The Chancellor insists cutting international aid to fund an increase in defence spending is the right thing to do.



On a visit to Rosyth, Rachel Reeves said the extra cash should boost growth and secure jobs in the sector.



She also announced £2bn to help defence companies which export overseas.

Political Correspondent

Ewan Petrie

Rachel Reeves also announced £2bn to help defence companies which export overseas.

Chancellor defends cutting aid budget to increase defence spending

The parents of a schoolboy with a rare muscle wasting condition say they're in a race against time to get approval for him to undergo treatment that could significantly slow the disease.



Sam Millar from Edinburgh has Duchenne muscular dystrophy - roughly 100 boys in the UK are diagnosed each year.



A new drug could prove a game-changer for the eight-year-old and the other 100 boys in the UK diagnosed each year.



But it's yet to be approved for NHS use.

Lewis Michie

Sam Millar has Duchenne muscular dystrophy - roughly 100 boys in the UK are diagnosed each year.

Parents racing against time to find treatment for son’s rare disease

A popular community forest could be forced to close to allow pylons to be built nearby.



Power firm SSEN says it needs to use the only access to the Highland woodland to build three giant towers.



The forest's owners fear having to ban visitors for almost a year for safety reasons.

Iain Ramage

The forest's owners fear having to ban visitors for almost a year for safety reasons.

Community forest faces closure due to pylon plans

Adults awaiting autism and ADHD assessments in Aberdeenshire say they feel "abandoned" as services are set to stop at the end of this month.



There were hopes that a reduced service could continue for six months at a cost of £80,000.



But reports published by the Health and Social Care Partnership reveal this won’t be possible.



It comes as more than 800 complaints were sent to Aberdeenshire Council after the cost of disability day services was increased by almost £100 a day.

Grainne NiGhreachain

There were hopes that a reduced service could continue for six months.

Adults feel ‘abandoned’ as autism and ADHD services to be cut

The head of the Scottish Prison Service says it's committed to rapid and systemic change following the deaths of two young people in its care.



The SPS repeated its apology to the families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay in its official response to the findings of a fatal accident inquiry.



Relatives say apologies are too little, too late and they fear time is still being wasted.

Sharon Frew

Katie Allan and William Lindsay died within months of each other while in custody at Polmont in 2018.  


Prison service head commits to change after death of young people

They're one of Scotland's most recognisable dogs, often appearing on souvenirs and even in the Monopoly board game.



But despite that, the popularity of Scottie dogs is dwindling.



The number of Scottish Terrier puppies born last year hit the lowest on record.

Vidushi Tiwari

And while the breed isn't at risk yet, some fear they're going to be forgotten. 

Scottie dog numbers dwindling as lowest births on record last year

"It's time to grab the bull by the horns" and review Scotland's university funding model.



That's the call from the Scottish Conservatives as Dundee University's financial crisis dominated First Minister's Questions earlier today.



More than 600 jobs are at risk as the university looks to plug a £35m deficit.



The First Minister says he's "happy to engage" about the future of the university sector.

Callum Clark

The First Minister says he's 'happy to engage' about the future of the university sector.

Tories call on Scottish Government to step in on universities crisis

Campaigners say they've been left "in tears" over plans for a so-called "monster pylon project" set to be submitted in the coming weeks.



If approved, the £20bn proposals by SSEN Transmission will see pylons as tall as 70m high erected across the countryside from Caithness to Angus.



The final round of public consultation has now finished, but locals say they haven't been listened to.

Finlay Jack

If approved, the £20bn will see pylons as tall as 70m high.

Campaigners ‘left in tears’ over ‘monster’ pylon plans

Nicola Sturgeon says she's stepping down as an MSP next year and won't stand for re-election in Glasgow Southside.



Sturgeon has been at Holyrood since 1999, when the Scottish Parliament was founded.



She was First Minister for longer than anyone else.



She says the “time is right to open a new chapter” in her life, after being embroiled in a police inquiry into SNP finances and her separation from her husband.

Political Editor

Colin Mackay

She entered the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and was the country's longest serving First Minister.

Sturgeon to step down as MSP at next Holyrood election

An Edinburgh mum who's been living in temporary accommodation with her kids for five years says her situation is "mental torture".



Zoe Ross and her five children were put into a three-bed temporary flat in 2020 after they became homeless.



But five years on, they say they've yet to be offered a suitable permanent home.

Reporter

Vanessa Kennedy

Zoe Ross and her five children were put into a three-bed temporary flat in 2020.

‘Mental torture’ says mum living in temporary housing for five years

For almost a decade, the former Tusk nightclub on the southside of Glasgow has fallen into a state of disrepair.



But, a team of locals now have plans to save the former hotspot.



STV News joined them for a tour of the dilapidated A-listed landmark.

Journalist

Tara Fitzpatrick

STV News joined them for a tour of the dilapidated A-listed landmark.

Locals plan to save Glasgow’s former Tusk nightclub

A classic Game Boy, a Super Nintendo and an original Sony Walkman are among a nostalgic goody bag of retro tech up for auction for an environmental charity.



The Edinburgh Remakery rescues and repairs our old technology while also partnering with scientists to quite literally turn waste into gold.

Laura Piper

A classic Game Boy, a Super Nintendo and an original Sony Walkman are some of the items up for grabs.

Retro tech goes under the hammer at environmental charity auction

It's one of the most famous motorbike manufacturers in the world, founded by a family raised in Angus.



Now campaigners are working to preserve a cottage - linked to Harley Davidson - to redevelop it into a visitor attraction.



A community group has secured more £300,000 to save it from demolition.

A community group has secured more £300,000 to save it from demolition.

Campaigners working to preserve Harley Davidson cottage

The Scottish Government is being urged to step in and save more than 600 jobs and the future of Dundee University.



Staff were told yesterday that 20% of the workforce will go as the university tries to plug a £35m deficit.



There are fears over the impact it'll have on the wider economy.



And tonight, there are calls for management to resign over the scale of the crisis.

Lynne Rankin

There are fears over the impact it'll have on the wider economy.

Calls for Scottish Government to step in and save Dundee University jobs

The first residential rehabilitation centre in the North East has formally opened.



Rae House will provide 27 beds for people recovering from drug and alcohol addictions.



It comes as suspected drug deaths are down by 11%.



The Scottish Government says the investment will address geographic barriers.

The Scottish Government says the investment will address geographic barriers.

First residential rehabilitation centre in the North East opens

Aberdeen's annual Jazz Festival is about to get into full swing.



From tomorrow, some of the world's top musicians will be performing and entertaining audiences across the city.



STV News has been taking a look at what's in store.

Anne Smith

STV News has been taking a look at what's in store.

Aberdeen’s annual jazz festival prepares to get into full swing

It's plagued Scotland for decades, but is the tide on our country's drugs deaths finally turning?



Figures out today show a fall of 11% last year.



Data from Police Scotland shows 1,065 people died of suspected drug misuse in 2024.



Compared to the previous year, 132 fewer lives were lost.



It's progress, but at the same time alcohol deaths reached the highest level in more than 15 years.



In the face of this, much work continues to be done to tackle Scotland's addiction problems.



STV News has been speaking to recovering addicts who sought help from an Edinburgh-based addiction charity and are now using their experience to help others.

Amie Flett

Data from Police Scotland shows 1,065 people died of suspected drug misuse in 2024.

Scotland’s drugs deaths dropped 11% last year, new figures show

A hearing has been told how a smoke grenade was used in error by police who shot and killed an asylum seeker, after he stabbed six people at a hotel in Glasgow city centre.



Badreddin Abdalla Adam Bosh injured a police officer during the attack at the Park Inn Hotel in Glasgow in June 2020.

Olly Dickinson

Badreddin Abdalla Adam Bosh injured a police officer during the attack at the Park Inn Hotel in Glasgow.

Police used wrong grenade before shooting asylum seeker, inquiry hears

People waiting on an autism diagnosis are criticising NHS Forth Valley for axing its adult autism assessment unit, saying it leaves vulnerable people without NHS support.



The health board says the services will be redesigned.

NHS Forth Valley says the services will be redesigned.

Health board’s decision to axe autism assessment unit criticised

They met at a Japanese drumming class and became friends - and that led to a woman from East Lothian donating one of her kidneys to save her bandmate's life.



Lisa Wright is one of more than 100 living kidney donors in Scotland who have given an organ over the past year.



She's now joined the recipient, Val Jack, and hospital staff to help raise awareness.

Rahim Cham

Lisa Wright is one of more than 100 living kidney donors in Scotland who have given an organ in the last year.

Living kidney donors raise awareness after saving friend’s life

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, the chances of survival are small, but those first few minutes can make the difference between life and death.



Now, women in Dundee are getting trained in CPR and how to use a defibrillator as part of a national education drive.



The Resuscitation Council is funding sessions across the UK - to try and give more people confidence in delivering first aid.

Fraser Nicoll

The Resuscitation Council is funding sessions across the UK.

National education drive teaching CPR and how to use a defibrillator

More than 600 jobs are to go at Dundee University as it looks to make £75m in cuts to save it from collapse.



Staff were shocked and angry at the scale of the cuts after they were called to a lunchtime meeting.



Efficiencies will affect every department, reducing research and courses, leaving a much smaller university.

Staff spoke of their shock and anger at the scale of the cuts.

Dundee University to cut 600 jobs amid £75m in cuts

It was a fight businesses in Macduff won eight years ago - plans to axe the night watch service at the town's harbour were met with fierce opposition.



But now they're facing a battle again, as the same plans have been approved in Aberdeenshire Council's budget.



The local authority claims the harbour doesn't require a 24/7 security presence.

Haley Bouma

The local authority claims the harbour doesn't require a 24/7 security presence.

Local community fights to save harbour night watch service

An area of Wester Ross, where two villages were wiped out during the Highland Clearances, will be the site of a new forest.



The Applecross community took over the Torgarve Forest in 2021.



Now, the first trees have been planted as part of a broadleaf woodland for the good of the community.

Oliver Wright

The Applecross community took over the Torgarve Forest in 2021.

Highland Clearances site to become home of new forest

It could be the biggest revolution in food production we've ever seen - and Scottish scientists are at the heart of it.



A company based at the Roslin Institute in Midlothian - where Dolly the Sheep was cloned nearly thirty years ago - is developing techniques to cultivate real meat in the lab without any animals having to be killed.



Supporters say it could help feed the world and benefit the environment.

Senior Reporter

Gordon Chree

Supporters say it could help feed the world and benefit the environment.

Scottish scientists at heart of lab-gown meat development

A 14-year-old boy is due in court after being charged in connection with the death of schoolboy Amen Teklay.



As the police investigation continues, crowds gathered yesterday evening to pray with his family - in the street where the 15-year-old died.



The teenager's friends also held a vigil in the football park where he played. During both events, Amen's father urged people to work together to make Glasgow "safer for all".

Amen Teklay was found with stab wounds on a Glasgow street.

Vigil held as boy due in court after death of teenager

This report contains distressing details about stillbirth.



A first-time mum grieving the death of her baby girl says more scans during pregnancy should be made available on the NHS to avoid "tragic losses".



Jade Hutchins' daughter Louella was stillborn at 38 weeks, but a post mortem revealed her placenta had stopped growing at 24 weeks - a month after her last routine scan.

Caitlin Hutchison

Jade Hutchins' daughter Louella was stillborn at 38 weeks.

Mum calls for more NHS scans after baby daughter stillborn

Argyll and Bute is getting an extra £70m over the next decade in the hope of bringing badly needed jobs to an area struggling to build its economy.



The UK and Scottish government cash should also help improve infrastructure and restore the historic pavilion in Rothesay.

Locals hope this new wave of financial support can help the seaside resort rediscover its prosperity. 


Argyll and Bute to receive £70m boost from UK and Scottish governments

There are plans to create a new community-based gymnastics club in Livingston after a fire at a local gym left around 700 gymnasts without a place to train.



Elevate Acro has been running classes across West Lothian for the last few months but is now hoping to raise funds to secure its own premises.

Elevate Acro is hoping to raise funds to secure its own premises

Fire leaves 700 gymnasts without training facilities

People living in Rhynie in Aberdeenshire say plans to build a quarry there will have a devastating impact on the local area.



Councillors are due to vote on the proposals tomorrow.

Councillors are due to vote on the proposals tomorrow.

Locals push back against ‘devastating’ quarry plans

Investigations are continuing after a major fire destroyed a block of retail units in Inverness.



Police are hunting a man who was seen fleeing the area wearing a balaclava.



The owners of affected businesses say they're devastated.

Nicola McAlley

Police are hunting a man who was seen fleeing the area wearing a balaclava.

Investigation continues after retail units destroyed by fire

Friendly, much-loved, interested in music and the media, bright and showing great promise. 



These are just some of the descriptions used by those closest to schoolboy Amen Teklay.



Amen died after being found seriously injured on a street to the north west of Glasgow city centre around 10.30pm on Wednesday night.

Amen Teklay died after being found lying on a Glasgow street with serious stab wounds.

Tributes paid as police launch murder investigation into schoolboy’s death

Workers losing their jobs at the Grangemouth oil refinery have told STV News they may have to move to England or the Middle East to secure similar work.



The Petroineos plant will close later this year and redundancies will begin within weeks.



The Scottish Secretary insists the UK Government is doing all it can to secure an alternative future for the site.



But Ian Murray acknowledged the gap between the closure and new opportunities coming in doesn't help people today.

The Petroineos plant will close later this year and redundancies will begin within weeks.

Former Grangemouth workers warn they will have to leave Scotland

STV News has been hearing from islanders about their concerns over a proposed visitor levy.



For some, it means their small business will be hit with new administration and financial burdens.



Others fear the price of services on the island could rise if workers are charged to stay when visiting.

Some residents say they fear the price of services on the island could rise.

Concern over proposed Isle of Mull visitor levy plans

People living in Leith's iconic 'Banana flats' say they're finally being listened to after years of campaigning.



Edinburgh Council committed in 2022 to fully retrofit the building.



But tenants feared some of their biggest concerns weren't being addressed - the local authority has now acted to fix that.

Edinburgh Council committed in 2022 to fully retrofit the building.

‘Banana Flats’ residents say they are finally being listened to

A charity that helps people who self-harm says funding from the Scottish Government will make "a real difference" to its services.



Self-Harm Network Scotland launched an out of hours web chat in 2023.



£1.5m of funding will help them to continue the service.

Felicity Clifford

£1.5m of funding will help them to continue the service.

Self-harm charity says government funding will make ‘real difference’

What was once one of the most famous attractions in the North East could soon be re-opened.



The Tarlair open-air swimming pool was famed for its unique pools and open-air concerts.



It closed thirty years ago as locals opted for the warmth of indoor swimming.



As STV News found out, a community-led group is on the cusp of bringing the facility back to life.

It closed thirty years ago as locals opted for the warmth of indoor swimming.

Tarlair open air swimming pool could soon reopen after community bid

Police remain at the scene tonight after the "suspicious" death of a schoolboy in Glasgow.



Detectives say they are still trying to establish what happened after the 15-year-old was found in the street with fatal injuries late last night.



The boy has been named locally as Amen Teklay.



A cordon remains in place around Clarendon Street just off Maryhill Road in the city's north west.

The boy has been named locally as Amen Teklay.

Police investigate ‘suspicious’ death of 15-year-old boy

"Drill, Scotland, drill!" - the call from the deputy leader of Reform UK while visiting Glasgow this morning.



Richard Tice says he wants to scrap what he calls "net stupid zero" policies that are harming the Scottish industry.



He's also welcoming two more Scottish Conservative councillors who have defected to Reform and claims his party could overtake Labour in the Holyrood election next year.

The Reform deputy leader called for net zero policies to be scrapped.

Tice in Glasgow as two more councillors defect to Reform

The Citizens Theatre in Glasgow is set to reopen after a transformational £30 million refurbishment.



After seven years of work, delays caused by Covid and some unfortunate structural surprises, the team is excited to welcome audiences back to the iconic venue later this year.

Delays to the project were caused by Covid and some unfortunate structural surprises.

Citizens Theatre gets ready to reopen after seven-year revamp

The Scottish Government is to invest nearly £16m in infrastructure to redevelop the Granton area of Edinburgh.



Hundreds of energy-efficient homes will be built along the waterfront, already undergoing large-scale construction.



The First Minister says it'll play a big part in his government's affordable housing targets.



The council hopes the development will be a blueprint for other areas, but will it be enough? And how do locals feel about the work?

The First Minister says it'll play a big part in his government's affordable housing targets.

Scottish Government to invest £16m in new Granton homes

Residents in Brechin have told STV News how they were evacuated from their homes after a fire at a derelict church nearby.



Six fire crews were sent to the Maison Dieu Kirk in the town's Witchden Road yesterday afternoon.



No one was hurt in the incident.



Police say they're still trying to establish the full circumstances.

Six fire crews were sent to the Maison Dieu Kirk in Brechin.

Residents evacuated as blaze rips through derelict church

A union has warned that it will fight the UK Government's proposed oil and gas licences in the North Sea if it can't prove it's going to create thousands of new jobs.



Yesterday, the Government recommitted to its pledge to ban any new oil and gas licences in the region and end the windfall tax.



It comes as the North Sea's largest oil producer posted tens of millions of pounds of losses, partly blaming the levy.

Steven Brown

The UK Government recommitted to its pledge to ban any new oil and gas licences.

Union to fight oil ban without clear plan for new jobs

It was first discovered in cliffs on Skye in 1973 and now, fifty years on, the fossil of a dinosaur has finally been extracted from the rock it was found in.



The Elgol discovery is Scotland’s earliest recorded dinosaur find and is 160 million years old.



It's also been confirmed to date from the Jurassic period, which scientists say makes it of global importance.

The Elgol discovery is Scotland’s earliest recorded dinosaur find and is 160 million years old.

Dinosaur fossil extracted fifty years after discovery

Services are at breaking point, say autism and neurodiversity campaigners in the North East.



They’re calling for an urgent meeting with the Scottish Government.



STV News has been speaking to one mother in Moray who fears her child may never finish his education because he requires more support.

They’re calling for an urgent meeting with the Scottish Government.

Services at ‘breaking point’ say autism and neurodiversity campaigners

A mother has told STV News how she feels time is running out for her daughter, who has a rare heart condition and is need of a transplant.



London's Great Ormond Street Hospital has apologised to five-year-old Brie's family for their distress after she was deemed too ill for planned surgery. 



The hospital added it's working to place the youngster on the list for a new heart.



After waiting three months already, Brie's parents are urging medics to speed up this process before their daughter's condition deteriorates.

Brie McCann's parents were told she was too ill for planned surgery to take place.

‘Time running out’ for daughter’s heart transplant, says mum

Children as young as 14 should be able to leave school for an apprenticeship or college place, according to the Scottish Conservatives.



The party says it's a “bold” move to expand youth opportunities and boost Scotland's economy.



But the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association dismissed the proposal as "silly" and the education secretary described it as "Dickensian".

the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association dismissed it as 'silly' and the education secretary described it as 'Dickensian'.

Children should be allowed to leave school at 14, say Scottish Tories

More than 200 million journeys have been made as part of a scheme allowing young people to make bus journeys for free.



The measure was introduced just over three years ago and anyone aged between five and 21 can apply for a pass.



However, bus drivers say anyone abusing staff should have their card suspended or taken away.

The measure was introduced just over three years ago.

Over 200 million journeys made with under-22 free bus scheme

Edinburgh Council has announced plans to get "climate ready".



Over the next two years, proposals to help the city adapt to the impacts of climate change will be implemented including planting 25,000 trees a year.



A flood study will also be undertaken to determine the long-term management of existing defences along the coast.

Plans include planting 25,000 trees a year in the city. 

Edinburgh City Council announces plans to get ‘climate ready’

Shona Robison says it's the "right time" to stand down as an MSP after more than 20 years serving Dundee.



She's added her name to a growing list of Holyrood politicians announcing they won't run again at next year's elections.

She's added her name to a growing list of Holyrood politicians announcing they won't run again.

Robinson: It’s the ‘right time’ to stand down as MSP

Residents in Aberdeen will pay almost 10% more council tax from next month.



The city council voted to increase charges by 9.85%, meaning all bands are now over £1,000 a year.



It also voted through cuts to some community projects and increases in things like parking charges, but councillors said they would also invest in improving schools.

This means all bands are now over £1,000 a year.

Aberdeen councillors vote for 9.85% council tax rise

Drivers caught parking on pavements in Glasgow will now face fines of £100.



The new rules follow the introduction of legislation in Edinburgh, which became the first city to implement a ban last year.



Campaigners, including disability charities, say pavement parking can cause serious safety hazards but some narrower streets could receive exemptions.

Driver found to be breaking the rules will be on the line for a £100 fine.

Pavement parking ban comes into force in Glasgow

Getting technology to give you a helping hand for almost anything from homework to writing a song is becoming ever more common, particularly for young people.



But concerns have been raised over the benefits and risks of Generative AI, which can include grooming and harassment.



Experts want more safety checks and they say knowledge is power when it comes to understanding these new digital tools.

The risks of Generative AI could include grooming and harassment.

Pupils lean about the dangers of AI at new workshops

More than 100 toddlers in Falkirk could face the upheaval of leaving their nurseries if changes to free hours goes ahead in Falkirk.



The local authority is considering removing options at private nurseries, meaning funded provision for three and four-year-olds would only be available at council-run establishments.



Private nurseries and parents are concerned about the impact it will have on children and childcare in the area.

Private nurseries and parents are concerned at the impact it will have on children.

Parents face changing children’s nurseries due to funding changes

In the past 15 years, 400,000 apprenticeships have been created in Scotland, from butchers to bakers and even candlestick makers.



At one butchers in Dundee, apprentices are an important slice of its success.



Whether it's stringing sausages, mincing meat or preparing pies, the sector is keen to attract new blood.

At one butchers in Dundee, apprentices are an important slice of its success.

Over 400,000 apprenticeships created in past 15 years

Councillors in Orkney have voted to increase council tax by 15%, the highest increase of any local authority in Scotland so far.



The move comes despite an online petition, which gathered more than 1,000 signatures against the increase.



Orkney Islands Council previously said the rise was required to maintain public services and bring council tax in line with other areas of the country.

The move comes despite an online petition, which gathered more than 1,000 signatures against the increase.

Orkney Council votes for highest council tax rise in Scotland

A new farm is due to open in Aberdeenshire which hopes to give disabled people the skills they need to work in agriculture.



It's the idea of farmer Mike Duxbury, who's blind.



He runs a similar site in England, which has helped hundreds of people since it was set up four years ago.



But before the gates can open near Aboyne, £90,000 must be found.

STV News - Dundee