Zane Lee

England secured a thrilling 16-15 victory over Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday, reclaiming the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2020. A dramatic contest saw Finn Russell miss three crucial conversion attempts, including a last-gasp kick after Duhan van der Merwe's late try gave Scotland hope. Scotland's Strong Start Falls Short Scotland looked the stronger side in the opening exchanges, striking first through scrum-half Ben White. Finn Russell, usually a reliable kicker, missed the conversion, keeping England within reach. Huw Jones extended Scotland’s lead later in the half, but another missed conversion from Russell left the visitors with only…

A Scottish livestock farmer has suffered a devastating loss after a deadly virus wiped out more than half of his newborn lambs. With new disease threats emerging, farmers across the country fear they could be next. Deadly Virus Hits Ayrshire Farm Hard Michael Goldie, a fifth-generation sheep farmer in Dundonald, Ayrshire, expected 152 lambs this season. Instead, Schmallenberg virus claimed up to 92 of them. The virus, previously rare in Scotland, has made an alarming resurgence, leaving farmers on edge. “It was like a bomb going off,” Michael said. “One day, things looked normal, and the next, lambs were being…

A team of divers has made an extraordinary find off Scotland’s west coast, uncovering a long-lost shipwreck from 1859. The iron steamship, believed to be the SS Eagle, was found 50 meters below the surface, filled with a treasure trove of historic artifacts. A Remarkable Underwater Discovery Graeme Bruce, a 65-year-old retired engineer from Oban, Argyll and Bute, was part of the seven-member diving expedition that stumbled upon the wreck near Arran last summer. The discovery marks the first time the SS Eagle has been explored by divers, shedding light on a forgotten chapter of maritime history. The ship's cargo…

Police Scotland is reassessing its recruitment strategy for the upcoming financial year due to potential budget shortfalls linked to rising National Insurance costs. Chief Constable Jo Farrell announced the review at a Scottish Police Authority Board meeting in Glasgow on February 20, emphasizing that if additional funding of £25.3 million is not secured, recruitment levels will need to be scaled back. Government Support and Financial Pressures Chief Constable Farrell stated that discussions with the Scottish Government have been “close and constructive,” with indications that the government may cover 50% of the projected National Insurance costs for 2025-26. However, she reiterated…

Scotland has taken a step forward in interfaith engagement, bringing young people into the conversation on religious harmony. The Scottish Bishops’ Committee for Interreligious Dialogue, in collaboration with the Ahl Al Bait Society Scotland, marked the sixth anniversary of the Human Fraternity Document with a special event at Glasgow University. A Gathering of Faith and Dialogue More than 100 members of Scotland’s Catholic and Shia Muslim communities attended the event, which focused on how young people can play a role in interfaith collaboration. Speakers included Bishop Brian McGee of Argyll and The Isles and Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali, a theologian…

The Faroe Islands, a rugged and remote archipelago in the North Atlantic, have long battled unpredictable weather that can make travel a challenge. But thanks to an intricate tunnel system, including four undersea passageways, islanders and visitors can now move between the islands with ease. Among these tunnels are two particularly striking feats of engineering that have become unexpected tourist attractions. Eysturoy Tunnel: A Roundabout Like No Other The Eysturoy Tunnel, opened in December 2020, is no ordinary undersea passage. Connecting Streymoy, home to the capital city of Tórshavn, with neighboring Eysturoy, this nearly seven-mile-long tunnel has transformed travel across…

Midland Bluebird, a subsidiary of McGill’s Group, is set to roll out 30 Yutong battery-electric single-deck buses at its Larbert depot. This move marks another step in Scotland’s ongoing shift toward sustainable public transport. Major Investment in Zero-Emission Transport The procurement represents a significant investment of £14 million, partially funded by the Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund. This initiative is not just about adding vehicles to the fleet; it also includes substantial infrastructure upgrades at the Larbert depot to support the new electric buses. McGill’s Group is deploying a total of 42 zero-emission buses under this funding program, enhancing…

Scotland’s public sector is expanding at a pace that some experts and critics say is unsustainable. With nearly 600,000 people now employed by the state, making up 22% of the total workforce, concerns are mounting about the long-term affordability of this growing government payroll. A Public Sector Outpacing the Private Economy The size of Scotland's public sector has grown significantly, outpacing its counterpart in England, where public employment accounts for just 17% of total jobs. Critics argue that this trend is putting immense pressure on government budgets, particularly given the sluggish growth of the wider economy. According to the Institute…

A Glasgow man with 28 food allergies is raising concerns over the growing number of people affected by severe allergies in Scotland. With cases tripling over the last two decades, he warns that current regulations and support systems are failing those who need them most. Allergies on the Rise: A Growing Concern The number of people in Scotland living with severe allergies has surged, with NHS data indicating a threefold increase over the past 20 years. This trend has left many struggling with daily challenges, from grocery shopping to dining out. Anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction, affects between 6,000…

A 74-year-old woman has become the first person to be arrested and charged under Scotland's recently enacted law prohibiting protests outside abortion clinics. She was detained near Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for allegedly breaching the exclusion zone imposed by the legislation. Arrest Sparks Debate Over New Law The woman was taken into custody after officers observed her holding a sign that read, "coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want." The sign was later removed by the police. Authorities confirmed she was charged in connection with violating the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which…