Zane Lee

Scottish prisons are increasingly locking down on the high-tech threat of drones delivering drugs, phones, and other contraband to inmates — with early results showing promising disruption to organised crime networks operating behind bars. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) says a recent pilot scheme, including the installation of metal grilles on vulnerable windows, has halted drone breaches at Perth Prison over the last six months. The move is part of a broader strategy to tackle the growing problem of drones being used as airborne couriers of illegal goods. A Growing Threat From Above The smuggling of contraband into prisons has…

EDINBURGH — Heriot-Watt University has been named Scotland’s leading institution for producing Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors, according to a new report analyzing millions of alumni career paths across the UK. The study, conducted by financial services firm Novuna Business Cash Flow, examined over 10 million LinkedIn profiles tied to more than 120 UK universities. It found that 4.57% of Heriot-Watt alumni have gone on to occupy top leadership roles such as CEO or MD — the highest percentage in Scotland. Practical, Enterprise-Focused Education Much of the credit, according to the university, lies in its emphasis on enterprise-focused learning.…

Starbucks has introduced what it calls its “most exciting” coffee cup yet in Europe—a bold move away from plastic linings toward sustainable, home-compostable materials. The iconic white cup now comes with a mineral-based coating and fibre lids, aiming to cut down plastic waste without changing the coffee experience customers love. A New Era for the Classic Starbucks Cup It’s no secret that single-use coffee cups have long been a headache for the environment. Starbucks, one of the world’s biggest coffee chains, is taking a significant step forward with this new cup design. The change isn’t just cosmetic. After over three…

A new initiative is underway to protect the A82 from landslips by planting native trees along the hillsides above Loch Ness. This stretch of road has seen closures caused by rockfalls in recent years, raising safety concerns. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has begun establishing a native woodland aimed at reinforcing the slopes, reducing erosion, and creating a natural barrier against the weather’s worst effects. The project’s first phase saw 5,000 trees planted near Drumnadrochit on previously cleared land. Clearing Old Pines to Make Way for Native Woodland The project involves removing some conifers—some nearly a century old—that are vulnerable…

The Scottish National Investment Bank has made strong strides since its launch but now faces tough financial hurdles. New rules from the UK Treasury and Scottish budget limits threaten to stall its path to financial independence, raising questions about its future funding. Progress and Promise: The Bank’s Early Achievements Since opening its doors in 2020, the bank has been a key player in Scotland’s green and economic transformation. By the end of the 2024/25 financial year, it had pumped over £785 million into 43 businesses and projects. That’s a hefty sum, and it helped attract £1.4 billion in private sector…

Scotland’s pioneering tidal energy industry could be held back by outdated environmental regulations and a lack of scientific consensus over risks to marine life, according to a new report released Tuesday by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). The report, titled Managing the Consenting Risk of Harbour Seal Collision in the Scottish Tidal Energy Industry, calls for urgent reform of the UK’s marine consenting process. Its core message: the current system is overly cautious, evidence-light, and could slow the rollout of renewable technologies critical to Scotland’s net-zero ambitions. Tidal Power Leaders Warn of Bottlenecks Backed by Crown Estate Scotland and…

Nia Sharma, the celebrated television star, has been keeping her fans engaged with a whirlwind of cultural celebrations and a chic vacation in Scotland. From marking traditional festivals in Delhi to sharing stunning photos from the Highlands, May 2025 has been a month full of glamour and heartfelt moments for the actress. Akshaya Tritiya Celebrations in Delhi Nia's month kicked off with a grand celebration of Akshaya Tritiya on April 30, 2025, in her hometown of Delhi. The festival, which symbolizes prosperity and good fortune, holds deep sentimental value for Nia. She took to social media to share nostalgic memories…

TAIN, SCOTLAND — Three Belgian soldiers were injured — one seriously — in a live firing incident during a large-scale military training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, prompting a full-scale emergency response and a formal investigation by Belgian defence officials. The incident occurred shortly after 13:15 on Monday at the Tain Air Weapons Range in Easter Ross, where Belgium’s elite Third Parachute Battalion is conducting a joint exercise involving live ammunition, ground forces and helicopters as part of Exercise Red Condor. According to Belgium’s Ministry of Defence, approximately 10 additional soldiers suffered hearing damage. Two of the more seriously injured…

With World Hunger Day looming, Glasgow City Council is turning up the heat on both local and national governments over the growing hunger crisis gripping the city. City councillors are calling for urgent reforms, including welfare changes and a grassroots food resilience programme, as pressure mounts on families struggling with sky-high food costs and stagnating support. A City Hungry for Change It’s not a warning anymore—it’s reality. Glasgow is staring down the barrel of rising food poverty, and elected leaders are scrambling to respond. A new report from council officials paints a grim picture: more households are falling through the…

Edinburgh — Scotland's education sector is in a state of legal limbo following a landmark UK Supreme Court ruling that redefined "woman" under the Equality Act, as teachers warn they are being forced to navigate single-sex space policies without clear legal guidance. The Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) has called on the Scottish Government to immediately withdraw its 2021 guidance on supporting transgender pupils in schools, arguing that it is now incompatible with UK-wide law. The union says the updated legal definition of sex — as biologically defined — means schools must comply with the Equality Act 2010 immediately, not…