The United States President, a man who likes to trumpet his Scottish roots, must surely be angered to learn that hundreds of Scotland fans are being denied the chance to attend the World Cup due to bureaucratic red tape. Many supporters are on the brink of missing the finals entirely, despite having spent tens of thousands of pounds on travel arrangements. The last-minute cancellation of Esta travel waivers has left fans unable to complete full visa applications in time for their flights.
Plea for Intervention
Tartan Army stalwart Kenny Smith shares his story in the Daily Record today, pleading for Trump to step in. The US and Fifa have proudly touted this as the biggest sporting event in world history, yet fans have been overjoyed since Scotland's glorious qualification night at Hampden last November. It is a travesty that travel plans are now going up in smoke for some unfortunate supporters.
Common Sense Needed
Immigration rules are not known for their flexibility, but for the World Cup, common sense should prevail. Any fan holding World Cup tickets and hotel bookings, who was previously granted an Esta, should have that vital permission restored. The Daily Record joins the Tartan Army in asking The Donald to do the right thing.
Starmer's Legacy on Online Safety
Sir Keir Starmer's time as Prime Minister has been challenging, and his party may be ready to replace him with a more voter-friendly leader. However, his promise to force big tech giants to shield children from harmful content could be a winning legacy. These mega-corporations make vast profits, some from exposing young people to inappropriate sexual and violent images.
Campaign Impact
The Daily Record's Our Kids... Our Future campaign has long highlighted the damage caused by sharing violent videos of attacks on teens. Sexualised images on smartphones can have equally devastating effects on young minds. Starmer has vowed that the UK will become the first country to make it impossible for children to take, share, or view nude photos on their smartphones.
He wants social media giants to take measures to achieve this, with government intervention if they fail. This change cannot come soon enough, and every parent in Scotland will thank Starmer if he delivers on his promise.
