Lena Dunham, the star of hit comedy-drama TV series Girls, has been announced as a special guest at an Edinburgh Art Festival event.

Employers are holding back from hiring new permanent staff because of worries about the UK's economic outlook, according to a closely-watched survey.

UK scientists have begun developing vaccines as an insurance against a new pandemic caused by an unknown "Disease X".

Schools across Scotland are set for disruption after staff working in education and early years services in 10 councils voted for industrial action, Unite has confirmed.

Newly announced Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amanda Abbington has responded to threats to boycott the show over her previous tweets, which have been criticised by some fans as transphobic.

Dozens of swimmers fell ill with vomiting and diarrhoea after taking part in a competition off the Sunderland coast, a spot where campaigners had complained of sewage discharges.

Two firefighters and a pilot have reportedly been killed after a mid-air collision involving two helicopters tackling a fire in California.

Asylum seekers could start being housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge as soon as today as the government unveils a new crackdown on illegal migration.

A tribute to the late singer Sinead O'Connor has been unveiled on a hillside near the seaside town in Ireland where her funeral will be held.

British scouts have moved into hotels in South Korean capital Seoul after a "punishingly hot" heatwave at the World Jamboree sparked health concerns for the thousands of children.