JANUARY

The Supreme Court rules that parliament must be given a vote before Article 50 is triggered and Britain formally begins the Brexit process. In a judgment which set a constitutional precedent and upholds parliamentary sovereignty, the court rules by a majority of eight justices to three that MPS and peers must give their consent. Martinmcguinnessresignsas Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister in protest against the handling of a controversial green energy scheme. A report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health finds Scotland has one of the worst children’s health records in western Europe. It shows more than 210,000 youngsters are living in poverty. Northern Ireland secretary James Brokenshire announces that the nation will go to the polls to elect a new Assembly after the executive collapses. Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th US president. In a bleak inauguration address, the 71-year-old paints a vision of a country under threat and sets out his isolationist policies, vowing to bring an end to “American carnage”. Millions of women across the US and around the world stage marches in protest at Donald Trump’s inauguration.

0 Gina Miller was successful in her legal bid over Article 50 executive order limiting refugees and immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The highly contentious order becomes known as the ‘Muslim ban’ and sparks widespread protests. The Queen and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon lead tributes to The Scotsman as the newspaper celebrates its bicentenary. In a letter, the monarch congratulated staff at the title on the “significant” anniversary. Actors Ewen Bremner, Ewan Mcgregor, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle reunite in Edinburgh for the world premiere of T2 Trainspotting, the eagerly anticipated sequel to the hit 1996 film. Veteran actor Sir John Hurt, left, dies at the age of 77. Over a celebrated five decade-long career, he was nominated for an Oscar for his roles in Midnight Express and the Elephant Man. and criticism from small business owners who warned the fees would be hugely inflated. The BBC announces it is to create a new dedicated Scottish television channel which will include an hour-long news programme featuring a mix of Scottish, UK, and international news. The BBC says the channel will have a budget of around £30 million. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon apologises to the families of three Scottish IRA murder victims after John Mason, the SNP MSP, claimed members of the terrorist organisation could be considered freedom fighters. At a UK government cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Theresa May tells her ministers of the need to “maintain, strengthen and nurture” the Union amid mounting speculation that a second referendum on Scottish independence could be called. MPS vote in favour of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill by 498 votes to 114. The historic vote provides a boost to Prime Minister Theresa May’s hopes of triggering Article 50 before the end of March.