Axel Piper

Ashley Storrie paid a poignant tribute to her late mother, Scottish comedian Janey Godley, after winning the Audience Award at the Bafta Scotland ceremony for her performance in Dinosaur. Storrie revealed that the last promise she made to Godley, who passed away from cancer on November 2, was to win a Bafta in her honour. "I said, 'I'm going to win a Bafta for you,' and I've done it," an emotional Storrie shared, acknowledging the bittersweet moment amidst a room filled with tributes to her mother. Double Win for Storrie and Co-Writer Matilda Curtis In addition to the public-voted award,…

Gold prices gained in domestic futures markets on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, boosted by positive global trends and strong local demand. A pullback in the dollar, fueled by profit-taking, helped strengthen market sentiment and supported the yellow metal’s upward movement. Gold Price Movement: Positive Global Sentiment By 9:10 AM IST, MCX Gold for the December 5 expiry was trading 0.43% higher at ₹75,369 per 10 grams. The rise came amidst a weaker U.S. dollar, which dropped due to profit-booking after last week’s gains. As gold is priced in U.S. dollars, a weaker dollar makes bullion more affordable for buyers using…

Indian stocks continued their upward momentum on Tuesday, November 19th, as broad-based buying across sectors helped major indices extend gains. With the S&P BSE SENSEX surging by over 700 points and the NIFTY50 breaking key levels, investors are seeing a bullish run in the market. SENSEX and NIFTY50 Show Strong Growth By 9:54 AM IST, the S&P BSE SENSEX had risen 723.03 points, or 0.93%, to reach 78,062.04 points, while the NIFTY50 was trading at 23,666, up by 212.20 points or 0.90%. These early gains reflect widespread optimism among investors, with strong performances from key sectors. Sectoral Performance: Oil &…

The newly appointed president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan, is taking the Church’s message to the streets, engaging directly with people through a Scottish railway mission. The bishop, who was named the new leader of the Church in Scotland on November 4, recently participated in the Rail Pastors mission in Inverclyde, bringing the Church's presence to train stations across Scotland. Bishop Keenan’s Call to the Streets Bishop Keenan’s involvement in the mission underscores his commitment to the spirit of the Church on the streets, where he believes the Spirit is most present. Reflecting on his time…

Scotland's decision to increase income taxes on high earners may have led to reduced revenues, though there remains significant uncertainty around the full extent of its effects. As the country gears up for its 2025–26 Budget, the debate over the impact of these tax hikes has never been more pressing. The Scottish Government has long pursued a policy of higher taxes for those with above-average incomes, aiming to generate more revenue and promote a more progressive tax system. But as income tax rates climb, so too does the risk of tax avoidance and potential migration, as some high earners look…

A small marble statue, once casually used as a doorstop in Scotland, has been revealed to hold immense historical and monetary value. Now poised for auction, it is expected to sell for an astounding Rs 27 crore. This piece, purchased for just $6 (around Rs 506) decades ago, has an intriguing history. Rediscovery of a Priceless Artifact The statue depicts John Gordon, a notable 18th-century French landowner and politician. Created by renowned sculptor Adam Bouchard, the artifact dates back to the early 1700s. Initially acquired by the Invergordon Community Council in the 1930s, it was placed in a park and…

The new exhibition, Stitched: Scotland’s Embroidered Art, now open at Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios, offers a vibrant look at Scotland’s rich history of embroidery over the past 200 years. Curated by Emma Inglis, the exhibition showcases an impressive collection of 80 embroidered works that span from 1720 to 1920, featuring a diverse array of textiles—from bed hangings to armchairs and tea cosies—most of which come from National Trust properties across Scotland. This carefully curated display celebrates not just the intricate craft of embroidery, but also the stories behind the women who created these works, many of whom were previously overlooked in…

Piccadily Agro Industries Limited (PAIL), known for its premium Indian spirits like Indri Single Malt Whisky and Camikara Rum, has announced a significant investment of Rs 1,000 crore. This bold move will fund the expansion of its distillery operations, both in India and internationally, including the opening of a new distillery in Scotland. With this investment, the company aims to significantly ramp up its premium spirits production, further strengthening its position in the global alcoholic beverage market. Expansion Plans Across India and International Markets The Rs 1,000 crore investment is part of Piccadily Agro’s larger growth strategy to meet the…

LONDON, UK — Great Britain’s energy regulator, Ofgem, has approved two new electricity interconnectors between Britain and Ireland, bolstering energy links and security across the islands. These projects, one connecting Scotland to Northern Ireland and another linking Wales to the Republic of Ireland, are set to enhance grid resilience and enable cross-border energy transfers, supporting the United Kingdom’s drive toward energy independence and stability. This approval signals a significant development in Britain and Ireland’s energy cooperation, although it comes with a slight cost increase for GB consumers. Ofgem Approval and Consumer Impact After initially rejecting the projects due to concerns about…

As climate change brings warmer, drier seasons, Scotland’s rural areas are seeing a sharp rise in wildfire risks. Now, Scottish firefighters are turning to unexpected tools like leaf blowers, jet washers, and all-terrain vehicles in the battle against moorland and forest blazes. With wildfires posing one of the biggest threats to rural communities, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has invested in cutting-edge equipment to improve response capabilities across remote regions. Unconventional Tools in the Fight Against Fire In the past, traditional firefighting relied heavily on hoses, water tankers, and shovels. But with the risk of wildfires surging, innovative…