Latest news with #P&J
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Yellowstone' star Josh Lucas ties the knot with meteorologist Brianna Ruffalo inside the Vatican
The forecast predicts sunny skies for Josh Lucas and Brianna Ruffalo. The 'Yellowstone' star, 54, and Los Angeles meteorologist, 34, tied the knot inside Vatican City. 'Mr. and Mrs. Incredibly blessed to receive this sacrament together inside the heart of the Catholic Church and holy city,' Ruffalo wrote on Instagram on Friday. 8 Josh Lucas marries Brianna Ruffalo. Josh Lucas/Instagram The weather woman's sweet words accompanied black and white shots of her and her groom kissing, walking out of the chapel, and posing in front of the beautiful building. Lucas replied in the comments section, stating, 'I love you! Easily one of the greatest days of my life. I am so so grateful.' The pair exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Italy. Lucas donned a classic black tuxedo, while Ruffalo opted for a lace, strapless gown. 8 Josh Lucas and Brianna Ruffalo walk out of their wedding ceremony. joshlucas/Instagram In a second post, the blushing bride shared a close-up of herself and her partner on their special day. 'We are grateful to the many people who helped us get to this moment in the Catholic Church,' Ruffalo penned. 'I am so thankful for Father Winters at the parish I grew up in, and Sister Angelica at the archdiocese of Los Angeles- as well as several others within the archdiocese.' She added, 'We also absolutely couldn't have done this without our stellar wedding planning team who coordinated with the Vatican. Thank you for making our wedding day so beautiful and easy 🙏🏼 Thank you P & J team.' 8 Josh Lucas kisses his bride Brianna Ruffalo. joshlucas/Instagram Lucas took to his own Instagram to gush over his nuptials. The 'Sweet Home Alabama' vet gave followers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of their wedding with adorable Instagram pics. In one shot, Lucas is casually leaning his hand against the wall as he smiles at Ruffalo, who is holding a white laced umbrella over her head. 8 Josh Lucas and Brianna Ruffalo pose together for wedding pics. joshlucas/Instagram A second snap, in black and white, shows the actor fully leaning up against the building as the media personality struts by. The 'Palm Royale' star and news anchor began dating in 2022, before getting engaged in June 2024. Lucas popped the question while on a romantic getaway in Italy last summer. 'Almost 2 years ago this fall, and with no expectations, Josh walked into my life,' Ruffalo wrote on Instagram at the time, 'and we knew almost immediately we had each found our person in a way we've never experienced—on every level.' 8 Josh Lucas and Brianna Ruffalo attend the World Premiere of Apple TV+'s 'Palm Royale.' Getty Images 'This was the easiest and best question I've ever answered,' she continued. 'So, here's to forever with my love, my best friend. I can't wait to keep living this life with you.' Lucas echoed his partner's sentiments, writing in his own post, 'For the last 2 years in Every Way and Every Day this beautiful soul has made me and my life better, deeper, and more whole.' 'I am so grateful and thrilled she said 'Yes.' I WAY love you, Brianna. Thank you to our families and all the people and places that made this come true. I am absolutely aware I got crazy lucky.' 8 Josh Lucas and Brianna Ruffalo in 2023. Josh Lucas/Instagram Lucas was previously married to Jessica Clencin Henriquez from 2012 to 2014. The exes share son Noah, 13. In 2022, the actor spoke about having his mini-me on set in Montana while filming the western 'Yellowstone.' 'To bring him on set and have him there, we had a great day, a rather, I must say, humbling day for me,' Lucas told Entertainment Tonight. 'It was the scene early in this season where I knock a guy out.' 8 Josh Lucas and Brianna Ruffalo take a selfie. joshlucas/Instagram On the series, which ran for five seasons from 2018 to 2024, the 'Firm' star played the younger version of Kevin Costner's John Dutton. 'My son was sitting at the monitor,' Lucas continued 'I walked up to the guy to punch him and, frankly, I tripped. My hat fell off and I dropped my gun. My son screamed from the monitor. He was like, 'Dad, you're a fool!'' Although Lucas has largely kept his son out of the spotlight, he did share in 2019 that Noah's first kiss was with a fellow A-lister's daughter. Noah shared a smooch with Luna, Uma Thurman's daughter, while their parents were worked together in the 2017 Broadway show, 'The Parisian Woman.' 8 Josh Lucas in 'Yellowstone.' ©Paramount Network/courtesy Everett Collection 'Backstage, [Noah and Luna] had their little playroom, and one day we opened the playroom and they both like popped up from behind the couch, both of them. And they were both obviously so nervous,' Lucas explained while on 'The Late Late Show with James Corden.' 'Luna, Uma's daughter, walked out, and I took Noah and was like, 'What's going on?'' 'He was like, 'I think, I guess I just had my first kiss,'' the actor added. 'Think about that — your first kiss is backstage behind a couch in a Broadway theater.'
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Daily Record
Family of Scots tourist who fell to his death in Ibiza demand answers from hotel
Evan Thomson, from Aberdeen, died after falling from a balcony at the famous Ibiza Rocks Hotel. The devastated family and friends of a Scots tourist who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Ibiza are demanding answers following concerns over safety. Evan Thomson, from Aberdeen, tragically died on Monday, July 7, after plunging from a sixth-floor balcony at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio. The 26-year-old was on holiday with pals celebrating his birthday. Paramedics were called to the scene but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His loved ones are now raising questions about safety and have blasted the hotel over how the aftermath of Evan's death was handled. Friends, who were with Evan, have claimed the hotel resumed normal operations just 90 minutes after his death. Evan's sister Teila said: 'Ibiza is known for its partying and it just stuns me that they don't have higher safety precautions. Pray nobody else suffers. And, once it did happen, the hotel's response was just completely heartbreaking; almost as if it never happened. I pray no other family has to go through this." Evan's friend Blair Robertson, 25, had flown out the day before the tragedy and spent the night celebrating. He described their final night out as one of the best they had ever had together. He said: "He wasn't reckless at all, that's why this is such a shock." At around 6am, Blair discovered Evan was no longer in their hotel room. Moments later, the group realised he had fallen from the balcony at the hotel. Blair added: "Security took us away to front desk. Paramedics didn't arrive for about 30 minutes. Forensic officers didn't speak English. We were just standing there, not knowing what was going on. Reception gave us false hope." The group were taken to the hotel manager's office and later told Evan had died. Just 90 minutes after the news, they were sent back to their room to collect their things. Speaking to the P&J, Blair said: "We heard the jet washes cleaning the ground where Evan died. That was the worst thing for us — how fast they tried to get things back to normal." Teila said the balcony wall was only around 3ft high, and has now called for added safety measures. "A further glass panel either on top or behind the wall would cause no upset to guests and would save upset from further families having to go through this unbelievable pain," she said. Evan's girlfriend Remi Duncan, 23, added: 'It was disgusting. There was minimal respect for the situation, considering the music went back on soon after Evan had died. It puts a pit in your stomach.' In an earlier statement, a Ibiza Rocks Hotel spokesperson said: 'This is a truly tragic and extremely sad situation. Our senior management team onsite did everything possible to help the police with their investigation into events leading up to Evan's death, and to provide constant support from our customer services manager to Evan's friends. 'That has included them having 24-hour access to our senior manager for any help or questions and giving them permission to pass on her mobile number to Evan's family should they wish to call us direct. They were very appreciative of all the help and support at such a difficult time. We are deeply saddened by Evan's death and our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends at this truly difficult time."
Press and Journal
16-07-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Wildlife quango admits it's ‘difficult' to say if Inverness gull numbers falling - despite stricter culling licenses
The wildlife boss of Scotland's nature quango has admitted the number of gulls in Inverness may actually be increasing – even though culling licenses have been massively restricted. Donald Fraser spoke exclusively to the Press and Journal as he responded to outrage over the government agency's controversial approach to managing bird numbers. NatureScot has stopped regularly giving licenses to remove gull eggs before chicks are born, angering residents and businesses across the Highlands and Moray. The wildlife quango says this has been done due to fears over a 'serious decline' in the population across Scotland. But Mr Fraser confessed it's 'difficult' to say exactly whether this fall in gull numbers has been replicated in places like Inverness and Elgin. 'In national terms, we know there's decline,' he told the P&J. 'Drilling that down into particular areas and localities is quite difficult. 'It's wildlife we're dealing with, they're a transient species as well. Getting precise and accurate data is difficult. 'Getting absolute populations can be difficult.' Mr Fraser said NatureScot is actively working with Highland Council to get a 'better handle' on 'issues' in Inverness and Nairn. Those concerns led to a full debate in Holyrood in June. MSPs warn members of the public have been seriously injured due to the dive-bombing gulls. Last July, a hockey club in Inverness shut after it was plagued by the swooping birds. Signs in the city urge residents not to feed gulls and a falcon has even been deployed to scare them away. Given all that, is Inverness bucking the trend of national decline? 'It is possible, in terms of increase in some localities,' Mr Fraser said. In 2023, just two culling applications to preserve public safety were knocked back by NatureScot. A year later that shot up to 143 refusals. Mr Fraser believes licensing should not be the priority, saying it is a 'sticking plaster'. The NatureScot wildlife boss said: 'Controlling the population via licenses is probably not the endgame in itself. 'We find ourselves in a difficult place trying to balance conservation and the needs and demands of people.' That will be unpopular with campaigning MSPs who say NatureScot must reverse course. 'For the first time NatureScot admit they just don't know what the real numbers are,' said Fergus Ewing, who represents Inverness and Nairn. 'They have repeatedly asserted that numbers are in decline.' But Mr Ewing said they had been forced to admit it's 'untrue' to say this is definitely the case, especially in his own constituency. The independent MSP claimed SNP agriculture minister Jim Fairlie had been 'duped'. 'He must now rein in this unaccountable quango,' Mr Ewing said. 'The chair of Nature Scotland should apologise for their long-standing false statements. 'They've been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Are they big enough to apologise?' The Scottish Government has promised to hold a summit on the gulls crisis later this year. Mr Ewing said this must ensure 'people's views and concerns are acted on', and that 'simple, inexpensive, humane control measures are guaranteed'. Highlands and Islands Tory MSP Douglas Ross said: 'NatureScot are a law unto themselves, making it up as they go. 'If this doesn't make ministers sit up and get a grip of the situation, nothing will.' Responding, a NatureScot spokesperson said: 'National population data shows clear evidence of declines in gull species. 'The scientific evidence is robust, and no false statements have been made about population trends. We recognise that local experiences can differ from national patterns. 'Wild bird populations naturally fluctuate in response to changes in food sources and breeding areas, which can lead to higher concentrations in urban areas at certain times, even within an overall declining trend.' SNP agriculture minister Mr Fairlie said: 'I sympathise with communities suffering from disruption and aggressive behaviour from gulls. 'In most cases, deterring seagulls from nesting outwith their natural habitat and removing food sources in urban areas is the most effective route to avoiding issues. 'In cases where it is justified NatureScot provides licences for control when public health and safety is at risk.' Given local anger, does Mr Fraser feel like gulls get a bad reputation? 'Some of the language that's been used is quite emotive,' he said. 'I can see it from all perspectives. One person's menace is one person's joy.'
The National
10-07-2025
- Business
- The National
BrewDog co-founder creates Scotland's first medical cannabis farm
Martin Dickie told the Press and Journal that he aims to grow his business, Waterside Pharmaceuticals, by investing £20 million over the next five years. With most of the UK's medical cannabis currently imported, Dickie explained that he sees huge potential for his new business, which is based near Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, and is a Scottish first. The businessman expects his first full yield at his high-tech indoor vertical farm to produce nine kg of medical cannabis with the company planning to increase further harvestest to 200kg a year. READ MORE: Council rejects Ewan McGregor's £2 million mansion renovation plans Dickie founded the Scottish drinks giant BrewDog in 2007 with James Watt and hopes to grow Waterside Pharmaceuticals like he did with his craft beer firm. The 42-year-old married father-of-three is the pharma company's chief executive and said he plans to expand the business, helping to create more jobs and reduce its environmental impact. Dickie told the P&J: 'Our aim is to become the UK market leader in medical cannabis. 'We have ambitious plans to expand the business, creating up to 100 new jobs in the local economy and investing around £20 million over the next five years. 'Our longer-term ambitions involve building a second facility co-located with a renewable energy source, minimising our environmental impact, creating jobs and diversifying the rural economy.' There are only a couple of smaller UK facilities growing medical cannabis, both in England, making Waterside a Scottish first, Dickie said. He added: 'The global market for medical cannabis is growing rapidly as its clinical applications become better researched and understood. 'In the UK medical cannabis can now be prescribed by specialist doctors, with an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 patients thought to be benefiting from cannabis-derived medicines. That figure is growing year-on-year, but supply depends largely on imported medicines. 'Waterside Pharmaceuticals is on a mission to provide safe, efficacious and cost-effective medicine that can help thousands of people.' Dickie said that he decided to pursue the ideal of creating his own pharma company after one of his acquaintances told him that they use medical cannabis and found it very helpful for their anxiety and mental health. 'We want to develop domestic production,' he added. 'I've spent a lot of time in America, where I had exposure to hemp and medicinal cannabis production in a controlled environment.' Crops are grown under 'optimum conditions' with everything from genetic selection to temperature and light controlled to a precise standard, the P&J reported. Plants are grown with 12 hours of bright artificial light, followed by 12 hours of darkness, to help stimulate growth. Morag Thomas, Waterside Pharmaceuticals' chief operating officer and former supply chain head at BrewDog, said that they are working with researchers at University of Aberdeen to help with the project. She said: 'Our unique approach allows us to control and replicate light, heat and irrigation, without any need for pesticides or fungicides, resulting in a premium quality product. 'We use sustainably sourced energy, and rainwater for irrigation and we are committed to minimising the environmental impact of our operations. 'We are working with researchers at University of Aberdeen and University of Lincoln on projects exploring the use of AI and automation to optimise production. 'We have worked with local and national stakeholders at every stage, liaising with the Home Office, MHRA, local authority, community representatives and Police Scotland, as well as the Aberdeenshire's business and economic development organisations.'
Press and Journal
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
I'm not interested in mulling over north-east Reform defections, Kemi Badenoch says
UK Tory chief Kemi Badenoch warned north-east councillors who have switched to Reform are not true conservatives and she is 'not interested' in worrying about Nigel Farage's party. The Conservative chief took aim at the seven ex-Tory defectors across Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen in an exclusive interview with The Press and Journal. 'There are some people who just want to be politicians, and are doing it for themselves,' she said. 'I think we need to start asking why are we talking about people who clearly don't care about values and policies, but just care about winning?' Ms Badenoch spoke to the P&J after her speech to Tory members at the party's conference in Edinburgh on Friday. 'We can't have a party of people who believe different things,' she told us. 'We need to be very clear about who we are and what we stand for.' The Tory leader told journalists she was happy with Mr Farage picking off councillors who want to defect. 'If Nigel Farage is taking out of the Conservative Party people who are not conservatives, then I'm quite fine with that,' she said. Earlier this week Russell Findlay exclusively told the P&J that Reform defectors were 'opportunistic' and would come to regret their decision. Ms Badenoch told the P&J: 'Many of the people who go in there don't like what they see, and come out of it, and that's a warning for them. 'It's not my warning – it's just clearly what's going on.' The Tory leader referenced former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, who has since quit the party and heavily criticised leader Mr Farage. She added: 'I'm not really that interested in talking about Reform. 'I know it might be an interesting media story, I'm really worried about what's happening to all of those people out there losing their jobs.' Six Aberdeenshire Tories have joined Reform, while Aberdeen councillor Duncan Massey switched allegiance last week during Mr Farage's visit to the city. The most recent defector, Huntly councillor Lauren Knight, jumped ship on Thursday. Ms Badenoch's speech to Tory members was heavily focused on the north-east as she called for Labour to scrap the oil and gas windfall tax. The levy was originally introduced by the Conservatives in 2022, when Rishi Sunak was chancellor. But Ms Badenoch said she was looking to the future. 'I said I disagreed with it, but I wasn't the prime minister,' she told the P&J. 'I can't go back into the past and be the prime minister. 'I can only tell people what I can do under new leadership. 'The north-east of Scotland is an area that is suffering particularly right now. 'That's why we're talking about it.'
