Latest news with #BilalHussain
The National
31-07-2025
- Climate
- The National
See the Scottish towns in wildfire hotspots in 2025
For several days in July in parts of northern Scotland, fire crews dealt with blazes across several locations, with the area described as being on a 'vast scale'. The affected areas included Carrbridge, Grantown-on-Spey, Dava and Upper Knockando. And recent statistics from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service show 1574 wildfires between 2015 and the end of May this year. READ MORE: Flooding and wildfires in Highlands are 'new normal', say Scottish Greens The Highlands suffered most, reporting 574 fires during that period, followed by 131 in the Western Isles. That compares with just seven in Renfrewshire and Clackmannanshire. The statistics also showed that in the first five months of 2025, Scotland saw more wildfires reported than in any other full year apart from 2017 and 2018. 'Pockets of extreme dryness' Now, analysis released by Artio, a carbon insurance firm, has identified how reduced rain and prolonged dry spells during June and July 2025 have created pockets of extreme dryness across the country. When combined with environmental factors, such as wind direction, these conditions significantly increase the likelihood of fire ignition by two-fold and the area that fires can spread by more than 30%. The areas highlighted as Scotland's wildfire hotspots are: Halkirk/Gobernuisgeach Glen Affric/Drumnadrochit Carrbridge/Tomintoul Ferness/Dava Glenesk/Bridge of Dye Galloway Forest Park Carrbridge, one of the areas identified by Artio as high-risk, has seen multiple fires in recent years. READ MORE: Scottish soft fruit farms report impressive yield increases for 2025 Another high risk area is Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway, which also saw a major fire last year. Artio believes that Scotland, with woodland and peatland projects, can provide vital natural climate solutions to wildfires. With nearly 30 million tonnes of CO2e emissions expected to be prevented over the lifetime of projects under the Woodland and Peatland Carbon Code schemes, Scotland has emerged as the UK's leading hub for nature-based and engineered carbon projects. Bilal Hussain, co-founder and CEO at Artio, said: 'Scotland plays a pivotal role in the UK's carbon ecosystem, with its woodland and peatland projects providing vital natural climate solutions. However, for these projects to succeed and deliver long-term climate benefits, they must be underpinned by robust planning and proactive management. "By mapping where vulnerabilities are greatest, we can enable better decision-making, attract sustained investment and protect the communities that depend on them.'
The Herald Scotland
30-07-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's wildfire hotspots identified in new analysis
Galloway National Park has also been identified as having a high likelihood of a wildfire due to dryness coupled with an environment prone to fire ignition. The report uses a combination of drough modelling and fire spread analysis to provide insight into potential danger zones. Scotland has emerged as the UK's leading hub for nature-based and engineered carbon projects, with nearly 30 million tonnes of CO2e emissions expected to be prevented over the lifetime of projects under the leading Woodland and Peatland Carbon Code schemes. The study highlights how reduced precipitation and prolonged dry spells during June and July this year have created pockets of extreme dryness across the country and alongside wind direction and other environmental factors, it has increased the likelihood of fire ignition by two-fold and the fires can spread by 30% more. Read More The fire at Carrbridge had multiple ignition points and the conditions led to more than 11,000 hectares being burned. Bilal Hussain, Co-Founder and CEO at Artio, commented: 'Scotland plays a pivotal role in the UK's carbon ecosystem, with its woodland and peatland projects providing vital natural climate solutions. 'However, for these projects to succeed and deliver long-term climate benefits, they must be underpinned by robust planning and proactive management. 'By mapping where vulnerabilities are greatest, we can enable better decision-making, attract sustained investment and protect the communities that depend on them.' Wildfire fire warnings have been shared by authorities on a number of occasions in recent months. Scotland's wildfire risk has been analysed (Image: Artio) Scotland's wildfire risk has been analysed (Image: Artio) Other areas that were heavily affected included the Isle of Arran as well as one in the Trossachs where a disposable barbecue was blamed. Over the course of one weekend in April, fire crews were called out to battle 90 wildfires across the country. Speaking at the time, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour - Head of Prevention, Protection and Preparedness at SFRS - said: "Wildfires have the potential to burn for days, as we've seen in Dumfries and Galloway, and they spread through vast areas of land in our countryside, which is devastating for those who live nearby. "Our firefighters will continue to work with local landowners and other partners to bring these fires under control. "As the warm and dry weather continues, so too does the risk of wildfire, and so we are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame. "Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely in rural environments and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code."
Express Tribune
25-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Cop nabbed filming women in toilet
A serving police head constable of the Punjab Police, who was allegedly caught filming inappropriate images of women in the toilets cum restroom of the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Gujar Khan, has been formally arrested and booked in a case. A vigilant citizen intervened, caught the suspect on the spot, and handed him over to the police along with his mobile phone. According to police sources, a case has been formally registered, and an investigation is currently underway. The suspect has been identified as a police official affiliated with the Training Wing in Lahore. The First Information Report (FIR), filed by a citizen named Bilal Hussain, states that he had visited the hospital for medical treatment when he observed a man capturing images of women inside the restroom. The same individual was also reportedly seen photographing women elsewhere within the hospital premises. Growing suspicious, Bilal confronted the individual — identified as Aqeel Abbas, a resident of Rajgaan — and checked his mobile phone. It allegedly contained inappropriate photographs of women. The suspect was then detained by Bilal and handed over to the authorities. Police officials confirmed that the accused was dressed in civilian clothing at the time of the incident. A case has been registered under Sections 354, 292 and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), and further investigation is in progress. Saddar SP Nabeel Khokhar confirmed that the accused is indeed a member of the Lahore Police's Training Wing. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Syed Daniyal, the police received a complaint from a resident who said that the suspect, a serving head constable posted in Lahore office of Punjab Police, was allegedly involved in filming women while they were using the toilets in the hospital's wards. He said that the suspect had previously been booked for raping a widow, but the case was later dismissed after the suspect had reconciled with the victim.
Express Tribune
25-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Cop held for filming women in hospital toilets
Listen to article A serving police head constable of the Punjab Police, who was allegedly caught filming inappropriate images of women in the toilets-cum-restroom of the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Gujar Khan of Rawalpindi district, has been formally arrested and booked in a case. A citizen intervened, caught the suspect on the spot, and handed him over to the police along with his mobile phone. According to police sources, a case has been formally registered, and an investigation is currently underway. The suspect has been identified as a police official affiliated with the Training Wing in Lahore. The First Information Report (FIR), filed by a citizen named Bilal Hussain, states that he had visited the hospital for medical treatment when he observed a man capturing images of women inside the restroom. The same individual was also reportedly seen photographing women elsewhere within the hospital premises. Read More: Man allegedly kills wife for 'honour' Growing suspicious, Hussain confronted the individual—identified as Aqeel Abbas, a resident of Rajgaan—and checked his mobile phone. It allegedly contained inappropriate photographs of women. The suspect was then detained by Bilal and handed over to the authorities. Police officials confirmed that the accused was dressed in civilian clothing at the time of the incident. A case has been registered under Sections 354, 292, and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), and further investigation is in progress. Saddar SP Nabeel Khokhar confirmed that the accused is indeed a member of the Lahore Police's Training Wing. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Syed Daniyal, the police received a complaint from a resident who said that the suspect, a serving head constable posted in the Lahore office of Punjab Police, was allegedly involved in filming women while they were using the toilets in the hospital's wards. Also Read: Digital mapping underway in Punjab to prevent bird‑aviation hazards He said that the suspect had previously been booked for raping a widow, but the case was later dismissed after the suspect reconciled with the victim. The case was withdrawn, and he was reinstated, Daniyal added. Gujar Khan police said that several compromised videos of women using the toilets had been found on his cell phone, which have been sent for forensic verification. According to THQ Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Sarmad Kiyani, there are no cameras in the hospital's restrooms, and the only cameras in the hospital are in the corridors, not in the toilets. In March, a TikToker was arrested in Swabi for making videos and photos of women and girls while they were shopping and uploading them to his account. In December, Khanewal police arrested a suspect who allegedly filmed women customers in the changing rooms of a garment retailer in Khanewal with his mobile phone. Similarly, last June, Lahore police booked the owners and staff of a private girls' hostel in the Johar Town area in a case for allegedly recording videos of the residents through hidden cameras installed in washrooms.
