Scotland's controversial hate crime bill to finally come into force next month

Nine years ago, “The Jinx” took HBO by storm, receiving rave reviews, five Emmy nods, and winning two, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. And the show also led to the arrest of its primary subject, Robert Durst, for first-degree murder the day before the premiere of its series finale.

Nine years ago, “The Jinx” took HBO by storm, receiving rave reviews, five Emmy nods, and winning two, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. And the show also led to the arrest of its primary subject, Robert Durst, for first-degree murder the day before the premiere of its series finale.

The latest figures from the Scottish Government show that 460,860 people received a Council Tax Reduction (CTR) in October 2023, which means one-in-five households are being supported through the scheme, which is only available to those living north of the border.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that State Pension and benefit payment rates will rise from April 8, 2024. State Pensions will go up by 8.5 per cent, under the Triple Lock, while most working age and disability benefits will increase by the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate of 6.7 per cent.

An SNP MP who was targeted in a Chinese state-sponsored attack has said that Scottish universities are "overdependent" on funds from Beijing.

A senior SNP MP has branded new legislation aimed at stamping out hate crime as "McCarthyism".

More than 39,500 people have signed an online petition calling for income tax on the State Pension to be scrapped in order to help “reduce the tax burden on pensioners” despite the UK Government rejecting the proposal earlier this year. The petition was created after it was announced in November the Personal Allowance income threshold will remain frozen at £12,570 during the 2024/25 financial year.

Samuel L Jackson's highly-anticipated trailer for new thriller Damaged has finally landed. The filming took place in Scotland last year, under the direction of Terry McDonough.

Kate Middleton could potentially address her mysterious disappearance from the public eye next month. “They are at their most open when out interacting with members of the public and I can see a world in which the princess might discuss her recovery out on engagements,” a royal insider told The Times of London on Saturday. “If she was going to do it, that’s how she would do it.”The insider also stated that the couple “will want to be clear and more open but they’ll do it when they feel ready.” The friend also added that they “would expect that to be her instinct and it will be her call.

Jaden Thompson Lionsgate has debuted the trailer for Rupert Sanders’ remake of “The Crow,” starring Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs. The film is set for release on June 7. Both the 1994 version starring the late Brandon Lee and the upcoming remake are based on the graphic novel by James O’Barr.

In a poignant ceremony filled with tears and fond memories, family members and friends bid their final farewell to the late BBC Scotland presenter, Nick Sheridan, as he was laid to rest in his native Ireland. The funeral mass, held at St Ibar's Church in Wexford, paid tribute to Nick's vibrant life and impactful career. Mourners gathered to honour the beloved broadcaster, whose wicker coffin was adorned with a colourful wreath and framed pictures capturing cherished moments from his youth.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music East Village Radio, the influential streetfront online radio station that broadcast from 2003-2016 and Mark Ronson hosted an influential show for several years, has announced it is planning to relaunch next month. The station, formerly located in a tiny studio behind a glass window at the front of a restaurant on First Avenue in New York’s East Village, opened directly onto the sidewalk, offering an almost surreal intimacy between passersby and the DJs.

The Scottish Government has failed to persuade a rebel local authority to drop its plan to increase council tax.

Officers involved in the investigation into the murder of Emma Caldwell "will willingly work" with the public inquiry into failings around the case, a body representing senior operational leaders has said.

A heartfelt tribute has been paid to BBC Scotland news journalist Nick Sheridan who has died suddenly aged just 32.

vetoed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, with Republican lawmakers later overriding the vetoes to pass the transgender restrictions into law.Robinson has routinely vilified members of the LGBTQ community, suggesting as recently as last month that transgender women should be arrested for using multi-user bathrooms or changing facilities that align with their gender identity.Criticizing those who complain about North Carolina’s restrictions on restroom use, Robinson said the state would not accommodate people who do not want to use spaces that align with their assigned sex at birth, saying such people should instead “find a corner outside somewhere to go.”Robinson has become known for his anti-gay diatribes and outspoken opposition to LGBTQ visibility and civil rights, calling LGBTQ people “filth,” comparing them to “maggots” and “cow dung,” claiming they’re turning the United States into a “hellhole,” and claiming that God “formed” him to fight LGBTQ visibility in society.

Millions of people claiming their State Pension can look forward to an inflation-busting boost next month when payments rise by 8.5 per cent from April 8, 2024. Under the wages growth measure of the Triple Lock policy, those on the full New State Pension can expect an annual increase of £902, while those on the full Basic State Pension will see an uplift of £692.

SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison will hold showdown talks with the two local authorities that are snubbing her call for a council tax freeze.

Social Security Scotland has confirmed that thousands of people claiming Carer’s Allowance will receive one-off payments for £288.60 in June and December this year. Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an automatic payment made twice each year by the Scottish Government to recognise the important contribution made by unpaid carers.

Plans for a huge new gas plant in Peterhead are unnecessary, will damage climate efforts and lock Scots into higher bills, eco campaigners have warned.