Appeal after copper cable thieves target Aberdeenshire wind farms
A force spokesperson said three wind turbines were forced open and copper cables were removed.Similar cables were also stripped from a single turbine after it was forced open at Meikle Carewe Wind Farm in Stonehaven.Police said this happened some time between 16:00 and 08:00.Det Sgt Kim Patterson said: "We believe these thefts are linked and that those responsible, due to the remoteness of both areas, would need to have used a fairly large vehicle."Whilst the value has yet to be confirmed, it is believed it will run into tens of thousands of pounds."She urged anyone who saw anything unusual around the sites, or a van or large vehicle near the wind farms, to get in touch.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Police have ‘proportionate and considered' plan ahead of Glasgow Kneecap gig
Police Scotland say they have a 'proportionate and considered policing plan' ahead of Kneecap's gig in Glasgow, which replaces their cancelled slot at the TRNSMT festival. Kneecap were axed from the line-up of TRNSMT in the city amid a row over an investigation by counter-terror police into rapper Mo Chara, who is accused of terrorism offences related to a Hezbollah flag he allegedly held up on stage. The satirical Belfast rap group, who perform in Irish, have been outspoken critics of the war in Gaza and said the prosecution – following an investigation by the Met Police – is linked to their views on Palestine. TRNSMT cancelled Kneecap's performance at the end of May over safety concerns by Police Scotland. On Tuesday, they are set to perform a sold-out gig at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, days before TRNSMT begins on Friday. As well as Kneecap, Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar are also performing in Glasgow on Tuesday. Police Scotland say they will aim to minimise disruption in the city. In May, First Minister John Swinney urged for TRNSMT to cancel the performance on July 11, saying that 'organisers of TRNSMT have got to consider that issue.' Mo Chara, also known as Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna by the Metropolitan Police in May, over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig, and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18. The furore led to calls from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for Glastonbury to cancel a performance from the Belfast rappers on June 28, which the festival organisers did not do. Despite being cancelled from TRNSMT, Kneecap are still due to perform scheduled shows at 2000trees rock festival on July 10, Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on August 15 and Belfast Vital on August 29 – nine days after O hAnnaidh's next court appearance. At the last hearing, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: 'It's not about Mr O hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel. 'He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else. 'The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'.' Kneecap have said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. Superintendent Paul Douglas said: 'We are aware of a number of events and concerts due to take place in the Greater Glasgow area in the week beginning Monday July 7 2025. 'A proportionate and considered policing plan is in place within the city and we are working with a number of stakeholders to ensure the safety of all those attending these events and where possible minimise disruption to the people of Glasgow.'
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
Tributes to scientist as man appears in court charged with her murder
The brother of a scientist who died in the street on Saturday has paid tribute to the family's 'deputy parent'. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, who worked for Scottish Water, was injured in South Road, Dundee, at about 4.25pm on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene. She had studied at the University of Dundee, gaining a doctorate in geography and environmental science three years ago. Kyler Rattray, 20, from Dundee, appeared in court on Monday charged with her murder. He made no plea and was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. Gomo's brother Regis Nyatsanza told the BBC he had recently spoken to his sister about plans for her 40th birthday. Speaking from their home in Zimbabwe, he said his sister had been the family's 'deputy parent' as the eldest of four siblings. 'Two weeks ago we were laughing about throwing her a big 40th birthday bash but she said she had achieved most of what she wanted,' he told the broadcaster. 'After all the struggle, she had everything she wanted and so she was going to have a quiet celebration.' Among those paying tribute to the 'exceptional scientist' was the Green MSP Maggie Chapman. The North East MSP, who was born in Zimbabwe, posted on social media: 'Devastating to hearof Dr Fortune Gomo in Dundee this weekend. Sending my love and condolences to her family and friends.' Chapman will next month become the University of Dundee's rector. Angela Machonesa, who studied alongside Gomo in Zimbabwe, said her friend was 'a brilliant light'. In a tribute posted on social media, she said they had attended Chinhoyi High School and the National University of Science and Technology together. 'Her brilliance in the classroom was only matched by her emotional intelligence,' Machonesa wrote. 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise. A community, ours, will ache for a friend, a sister, a schoolmate, who inspired us all.' She added: 'We are heartbroken. We are angry. We are disoriented. But we are also united in one voice: Fortune Gomo mattered. Her life mattered. Her legacy must never be forgotten.' Professor Simon Parsons, director of environment planning and assurance at Scottish Water, said everyone at the company was 'shocked and saddened' by her death. He said: 'Fortune was an exceptional scientist and a senior service planner in our water resources planning section based in Dundee where, having joined us in February, she had already become a highly valued and respected member of our team.' Professor Nigel Seaton, the University of Dundee's interim principal and vice-chancellor, said Gomo had been a postdoctoral research assistant at the university until February 2022. He said the scientist's death was 'a truly shocking event in our city and for our university community'. 'It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time here at the university, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students,' he said. Chief superintendent Nicola Russell, Dundee police commander, said: 'Given that legal proceedings are now under way I am very limited in what I can say regarding the circumstances surrounding this incident, particularly any motive. 'Our enquiries are continuing and we are confident that nobody else was involved and there is no wider threat to the public. 'I am also acutely aware of misinformation being shared on social media and would urge the public not to speculate on the circumstances or post anything which could compromise a future court case and bring further distress to Fortune's family.' She appealed for witnesses to contact the force. A fundraising event for the scientist's family planned at Sandy's Bar in Liff Road, Dundee, on Sunday has had an 'overwhelming' response. Sinéad McGuire, the venue's manager, said: 'It happened on our doorstep and we wanted to do anything we can do to help make the family's time a bit easier or take a bit of the burden from them.'
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Beauty influencer, 30, is 'tied up, beaten and sprayed with bleach' in terrifying armed robbery where thieves 'fled with luxury bags and jewellery'
A French influencer was left disfigured after she was allegedly tied up, sprayed with bleach and possibly also raped by two gunmen who broke into her home. Soraya Riffy, 30, was assaulted during the horrifying burglary on Friday at her house in Marseille, French newspaper Le Parisien reports. A spokesperson for Riffy shared a statement her Instagram account, sharing that she had been 'kidnapped, assaulted and [possibly] raped' at around 9:30pm local time after a man arrived at her home posing 'as a neighbour who did not have his keys'. The man then stormed into Riffy's home, alongside the other intruder. They then 'tied her up, beat her with a gun and with box cutters, and threatened to kill her'. The men then fled the scene and took a Cartier bracelet, her house and car keys, two luxury bags, and a Rolex watch with them. 'Today she suffers from a concussion, [her] nose is completely broken and psychologically she is destroyed. 'Her body is a crime scene', the social media statement added. Riffy lost consciousness during the attack and has no memory of what happened. But police suspect the influencer may have been sexually assaulted based on her injuries. Speaking to Le Parisien, Riffy said: 'Certain signs and pain suggest to doctors that I may have been raped when I lost consciousness.' Her spokesperson also revealed that she had received threats 'from her abductors' just two weeks before the attack, with the criminals trying to extort money from her. The influencer reportedly had 'repeatedly alerted the authorities to the threats against her'. 'I'm disfigured, disgusted, scared. Too much media exposure leads to danger. I'm going to leave Marseille for good, leave social media for now, I'm lost', Riffy told Le Parisien. She also shared a video on Instagram showing her bruised face, commenting: 'I'm so disgusted. What I went through today is horrible'. An investigation has been opened for 'armed robbery, kidnapping without voluntary release, conditional death threats, and gang violence'. Riffy first rose to fame in 2016 after she appeared on a French talk show. She is known for sharing fashion and fitness content to her one-million Instagram followers.
