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£9M grant unlocks green manufacturing investment, 350 jobs, and Scotland’s role in zero-emission flight revolution RENFREWSHIRE | May 21, 2025 — Aviation decarbonisation pioneer ZeroAvia has announced it will build a major hydrogen-electric manufacturing facility in Renfrewshire, near Glasgow Airport, solidifying Scotland’s place at the heart of the next wave of green aerospace innovation. The facility, to be located within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), will become ZeroAvia’s Hydrogen Centre of Excellence, focused on building and testing zero-emission powertrains and advanced high-temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell stacks. The development is expected to create 350 highly skilled jobs and…

Police Scotland confirmed it does not have a fixed policy to record the biological sex of transgender individuals accused of rape or sexual assault, even when DNA evidence is available. This decision comes amid rising debates on how sex and gender data are handled in criminal investigations. What Police Scotland Says About Sex and Gender Data In response to a Freedom of Information request, Police Scotland revealed that it lacks a formal policy on documenting the sex and gender of suspects who are transgender. This means that, by default, the force may not register the biological sex of a suspect…

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, made a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, by wearing the famous sapphire and diamond drop earrings during the HMS Glasgow naming ceremony in Glasgow on May 22, 2025. The event marked a special moment as the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 frigate was officially christened. A Royal Appearance in Scotland The Princess of Wales appeared in Glasgow alongside Prince William, both holding the Scottish titles Duke and Duchess of Rothesay for the occasion. The couple visited the BAE Systems shipyard in Scotstoun, where the new state-of-the-art warship HMS Glasgow was launched.…

Scotland is facing an escalating water scarcity crisis, with river levels plunging across large parts of the country after weeks of dry weather and little relief in sight. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) confirmed in its latest Water Situation Report, published on 22 May, that six more river catchments have deteriorated to the "Moderate Scarcity" category. This now brings the total to 17 catchments across Scotland experiencing moderate water stress, stretching from Aberdeenshire on the east coast down through the Scottish Borders and further west across Dumfries & Galloway. Rivers at Historic Low Levels While rain is forecast over…

Nation’s animation sector unveils bold identity at world’s top animation market, eyes international investment and talent growth Animation Scotland is celebrating its third anniversary with a bold new look—and even bolder ambitions. Launched in 2022 to unify Scotland’s animation and visual effects (VFX) community, the organisation unveiled a fresh brand identity this week at MIFA 2025 in Annecy, France, the world’s largest animation market. The move signals a new phase for Scotland’s creative sector as it seeks to scale its global influence and attract further investment. “This new identity reflects our collective strengths, our ambition, and our growing influence in…

Bollywood star and businessman Vivek Oberoi has just taken a bold leap into the Scottish spirits industry. He's picked up a 21% stake in Rutland Square Spirits—best known for its tea-infused gin—and he’s not stopping there. There’s also a plan on the table for a zero-emission luxury hotel in Edinburgh, complete with Ayurvedic treatments and hydrogen-powered infrastructure. Yes, really. An Actor, an Investor, and a Scottish Distillery Walk into a Bar… Oberoi’s involvement isn’t just a celebrity endorsement. He’s a co-owner now—owning more than a fifth of Rutland Square Spirits, a boutique label founded by Indian-origin entrepreneur Nishant Sharma. The…

Scotland’s extraordinary stretch of spring sunshine is ending not with a whimper, but a thunderclap. After five weeks of parched conditions and historic low rainfall, the nation braces for a sudden shift in weather, with forecasts of heavy rain, hail, and thunder sweeping in from the Atlantic starting Friday night. The abrupt change has prompted a landslide warning on one of Scotland’s most vulnerable roads—the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful, where Bear Scotland will activate a backup route to protect drivers. After the Driest Start to the Year Since 1964 Until now, 2025 had shaped up to be…

The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) has delivered a stark message: Scotland’s renewable energy capacity needs a massive boost to meet its carbon budgets and climate targets. The watchdog recommends that Scotland grow its onshore and offshore wind plus solar power from 15GW in 2023 to 49GW by 2035—and then to 66GW by 2045. A Huge Leap in Renewable Power Is on the Horizon This increase isn’t just a number on paper. It’s a monumental jump that means almost tripling current renewable energy output within the next decade. The CCC projects this expansion would cover 98% of Scotland’s electricity generation…

STV, the Scottish broadcaster, has announced plans to launch a new commercial radio station aimed squarely at the 35 to 54-year-old audience. This move marks the company’s first major foray into digital radio, with a focus on delivering content tailored for Scotland. The station will operate out of STV’s Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow, under the leadership of Graham Bryce, former COO of Bauer Media. Details on the station’s name, launch date, and key presenters will be revealed later this year. A Fresh Voice for Scottish Radio Graham Bryce described the new venture as an opportunity to “shake things up”…