56 m. ago Public vote to be held on which Ukrainian town Bury should ‘twin’ with

People in the town will decide between the towns of Ivano Frankivsk and Uzhgorod in a bid to 'continue solidarity with the war-torn country'

Politics

83 m. ago Nearly 200 fired CDC employees invited back to work, two weeks after job cuts

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has invited some employees back to work, just two weeks after laying them off

Society

1 hour ago The US embrace of Russia is an existential threat to the EU. Germany must step up to save it | Catherine De Vries

To counter the crisis caused by Trump, Friedrich Merz has little choice but to abandon decades of military and economic cautionIn February 1945, three world leaders – Winston Churchill, Franklin D Roosevelt and Josef Stalin – met in Crimea for the Yalta conference, to discuss the new world order they would implement after the soon-to-end second world war.Smaller nations were given no say in deciding their fate. The Soviet sphere of influence would infest eastern Europe for decades and US foreign policy dominated the second half of the 20th century. Churchill resisted the end of the UK’s global empire and independence for Britain’s colonies came piecemeal; they were let go with bitterness.Catherine De Vries is professor of political science at Bocconi University in Milan Continue reading...

Events

1 hour ago ‘Reduced to nonsense’: JRR Tolkien’s irritation with typist revealed in archive

Exclusive: Important collection of author’s letters and manuscripts, being sold in April, reveals his loathing of sloppiness and love of languageJRR Tolkien was so irritated by a careless typist’s slapdash work on one of his manuscripts that he vented his frustration in a letter that has come to light.The Lord of the Rings author said in despair: “She reduced [my manuscript] to nonsense. I have some sympathy with the typist faced with such unfamiliar matter; though evidently she wasn’t paying much attention.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Dalmuir loses council funding but Hollandbush model offers fresh hope

Council say decision is due to ‘steady decline in membership’ at Clydebank course

Politics

2 h. ago BBC The Apprentice's Dr Jana Denzel quit because he was being 'set up to fail'

Dr Jana Denzel told Lord Alan Sugar he was not the "right fit" for The Apprentice when he quit the programme suddenly but sources close to the contestant have offered fresh detail

Events

4 h. ago Scots pop legend Edwyn Collins to quit touring as “age is catching up" with him

Collins, who shot to fame in 1980 with the Glasgow group Orange Juice, revealed he decided a run of dates in September and October will be his last because “age is catching up” with him.

Politics

6 h. ago DWP benefits budget facing 'billions' in austerity cuts as Labour looks for cost savings

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to slash billions of pounds from the welfare bill and other government budgets as she battles to balance the books

Economics

6 h. ago Fresh austerity cuts to DWP benefits eyed by Reeves ahead of Spring Statement

The Chancellor's room for manoeuvre is believed to have been wiped out by global turmoil and sluggish economic growth

Politics

7 h. ago Simple £100 microwave change that could save money as energy bills rise

Experts say there are a number of small changes people can make to cut their gas and electricity bills, with one involving the use of a microwave

Economics

8 h. ago Senate Democrats condemn Russia over Ukraine war and dare Republicans to object – live

Democrats introduce resolutions on Senate floor, as Trump veterans affairs chief defends plans to cut 80,000 staffDonald Trump and Justin Trudeau will speak today, Reuters reports, citing a source with knowledge of the matter.The Canadian prime minister condemned Trump’s imposition of levies on his country yesterday, saying he was looking to make its economy collapse as part of a plan to incorporate it into the United States. Trump responded with insults, and a warning that he may tighten levies further next month. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Lesotho ‘shocked and embarrassed’ by mockery in Trump’s Congress speech, says foreign minister

Lejone Mpotjoane says behaviour is unexpected from head of state, after Trump claimed ‘nobody has ever heard of’ the countryLesotho was taken aback by US President Donald Trump’s mockery of the southern African nation, its foreign minister has said, vowing that the country was “not taking this matter lightly”.Trump called Lesotho a country “nobody has ever heard of” as he defended his sweeping cuts in aid during an address to Congress on Tuesday. He singled out a past US aid project of “eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho”. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Dolly Parton's career was forged in a 'poor but proud' family of 14

The country legend, 79, was once close with all of her siblings growing up in Tennessee - but they've faced several difficulties over the years.

Politics

8 h. ago Survey of senior figures reveals doubts about the impact of ‘super councils’

Officials and senior councillors are more positive about the current Government’s approach, but concerns over finances persist.

Politics

8 h. ago Whitehall departments ‘asked to reveal lowest priority spending’ ahead of Reeves’ planned cuts

Whitehall departments and the welfare budget are areas being targeted for spending cuts ahead of the Spring Statement

Events

9 h. ago Putin and Trump cannot decide Europe's fate, French president declares in address to the nation

In an address to the nation on Wednesday, Macron said the French were 'legitimately worried' about the start of a 'new era' and called for a 'united front' to stand up to Russia.

Politics

10 h. ago Trump’s NIH pick makes pitch for good science – in this administration?

Jay Bhattacharya tells hearing he is intent on protecting research, even as president takes axe to federal fundingDonald Trump’s nominee to run the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Jay Bhattacharya, told senators he was committed to ensuring scientists “have the resources they need” – even as the $48bn agency he hopes to lead has become a focus of the administration’s ideological war and cost-cutting efforts.At a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Bhattacharya made a pitch for free scientific inquiry and an examination of the chronic disease epidemic, now a cornerstone of Republican health rhetoric, while hoping to serve in an administration that has frightened scientists into self-censorship. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Is Rachel Reeves about to fix Britain’s public finances on the backs of the poorest members of society?

Editorial: As the chancellor prepares to present her plans for social security reforms she must assess whether her cost-cutting measures are unnecessarily punitive, or indeed realistic

Politics

10 h. ago Why Meghan Markle decided against filming her new Netflix show in her actual Montecito home

Meghan Markle has revealed why she made the decision not to film her new Netflix show from her own Montecito home.

Politics

10 h. ago Elliott stuns PSG as Liverpool weather storm to snatch remarkable victory

Liverpool are alive and well in the Champions League when they should have been buried in Paris. Arne Slot’s team did not simply secure a precious first-leg lead against Paris Saint-Germain, they committed grand larceny on a night that belonged to Alisson.Harvey Elliott grabbed a late winner entirely against the run of play and within a minute of replacing Mohamed Salah. Fittingly, Liverpool’s goal was constructed by their goalkeeper. Alisson was unbeatable all night, driving PSG to despair with a string of superb saves, although Luis Enrique’s side also squandered plenty of chances of their own accord. A goalless draw would have been a fine outcome for Liverpool in the circumstances but they emerged victorious when Alisson launched a clearance in the 87th minute. Continue reading...

Society