The historic football dates back to the 1500s and has been a key exhibit at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling – but is now heading to Miami for an exhibition ahead of Scotland’s last World Cup group match.

A special piece of football heritage is heading on a special journey Stateside to give some extra luck to Scotland’s World Cup journey.

The world’s oldest football – believed to date back around 500 years and discovered lodged in the rafters behind oak panelling in the Queen’s Chamber at Stirling Castle – has been based at the city’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum.

But it has set off for a trip across the Atlantic this morning as it prepares to go on display at the Coral Gables Museum in Miami as part of their headline exhibition – ‘Diplomacy and the Beautiful Game From Scotland to Brazil to Haiti’.

The football, which scientific testing has dated to between roughly 1540 and 1570, will also attend Scotland’s final group stage match against Brazil on June 24, making it the first time the ball has attended a match at the tournament.

Caroline Mathers, Director of the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, said: “This is one of the most exciting moments in the recent history of the Smith. The world’s oldest football belongs to Stirling, and to see it travel to the United States to take its place alongside the world’s greatest football tournament is a source of enormous pride.

“It is a reminder that a small, free-to-enter museum in central Scotland holds objects of genuine international importance — treasures that tell the story of our nation to the world. We are delighted to share it on the global stage, and we look forward to welcoming it home again.”

Neil Benny, chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Smith, added: “The Smith plays a vital role in the cultural life of Stirling and central Scotland, and this loan is a powerful demonstration of that role.

“We are grateful for the continued support of Stirling Council and our partners, whose backing makes it possible for the museum to care for and share collections of this calibre.

“An object that has been part of Stirling’s story for nearly five centuries is now an ambassador for the city on the world stage. We hope it inspires people across central Scotland to come and discover everything else the Smith has to offer.”

Roughly the size of a small melon, the ball is made from thick leather panels stitched together and turned inside out for a smoother, more aerodynamic surface, with a pig’s bladder forming the inner core.

Recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest football in the world, it is celebrated as one of the “History of Scotland in 25 Objects” and remains the prize exhibit of the Smith’s collection of more than 40,000 artworks and objects.

The football was seen off at a special ceremony at the museum at 11am before heading on a plane to cross the Atlantic.

Faroque Hussain, Honorary Consul of Brazil KPM, based in Glasgow, said: “This partnership brings together Scotland, Brazil and Miami through a shared love of culture, heritage and football.

“It is a privilege to help support the journey of such an extraordinary object from Stirling to the global stage, and to celebrate the historic links and friendships that make this project possible.

“We are proud to work with the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami, Coral Gables Museum and our sponsors and supporters to share this remarkable story with audiences in the United States.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly set to visit the UK for a series of Invictus Games promotional events, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to bring their children, Archie and Lilibet, with them.

It has been four lengthy years since King Charles last saw his Californian grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. His Majesty hasn’t had the opportunity to visit them since 2022, when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle travelled with their children to London for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

However, there’s a possibility of a family gathering next month.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are anticipated to accompany Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, as part of a programme of promotional activities preceding the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.

But according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, it represents a final opportunity: “If King Charles finds some excuse to avoid them, it’s game over. The rift will surely be permanent,” she writes in The i newspaper.

Much has transpired since that significant day in January 2020 when Harry and Meghan declared on Instagram their intention to “step back as ‘senior’ members” of the British royal family, divide their time between the United Kingdom and North America, and pursue financial independence.

However, some of Harry’s bitterness towards his family, which was notably expressed during the couple’s 2021 interview, and elaborated upon in his memoir Spare, seems to have diminished. The Duke has subsequently stated that he’s “forgiven his family.”

One of the principal causes of Harry’s bitterness was the Palace’s unwillingness to provide sufficient security for his family during their visits to the UK. Following the announcement of this visit, Jennie observes: “We can only assume that Harry has been given a rock-solid assurance – either temporary or permanent – that he and his family will be given proper security.”

Yet while we can deduce that some arrangement has been reached regarding the security matter, the potentially more significant question concerns whether the King and the Prince will actually meet.

Nevertheless, Jennie suggests, His Majesty faces “the most delicate balancing act,” as Prince William’s anger towards his younger brother has reportedly not diminished since the publication of Spare: “If [King Charles] makes peace with his youngest son, his loyal and steadfast older son will have his nose royally put out of joint,” Jennie observes. “There is absolutely no sign of any thaw in the brotherly feud.”

Amongst the British public, the Prince of Wales is widely regarded as the most popular living royal, with recent polls awarding him a 77% approval rating.

Meghan, however, lingers near the bottom of the rankings, with only the effectively exiled Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor securing a worse rating.

Small, yet highly-vocal demonstrations have emerged at numerous royal public engagements in recent months. Meghan will “undoubtedly be shielded from any hostile crowd,” Jennie anticipates, and within the Invictus community, Meghan remains “still a star and can expect the warmest of welcomes.”

The reception that she and her husband receive from the royal family, however, remains difficult to predict.

An important step towards the delivery of two high-specification industrial and logistics units totaling approximately 200,000 sq ft, it addresses strong occupier demand within Scotland’s premier distribution location.

Developers Manse LLP and J. Smart & Co. (Contractors) Plc, advised by planning consultant Porter Planning, have received planning consent from North Lanarkshire Council for Eurocentral Gateway, a new best-in-class industrial and logistics development at Eurocentral.

The consent marks an important step towards the delivery of two high-specification industrial and logistics units totaling approximately 200,000 sq ft, addressing strong occupier demand within Scotland’s premier distribution location.

The project is anticipated to start in the autumn, with practical completion expected by autumn 2027.

Comprising buildings of approximately 80,000 sq ft and 120,000 sq ft, the units will be built to the latest standards, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, operational efficiency, high-quality design and generous yards, enabling businesses to reduce environmental impact while maximising operational performance.

Specification includes dock and ground level loading, 12.5m eaves heights, large yards, generous power supplies, high-quality offices, EV charging points, energy monitoring systems and PV panels fitted as standard, with both units targeting EPC A ratings and BREEAM Excellent accreditation.

Situated at the eastern entrance to Eurocentral, the development enjoys direct access onto the M8 motorway, placing it at one of the most accessible points on Scotland’s busiest logistics corridor.

The wider Eurocentral estate extends to 650 acres and is served by Scotland’s first Channel Tunnel Rail Freight Terminal, with four major seaports within easy reach.

With vacancy along the M8 corridor remaining at around 2.5 per cent, the planning decision is expected to prompt early interest from occupiers. CBRE and Colliers, appointed as joint leasing agents, are actively encouraging businesses to explore pre-let opportunities ahead of the construction start.

Craig Semple, director at CBRE Scotland, said: “Planning consent for Eurocentral Gateway is a significant step forward for the Central Belt industrial market.

“Demand for prime, well-specified space remains strong, and supply is still tight, so the prospect of two new buildings of this quality at one of Scotland’s best-connected locations will no doubt be of interest to occupiers.”

Iain Davidson, director in Colliers Industrial and Logistics team, said: “Securing planning permission means Eurocentral Gateway is now moving from aspiration to reality.

“The specification is among the strongest we’ve seen on the M8 corridor, and its position gives occupiers a connectivity advantage that is genuinely difficult to match elsewhere in Scotland.

“We anticipate strong occupier interest in these buildings and would urge interested businesses to engage with us early to avoid missing out.”

Further information on the development can be found at https://eurocentral.designworks-web.co.uk/

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

ZURICH (AP) — The U.S. push to quickly begin high-stakes talks with Iran hit a snag just two days after the signing of an agreement that opens a 60-day window for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and getting oil traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz back to prewar levels.

Vice President JD Vance had been prepared to make an overnight flight Friday to meet with his Iranian counterparts at a mountainside resort in the tiny Swiss village of Obbürgen and begin the technical talks.

His staff and a small pack of journalists had even gathered at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington in anticipation of the trip. Meanwhile, dozens of White House officials, advance staffers and more media gathered in Switzerland to prepare for Vance’s anticipated arrival.

But then abruptly on Thursday evening the trip was called off — at least for the time being.

The White House issued a statement explaining Vance — who has been tapped by President Donald Trump to lead the negotiations — and his delegation were prepared for talks, but they were unable to finalize plans and the vice president would remain in Washington.

“The logistics of these negotiations have never been simple or predictable,” the statement noted.

Fighting in southern Lebanon intensifies

The announcement followed a report from Al-Mayadeen, a Pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied with the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon.

Fighting intensified with at least 18 killed by Israeli airstrikes, while four Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel’s military will stay in a “security zone” of southern Lebanon as long as “Israel’s security needs require it.”

Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to the agreement. Iran insists Israel must withdraw from the large swath of southern Lebanon it is occupying, but the wording of the interim deal doesn’t explicitly require that and only ensures Lebanon’s “territorial integrity.”

Hours before postponing his trip, Vance gave some indication of the state of flux when he told reporters at a White House briefing that he was uncertain if the talks were going to happen this weekend.

Soon after Vance spoke to reporters, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei endorsed direct negotiations with the U.S. in a terse statement read by state media that appeared to signal to the Islamic Republic’s leadership that it could move forward with a first round of talks.

“It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s opinion,” Khamenei said in his statement.

The messaging seemed to give Khamenei, who was badly wounded in the Feb. 28 U.S. strike that killed his father, some maneuverability. Hard-liners in the Iranian government, including Khamenei’s father, have long opposed direct talks with the White House, especially after Trump, during his first term, pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration.

More importantly for the White House, it appeared to create a permission structure for the talks to start.

The meeting was initially supposed to be a signing ceremony

Vance was initially expected to go to Switzerland to sign the agreement at a formal ceremony. Instead, Trump signed the document Wednesday during a glitzy dinner at the Palace of Versailles with French President Emmanuel Macron. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately signed the agreement.

The agreement states that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is believed to be buried under rubble left by U.S. military strikes last year targeting Tehran’s key nuclear sites, must at minimum be diluted under international supervision.

It also states that Iran shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons — a commitment it has made previously. But a range of other commitments remain to be worked out.

Iran believes it’s in a strong negotiating position

Iranians would be going into the talks with a measure of confidence after effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, causing global economic reverberations, said Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities in Washington.

She said the U.S. is now “essentially trying to negotiate our way back to the prewar status quo.”

Neil Quilliam, an associate fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House think tank, said the “buoyant” Iranian leadership feels it has the upper hand. The endorsement of the talks by the Iranian supreme leader “sends a very strong signal domestically: ’We’re now on an equal footing with the U.S.’”

”‘Trump has gone from calling for regime change on Feb. 28 to this: Now they’re going to sit down with us directly and talk about these big issues,’” Quilliam said of the Iranians’ thinking. “So it’s intended more for the domestic audience, and telling them: ‘We are firmly in control of this. There can be no protests, no revolution: We are a new regime and we’re staying put.’”

Trump’s tone has also taken a notable shift.

For weeks, he’s insisted the financial costs to Americans were less important to him than stamping out Iran’s nuclear program. He irked some of his fellow Republicans when he indicated its potential impact on November’s midterm elections wasn’t a concern.

But this week, at the G7 summit in Evian-Les-Bains, France, he acknowledged that continuing the war could have led to “economic catastrophe” and that oil reserves were on track to run out in about four weeks.

“And the one president I did not want to be was the late, great Herbert Hoover,” said Trump, referring to the 31st president whose time in office was defined by the Great Depression.

Vance has to negotiate through political division

For Vance, a likely 2028 presidential contender, how the negotiations play out could have enormous ramifications for his political fortunes.

Vance’s skepticism of foreign wars was a core part of his political identity during his political rise. But now he finds himself the chief defender of negotiating an endgame to Trump’s conflict that Democrats have largely derided as a foolish gambit. Some hawkish Republicans are aghast that Trump is getting behind a settlement that could put billions of dollars into Iran’s coffers.

Sen. Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Thursday that aspects of the deal are “completely out of step” with Trump’s goals.

Trump had fiercely criticized Obama for the 2015 nuclear agreement, which Trump argued failed to stop Tehran from advancing toward a weapon and funneled billions of dollars to the Islamic Republic. The Republican exited the U.S. from the deal in 2018.

Trump has pushed back against comparisons to the JCPOA, saying he had “negotiated from strength” after a massive military campaign while asserting that Obama was paying the Iranians off and not receiving acquiescence.

Wicker was particularly concerned about the $300 billion fund for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran mentioned in the 14-point agreement, saying it “would make Iran’s payoff under Obama’s 2015 deal look like a pittance by comparison.” Trump and Vance have said no U.S. taxpayer money would go to such a fund and it would not come without concessions and reforms by Tehran.

Mr Burnham served as Greater Manchester mayor for nearly ten years before becoming the new Makerfield MP after a seismic victory over Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon.

Being Greater Manchester mayor was a job which elevated Mr Burnham’s profile and helped him build a powerbase of support across the city-region, which has become the fastest growing part of the UK economy. But his return to Parliament means he is no longer the region’s mayor.

An election now needs to take place to find a new mayor, and a date of July 30 has already been confirmed for when that will happen.

When Mr Burnham was first elected as Greater Manchester mayor in 2017, he won a whopping 63 per cent of the vote. After that he was re-elected twice, in 2021 and 2024, and both times he was well ahead of his nearest rivals.

Labour never looked like losing the role under him. But there are signs that the next election for Greater Manchester mayor will be the closest race it has ever been.

With Mr Burnham now busy in Westminster and likely to challenge Keir Starmer to become prime minister, Labour faces a huge challenge to keep hold of Greater Manchester mayor job.

It comes at a time when other political parties such as Reform UK and the Green Party recently made massive gains in Greater Manchester in the local elections in May. They will be eyeing the job of mayor and hoping to make a serious challenge to win it.

In addition, a new voting system has just been brought in for how mayors are elected.

The 2024 mayoral election used the first-past-the-post system, the same as is used to elected MPs. But the government has passed new legislation to change how mayors are elected, with a new method known as supplementary voting.

The change came into force on June 18 after passing through Parliament wrapped up in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act. This is where voters choose their first and second preferences among the candidates, and second preference votes can be crucial.

If no candidate gets 50 per cent of vote in the first round of voting, a second round of voting is held between the two candidates with the most support. That’s the stage where secondary votes are added to the mix and could flip the entire result on its head.

One potential scenario could see party A win more votes in the first round of voting, but still go on to lose the mayoral by-election if party B picks up more second preference votes in round two.

One political expert has predicted that the change could hurt Reform UK, possibly making it easier for Labour to keep hold of the mayor’s job.

Rob Ford, Professor of Political Science at the University of Manchester, said in May that Reform could be the ‘biggest losers’ from a move back to supplementary voting because of the size differences between the ‘left and right’ block of voters in Greater Manchester who may give each other their second preferences.

Reform UK said earlier this week that the change was a ‘cynical attempt’ to sway the race in Labour’s favour. Labour didn’t comment when asked about Reform’s claims.

So with the most unpredictable Greater Manchester mayoral election for years now starting, who are the runners and riders likely to be?

All the rumoured Greater Manchester mayor candidates

Conservatives

Nadim Muslim’s name was mentioned by sources within the Conservatives as a potential candidate, but many stressed that there would be a ‘thorough’ selection process before a name is announced.

Councillor Muslim is leader of the Conservative group at Bolton council and chair of Greater Manchester Conservatives, so has connections across the region and leadership experience.

He is a councillor based the Bromley Cross ward in Bolton.

Green Party

Three names from the Green Party were put forward to stand for Greater Manchester mayor.

The list included Geraldine Coggins, a councillor who is leader of the Green Party group on Trafford council. Laurence Blackwell-Jones in Manchester was on the list too, who co-founded Greater Manchester Tenants Union. The third name was Ashley Trigg, who is based in the Green Party’s Wigan and Leigh branch.

Sources said Councillor Coggins was considered the favourite to get the backing of Green Party members in Greater Manchester because of her ‘extensive’ political and leadership experience.

Labour

Bev Craig is the likely candidate. The Labour councillor has served as leader of Manchester council since 2021, when she became the first woman to hold the post.

She’s experienced in GMCA matters, having been helping run the show while Andy Burnham was campaigning in Makerfield.

Salford mayor Paul Dennett had long been considered another potential candidate for the next Greater Manchester mayor, but it’s understood he will not be standing in the election for mayor.

Lib Dems

Rumours within the Lib Dems are that Richard Kilpatrick is set to be the candidate. He’s a councillor in Didsbury and sits on the Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel at the GMCA.

He has also been appointed to several committees at Manchester council on matters such as planning, resources, and auditing.

The Lib Dems have sizeable support in some areas of Greater Manchester, including in Stockport where the party runs the council.

Reform UK

Dan Barker could be the choice for Reform UK, sources within the party have said. He was the Reform candidate in the 2024 mayoral election so has done the dance before and has the experience of running a mayoral campaign.

Dan Barker is a coordinator for Reform UK across Greater Manchester and was once a member of the Conservatives before leaving the party to join Reform.

Councillor Sian Astley, leader of Reform UK group on Manchester council, has also been tipped as a potential candidate.

She was first elected to Manchester council in the Baguley ward at the local elections in May, and leads the seven-strong group of Reform councillors in the city.

Asked if she would stand as the candidate, she told the Manchester Evening News: “Baguley is my priority, I’ve not gone into politics to use Baguley as a stepping stone to other things.”

Restore Britain

Marlon West is rumoured to be in the running to be the Restore Britain candidate.

He’s a child exploitation campaigner and has had a busy few weeks working on the campaign trail for Restore Britain in Makerfield supporting the party’s candidate, Rebecca Shepherd.

On Friday they held banners about four members of the pro-Palestine group being sentenced in London for causing criminal damage at the UK site of an Israel-based defence firm.

The York group said one of its members was among an estimated 500 supporters demonstrating at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Friday, but the others had chosen to demonstrate outside the York court because it was expensive to travel to London.

According to the prosecution against the Palestine Action four, their actions had caused £1.2m of damage, The four had denied the charges but been convicted at a retrial.

On Monday June 15, members of the York group were back outside the York courthouse as Court of Appeal judges prepared to decide whether the Home Secretary had been right to declare Palestine Action a terrorist organisation.

The York demonstrators held banners saying “Protest is not terrorism”, the same argument used by Palestine Action against the Home Secretary’s decision.

They vowed to continue their support of the organisation’s campaign against its proscription. A High Court judge had declared the Home Secretary’s decision unlawful, but the Court of Appeal overturned that on Monday.

Following the latest court decision, Palestine Action immediately announced it would appeal to the Supreme Court and if that ruled against it to the European Court of Human Rights. The organisation maintains that it has the right to protest.

Morocco is odds on to win against Scotland today, according to Betway, which has the North African team 4/6 for victory later on.

Morocco – 4/6

Draw – 5/2

Scotland – 9/2

Lewis Knowles, Betway’s spokesperson, said:”Scotland undoubtedly go into this game on a high following their victory over Haiti last weekend, but the odds are very much suggesting a tough task awaits against Morocco this evening.

WScotland were as short as 3/1 for this game only a few days ago, but it’s been one-way traffic in the market over the last 48 hours, and Scotland are now 9/2 to get the win, with the Moroccans very solid favourites at 4/6.”

Visit Betway’s World Cup betting page for all the latest odds, markets and specials