The Scottish Conservatives had previoulsy supported the target of Scotland reaching net zero by 2045, but will now seek to ‘scrap’ it.

The UK Tory leader told journalists on Friday that defections were a ‘good thing’ because those leaving ‘don’t believe in conservatism’.

The actress, best known for playing landlady Angie Watts on the BBC soap, was recognised for services to charitable fundraising and philanthropy.

Iran launched missile and drone strikes on Israel overnight after a series of Israeli attacks on the heart of Tehran’s nuclear programme.

A sharp rise in global oil prices after Israeli strikes on Iran will benefit Russia and bolster its military capabilities in the war in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.