Market town, historic county town of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Authorities confirm hundreds of schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland have received hoax bomb-threat emails. While the threats are treated as non-credible, some schools have evacuated as a precaution. Investigations are ongoing to locate the source of the messages.
Drivers have criticised 2026 regulations that split power 50/50 between internal combustion and electrical units, saying energy-management rules have forced slower, less exciting racing. Lando Norris has said commercial aims — and manufacturers such as Audi entering the sport — have driven the changes, and drivers say they have had little say in rulemaking.
CrossCountry’s Birmingham power outage has crippled rail services nationwide, with near-normal operations only for Peterborough–Cambridge–Stansted. Tickets remain valid across operators, and rail replacement buses are in place as major routes face ongoing cancellations and delays.
A 16-year-old, Kenzie Carmichael, has died after collapsing near The Boathouse on Nith Avenue in Dumfries. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and are appealing for information from those in the area. The teenager had recently left St Joseph’s College to pursue further education.
A string of cyber incidents targets McKesson and Beacon CRM-holding charities in the UK. McKesson reports data exfiltration and service degradation after a Snowflake/Salesforce cloud breach. Separately, Beacon CRM vulnerabilities have affected about 1,500 charities, prompting warnings to supporters and measures to bolster security.
The Guardian reports a new graphic novel by Melissa Chan and Badiucao imagines a dystopian future where China and the United States are at war in 2035. It foregrounds the experiences of the Chinese-speaking diaspora and argues authoritarianism everywhere is bad, while highlighting risks to journalists and artists who criticise Beijing.
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 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.
Scottish plans for a 1GW Chapelcross AI data centre face opposition and calls for public consultation. Campaigners warn of grid strain and higher bills, while officials emphasise community engagement and national guidance. The project aims to redevelop a former nuclear site but faces scrutiny over land use and greenhouse gas impacts.
National Geographic has named Dumfries and Galloway a must-visit location for 2027, alongside global destinations. The region is praised for dark skies, coastal trails, cycling and galloway landscape, with observatory plans and the Tour de France’s arrival boosting momentum. Local leaders say the recognition will drive year‑round tourism.
Storm Boelo has driven widespread disruption across Scotland, with amber warnings, high winds and rising flood risks. Power outages persist, travel remains disrupted, and authorities urge residents to follow official forecasts as repairs continue.
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.