Latest from The Herald Scotland
The Herald Scotland
34 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Emma Raducanu to face young British wild card in Wimbledon opener
The former US Open champion reached the fourth round last year but faces an uphill battle to do so again, with top seed Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova both in her section. It was a tough draw for the British players overall, with Katie Boulter – unseeded this year – taking on top-10 star Paula Badosa, while British number three Sonay Kartal faces 20th seed Jelena Ostapenko. Sixteen-year-olds Hannah Klugman and Mika Stojsavljevic also drew seeds, with the former facing former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and Stojsavljevic meeting Ashlyn Krueger. The bottom quarter could throw up some big-hitting contests in the second week with Iga Swiatek potentially facing a fourth-round clash against former champion Elena Rybakina and a quarter-final with second seed Coco Gauff having dropped to eighth in the rankings. Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, meanwhile, will take on exciting Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala in the opening round, provided the Czech recovers from a leg injury in time.
The Herald Scotland
34 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Two Scots named in Toulouse vs Bordeaux Top 14 final squads
The full-back has been handed a starting role for Toulouse against Bordeaux-Begles on Saturday. Kinghorn had returned to action for his side in the semi-final triumph over Bayonne last week. Now, he will try and help his side to the Top 14 title. Les compositions de la #FinaleTOP14 sont OFFICIELLES 🔥 Qui du @StadeToulousain ou de @UBBrugby soulèvera le bouclier de Brennus demain soir ? 👀 — TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) June 27, 2025 While Kinghorn will be the only Scotsman in the starting sides, there will be another Scottish player in the squad on the opposing side. Jonny Gray has been listed among the replacements for Bordeaux for the Top 14 final. Read more: Toulouse XV: Neti, Marchand, Aldegheri, Brennan, Flament, Cros, Jelonch, Willis, Graou, Ntamack, Kinghorn, Chocobares, Barassi, Mallia, Ramos. Replacements: Cramont, Baille, Meafou, Banos, Saito, Ahki, Lebel, Merkler. Bordeaux-Begles XV: Poirot, Lamothe, Tameifuna, Petti, Cazeaux, Gazzotti, Samu, Bochaton, Lucu, Jalibert, Bielle-Biarrey, Moefana, Depootere, Penaud, Buros. Replacements: Sa, Perchaud, Gray, Vergnes-Taillefer, Retiere, Carbery, Janse Van Rensberg, Falatea.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Skye windfarm inquiry reveals almost 'no long-term jobs'
Film-maker Thor Klein, who moved from Germany to Skye five years ago and attended the week of hearings as a member of the Skye Windfarm Information Group (SWIG), said that there were four points that emerged strongly for him from the week of attending the inquiry. 'Firstly, they have committed to nothing specific in terms of community benefits, and even the community benefits they were supposed to pay in the past for Ben Aketil were not fully paid.' At the inquiry, held before Scottish Government reporter, Skye businesswoman, Faye Macleod, pointed out that for the Ben Aketil windfarm in recent years community benefit expectations have not been met. "The amount paid has not met £2000 per megawatt of installed output, which is disappointing. In fact, the year ending December 2020, £1000 pounds was paid. That was £2.5 million pounds of profit was made. So that year is disappointing.' This also falls far short of the £5000 per MW standard that has been established since the development of Ben Aketil, which is not yet met by many windfarms. The existing Ben Aketil wind farm, of 12 turbines, paid £51 million in profits to overseas shareholders whilst giving local communities just over £40,000 a year. Ms Macleod, said: "Clearly, there is economic impact from the Ben Aketil windfarm. But the question is, how does that relate to the local economy, and it is the net economic impact on the local economy, that we are looking at?... For whom does this economy work? Does it work on the current model for the developer? Would the local community consider it works?" She also questioned whether the model offered "sufficient to compensate the island for its loss". Graeme Blackett, managing director of BIGGAR Economics, representing the developer, Nadara, pointed out that the Ben Aketil windfarm has so far paid out £900,000 in community benefits, until January last year. He said that the reason many windfarms are not choosing to increase the payments in line with new standards is because "clearly that's a big part of the cost base for a developer and the decision will have been made at the time the project was given the go ahead, based on a stream of commitments going forward". Mr Klein also pointed out the absence of a clear transport plan for the giant windfarm parts. 'Second there is a lack in clarity in how they actually want to transport stuff from A to B. The only thing that's for sure is that they will use only the road,' he said. The problem of how the transporting of blades and turbine parts across the island might affect the already congested road system has been highlighted by residents. SWIG, for instance, have argued that 'the years of traffic and transport chaos caused during construction through dozens of abnormal load convoys and thousands of HGVs would seriously damage Skye and Raasay's economies and endanger life if they blocked the only road connecting the north of Skye with Broadford Hospital'. 'Thirdly there are no long-term jobs," he said. "I think that's that's pretty clear. There are no jobs in maintaining the windfarm. 'It was very revealing,' he said. 'We found out that there's only 1.4 jobs involved once the farm is finished construction. Then yesterday, it was mentioned that the turbines will come from Germany - so it's not that they in any way manufactured in the UK. They come from abroad.' Lena (Image: Vicky Allan) Mr Blackett said: 'In this particular project, we are talking about 20 job years in Skye during the construction period." He noted: 'I don't think there is any disagreement about the challenges in the Skye economy. Where we differ is what to do about it. I guess if you see the economy as a fixed thing, it has no more room for anything else. But that's not how economies work. They're dynamic systems. So it's not a good economic strategy to say, well we can't do anymore. Let's pass up opportunities. 'My evidence is that what you require to deal with such challenges is good quality jobs in highly productive sectors, and that's what this project contributes.' Finally, Mr Klein noted that the inquiry revealed a 'lack of planning from the government's side'. 'There's no clear plan, oversight over all the projects that are happening on Skye and elsewhere. Neither do the different applicants talk to each other, nor does the government in any way coordinate this whole thing. 'They just leave it to the Highland Council. That became pretty clear in a lot of different a lot of different moments during the week and that's why we are here doing this inquiry, because there's a lack of oversight. There's no planning.' READ MORE: David Bell, representing the developer, Nadara, said: "What may or may not happen with relation to other applications shouldn't have a bearing on this determination." He noted that the windfarm is a repowering of an existing site and there are already turbines in the location. He also said: "200m high turbines, while it may be new for Skye is not new for Scotland. It's not a new matter." He noted that two developments with turbines at 200m, Kype Muir in South Lanarkshire and Longhill Burn in West Lothian, already exist in Scotland and seven more farms of turbines that size are also consented. He also pointed out that the UK Climate Change Committee's Seventh Carbon Budget report states that the recommended pathway "will require recent annual installation rates to triple" in the coming decade, making "installation rates comparable to the annual roll-out rates previously sustained in the mid-2010s." He referred to the development as relatively "modest" compared to many of the other windfarm projects coming forward in Scotland. A representative for the Highland council, James Findlay, however, noted that the council did not consider the proposal "modest". A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Ben Aketil application is currently under consideration therefore it would not be appropriate for Scottish Ministers to comment. This week's public inquiry is concluded, but two other hearings, on ornithology and conditions, are set to take place in the coming months. A decision will not happen until later this year.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Composing calls the tune in informative Curragh maiden
Lake Victoria (2024) and Ylang Ylang (2023) are the most recent winners of the seven furlong event and Composing – who was sent off at 3-1 – looks to be developing into a smart operator herself as she reversed the form of her debut fifth at this track with Donnacha O'Brien's Cape Sounion who was second once again. Ryan Moore was on Minerva who finished well beaten in ninth. O'Brien said of the winner: 'I'm delighted with her, she came forward lovely from her last run. 'The two fillies worked together the last day. Ryan's filly (Minerva, ninth) followed her up and looked to be going better than her but, for whatever reason, Ryan's filly is just not getting it together. 'Ryan said all she wanted to do was go right. She's obviously just very green and babyish mentally so we'll give her more time. 'Wayne's filly is lovely and straightforward and he gave her a lovely ride. She's a filly that will get further, she's uncomplicated. Ryan was very impressed with her when he came in, watching Wayne's filly, and Wayne was very happy with her too. 'Wayne said she went to the line with her ears pricked and she probably has the makings of a lovely filly. She's out of an Australia mare so she's going to stay as well.' O'Brien hinted the Debutante Stakes could be her next port of call. However, the Ballydoyle handler did not get it all his own way on the card and had to settle for second in the opening Lock 13 Gastropub & Brewpub Irish EBF Maiden, as Moore and Puerto Rico lost out to Ger Lyons' Learntodiscover. Sent off 7-2, Learntodiscover was given a forward-going ride by Colin Keane and had enough in reserve to hold off the 4-6 favourite by a neck. 'Boxed ticked for our horse and I'd say Ryan (Moore) was a little bit unlucky,' said Lyons. 'It wasn't a wow performance. He's a horse that we like but I was probably a tad disappointed with the performance. 'I didn't like his head carriage in the last furlong, whether that's conditions or whatever. 'I don't think he hit the line as strong as you'd like him to hit it if he's going to go forward into the next level, so let's just see. 'We'll go back to Glenburnie and dream about something and try and get him to the next stage, which I haven't been doing greatly this year so I need to sort that out.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Rob Key never doubted Jofra Archer's desire to return to Test cricket
Key, England's managing director of men's cricket, suspects Archer would have been in high demand and the prospect is attractive because of a much lighter workload, required to bowl only four overs a game. Archer has a deal with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, where he broke his thumb this year to derail hopes of a much-anticipated Test return for England at the start of the summer. Archer made his first-class return for Sussex at Durham (Steve Welsh/PA) But Key was always certain Archer, who is in England's squad for the second Test against India, was destined to play red-ball cricket again and argued he could now establish himself as an all-time great. 'Jofra has always been adamant that he's wanted to play Test cricket,' said Key, speaking at a Rothesay media event in London. 'He's had probably more so than anyone in the game… he could have been tempted to go down other routes and he's never once done it. I've always had faith in Jofra. 'He could be one of the best bowlers we've had – and you only do that in Test cricket. Hopefully for the next few years, we'll be fortunate to see Jofra have a chance to stake that claim.' Key was coy about whether Archer would play at Edgbaston next week or in the third Test at Lord's, starting in a fortnight, having only bowled 18 overs in his first first-class match in four years. Archer bowled economically and at high pace in taking one for 32 at Durham this week but his coach at Sussex, Paul Farbrace, an ex-England assistant, believes the paceman needs more time in county cricket. Jofra Archer is 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲 🔥 Our squad to take on India in the second Test has just dropped 📋👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2025 England, though, have painstakingly managed Archer to the brink of a Test comeback in the last couple of years, all thanks to the efforts of doctors, physios and especially fast bowling coach Neil Killeen. Captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum will also be mindful of overloading Archer, whose initial injury woes were blamed on him bowling 42 overs in a Test against New Zealand in late 2019. 'The temptation at times with Jofra is that he can do a bit of everything but you've got to use him when he can impact the game,' said Key. 'Jofra's been on a long period where he's been building up and building up. I think we've gone slower than we could have done, the temptation would have been to rush him and to bring him back sooner. 'But we've gone down this road to make sure that we're in this position now where we think he'll be able to play. We've picked him in the squad and we'll see how the conditions are (at Edgbaston). Key was always confident that Archer would return to Test cricket (Mike Egerton/PA) 'We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.' Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue were the three frontline seamers, alongside captain Ben Stokes, to help England secure a five-wicket win over India and go 1-0 up in the five-match series. Jamie Overton and Sam Cook are also pushing for Test call-ups while Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood are optimistic of being involved at some point against Shubman Gill's tourists. 'There was a time where you thought it was all about Wood and Archer and we needed that X-factor pace – but now we've got a few of them,' added Key. 'Jofra is another piece in that puzzle. 'We don't know who's the next great England opening partnership because there's a number of those options that could be the mainstay of England bowlers for years. I can't wait to see who that will be.'
