Gay rights campaigners will lead a major parade through Belfast city centre later, demanding the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

Scotland's First Minister has announced she is putting plans for a second independence referendum on hold. Here are some key questions and answers on the issue.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she is "fairly certain" there will be a second referendum on Scottish independence - but she does not think Britons will get another chance to vote on remaining in the European Union.

Scottish voters should have the right to choose between the "significant and profound" change that Brexit will cause and independence, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

UK legislation to remove Britain from the European Union should not proceed, according to Scottish politicians.

President Michael D Higgins yesterday met with Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon at the start of his three-day trip there.

Nicola Sturgeon has launched her bid to become the new leader of the SNP and Scotland’s first female first minister with an immediate warning that the Westminster parties will face an angry backlash if they fail to keep the promises they made on more powers for Holyrood.

Nicola Sturgeon is today expected to formally announce her bid to become leader of the SNP and Scotland’s First Minister.

Alex Salmond has dramatically fallen on his sword after Scotland voted decisively to reject his dream of independence and to remain part of the United Kingdom

David Cameron has promised a "new and fair" constitutional settlement for the entire United Kingdom after Scotland voted to reject independence and remain part of the United Kingdom.

Voting is well under way on a historic day for Scotland as people determine whether the country should remain part of the United Kingdom.

Scotland’s decision day has arrived, with voters going to the polls today to determine whether the country should remain part of the United Kingdom or not.

Scots go to the polls today to make what is, perhaps, the most momentous decision of their lives: whether to stay within a 300 year union with England or go it alone.

The leaders of the three main Westminster parties are today making a last minute trip to Scotland as the fight to keep the United Kingdom together intensifies in the run up to next week’s independence referendum.

With a splash of purple in her hair, Fionnuala Britton cut a new look for the new year and battled to an encouraging second place at the picturesque Holyrood Park for the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country on Saturday.

Almost 300 jobs are threatened after one of the North's main construction firms went into administration.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage will return to campaign in Scotland today – one month after angry demonstrators hounded him out of an Edinburgh pub.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has dismissed fresh attempts at the Scottish Parliament to force an early referendum on independence.

The biggest strike in Britain for over 30 years got under way today with schools, hospitals, courts, transport and government hit by a walkout involving up to two million workers.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg have insisted their British government coalition will continue, despite the humiliation handed out to Liberal Democrats in the elections and the referendum on voting reform.

A suspect package sent to a republican organisation is similar to those sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two other high-profile supporters of the club, police said today.

Police investigating parcel bombs sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two high-profile supporters of the club said today another suspect package had been intercepted in the North.

ELEVEN pupils were injured in Scotland when an air weapon was fired near a school yesterday.

A GROUP of US senators yesterday demanded the Lockerbie bomber be returned to jail as they branded the process which led to his release “incredibly flawed”.

A group of American politicians is demanding the Lockerbie bomber is returned to jail and has branded the process which led to his release as "incredibly flawed".

BRIAN McENIFF enjoyed a long a fruitful managerial career with Donegal, Sligo, Ulster and Ireland before stepping back into a well-earned retirement but the 1992 All-Ireland winning coach has returned to the sidelines in recent weeks with Louth.

Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond said today that there was an alternative to a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government.

Scotland’s justice secretary faced a barrage of criticism today as he explained why he freed the Lockerbie bomber.

Britain’s first two confirmed victims of swine flu left hospital today as it emerged they may have passed the virus on to someone they know.

The cost of failing to act to save the Dunfermline Building Society would be “immeasurable”, politicians warned today.

Free Agent, who provided the Queen with her first Royal Ascot winner for nine years in the Chesham Stakes, could have his next start at Doncaster.

Millions of voters go to the polls today in the government’s biggest electoral test since Labour won its third term in power in 2005.

Sinn Féin is to hold its first-ever meeting with the Scottish National Party at Holyrood today.

Stilian Petrov is set to give Celtic manager Gordon Strachan more problems with Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov demanding the Scottish champions let him skipper his country.

CORK’S Glucksman gallery has lost out to the controversial Scottish Parliament building to land Britain’s most prestigious architecture prize.

Edinburgh, Robert Louis Stevenson once said, is what Paris ought to be.

A row broke out today over the decision to display the Union Jack flag alongside the Scottish Saltire and the Tricolour as the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was addressing MSPs at Holyrood.