Scottish daily newspaper and news site based in Edinburgh
Bluetongue serotype 3 has been detected on a third farm in south-west Scotland within the same parish, with all affected animals euthanised and restrictions in place. Vaccination is being urged; vaccines face supply concerns and authorities are coordinating with manufacturers.
David Robert Mitchell has released The End of Oak Street, a 1982-set film that transports a suburban neighbourhood into a dinosaur-infested past. Critics have praised Anne Hathaway’s performance and the film’s visual craft while disagreeing over its tone, emotional stakes and whether the mix of Spielberg homage, arthouse horror and comedy succeeds.
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.
Jason Arday, who resigned last week as professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge amid allegations of plagiarism, has been found dead at a south London address. Police have said the death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious. Family and colleagues have said he faced intense public scrutiny and a sustained campaign of abuse.
Publishers describe a pivot from information velocity to capability velocity, arguing AI-enabled production is redefining how news is made and consumed. The article threads through executives’ reflections on post-processable velocity, six-week horizons, and the crossing of a new speed frontier in tech and media.
Edinburgh’s festival week delivers a string of gripping, dialogue-driven pieces. Good With Faces probes care, gender, and power in a tense mother–social worker confrontation; The Librarians adds frothy satire to a fading public library; The Subplot dives into Titan-era obsession with a personal, intimate lens. Together, the day maps a city in love with risk, craft, and public spectacle.
Scottish Green MSP Q Manivannan has faced widespread condemnation after saying rape is a spectrum, prompting apologies and calls for leadership from Green co-leaders. The comments, made in a podcast last year, are being revisited as survivors’ groups reiterate there is no hierarchy of rape and demand accountability.
Scottie Scheffler opens the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a 9-under round, building a lead in Memphis as the playoffs begin. Rory McIlroy and other top players trail with high expectations and uncertain form ahead of the BMW Championship.
Sebastien Pocognoli has been appointed Scotland’s head coach on a two-year contract, taking over from Steve Clarke. He led Union Saint-Gilloise to a Belgian title and has experience at Monaco. The SFA says he is a bright, modern coach who will bring a front-foot style as Scotland prepare for Nations League fixtures.
A round-up of fringe-fronted interviews from The Scotsman and The Guardian, capturing performers sharing inspirations, challenges and hopes for Edinburgh Fringes, with a look at what it means to stage improv and solo shows in a crowded festival.
Sevilla has clinched three points after Robbie Ure’s late penalty secure a 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano; Magnusson’s goal kept Hearts’ campaign alive while Benfica and United also report results. The new season sees fresh signings making an impact early on.
Weather delays across North America have postponed the Red Arrows’ Atlantic crossing, forcing them to miss events in Eastbourne, Edinburgh and Lyme Regis. RAF officials say safety remains the priority as teams plan a multi-leg journey back to the UK, with flyovers at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo still scheduled by other aircraft.
Australia will witness a total solar eclipse in July 2028, with the path of totality crossing the Kimberley, Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, includingSydney. The event will last about four minutes at peak visibility, marking the first time Sydney experiences totality since 1857.
A wave of new football kit designs is hitting top Scottish and European clubs as the 2026-27 season approaches. BBC Business collects notable releases from AC Milan to Celtic and Wales, with reactions ranging from praise for heritage-inspired designs to criticism of bold, modern looks.
Scotland has delivered a scaled-back, sustainable Commonwealth Games after Victoria withdrew. The city used existing venues, emphasised legacy, and expects continued investment to sustain nationwide sport participation and facilities.
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.
Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed a pygmy hippo calf born on July 31 to Gloria and Otto. The gender is pending health checks; the calf is bonding with its mother in private, away from public view, while keepers monitor its early development.
The 16-17 Saver Railcard has been extended to remain valid for a full year from purchase, even if the holder turns 18, with the change taking effect on 17 August. The policy aligns the youth railcard with others, aiming to reduce travel costs for young people and support education, employment, and training. Several outlets report on varying proposals to widen discounts beyond the Southeast.
Fringe coverage shows comedians embracing live audiences and personal storytelling as social media helps reach targeted crowds. Performers are weaving personal experiences into sets, with some addressing race, identity and resilience amid broader global tensions.
Wildfires have spread across moorlands and forests in the UK and Europe amid record heat and prolonged dry periods. Authorities warn that climate change is worsening fire risk, prompting new muirburn licensing rules in Scotland and debates over prevention vs. regulation. Communities brace for economic and environmental costs as prevention, response capacity, and resilience measures are mobilised.
The Edinburgh International Festival spotlight has showcased a mix of traditional and experimental concerts as leading ensembles and performers adapt to economic pressures and changing audiences. Notable moments include high-profile collaborators, large-scale works, and debates about funding and the role of patronage.
The Scotsman reports that SNP governance faces scrutiny over Monklands Hospital funding promises. Critics argue the project was unaffordable and that voters were misled before the election. Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir foreword and John Swinney’s defence spark further debate about the SNP’s record and future path.
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, has been found dead in a derelict building in Kypseli, Athens. Afghan boxer Sharif Ahmadzai is charged with homicide with intent after an incident that police say occurred around July 18. He remains in custody as investigations continue and tissue analysis is awaited.
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, an Edinburgh aid worker known as Lisa, has been killed in Athens. Afghan boxer Sharif Ahmadzai has been charged with homicide with intent and related offences after her body was found in a Kypseli derelict building on July 18. Police say autopsy points to asphyxiation; testing continues. Ahmadzai remains in custody as investigations proceed and UK authorities assist with medical records.
July retail activity across the UK shows mixed momentum. Food and hospitality have benefited from warm weather and England’s World Cup run, while non-food and big-ticket categories lag. Card spending is higher than a year ago, and consumer demand remains fragile as inflation and costs weigh on shoppers.
Pet owners weigh the costs and convenience of subscription dog-treat plans as trial verdicts show broad appeal across multiple breeds and diets.
Harvey Nichols has been put up for sale and is undergoing a turnaround led by Frasers Group. The six-storefront estate, including Edinburgh’s flagship, will continue operating while a broader restructuring is pursued, with potential integration of Flannels and the wider Frasers luxury ecosystem.
Rangers have struggled at the start of the Derek McInnes era, with mixed results in domestic and European fixtures. The team is chasing improvement after a difficult run that has left them trailing Celtic in the league and facing a pivotal return leg in Europe.
Kasper Hogh scores a hat-trick as Celtic outclass Kilmarnock, with Duran providing a superb assist and Nygren adding a third. Maloney and O’Neill are absent due to unrelated matters as Celtic dominate in Ayrshire, while questions linger over Kilmarnock’s defensive shape ahead of the season's tougher tests.
A round-up of reviews from Edinburgh Fringe highlights powerful solo performances and sharp social commentary across theatre and comedy. Critics praise intimate storytelling, technical flair, and fearless takes on gender, technology, and contemporary life, with shows from The Guardian and The Scotsman offering varied perspectives.
Muhammad Sheikhi has been sentenced at Stirling Sheriff Court after being found guilty of two sexual assaults on young women. The 23-year-old, who arrived in the UK by boat, received a four-year sentence backdated to December 2025 and remains on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
A new show from Dundee Rep and Solar Bear, The Singer, centers Deaf performer Jamie Rea and a listening partner, with KT Tunstall providing original music. The production marks a milestone for bilingual, Deaf-inclusive theatre on Edinburgh’s main stages, following a decade of development in Scottish arts.
A new Angus Glens report shows moorland and grouse management support thousands of jobs and local businesses. It highlights 86.5 full-time equivalents and 768 seasonal workers in 2025, with significant local spending and 84 grouse shooting days, illustrating the economic and social ties of rural estates.
Niemann has won at Trump National Bedminster, finishing 16-under after 72 holes to claim the LIV Golf season title. Rahm secures the season-long points title with one event remaining, while Harold Varner III finishes runner-up as Bryson DeChambeau and Westwood also contend in a sweltering finish.
In Scotland, Nicola’s Law seeks to make women’s health education mandatory for NHS staff after Nicola Thyne’s death from endometriosis-related complications. Campaigners say comprehensive training could curb dismissive care and reduce delays in treatment.
The SPFL has launched a new live domestic streaming service, SPFL Player, allowing fans to watch William Hill Championship, League 1 and 2 matches outside blocked hours on a pay-per-view basis. Subscriptions and single-match passes are available, with revenue returning to clubs. The rollout begins with all League 1 and 2 matches on 15 August and will extend to eligible Championship games later.
Two men were murdered in Scotland; a dog walker’s death has sparked questions over police handling and a murder trial. Files show delays in cordons and scene preservation. The killer remains in life imprisonment as reviews continue.
Amanda Knox’s Edinburgh Fringe show Cartwheel is attracting controversy as petitions against it gain signatures while audiences and critics weigh its value as a personal, defiant retelling of her case. Reviews vary, with supporters praising its honesty and detractors arguing it trivialises violence against women.
Mari has entered a definitive agreement to buy ATG Entertainment from Providence, valuing around £4.5 billion per reports. ATG operates about 70 theatres globally, with West End venues and regional theatres. The deal keeps ATG operating under its brand and leadership while expanding Mari’s live-entertainment portfolio.
The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) has shown a reduced deficit of 25.3 billion for 2025/26, with the deficit at -10.9% of GDP. Revenues rose by 6.9% to 98.3 billion, while spending reached 123.6 billion. Projections note North Sea revenue fell, and questions about independence’s long-term fiscal path persist.
The Ming Yang plan for a new £1.5bn Ardersier factory nears a decision after UK ministers blocked it on security grounds. Proponents cite up to 1,500 jobs and supply-chain growth; opponents warn of cyber risk and strategic dependency. Leadership in Scotland and UK pledges a review as the new government weighs security against economic benefits.
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.
Scottish Labour is facing a leadership race after Anas Sarwar's departure to accept a UK government role. The contest centers on infighting and a push to impose five budget tests if elected, aiming to secure concessions from the SNP ahead of next year’s council elections.