TODAY’S WEATHER

☁️ It’ll be bright and dry in Glasgow, and only a little more overcast - still dry - in Edinburgh. Aberdeen will be cloudy, but no rain. London, however, can expect rain from late morning. (Here’s the UK forecast).

THE BIG STORIES
Trump’s name is in the “Epstein Files” | Doctor’s tears at tribunal | HebCelt sets a new record

📣 US President Donald Trump has been told that his name is among many in the “Epstein files”, the trove of documents held by the US Justice Department about the paedophile financier.

Trump, who visits Scotland this weekend, was told in May that his name was in the files. Being mentioned in the records is not a sign of wrongdoing, and it is already well-known that Trump socialised with Jeffrey Epstein over several years.

But a decision not to release the files has triggered a fierce backlash from Trump’s previously loyal political base, and sparked discussions the White House is keen to shut down.

On Tuesday, the House Speaker cut the House of Representatives’ legislative session short to avoid votes on the release of additional documents. (🎁The Wall Street Journal has the exclusive - free to read).

• Trump’s biggest allies are breaking ranks to reveal days of "secret ‘cover-up’ meetings” (Mail)

• Trump’s trip to Scotland highlights his complex relationship with his mother’s homeland (AP)

📣 A senior doctor broke down in tears at the Sandie Peggie employment tribunal yesterday, as she defended her actions in the dispute between Peggie, a veteran nurse, and Dr Beth Upton, a male doctor who identifies as a woman.

Kate Searle, a consultant in emergency medicine, said Peggie had “questioned the being” of Upton, and that Upton had been subjected to a “hate incident” in a confrontation on Christmas Eve, 2023, around which the case revolves. (Mail) (Times £)

• The doctor admitted her actions during an internal investigation left “confidentiality in ruin”. (Herald)

📣 Happy news for the Scottish arts world this morning: the HebCelt Scottish music festival says it’s had the most successful year in its history, with a record number of tickets sold for the event held in Stornoway last weekend.

Chair Iain Macphail hailed the staff and volunteers who built “essentially a pop-up village to deliver a best-in-class, internationally renowned event.

“Stornoway and the entire Isle of Lewis can be rightfully proud of what the festival family has achieved together,” he said.

And, for those who have already recovered from the all-night jigging, tickets for next year go on sale tomorrow. (See the announcement) (Hebcelt’s website)

IDEAS
Scotland’s opinion pages: Origins and indy | McLeish’s plea to Trump | Countdown hype for Sturgeon’s memoir

🗣️ In the Times, columnist Kenny Farquharson makes an interesting observation about origins and independence. In short, he says, Scotland can’t have both immigration and independence, because people born outside Scotland who move are less likely to be swayed by the case for independence.

People born in Scotland support independence by 57% to 43%: immigrants to Scotland are only 40% in favour, 60% opposed. “It is hugely to the credit of Scottish nationalism that this does not loom large in our political discourse,” he writes. “Nobody dwelt on it in 2014 and nobody dwells on it today.’

Yet Farquharson wonders if those “better angels” in the debate also mean nationalists are missing a trick, and finding ways to persuade incomers - such as the 600,000 English-born people living in Scotland - that independence could be a good thing. (The Times £)

🗣️Former First Minister Henry McLeish writes an open letter to Donald Trump, visiting his Scottish golf courses this weekend, urging him to pick up the phone and end the conflict in Gaza. “Any semblance of global governance is dying in this world of division and hate,” writes McLeish.

“Israel, a proud country, is unfortunately hurtling towards pariah status in a world tiring of its government’s obvious hatred of Palestinians, desire to obliterate Gaza, annex the West Bank and destroy any prospects of a two-state solution. Antisemitism is despicable, but it is not a comfort blanket to defend the indefensible.”

It’s time for Trump to act, says McLeish. “That’s why you must make the call to Netanyahu, to end the killing fields of Gaza, secure an immediate ceasefire and help remove from office a pariah who is doing enormous damage not only to Israel, but also to your presidency.” (The Scotsman)

🗣️Neil Mackay thinks John Swinney should hijack Trump’s visit - and raise the issue of Scottish independence with the US President. “Swinney should shape the discussion in a way that gets inside Trump’s psychology,” he writes.

“Trump is also pretty free and easy when it comes to commenting on the integrity of the borders of other nations. Just ask Canada, Greenland and Panama.

“Swinney doesn’t need to suck up to Trump. He just needs to pour the necessary words into the ear of this very combustible man.” (The Herald)

🗣️Alison Rowat arches a metaphorical eyebrow at breathless claims that Nicola Sturgeon’s new memoir, released next month, is set to become a towering example of the genre. “Things are already becoming too silly for words,” she writes.

“The publishers have been sending out advance copies to ‘friendly’ reviewers in the hope of getting some nice words for the cover,” she continues. “I’m not sure Andrew O’Hagan has done himself, or the former First Minister, any favours with his contribution. ‘A triumph,’ says the author of Mayflies and Caledonian Road. ‘Frankly is the most insightful and stylishly open memoir by a politician since Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father.’” (The Herald)

AROUND SCOTLAND

📣 The general secretary of the GMB union has warned Scottish Labour it “cannot win” next year’s Holyrood election without reversing its opposition to new oil and gas. (Scotsman)

📣 A story that may cause a few sharp intakes of breath this morning: growing numbers of men have been going to NHS hospitals for treatment after botched penis “Botox” and filler injections, administered at “pop-up” clinics in Glasgow. In one case, a patient required amputation after a procedure went wrong. (The Record has the exclusive)

📣 Alex Salmond has been cleared of fresh sexual assault claims after a police investigation was ended. No further action will be taken about a complaint made against the late First Minister. (The Record has the exclusive)

📣 Passengers on an Easyjet flight to Edinburgh spent the night in Sofia airport after their flight home made an emergency landing due to an “eggy smell”. (STV)

AROUND THE UK & WORLD

📣 Starvation now grips Gaza, with the death toll now climbing rapidly because of the heavily constrained rations being permitted into the enclave by Israel. “Gaza has never been hungrier,” the Guardian reports, “despite several warnings about impending famine over the course of nearly two years of war.

“Over just three days this week public health officials recorded 43 deaths from hunger; there had been 68 in total before that.” (Guardian)

• “No one is spared” as even the medics treating children “faint from hunger” (Independent)

📣 The Conservative Party “must offer hope”, says leader Kemi Badenoch, and not become a “repository of disenchantment”. She also held up Argentina’s Javier Milei, who waves chainsaws on stages to demonstrate his commitment to cutting government spending, as someone with an economic and political model to follow. Her comments were made in an interview with the Financial Times. (FT £) (BBC)

📣 Thailand has sealed its border with Cambodia after troops from the two countries clashed in a disputed area, with at least one person killed. (BBC)

📣 A study says taking just 7,000 steps a day boosts your brainpower and protects against cancer, dementia and heart disease. (BBC)

SPORT

⚽️ All eyes are on Hibs and Dundee United tonight, as they take to the European stage and hope to get wins that will be vital both for them, and for Scotland’s faltering status on the international stage. Scotland’s position within UEFA’s rankings "is teetering on a cliff edge,” observes Matthew Elder. (Scotsman) (Scotland’s Coefficient)

• Hibs need “maximum level” for game against Midtjylland (BBC)

• Dundee United are in “good shape” for UNA Strassen tie (BBC)

⚽️ England has a new sporting hero: Michelle Agyemang is the 19-year-old Lioness who has scored some vital goals for her side in the Euros, and is dubbed “England’s piano-playing super sub” today. (Times £) (Guardian)

🚴‍♀️ Scottish cycling sensation Oscar Onley decided he wanted to be a Tour de France rider aged only 10, watching the event on TV with his mum. His family says they’re thrilled by her performance this year: he sits fourth in the event overall. (Daily Record)