Latest news with #ForceOne
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Donald Trump to meet First Minister John Swinney on golf course on final day of Scotland trip
Donald Trump and John Swinney are expected to speak about whisky tariffs and the Middle East during their meeting. Donald Trump's four-day visit to Scotland wraps up on Tuesday with a meeting with First Minister John Swinney. The two leaders are expected to discuss issues including whisky tariffs and the Middle East during a one-to-one chat, before the US President opens a brand new course at his golf resort in Aberdeenshire. The trip has been dominated by trade talks with the EU. Trump has already played a round of golf at his Turnberry course, where he welcomed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. The pair then boatded Air Force One and flew to RAF Lossiemouth, before joining Swinney for a private dinner at Trump's plush resort in Balmedie, near Aberdeen. The visit has sparked a major police operation across Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, with extra officers deployed for protest marches in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Before the trip, the White House said Trump and Starmer would focus on trade between the countries. Despite an agreement being signed, a 10 per cent tariff is still being slapped on Scotch whisky one of Scotland's biggest global exports. Asked if that tariff could be dropped or eliminated as a result of the meeting with the prime minister, Trump said: "We'll talk about that, I didn't know whisky was a problem. I'm not a big whisky drinker, but maybe I should be." Swinney has vowed to raise the issue personally. A Scottish government spokesperson said the dinner on Monday would provide Swinney with an opportunity "specifically to make the case for tariff exemptions for Scotland's world class whisky and salmon sector" On Monday, the first minister told the BBC: "Tariffs are very important for the Scottish economy and obviously Scotch whisky is a unique product. "Obviously, the trade deal with the United States provides a degree of stability for economic connections with the United States but the application of tariffs is increasing the costs for the Scotch whisky industry. "So one of my objectives will be to make the case to President Trump that Scotch whisky should be exempted from those tariffs," he added. President Trump also took the media conference at Turnberry as an opportunity to hit out at wind turbines, which he branded "ugly monsters". He is a long-standing critic of turbines and previously lost a legal battle to block a wind farm from being built opposite his golf club in Aberdeenshire. Trump said: "Wind is the most expensive form of energy and it destroys the beauty of your fields, your plains and your waterways. "Wind needs massive subsidy, and you are paying in Scotland and in the UK, and all over the place, massive subsidies to have these ugly monsters all over the place." Instead, the president urged the UK to exploit North Sea oil and gas. "When we go to Aberdeen, you'll see some of the ugliest windmills you've ever seen, the height of a 50-storey building," Trump said. "You can take 1,000 times more energy out of a hole in the ground this big," he added, gesturing with his hands. "It's called oil and gas, and you have it there in the North Sea." The prime minister said the UK government believed in a mix of energy. "Obviously, oil and gas is going to be with us for a very long time, and that'll be part of the mix, but also wind, solar, increasingly nuclear, which is what we've been discussing," he said. The president's visit was described as a "private" trip and - unusually for such events - combined politics with business and his love of golf. His mum was born on the Isle of Lewis and moved to New York in 1930 aged just 18, a family link Trump often cites as his reason for investing in Scotland. He's been a regular visitor to his Scottish courses in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire over the past decade. Trump is due back in the UK in September for a state visit, where he'll stay with King Charles at Windsor Castle.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's New Air Force One 'Gift' From Qatar Will Likely Cost US $1B
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A jet donated by Qatar that is expected to become President Donald Trump's next Air Force One could ultimately cost American taxpayers $1 billion or more in retrofitting and upgrades. The free Air Force One from Qatar, which Trump has described as a gift, has raised eyebrows after a $934 million transfer of funds was made to an unnamed classified project from the Pentagon, with officials in the Air Force saying that millions of dollars were needed to pay for renovating the aircraft. Newsweek has contacted the Air Force via email for more information. Why It Matters The Qatari jet, delivered as a "bona fide gift" to the United States, arrived at a time when the Pentagon sought alternatives to delayed Boeing aircraft for presidential use. While officials emphasized the absence of any quid pro quo, the process of converting a 13-year-old Boeing 747 into a secure, advanced command center for the president could add a significant, taxpayer-funded price tag that goes against the concept of a gift. What To Know On July 7, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani signed a memorandum of understanding, detailing Qatar's "unconditional donation" of a Boeing jet to the Pentagon, with no payment made to Qatar. The agreement explicitly said the gift should not be interpreted as bribery or an attempt to influence U.S. policy. The jet is being housed in San Antonio, awaiting extensive retrofitting and security upgrades before it can be used as Air Force One. President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon his arrival at Prestwick Airport, south of Glasgow, on July 25. President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon his arrival at Prestwick Airport, south of Glasgow, on July 25. Getty Images The renovation's official price is classified, but congressional budget analysis and reports from The New York Times have traced a $934 million transfer from the over-budget Sentinel nuclear missile modernization program, believed to be earmarked for the jet's transformation. Additionally, officials within the Air Force told The New York Times that the Air Force was using funding initially ring-fenced for nuclear modernization to upgrade the new plane, which would explain why the $934 million transfer originated from the Pentagon's nuclear program. "I think there has been a number thrown around on the order of $1 billion," Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink told Congress in June. "But a lot of those costs associated with that are costs that we'd have experienced anyway, we will just experience them early." What People Are Saying President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in May: "The Boeing 747 is being given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME! It is a gift from a Nation, Qatar, that we have successfully defended for many years. It will be used by our Government as a temporary Air Force One, until such time as our new Boeings, which are very late on delivery, arrive." U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told ABC in May: "It's a perfectly legal transaction; it's been vetted by White House counsel, by the Justice Department, there are outside law firms involved. So, it's a perfectly legal, government-to-government, department of defense-to-department of defense transaction that happens in the normal course, and has been happening in the normal course throughout our existence. "Governments exchange services—in this case the president has done … an incredible array of wonderful deals and created all kinds of opportunities for this country, for our economy, for the growth of our economy, and everything is always with the mind of doing something good for the American public, for the American taxpayer. This is another example—they decided to donate something because of all the wonderful things we've done for them in the past." What Happens Next The Pentagon is finalizing the registration and preparing to begin upgrades at a Texas facility known for classified aviation work.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Trade on agenda as Trump lands in Scotland for diplomacy and golf
26 July 2025 01:02 TURNBERRY, United Kingdom (AFP) US President Donald Trump landed in Scotland on Friday for a five-day visit set to mix diplomacy, business and leisure, as a huge UK security operation swung into place amid planned protests near his family-owned golf resorts. The president, whose mother was born in Scotland, will split his time between two seaside golf courses bearing his name, in Turnberry on the southwestern coast and Aberdeen in the Force One, carrying the president and White House staff, touched down at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow shortly before 8:30 pm (1930 GMT). Police officers lined the surrounding streets, and several hundred curious Scots came out hoping for a glimpse of the US leader as he then made his way to Turnberry by has no public events scheduled for Saturday and is expected to play golf at his picturesque resort before meeting EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday for trade is also due to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the said the meeting would be "more of a celebration than a workout," appearing to row back on previous comments that a bilateral trade deal struck in May needed "fine-tuning"."The deal is concluded," he told reporters on the tarmac at the unpredictable American leader appeared unwilling to cede to a UK request for reduced steel and aluminium tariffs. Trump has exempted British exports from blanket 50 per cent tariffs on both metals, but the fate of that carve-out remains unclear.
Fox Sports
6 days ago
- General
- Fox Sports
Texas A&M's Collie Mascot Reveille X Has Eye Removed After Glaucoma Diagnosis
Reveille X, Texas A&M's border collie mascot, had her right eye surgically removed after veterinarians diagnosed her with glaucoma, the university's president said Wednesday. The collie — also known as the "First Lady of Aggieland" — was diagnosed with glaucoma after experiencing discomfort and cloudiness in her right eye, President Mark A Welsh III said in a message on the school's website. The veterinary team removed the eye out of an abundance of caution after discovering signs of abnormal tissue, he said. "I'm grateful to report that Miss Rev has come through the surgery successfully, has been discharged and is resting comfortably," Welsh said. Texas A&M's Reveille mascot dates back to 1931, when a group of cadets found an injured dog and sneaked her on to campus. The dog barked when buglers played morning reveille, earning her the Reveille name. Reveille X took over as the latest iteration of the mascot in 2021. A souped-up golf cart known as "Rev Force One" helps transport the collie across campus. Welsh said Reveille will take a brief hiatus from engagements as she recovers. "According to her veterinary team, we can expect Miss Rev to be back to enjoying all her favorite activities — cruising on Rev Force One, attending classes, cheering on the Aggies and keeping our campus squirrels in line — this fall," he said. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Texas A&M's collie mascot Reveille X has eye removed after glaucoma diagnosis
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Reveille X, Texas A&M's border collie mascot, had her right eye surgically removed after veterinarians diagnosed her with glaucoma, the university's president said Wednesday. The collie — also known as the 'First Lady of Aggieland' — was diagnosed with glaucoma after experiencing discomfort and cloudiness in her right eye, President Mark A Welsh III said in a message on the school's website . The veterinary team removed the eye out of an abundance of caution after discovering signs of abnormal tissue, he said. 'I'm grateful to report that Miss Rev has come through the surgery successfully, has been discharged and is resting comfortably,' Welsh said. Texas A&M's Reveille mascot dates back to 1931, when a group of cadets found an injured dog and sneaked her on to campus. The dog barked when buglers played morning reveille, earning her the Reveille name. Reveille X took over as the latest iteration of the mascot in 2021. A souped-up golf cart known as 'Rev Force One' helps transport the collie across campus. Welsh said Reveille will take a brief hiatus from engagements as she recovers. 'According to her veterinary team, we can expect Miss Rev to be back to enjoying all her favorite activities — cruising on Rev Force One, attending classes, cheering on the Aggies and keeping our campus squirrels in line — this fall,' he said.
