2 h. ago Alabama governor commutes death sentence of man convicted for 1991 murder

Kay Ivey says Robin ‘Rocky’ Myers will serve life in prison after jury claimed lack of physical evidence at crime sceneThe Alabama governor, Kay Ivey, on Friday commuted the death sentence of Robin “Rocky” Myers to life in prison after noting questions about his case.Ivey said Myers, who was facing execution this spring, will instead spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. She noted that was the sentence jurors at his 1994 trial had recommended. A judge overruled that recommendation and imposed a death sentence, a maneuver that has since been outlawed in Alabama, according to the human rights advocacy organization Amnesty International. Continue reading...

Events

27 h. ago Social Security Administration could lay off up to 50% of its workforce, source says – live

Social Security Administration expected to lay off at least 7,000 people, but a source tells Associated Press reduction could be as high as 50%As Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have arisen with the American side, strengthening confidence-building measures. Continue reading...

Events

31 h. ago Democrat slams tariffs announcement: ‘Trump is driving the US economy straight into a wall’ – live

Ron Wyden, ranking member of Senate finance committee, says tariffs on neighboring countries will be felt by Americans and called it a betrayal to Trump’s votersTrump threatens China with additional 10% tariff in escalation of trade warAs Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have a...

Politics

34 h. ago Trump says tariffs for Mexico, Canada, and China to go into effect next week – live

US president blames illegal drugs from Mexico and Canada as reason for tariffs going into effect on 4 March; China to be charged an additional 10% As Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have arisen with the American side, strengthening confidence-building measures. Continue readin...

Politics

34 h. ago Wishaw’s MSP urges constituents to be wary of falsely claimed 'government' scams

Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) advises that cold callers are misleading Scottish homeowners about spray foam insulation.

Politics

62 h. ago How much Ed Miliband's Net Zero drive will cost YOU: Heat pump installation bills of £15,000, flights £150 more... but at least you'll save £2 a week on food

The Net Zero drive will cost Britons more on heat pumps and flights but they will save on energy bills and fuel costs, the Government's climate advisers claim.

Economics

3 d. ago Australian citizen detained 32 times at Sydney airport accuses border force of systemic racism

Hubert Igbinoba, who is suing the Australian government, says he is singled out because he is black – a claim the government deniesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Australian citizen detained 32 times at Sydney airport – without allegation or charge – has told the federal circuit court he is stopped and searched almost every time he enters the country because he is black.Okungbowa Hubert Igbinoba also told a directions hearing on Tuesday that an $80,000 settlement offer from the government was an attempt to silence him.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Elon Musk claims US government workers to be put on leave if they fail to return to office – live

Billionaire claims workers will face administrative leave if they ‘ignored President Trump’s executive order’Musk demand for federal workers document what they do brings chaosMusk’s ‘Doge’ claim about USAid funds for India sets off political firestormHere’s a little more on Dan Bongino, the Maga podcaster Donald Trump has named as deputy director of the FBI and who will oversee the bureau alongside newly appointed director Kash Patel.The president announced the appointment on Sunday night in a post on his Truth Social platform, praising Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our country”. He called the announcement “great news for law enforcement and American justice”.Kash Patel should have been a redline. Bongino is what you get when R Senators fail to do their jobs and say no to Patel. The Trump Admin is turning federal law enforcement over to unqualified, unprincipled, partisan henchmen. It’s unacceptable and conservatives need to say so. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Motherwell and Wishaw Inner Wheel Club receive Scottish Parliament recognition

The ladies were delighted to learn that they had received a letter advising that Motherwell and Wishaw MSP, Clare Adamson, has raised a motion at the Scottish Parliament recognising the club for their longstanding contribution to the community.

Politics

5 d. ago Donald Trump 'will be invited to stay with King Charles at Balmoral' during state visit

A government source has claimed that when Keir Starmer travels to the US this week, he might invite Donald Trump to the UK - and the US president could stay at Balmoral Castle

Politics

5 d. ago People with these surnames have no idea they could be in line for a huge inheritance

Many people have no idea that they were entitled to claim estates from the government

Politics

7 d. ago Shakhtar Donetsk accuse Fifa of failing to support Ukrainian football during war

Chief executive reflects on the three years since invasion‘Fifa forgot about us their door is always closed’Shakhtar Donetsk’s chief executive, Serhii Palkin, has accused Fifa of failing to support Ukrainian football in the three years since Russia undertook its full-scale invasion of the country.Ukraine’s domestic league has managed to play on after an initial six-month pause but resources are scarce and the long-term outlook remains uncertain. Palkin claimed the world governing body had kept its doors “closed to us” and he repeated previous entreaties for the creation of a fund to help maintain a sport that has endured severe physical and financial damage. He also urged Fifa and Uefa to hold firm on their commitment to bar Russian teams from international competitions amid an increasingly precarious geopolitical climate. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Almost a quarter of all Welsh schools 'need urgent maintenance'

In Torfaen, the education secretary’s constituency, 31 out of 32 schools require urgent work

Politics

9 d. ago Journalists launch legal action against Italian government over spyware claims

Union submits criminal complaint to prosecutors as ministers refuse to answer questions about alleged hacksItaly’s national union for journalists has submitted a criminal complaint to prosecutors in Rome after Giorgia Meloni’s government shut down questions in parliament over suspicions it had illegally used spyware technology to hack the phones of critics instead of criminals.The legal action on Wednesday was triggered by the absence of clarity from the government since revelations emerged in late January that a migrant activist and Francesco Cancellato, an investigative journalist, were among at least seven people in Italy whose mobile phones had been targeted by an entity using Graphite, a military-grade spyware produced by the Israel-based Paragon, which is intended for use on criminals. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Wishaw MSP delight at improvements to playparks in her constituency

Playparks in Motherwell and Wishaw that have benefitted from Scottish Government investment.

Politics

1 week ago Britain's goal of hitting net zero by 2050 is 'sinister' and making millions of households poorer, says US energy secretary

In a speech yesterday, US energy secretary Chris Wright claimed green policies were being used as a facade to expand government control and 'shrink human freedom'

Society

1 week ago Labour Government's delivery 'will turn the polls around', claims Ian Murray

The Scottish Secretary was speaking after a poll predicted the party’s worst result in Scotland since devolution.

Politics