Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to stand down as an MSP, she has announced. The ex-SNP leader confirmed she would not seek re-election at the Holyrood election in May next year. In a statement published on social media, she said making the decision had been “far from easy”. She added: “However, I have…

95 years ago today, Mahatma Gandhi began his historic Salt March to the sea, a protest against British salt taxes in India. The crowd of marchers grew as Gandhi walked for 24 days, a 240-mile trek (390 km) to the beach at Dandi where he produced salt without paying any tax to the nation’s British…

More than 5,000 people who should have been offered cancer or other types of routine screening did not receive invitations because of an error dating as far back as 2008, NHS England says. Those affected have now been notified and given details of a dedicated helpline for support. About 10 people are thought to have…

Tune into Nature Music is for UK musicians aged 18-30, whose work includes collaborating with nature
 A unique national music competition designed to celebrate nature and inspire hope has announced its winners for 2025. The Tune into Nature Music Prize, founded by Prof. Miles Richardson from the University of Derby, is designed to highlight the need for a new, “stronger” relationship with nature while…

James Waterhouse Ukraine correspondent Reporting fromKirovohrad region Getty Images As part of ceasefire negotiations, the US and Ukraine have negotiated a deal to jointly exploit the country’s natural resources Senior Ukrainian and US officials are meeting today in Saudi Arabia to discuss how the war in Ukraine ends. The US says it’s to agree on…

Photo by Odiseo Castrejon on Unsplash A new study has identified several corresponding lines of evidence which all point like a divining rod to citrus fruit being associated with lower risks of developing depression. Clinical depression affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, 70% of whom fail to respond to medication. The causes are varied…

Hannah Miller Political correspondent Phil Kemp and Sam Francis Investigations producer and politics reporter Watch: Convicted MP Mike Amesbury says he’ll resign at the “earliest opportunity” Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has said he will stand down from parliament after being given a prison sentence for repeatedly punching a constituent. The Runcorn and Helsby MP…

A group of deaf scientists and educators have created 400 British Sign Language signs related to environmental science. It’s helping to open up discussions about the climate emergency, from the science lab to the classroom Words are capable of inspiring action, forging connections and deepening our knowledge. And when we lack vocabulary in our own…

Getty Images Star whippet Miuccia A whippet from Venice in Italy has been named best in show at the 2025 Crufts dog show in Birmingham. Four-year-old Miuccia beat more than 18,000 dogs from around the world to claim the top award on Sunday at the NEC. “It’s really a dream come true,” said her handler…

Sarabeth Stine, Erinn Cottman, Kelly Holbin, and Kristi W. (via SWNS) Four women in their 40s who’ve been best friends for 17 years have all moved to the same street—and they now feel like they’ve built their own community. Sarabeth Stine was delighted when her pal Kelly Holbin found a house just around the corner…