Latest news with #DavidWalters
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Unmanned police helicopter takes to the sky for first time in Britain as force tests human-sized drone to search for criminals and missing people
An unmanned police helicopter has taken to the sky for the first time under a 'cutting-edge' taxpayer-funded scheme. The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is hoping the remotely-piloted aircraft will be able to join its helicopter fleet in the future to carry out searches for criminals and missing people. Adding to its 'eyes in the skies', it is capable of flying at a maximum height of 18,000ft, soaring through the air at 115mph and is able to stay airborne for up to six hours. Police say is it 'not possible' to say how much one uncrewed aircraft costs, but the scheme is being funded by all police forces in England and Wales and the Home Office. Critics have suggested an unmanned police helicopter is simply a drone, while others pointed out that it needs a remote pilot anyway. But the NPAS has clarified that the unmanned helicopter, a Schiebel Camcopter S-100, is larger than existing drones used by police forces and has a greater range. 'The type of aircraft we will be trialling is much larger, with the ability to carry similar mission equipment to a current police helicopter,' they said. 'It will be able to fly beyond the sight of the controller.' Night-time test flights are being conducted over the Bristol Channel and police believe the helicopters could be capable of staying in the air for up to 12 hours in the future - up from its current capability of six hours. David Walters, NPAS head of futures and innovation, said: 'As technology advances, so too do the opportunities for police air support. This trial will test uncrewed aircraft capable of flying for up to six hours, equipped with mission systems comparable to those on our current fleet. 'If successful, this could pave the way for a highly capable and sustainable blended fleet of helicopters, aeroplanes and uncrewed aircraft. 'Our goal is to ensure the right tool is available at the right time, in the right place, to support policing across England and Wales. 'This represents an ambitious step toward a modern, innovative and best-value police aviation service, designed to meet the diverse needs of policing and communities.' Mr Walters said 30 per cent of NPAS calls were to search for missing people, which the unmanned aircraft could be vital for. It has a forward-facing camera for the pilot to monitor remotely from a base, while it uses a radar to detect other aircraft. The Schiebel Camcopter S-100 carries uses the same high-powered infrared camera as normal police helicopters. Mr Walters added that the unmanned helicopter offers a 90 per cent reduction in emissions per hour than crewed aircraft. PC Matt Leeding, an NPAS tactical flight officer told BBC News: 'My job doesn't change, all we're doing is embracing the new technology, the same service, using the same equipment just on a slightly different platform,' he said. 'There are still incidents when I'll be sitting in an aircraft at 1,500 feet (457 metres) for certain specialist operations and tasks that require a crew on the scene.' Some critics fear that it could lead to the end of manned aicraft. One wrote on X: 'Nothing beats the power of the human eye in the sky. While there is undoubtedly a place for this technology, I hope that this isn't the beginning of the end of manned aircraft for and other crews across the UK.' Another, mocking the 'thought police', joked: 'Can your uncrewed aircraft read illegal thoughts?' Others simply said: 'Isn't that called a drone?' and 'What is the big difference between unmanned helicopter and drone?' And a fourth wrote: 'How much did that cost taxpayers ?' Test flights are due to take place until October but it is expected years of testing would be needed before the unmanned aircraft joins the full NPAS fleet. Sophie O'Sullivan, director of Future of Flight at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: 'We're committed to enabling the emergency services across the UK to harness cutting-edge aviation technology to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively. 'Through our support for innovative projects like the trial with NPAS, we are helping future-proof critical operations and ensuring that emergency services can safely benefit from the opportunities presented by drones and advanced air mobility.
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Two Los Angeles firefighters honored with Pat Tillman Award at ESPYs
Two Los Angeles-area firefighters were honored at the ESPYs Awards on Wednesday night, receiving the Pat Tillman Award for Service for their response to the devastating January wildfires. David Walters, a Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter, and Erin Regan, with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, were given their awards by actress Angela Bassett in front of a packed Dolby Theatre, recognized for their dedication to their community. Following an emotional montage of footage from the Palisades and Eaton fires, along with some commentary from the two first responders, the entire theater stood to applaud the pair as they walked towards the stage. "On behalf of the many firefighters from LA City and LA County who stood shoulder to shoulder during the fires, thank you to ESPN and the Pat Tillman Foundation," Walter said after accepting his award. "Erin and I are honored to stand here, not for ourselves, but for all the men and women who put duty above all else in these critical days meeting the moment with skill and strength." "To echo what David said, no one fights fires of this magnitude by themselves, so we recognize that this is not an individual award. It's a team award and we are proud to be representatives of our respective departments and every single firefighter that was out there in January," Regan said, also addressing the crowd. The award is annually given "to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman," said a news release from ESPN, shared when the recipients were announced in June. "Both Walters and Regan were on the front lines battling extreme winds and fire behavior while tragically losing colleagues and working tirelessly to defend their city in one of the most devastating fires in Los Angeles history." Walters joined LAFD nearly a decade ago, only after establishing himself as an all-time Olympian. He is a world-record holder in the men's 4x200-meter relay, along with Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Ricky Beren for their performance at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships and a gold medalist as part of the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "An Olympic gold medalist and former world-record holder, David brought that same grit and dedication to the front lines during California's wildfire crisis in January," said a post on Facebook from LAFD. "We are incredibly proud of Firefighter Walters." Regan was a goalkeeper for the women's soccer team at Wake Forest University, where she set several school records on her way to first-team All-ACC honors. She then played professionally in the Women's United Soccer Association, playing in the Founder's Cup before joining LA County Fire in 2008. While there, she has used her passion to help co-found the Girls Fire Camp and the Women's Fire Prep Academy. "The County of Los Angeles Fire Department is incredibly proud of Fire Fighter Erin Regan and congratulates her on being selected as the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2025 ESPY Awards," said a statement from LACoFD. "Erin exemplifies the spirit of service, teamwork, and commitment both on and off the field. Her dedication to the community and public safety reflects the very best of our Department. We express our gratitude to ESPN and the ESPYs for this recognition."
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
John Swinney accused of 'silence' over Orange walk attack
The Orange Lodge of Scotland has claimed a suspected air gun attack on its members has been met with silence from the Scottish have launched an investigation after several marchers were hit by pellets during a procession though Glasgow city centre earlier this month. Following a meeting with government officials in Edinburgh, a senior lodge leader claimed "silence" from the first minister was giving a "green light" to attacks on Protestant groups. John Swinney described acts of violence against the Orange Order as "completely and utterly unacceptable". The Orange Lodge of Scotland said eight people were hit by suspected air gun pellets during a march through Glasgow on 5 July to commemorate the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. No-one was seriously injured. The organisation has also reported that its halls have been vandalised and that female members have been abused online. Parade attack Grand Master Andrew Murray told BBC Scotland News that he had written repeatedly to the first minister but had received no the meeting in Edinburgh, he said he was "severely disappointed" that no ministers attended. Mr Murray claimed "the silence from the first minister itself almost gives a green light to attack our parades".He denied there was any sectarian aspect to the marches, adding: "We have a place in society, we're a law-abiding organisation and we work cross community." David Walters, executive officer of the Orange Lodge of Scotland, claimed that if any other group had been attacked then the incident would have been taken more cited an example of "abhorrent" vandalism at a Catholic school in East Renfrewshire, which Swinney subsequently visited to express Walters said: "The first minister, in days, was over at that school for graffiti, yet when eight people are shot we don't see sight or sound of him."Asked why he though that was the case, he replied: "I think it's because we're a unionist group." 'Cohesive society' Swinney told BBC Scotland News that Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown would meet with the Orange said the incidents raised by the Orange Order should be "properly and fully" first minister added: "I take all forms of hate within our society deadly seriously and all my actions as first minister are designed to address the implications of hate within our society and to make sure that we live in a cohesive society that respects the rule of law." Thousands of people marched in Glasgow on 5 Scotland said the procession was passing along Sauchiehall Street, near Kelvingrove Street, when the the suspected air gun attack force said the following day that four people had been hit and that it was investigating the "dangerous" incident. Elsewhere, four people were arrested following Orange Order processions in sectarian incidents have been reported at Orange walks in recent years. In 2018, a priest was spat on and verbally abused as an Orange walk marched past his church in Glasgow. Bradley Wallace, from South Lanarkshire, was jailed for 10 months over the incident.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
French-Caribbean musician David Walters performed from his latest album, ‘Soul Tropical' on his debut India Tour
Braving the precariousness of the stage is the litmus test every singer must take to transition into a performer. And, David Walters passes with flying colours. The French-Caribbean musician, who concluded his first India tour last week, displayed an impressive hold on a full house at Delhi's The Piano Man. Navigating a tightly packed, vertically dense venue, which already had the audience tapping their feet, he went on to take the engagement with his music several notches higher. Walters was performing from his latest album 'Soul Tropical', a masterclass in how seemingly different genres can come together to create music that is both soulful and yet peppy enough to shake a leg to. 'It is music to heal and my most danceable music yet,' says Walters in an email conversation. 'Dance helps us heal, it cares for us and uplifts us, just like music. They are not opposed but complementary,' says the musician, known for creating genre-blending sounds — from Broken Beat to Nu-Jazz and Lounge – in his electro-jazz collective Zimpala that he founded in the 2000s. The nearly lyrics-free composition, bolstered with the keyboards and guitar riffs, and the beats of the drums and congos seamlessly merged to erupt in a composition celebrating Caribbean culture. 'Life in all its forms' is the musician's muse. 'What inspires me is what I experience and my deep inspirations come from my emotions. They are numerous and infinite,' he says. As a dancing Walters swayed, his audience vindicated the universality of music with a sky illuminated with phone lights. 'I like to leave as much space for music as for words. But not everything is said with words alone. We must also be able to share silence and choruses,' he says. Walters began his career as a DJ, something that not only gave him a deep understanding of the sounds of different kinds of music but also the confidence of a performer. He then went on to become a hip-hop beatmaker, followed by training in percussion, singing, and finally, the guitar – all aimed towards achieving what he calls a 'harmonic understanding'. A lover of 'traditional music in its purest form', understanding the DNA of classical music is crucial to him. Revisiting classical music, he believes, keeps it relevant for the youth but he also believes that remixes are a reflection of an era, 'a bit like an archive'. 'We can't avoid remixes because they allow the new generation to discover a colour that fades over time. Certain remixes have introduced me to traditional artists, and I've discovered superb producers thanks to traditional music,' he says. Walters is also an advocate of collaborations between musicians. He feels they facilitate accessibility to different musical traditions and cultures. His most popular collaborations are with Nigerian artistes Seun Kuti and Keziah Jones, Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho, and French pianist Arthur H among others. A few years ago, he also teamed up with the Indian folk band, Rajasthani Roots. 'We have similar rhythmic keys. The ideas came naturally and flowed like a river. It remains one of my most beautiful live music collaborations,' he says. No wonder Walters is back in India, this time, on a full-fledged tour. Besides performing across cities, he worked on new collaborations with local musicians in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Jaipur. 'We revisited part of my repertoire with the Indian traditional flavour. I have deep respect for the meaning, depth and learning of Indian classical music,' he adds.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Los Angeles-area first responders named as Pat Tillman Award recipients at ESPYs
Two Los Angeles-area first responders have been selected as recipients of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the upcoming ESPY Awards in July. David Walters, a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department, and Erin Regan, with Los Angeles County Fire, are both being honored for their response to the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires in January. "Both honorees were on the front lines battling extreme winds and fire behavior while tragically losing colleagues and working tirelessly to defend their city in one of the most devastating fires in Los Angeles history," said a statement from ESPN. "ESPN presents this award to David Walters and Erin Regan in recognition of their service and as representatives of all first responders who battled the Greater Los Angeles wildfires." The Pat Tillman Award is given out annually during the ESPYs to a person who has a connection to sports and also served others in a way "that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman." Other recipients of notable awards this year include NBA legend Oscar Robertson, who will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, and Pennsylvania State University women's volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who will receive the Jimmy V. Award for Perseverance. Walters, who joined LAFD nearly a decade ago, is a world-record holding Olympic gold medalist and NCAA champion swimmer for the University of Texas, according to ESPN's press release. He won a medal as part of the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and also won seven medals at the World Aquatic Championships. It was there that he broke the world record for the 4x200 meter freestyle relay with teammates Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Ricky Beren. Regan was a goalkeeper for Wake Forest University's women's soccer team from 1998 to 2002 where she earned first-team All-ACC honors and set several school records. She joined the Women's United Soccer Association's Washington Freedom and took part in their Founders Cup championship before joining LACoFD in 2008. She has since been passionate about increasing female representation in the field, helping co-found the "Girls Fire Camp" and the Women's Fire Prep Academy. "It's a true privilege to recognize these inspiring individuals – a courageous NBA legend, an NCAA National Champion while battling cancer, and two elite athletes representing the service of Los Angeles first responders," said a statement from Craig Lazarus, ESPN Vice President. "Oscar Robertson, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, David Walters, and Erin Regan have shown incredible resilience, determination, and perseverance in their personal and professional lives. We are thrilled to honor and celebrate them at The 2025 ESPYS." The ESPYS, hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, will take place on July 16 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
