18 h. ago SNP Government has 'no plans' to cut ties with Stonewall after Supreme Court trans ruling

The Scottish Conservatives say SNP ministers are ‘in thrall’ with Stonewall despite the charity spreading ‘misinformation’.

Politics

3 d. ago Trump administration to cut thousands of jobs from CIA and other spy agencies – report

CIA to lose 1,200 while NSA among other agencies reported to face downsizing amid president’s drive to shrink federal workforceThe White House plans to cut staffing at the Central Intelligence Agency by 1,200 positions while other intelligence agencies including the National Security Agency will also shed thousands of jobs, the Washington Post has reported.A person familiar with the plan confirmed the changes to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago A climate election? The Coalition wants to take Australia backwards, while Labor is standing still | Clear Air

Depending on where things end up after Saturday, the biggest climate push may come from the crossbenchElection 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaignPolls tracker; Election guide; Interactive seat explorerParty policies; Micro parties explained; Full election coverageListen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: GinaGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastIf further confirmation was needed that the Peter Dutton-led Coalition would take Australia aggressively backwards on dealing with the climate crisis, his final election costings released on Thursday tell the story in black and white.The Liberal and National parties plan to gut programs designed to cut emissions and help create green industries to give the country an industrial future as demand for fossil fuels falls. They also plan to ignore advice that Australian nature is in poor and deteriorating health and strip back already limited funding for environment programs.Si...

Politics

4 d. ago Monty Don says UK gardeners must cut two plants this May to guarantee beautiful blooms next year

Gardening expert Monty Don has shared an essential tip for gardeners this spring

Politics

4 d. ago New plan for almost all English homes could cut energy bills by £1,000

The government will reportedly compel developers to make the changes as standard on the vast majority of new-build homes by 2027, as part of Labour's drive to hit net-zero targets and cut household energy costs

Economics

5 d. ago People in the US: share your recent experiences of receiving Social Security benefits

We would like to hear from US Social Security benefit recipients and agency workers about their experiences under the Trump administrationThe Social Security Administration (SSA) plans to cut 7000 jobs, about 12% of its workforce as part of the Department of Government Efficiency review of the federal work force.Nearly 69 million Americans on average per month are set to receive Social Security benefits in 2025, consisting of retired workers, disabled workers, survivors and dependents. These benefits represent 31 percent of income for people over the age of 65 in the US. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Monty Don urges gardeners to cut two plants in May to get huge blooms next year

If you want to see your flowers bloom like crazy next year, then make sure you deadhead these two popular garden plants before the end of spring for optimal results

Politics

6 d. ago Aircraft 'snaps in two' as man fights for life after fuel leaks from plane crash

"The plane taxied down the runway and upon reaching the end off the runway there was a loud pop sound and the engine cut-off after the plane had already taken off."

Events

6 d. ago Hopes fading for end to bitter Birmingham bin strike after council revealed plans to cut drivers' pay by £8,000 prompting outrage from unions

Unite said the move by the city council to downgrade wagon drivers' pay amounted to an 'escalation' in the dispute.

Economics

6 d. ago Dundee University redundancies cut in half as part of new plan

Institution will also seek to borrow cash and change to a new operating model

Culture

1 week ago Pacific island states urge rich countries to expedite plans to cut emissions

Developed countries pressed to submit national plans well before Cop30 as time runs out to avoid 1.5C temperature riseRich countries are dragging their feet on producing new plans to combat the climate crisis, thereby putting the poor into greater danger, some of the world’s most vulnerable nations have warned.All governments are supposed to publish new plans this year on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but so far only a small majority have done so, and some of the plans submitted have been inadequate to the scale of action needed. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Unilever cuts 6,000 jobs so far under ongoing revamp as ice cream spin

The consumer goods giant said it was ‘ahead of plan’ on the restructure, which will see 7,500 jobs cut worldwide.

Politics

1 week ago Plan to cut 20% of car journeys in Scotland by 2030 dumped by SNP Government

Car usage in Scotland would need to drop to a level last seen in 1994 if the ambitious target was to have been met.

Politics

1 week ago DWP cuts to PIP and the seven conditions likely to secure payments in 2025

MPs will soon vote on Labour's brutal plans to cut a staggering £4.8 billion in disability payments. However, these seven health conditions could guarantee PIP claimants don't lose their money

Politics

1 week ago Rubio outlines plan to cut State Department ‘bloat’ as leaked memo details potential embassy cuts

Agency ‘unable to perform its essential diplomatic mission,’ spokeswoman says

Politics

1 week ago US army to test enlisted men and women with same physical standards

Change to requirements to serve in combat roles expected to drastically cut number of womenThe US army unveiled plans on Monday to require a fitness test with identical physical standards for men and women in combat positions after the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, ordered the elimination of gender-based fitness requirements in frontline roles.The revamped army fitness test, which replaces the combat fitness test, will be “sex-neutral” and force female soldiers in 21 combat specialties to meet the same benchmarks as men – a change expected to drastically cut the number of women qualifying for these positions. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago British Steel halts redundancy plans after Government rescue

In March, British Steel’s Chinese owners announced plans to shut down its Scunthorpe furnaces and cut jobs.

Events

2 w. ago Councils could use new AI tool to ‘digitise records and cut planning backlogs’

Ministers hope the tool will perform in 40 seconds tasks that take around one to two hours for planners to complete.

Politics

2 w. ago Israeli foreign minister planned to cut London trip short before UK blocked arrest attempt

Israeli foreign minister planned to cut London trip short before UK blocked arrest attempt  Middle East Eye

Politics

3 w. ago House passes Republican budget framework paving way for Trump’s agenda

Multitrillion-dollar resolution unlocks path to deliver Trump’s sweeping tax cut and immigration planUS politics live – latest updatesThe House Republican speaker, Mike Johnson, muscled through a multitrillion-dollar budget framework that paves the way for Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”, one day after a rightwing rebellion threatened to sink it.The resolution passed in a 216-214 vote, with just two Republicans – fiscal conservatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Victoria Spartz of Indiana – joining all Democrats in opposition. Continue reading...

Politics