Scotland
Elderly residents of tiny Scottish island just uncovered a medieval monastery
The sixth century monastery on the remote Isle of Lismore played an important role in medieval Scotland. More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results. The Isle of Lismore in northwest Scotland is only slightly bigger than Key West and far less populated. This 14th century castle, Castle Stalker, is some 800 years younger than the monastery local residents found on the remote isle. About 100 miles northwest of Edinburgh in a rural corner of Scotland sits a tiny island with only 190 residents.
Scotland's first AI subject teacher warns pupils: Don't trust everything it tells you
Scotland's first AI teacher warns pupils: Don't trust everything it tells you To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Some teenagers are already using artificial intelligence to tackle homework, revise for exams and sharpen coursework. Others are steering clear of it completely. At one Scottish school, staff have decided that pretending AI doesn't exist is not an option. Mearns Castle High School in East Renfrewshire is believed to be the first school in the UK to appoint a dedicated principal teacher of AI literacy, creating a role focused entirely on helping pupils and staff understand the risks and benefits of the powerful new technology.
Why are data centres such a big deal in Scotland?
Why are data centres such a big deal in Scotland? Every time you ask ChatGPT a question, read a Google summary or make an online bank payment, a data centre is working behind the scenes. Now Scotland is part of a global race to build many more of them - on a massive scale. The explosion in artificial intelligence (AI) over the past few years has seen tech firms scrambling to build new hyperscale data centres, including some which would rank among the biggest in the world. Plans are in place to build at least 23 giant AI-powered data centres.
Radical change needed to cut Scottish child poverty, says charity
Scotland is on course to miss legally-binding targets to cut child poverty by a wide margin, according to a report from a leading social reform charity. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said one in five children was in poverty and radical change was needed to put the Scottish government's pledges back on track. It urged ministers to craft a much bolder and properly-funded plan to reduce poverty by rewiring local government, public services and the tax system. The Scottish government said it had made great strides, with its policies keeping 100,000 children out of poverty this year, but accepted there was more to do. In 2017, MSPs passed a law requiring ministers to hit four targets, external, including pushing the share of children in relative poverty below 10% by 2030.
Energy bills are going up - here's what you can do about it
Energy bills are going up - here's what you can do about it Energy prices have now risen by nearly 4%, with forecasts of a much bigger jump to come in January. Regulator Ofgem's price cap affects about 20 million households in England, Scotland and Wales and sets a maximum price for each unit of gas and electricity. Forecasters have suggested a 16% increase is possible in January, due to high wholesale prices paid by suppliers as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. While that's beyond consumers' control, charities say the government should offer more support - beyond a VAT cut on electricity bills which takes effect on Thursday - and households should reset for winter again. That includes reading the meter now, and taking other steps to keep a check on rising bills.
Eight US sailors assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln attempted suicide, Navy says
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has said that eight crew members who were assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group attempted suicide during their lengthy deployment. The disclosure was made in a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York on Tuesday in response to questions from the Democrat on the well-being of sailors onboard following mounting concerns. Family members of sailors had raised alarm about deteriorating mental health and grim conditions during a prolonged mission in the Middle East as part of the US war in Iran. The carrier, which had been deployed since last November, is now returning to the US. The BBC has contacted the US Navy for comment.
The Papers: 'RAF jet crash escape' and 'Tories to cut benefits'
'RAF jet crash escape' and'Tories to cut benefits' Image caption, The moment two RAF pilots ejected from a jet is splashed across the front page of the Daily Mirror, which says it is a miracle nobody was killed in the incident. The two pilots were taking part in a training exercise in Anglesey when they were forced to parachute from the plane, which the paper reports then plummeted nose-first into a field and caused a huge fireball. Image caption, Several of the papers lead on the Conservative party's promise to prevent long-term jobless benefit claimants from spending their welfare payments on alcohol, cigarettes and gambling. The Times declares Tories to cut benefits for long-term unemployed, and includes quotes from party leader Kemi Badenoch, who says she plans to stop joblessness being a lifestyle choice for those who can't be bothered. Image caption, The Daily Mail says Badenoch's ruthless crackdown would see people who have been unemployed for more than six months have their Universal Credit cut by 30%.
Residents eating garden weeds in Russian-occupied city cut off from food and water
Two more civilians died last night, says Halia, before her phone connection cuts off. She is trapped in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which she says is constantly shelled and cut off from food and water. Three days later she tells me the two who were killed were a husband and wife. They were bringing home a bag of food from the closest neighbouring town of Radensk, 23km (14 miles) away, but were unable to get home before a curfew imposed by Russian occupation authorities. They were then killed by a drone.
'Make women feel seen': Why the Dutch have a new word for labia
'Make women feel seen': Why the Dutch have a new word for labia Can you imagine seeing the words shame lips on your medical notes? The term, which can also be translated as pubic lips, is the Dutch word for a women's body part. But, for some, it's just one of countless examples that are outdated and loaded with stigma. Last month, leading Dutch dictionary Dikke van Dale said it would include a new term for the labia, vulvalippen - in its upcoming online addition - alongside the traditional term schaamlippen. European campaigners have long been calling for a rewrite of terms used to discuss women's bodies, sexuality and health.
Indians are discovering the thrill of shopping without paying
You open FoodNeverComes, pick from 22 cuisines and start scrolling. You add a few dishes, watch the total climb and hit checkout. A tracker says a rider is on the way. Then you get a dummy AI-generated call from inside the site. He is outside your building, he says, but cannot find your street or door.