49 m. ago Trump defends Musk as backlash to federal workers ultimatum grows

President intervenes amid first signs of internal dissension as government departments push backDonald Trump has stepped in to defend Elon Musk from a mounting backlash in his own administration after some cabinet members told US federal workers to ignore the billionaire entrepreneur’s demand that they write an email justifying their work.The US president was driven to intervene amid the first signs of internal dissension over the disruptive impact of Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge), which Trump has authorised to seek mass firings in the federal workforce and reduce supposed waste and corruption. Continue reading...

Politics

59 m. ago Barry Ferguson brings Rangers honesty to table as he addresses several issues and his appointment

Interim boss relishing new role and reveals what players have been told

Politics

83 m. ago US threatens permanent visa bans on trans athletes based on sex markers

Exclusive: State department memo directs officers to bar those deemed to misrepresent birth sex on applicationsThe US state department has ordered officials worldwide to deny visas to transgender athletes attempting to come to the US for sports competitions and to issue permanent visa bans against those who are deemed to misrepresent their birth sex on visa applications.The 24 February state department cable obtained by the Guardian instructs visa officers to apply Immigration and Nationality Act section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) – the “permanent fraud bar” – against trans applicants. Unlike regular visa denials, this section triggers lifetime exclusion from the United States with limited waiver possibilities. Continue reading...

Events

85 m. ago Ministers ‘committed’ to working with equalities body on single

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has contacted the Scottish Government following a high profile employment tribunal centred on the issue.

Politics

86 m. ago Trump live updates: 21 federal tech workers resign from Elon Musk’s DOGE as feud erupts over his Canadian citizenship

Big tech billionaire grants extension to initial deadline as administration’s Office of Personnel tells agencies that answering mailout is ‘voluntary’, sowing confusion

Politics

86 m. ago Green Brigade in major apology to Celtic fans for 'creating incidents' as Ultras issue vow over their conduct

The fan group have apologised to punters for their behaviour

Politics

95 m. ago Bride issues stark warning to people planning weddings after organising her dream day led her to psychosis and hallucinations that saw her starve herself and shrink down to six stone

Megan Finn, 27, from Belfast, was juggling childcare, the upkeep of her nail salon and planning a wedding during the period between March 2020 to July 2022.

Events

1 hour ago Octopus, EON, EDF, OVO and British Gas customers warned to watch out for these three smart meter issues

Smart meters which are working properly should show how much energy has been used in a home.

Events

1 hour ago NASA issues update on chances asteroid that could 'wipe out' city has of hitting Earth

Some astronomers have described it as a 'city killer' and say it could detonate with hundreds of times the force of the Hiroshima bomb

Events

1 hour ago Mystery bruise spotted on Donald Trump following awkward handshakes with Macron

Twitter users are speculating if anything is wrong with US President Donald Trump after he was pictured with a bruise on his hand during an appearance with French President, Emmanuel Macron

Politics

2 h. ago 'Do not' warning issued ahead of Pancake Day as households set to make one common mistake

Shrove Tuesday is fast approaching, but Brits are being warned of a common pancake mishap that could be costly to fix

Events

2 h. ago Lockerbie and District Rotary Club members get an insight into the work of The Salvation Army

Allan Isdale, Salvation Army Lockerbie Corps Leader gave a very interesting and informative talk about the work of the charity which began in 1865.

Economics

2 h. ago 'Desperate' Elon Musk slammed for 'really bad humour compared to 'genuinely funny' Trump

US President Donald Trump's sense humour has been compared to his advisor Elon Musk's by social media users on X who noticed a big difference - slamming the latter as 'desperate'

Politics

2 h. ago JD Vance responds to Trump's refusal to endorse him as his successor... and issues new warning to woke European leaders in our uncensored West Wing interview

A month into Trump's new administration and J.D. Vance has the swagger of someone who has been in the job for years. Lounging in his office, Vance reveals he's just got off the phone with his boss.

Events

2 h. ago Private investigator issues warning about 'slow walkers on holiday' for unsettling reason

A private investigator has shared the warning signs that Brits should look out for when they're on holiday, with some hidden dangers that could see people fall victim to scams

Events

2 h. ago West Ham: Graham Potter issues Lucas Paqueta and Vladimir Coufal injury update before Leicester clash

Hammers boss vows not to take struggling Foxes lightly despite Ruud van Nistelrooy’s ongoing woes

Events

2 h. ago Loose Women's Ruth Langsford shares personal health scare as she issues plea to viewers

Loose Women star Ruth Langsford issued an urgent plea to viewers as she shared a health update

Politics

2 h. ago ‘We’re being treated as grifters or terrorists’: US federal workers on the fear and chaos of their firings

An educator, archaeologist and scientist were among the thousands of government workers culled by Musk’s agencyThe Trump administration has fired at least 20,000 government employees in its first month, as Elon Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) dramatically overhauls work at federal agencies. Some economists have speculated that these terminations, which could affect nearly 300,000 workers, will be the biggest job cuts in US history.Most of the workers cut were in probationary periods and lacked job protections that come with longer terms of employment. In social media spaces, especially the r/fednews subreddit, these workers described scenes of confusion and feelings of anger directed at Musk, an unelected billionaire dubbed a “special government employee” by the White House. Last week, unions for federal workers sued the Trump administration for unlawfully using probationary periods to cut staff. Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago Civil servants face disciplinary action in crackdown on Whitehall credit cards

Less than two weeks after Rachel Reeves was facing questions over her own company credit card spending in a previous job, the government has issued a threat across departments over abuse of its cards

Events

3 h. ago 'Worst Spring Break ever' as cops issue strict new rules and say 'we don't want you here'

While students look set to descend on US beaches, authorities aren't preparing to welcome them with open arms, having prepped up exhaustive lists of draconian rules to deter them

Politics