Grant Laing has resigned as leader of Perth and Kinross Council, citing personal reasons in a move that has surprised political colleagues. The councillor, who was first elected to represent the Strathtay ward in 2012, has also left the Scottish National Party and will now sit as an independent. Laing had been named council leader following the 2022 Scottish council elections.

Deputy leader Eric Drysdale will serve as acting leader until the next full council meeting on October 29. Drysdale described Laing's decision as coming "as a shock to all of his councillor colleagues" but pledged that the council would "step up our efforts to fill the gap his departure will leave." The resignation was announced through a brief update on the council's official website.

Colleagues acknowledged Laing's three-and-a-half-year tenure, noting his "wholehearted commitment to our group's core principles underpinned by a vision of a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality." The council has declined to provide further details about the personal reasons behind Laing's sudden departure from both the leadership role and the SNP.

The SNP has confirmed to media outlets that Laing is no longer a party member. The resignation comes as a political blow to First Minister John Swinney, who represents the Perthshire North constituency in Holyrood. Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser described the situation as "yet more chaos" in Swinney's backyard from what he characterized as a "failing administration."

British actor Callum Turner and pop superstar Dua Lipa have captured public attention with their whirlwind romance that began in January 2024 and culminated in an engagement confirmed in June. The couple's relationship timeline includes key public milestones, from being spotted together after the 'Masters of the Air' premiere in London to making their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Their journey from initial meeting to engagement has unfolded over approximately 18 months, with both stars navigating demanding careers while building their personal connection.

The couple's first encounter reads like something from a romantic screenplay. Turner, 35, revealed to The Times that they finally met at a mutual friend's birthday party in Los Angeles after experiencing several 'near-misses' where their paths almost crossed but didn't. The most remarkable aspect of their initial meeting occurred when they sat next to each other and discovered they were both reading the same book, Hernán Díaz's 'Trust,' and had both just finished the first chapter. Turner described the moment as cinematic, noting that they realized they were 'on the same page' both literally and figuratively.

Maintaining a relationship between two high-profile careers requires strategic effort, and Turner has shared insights into how they manage the challenges of long-distance dating. The actor emphasized the importance of making time for each other regardless of busy schedules, stating their motto is 'it's never not worth it.' He recounted a recent instance where he flew to Boston for just two days to see Lipa between her tour commitments and his filming schedule, despite feeling exhausted. The couple relies heavily on FaceTime to stay connected and prioritizes creating meaningful memories during their limited time together.

Before their fateful meeting, Turner and Lipa experienced what he describes as multiple 'sliding doors' moments that nearly prevented their connection. The actor detailed one specific instance where Lipa left a party at 1:45 AM and he arrived at 2:00 AM, missing each other by mere minutes. These near-misses spanned several occasions involving mutual friends and shared social circles. Turner expressed gratitude that when they finally did meet under the right circumstances, he immediately recognized Lipa as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' setting the stage for a relationship that would quickly progress from dating to engagement.