Chris Muir

UK energy provider secures four-year contract with Vodafone to overhaul operational telecoms infrastructure using fixed, mobile, and satellite technology SP Energy Networks (SPEN), the utility arm of ScottishPower, has signed a four-year strategic agreement with Vodafone to modernise its operational telecoms network across Scotland. The move aims to enhance resilience, accelerate fault detection, and lay the groundwork for increased clean energy integration. Grid of the Future As part of one of the UK’s most ambitious energy transition initiatives, SPEN manages electricity distribution and transmission for more than 3.5 million customers across Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire, and…

Scotland's top prison official has told the families of two young people who died by suicide in custody that she supports removing Crown immunity, a legal shield preventing the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) from facing criminal prosecution over deaths in custody. Families Demand Justice for Young Lives Lost The parents of Katie Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16, have fought for years to hold authorities accountable for their children's deaths at Polmont Young Offenders Institution in 2018. In a significant shift, Teresa Medhurst, the head of Scotland's prison service, acknowledged their concerns in a meeting and agreed that SPS should…

Newly identified dinosaur footprints on Scotland's Isle of Skye suggest that massive plant-eating sauropods and their carnivorous predators, megalosaurs, frequented the same lagoon for water. The discovery provides a rare glimpse into the Middle Jurassic period, a time when dinosaurs were evolving in ways that would shape the future of the prehistoric world. A Rare Window Into the Middle Jurassic Dinosaur fossils from the Middle Jurassic period are notoriously scarce, making the recent discovery on the Trotternish Peninsula an extraordinary find. The footprints, meticulously studied by a research team from the University of Edinburgh, date back 167 million years and…

Canadian renewable energy company Boralex Inc. has officially started operations at its first wind farm in the United Kingdom. The Limekiln Wind Farm, located near Thurso in northern Scotland, boasts an installed capacity of 106 megawatts. The facility, backed by a 15-year public contract and a power purchase agreement, solidifies Boralex's expansion into the UK market. A Milestone for Boralex in the UK This project is a significant step for Boralex as it establishes its footprint in the UK’s renewable energy sector. The wind farm consists of 24 Vestas V136-4.5MW turbines, each standing 150 metres tall at the blade tip.…

The World Men's Curling Championships 2025 are underway in Moose Jaw, Canada, with teams battling for both the world title and crucial Olympic qualification points. With the competition running from March 29 to April 6, fans are witnessing some of the best curling action as national teams vie for dominance on the ice. Intense Competition in Moose Jaw The tournament features 13 teams from across the globe, each aiming for a place in the knockout stages and ultimately a shot at the title. The stakes are even higher this year, as the event is one of the last opportunities for…

Scottish podcaster and former reality TV star James English has appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court facing multiple domestic abuse allegations. The 42-year-old, known for his popular Anything Goes podcast, is accused of 19 offenses against a woman, including physical assault, coercive control, and psychological abuse. Allegations of Abuse and Control The charges relate to incidents that allegedly took place at a flat on Argyle Street in Glasgow between July 2022 and November 2023. Prosecutors claim that English targeted a woman, identified as a model and influencer, in a pattern of controlling behavior and physical violence. Court papers detail a range…

Fifty engineering students at North East Scotland College (NESCol) are facing disruptions in their academic progress after an audit revealed malpractice in the awarding of qualifications. The students, who were enrolled at the Aberdeen Altens Campus during the 2023/24 academic session, will have to retake parts of their coursework to meet certification standards. Errors Trigger Internal Investigation The college initiated an internal audit after issues emerged in result verification and coursework assessments. NESCol confirmed that errors in awarding qualifications had been reported to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), impacting 50 students. Forty of the affected students remain enrolled at the…

A damaged cargo ship involved in a fiery collision earlier this month has arrived in Scotland for assessment. The Portugal-flagged Solong, which crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea, was towed into Aberdeen on Friday after a prolonged journey assisted by tugboats. The collision, which occurred on March 10, sparked explosions and a fire that burned for nearly a week. While all but one crew member were rescued, a 38-year-old Filipino sailor remains missing and is presumed dead. Captain Faces Manslaughter Charges Authorities have charged the Solong's Russian captain, Vladimir M., with gross negligence manslaughter. The 59-year-old…

Prince William is ramping up efforts to combat homelessness with a visit to Aberdeen, Scotland. Teaming up with TV personality Gail Porter and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, the Prince of Wales, 42, spent the day showcasing key developments in his five-year Homewards initiative. A Hands-On Approach to Change During his visit, Prince William viewed some of the first homes constructed under Homewards, a nationwide project trialing new ways to address homelessness. Aberdeen is one of six pilot locations, each testing unique, location-specific solutions. Scotland-born Porter, 54, has been instrumental in amplifying the initiative’s reach. She and Prince William visited the Innovative…

A patient dies by suicide in Scotland's mental health hospitals nearly every five weeks, according to newly released research. Many of these patients were previously assessed as low or no short-term risk before their deaths, raising serious concerns about safety measures in psychiatric wards. Families of victims are calling for urgent reforms, while official bodies have issued multiple warnings to healthcare institutions failing to address risks. Disturbing Trends in In-Patient Suicides A study by the University of Manchester, which tracks suicide rates and safety trends for mental health patients across the UK, uncovered troubling statistics. Between 2012 and 2022, an…