Society  The number of homicides in Scotland has fallen by 25% over the past decade. There were 60 such cases in 2018/19, compared to 80 in 2009/10. The most common method of killing was with a sharp instrument. Source: Scottish Government.

The UK terrorism threat level has been reduced to 'subatantial' for the first time since 2014 – but the threat is still deemed high. Source: UK Government.

The Glasgow School of Art is being investigated after it launched a £32m fundraising appeal, despite receiving £50m for repairs from insurers. 'Many, if not the vast majority' of donors 'thought they were helping repair fire damage', according to a staff member, and not donating towards the upgrading of an unaffected part of the building and/or the purchase of Stow College. Source: Metro.

Prince Andrew is the only senior member of the royal family less popular with the public than Meghan Markle. Around half the public have a negative view of Andrew – for Meghan this figure is 29%. Source: Public First.



Economy  The number of people in Scotland earning less than the real living wage has fallen by 13% in just one year. Some 380,000 Scots earn below the threshold of £9 per hour. Source: KPMG.

Properties in Glasgow and Edinburgh sell twice as fast as the UK average, with most selling within six weeks. Source: Zoopla.

Retailer Mothercare plans to call in the administrators, putting 2,500 jobs at risk. The company said its 79 UK sites were 'not capable of returning to a level of structural profitability and returns that are sustainable for the group'. Source: BBC.

Education  Students in England who are given unconditional university offers before sitting their A-levels are more likely to drop out during their first year of degree study. The number of unconditional offers received has increased significantly each year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 2013. Source: The Office for Students.

Domestic violence, drink and drug abuse, and family conflict are the main causes of the rise in child protection cases in England. The number of cases has increased by 53% over the past decade. Source: Local Government Association.



Science  A super telescope has started the most detailed study of the universe ever undertaken. The five-year programme has the aim of exploring dark energy – the mysterious force thought to be behind an accelerated expansion of the universe. Source: BBC.

A new technique to remove carbon dioxide from the air has been developed, which uses a stack of charged electrodes, similar to those found in batteries. The method could assist in reducing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Rosewood is the most trafficked wildlife product in the world based on market value – more so than rhino horns, pangolin scales and elephant ivory combined. Rosewood furniture is a major status symbol in China, where a canopy bed can fetch up to $1m. Source: Science News.



Health  1,085 operations in Scotland have been cancelled over the past two years due to a lack of equipment – 427 in 2017/18 and 658 in 2018/19. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde had the most cancellations for this reason. Source: Scottish Labour.

A US study has found that 20% of children who live within 50 yards of a takeaway or corner shop are obese. The rate dropped by 4% for every 50 yards further away that children lived. Source: New York University.

77% of those in the UK who are living with treatable but incurable cancer are not receiving all the physical or emotional support they need. 14,500 people in Scotland have what is described as 'chronic' cancer. Source: Macmillan Cancer Support.

Recreation  The top three most desired travel experiences are seeing the Northern Lights, travelling on the Orient Express and driving Route 66. Source: Lottoland.



Oddities  The properties of a druglord called Joaquin 'El Chapo' are being sold at auction by the Mexican Government. The nine houses are linked by tunnels, which in turn lead to sewers, and are expected to make around £1.3m. All proceeds from the sale will go to children's bands. Source: Metro.