US to leave UN agency again, citing anti-Israel bias
This marks the second instance of the US leaving UNESCO during a Trump administration, following a previous withdrawal and subsequent rejoining under the Biden administration.
The decision to pull out will become effective at the end of December 2026.
The move is a setback for the Paris-based agency, established after the Second World War to foster peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture.
The US had previously withdrawn from UNESCO in 1984 over alleged financial mismanagement and anti-American bias, rejoining in 2003.
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Daily Record
18 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Flight restrictions imposed over Scotland as Donald Trump prepares for trip to mother's homeland
The Civil Aviation Authority has issued guidance to cover the duration of the US President's time in Scotland. Flight restrictions will be imposed over parts of Scotland as part of routine security precautions for the arrival of Donald Trump on Friday. The Civil Aviation Authority has issued guidance to cover the duration of the US President's time in Scotland. In a briefing issued to the aviation industry today, it said: "The President of the United States (POTUS) will visit Scotland between July 25 and 29. "POTUS will visit several locations throughout Scotland and as part of the security arrangements the Secretary of State for Transport has decided that it is necessary, on the grounds of public safety and security, to introduce Restriction of Flying Regulations under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 to restrict the operation of all types of aircraft between July 24 and 29". The initial restrictions cover Prestwick Airport, where Trump is expected to arrive from the US on board Air Force One, and the area surrounding the Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire where he is expected to be based. Further restrictions cover RAF Lossiemouth in the north-east and over the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire, where Trump will open a new golf course named in honour of his later mother, Mary. It comes as a senior officer has warned Trump's upcoming visit to Scotland will 'undoubtedly stretch' police resources Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (Asps), said the visit of the US President would require a 'significant operation across the country over many days' from Police Scotland. His comments come in the wake of similar concerns from the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) – the body which represents rank and file officers. However Scottish First Minister John Swinney has insisted policing will not be put in a 'detrimental position' as a result of the visit. Trump is due to arrive in Scotland on Friday for a five-day private visit to his his golf resorts in both Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. During his time in Scotland the President will meet both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Swinney. Hay said: "The private visit of President Donald Trump to Scotland at the end of July will require the Police Service of Scotland to plan for and deliver a significant operation across the country over many days. 'This will undoubtedly stretch all our resources from local policing divisions to specialist and support functions such as contact, command and control.' Police superintendents and chief superintendents will have 'key leadership roles' for the visit, he added, saying they would be taking responsibility for areas such as planning and resourcing, intelligence gathering, command and control communications, armed operations, public order, and other specialist functions."
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
What to expect from Modi's visit to UK
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is travelling to the UK to formally sign a free trade agreement amid global trade tensions sparked by Donald Trump 's tariffs. The long-awaited signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, agreed in May after three years of negotiations and described variously as 'landmark' and 'historic', is the centrepiece of the visit. Mr Modi's two-day state visit, starting Wednesday, is his fourth to the UK and comes at a pivotal moment for both nations. For India, it offers a chance to diversify trade and diplomatic partnerships. For the UK, still grappling with post-Brexit trade issues, the deal represents a rare economic breakthrough. Mr Modi's trade minister, Piyush Goyal, is accompanying him for the formal signing, an Indian commerce ministry official said. 'This is a significant agreement," Vikram Misri, India's foreign secretary, told reporters on Tuesday, adding that legal vetting of the deal was near completion. Mr Modi is meeting his counterpart Keir Starmer for 'wide-ranging' talks on trade, defence, security and technological cooperation as well as climate. He is likely to meet King Charles as well. While the trade deal remains the focal point, the trip is also aimed at resetting bilateral ties, deepening strategic cooperation, and amplifying people-to-people links. The agreement, expected to boost a £42.6bn trading relationship, was finalised after 14 formal rounds of negotiations. Mr Goyal earlier called the deal 'a turning point in India's outward economic engagement and a win-win for both economies'. Mr Starmer hailed it as 'a bold step forward for Global Britain', projecting it to boost GDP by £4.8bn annually and potentially support over 30,000 new jobs. Under the deal, the UK agreed to eliminate or phase out tariffs on over 99 per cent of Indian exports, including textiles, auto parts, leather goods, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products. India in turn agreed to cut tariffs on 90 per cent of British goods. It agreed to significantly lower levies on British exports like Scotch whisky, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, luxury cosmetics, and certain high-tech goods. British cars, which currently attract tariffs of over 100 per cent in India, will see duties reduced to 10 per cent. The deal also offers tariff concessions on medical devices, pharmaceuticals, aircraft components, and electronic goods. In return, Indian manufacturers are expected to gain access to the UK market for electric and hybrid vehicles, the commerce ministry official said. 'The UK is an important market for Indian exporters," said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, adding the pact would boost trade and provide access for Indian sectors like textiles, footwear, marine and engineering products. Beyond trade, Mr Modi and Mr Starmer are likely to discuss bolstering the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, originally launched in 2021. Mr Modi is also scheduled to meet leaders of the Indian diaspora, estimated at over 1.7m. The free trade deal had to undergo parliamentary scrutiny in the UK and a review by the Indian cabinet before it could come into force. The Indian cabinet approved the deal on Tuesday after a legal scrubbing of its text. The British parliament is yet to approve it. Sensitivities remain around issues that are either unresolved or that have been quietly sidestepped for now. India has firmly excluded agriculture from the scope of the deal, a politically and economically sensitive sector that sustains more than 40 per cent of the country's workforce. This longstanding red line reflects New Delhi's resistance to exposing its farmers to foreign competition and has complicated talks with other major partners, including the US. Among the more controversial provisions is India's commitment to gradually lower tariffs on certain British imports such as Scotch whisky and luxury vehicles. While these sectors are crucial for the UK, Indian manufacturers, particularly in the alcohol industry, have warned a flood of high-end imports could affect the market and harm homegrown brands. Mr Modi's trip to the UK is part of a two-nation tour. From the UK, he will visit the Maldives for his third trip to the island nation and first since Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, became president in November 2023.
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Scotsman
20 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Donald Trump Scotland visit: How the future looks for Donald Trump's business empire in Scotland
The Trump Organisation is still sending money to Scotland as it pursues its long-term vision Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With Donald Trump set to arrive in Scotland for his first visit as US president since 2018, there is renewed focus on the resorts he intends to visit during his time in his mother's homneland. For Nic Oldham, general manager of Trump Turnberry, the trip will be an opportunity to showcase the work that has been carried at the South Ayrshire resort, both on its historic links courses and in the hotel and wider accommodation offerings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That includes extensive remodelling of swathes of the famous Ailsa course, and the addition of a whisky tasting roon, games room, boutique cinema, and - what else - a Trump store - within the hotel, all of which have opened in recent months. 'The team are always excited to see the Trump family members as they have done so much for the property and local economy and continue to invest,' Mr Oldham told The Scotsman. Donald Trump is set to return to Scotland this weekend. | Scotsman It is two decades since former president Mr Trump incorporated his first company in Scotland. The country is a place he has called 'home,' and despite the fact his affection is rarely reciprocated, the 78 year-old's footprint in the nation where his mother was born and raised is well-established and slowly expanding. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While political commitments ensure that Mr Trump himself is an infrequent visitor, the responsibility for overseeing his two Scottish resorts - ultimately owned by a Florida-based revocable trust in Mr Trump's name - has fallen to his adult sons, alongside a coterie of trusted executives. Together, they are pursuing significant developments and remodelling work, with millions of pounds of investments planned. A series of investments totalling around £4 million are planned for the flagship Trump Turnberry, even though the resort's parent company, Golf Recreation Scotland, owes nearly £124m to other Trump-controlled entities. At the Trump Organisation's flagship resort, work has been carried over the past year to bolster its offering for well-heeled American golfers, who comprise the majority of its customers. After enduring long-standing losses under the former US president's ownership, the Turnberry property has turned two successive years of annual profits, and there are myriad plans afoot, with £1.8m earmarked for ongoing renovations of Turnberry's stately 118 year-old hotel. Donald Trump's Turnberry resort is undergoing extensive renovations, but is still far from securing the return of golf's prestigious Open Championship. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty | Getty Images All the while, the drive to increase occupancy, especially at the resort's cluster of self-catering villas, remains pressing, and the aim of those in charge is to generate annual revenues of around £40m - a bold ambition given the current figure stands at £21m. Turnberry is also wooing corporate custom, with the French fashion house, Dior, hosting a major conference at the property last autumn. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Another key goal remains unchanged: to secure the return of golf's Open Championship. Turnberry's Ailsa links is regarded as one of the finest courses anywhere in the world, yet 15 years have passed since it hosted the prestigious tournament. There are multiple reasons for that. Around 120,000 spectators descended on Turnberry in 2009, but nowadays, The Open's attendance figures exceed the quarter of a million mark; Turnberry's remote location and challenging transport infrastructure means it is unlikely to ever emulate such numbers. Then there is Mr Trump himself. The R&A has said it has no plans to stage any of its championships at Turnberry, although its stance has softened since a change in CEO. A remaining concern alongside the logistical problems is that the focus of any gathering would not be on the tournament, the players, or even the course, but Turnberry's notorious owner. Even so, a £1m 'upgrade' of the Ailsa course has beenc carried out to shift parts of the links closer to the Firth of Clyde coastline. The project was overseen by the renowned golf course architect, Martin Ebert, and according to one planning consultancy involved, was designed to 'facilitate the return of The Open Championship.' Mr Trump's Turnberry firm is planning extensive works at the resort's historic hotel. Picture: Jan Kruger/Getty | Getty Even bigger plans for the resort may or may not be revisited. In 2022, planning officials at the Scottish Government rejected Turnberry's calls for a change to planning policies that would have made it easier for the firm to pursue an expansion unprecedented in the property's history, with 120 acres of farmland given over to hundreds of 'high end' private houses, retirement villas, and apartments as part of a 'coastal retreat.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At the time, Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International Scotland in Aberdeenshire, said the Trump Organisation would make a formal application to develop the site 'in due course.' In the north east, where the Trump International Scotland resort has hosted the likes of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, investment is also on the agenda. A new links course named after Mr Trump's mother, Mary, is scheduled to be officially opened during Mr Trump's visit, with Ms Malone promising the 'greatest 36 holes in golf.' A second course at Trump International Scotland in Aberdeenshire is set to open next summer, but the property has yet to turn a profit. Picture:. | Getty The Balmedie company, which has run up losses for 11 consecutive years and has received loans totalling more than £40m from Mr Trump, also received planning permission six years ago to create as many as 500 houses and 50 holiday homes at the Menie estate. Ms Malone said it had always been the case that any development would be 'phased,' adding that the business remains 'fully committed' to its long-term plans.
