In your briefing today:

📣 Donald Trump is signalling the US may withdraw from its war against Iran “whether we have a deal or not” within the next two to three weeks, as he also adopts an increasingly exasperated tone with nations that have refused to step in to solve problems created by his conflict.

Iran and Houthis have launched fresh attacks - but stocks have soared, fuelled by the first signals from Iran that it may also be willing to cease hostilities. (CNN)

📣 Reform’s leader in Scotland got a bashing last night at the Scotsman-sponsored Scotland 2050 hustings in Edinburgh, with other parties warning Reform's success would damage debate at Holyrood.

Malcolm Offord insisted his party is “running a positive campaign”, but came under fresh pressure over a homophobic joke he told eight years ago. He said the matter was now “done and dusted”, and he refused to apologise for it again - despite requests from the audience to do so. (The Scotsman)

📣 A multi-national police operation is dismantling a global crime empire with strong links to Scotland: gangster Steven Lyons was arrested in Bali and photographed yesterday in an orange jumpsuit being led away by police. (Daily Record)

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📣 Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis is to close its Falkirk plant with the potential loss of 115 jobs - only six months after the Scottish government announced a £4 million scheme aimed at saving the operation. (STV)

📣 A leading Green election candidate has been suspended from the party after a complaint from sitting MSP Maggie Chapman, who will now take his place at the top of the party’s list for the North East region. (BBC)

📣 The Edinburgh building made famous in Netflix drama Dept Q has been refused listed status, despite meeting requirements. (BBC)

📣 The BBC was “forced” to sack star DJ Scott Mills after “compelling” new information about his conduct emerged. (Mirror has the exclusive)

📣 Any government support for energy bills would be based on household income, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said. (BBC)

📣 A judge has halted construction of that vast new White House ballroom, leaving Donald Trump seething. (AP)

📣 One million people will get “life-changing” weight loss drugs on the NHS, to prevent heart attacks and strokes. (Independent)

📣 Billionaire hedge fund owner Chris Rokos is to donate £190 million to the University of Cambridge: it will be used to create a school of government named after him. (BBC)

⚽️ Scotland suffered a second friendly defeat, losing 1-0 to the Ivory Coast to bring yet more boos from a pocket of fans at full-time. Scott McDermott offers five talking points - one of which is: easier opposition, please? (Daily Record)

⚽️ With any sense of perspective, Scotland should feel slightly better about last weekend’s defeat to Japan - they beat England last night at Wembley, too. That game gave England a “grim glimpse of life without Harry Kane”, writes Phil McNulty. (BBC)

⚽️ The true shock of the night - and it was a real shock - was Italy, four-time World champions, failing to qualify for the third time in a row. Stuck in the play-offs, they lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties. We should count our blessings. (Guardian)

Monday’s news that ferry operator CalMac is suffering a “critical” shortage of ships provoked a lot of interest.

Virtually every island served by one of its bigger vessels is now impacted. Those issues have a profound impact on the island communities: shops struggle for supplies, locals can’t get to appointments, tourists can’t get on holiday, and businesses can’t ship their products.

The success, or otherwise, of ferry services has a literal, direct connection to the success of the communities they serve.

What’s to be done?

🗣️Reader Anne Johnson, while acknowledging she’s “ignored all of the politics and finance associated with CalMac”, offers some ideas on how ferry services might be improved.

She writes: “First order of business is to stop sending the vast majority of the vehicles which currently travel on CalMac ferries over and back.

For things, change the handling system to Unit Load devices (very widely used existing standard for the cargo loaded on airplanes); use small (and if buying new, electrically powered) vehicles for delivery of the units once they get to the island.

For people, encourage electric bike hire and on-island rentals of (electric, if possible) cars. Visitors who come to the ferry terminals by car could get a park-and-ride service at the port. Increase the frequency of small (8 - 10 seater size) public transport service for people and small package delivery on the island.

Subsidising a transition to this method of operating would be a lot less expensive and much easier to manage than constructing new large ferries. Some of it could go into use before the current failing ferries can be fixed.”

🗣️ Meanwhile, I’m also reminded of a meeting of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (really, stay with me) from November 1 2022, which really was an insightful conversation.

The key to its success was the contribution of two experts on ferries: the managing directors of Pentland Ferries, Helen Inkster, and of Western Ferries, Gordon Ross.

Both companies provide ferry services for specific routes in Scotland and - operating without subsidy, but with shareholders who want to be paid - bring a contrasting philosophy to state-owned and subsidised CalMac.

The committee hearing laid that difference bare. You can find a transcript of the full session here, but a few of the key points (with links to the relevant part of the transcript) included:

That inquiry by the committee led to a report, A Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland, published in June 2023. Among its recommendations, echoing those points above: a standardisation of ferries, ports and harbours.

And, to one of Anne Johnson’s points: “The Scottish Government must chart a course which facilitates the efficient transportation of freight on our ferries to allow businesses on islands to flourish and ensures vital provisions are delivered with ease.”

That’s not quite her more radical solution - but it does show there’s a need for ideas. Perhaps Anne’s points can help inform the answer, should anyone still be seeking it.

📣 Have your own ideas? Do you even live on an island, at the end of a CalMac service? Do share your thoughts and ideas.

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