Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
SNP government admits A96 roads blunder in ‘schoolboy howler’ budget error
The SNP finance chief had to admit to Holyrood that her budget documents had missed out what should have been a commitment to dual the A96 in full.
The humiliating error emerged 24 hours after Shona Robison was criticised for telling parliament the government would only dual “key parts” of the Aberdeen-Inverness road.
The blunder had sent officials into a tailspin as they tried to work out what happened on Wednesday morning.
Aberdeen licensing chiefs dash hopes for outdoor World Cup fan zones – but ALL pubs could stay open late
Aberdeen City Council licensing chiefs are poised to roll out a “blanket extension” for the opening hours of pubs so fans can watch Scotland’s World Cup matches.
Tartan Army members not making the trip oversees to the United States will need to stay up through the night to watch the team’s group fixtures. Council licensing chiefs are proposing to grant extended opening hours at all city pubs so fans can enjoy the matches.
According to papers, there could be a “blanket extension” of the opening hours of premises showing Scotland’s games. Documents add that they would close half an hour after the final whistle “to allow for drinking up and dispersal”.
Delayed hospital project to cost three times more than expected
The estimated budget for a new cancer centre and maternity hospital in Aberdeen has now more than trebled to £420million, new figures have revealed.
The Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Cancer Centre were originally expected to cost up to £134million. They were both meant to open in 2020, but have faced a series of delays.
New Scottish government infrastructure delivery documents, external now put the project investment at £423.6miliion. The Scottish Conservatives described the costs and delays as "inexcusable".
X to stop Grok AI from undressing images of real people after backlash
Elon Musk's AI model Grok will no longer be able to edit photos of real people to show them in revealing clothing in jurisdictions where it is illegal, after widespread concern over sexualised AI deepfakes.
"We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing," reads an announcement on X.
Reacting to the ban, the UK government claimed "vindication" after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called on X to control its AI tool.