Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
John Healey says Russia laser provocation ushers in ‘hard power’ era
A Russian spy ship tried to blind RAF pilots with military-grade lasers in a “deeply dangerous” provocation, the defence secretary has revealed.
Yantar, a vessel previously suspected of mapping and sabotaging undersea cables, is being tracked off the coast of Scotland after spending a week in UK waters.
In a speech in Downing Street on Wednesday, John Healey said that the spy vessel fired light lasers at RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft that were sent to follow its every move.
Trump signs bill ordering justice department to release Epstein files
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he signed a bill ordering the release of all files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The bill requires the justice department to release all information from its Epstein investigation "in a searchable and downloadable format" within 30 days.
Trump previously opposed releasing the files, but he changed course last week after facing pushback from Epstein's victims and members of his own Republican Party.
Read more from the BBC.
Government announces plans for reduced teacher contact time
The Scottish government has announced plans to reduce contact time for teachers.
Proposals include exploring options like a flexible four-day teaching week, as well as nationally agreed minimum standards for pupil learning hours. These could enable later start times, extended breaks, or restructured school days.
Both the EIS and NASUWT teaching unions are currently balloting members over strike action due to the failure to reduce the amount of time teachers spend in the classroom.
Get the full story on the BBC website.
Jet2 boss tells Reeves airline industry isn’t a ‘cash cow’
The boss of Jet2 has urged the government to stop using the airline and holiday industry as a “cash cow”, warning that any further increase in taxes on the sector will “inevitably” be passed on to customers.
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Britain’s largest package holiday provider and third-biggest airline by passenger numbers, said higher taxes would lead to prices going up and subsequently hurt demand.
“We can’t escape the fundamental laws of economics and it could be that increased prices could result in decreased demand — and that’s not good because the people who will be unable to afford a holiday will be the lowest-earning members of society,” Heapy said.
Read the full article in The Times.