The first image has been revealed for new drama, Make It Happen, about the rise and fall of the Royal Bank of Scotland, featuring Brian Cox who will be playing the role of Adam Smith and Sandy Grierson who will be playing Fred Goodwin.
Make it Happen is the first major artwork to tell the story of Royal Bank of Scotland’s role in the 2008 financial crash and is written by James Graham and directed by Andrew Panton.
It marks the return of Brian Cox to Scottish stages for the first time in a decade. The world premiere of Make It Happen opens the Edinburgh International Festival’s 2025 following preview performances at Dundee Rep Theatre.
Tickets to the Edinburgh International Festival opened for sale to the public on Thursday 27 March.
SCOTLAND TO LEAD NEW INTERNATIONAL CANCER “SUPERGROUP”
Cancer Research UK and partners today committed £5.5m to form a world-leading research team tasked with making personalised medicine a reality for people with bowel cancer.
Led by Scottish scientists, the CRC-STARS initiative (Colorectal Cancer — Stratification of Therapies through Adaptive Responses), will bring together more than 40 bowel cancer experts to find new and kinder ways to tackle a cancer increasingly being diagnosed in younger people.
Bowel cancer kills 16,800 people in the UK (1,700 in Scotland) every year and is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people.*A recent study by the American Cancer Society published in The Lancet Oncology showed early-onset bowel cancer rates in adults aged 25-49 are rising in 27 of 50 countries studied and are rising faster in young women in Scotland and England than in young men.**
Harnessing the expertise of researchers at universities and institutes across the UK, Spain, Italy and Belgium, the five-year project will aim to better understand how different bowel cancers respond to current treatments, why certain bowel cancers spread, and whether scientists can predict which treatments will work for individual patients.
Led by Professor Owen Sansom of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute in Glasgow and University of Glasgow, along with co-leads Professor Jenny Seligmann of the University of Leeds and Professor Simon Leedham of the University of Oxford, this personalised medicine approach will see detailed information about an individual’s cancer – not just the area of the body where the cancer started – used to help inform decisions on diagnosis and treatment.
Personalised medicine is a growing area of cancer care and research.
Director of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and CRC-STARS co-lead, Professor Owen Sansom, said: “With more and more younger people being diagnosed with bowel cancer, it’s vital we remain vigilant and keep trying to understand new causes and new reasons for cancer.
“Step by step, day by day, we’re discovering new ways to prevent, detect and treat bowel cancer and save lives, but there’s more to discover, and this new support from our funders will allow us to take bold steps towards better understanding bowel cancer and how to beat it.”
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK.*** Despite this, treatment options remain limited, particularly for patients who are diagnosed at later stages of the disease. Scotland is disproportionately affected by the disease with around 4,000 people being diagnosed each year.
First Minister John Swinney, who visited the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute today (Monday 31 March), said:“I very much welcome this multi-national research project and hope it will lead to more personalised care for people with bowel cancer. The fact it is being co-led by scientists in Glasgow is recognition of the expertise we have here in Scotland.
“With studies suggesting bowel cancer diagnoses rates are increasing for younger adults, it is vitally important to support research that will improve our understanding of how the disease progresses and develop new approaches to its treatment.”
Rectal cancer survivor Tracy Farrell, 53, from Glasgow welcomed the new investment into colorectal cancer.The fire service cook from Balornock was diagnosed aged 50 after seeing blood in her poo after going to the toilet.
She said: “It was the first time I’d had blood, I had no symptoms, no pain and my GP said because I was so young and had no family history of bowel cancer then she hoped it wouldn’t be that.
“There were no red flags for me so I was considered low priority but they were able to get me a colonoscopy within just three weeks due to a cancellation.
“They told me that day I had a tumour. I went from one day having nothing to the next day having cancer. I couldn’t even bring myself to say I had cancer. It was such a shock.
“At the time I was looking after my 14-year-old nephew Reece because his mother, my sister, had died from an aneurysm and I just thought he can’t lose me as well. He was like the baby I never had.”
Tracy was given chemotherapy and radiotherapy to shrink the tumour and the treatment worked so well she didn’t need surgery and now has been cancer free for three years.
She said: “I was lucky the cancer hadn’t spread and that it was caught early.”
With the support of her mum Kathleen, great friends and firefighter colleagues, Tracy is now doing well and nephew Reece is 18 and at college.
She took part in a research project by offering samples for scientists to study.
She said: “I found it a great help. It allowed me to have extra scans so we could see the treatment was working.
“But taking part in the study was amazing – to know you are helping them find out more about this disease so they can find new ways to tackle it feels very rewarding.”
The team will work on combining experimental, pre-clinical and clinical data to predict cancer progression and tailor new therapeutic approaches specific to each patient’s characteristics. It is hoped this work will the development of drug resistance and improve the response to treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, hopefully improving outcomes for patients.
Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, said: “For more than 100 years, Cancer Research UK-funded scientists have been working to beat bowel cancer, and this project is one of the most comprehensive for bowel cancer that we have ever supported.
“Together with our funding partners – the Bowelbabe Fund, Bjorn and Inger Saven and the FCAECC – we can empower the CRC-STARS team to speed up the development of personalised treatment for people living with bowel cancer, bringing us closer to a world where people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
The team will also build on the tools, resources and discoveries developed by existing bowel cancer research collaborations (e.g. ACRCelerate) and Cancer Research UK’s National Biomarker Centre and analyse data from Cancer Research UK-supported colorectal cancer studies such as the FOxTROT, TREC and PRIME-RT clinical trials.***
Scientific Director at the FCAECC, Dr Marta Puyol, said: “This project will not only help us to better understand the landscape of bowel cancer in a collaborative and multidisciplinary manner but will also allow us to place a strong emphasis on patient needs, accelerating the translation of results into clinical practice.”
Strachan House and Queens Manor in Edinburgh will be opening their doors to the local community for an day of coffee and cakes on Saturday 12th April.
Taking place between 10.00 am – 4.00 pm guests will be able to enjoy home-made cakes prepared by the home’s Head Chef, and will have the chance to meet the team and take a tour of the home.
Frances Fisher, General Manager at Strachan House, says: “I’m excited about welcoming new visitors and existing friends of the home to our open day.
“Looking for care can be a little bit daunting, but our team here at Strachan House will do all we can to provide all of our guests with the guidance and support they may need, and answer all of their questions, big or small.
“Our open day is a great chance to enjoy some delightful entertainment in a homely and friendly setting- hope to see you all there!”
Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care and dementia care from respite care to long term stays.
Calling all community activists in Newhaven / Trinity / Granton / West Pilton – can you share your ideas about how decisions should be made on heating system changes coming within 5-15 years?
– How to tackle fuel poverty? Stop energy leaking out of homes!
– After gas … what? Heat pumps or heat networks?
These are big technical options being discussed right now by the Scottish Government and the City Council.
– Do you want a say in the new arrangements the infrastructure needed?
– Share your views on what will happen when gas no longer heats homes / workplaces.
– Could a Local Place Plan / a Local Energy Plan help?
This online workshop is for community organisers and residents interested in the issues. It will inform future funding applications and support for community organisations looking to take control of their journey to a low carbon future.
The UK has ‘mobilised’ over 40 countries and organisations to launch an unprecedented global fight against ruthless people smuggling gangs
The UK is spearheading the toughest ever international crackdown on organised immigration crime as the Prime Minister and Home Secretary host a landmark summit today (31 March).
The Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) Summit brings together over 40 countries, including the United States, Vietnam, Iraq, and France, to unite behind a new approach to dismantle people smuggling gangs and deliver on working people’s priorities for secure borders.
This is the first time the full range of factors driving illegal migration, from the supply chain in small boats to anti-trafficking measures, illicit finance and social media advertising, have been explored at a global summit of this scale.
The summit will also see representatives from Meta, X and TikTok discuss how to jointly tackle the online promotion of irregular migration.
Through the summit, the government will use all available levers at its disposal to push forward progress in bringing gangs to justice, tackle the global threat of organised immigration crime and protect vulnerable people from exploitation.
To back this drive, the Home Secretary has today announced £30 million of funding going directly to high impact operations from the Border Security Command to tackle supply chains, illicit finances and trafficking routes across Europe, the Western Balkans, Asia, and Africa.
An additional £3 million will enable the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to increase its capacity to prosecute organised international smugglers and expand its international footprint to support the Border Security Command to pursue, disrupt and arrest those responsible for dangerous people smuggling operations.
This reflects the Prime Minister’s long-held view, informed by his work as Chief Prosecutor, that cross border cooperation is the foundation of tackling international gangs and securing Britain’s borders.
In remarks delivered later today, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is expected to say: “This vile trade exploits the cracks between our institutions, pits nations against one another and profits from our inability at the political level to come together.
“When I was the Director of Public Prosecutions, we worked across borders throughout Europe and beyond to foil numerous plots, saving thousands of lives in the process. We prevented planes from being blown up over the Atlantic and brought the perpetrators to justice.
“I believe we should treat organised immigration crime in the same way.
“I simply do not believe organised immigration crime cannot be tackled. We’ve got to combine our resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream at every step of the people smuggling routes.”
The summit will deliver concrete outcomes across Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and North America by strengthening international partnerships, enhancing intelligence sharing, and implementing targeted disruptions to Organised Immigration Crime networks.
As a direct result, we will be able to strengthen UK borders and security and create a more efficient and manageable asylum system, taking the burden away from housing, the NHS and schools, and giving hotels back to the local economy.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Smuggler and trafficking gangs make their money crossing borders so law enforcement needs to work together across borders to bring them down. Only a coordinated international response, across the whole irregular migration route, can effectively dismantle these networks.
“The Organised Immigration Crime Summit is the first of its kind and will reinforce the UK’s position as a leader by securing international commitments to disrupt Organised Immigration Crime at every stage of the business model.
“The summit demonstrates mine and the Prime Minister’s absolute dedication to disrupting the callous Organised Criminal Gangs, strengthening our borders and ultimately save countless lives.”
The UK’s global leadership on this is issue is already delivering results. France has agreed to launch a unit of specialist officers who are mobile, highly trained and equipped to respond dynamically to prevent small boat launches.
Germany has committed to strengthen their laws against those who facilitate smuggling to the UK and a new UK-Italy taskforce is hitting people smugglers’ financial flows. After boosting the resources for the National Crime Agency to work with international law enforcement partners, they have seized 600 boats and engines since July.
Along with this, work continues at home through giving law enforcement tougher powers than ever to smash the smuggling gangs, ‘ramping up’ removals to record levels and surging illegal working raids to end the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats.
This comprehensive approach is a vital aspect of the government’s Plan for Change, with the threat from organised immigration crime increasing in scale and complexity.
Organised immigration crime spans multiple countries, nationalities, and criminal methodologies, with recent estimate of the total global income from migrant smuggling reaching $10 billion last year.
Criminal gangs headed by hundreds of kingpins are using sophisticated online tactics, the abuse of legitimate goods and services, and illicit financial networks to facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys which undermine border security and put thousands of lives at risk each year.
The summit will also examine the work of the government’s Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) in supporting the US, by providing innovative space-based maritime surveillance capability to monitor and dismantle any vessels along Haiti’s north coast suspected to be involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities and drug smuggling.
The JMSC is harnessing cutting edge technology and capabilities to provide 24 hour monitoring of UK waters and ensure our borders are secure, by using satellite to provide a better overall understanding of incoming threats to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The UK government is working with our partners in Turks and Caicos to support and protect the Island from irregular migration.
This collaboration demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to deploying advanced capabilities against illegal migration while protecting overseas territories.
There has also been a series of major arrests of smuggling kingpins, including:
arrests linked to a major Syrian organised crime group responsible for smuggling at least 750 migrants into the UK and Europe
the arrest of a Turkish national suspected of being a huge supplier of small boats
the conviction of 2 men in Wales who ran a smuggling ring moving thousands of migrants across Europe
the arrests in February of 6 men wanted in Belgium over their suspected involvement in a major people smuggling ring
These arrests come alongside the NCA working with the authorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for the first time, to facilitate the arrests of 3 men linked to a Kurdish people smuggling organised crime group, as well as an increase in the takedown of social media accounts linked to people smugglers.
New measures have come into force to give Scotland’s tied pub tenants more rights and greater protection.
From today (Monday 31 March), the Scottish Pubs Code will enable tied pub tenants to stock a wider range of beers beyond those supplied through the pub-owning business, providing more choice for customers and supporting local breweries.
Pub-owning businesses will also have to provide prospective tenants with more information on things like business costs, helping them make more informed choices.
Further elements of the Code will be introduced in June. These will include allowing tenants to request different leases that will give them greater responsibility and flexibility in the way that they run their business.
An independent Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator – Sarah Havlin – has started work overseeing the application of the Code and ruling on any disputes.
The Code has undergone extensive consultation and is intended to create a fairer operating environment between tenants and landlords, reduce costly disputes and help safeguard the future of Scotland’s tied tenanted pubs and bars.
Employment Minister Tom Arthur said: “This is a good deal for Scotland’s hospitality sector. We are rebalancing the relationship between pub tenants and pub-owning businesses, making it easier to do business and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs in the tied pub sector.
“And it is a boost for customers who could now find a much fuller array of local draught beers in their favourite pubs.
“I will continue to engage with the sector to ensure that the Code places the interests of both tenants and landlords at its heart.”
Commenting on the introduction of the new statutory Scottish Pubs Code today, Director of CAMRA Scotland Stuart McMahon said:“Pubgoers are welcoming the news that the Scottish Pubs Code is finally coming into force today, after long delays and tedious failed legal challenges by pub companies and global brewers.
“Under the Code, tied pub tenants will be able to sell guest beer free-of-tie, increasing choice at the bar for customers of tasty and distinctive products from small, local and independent breweries across the country – particularly for cask beer.
“The protections offered by the new Pubs Code for tied tenants running pubs make sure big pub companies treat them fairly and that they can earn a decent living. It should also help to make their businesses more sustainable, as well as supporting more pubs to thrive at the heart of their communities.
“We would like to thank Neil Bibby MSP who introduced the legislation to create a Scottish Pubs Code, and to the Scottish Government for giving the idea their backing.”
How much do you know about bipolar disorder? Today, on World Bipolar Day we’re raising awareness for this sometimes-misunderstood mental health condition.
Bipolar disorder involves extreme changes in mood. These symptoms can be challenging to manage.
Because the symptoms of bipolar disorder vary for everyone, it can take a long time to get a diagnosis. If you have extreme changes in your mood that last a long time, and are having an effect on your life, relationships, or work then consider seeing your GP. Remember, help is available to manage bipolar disorder:
Bipolar UK has a mood scale and diary and more information that may be helpful.
Mind has more information on the different types of bipolar, and how to manage them.
Foysol Choudhury, MSP for the Lothian Region, spoke in yesterday’s Scottish Government Debate on Scotland—A Fair Trade Nation, raising urgent concerns over sustainability and ethical supply chains.
Foysol Choudhury, MSP, spoke to Scotland’s continued recognition as a Fair Trade Nation, highlighting its commitment to fairness, trade justice, and global cooperation.
His speech recognised local businesses and organisations, including One World Shop, Hadeel, and the University of Edinburgh, who are embracing fair-trade principles, pointing to Scotland’s role in supporting marginalised communities worldwide while fostering sustainable and ethical practices locally.
However, Foysol Choudhury MSP emphasised the importance of popular retailers, like Primark, in moving to adopt fair-trade practices to ensure fair wages are met and to ensure ethical practices in merchandise production.
By encouraging businesses to adopt fair-trade practices, Scotland can set a powerful example of how ethical commerce can combat exploitation in merchandise production, both at home and abroad.
Through initiatives like Edinburgh’s Fair Trade City status and support for international producers, Scotland demonstrates the impact of prioritising sustainable supply chains and fair wages on a global scale.
Following the debate, Choudhury emphasised that while parts of the world may be casting their gaze inward when it comes to trade, Scotland can continue looking outward, ensuring sustainability and ethical practices remain at the forefront of Scottish development in the global realm.
Speaking in the chamber, Foysol Choudhury MSP stated:“Producers in the Global South can be considered to have done the least to cause the climate crisis but face the greatest losses as climates change.
“For a multinational corporation, a changing climate may mean a loss on the balance sheet, but for a small-scale farmer, it means losing their livelihood. With Fair Trade, producers are better able to adapt and protect their livelihoods and communities.”
“We must keep working to maximise the benefits of being a Fair-Trade nation.”
“We should also be looking to further encourage businesses across all sectors to adopt fair trade practices and supporting them in building sustainable, ethical supply chains.”
Scotland’s Biggest Family-Friendly Celebration Set to Make its Debut in Edinburgh This Summer
Scotland, get ready for The Garden Party Festival – a magical weekend of music, creativity, and unforgettable family fun. Tickets are now on sale for the unmissable event which is set to take over the Royal Highland Centre on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th July, bringing together a mix of live music, immersive performances, and interactive experiences designed to delight festival goers of all ages.
From little feet to big beats, The Garden Party is more than just a music event, it’s an adventure for the whole family.
This two-day festival will feature an incredible lineup with headliners, Elephant Sessions bringing their high-energy folk fusion to the stage on Saturday, while the breathtaking Ibiza in Symphony will transport audiences to the White Isle with orchestral dance classics on Sunday for a euphoric festival ending with a fireworks display.
Alongside these spectacular headliners, festival goers can enjoy performances from a variety of acts, including:
Massaoke – A live band singalong like no other.
Wannabe: The Spice Girls Show – The ultimate tribute to girl power.
Dupa Lipa – UK’s finest Dua Lipa tribute act.
The Beatles Dub Club – Classic Beatles hits reimagined with a dub twist.
Beyond the music, The Garden Party Festival offers a mix of immersive performances, hands-on workshops, and activities for the whole family.
Highlights include:
Artie’s Singing Kettle – A nostalgic delight for parents and a joy for little ones.
Comedy Club 4 Kids – Hilarious stand-up specially curated for young audiences.
Fairytrail Silent Disco – Dance like nobody’s listening with the evenings specially curated by EHFM!
Mr Bloom – Sing along to all the hits from CBeebies’ classic Mr Bloom’s Nursery.
The Insane Magic Show – Mind-boggling tricks and illusions.
Outdoor Adventure Zone & Fairground – Thrills, spills, and outdoor exploration.
Think Circus & Immersive Storytelling – Dazzling performances that bring stories to life.
Woodland Treasure Trail – A magical quest for curious minds.
Cocktail & Mocktail Masterclasses – Shake up something delicious!
Huggy 90’s House Classics, Big Fish Little Fish & Mini Manoeuvres – Big beats for the whole family.
Tickets are now on sale from 10am on Thursday, 27th April via The Garden Party website. Tickets are priced from £27.50 and under fives are free of charge.
Festival Director Shane Grieve, said:“We’re creating something truly special with The Garden Party Festival, a place where families can come together, experience incredible live music, and immerse themselves in a world of adventure and joy.
“It’s a festival designed to spark wonder in both little ones and grown-ups alike.”
Mark Currie, Director of Venue, Royal Highland Centre, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome The Garden Party Festival to the Royal Highland Centre this July.It’s fantastic to see such a great event taking shape here at Ingliston, and we couldn’t be more excited for what it has in store.
“The Garden Party Festival has an incredible line-up and promises to bring a brilliant atmosphere, which will certainly make for an unforgettable weekend of live music and activities for all the family to enjoy.”
Don’t miss your chance to be part of Scotland’s most exciting new family festival—The Garden Party Festival is set to be the ultimate summer experience!
