9 h. ago US climate research agency braces for ‘efficiency’ cuts: ‘They will gut the work’

Workers at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fear crackdown will have global falloutThe Trump administration has set its sights on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the US’s pre-eminent climate research agency, with significant cuts and a political crackdown on climate science. As Trump takes aim at the agency, the impact is likely to be felt across the US and around the world.Noaa provides essential resources to the public and has helped make the US a scientific leader internationally. Operating 18 satellites and 15 research and survey ships, the agency’s scientists, engineers and policy experts issue forecasts relied on by aviation, agriculture and fishing industries; ocean floor mapping depended upon for shipping; advises on species protection, and increasingly precise and accurate modeling on what to expect as climate crisis unfolds. Continue reading...

Science

10 h. ago ‘Like being on the Titanic’: US aid workers dread bleak future after Trump cuts

Trump’s order to stop work on aid projects around the globe has left dedicated staff shocked and demoralisedIn a village in Lesotho, a small country in southern Africa, Sasha teaches hundreds of children at a local primary school. A significant part of her work as an education volunteer at the US Peace Corps is to educate her students about HIV prevention. Almost a quarter of Lesotho’s 2.3 million population lives with HIV, giving it the second-highest level of HIV infection in the world.At the beginning of February, Donald Trump halted virtually all US foreign aid. The 90-day pause left many agencies scrambling to follow the new guidance, affecting programs such as the one Sasha works for. In Lesotho, she and other volunteers work to mitigate the effects of HIV/Aids stigma through grant-funded programs like a soccer camp. All of that stopped. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago ‘Like being on the Titanic’: US aid workers fear there is no future in helping others

Trump’s order to stop work on aid projects around the globe has left dedicated staff shocked and demoralisedUS politics live – latest updatesIn a village in Lesotho, a small country in southern Africa, Sasha teaches hundreds of children at a local primary school. A significant part of her work as an education volunteer at the US Peace Corps is to educate her students about HIV prevention. Almost a quarter of Lesotho’s 2.3 million population lives with HIV, giving it the second-highest level of HIV infection in the world.At the beginning of February, Donald Trump halted virtually all US foreign aid. The 90-day pause left many agencies scrambling to follow the new guidance, affecting programs such as the one Sasha works for. In Lesotho, she and other volunteers work to mitigate the effects of HIV/Aids stigma through grant-funded programs like a soccer camp. All of that stopped. Continue reading...

Politics

30 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

39 h. ago Why Labour's plan to help AI use content for free risks a dystopian future

The News Media Association is today launching a campaign to ensure tech companies pay for content created by humans and used to train AI models

Events

52 h. ago FAFO parenting – how mums and dads are using controversial technique to teach children consequences

FAFO parenting is dividing opinion online, with some saying it's cruel while others say it is helpful for kids' futures

Society

57 h. ago How do Junior ISAs work and which offer the best rates for 2025?

Opening accounts for your young family members could save on your own tax bill - and help to grow their wealth for the future

Politics

61 h. ago Lanarkshire MSP hails work of Dogs Trust following charity’s visit to Holyrood

The charity held a drop-in event in Parliament to raise awareness of dog welfare issues in Scotland and to chat with MSPs who are a crucial piece of the puzzle that can help build a better future for dogs.

Politics

2 d. ago AI bots turn on tech boffins terminating their jobs after Mark Zuckerberg premonition

The drop in vacancies for highly-paid coders comes as tech workers fear being replaced by AI tools that can automate more mundane or entry-level programming tasks.

Politics

4 d. ago Linlithgow MSP welcomes extra funding to help secure future for Grangemouth workers

The First Minister confirmed to the Scottish Parliament that an amendment will be lodged to the Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Budget Bill to allocate an additional £25 million to establish a Grangemouth Just Transition Fund.

Economics

7 d. ago County set for higher council tax rise to help deal with future storms

The council wants to increase the permanent resources available to respond to severe weather

Economics

7 d. ago 'Help us to create a more inclusive future': 70 female chefs pen letter following Jason Atherton sexism row

An open letter is calling for a more “inclusive, equitable and positive work environment for all”

Politics

8 d. ago Falkirk Council leader welcomes £25 million to spur on 'just transition' for Grangemouth

First Minister John Swinney says the cash will help Grangemouth play a key role in Scotland's Net Zero future

Economics

8 d. ago British volunteer who lost an arm and a leg in Ukraine ‘has no regrets’

Eddy Scott suffered horrific injuries in a Russian blast - but he still wants to help Ukraine secure a better future, Askold Krushelnycky writes

Politics

9 d. ago ‘It comes from racism’: immigrant workers on Trump’s deportation push

The president’s actions have sent a wave of terror through the community that underpins much of the US economyDonald Trump has ramped up anti-immigration fervor into his second presidency, promising mass deportations, pushing to increase arrests and bolstering public relations efforts to amplify arrests. The moves have sent a wave of terror through the undocumented worker community that underpins large parts of the US economy.“Every day I wake up and walk out the door, I go with the hope of going to work, but with the fear of not being able to come back,” said a construction worker and single parent in Texas who obtained immigration protection under the Biden administration. She requested to remain anonymous due to fears about her immigration status. Continue reading...

Events