[00:00] Marcus Shaw: From Neural Newscast, I'm Marcus Shaw.
[00:02] Margaret Ellis: And I'm Margaret Ellis.
[00:04] Marcus Shaw: Today, Scotland mourns the loss of former health secretary Jean Freeman.
[00:08] Marcus Shaw: We also examine a massive investment in Northeast England.
[00:12] Margaret Ellis: Leaders in Blythe are pushing for a 10 billion pound data centre campus.
[00:17] Margaret Ellis: Meanwhile, tech stocks are finally rebounding after a volatile week of heavy selling.
[00:22] Marcus Shaw: In other news, first today.
[00:24] Marcus Shaw: Former Scottish Health Secretary Jean Freeman has died at the age of 72.
[00:29] Marcus Shaw: Her partner confirmed she passed away into hospital yesterday.
[00:33] Marcus Shaw: Doctors diagnosed her with an unexpected cancer only 25 days ago.
[00:39] Margaret Ellis: Freeman became a central figure during the pandemic response.
[00:43] Margaret Ellis: She served as an MSP from 2016 to 2021.
[00:48] Margaret Ellis: She also led the creation of Scotland's social security system.
[00:53] Marcus Shaw: Turning now to Northeast England,
[00:55] Marcus Shaw: Blythe is preparing for a technological revolution.
[00:58] Marcus Shaw: MP Ian Lavery warns that the region must embrace artificial intelligence.
[01:03] Marcus Shaw: He says failing to do so could leave the community behind.
[01:07] Margaret Ellis: The government recently designated Blythe and Cobalt Park as AI growth zones.
[01:13] Margaret Ellis: This move aims to create thousands of local jobs.
[01:17] Margaret Ellis: Energy Minister Lord Patrick Valance says success requires a robust energy system.
[01:23] Marcus Shaw: American company QTS Data Centers is building a 10 billion pound campus in Cambodos.
[01:30] Marcus Shaw: This project will create 400 permanent jobs.
[01:34] Marcus Shaw: Construction will also support nearly 3,000 workers in the region.
[01:39] Margaret Ellis: Executive Brian Hurleyhy believes the economic benefits will reach far and wide.
[01:44] Margaret Ellis: He says the firm plans to hire and procure locally.
[01:47] Margaret Ellis: This investment could transform the local ecosystem of universities and laboratories.
[01:53] Marcus Shaw: In other news, tech stocks are rallying strongly today.
[01:56] Marcus Shaw: This follows three days of heavy selling across major exchanges.
[02:00] Marcus Shaw: Investors are seeking stability after a period of intense market volatility.
[02:05] Marcus Shaw: In other news, I'm Marcus Shaw.
[02:07] Margaret Ellis: And I'm Margaret Ellis.
[02:09] Marcus Shaw: Neuronewscast is AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
[02:13] Marcus Shaw: View our AI Transparency Policy at neuronewscast.com.