14 h. ago Vatican readies for Pope Francis’s funeral as world leaders head to Rome

Tens of thousands of mourners have queued for hours to pay respects to pontiff before coffin is sealed on FridayPope Francis obituaryEurope live – latest updatesAlmost 130,000 people from all over the world have viewed Pope Francis’s body as the Vatican makes the final preparations for his funeral on Saturday, an event that will be attended by 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs.St Peter’s Basilica closed at 2.30am and reopened three hours later to accommodate the last of the huge crowds of mourners who had patiently waited to pay their respects to Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Monday after a stroke. The coffin will be sealed at 8pm in a ceremony attended by senior cardinals. Continue reading...

Events

29 h. ago Trump denies aid for Arkansas after storms that killed more than 40 people

Latest denial of disaster funding comes as Trump has repeatedly stated he wants to eliminate FemaUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump has denied federal disaster relief funds to the people of Arkansas, which saw dozens of people die from a series of deadly tornados last month, as legislators plead for him to reconsider.More than 40 people have been found dead after a series of tornados and severe storms hit Arkansas and neighboring states Mississippi and Missouri in March, according to CNN. Continue reading...

Events

31 h. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump issues rare rebuke to Putin as Kyiv attack toll rises to 12

Ninety people also wounded after one of the most devastating air attacks against Ukraine for monthsEurope live: latest updatesAt least 12 people have been killed and more than 90 injured in Kyiv after Russia carried out one of the most devastating air attacks against Ukraine for months, with Kharkiv and other cities also targeted.The attack drew a rare rebuke of Russia from Donald Trump, who posted on social media: “Vladimir, STOP!” Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago WhatsApp issues major update to stop people downloading chats and photos

Advanced Chat Privacy is available on the latest version of the messaging app.

Culture

35 h. ago DWP issues state pension back payment update with thousands of people owed up to £11,725

New figures released today show that £804.7million has been paid out for the first DWP state pension correction exercised, with 130,000 people found to have been underpaid

Economics

36 h. ago New update for people in Scotland making a claim for devolved payments this week

People who need to upload documents or supporting information for a claim may be affected.

Politics

41 h. ago Nine killed and dozens injured in ‘massive’ Russian missile attack on Kyiv

Several districts across city targeted in one of most devastating air attacks against Ukraine for monthsEurope live: latest updatesAt least nine people have been killed and more than 70 injured in Kyiv after Russia carried out one of the most devastating air attacks against Ukraine for months, with Kharkiv and other cities also targeted.Waves of drones as well as ballistic and guided missiles struck the Ukrainian capital early on Thursday. There were explosions for much of the night, beginning at about 1am local time, and the rattle of anti-aircraft fire as Ukrainian defences tried to shoot the missiles down. Continue reading...

Events

56 h. ago Live Oldham updates as 'chemical incident' leaves roads closed and people urged to keep doors and windows shut

The road is shut to traffic in both directions - updates as we get them

Politics

60 h. ago Barriers at the basilica: the logistical challenges of Pope Francis’s funeral

Defence and security mechanisms are deployed across Rome as authorities expect crowds of up to 200,000 peoplePope Francis’s funeral – latest updatesDespite Pope Francis’s desire for a simple and comparatively low-key send-off, those tasked with organising and delivering the funeral of the 266th bishop of Rome still face a vast array of logistical, technological and security challenges.With as many as 170 foreign delegations – including those of Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prince William – expected to descend on the Vatican for Saturday’s funeral, along with crowds of up to 200,000 people, those overseeing the event are in for a hyper-vigilant few days. Continue reading...

Politics

62 h. ago South of Scotland Enterprise officials claim agency has created and supported 10,000 jobs

The enterprise agency was officially launched in April 2020, with grants of more than £50million provided to businesses in that time.

Politics

3 d. ago People over State Pension age to get payment of up to £305 later this year

Pensioners in Scotland will receive between £100 and £305 through a new devolved annual heating payment.

Economics

5 d. ago People on state pension warned HMRC could take weeks to update payments

Some pensioners are likely still waiting for the change that they paid for weeks ago

Events

6 d. ago BBC presenter Nick Owen shares health update on cancer battle as he's left emotional

The Midlands Today host and former TV-am presenter was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 and has urged other men to get tested after he gave a health update admitting people have approached him on the street

Events

8 d. ago New rules for public bodies expected ‘by summer’ after UK gender ruling

Equalities watchdog chair says code of practice will give clarity and adds trans people’s rights ‘must be respected’Updated guidance for public bodies after the UK supreme court’s ruling that a woman is defined in law by biological sex is expected to be issued by the summer, the head of the equalities regulator said on Thursday.Lady Kishwer Falkner, the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, described the ruling as “enormously consequential”, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We are going to have a new statutory code of practice, statutory meaning it will be the law of the land, it will be interpreted by courts as the law of the land. We’re hoping we’re going to have that by the summer.” Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Marjorie Taylor Greene confronted by rowdy constituents at Georgia town hall

Police used a stun gun on two people and made three arrests as Maga representative was repeatedly interruptedUS politics live – latest updatesPolice used a stun gun on two people, and arrested three attenders overall, at a town hall meeting hosted by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on Tuesday.Protesters repeatedly interrupted Greene during a town hall in Acworth, which is about 30 minutes outside Atlanta. One man, Andrew Russell Nelms, began booing Greene almost as soon as she began speaking, and was dragged out of the room by police officers, who used a stun gun on him, according to the New York Times. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Police use stun gun on two people at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Georgia town hall

Three arrests were made as Maga representative’s meeting was repeatedly interrupted by protestersUS politics live – latest updatesPolice used a stun gun on two people, and arrested three attenders overall, at a town hall meeting hosted by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on Tuesday.Protesters repeatedly interrupted Greene during a town hall in Acworth, which is about 30 minutes outside Atlanta. One man, Andrew Russell Nelms, began booing Greene almost as soon as she began speaking, and was dragged out of the room by police officers, who used a stun gun on him, according to the New York Times. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago State Pension payment update for people waiting for DWP annual uprating letter

The New and Basic State Pension weekly payment rates increased by 4.1 per cent on April 7.

Economics

1 week ago Pensioners in Scotland no longer able to claim Attendance Allowance from next week

Older people in 17 council areas can already claim Pension Age Disability Payment.

Politics

1 week ago ON THE ROAD: From world's smallest stand to 'swimming' ball boys and Buckfast pies, Camelon can lay claim to being Scotland's zaniest club!

There is a feast of tales at Camelon. They must be sampled before the meat and bones of how and why the club is targeting SPFL football is investigated.

Politics

1 week ago Former Scotland Yard chief brands Prince Harry's claim that his police protection was withdrawn to keep him and Meghan in the UK a 'complete nonsense'

A source close to Priti Patel , who was Home Secretary in 2020, said that the decision to scale back his security 'was a professional one' taken by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee.

Politics