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REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Saudi Arabia's PIF buys into Rocco Forte hotel groupPlans to help expand luxury hotel groupItalian investor CDPE checks out of chainDec 4 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's PIF sovereign wealth fund will buy a 49% stake in luxury hotel group Rocco Forte Hotels and help to support its expansion, the owner of Britain's Balmoral hotel said on Monday. A spokesperson for Rocco Forte Hotels declined to confirm the size of PIF's stake. Rocco Forte Hotels, founded in 1996, operates across Italy, Britain, Germany, Belgium and Russia and has 20 private villas in addition to its hotels. CDPE, which owned a 23% stake in Rocco Forte Hotels, is owned by Italy's state-backed fund CDP. Rocco Forte, which was advised by Rothschild, reported revenues of around 300 million pounds last fiscal year, with a core profit of around 60 million pounds, according to a source.

Persons: Russell Cheyne, Companies Saudi Arabia's PIF, Rocco Forte, CDPE, Olga Polizzi, Forte, Rocco Forte Hotels, Al Nowaiser, PIF, Rothschild, Yadarisa, Elisa Anzolin, Keith Weir, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Companies Saudi Arabia's, Saudi Arabia's, Rocco Forte Hotels, Financial Times, Granada, Thomson Locations: Balmoral, Scotland, Edinburgh, Britain, Saudi, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Milan, Sardinia, Italy's, SAUDI ARABIA, Saudi Arabia, Bengaluru, London

[1/2] Former UK finance minister (Chancellor of the Exchequer), Alistair Darling, poses for a photograph in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Aug 31, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Former British finance minister Alistair Darling, who steered the country's economy and banking system through the shock of the global financial crisis in 2007-08, has died aged 70 after undergoing treatment for cancer, his family said on Thursday. Darling was named chancellor of the exchequer by former prime minister Gordon Brown in June 2007, just as the crisis was brewing at leading financial institutions. "I never met anyone who didn't like him," Brown's predecessor as prime minister, Tony Blair, said. "Darling's passing is a huge loss to us all," said Britain's present prime minister Rishi Sunak, from the centre-right Conservative party.

Persons: Alistair Darling, Russell Cheyne, Darling, Gordon Brown, Brown, Margaret, Calum, Anna, Tony Blair, Lehman, Rishi Sunak, Muvija, Kate Holton, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB, Labour Party, Treasury, Western General Hospital, Loretto School, Aberdeen University, The Guardian, Lehman Brothers, Conservative, Thomson Locations: Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, British, United Kingdom

Drumnadrochit, Scotland CNN —It’s not the volume of water in Loch Ness that impresses, although that’s substantial. The "surgeon's photographs" of 1934 are the most famous images of the Loch Ness Monster -- although they were later exposed as a hoax. “It’s a really bizarre extended family of Loch Ness enthusiasts,” says McKenna, his love for the project glowing in every word. But, says McKenna, “Loch Ness is so fascinating that it can cause these mirages. Until then, the Loch Ness Exploration group meets monthly on the loch and is free and open to everyone — believers, sceptics and agnostics alike: details are on the public Facebook page.

Persons: Scotland CNN — It’s, ”, Alan McKenna, Jeff J Mitchell, you’ve, you’ll, Loch, it’ll, Hugh Gray, Aldie McKay, Saint Columba, Aleister Crowley’s, Jimmy Page, Adrian Shine, Rasputin, Santa, He’s, McKenna, Steve Feltham, who’s, “, Alistair Matheson, Aldie, We’re, Loch Ness, Russell Cheyne, Matheson, we’ve, Andy Buchanan Organizations: CNN, Scotland CNN, Edinburgh, Getty, Loch, Keystone, “, Reuters, Pacific . Locations: Drumnadrochit, Scotland, Loch Ness, guesthouses, Isle, Skye, Boleskine, Santa Claus, Edinburgh, Loch, ”, Pacific, AFP

☆ Everton chairman Kenwright dies aged 78
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton vs Huddersfield Town - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - December 2, 2017 Everton chairman Bill Kenwright before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 24 (Reuters) - Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has died at the age of 78, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. Kenwright, who was Everton's longest serving chairman for more than a century, succeeded Philip Carter in 2004. He passed away peacefully on Monday night, surrounded by his family and loved ones, Everton said. "The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration," the club statement read. In his 19 seasons as chairman, Everton secured 12 top eight finishes, including fourth place in 2005.

Persons: Bill Kenwright, Russell Cheyne, Kenwright, Philip Carter, Anita Kobylinska, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Everton, Huddersfield Town, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Liverpool, Britain, Gdansk

☆ Two dead as Scotland hit by severe flooding after Storm Babet
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Emergency services assist in the evacuation of people from their homes in Brechin, amid floods during "Storm Babet", in Scotland, Britain October 20, 2023. Britain's national weather forecaster, the Met Office, issued its first red warning for rain since February 2020, predicting some locations would see as much as 250 millimetres (9.84 inches). "This is an exceptional event, and we are likely to continue to see significant impacts with the potential for further flooding," Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said. The Met Office also has amber and yellow weather warnings in place for much of England. Local emergency services said there were no reported injuries.

Persons: Russell Cheyne, Storm Babet, Andy Page, Angus, Kylie MacLellan, William James, Michael Holden Organizations: REUTERS, Met Office, Police Scotland, Office, Southern Electricity Networks, Angus, Met, Leeds Bradford Airport, Thomson Locations: Brechin, Scotland, Britain, England

☆ Scotland's leader fears for wife's parents 'trapped' in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf attends First Minister's Questions at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, March 30, 2023. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON Oct 9 (Reuters) - Scotland's leader Humza Yousaf said on Monday that his wife's parents were "trapped" in Gaza, leaving him worried if they will survive an attack by IsraelThe parents of Yousaf’s wife were in Gaza visiting family when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel over the weekend. "They're trapped in Gaza. Therefore, you can imagine my wife and I are sick with worry about whether or not, frankly, our parents - my in-laws - will survive," he said. Reporting by Andrew MacAskill Editing by Bill Berkrot and Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Humza Yousaf, Russell Cheyne, Israel, Yousaf’s, They're, they've, Yousaf, Andrew MacAskill, Bill Berkrot, Christina Fincher Organizations: Scotland's, Scottish, REUTERS, Hamas, BBC, Scottish National Party, Thomson Locations: Holyrood, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Gaza, Israel, Western Europe, British, London

☆ Pettersen hails Europe's Solheim 'legends' after retaining Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] FILE PHOTO:Golf - Solheim Cup - Gleneagles, Britain - September 15, 2019 Team Europe's Suzann Pettersen lines up a putt on the 18th hole during her singles match against Team USA's Marina Alex REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 25 (Reuters) - Team Europe captain Suzann Pettersen said her players had become "legends" after they retained the Solheim Cup with a remarkable 14-14 draw against Team USA on Sunday. Carlota Ciganda's stunning win over Nelly Korda on the 17th hole gave Europe the point they needed to secure the Cup for a third consecutive tournament. Europe won the Solheim Cup in Ohio in 2021 and as defending champions needed 14 points to win, while the U.S. needed 14 1/2 points. We have created history yet again in the Solheim Cup. The Europeans, who trailed 4-0 after the first session on Friday, had shown great heart in fighting back, said Pettersen.

Persons: Europe's, Team USA's Marina Alex REUTERS, Russell Cheyne, Suzann Pettersen, Carlota Ciganda's, Nelly Korda, Pettersen, Stacy Lewis, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Solheim, Team USA's, Team, Team USA, Europe, Finca, Thomson Locations: Britain, Europe, Ohio, U.S, Andalusia, Spain, Bengaluru

☆ Charles is 'just the son': Parisians unfazed by king's visit to France
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Noemie Olive | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Charles, a fluent French speaker like his mother, is keen to walk in her footsteps and is likely to refer to the late queen's deep affection for France during the visit, officials said. All this combined together doesn't create much interest," said the 88-year old, who liked Queen Elizabeth and her horses. As part of the visit, Charles and Camilla will drive down the Champs-Elysees and view restoration works at the Notre-Dame cathedral following a massive blaze in 2019 that destroyed its roof. The trip is also a chance to rebuild ties that have been frayed by Britain's chaotic exit from the EU in 2020. In Britain, polls suggest Charles is less popular than his mother, who had strong support from much of the public.

Persons: Britain's King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Royal, Duke, Russell Cheyne, Brexit PARIS, King Charles, Queen Elizabeth, He's, Mireille, Charles, Camilla, France's Patrouille, Alexia Aubert, Elizabeth, King Charles isn't, Edouard Val de Lievre, Michael Holden, Elizabeth Pineau, Ingrid Melander, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Braemar Royal, Princess, REUTERS, Notre, Dame, Arrows, Britons, Thomson Locations: Braemar, Fife, Scotland, Britain, Paris, Bordeaux, France, Versailles, Bresse, England

☆ Hundreds join largest Loch Ness monster hunt in 50 years in Scotland
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Volunteers get ready to take off in the Loch Ness Project Research Vessel, Deep Scan, as they take part in the largest Loch Ness Monster hunt for 50 years in Scotland, Britain, August 27, 2023. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne Acquire Licensing RightsLOCH NESS, Scotland, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Hundreds of hopeful volunteers joined a two-day hunt for Scotland's fabled Loch Ness monster on Saturday and Sunday, in what organisers described as the biggest search for the elusive "Nessie" in more than 50 years. The Loch Ness Centre, which partnered with voluntary research team Loch Ness Exploration to organise "The Quest", said they would be using surveying equipment that had not previously been tried at the loch, including thermal drones. "We all got a bit excited, ran to go make sure the recorder was on and it wasn’t plugged in." "I chose the Loch Ness monster as my essay assignment, and I thought, 'oh 20 years later it comes full circle so I might as well come and join the hunt' since I heard it was happening," she said, adding that so far they had not found any evidence.

Persons: Russell Cheyne, Alan McKenna, St Columba, Caroline McNamara's, Nessie, Kylie MacLellan, Giles Elgood Organizations: Volunteers, Research, REUTERS, Loch, Thomson Locations: Loch Ness, Scotland, Britain, NESS, London

☆ Foster picks big guns in New Zealand team to face Springboks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Coach Ian Foster has selected the same backline that helped beat the Springboks 35-20 during the Rugby Championship in Auckland last month. Foster is keen to give his team a good run ahead of their World Cup opener against France in Paris on Sept. 8 and this presents an excellent opportunity to do so against the old enemy and reigning world champions. "This is our final game before the Rugby World Cup and this test is critical in our preparation," Foster said. "With just two weeks to go, it’s an important opportunity to get us battle-ready for the start of the tournament. "These games (against South Africa) are always intense and physically challenging, and I’m sure this one will be no different."

Persons: Ian Foster, Russell Cheyne, Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Foster, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett, Telea, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Ardie, Sam Cane, Jacobson, Scott Barrett, Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Ethan de Groot, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Dalton Papali'i, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert, Nick Said Organizations: Rugby Union, International, New Zealand, Murrayfield, REUTERS, Rugby, South, Twickenham, Springboks, France, Blacks, Australia, Argentina, Pool A . New Zealand, Brown, Thomson Locations: New, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Zealand, South Africa, Auckland, Paris, Coles, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia, Pool A . New

☆ These are the best cities in the world for a healthy work-life balance, an analysis has found. Almost all are in Europe.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Europe is leading the way for healthy work-life balance, an analysis by Forbes found. Europe is leading the way for healthy work-life balance, an analysis by Forbes has found. Forbes ranked cities in Europe as some of the best in the world for work-life balance, but not US cities made the list. Belfast, Northern IrelandWork-life balance score: 57Belfast, Northern Ireland. Oslo, NorwayWork-life balance score: 63.2Karl Johans Gate street scene in Oslo, Norway with royal palace in the background.

Persons: Forbes, —, Ricki, Lee Abrams, Giles, Cathedral, Edinburgh . Russell Cheyne, Sylvain Sonnet, Taylor Rains, Karl Johans, Wolfgang Kaehler, Fredrik Sandberg Organizations: Service, Forbes, Invest Northern, Auckland Skyline, Getty, Stockholm, TT, Agency, AFP Locations: Europe, Denmark, Finland, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Auckland, New Zealand, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, Edinburgh, Scotland, Vienna, Austria, Reykjavik, Iceland, Gothenburg, Sweden, Auckland , New Zealand, . Eden, Oslo, Norway, Stockholm

☆ Scotland's leader won't suspend Nicola Sturgeon from party after arrest
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon attends her last First Minster's Questions at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Russell CheyneLONDON, June 12 (Reuters) - Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said on Monday he would not suspend his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon after her arrest as part of a police inquiry into the finances of the governing, pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP). "I see no reason to suspend their membership," Yousaf told the BBC. After she was released on Sunday, Sturgeon said she had committed no offence and was innocent of wrongdoing. Angus MacNeil, one of the SNP’s longest-serving members of the British parliament, said on Sunday Sturgeon should be suspended.

Persons: Nicola Sturgeon, Russell Cheyne, Humza Yousaf, Yousaf, Sturgeon, Peter Murrell, Scotland's, Ash Regan, Angus MacNeil, Andrew MacAskill, Kylie MacLellan, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Scottish, REUTERS, Scottish National Party, BBC, Labour Party, Labour, Thomson Locations: Holyrood, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, Scottish, United Kingdom, Westminster

On Friday, U.S. prosecutors unsealed an indictment against Trump that accused him of risking some of the country's most sensitive security secrets with his handling of unclassified documents. Soon after Trump appears in court, prosecutors will begin handing over evidence to Trump’s lawyers. That could include years of correspondence between Trump’s lawyers, the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and federal prosecutors as they haggled over the documents. At some point, Trump's lawyers are expected to file a motion to dismiss the case for a variety of reasons, including his claim that he declassified the documents before taking them. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CASE IF TRUMP WINS THE ELECTION?

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Walt Nauta, Russell Cheyne, ”, TRUMP, E, Jean Carroll, Joe Biden, Merrick Garland, Jack Queen, Howard Goller, Noeleen Walder Organizations: Former U.S, White House, Trump, U.S . National Archives, Records Administration, Prosecutors, ABC, Republican, Aberdeen International Airport, REUTERS, IF TRUMP WINS, U.S . Department of Justice, Department, Thomson Locations: Former, Florida, New York, Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain, U.S, Lincoln

[1/2] Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts after arriving at Aberdeen International Airport in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain May 1, 2023. Two of Carroll’s friends testified at trial that she told them about the rape after it occurred. The trial also featured testimony from two women who alleged Trump assaulted them many years ago under similar circumstances, as well as taped deposition testimony by Trump in which he denies ever meeting Carroll. Trump's lawyers told jurors that Carroll's narrative was implausible and said she had not provided evidence to back up her damages claims. That case has been bogged down in appeals over whether Trump was immune from being sued because he had been president when he spoke.

Persons: Donald Trump, Russell Cheyne, Jean Carroll, Carroll, Roberta Kaplan, Trump, Goodman, ”, District Judge Lewis Kaplan, Kaplan, Jonathan Stempel, Bill Berkrot, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Republican, Aberdeen International Airport, REUTERS, Elle, CNN, District, Thomson Locations: Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain, Manhattan, New York

The video does not disclose any potential AI use and the DeSantis campaign did not respond to a question about whether the images were fake or whether AI was used to create them. A person with knowledge of the DeSantis campaign operation said the Trump side had been "continuously posting fake images and false talking points to smear the governor." The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Drexel professor Stamm's forensics analysis tool suggests the images were made using an AI model called a diffusion model, which underpin popular AI image generation products like DALL-E and Stability AI. "At some point the AI systems will be outputting images that have no differences from real images," said James O'Brien, a professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley.

Persons: Donald Trump, Russell Cheyne, Anthony Fauci, Trump, Fauci, Ron DeSantis, Matthew Stamm, Hany Farid, DeSantis, Drexel, Biden, James O'Brien, Alexandra Ulmer, Anna Tong, Seana Davis, Rosalba O'Brien, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S, Republican, Aberdeen International Airport, REUTERS, FRANCISCO, Republican White, Twitter, Trump, Drexel University, University of California, Republican National Committee, RNC, Thomson Locations: Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain, Florida, Berkeley, U.S, China, Taiwan, San Francisco

[1/2] Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts after arriving at Aberdeen International Airport in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain May 1, 2023. "That was a rigged election," Trump said, adding that anyone who thought otherwise was "stupid." Trump and Collins frequently spoke over each other with Collins challenging a number of the former president's false claims. "It was classic Trump - it was Donald Trump from 2015 right up until now: the Big Lie, the outrageous style, demeaning individuals, mocking them," said Rothenberg, senior editor at the Inside Elections newsletter. New Hampshire is an early nominating state that could prove critical in Trump's bid to win the November 2024 election.

☆ Trump says he will pardon many involved in Jan. 6 attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Nathan Layne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts after arriving at Aberdeen International Airport in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMay 10 (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump again refused to acknowledge that he lost the 2020 election and said he would pardon many supporters convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in a contentious CNN town hall on Wednesday. Trump declined to express regret for the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol when supporters sought to prevent Congress for ratifying the election result, and he repeated his plan to pardon individuals involved if voters return him to the White House in 2024. I can't say for every single one because a couple of them probably they got out of control," Trump said. Trump and Collins frequently interrupted each other with Collins challenging a number of the former president's false claims about the 2020 election and the attack on Jan. 6 which followed a speech he gave outside the White House that day.

[1/5] Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts after arriving at Aberdeen International Airport in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Russell CheyneMay 3 (Reuters) - Donald Trump denied raping writer E. Jean Carroll in a deposition video played on Wednesday for a Manhattan federal jury, as the former U.S. president sought to defend himself in a civil trial without testifying in person. “It’s the most ridiculous, disgusting story,” Trump said in the video, hunched over a conference table as Carroll’s lawyers presented documents to him. "I hear we're doing very well in New York," Trump said on Wednesday when asked why he was not in court. The trial has also featured testimony from two women who say Trump sexually assaulted them decades ago.

[1/3] Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts after arriving at Aberdeen International Airport in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain May 1, 2023. Trump, front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said in the October 2022 deposition that the alleged rape in the dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York City decades ago didn’t happen. “It’s the most ridiculous, disgusting story,” Trump said in the video, hunched over a conference table as Carroll’s lawyers presented documents to him. The trial has also featured testimony from two women who say Trump sexually assaulted them decades ago. Another woman, Jessica Leeds, testified on Tuesday that Trump kissed her, groped her and put his hand up her skirt on a flight in 1979.

☆ Donald Trump arrives in Scotland for short golfing trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures after arriving at Aberdeen International Airport in Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Russell CheyneABERDEEN, Scotland, May 1 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Monday for a short trip to visit his golf courses in the country and in Ireland. Trump, who has family roots in Lewis, an island off the northwestern tip of Scotland, owns two golf courses in Scotland - one north of Aberdeen and the Turnberry resort south of Glasgow - as well as the Doonbeg golf resort in Ireland. "It’s great to be home," Trump told reporters after disembarking from his plane at Aberdeen airport. Accounts released in February showed that the two Scottish golf courses lost 4.4 million pounds ($5.5 million) in 2021.

☆ Historic Stone of Scone moved to London for King Charles' coronation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] The Stone of Destiny lies in Edinburgh Castle before onward transportation to Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of King Charles III, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain April 27, 2023. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/PoolLONDON, April 28 (Reuters) - The historic Stone of Scone, the ancient coronation stone upon which monarchs in Britain have been crowned for centuries, has left Scotland for London under tight security ahead of next week's coronation of King Charles III, officials said on Friday. England's King Edward I seized the stone from the Scots in 1296, and it was incorporated into the Coronation Chair he ordered in 1308 for London's Westminster Abbey. That chair has since been used in the coronation ceremonies of English and British monarchs since Henry IV in 1399. However, it was officially moved to Scotland on a permanent basis in 1996 and will return there after Charles' coronation.

☆ Actor Alan Cumming gives back his OBE award over 'toxicity of empire'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Alan Cumming performs extracts from 'Burn' ahead of the world premiere as part of the Edinburgh International Festival at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain August 5, 2022. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File PhotoLONDON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Scottish actor Alan Cumming said on Friday he was giving back his OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire - award, saying his eyes had been "opened" over "the toxicity of empire". Cumming said he was awarded the OBE for his work as an actor as well as "for activism for equal rights for the gay and lesbian community". Cumming, who has won two Tony awards and a Laurence Olivier award for his theatre work, got U.S. citizenship in 2008. I’m now back to being plain old Alan Cumming again," he said.

☆ King Charles to give back profit from $1 bln-a-year wind farm deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Britain's King Charles speaks during a visit at the Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed in Aboyne, Scotland, Britain, January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File PhotoLONDON, Jan 19 (Reuters) - King Charles told the British government he would like an expected surge in profit from a 900 million pound ($1.1 billion)-a-year wind farm deal for his Crown Estate to go to the "wider public good" rather than to the royal family. Under agreements announced on Thursday, the Crown Estate will lease sites for six new offshore wind projects that are capable of generating enough green electricity to power more than seven million homes by 2030. It is based on 15% of surplus revenue from the Crown Estate - a property portfolio belonging to the monarchy. Sharing the wind farm windfall would happen through "an appropriate reduction" in the proportion of the Crown Estate surplus that funds the Sovereign Grant.

☆ UK's Sunak preparing to block Scottish gender reform bill -The Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaves after his visit to Port of Cromarty Firth at Invergordon, Scotland January 13, 2023. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/PoolJan 13 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is poised to block Scottish laws that make it easier for people to change their gender, The Times reported on Friday. British Prime Minister's office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Scotland has always been clear the bill does not impact the Equality Act, a Scottish Government spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. The British National government had further said that it would examine the bill and could look at blocking it if necessary.

☆ King Charles makes first appearance since son Harry's book
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ABOYNE, Scotland, Jan 12 (Reuters) - King Charles made his first public appearance on Thursday since the release of his son Prince Harry's tell-all memoir and accompanying TV interviews in which he made a series of accusations against the British royal family. In his book "Spare", Harry divulges that he had begged his father not to marry his second wife Camilla, now the queen consort. The book also delivered numerous other revelations, including that elder brother and heir to the throne William had knocked him over during a heated argument. Later on Thursday, William and his wife Kate, who he also criticises in his book, will make their first appearances since the memoir's release. So far, neither Buckingham Palace nor any of the royals have commented on Harry's disclosures.

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