Scottish council area: land and people
The president has announced a trip to Ireland for Sept. 12-13, where he will attend events with embassy staff and officials, and visit Trump-owned golf properties. AP, New York Post and Independent note the trip underscores how official travel can intersect with family business interests, including LIV Golf ties and potential political signaling.
Scottish supporters are converging on Providence, Rhode Island, for Scotland’s World Cup games in the United States. Organizers have arranged affordable transport and lodging as fans navigate record-high World Cup costs, leveraging local partnerships to host events and shuttle groups to the stadium.
BrewDog’s founder James Watt has tabled a bid to reacquire the Scottish craft beer business he co-founded, via a new firm, Second Best. The move follows Tilray’s rescue of BrewDog earlier this year and the company’s subsequent administration, which closed bars and left investors out of pocket. The ICO is reviewing potential GDPR concerns over shareholder data.
Ayrshire golfer has secured a second Open appearance after final qualifying at Dundonald Links. He has decided to pursue PGA qualification and is aiming to compete again at The Open, even as he prepares to return to PGA training. The Open week at Royal Birkdale has brought him personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
The US has removed tariffs on Scotch whisky following the King and Queen’s state visit, a move hailed as a boost for Scotland’s whisky industry and its jobs. The move also sees US bourbon and casks entering the UK tariff-free, while ministers warn other UK goods face new levies. Readers are updated on the latest shift in transatlantic trade relations.
Public access to rivers remains severely limited across large parts of England and Wales, despite calls for a right of responsible access. New data shows vast riverbanks lack access within 100m of water, while authorities warn that drought conditions and heatwave risk intensifying shortages. Scotland also tightens water-use rules as abstractions face temporary limits.
The new Prime Minister has indicated a pragmatic approach to North Sea oil, with discussions in the US about potential licensing changes. Labour’s manifesto bounds remain a factor, as consultations on Jackdaw and Rosebank proceed while officials weigh existing licences.
Ariana Grande’s eighth studio album Petal has sparked conversation about her artistic direction and handling of fame. Critics note a more restrained vocal approach and darker production, while Grande faces ongoing questions about identity, media scrutiny and fan relationship as she navigates post-Wicked press tours and personal challenges.
Infortar Estonian Challenge winner Martin Franssen has claimed a 19-under total to win the DP World Tour’s HotelPlanner Tour event in Tallinn, edging England’s Andrew Wilson by three shots. Franssen, an Inverness-born, St Andrews-based player, secures his first Scottish title on the circuit, after a season of steady progress and a breakthrough victory the previous year.
Scottish exam results show pass rates rising across National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, with record numbers of passes and a narrowing but persistent attainment gap between deprived and better-off pupils. Education Secretary McAllan describes the day as positive and pledges further action.
A series of incidents at Travelodge hotels have raised concerns about room access security. Victims report unauthorised entry by strangers after staff handed out room keys, including a Maidenhead case where a man jailed for sexual assault wore a key card. Travelodge has updated policies and retraining, while victims call for stronger protections.
The UK has faced a fifth heatwave this summer, with record highs in several locations. A cooler spell is moving in over the weekend, bringing rain to some drought-affected areas. Health alerts remain in place as authorities monitor ongoing drought and heat-related pressures.
A total solar eclipse has crossed parts of Spain, Iceland and Greenland while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from the UK since 1999. Scientists have used airborne and balloon experiments to study the Sun's corona and the event has drawn large crowds despite patchy clouds and local viewing limits.
Courtney Gartshore has been jailed for six years after a High Court in Aberdeen found her culpable homicide of her three-month-old daughter Dahlia-Rose Gartshore. The court heard she used a hair dryer to apply heat, resulting in fatal burns on 18% of the infant’s body. The sentencing described the act as a uniquely disturbing breach of parental duty.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has exchanged a small number of messages with someone impersonating White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, officials have said. Downing Street has declined to comment on national security grounds. The British embassy in Washington has raised the incident with the White House and the messages were reported as suspicious.