Russia is reported to be proactively engaging in sabotage and military provocations across Europe, while Europe retaliates with its ‘Readiness 2030 plan’ and increased spending on re-arming.
Will these measures lead to a more united Europe?
And how will the USA fit into this?
Join panellists from @univofstandrews, @StirUni, the University of Edinburgh, and @ohiou at Festival of Politics event ‘Are we at war?’ to be part of the discussion.
In partnership with the Scottish Council on Global Affairs
Russia is reported to be waging a proactive campaign of sabotage, airspace incursions, cyber intrusions and military provocations right across Europe. In retaliation, Europe is re-arming with an estimated budget rise of 100 billion euros and war preparedness set out in the ‘Readiness 2030 Plan’.
Will these existing threats and challenges forge a more united Europe as it sits in the grey zone of WWIII, or will Europe splinter under pressure? And what about its NATO ally America, and President Trump’s claim on Greenland? Can, and will, Europe fight on two fronts and how ready is it for war?
Professor Kristen Harkness is the Director of the Institute for the Study of War and Strategy and teaches in the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews. In 2023-24, she served as the Thematic Research Lead for International Affairs and National Security with the UK Parliament.
Professor Holger Nehring is Professor of Contemporary European History at the University of Stirling. He specialises in the history of post-1945 Western Europe, in particular the history of the Cold War, the history of social movements and sub-national diplomacy. He has held visiting positions at Stanford, EHESS in Paris and the Mershon Center at Ohio State University. He co-authored the book Cold War Scotland.
Emile Chabal is Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Edinburgh, with a particular interest in the political and intellectual life of post-war Europe. His latest book is The Age of Hobsbawm: The Life of a Revolutionary Historian.
Scott Milburn is an Executive-in-Residence at Ohio University in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs where he focuses on leadership development for state and local public sectors.
Previously he held senior positions at the White House, a presidential campaign, the U.S. House and Senate, and for two Ohio governors.
National Grid launches a new £5 million fund to help 5,000 young people who are not in education, employment or training get into work
Follows the Prime Minister’s reforms to ensure every young person has a clear route into skilled work and give technical education the respect it deserves
Fund will provide practical training, qualifications, mentoring, and skills support, including routes into careers in energy and infrastructure sectors
Supports PM’s ambition to rebuild the skilled workforce Britain needs to drive growth, support reindustrialisation and create opportunity across the country
National Grid has unveiled a major new commitment to support 5,000 young people who are not in employment, education or training over the next five years, becoming one of the first major employers to respond to the Prime Minister’s drive to help more young people into work.
The new £5 million ‘Power Within Employability Fund’ will support up to 1,000 young people a year across the UK starting from the first half of next year, helping them develop the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to access long-term career opportunities, including across the energy and infrastructure sectors.
The announcement comes less than a week after the Prime Minister unveiled plans to put technical education on an equal footing with academic study, ending the outdated disparity between how vocational and academic pathways are treated, and ensuring every young person has a clear route from the classroom into skilled work.
The reforms are designed to rebuild the ladders of opportunity that once helped young people move from school into good local jobs. For too long, practical, and technical skills have been treated as a second class, despite growing demand for skilled workers in sectors that will power Britain’s future – from clean energy and advanced manufacturing to construction, engineering and the infrastructure projects that will help modernise the country.
Under the Prime Minister’s plans, employers, schools, colleges and local leaders will work much more closely together to ensure young people can develop the skills businesses need and access opportunities closer to home.
Rather than being designed solely in Westminster, these new technical pathways will be shaped around the industries driving growth in local communities and supporting the government’s mission to reindustrialise Britain and create opportunity in every part of the country.
National Grid’s new fund is one of the first major commitments from an employer to back the Prime Minister’s announcement and it builds on the growing movement of employers supporting young people into work.
By investing directly in training, qualifications and routes into employment, National Grid will help thousands of young people gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to move into work, while helping address skills shortages in sectors critical to Britain’s future and infrastructure.
The fund forms part of National Grid’s wider commitment to powering progress and opportunity in the communities it serves, while helping develop the skilled workforce needed to deliver the energy and infrastructure projects the country needs.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Last week, we announced fundamental reforms to the education system to ensure there’s parity between academic and technical routes – giving all young people the chance to a clear path in life.
“A key part of this is matching employers to young people to ensure they get the skills, technical knowledge and experience they need.
“National Grid’s announcement is exactly the kind of response we want to see. Not only are they powering our country every day, but they’re putting real energy behind helping thousands of young people gain skills, build confidence and take their first steps into work.
“We’re determined to fix the youth unemployment crisis and restore opportunity and hope across the country.”
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “Demand for skilled workers in clean energy is growing thanks to our drive for clean power, which has attracted over £100 billion in private investment.
“Young people up and down the country will benefit from 400,000 extra clean energy jobs by the end of the decade, and we’re working closely with companies like National Grid to make sure people are trained up and taking advantage of these opportunities.”
Zoë Yujnovich, Chief Executive, National Grid, said: “I agree with the Prime Minister that too many young people are being left behind, unable to access the opportunities, skills and support they need to fulfil their potential.
“That’s why National Grid is launching a new £5 million fund to help around 5,000 young people not in education or work, to develop the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to build long-term careers.
“As the UK invests in the infrastructure needed for a more secure, more resilient and cleaner energy future, we will help thousands of young people build confidence, gain qualifications and take meaningful steps towards employment.
“By working with expert delivery partners, colleges and employers, we can shape pathways into rewarding careers while helping to strengthen the communities we serve.”
The programme will be delivered through specialist employment and skills partners, helping connect young people to opportunities across the UK and ensuring support is matched up with local needs.
The fund will invest in practical training, employability skills and qualifications to help participants overcome barriers to employment and build long-term careers.
National Grid’s £5 million fund will help participants access a range of support tailored to the needs of young people furthest from the labour market, including:
Practical support to access work, including help to gain a driving licence where transport is a barrier to employment opportunities.
Industry-recognised qualifications and accreditations, including Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards and other qualifications needed to access jobs across the energy, construction and infrastructure sectors.
Dedicated employability coaching and mentoring, providing one-to-one support to help young people build confidence, identify career goals and prepare for the workplace.
Job readiness and life skills training, including CV writing, interview preparation, communication skills, workplace behaviours and other support designed to help young people succeed in employment.
Direct links to employers and job opportunities across National Grid, its suppliers and the wider energy and infrastructure sector, creating clear pathways from training into work.
Access to real employment opportunities, including with National Grid and its UK supplier network.
National Grid’s commitment shows the difference employers can make when they work alongside local communities to create new opportunities for young people. Many businesses already play an important role in expanding opportunities for young people to get into work, but the Prime Minister has been clear that more needs to be done across the board to ensure every young person has a clear route from the classroom into a good job.
The government will continue working with employers, mayors and local leaders across the country to expand work experience, skills support and routes into work, and better connect young people to the industries driving growth in every part of the country. The reforms announced last week are the first step in rebuilding the ladders of opportunity and ensuring more young people can access the good jobs being created in their own communities.
Whether that’s advanced manufacturing in the North West, clean energy on the east coast, life sciences in the Midlands or creative industries in our cities, the Prime Minister’s reforms will help prepare young people for the future being built around them. As we reindustrialise our regions, new vocational and technical pathways will ensure growing local industries have the skilled workforce they need to succeed, strengthening local economies and helping make working people better off.
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced a new selection of exciting guests attending this year’s Festival in support of World, International and UK Premieres and special events.
Attending the Festival for the UK premiere of EIFF 2026 Opening Night film The Incomer will be director Louis Paxton and stars Domnhall Gleeson (About Time, Ex Machina), Grant O’Rourke, Gayle Rankin (GLOW, House of the Dragon) and John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Mummy).
For the Festival’s closing night film, the beautifully composed Bel will be attended by director Lou Lockwood and film contributor Leah McAleer.
For the World Premiere of the 70s set Scottish road movie memoir Borges and Me will be director Marc Turtletaub (Little Miss Sunshine, Puzzle), Alan Cumming (The Good Wife, GoldenEye) and Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch).
Attending for the special 30th anniversary event screening of Trainspotting at legendary Leith Theatre will be Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, screenwriter John Hodge, authorIrvine Welsh, producer Andrew Macdonald, production designer Kave Quinn and costume designer Rachael Fleming.
For the World Premiere of hilarious and spiky road movie Northbound is director William Scoular and stars Bruce Dern (Nebraska, The Hateful Eight). For the UK Premiere of gripping thriller Queen at Sea will be director Lance Hammer (Ballast, Impossible Horse) and stars Tom Courtenay (The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, 45 Years) and Anna Calder-Smith (Wuthering Heights, Male of the Species).
The UK Premiere of charming coming of age drama Extra Geography will have in attendance director Molly Manners (Tell Me Everything, The Royals),cast Marni Duggan (The Outrun, Payback), Galaxie Clear (Rebus, Outlander) and writer Miriam Battye (Succession, The Woman King).
In town for the World Premiere of the intoxicating These Violent Delights will be directors Christopher Hampson and Oscar Samson and star Kayla-Maree Tarantolo (Everyone Is Going to Die, Hollyoaks). The UK Premiere of Edinburgh-set The Education of Jane Cumming will be attended by director Sophie Heldman.
Attending the Festival for The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence competition filmmakers Kieron J. Walsh for Skintown; Joseph Archer for Snapshot; Jake Harvey and Ollie Gardener and cast Sam Bottomley, Callum Scott Howells, Safia Oakley Green for The State of Us; director Fried Luk and cast member Olivia Luccardi (It Follows, Candy Land) for Sacred Creatures; director Tyler Marie-Evans and Sadie Stanley, Ashley Benson (Pretty Little Liars, Spring Breakers), Madeline Petsch for Pretty Babies; director Simon Ryninks for Out There; director Bart Simpson for The Mad World of Harvey Kurtzman; Paul Wright (For Those in Peril, Arcadia) for Mission; director Thom Lunshof for First Zone; director Lindsey Ryan and cast Griffin Gluck and Sarah Catherine Hook for Capsized.
Across the wider Festival programme, attending for the insightful The Last Resort will be director Maria Sødahl; Julianne Dressner and Miriam Shor for the compelling My NDA; directors Jake Kuhn and Noah Stratton-Twine for the atmospheric The Peril at Pincer Point; director Tamra Davis for the transportive documentary The Best Summer; director Carlos Conceição for the noirish body horror Bodyhackers; director Finlay Pretsell for the immersive Douglas Gordon by Douglas Gordon; last year’s EIFF Feature Film Prize winner Abdolreza Kahani and actor Nima Sadr attend for the World Premiere of Empty Heaven; director Alexis Alexiou and cast members for the compelling Sea of Glass; director Theodore Schaefer for the World Premiere of The Arrow at Rest at Every Instant of Its Flight.
For the Festival’s much-loved Midnight Madness strand attendees include director Chee Keong Cheung (director) and stars Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill, Finding Neverland) and John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Mummy) for Midnight Madness opener Bad Day at the Office; director James Nunn attends for taut survival thriller Hungry; director Nick Nevern (The Hooligan Factory, EastEnders) and cast Tamer Hassan (Layer Cake, The Football Factory), Leo Gregory (Green Street, Stoned) and Vanessa Bauer (Dancing on Ice, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins) attend for the explosive Rise of the Footsoldier: Retribution; for the nightmarish Abandoned, director Joby Stephens is joined by cast Grace Gallagher (The Outrun, Shetland) and Cameron Wright (Granite Harbour, River City); director Caleb Phillips for mindbending thriller Imposters; Midnight Madness strand closer Faces of Death will be presented by director Daniel Goldhaber and writer Isa Mazzei.
Acclaimed performer Stacy Martin presents her directorial debut short Amaretti alongside filmmakers attending for shorts programmes across the Festival. Filmmakers from The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence will also attend the Festival.
Previously announced guests include Christine Vachon, Ewan McGregor, Kenneth Branagh, Bruce Dern, Ken Burns, Prano Bailey-Bond, Jay Parini, Marc Turtletaub, Max Minghella, Sarah Brocklehurst, Miriam Battye and Paul Sng.
Press and Industry accreditation is now open for this year’s Festival and available to apply for via the EIFF website.
This year’s EIFF runs from 13 – 19 August 2026 and opens with the International Premiere of Edinburgh-born filmmaker Louis Paxton’s debut feature The Incomer and closes with Louise Lockwood’spowerful debut documentary feature Bel.
EIFF’s invigorated vision under leadership from CEO & Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa continues to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.
EIFF 2026 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI Audience Projects Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, the Industry Programme is backed by EXPO funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland, and VisitScotland.
The EIFF team continues to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. The Festival is supported by a Board chaired by Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting, including Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; Peter Rice, former chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, producer and former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffery; and video game producer Romana Ramzan.
Commenting ahead of the nomination period opening in the Scottish Labour leadership contest, Michael Marra said: “I’m running in this contest to unite and renew the Scottish Labour party.
“Having spoken to and listened to colleagues across our movement it is clear we have to rediscover our sense of moral purpose. To offer hope again and to spell out what Scottish Labour is for, not simply who and what we are against.
“That means drawing on the strength and talent of all of our movement. Scottish Labour has always been strongest when it has been rooted in the lives of working people.
“That means working alongside trade unions, businesses, civic Scotland and local communities—not talking at them but listening to them and building solutions together. That approach is how we unite and renew Scottish Labour.”
The leadership election was triggered when former leader Anas Sarwar decided to leave Holyrood to take a seat in the unelected House of Lords
From Doha to Washington D.C., performers from across the world have answered the call and arrived in Edinburgh ready for the start of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2026.
From Friday 7 August, more than 800 performers from the Germany, New Zealand, Qatar, United Kingdom, USA and beyond will take to the iconic Edinburgh Castle Esplanade for a month-long celebration of music, military tradition, and the power of connection.
Performers from the German Army Band (Heeresmusikkorps) Koblenz, King’s Colour Squadron Royal Air Force, New Zealand Army Band, Qatar Police Academy Band and Drill Team, United States Army Field Band, and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performers join forces on Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile ahead of the 2026 show, A Call To Gather, map in hand, and ready for the adventure ahead.
For more information and tickets please visit the website here.
A new £15 million fund has been launched to improve the resilience of communities across Scotland most at risk from flooding.
Funding will be provided to local groups, communities and local authorities to help them improve their flood resilience and preparedness.
The funding will support sustainable drainage, including natural features like green spaces and planting, to reduce flood risk and future proof existing flooding infrastructure. Coastal communities will benefit, with support available for innovative coastal resilience projects to replenish sand dunes and reduce flood risk in towns like Montrose.
Additional support will be available for communities recovering from the impact of recent flooding, while Public Health Scotland will develop a new interactive tool combining flood risk data with population and demographic data to help identify communities and groups most at risk in the future.
A new Flood Advisory Service will support local authorities in delivering major flood protection schemes more efficiently, reducing delays and improving value for public money.
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action Gillian Martin said: “Climate change means, globally, we are facing an increasing flood risk, and Scotland is not immune to that. We are determined to take action now to protect people, homes and livelihoods.
“This £15 million package delivers on our 100 days commitment to invest in flood mitigation and prevention, with support targeted where it is needed most. By working closely with communities, local authorities and expert partners, we are investing in practical measures that will strengthen resilience and adapt to the challenges of the future.
“From community-led projects and nature-based solutions to better data, improved infrastructure and more effective flood protection schemes, this investment complements our wider Flood Resilience Strategy to help build a safer, more resilient Scotland.”
WORK GETS UNDERWAY ON A NEW MULTI-MILLION POUND HOLLYWOOD BOWL VENUE AT THE CENTRE, LIVINGSTON CREATING 40 LOCAL JOBS
Pic Greg Macvean 29/07/2026
The Centre, Livingston – Hollywood Bowl with Patrick, Simon and Laura (HB manager)
Work is officially underway on a new 26,500 sq. ft, multi-million-pound Hollywood Bowl venue at The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres, scheduled to open this autumn and create 40 local jobs.
The state-of-the-art venue, which will feature 22 lanes of ten-pin bowling, a large arcade with the latest Namco games as well as pool tables and a bar and diner, is a major milestone for The Centre, Livingston as it not only marks their expansion into the leisure sector but also ties in with their 50th anniversary this year.
Since the owners, LCP UK, part of M Core, one of Europe’s leading, privately owned commercial property development and management companies, acquired the shopping centre over two years ago, their mission has been to create a vibrant destination where visitors can ‘shop, eat and play’.
The arrival is set to further enhance the offering at The Centre, Livingston which has a diverse mix of over 150 stores and restaurants, spanning one million sq. ft. including M&S, Flannels, H&M, Nando’s, wagamama and the country’s largest JD Sports store, welcoming over 15.8 million visitors a year.
Recent global brands to open include Starbucks, Wingstop, MINISO, Søstrene Grene, Flying Tiger and the first ArrowHeadz store in Scotland.
Pic Greg Macvean 29/07/2026
The Centre, Livingston – Hollywood Bowl with Patrick, Simon and Laura (HB manager)
Stephen Burns, CEO of Hollywood Bowl Group, said: “We are pleased to announce that work has begun at our new multi-entertainment centre at the popular retail destination, The Centre, Livingston. This marks another important step in our strategic growth as we continue to expand across the UK.
“We’re delighted to be opening another site in Scotland, creating new local jobs while bringing high-quality, affordable entertainment to the community. This investment reflects our continued commitment to growing our estate and delivering great leisure experiences for our customers.”
Pic Greg Macvean 29/07/2026
The Centre, Livingston – Hollywood Bowl with Patrick, Simon and Laura (HB manager)
Simon Eatough, Director at LCP UK, part of M Core and Asset Manager to The Centre, Livingston, said: “Starting construction on this state-of-the-art Hollywood Bowl venue is an incredibly proud moment for us.
“It represents a major evolution for The Centre, Livingston as we dynamically expand into the leisure market, in the year we celebrate our 50th anniversary, reinforcing our absolute commitment to creating a thriving destination for all our visitors, both locally and from further afield, to shop, dine out, connect and have fun.
“The countdown is officially on, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to experience this game-changing entertainment centre this autumn.”
The transaction was completed by Robin Kennedy, Associate Legal Director (UK) at LCP UK part of M Core.
Families have just a few weeks left to enjoy discounted tickets at Which? UK’s third best tourist attraction, with five floors of interactive illusions, family-friendly experiences and panoramic rooftop views waiting to be discovered.
With the school summer holidays in full swing and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival bringing the city to life in August, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is inviting visitors to make the most of their Edinburgh adventure with all tickets reduced as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings Initiative.
Families, friends and curious explorers can save on admission while stepping into a world where nothing is quite as it seems from shrinking rooms and gravity-defying illusions to mesmerising light displays and spectacular views across the capital.
After exploring more than one hundred interactive exhibits, visitors can unwind away from the festival crowds with panoramic views of Edinburgh from the attraction’s latest rooftop bar, with refreshments available to purchase including cold soft drinks, snacks and ice cream.
With extended summer opening hours and a location on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, Camera Obscura offers the perfect addition to a summer day in the city.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions welcomes families of all needs. To support visitors with sensory needs, they can borrow Sensory Backpacks containing items such as ear defenders, sunglasses, a torch, an activities sheet and sensory toys, alongside a sensory map of the building to help families plan and enjoy their visit.
Discounted tickets are now available via the Camera Obscura’s website and available for walk-up admissions and will continue to be until September 1. A family of four visiting during the summer holidays could save more than £10 compared to standard admission prices.
Reduced ticket prices include:
Adult tickets reduced from £24.95 to £21.85
Senior/Student tickets reduced from £21.95 to £19.20
Child tickets reduced from £17.95 to £15.70
Children under 5 go FREE
Andrew Johnson, General Manager of Camera Obscura said; “The response to the Summer Savings initiative has been fantastic so far, and we are delighted to be supporting an initiative that helps people discover and enjoy what UK attractions have to offer.
“The summer holidays can be a financially stressful time for many families, which is why we are pleased to be offering discounted rates and helping visitors make the most of the summer season, especially as the city comes alive with activity.
“Our latest addition to the rooftop offers the perfect place to take a break from the festival crowds, enjoy a soft drink or an ice cream and soak up some of the best views overlooking Edinburgh.”
