Latest News

Today

 
AI has a serious image problem

When even AI bosses are worried about the impact of the technology, is it any wonder the public are scared?.  Analysing their major survey of British public opinion, Bobby Duffy and Elena Simperl argue that, while the risks should not be downplayed, if we want to realise the benefits of AI it is important that the public are not already set against it.  

Today

Does it matter what you eat at work?

What, when, where and how we eat can signify many things.  Eating healthily might impress your colleagues but doing so on a video call is unprofessional.  

Today

Are We Talking Ourselves Into a Cost-of-Living Crisis? What Inflation Headlines Do to Consumer Confidence

The constant stream of bad economic news may be influencing how people feel about spending — even when the underlying picture is not quite as gloomy as the headlines suggest.   Every month brings another inflation announcement.  

Today

Top 10 Caithness News Stories of the Past Week

A busy week for Caithness, with a tragic incident at Dunnet Head, major council decisions, a Wick/East Caithness by-election and continuing debate over vital local services.  Some of these have been reported in more detail on our pages over the past few days.  

Today

The Great Economic Disconnect: Why Are Stock Markets Booming While Consumers Feel So Gloomy?

The economy looks worrying, consumers remain cautious and inflation is still causing concern yet stock markets continue to climb.  Is this confidence justified, or are investors looking at a very different world from everyone else? There is something increasingly strange about the economic picture.  

Today

The Martian: A Survival Guide for Caithness Residents Travelling to Inverness

Forget Mars.  If you really want to understand what it means to be stranded far from essential services, try living in Caithness and being told your appointment is in Inverness.  

Yesterday

Why America Is Watching Japan So Closely And What It Says About the Future of the Dollar

When most people think about the global economy, they picture stock markets, oil prices or inflation.   Few would imagine that the value of the Japanese yen could become one of the biggest concerns for the United States.  

Yesterday

Is the World Slowly Preparing for a Future Less Dependent on the US Dollar?

The dollar remains king but the foundations of the global financial system may be starting to shift.   For more than 80 years, the US dollar has been the world's dominant currency.  

Yesterday

Illegal Working Crackdown: How Big Is the Problem and What Does It Mean for Businesses?

The hidden economy, unfair competition and organised crime links behind the Government's enforcement drive The Government's renewed crackdown on illegal working has placed the spotlight on an issue that sits at the crossroads of immigration, employment law, business competition and organised crime.   But how big is the problem? How many businesses are involved? And does illegal working simply mean someone does not have permission to work, or can it be part of something much more serious? What is illegal working? Illegal working occurs when someone works in the UK without the legal right to do so.  

Yesterday

UK continues crackdown on Russia with tough new sanctions

The UK government continues to demonstrate unwavering support for Ukraine as Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband unleashes his first major Russia sanctions package.   Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband steps up UK action against Russia, with new sanctions targeting the Kremlin’s military machine, oil and gas revenues and ageing shadow fleet.  

Yesterday

Why Council Debt Matters to Local Services

Highland Council's financial pressures explained ahead of the by-election in East Caithness.   When people hear that a council has rising debt, it can sometimes seem like a distant financial issue.  

Yesterday

Raleigh's Collapse: If People Are Buying Expensive Bikes, Why Has the Industry Gone Wrong?

The famous British bicycle brand is facing administration revealing the hidden problems behind the cycling boom.   For generations, the name Raleigh was almost synonymous with bicycles in Britain.  

Yesterday

Diageo's £743 Million Savings Drive Puts Scottish Whisky Jobs Under Pressure

Highlands and Islands fear global cost-cutting could have a very local impact.   The world's biggest drinks companies may operate on a global scale, but when they start cutting costs the consequences can be felt very locally.  

Yesterday

Scotland Has Less Child Poverty Than the UK But the Problem Is Far From Solved

New Scottish Government report reveals a significant gap with the rest of Britain but also exposes how difficult the 2030 target will be.   Scotland has a child poverty problem.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Convener welcomes funding to support Cairngorms businesses

The Scottish Government has confirmed a £3 million fund to support businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire.   The funding package was announced today by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Tourism, Stephen Flynn, during a visit to Glenmore.  

Yesterday

From Survival to Recovery? Scottish Farm Incomes Rise But Challenges Remain

New figures show Scottish agriculture enjoyed a much stronger year, but farmers know the good times can quickly change For several years Scottish farmers have faced a difficult combination of rising costs, uncertain markets, weather challenges and pressure from changing agricultural policies.   But new Scottish Government figures suggest that 2025 brought a significant improvement.  

Yesterday

The Hidden Cost of Student Loans: Why the UK Funds Foreign Students While British Students Abroad Get Nothing

For years, the UK’s student‑loan system has quietly shifted in a direction few taxpayers realise: a growing share of government‑backed loans now goes to foreign nationals living in the UK, while British students studying abroad almost never qualify for equivalent support from other countries.  This imbalance is not accidental as it is the result of legal obligations, migration policy, and the financial pressures facing UK universities.  

Yesterday

Scotland's Shoppers Are Coming Back – And Edinburgh Could Be About to Get Even Busier

Scotland is bucking Britain's retail gloom, with Edinburgh leading the recovery.  But the real test is whether millions of extra visitors will translate into lasting business growth.  

Yesterday

Seasonal Workers, Tourism and Farming: How Can Rural Scotland Avoid Labour Shortages While Ensuring Legal Employment?

The challenge for Highland businesses is finding enough workers while maintaining a fair and legal labour market.   Across rural Scotland, many businesses face the same difficult question: Where will the workers come from? Tourism businesses need extra staff during busy seasons.  

Yesterday

The Economy - Don’t Believe Either the Doomsters or the Optimists. Look at What People Are Actually Doing

Every week, the headlines swing between economic doom and economic euphoria.  One day Britain is “on the brink of recession”, the next day “growth is stronger than expected”.