Entertainment
UK ‘drops’ plans for mandatory digital ID for workers in latest U-turn
Britain is set to drop plans to make it mandatory for workers to hold a digital identity document, The Times newspaper, the BBC and other media reported on Tuesday, potentially marking another policy U-turn for the Labour government.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in September last year that his government would require every employee to hold a digital ID in an attempt to tackle illegal migration and reduce the threat from the populist Reform UK party.
The government said the digital ID would be held on people’s mobile phones and become a mandatory part of checks employers must make when hiring staff.
The plan drew criticism from political opponents, with some arguing it would not deter illegal migration and others warning it could infringe on civil liberties.
The Times said the government abandoned the plan amid concerns it could undermine public trust in the scheme, noting that when introduced in 2029, digital IDs would be optional rather than mandatory.
Other forms of documentation, such as an electronic visa or passport, would still be valid, The Times said.
“We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks,” a government spokesperson said. “We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation which will launch shortly.”
The spokesperson said current checks rely on a “hodgepodge” of paper-based systems, with no record of whether they were ever carried out, leaving the process open to fraud and abuse.
If plans for a mandatory digital ID are dropped, it would mark another policy climbdown for Starmer.
In December, the government scaled back a plan to raise more tax from farmers, months after it backed down on cuts to welfare spending and scaled back a proposal to reduce subsidies on energy bills for the elderly.
Offset is coming back stronger after his shooting accident which altered his plans, but he still showed up – even taking the stage on a wheelchair.
The 34-year-old rapper spoke about his recovery and accident in a new interview, sharing how he kept his morale up and continued pushing himself.
“You’ve got to keep pushing like the Energizer Bunny, man. Keep this s— pushing. Don’t got time to be slowing down.” Offset told the Creators Inc. Podcast on Thursday, March 23.
Speaking about his performance mid-recovery, the Annihilate hitmaker noted, “You got to go G6 — G5, sorry. Had them bring the bed out, lay on that thing for six hours, go to sleep. You cool.”
The rapper also hinted at his new album in the same interview, saying, “I’m trying to drop soon. Couple months from now. I don’t got no date yet, but getting the creative and all s— to go together. Removing songs, making new songs, just off life because all my s— always be off of life experiences. You know what I mean? What happens in my real life, I just put it in my music.”
Despite the Florida accident, Offset shared that he maintains a “gladiator mentality” which motivates him to push forward instead of being held down by such incidents.
“The show don’t ever stop at the end of the day. I was blessed enough to be able to still move, you know what I mean? So, I’m still moving. I didn’t really have a checklist for it,” he said.
The Open It Up singer added, “I don’t want nobody feel sorry for me or no s— like that. People get shot every day, bro, like, I’m blessed. I can keep pushing, so why would I just sit down? I got to keep pushing. I got to keep going.”
Ellen Burstyn, known for her Oscar-winning role in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” has spent seven decades in Hollywood, but she tells “CBS Mornings” that poetry has also shaped her life as she discusses her new book “Poetry Says It Better.”
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The 2026 NFL Draft was completed with full of trades and surprises on Thursday night, April 23.
In a significant move, the Las Vegas Raiders opted for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No.1 overall pick.
After the first round, some teams are all in on their future, while others are dangerously close to being counted out.
Who’s in
The Las Vegas Raiders are in without a doubt. With the first overall pick, they drafted quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the winner of the Heisman Trophy, who will be the face of the franchise going forward.
All four teams in the NFC East are in contention now. The New York Giants are in after drafting Arvell Reese from Ohio State and tackle Francis Mauigoa. The Dallas Cowboys are in after trading up to select “transformative” safety Caleb Downs. Even the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders landed top talent.
The Los Angeles Rams are looking to build for the future. By taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick, they’ve guaranteed themselves their man under center when Matthew Stafford retires.
Who’s out
The New York Jets didn’t find the right path. Despite having three first-round picks, officials panned their haul, calling edge rusher David Bairly at No. 2 a major reach.
Another setback was the Arizona Cardinals. Selecting a running back like Jeremiyah Love with an underperforming offensive line and dire needs defensively made one wonder if the team had already tanked.
The Miami Dolphins disappointed just as much. Following their spending in free agency on a quarterback such as Malik Willis, they didn’t provide him with anything worthwhile offensively.
Predictions for round 2 and round 3
As rounds 2 and 3 are approaching, analysts make major predictions.
Starting with Round 2, San Francisco will select Emmanuel McNeil-Warren as their safety selection at No. 33 overall, while Arizona selects Carson Beck as a future starting quarterback at No. 34 overall.
Buffalo will be taking a chance by selecting Josh Allen’s red zone target in Denzel Boston at No. 35 overall, while New York adds to their depth with Jermod McCoy at No. 37 overall.
Meanwhile, Baltimore is going for yet another falling star in Avieon Terrell at No. 45 overall. Teams that need a quarterback will watch closely as the Steelers draft Garrett Nussmeier at No. 53 overall.
In Round 3, Philadelphia drafts an offensive tackle to help improve their offensive line with Caleb Tiernan at No. 68 overall, while Cleveland takes care of one more defensive player.
Miami selects tight end Oscar Delp at No. 75 overall, and Pittsburgh looks to continue rebuilding its secondary. As the third round progresses, expect runs on receivers and interior offensive linemen.
Offset teases new album plans after recent shooting accident
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