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The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Donald Trump strengthens foothold on tournament golf
Good luck with that. During the weekly trial of chiselling out these back page bletherations, for instance, your correspondent tends to approach the task in hand with about as much relish as a Cocker Spaniel that's being reluctantly ushered into the vet's clinic for a neutering procedure. It's a dog's life, eh? 'It's more like a dog's bloomin' breakfast,' sneered the sports editor as he worked his way through these opening few paragraphs with his head buried in his hands as usual. For the golf writers, the work goes on. This week, the DP World Tour returns to Scottish soil for the Nexo Championship, which is being held at, whisper it, Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen. A late addition to the circuit's schedule, the event was originally called the Scottish Championship before a title sponsor hopped on board. In case you're wondering, Nexo is a premier digital assets wealth platform with its high heid yins proudly stating that, 'golf is a natural fit for our brand: elevated, global, and principled.' Is that not what Trump says about himself? Anyway, the Nexo Championship is the second significant event to be staged on Trump's golfing turf in the space of a few days following the Staysure PGA Seniors' Championship, which concluded on Sunday. The other week, a petition urging the R&A not to take The Open back to Trump's Turnberry course was launched and earned upwards of 50,000 signatures. I've not found a petition against the staging of the Nexo Championship – the Scottish Government has chipped in with £180,000 of funding for it - or the golden oldies event on a Trump property yet. Amid all the fist-shaking, harrumphing, placard-waving and handwringing that greeted the US President's visit to these shores last week, the actual golf events themselves clatter and batter on unhindered. Slowly but surely, Trump continues to establish a foothold in the business of championships on this side of the pond. My learned colleague, Ewan Murray of The Guardian, suggested in his own column recently that it would be no surprise to see a Scottish Open at Turnberry within the next few years. As Trump cut the ribbon on his second course at Balmedie last week, Guy Kinnings, the chief executive of the European Tour Group, was part of the ceremonial party. Presumably, any discussions about tournament golf at Trump-owned venues moved beyond the staging of the Nexo Championship? We all, meanwhile, know the championship Trump desperately craves. Despite all the 'dialogue' and 'feasibility work' about an Open at his treasured Turnberry, however, we all also know that there's probably more chance of the game's most celebrated major being held at Littlehill municipal while Trump is still around. In his homeland of the USA, Trump had a major, the PGA Championship, booked in at his Bedminster course in 2022 until the PGA of America stripped him of the honour after his incitement of the Capitol insurrection. PGA Championships are assigned to venues until 2032 while US Opens are already locked in at various courses until 2043. The R&A, meanwhile, has announced Open venues only through 2027. Even if the prospect seems as remote as Point Nemo, The Open still remains Trump's best crack at a major championship. He may not be around to see it, mind you. It's hard to think that 10 years have hurtled by since we all trotted off down to Turnberry for the Women's Open of 2015 and the bold Donald hijacked affairs by birling about over the Ailsa course in his helicopter before making a grand entrance. That first morning of play was probably one of the most sigh-inducing days of my working life. Well, apart from the time there was no press lunch at an Amateur Championship one year. The bizarre circus unfolded not long after Trump had made his outlandish comments about Mexicans as his Presidential campaign became more volatile and divisive. Poor Lizette Salas, the daughter of Mexican immigrants who had spoken with quiet dignity on the eve of the championship about Trump's inflammatory rant, was encircled by cameras and microphones upon completing her opening round. In an elbowing, barging scrum of news reporters, she faced barking, salivating questions like, 'is he a racist?' instead of the more genteel, 'what club did you hit into the seventh?' It was all spectacularly unedifying on the first day of a women's major championship. About a year earlier, Peter Dawson, the then chief executive of the R&A, suggested that, 'it would be ludicrous if something said on the Presidential campaign trail dictated where an Open is held.' That observation didn't age particularly well, did it? Amid the general pandemonium that engulfed the Women's showpiece that day, a teenage Lydia Ko adopted an air of shrugging nonchalance to the whole palaver. 'I was on the 16th and saw the helicopter and I was like, 'man, that's a really nice helicopter, I'd love one,' she said at the time. Here in 2025, Trump's own heart's desire remains an Open Championship. For the time being, though, a Nexo Championship will do him. It's a telling foot on the DP World Tour ladder. He may climb a few rungs yet.
Telegraph
29-07-2025
- Telegraph
‘I used to feel defined by my salary – moving to France changed that'
In 2001, Andy Turner and his wife Jenny decided to buy a campervan and go travelling around Europe. 'It felt like an itch we needed to scratch. We did 24,000 kilometres and about 20 countries – through the Alps, down to southern Spain, and back up through the Pyrenees.' But it was when they visited a friend in France who was renovating an old property there that the idea of staying on the Continent took hold. 'Little by little, we came to love France. And by the end of the trip we thought, why don't we sell the campervan and use the money to buy somewhere?' says Turner. The six-month sabbatical from work turned into a new life for the couple. They bought a place near Beziers in the South West, in a small village of about 2,500 people, with schools and a hospital nearby and the coast a 40-minute drive away. Andy would split his time between France and their home in Wimbledon, London, for work as a marketing consultant, while Jenny, who had just found out she was pregnant, would stop working for a few years. Now, 20 years later, Andy, 62, has retired to the house in France and spends all of his time there, while Jenny is commuting back to London part-time to her job in financial services. Their children Camille, 20, and Etienne, 17, are both in education. 'I've always had a sense of adventure, but never envisaged myself retiring overseas. My life constantly surprises me,' says Turner. Brexit has hit expats Now Andy is retired, a typical day involves walking his Cocker Spaniel, Obi, and spending time outdoors. He has joined an association that restores dry stone walls and buildings in the local area, and enjoys riding his motorcycle. According to the International Living annual Global Retirement Index report, France is the fifth best place to retire in the world. It is rated for its food, arts and scenery, as well as its healthcare system and affordable property prices. On an overall cost of living index, France and the UK rank similarly, at 63.5 and 63.9 respectively, according to the online database Numbeo. It said the cost of eating out, public transport and utilities are cheaper in France, but groceries are cheaper in the UK. Property prices vary significantly between regions, but it estimates that a non-city centre apartment would cost about £3,247 per square metre, compared to £3,674 in the UK. Andy will receive his full state pension in a few years, having filled in the gaps in his National Insurance contributions. He hasn't yet accessed his private pension savings. 'We're lucky that we have savings and are debt-free, and Jenny is now paying into a company pension,' he says. In France, British expats still get their state pension uprated each year under the triple lock, which guarantees that the payment rises by the highest of inflation, average wage growth or 2.5pc. There are an estimated 150,000 British expats living in France, according to the wealth management company Chase Buchanan. But moving there has become harder since Brexit – you now need a long-stay visa or residence permit to live in the country. This may involve proving your income meets a minimum requirement, based on the French minimum wage – about €1,400 (£1,214) a month after tax – and providing documentation such as your passport and medical insurance, plus details of where you will live. Andy says the family applied for a residence permit based on the UK's Brexit withdrawal agreement: 'It was a lot of work, but we now have a 10-year permit, and have decided to apply for nationality to protect ourselves from any future changes.' Normally you will be deemed a tax resident if you have either lived in France for at least 182 consecutive days or have registered for a residency permit. This means you will be taxed in France on your worldwide income and must submit a tax return. You may also have to submit a UK tax return if some of your income comes from there, but a double tax treaty between the two countries means you should not be taxed twice on the same income. Paying tax in France Income tax works very differently in France, and is levied on household rather than individual income. The family is divided into parts, and their total income split between the parts. The income tax rate you pay depends on this figure. The number of parts is based on the make-up of the household. For example, a married couple would have two parts, and an additional half part for each of the first two children. Income between €11,498 and €29,315is taxed at 11pc, rising to 30pc on income above this threshold and up to €83,823. The top rate of 45pc is paid on earnings above €180,294. There is also an additional high income tax for earnings above €250,000 and €500,000. Similar to our National Insurance contributions, you will also pay a second tax on income known as social charges. 'This is an aggressive tax, but you do get what you pay for in terms of the benefits,' says James Rayburn, from the international financial advice firm Wealth Genesis. 'For example, it is one of the greatest healthcare systems in the world and unemployment rights are very strong.' Bear in mind that France also has an inheritance tax, the rate of which depends on the beneficiary. Spouses, for example, inherit tax-free, while children get a €100,000 tax-free allowance and are then taxed from 5pc to 45pc. Non-relatives have an allowance of just €1,594 and are then taxed at 60pc. Income from investments, such as dividends and capital gains, are taxed at a flat rate of 30pc. Expats should get an S1 form which can reduce this tax rate and exempt them from social charges.' 'The S1 form makes a huge difference to the tax you will pay,' says Rayburn. 'This is important because there are no super-efficient ways to invest in France – there is no equivalent to an Isa or Venture Capital Trusts.' The Assurance Vie is a commonly used option for expats as a tax-efficient way of saving, says Rayburn. This is technically a type of life insurance contract, which can offer inheritance tax benefits, but also allows you to invest in a range of investments, including funds and exchange-traded funds, in a tax-efficient way. An international self-invested personal pension can also be a good choice for those who want to access their retirement savings while living abroad. These let you draw down flexibly on your funds, with the ability to withdraw the cash in different countries and currencies. To avoid being double-taxed or charged emergency tax, be sure to get a nil-rate (NT) code from HM Revenue & Customs, which lets the tax office know that you are no longer resident in the UK. 'Live like a local' Moving to a country where English is not the first language may present a problem for many British expats. 'It's important to learn the language. It's not easy but you have to make the effort,' says Andy. 'If you just socialise with people from your own country, that feels limiting to you as an individual and disrespectful to the people you're living around.' As well as learning French, he says that having children also made it easier to integrate. The biggest downside of living overseas is not being able to see family and friends often. 'You need to consider the extra travel costs if you are visiting several times a year,' says Andy. 'But it does make the time you spend together extra special.' Meanwhile, costs have gone up since Brexit, he says, and travelling back to England can take longer, with more delays at the border. 'We used to easily buy from British companies, but lots of companies won't ship to Europe now, and if they do, you pay an import tax.' But for the most part, he is happy with life in France. 'The best thing about living here is the climate. It has such a huge impact on your life and sense of wellbeing when there are 300 days of sunshine a year,' says Andy. 'In the UK, it feels like you're defined by what job you do, how much money you earn, how big your house is. This has shown me there is another way, and maybe we should all try it.' For anyone considering making the move, he suggests renting a home through different seasons to test the waters first. 'It's all very well going somewhere on holiday, but the place that is vibrant in the summer could be cold and isolated in the winter,' he says. 'Make a list of the things that are important to you, like having schools or the beach within walking distance, and then go and live like a local.'
Irish Independent
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Galway Races: Gunner, the garda dog steals the show as ladies pull out all the stops on day one
Even though the hugely popular Ladies Day isn't until Thursday there was still plenty of glamour on Monday especially at the colourful flower wall. However, a dark cloud was evident during the sombre minute's silence was observed for the late Irish horse trainer Edward O'Grady ahead of the day's first race. Mr O'Grady's death at age 75 was announced by his family on Monday morning. As always Ballybrit had all its iconic features, from the champagne bar to the Irish Independent's newspaper horse, but this year it also has a new addition, the 'Beauty Paddock'. There, the Irish Independent met Keith Hanaway, pop-up manager for Vision Ireland, who said: 'We have pop ups in different locations throughout the country, and we bring all of our preloved, donated designer stock to different areas and raise money for Vision Ireland charity.' Mr Hanaway said the Beauty Paddock is a dedicated beauty zone for all racegoers. 'There's a small refresh stand where people come get their touch-ups. There's Ella and Jo products and skin care. Then from the Vision Ireland side, we've got a curated range of pre-loved and premium donated and designer stock. 'It's something different, but we tried it at Punchestown [Racecourse] this year and it was really successful. If it's as successful as we hope, it will be brilliant.' As hundreds of people entered the gates, it soon became evident one new face stole on the spotlight, Gunner the garda dog. The Cocker Spaniel works from Donegal down to Galway searching for drugs, cash and firearms. However, today he mostly enjoyed pets and belly rubs from racegoers. ADVERTISEMENT His handler, also on duty, told the Irish Independent: 'There has been a massive increase in interest for the dog unit because he's only new here in Galway. It's the first time ever for Galway to have a dog unit. 'We're just finished arts week and we're going into the races straight away. So, he's busy. 'We'll be around for the week so there's lots of opportunity for people to come and meet Gunner.' MEP Maria Walsh, who grew up only 30 minutes away from the racecourse, is a frequent visitor to the Galway Races and she said the opening day of the festival always has a lovely atmosphere. 'Monday is usually a lovely crowd, there's a lot of locals, the sun will be shining I hope for the rest of the day, and you're just getting the cheer right before it takes off,' she said. The Mayo local said she finds it 'gorgeous' seeing the evolution of the Galway Races. 'I think there's such a gorgeous balance of more and more people getting involved,' she said. 'As long as we get the good weather then we get thousands to the West of the country, and you see such a big investment. In my work as a policymaker on the European front, you want to see that investment on an annual basis because it grows and you can really showcase Ireland for its best.' Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard also joined the crowds headed to view the track. 'It's the best week of the year in the best city in the world," he said. 'The atmosphere is always brilliant right across the city centre, right up here to Ballybrit; people are looking forward to it.' While many are excited for the famous Ladies Day, Mayor Cubbard is most looking forward to seeing the excited children of Galway and further afield taking in the magic. 'There are kids here who are the next generation of the Galway Festival, and they're here enjoying it,' he said. 'You can have a drink here; there's loads of food around here; the fashion is fantastic as well. But to me, it's a real family week.' Aside from Mayor Cubbard, most punters when asked had no doubts about their favourite race day: Ladies Day. Mother and daughter Siobhan and Jessie Smith travelled from Birr, County Offaly, for the week. On Thursday, Jessie' sister Kate will join them and the family looks forward to spending the most fashionable day in Ballybrit together. Jessie was overwhelmed by the scale of the races and the incredible fashion, while Siobhan explained her family come to Galway every year: 'We love it here. We love the atmosphere, we love the style, it's just fantastic. Galway is always brilliant.' Pam Richardson–Hoare described herself as an 'avid' racegoer and her experience shows as her outfit grabbed the attention of many this afternoon. 'I started racing in 2019. I love it. The Galway Races is such an iconic race meet.' Talking about her outfit, she added: 'I love to experiment on race week, and I always just push the boundaries and wear something quirky. It's always lovely to have a pop of colour when you're at a summer race meet.' The Limerick native, who now lives in Galway, also cannot wait for Thursday. 'I'm looking forward to seeing the style on Ladies Day, because it's always phenomenal, every year.'
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Breathtaking' UK beach with 'beautiful blue water' and 'soft sand' is 'paradise'
The 'beautiful' cove has been described as a 'hidden gem' and the 'perfect escape' from tourist traps A "hidden gem" beach has been hailed as the "perfect escape". The "magical little cove" in West Cornwall is loved for its "beautiful turquoise water and white sand." Reviewers have described Nanjizal Beach as "very scenic," praising the "breathtaking" views and the "unusually clear" water. For locals, the beauty of this spot is no secret, but for those living further inland, the beach could offer a welcome respite from the usual tourist hotspots. The remote location means it's only accessible on foot, with rocks and boulders to navigate along the way. It's also crucial to check the tide times before setting off, reports Cornwall Live. However, at the end of your journey, you're greeted with "postcard" scenery, while at low tide, it's often possible to take a dip in the tidal pool - if you're brave enough to face the chilly water. Blogger Lizzy Parkin, who posts on TikTok under the handle @flossys_wonderland, shared a video showcasing the "beautiful" beach. She told her followers: "I'm on a mission to find places across the UK that make people say, 'I can't believe this is the UK.' "This is episode 2, and I'm sharing a stunning swimming spot, cove and natural rock pool." Lizzy added: "The water here is a crystal turquoise colour, and these clips are completely unedited. "The colour really is that bright. This spot is inaccessible by car, making it even more special and uncrowded. We parked at Lands End car park and walked the coastal path for around 30 minutes, which was absolutely beautiful. "It has cliff and ocean views all the way along. If you do decide to swim in the rock pool, please be careful when making your way over to it. You'll need to climb over rocks which are extremely slippery, and it may be wise to bring wet shoes to make the walk over easier. "This place is called Nanjizal Bay." Replying to the video, one commenter said: "My favourite beach." Another wrote: "I'll never forget that tight little walk which nearly made me turn back but it was sooooo worth it." Nanjizal Beach also receives rave reviews on TrustPilot. For instance, one visitor wrote: "Hidden Gem. This beach has the most beautiful turquoise water and white sand, and is the perfect escape from the tourist traps like Land's End. The walk around the Coast Path is incredible when the sun is shining, and you can see Nanjizal Beach glistening in the distance as you come around the headland. "This recent visit was the first time I'd been with our dog, and my only piece of advice would be just to be wary of the steps down to the beach with your 4 legged friend. My Cocker Spaniel is not the most delicate or agile so struggled a bit with the steps and the scramble to the sand, but once we were on the beach he had a lovely time!" Someone else wrote: "Lovely beach. Very scenic." They explained: "A lovely beach with beautiful blue water, clear pools to splash around in and a fresh water stream dropping down off the cliff. Very scenic. Large boulders scattered across the beach make it a little hard to access parts of the beach." Another review said: "A 2-3 hour walk from Sennen Cove along a breathtaking coastal stretch, which passes a shipwreck, OR you can take a diagonal path from Land's End across the cliffs (faster but not as breathtaking). You will pass a patch of stinging nettles, and a narrow stretch with a steep drop so keep dogs on leashes, and keep hold of kids. "Once you get to the cove, it is literally paradise. Crystal clear water, caves, turquoise ocean, soft white sand and not many people. We were lucky enough to see Seals bathing, too! There are no kiosks, toilets or anything there so go prepared." According to the Cornwall Beach Guide, there is only a small strip of sand at the beach this summer. A notice on the website reads: "Usually there is plenty of sand but at times, especially after stormy weather the sand can be stripped from the beach to leave a beach consisting mainly of boulders. "There are no facilities or parking at Nanjizal and the beach is only accessible by walking. Update summer 2025 - this summer the beach is mainly boulders with only a small strip of sand." The guide adds: "Access is via the coast path from either Porthgwarra, Lands End or Sennen Cove. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from Porthgwarra to Nanjizal Beach, about 45 minutes from Lands End to Nanjizal. Final access to Nanjizal Beach is via steep steps." Moreover, the guide cautions that the boulders can be slippery when wet, there are reports of rip currents, and the path from Land's End to Nanjizal has unprotected cliff edges. Visitors should always exercise caution, check the forecast, and adhere to safety guidelines when walking and swimming. Nanjizal Beach is located near Porthgwarra, Cornwall. The beach is not accessible by car. The postcode for Porthgwarra Car Park is TR19 6JP.
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- Daily Record
Dog reunited with relieved owners after going missing and spending night on Conic Hill
Caramel, the six-year-old Cocker Spaniel, was reunited with his relieved owners after he vanished near the summit of Conic Hill and spent a night on the hillside. An adventurous pet dog has been reunited with his owners after going missing and spending the night on a Scots hillside. Caramel, the six-year-old Cocker Spaniel, went missing near the summit of Conic Hill, near Loch Lomond, on Thursday afternoon. His distraught owners, French tourists Virginie Sibylle and Stéphane Tronche, issued a desperate plea for anyone in the area to look out for him. Fearing the worst, the couple, from Angers, north western France, urged anyone who saw Caramel to get in touch. However, almost 24-hours after going missing, the intrepid dog was finally found and reunited with Virginie and Stéphane. Despite surviving in the wild for a night, the couple said that he remained fit and healthy. They said: 'He's perfectly well. He smells like fish, that's it!' Caramel's whereabouts during the almost 24-hours he was missing remains a mystery, but the couple were relieved the ordeal was over. They had been worried that their holiday in nearby Balmaha was due to come to an end on Saturday, July 26, and they had held hopes of finding him before then. Issuing an appeal to walkers in the area, they said: 'He's easily recognisable as he's missing hair on his back so you can see his back skin.' He was then spotted by walkers and Virginie and Stéphane 'walked back and forth" until they saw him. The delighted couple said: 'A huge thanks to all of the community and special thanks to Rosie and Millow.' They also thanked the Facebook groups who had shared their appeal Caramel had been exploring the local area in the days prior to going missing, including a boat trip on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott across Loch Katrine.
