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Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Karen Pirie: How hit TV series changed Val McDermid's character after actor's 'personal recce' of Fife town
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The producers of a hit TV series based on a book by Val McDermid changed the occupation of a key character after being inspired by an actor's 'personal recce' to Fife. Lauren Lyle, who plays detective Karen Pirie in the eponymous show, which is has just filmed its second series for ITV, said she had been inspired by a sea view from Methil, where the detective is from. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It came from being in Fife and seeing the oil rigs on the horizon,' she said, adding that she had also witnessed the ongoing impact of the 'abandoned pits' in the community. 'When I first got the job, I went up to Methil, which is where Karen's meant to be from, and did my own personal recce, wandering about listening to accents. Lauren Lyle as DS Karen Pirie in the ITV adaptation of Val McDermid's crime novels. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock 'Once you're up at Methil, you can see the landscape and it's just oil rig, oil rig, oil rig. It really is an industrial town. And it gave me such a clear sense of what Karen could be and where she came from.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Lyle, from Glasgow, spoke to writer Emer Kenny, who decided to change the occupation of character Sir Broderick Grant from property tycoon, as he was in McDermid's Inspector Karen Pirie series of novels, to oil magnate. The second series of the show focuses on the disappearance of oil heiress Catriona Grant and her son Adam, who were kidnapped at gunpoint in 1984. Pirie is tasked with re-opening the case. The first series was also set in Fife, reopening an historic case in St Andrews. Ms Kenny said changing Sir Broderick's occupation added an extra element to the background of the story, juxtaposing the oil and the coal mining industry. The Scottish coal mining industry, which at its peak employed 150,000 men in 500 pits across the country, was decimated in the 1980s. The miners' strikes, which began in 1984, lasted a year, plunging large swathes of the local community into poverty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Kenny said: 'There wasn't that much about his [Sir Broderick's] background in the book. The property tycoon element was just how he made his money, whereas we brought the oil industry into the story a little bit more, and it gave us more to work with. 'I thought it was very interesting because the miners' strike is very present in the book and I thought it was very interesting that the North Sea oil boom was at a similar time in the 1980s.' She added: 'I just thought, thematically, to look at those two fossil fuel industries and the disparity between the wealth and then the poverty during the strike - that that could be an incredible thing to look into as a background for a story, and also the relevance of it to Fife.'
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
The airlines offering free Wi-Fi and why Qantas is behind the times
Getting it free on a long-haul economy flight is the new normal. A Qantas aircraft. Picture: Shutterstock By Sarah Falson Updated July 15 2025 - 9:42am, first published 9:16am Airlines are increasingly offering free Wi-Fi to everyone on board. But what if you're travelling on Qantas? They're behind the times. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area I travelled economy class to Europe recently and three of the four planes I flew on had free Wi-Fi. Staying connected made such a huge difference to my journey. The airline was Qatar Airways, which is now offering free Starlink Wi-Fi to all passengers on all Boeing 777s. You don't need to be a member of their loyalty program - just hook up to the Oryx One Wi-Fi network and you can use online messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger and surf the web - all flight long. So why isn't Qantas offering this? If you fly overseas with our national carrier, you can get free Wi-Fi on some flights, for some of your flight. To explain, some of their planes are equipped with Wi-Fi but only over Australian airspace, so if you're flying to Bali for example, you'll be covered while flying across Australia but then it will cut out once the aircraft exits Australian airspace. They say it's due to satellite coverage and regulatory requirements. So why can an airline like Qatar offer this service all the way? To be fair to Qantas, they do offer Wi-Fi on select flights to and from New Zealand as well. Picture: Jacky Watt/Unsplash Free Wi-Fi is a game changer at 42,000 feet and will now be a factor in my airline choice when flying long haul. Staying connected with family and friends - even so they can text you and give you moral support on your flight ("only 10 hours to go, hang in there!") makes a difference to what can be a lonely and isolating experience - particularly if travelling solo. Here's what some of the major airlines flying to Australia are doing in the Wi-Fi space. As mentioned above, they now offer free Wi-Fi to everyone on board all their Boeing 777s through the Starlink satellite service. They offer satellite Wi-Fi on all enabled aircraft including Boeing 777s. Available for free but only if you are a member of their loyalty program KrisFlyer. If you're in economy class you can access complimentary Wi-Fi but only for messaging with WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and other text messaging services (no internet surfing), and only if you are a member of their loyalty program, Emirates Skywards Blue. You can access free Wi-Fi on flights to New Zealand. You can also get it on select flights to South East Asian destinations including Bali, Singapore and Manila, but only for the portion of the trip that occurs in Australian airspace. Qantas has aircraft on order that will offer Wi-Fi on more international routes in the coming years. Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctors urged to embrace AI at Pune summit
Pune: The future belongs to those doctors who adapt and embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), said Dr Nageshwar Reddy, chairman and founder of AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad. He was speaking at the Med Harmony summit held in the city on July 13. Dilation and curettage -- D&C -- is routinely used by doctors after miscarriage or pregnancy termination, but researchers found it upped the risk of very premature births by nearly 70%. (Shutterstock) One of the key themes of the conclave was the transformational potential of AI in healthcare. Dr Reddy outlined how AI is reshaping the medical field — from reducing drug discovery timelines to improving diagnostics and managing critical care workflows. 'Doctors must adapt and upskill to remain effective and relevant in this rapidly evolving ecosystem,' he said. The Med Harmony, described as a 'confluence of healthcare leaders,' was attended by more than 500 doctors from more than 50 medical specialties. Dr Aditi Karad, executive director of VishwaRaj Hospital, said, 'With India's healthcare market rapidly expanding and technologies like telemedicine and AI reshaping care, the initiative arrives at a critical time to inspire dialogue across clinical, technological, and administrative domains.' Jehangir HC Jehangir, chairman of Jehangir Hospital and trustee of Sir Ratan Tata Trust, called for a renewed patient-first focus: 'Empathy, consistent care, and trust in our medical professionals are the bedrock of true healing. Let's believe in our doctors before seeking unverified alternatives.'
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Climate
- New York Post
Flash flooding across tri-state area prompts road closures, subway delays in NYC, state of emergency in NJ
Severe flash flooding across the tri-state area on Monday caused subway delays and road closures across the Big Apple and pushed New Jersey to declare a state of emergency. All five boroughs and Nassau County are under a flash flood warning through midnight. 4 Flash flood warnings were declared all across the tri-state area Monday evening. John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock Advertisement 'Flooding can be deadly and often strikes with little or no warning. Streets, basements, and below-grade spaces can fill with water in minutes. If you live in a basement apartment or low-lying area, be ready to move to higher ground,' NYC Emergency Management advised on X. 'Keep your Go Bag near the door and clear exit paths. Avoid flooded areas. Never walk or drive into water. Turn around, don't drown.' 4 The Bronx River Parkway flooded to the point where people couldn't even see the road. Advertisement Westchester County was placed under the same alert until 12:15 a.m. after the southbound lanes on the Taconic State and Saw Mill River Parkway experienced severe flooding. The 1, 2 and 3 trains are all suspended in Manhattan while the MTA addresses flooding across several stations, the agency said. Inside the 23rd Street station, water appeared to be bursting out of a grate in the floor as it flooded the the area near the turnstiles, according to a video shared on X. Water also spilled under the doors and onto the subway itself as riders took refuge on the seats. 'Oh man, I might need a diaper!' one straphanger joked. Advertisement 4 FDR Drive along the East River flooded, forcing drivers to slowly inch down the road. New York City DOT The Forest Hills-bound M and R trains are also operating under severe delays as multiple stations reportedly flooded in Queens. The Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive in Manhattan had inches of water reaching up to cars' tires shortly after 7 p.m., according to the NYC Department of Transportation cameras. 4 The Big Apple is under a flash flood warning until midnight. Advertisement Drivers on the FDR had to carefully maneuver through the water as they inched down the road at just 2 miles per hour, according to a video shared by a driver caught in the flood on X. People were actively driving against the current until they reached a point where the road was visible again. For anyone needing to get into or out of the city, their options are limited after the Bronx River Parkway and Interstate 287 flooded to the point where drivers couldn't even see the road, forcing many main routes to close, according to pictures shared on X. In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency and advised everyone to 'stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel,' he wrote on X. Throughout the northern parts of the Garden State, cars and even emergency vehicles in towns like Somerville and Plainsville were overwhelmed and even partially overturned. A flood warning was also extended in Fairfield County until 12:15 a.m., according to NBC Connecticut. Last August, Connecticut was slammed by the worst flood it'd seen in two centuries, destroying entire roadways and sparking mudslides.
Black America Web
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Unreleased Beyoncé Music Stolen in ATL Before Show Kickoff
Source: Shutterstock / Shutterstock In a startling incident, unreleased music and sensitive materials belonging to global superstar Beyoncé were stolen in Atlanta just days before the kickoff of her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter shows at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The theft occurred on the evening of July 8, inside a parking deck at Krog Street Market, where members of Beyoncé's team had parked their rental SUV. According to an incident report obtained by WSB-TV, the vehicle, a black Jeep Wagoneer, was broken into through the back lift gate. Two suitcases were stolen, containing not only personal belongings but also highly sensitive professional materials. Among the stolen items were watermarked unreleased music tracks, plans for upcoming show performances, and set lists for both past and future concerts. These materials are considered critical to the production of Beyoncé's tour, making the theft a significant blow to her team. The victims of the theft, identified as Christopher Grant, Beyoncé's choreographer, and Diandre Blue, one of her dancers, reported the incident to Atlanta police. In addition to the unreleased music and show plans, the thieves also made off with laptops, designer sunglasses, clothing, and a pair of AirPods Max headphones. The loss of these items has raised concerns about the potential for leaks or misuse of the stolen materials. RELATED: Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour Has Social Media In A Chokehold Atlanta police have launched an active investigation into the theft and are following multiple leads. Using Apple's 'Find My' feature, investigators were able to track the stolen headphones to an undisclosed location. Officers conducted a suspicious stop in the area, where several vehicles were identified as potentially connected to the crime. One of the vehicles, a red 2025 Hyundai Elantra with a Georgia license plate, is now a key focus of the investigation. Surveillance footage from the parking deck has also been obtained, and detectives are working to identify the suspect or suspects involved. An arrest warrant has been issued, but police have not yet released the name of the individual under investigation. WSB-TV has chosen not to disclose the name of the person questioned until formal charges are filed. Detectives have also dusted the vehicle for fingerprints, though it remains unclear whether any positive identifications have been made. The investigation is ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The theft comes at a critical time for Beyoncé, who is in the midst of her Cowboy Carter tour. The Grammy-winning artist is scheduled to close out her fourth Atlanta show tonight at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While Beyoncé's team has not yet commented on the incident, the loss of unreleased music and show plans could pose challenges for the production of her performances. Fans and industry insiders alike are expressing concern over the potential implications of the theft. Unreleased music is often closely guarded by artists and their teams, as leaks can undermine promotional strategies and impact the commercial success of future projects. The stolen materials also include plans for Beyoncé's live performances, which are known for their intricate choreography and high production value. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of securing personal and professional belongings, particularly during high-profile events. Atlanta police are using the opportunity to promote their 'Clean Car Campaign,' which encourages residents and visitors to remove valuables from their vehicles to prevent theft. As the investigation continues, Beyoncé's fans are rallying behind the artist, hoping for a swift resolution to the case. The theft has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory moment in her career, but many are confident that Beyoncé and her team will overcome this setback. For now, the focus remains on recovering the stolen items and ensuring that the Cowboy Carter tour continues to deliver the unforgettable performances that Beyoncé is known for. SEE ALSO Unreleased Beyoncé Music Stolen in ATL Before Show Kickoff was originally published on
