A number of schools in Aberdeenshire are operating at reduced hours due to a “super flu” sweeping across Scotland.
The local authority has confirmed it is dealing with “higher than normal absences among both pupils and staff” due to an increase in influenza cases.

President Donald Trump has launched a scheme offering fast-tracked US visas to wealthy foreigners who can pay at least $1m (£750,000).

Trump said on social media it is a "direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent."

The Trump Gold Card, which was first announced earlier this year, is a US visa awarded to those who can demonstrate they will provide a "substantial benefit" to the country, according to the scheme's official website.

It comes as Washington intensifies its immigration crackdown, including raising work visa fees and deporting undocumented migrants.

The Gold Card scheme promises US residency in "record time" and will require a $1m fee which is "evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States".

Using babies now for their propaganda. Absolute SCUM!

Snapchat is the most commonly-used social media platform in reported child exploitation and abuse offences, according to new police figures.

The government has said it has no plans to enforce a social media ban on children to keep them safe, but ministers say they're watching Australia's ban - which started this week - with interest.

A leaked document has allegedly unveiled a dramatic US proposal to prise four countries away from the European Union as part of a bold new 'Make Europe Great Again' strategy.

The secret file, reported by Defense One, supposedly claims Washington intends to withdraw Austria, Italy, Hungary and Poland from the EU altogether - a move that would rip through the continent's political landscape.

Even more controversially, the document is said to call for the US to back parties and movements that 'seek sovereignty and preservation/restoration of traditional European ways of life.'

The White House has come out swinging, vehemently denying the claims as the leak triggered widespread alarm among European media outlets and spiralled across social platforms.

Tommy Robinson admits he'll fight with foreigners against the natives. He also strangely claims over half the people he loves are foreigners

Councillors in Swale 'pelted with eggs' while debating 'sanctuary' for asylum seekers.

Councillors in Kent have been "violently intimidated" and "pelted with eggs" while debating whether to make their area a "district of sanctuary" for asylum seekers, according to an MP.

"Toilets were vandalised, deliberate flooding caused water to pour through the ceiling in several areas, and a lift was also damaged.

"The police are examining the CCTV footage, and we will be supportive of any prosecutions they pursue."

This panel say that being Irish doesn't mean having white skin and that this idea needs to be 'unlearned.'

Just in🔥

NATO Chief Mark Rutte calls on Europe to be prepared for the scale of war "our grandparents and great-grandparents endured".

This is becoming the whole of the UK now.

With NATO Chief Mark Rutte saying Europe must prepare once again for war like in 1939 where millions volunteered en masse to fight we ask would you go and fight for these people?

Labour ministers today attempted to defend Sir Keir Starmer's U-turn on the House of Lords after the Prime Minister stuffed the unelected chamber with more peers.

In his latest batch of appointments to the Lords, Sir Keir announced a fresh list of 25 Labour peerages as he gave jobs for life to cronies and ex-advisers.

There were also five nominations for peerages from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, three from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, and one crossbench nomination.

It means Sir Keir has now overseen the creation of 96 peers since becoming PM, which is more than the 92 hereditary peers he is removing from the Lords.

3 weeks to flatten the curve?

Ye every day they allow hundreds, if not thousands, of illegal fighting age men to cross the English Chanel.

No one will go to war for these clowns.

A Scottish newspaper editor has appeared in court charged in connection with alleged indecent online communications.

David McCann, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times in Scotland, was arrested after police executed a search warrant at a property in the Edinburgh area on 25 November.

The 43-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 26 November.

He made no plea and was remanded in custody before being granted bail the following day.

A depraved sex offender who subjected a pregnant woman to a string of brutal rapes inside her own home has been locked up.

Liam Cowley, 32, armed himself with two knives from the kitchen and warned "you know what's going to happen next" before carrying out his vile assaults on the victim. Liverpool Crown court was told he targeted the vulnerable woman in Liverpool and subjected her to blackmail.

Cowley, of no fixed address, received an 18-year prison sentence, with an extended licence of five years due to his dangerousness, culminating in a total extended sentence of 23 years.