As schools issued with mobile phone guidance - many worry laws not keeping up with modern life

A statistic that may bewilder anyone older than around 35 - by age 12, 97% of pupils have a mobile phone.

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'Not taking your fair share!' Humza Yousaf slapped down by Cleverly after figures expose SNP's appalling record on housing asylum seekers

James Cleverly has slapped down the SNP, claiming Scotland doesn't take its "fair share" of asylum seekers, despite the SNP's claim that it is more welcoming to migrants.

In a letter to First Minister Humza Yousaf, the Home Secretary said: "This issue extends right across Great Britain and it is essential each part of the country plays its part.

"Providing safe and appropriate accommodation to those that claim asylum will help you deliver that aim and so I look forward to your support in going further in Scotland.

"Therefore, I am writing to ask for your support in rapidly increasing the asylum accommodation estate in Scotland.

"Reaching parity between our nations on the number of asylum seekers per capita is the only way to deliver fair and equitable asylum accommodation."

Data published last year showed Scotland was housing 5,086 asylum seekers out of a UK total of 112,294.

That amounts to just 4.5 per cent of the total. Scotland makes up 8.1 per cent of the UK population.

The Scottish Government said: "The Home Office is responsible for provision of asylum accommodation, including hotels procured as contingency initial asylum accommodation.

"The UK Government needs to respect the important role of local authorities in asylum dispersal and should provide more financial support for them as it presses ahead with plans to close asylum hotels.

"We have received the Home Secretary's letter and will respond in due course."

The SNP has been fiercely critical of the Government's plan to send migrants to Rwanda.

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Writing on X after MPs voted to approve the Safety of Rwanda Bill, Yousaf said: "Westminster values are not Scotland’s values."

He added: "The most disgraceful piece of legislation in modern UK political history passes its 2nd reading.

"We need a humane asylum system and to create legal routes for those seeking sanctuary. The SNP will continue to oppose this legislation."

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Ministers urge police to make 'robust' use of powers over safety fears

Ministers have urged police forces to use "robust" measures to tackle protesters who "intimidate and harass" MPs over their stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

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Badenoch hits back at former Post Office boss in Horizon compensation row

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has hit out at the former Post Office chairman after he alleged he was told to "stall" spending on compensation for Horizon scandal victims ahead of the next general election.

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EU cracks as Olaf Scholz 'categorically against' Ursula von der Leyen becoming Nato chief as her 'tough' stance on Putin would be a 'disadvantage'

Olaf Scholz blocked Ursula von der Leyen from becoming the new Nato chief because her “tough” stance on Putin would be a “disadvantage”, German media has reported.

The German chancellor, reportedly told Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, that he was against von der Leyen becoming the new head of the military alliance because she is highly critical or Russia.

Citing diplomats in Brussels, German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported that “Scholz was categorically against von der Leyen becoming Nato head”.

Von der Leyen is being considered as a potential successor to Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of Nato who is due to step down in October.

Another contender is Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime Minister. His chances of seizing the position have grown since Scholz denounced von der Leyen, German media has reported.

Ben Wallace, the former UK defence secretary is also being considered for the role.

Von der Leyen was the German defence minister from 2013 to 2019, during which she was frequently criticised for depending on the use of outside consultants.

In April 2023, Britain was reported by The Sun to be considering vetoing the President of the European Commission for the role, citing her performance as German defence minister under Angela Merkel.

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Last month, tension between Scholz and von der Leyen rose when the EU criticised Germany for pledging €7billion (£6billion) in security assistance and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Scholz announced the support on January 16, after urging other EU countries to boost their military supplies to Ukraine.

However, Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, slammed Scholz for not backing Brussels.

“Today we see that Germany is trying to go solo, it hasn't fooled anyone, and in particular it is trying to stop supporting the European Peace Facility,” Breton told reporters in Paris.

The European Peace Facility is an off-budget mechanism aimed at funding the costs of the EU’s offshore military operations, as well as funding aid to allies such as Ukraine.

In December, Germany laid out a proposal which would allow member countries to discount bilateral military aid given to Ukraine from their contribution to the EPF.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the EPF has provided €4.5billion (£3.8billion) worth of weapons to Kyiv.

It also drilled 34,000 Ukrainian troops are part of an EU training mission.

Berlin officials believe that countries with larger defence industries such as France or Spain should be spending money on creating new weapons, rather than using their existing military stocks, which the EPF then reimburses.

“For Ukraine it is decisive that military aid reaches it without delay," a German diplomat in Brussels told Politico.

“The EPF is useful but can be blocked by a single Member State as has happened time and again in the past. Bilateral support is direct and quick and should be considered as an at least equivalent contribution.”

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Tories think they've spotted a Labour weakness - and are scouring for opportunities

The Conservative campaign is seeking Labour candidates' comments about Israel and Gaza following the suspension of two MP-hopefuls last week after their comments about the Middle East. 

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Sunak's by-election agony, Starmer's Rochdale headache, and why we could have a May election? | Adam Boulton

This week's two by-elections had something for everyone - except Rishi Sunak's Conservatives.

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Alexei Navalny: What we know about the death of Putin's critic

The death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has sparked a series of questions and accusations, including over how he died and, crucially, who, if anyone, is responsible.

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Ukrainians offered 18-month visa extension to stay in UK

Ukrainians who sought sanctuary in the UK after Russia's invasion will be granted an 18-month visa under a new extension scheme.

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Scottish Labour calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Scottish Labour has unanimously backed an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with MSPs calling for "unequivocal" support and putting pressure on the rest of the party.

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Trump supporters accuse Democrats of trying to 'BANKRUPT' him with latest 'witch hunt' in 'corrupt court'

Supporters of Donald Trump have accused Democrats of trying to "bankrupt" the former President after a New York court ordered him to pay $354.9million for overstating his net worth to lenders.

Reacting to the ruling by Justice Arthur Engoron, Trump's lawyer Alina Habba issued a statement describing it as “manifest injustice" and the "culmination of a multi-year, politically fuelled witch hunt" against him.

"This is not just about Donald Trump - if this decision stands, it will serve as a signal to every single American that New York is no longer open for business."

Former San Francisco prosecutor Kimberly Guilfoyle criticised the size of the penalty in a case where she claimed "there’s no victims and no one lost money".

"The only fraud here is inside the New York AG’s office and inside a corrupt court."

Justice Engoron, who decided the case without a jury, also banned Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years.

Trump has also been banned from applying for loans from any financial institution in New York for three years.

It's a move which many believe puts his real estate empire at risk.

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called the ruling "outrageous!" and said: "These people belong in jail for the abuse of power they are wielding against President Trump and his family."

Meanwhile, former New York legislator Ben Geller, described the ruling as "disgusting" and said: "This will be thrown out in appeal."

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Trump’s adult sons, Don Jr. and Eric, were also defendants in the case. They were each ordered to pay $4million.

Don Jr reacted by saying: "We've reached the point where your political beliefs combined with what venue your case is heard are the primary determinants of the outcome; not the facts of the case!"

Eric and Don Jr.'s lawyer Clifford Robert called the decision a "gross injustice".

Although lawyers for the Trump organisation say he will appeal, Trump could be required to deposit his portion of the full judgment plus interest pending the outcome.

Republican Senator for Ohio J.D. Vance said: "American courts have become corrupt weapons of the Democratic Party.

"Yes, Trump will win on appeal. But a lot of money and time will be wasted in the meantime. This is disgraceful."

Estimates of Trump’s wealth differ; Forbes values his net worth at $2.6billion and in an April deposition, Trump stated he possessed about $400million in cash.

Meanwhile, New York Attorney General Letitia James who brought the case against Trump described the ruling as "a massive victory".

"We won our case against Donald Trump for engaging in years of incredible financial fraud to enrich himself.

"Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, and his former executives must pay over $450million in disgorgement and interest."

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Former US senior defence official says Biden 'thinking of 1930s Europe' after Navalny's death

A top former US diplomat in Russia has warned that President Biden is thinking of 1930s Europe following the death of opposition diplomat Alexei Navalny.

It comes as the President held a press conference where he said that there was "no doubt that the death of Nalvany was a consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did."

Now, former US Senior Defense Official and Attache to Russia Peter Zwack has spoken to GB News about President Biden's reaction to the news from Russia.

He said that there were multiple factors in the press conference but added that Navalny "did not have to die."

Speaking in reaction to today's speech, he told GB News: "President Biden, I think he's a historian. He's been around a long time. He worries that aspects of history, while they don't necessarily repeat themselves, they provide a guide post.

"I think he's thinking of feelings of the late 1930s in Europe. I think there's feelings of 1913 in Europe. There are feelings also of where did the bump, the positiveness come after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War and the fall of the USSR.

"We have a lot going on. The fact is we have multiple issues going on regarding national security and our alliances in Russia. The death of Alexi Navaly did not have to happen.

"First of all, the fact that it happened in a Russian prison near the arctic where he was by all accounts, unjustly imprisoned is just confirms the nature of the Putin regime and what we are all dealing with as we see manifested in Ukraine."

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He added: "This is a key issue for President Biden in the United States and in the UK and the rest of Nato. Biden is pulling together threads that we're hearing from the Munich security conference that's going on."

When asked whether Biden's comments that Navalny's death was "Shocking but not surprising" would be shared with other world leaders, Zwack said: "I think realistically everybody thought Navalny's days were numbered. It was more an issue of how and when.

"They were never going to let him out as long as he could be an electoral threat.

"He was either going to rot away in prison or he was going to die. The question was was it natural causes up in the Arctic circle or was accelerated. Nobody knows but you know what, it doesn't matter."

He added: "The regime is still responsible. A prisoner in their custody who is of high interest died. And they never had a great justification for his initial imprisonment.

"He was destined to perish in prison as long as the Putin regime was in place. Maybe it should be seen as a wake up call. It's shaking countries."

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Trump ordered to pay $354m and banned from running businesses for three years in New York fraud case

Donald Trump must pay $354.9 million in penalties for fraudulently overstating his net worth to dupe lenders.

A New York judge ruled on Friday handing the former US President the fine in another legal setback in a civil case that imperils his real estate empire.

Justice Arthur Engoron also banned Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years.

The lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump and his family businesses of overstating his net worth by as much $3.6billion a year over a decade to fool bankers into giving him better loan terms.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the case a political vendetta by James, an elected Democrat. Trump is expected to appeal Friday's ruling by Engoron.

Engoron wrote: "Their complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological...Instead, they adopt a 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' posture that the evidence belies."

The civil fraud case could deal a major blow to Trump's real estate empire he leads the race for the Republican nomination to challenge President Joe Biden in the upcoming US election.

Engoron had previously ruled in September that Trump had engaged in fraud and ordered his business empire be partially dissolved. The ruling came after a contentious three-month trial in Manhattan.

During his testimony, Trump conceded that some of his property values were inaccurate but insisted banks were obligated to do their own due diligence.

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Trump, 77, is currently under indictment in four criminal cases, including one in New York related to hush money payments he made to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.

The judge overseeing that case on Thursday set a March 25 trial date over the objections of Trump's lawyers, who sought to delay it due to Trump's crowded legal and political schedule.

Trump has also been charged in Florida for his handling of classified documents upon leaving office and in Washington and in Georgia for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. He has pleaded not guilty in all four cases.

In the New York case, Trump and his adult sons, Don Jr. and Eric, were defendants in the case. Don Jr. and Eric Trump were each ordered by the judge to pay $4million.

Trump's lawyer Alina Habba said in a statement that the New York ruling was a "manifest injustice" and "culmination of a multi-year, politically fueled witch hunt" against him.

She said: "This is not just about Donald Trump - if this decision stands, it will serve as a signal to every single American that New York is no longer open for business."

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Sir Keir Starmer paid nearly £100,000 in tax last year, documents show

Sir Keir Starmer paid £99,431 in tax last year, according to a summary released by the Labour Party.

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Melania Trump 'quiet' as she makes first public appearance since mother's death

Melania Trump seemed “quiet” as she made her first public appearance since her mother died last month.

She appeared at The Trumpettes, a ball held in Donald Trump’s honour at their Mar-a-Lago resort this weekend, with her husband by her side.

The pair dressed in matching black attire as they waved to crowds, before heading into the resort to celebrate.

One guest described Melina as being “quiet but in very good spirits”.

They continued: “What I noticed in particular was that although everyone was waiting for Trump to make his grand entrance, when he walked in and waved at everyone, he made sure to turn to her and acknowledge that she was there!

“After he made his way to the podium, she was there standing by the stage the whole time, smiling. She waved and said hello to everyone that was close enough to reach out to her. She was all smiles. There was a look of great sense of peace on her face,” gala guest Delia Hickman told the Daily Mail.

Last month, Melina’s mother Amalija Knavs passed away at the age of 78.

The former First Lady announced with “deep sadness” the death of her mother on social media, who she described as a “strong woman” who was “devoted” to her family.

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Melania had been absent from all of Trump's campaign appearances and his media interviews since he left office.

She has also not appeared at his various court appearances, including those related to his civil fraud trial in New York.

However, she did choose to appear as a guest speaker for a naturalisation ceremony in Washington DC last December, which many have found a peculiar choice.

She spoke about her challenges in becoming a US citizen.

The ceremony was at the National Archives, the US agency that her husband has been accused of withholding documents from.

Adding to the irony, Melania spoke of the significance of America’s “democratic process” without reference to her husband’s trial.

Last year, posters featuring Melania captioned “missing” were circulated in Iowa.

In December, Laurence Leamer, author of a book about Trump’s base in Mar-a-Lago said that the former First Lady is rarely seen outside the confines of the estate.

He said: “Nobody knows where she is. It’s like a mystery. It’s certainly talked about.”

Before she became first lady, Melania was frequently sighted by Mar-a-Lago members, however, according to Leamer, that is no longer the case.

“She rarely exits Mar-a-Lago. It’s a strange, isolated life they have in that place,” he told the The Daily Telegraph.

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