access to a wide range of countries without the need for a visa. Switzerland and Greece tied for second place, reflecting their strong international standing and favorable travel privileges. Meanwhile, the UK ranked 21st, alongside France, Estonia, Croatia, and Romania, which all scored lower due to various limitations in travel access and global flexibility. The Irish Sun 8. Young people are most concerned about money. According to the UK Youth Poll 2025, individuals aged 16-29 prioritize financial issues and work-related pressures over concerns like social media, the climate crisis, or culture wars. Financial anxiety topped the list, with 37% citing it as their biggest worry, followed by work stress (23%) and fears of job insecurity or unemployment (20%). Those employed full-time were more likely to feel optimistic about their future (77%) compared to those who were out of work (44%). Additionally, about two-thirds of respondents expressed a desire for social media to be banned for those under 16. John Smith Centre 9. Britain’s secret habit. Britain’s reputation as a nation of “curtain twitchers” may be true, with a recent Censuswide poll for Hillarys Curtains revealing that 8% of people admit to spying on their neighbours - especially those they don’t like. The survey found that men are more likely to engage in this behaviour, with 3% more men than women confessing to snooping on the people next door. This habit raises questions about privacy and boundaries in close-knit communities, highlighting how easy it is for curiosity to cross into intrusion. The Independent 10. The bottom line. In a reversal of pre-pandemic trends, more over-70s (5.4 million) paid income tax in 2022/23 than did under-30s (5.23 million). In total, the over-70s paid £19.1bn while the under-30s paid £18.3bn. The Independent |
We have yet to hear of the ‘Silver Curtain’ two stage armistice solution to the Ukrainian conflict. It is very simple and non-violent and can be applied at any stage of any war.
Stage one:. When a violent incursion occurs a silver curtain of total predetermined economic, sporting and political sanctions drops down between the aggressor nation and the rest of the law abiding world.
Stage two: When the aggressor retreats to the previously defined border the curtain is raised. The lifting of the Silver curtain could also be subject to the full payment of reparations and any outstand war crime cases being heard in The Hague
Crucially the sanctions are applied unilaterally by the free world and would not be linked to any peace negotiations which may or may not be equitably to either party.
What is different from the present sanctions? Putin does not know that the Silver Curtain sanctions would continue into the peace and last until he retreats. Potentially this could go on decades or until the Russian people weary of him or them.
Surely war must never be allowed to pay. Aggressive expansionist nations such a Russia and China have to know that they cannot win a war in the long term.