Aberdeenshire: Scotland’s northeast council area, named after the historic county, governing local services for towns from Inverurie to Peterhead.
Ariana Grande has released her eighth album, Petal, and opened the Eternal Sunshine tour in London, delivering pared-back, darker songs and stripped live moments. Reviews have praised her vocal control and new material while noting production choices that bury her trademark power and that the tour feels like a possible farewell to a high-profile era.
The UK has endured a fifth heatwave this summer, with temperatures pushing into the mid-30s in parts of England and Wales. Health alerts remain in place as drought conditions deepen, with millions under hosepipe bans and reservoirs running low. Forecasters warn the heat could sustain into the week, while authorities prepare extreme heat measures and monitor infrastructure strain.
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.
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.
Scientists say climate change is pushing several bird and mammal species northward, with new breeding evidence appearing in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The latest findings show little egret nesting in Aberdeenshire, barn owls breeding in Fermanagh, and ospreys reestablishing in Anglesey and Rutland Water. Conservation groups urge vigilance and habitat protection as ranges expand and threats persist.
Charles’s autumn itinerary has been outlined, starting with a state visit to the Bahamas on Oct. 27, followed by Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda for a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, concluding Nov. 4. The trip highlights the Commonwealth’s ties and the King’s role as head of state in 14 countries outside the UK.
Multiple road incidents have left two men dead this week. In Newcastle-under-Lyme, a 20-year-old man died from a stab wound after a crash on Orme Road; three males aged 19, 22 and 20 have been arrested on suspicion of murder or conspiracy. In Scotland, a 57-year-old man died following a collision near Pennan on the B9031; Police Scotland is appealing for information.
Italy is intensifying its battle against invasive blue crabs along the Adriatic coast. After years of disruption to fishing, authorities have released 130,000 Octopus vulgaris to prey on crabs in Emilia-Romagna as a field trial amid ongoing ecological and economic damage.
A series of court cases have convicted contractors and managers after fatal workplace incidents. In Surrey, a trench collapse at a Banstead site has led to fines and a suspended sentence; in Aberdeen and Romford, HSE investigations and penalties followed fatal falls and safety breaches; a Bristol dog attack case adds a separate public-safety note.
During a two-day visit to Ireland this weekend President Donald Trump has said he would "love to see" a united Ireland and called reunification "going to happen eventually." His remarks have prompted rebuttals from UK and unionist politicians, sparked protests in Dublin and renewed debate over the Good Friday Agreement's border-poll provisions.
Leaders of the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin have signed a memorandum in Cardiff calling on the UK government to prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change. They have committed to cooperate on energy, the economy and relations with Europe and to press for referendums where domestic politics allow; Westminster has reiterated a referendum is off limits for now.
The Scottish government has introduced environmental impact assessments for data centres above 50MW and will pause decisions until guidance is published, as Holyrood weighs a national strategy to manage a rapid boom in hyperscale AI facilities.
Administrators warn BrewDog’s assets sales fall short of paying all creditors. Unsecured creditors will receive less than a penny in the pound; HMRC and staff wages owed face shortfalls as Tilray’s rescue deal leaves equity worthless for 200,000 crowdfund investors.
Lidl GB has reported a 10% rise in sales to over £13bn, with pre-tax profit up 30% to £245.5m as shoppers chase cheaper meat, fruit and veg and new Deluxe range. Aldi faces scrutiny over loyalty schemes as it expands stores and price cuts amid inflation and supply-chain concerns.
The World Rally Championship title race heads to Sardinia as Elfyn Evans holds a 17-point lead into the season-ending Rally Italia Sardegna. Solberg and Pajari remain in pursuit as weather and gravel conditions threaten the road ahead; a victory or strategic performance is required for Evans to secure Britain’s third WRC title.
The Poverty in Scotland 2026 report finds 21% of children and 17% of people overall remain in poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation calls for a bolder, fully funded plan to eradicate child poverty; the government says progress has been made but more work is needed as ministers review targets. Local government funding and public-service reform are central to the debate.
The SNP has pledged to bring Scotland’s bus network under public control by 2031 through franchising and regulation, extending the £2 bus fare cap to Aberdeen and the north-east. McGill’s Buses says it will fight the policy; critics warn the plan could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions annually. The government asserts the changes will protect routes and invest in services.
UK ministers have approved the Jackdaw gas field, a decision that will boost domestic gas supply and fund an energy wealth fund, while drawing criticism from climate campaigners who warn it does little to lower bills or meet climate goals. Production could start this winter, with up to 11 years of gas and billions added to the economy.
Inverurie in Aberdeenshire has been named Scotland’s Town of the Year after a period of strong local collaboration. Judges highlighted the town’s high retail occupancy, community-led events and sustained footfall growth, with local businesses and volunteers driving the success.
Storm Boelo has caused widespread disruption, killing two people as trees collapse and power is cut to around 90,000 homes. Forecasters expect a new weather system to bring further high winds and travel disruption, with warnings in place across the UK.
Scotland’s Acorn carbon capture project is embroiled in a funding dispute as UK ministers reframe support from a grant to loans/equity. The government has already drawn down a portion of the promised grant, and critics warn the plan remains fragile while SNP aims hinge on NETs for emissions cuts.
UK mortgage costs rise with Bank of England base rate hikes anticipated amid inflation fears linked to the Middle East conflict. Analysts warn affordability will deteriorate as fixed-rate deals end, while lenders adjust pricing and market activity remains subdued.
Police Scotland is investigating new information related to allegations that women were trafficked to Balmoral, the royal residence in Aberdeenshire. The inquiry is at a very early stage and remains evidence-led, with authorities not disclosing details as investigations continue. Dozens of Epstein-related documents have already drawn attention to the royal circle.
Power cuts persist in parts of Britain after two named storms, Boelo and Austen, caused widespread disruption. Authorities warn of ongoing travel disruption and potential flooding as a new low-pressure system is forecast to bring more heavy rain and strong winds in the coming days.
Australian authorities designate a deep saline storage site near Darwin to inject CO2 for long-term storage, linking to the Ichthys LNG facility. Inpex leads environmental review; project faces ecological concerns and calls for robust oversight as it seeks to reduce emissions from hard-to-abate sectors.
Three separate crash reports have surfaced from Scotland on Friday, with a two-vehicle collision near Tarland resulting in one death, and a single-vehicle crash near Bathgate claiming a boy’s life. Police are investigating and appealing for dash-cam footage and witnesses to come forward.
Authorities have indicated that threatening emails sent to hundreds of schools across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the UK are hoaxes. No credible threat to the public has been found, and schools are resuming normal activities while investigators search for the source of the messages.