Latest news with #StuartBlack
Metro
6 days ago
- Climate
- Metro
Satellite images capture Mount Etna's eruption from space
Hiyah Zaidi Published June 4, 2025 2:55pm Link is copied Comments Tourists were seen running for their lives after Mount Etna erupted on Monday. The Sicilian volcano is Europe's largest and most active stratovolcano, and has recently spewed a giant plume of gas that stretched four miles into the sky. But, just as the volcano erupted, the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite was passing by and managed to capture the whole thing in dramatic images (Picture: EU/Copernicus Sentinel-2 / SWNS) On June 2, at around 12pm local time, the volcano erupted following volcanic tremors which began around midnight. The eruption sent a pyroclastic flow - which is a mix of hot rock, ash and gas - down the side of the mountain. The cloud it produced, which was mainly made up of water and sulphur dioxide, headed south west and was so big it plunged the nearby town of Catania into darkness (Picture: European Space Agency) One concern of the eruption was the disruption of air traffic. Dr Stuart Black, geological expert at the University of Reading, said: 'Commercial aircraft typically fly at similar altitudes as where the volcanic material is reaching, so persistent activity could force flight rerouting in the region.' However, the eruption has led to no reported injuries or damage, and barely disrupted flights on or off the island (Picture: European Space Agency) The eruption began with an increase of pressure in the hot gases inside the volcano, according to The Conversation. This led to the partial collapse of part of one of the craters atop Etna on the south eastern edge of the volcano, which led to the pyroclastic flow. However, the lava flowed in three directions, and began to cool down. Pyroclastic flows can be extremely dangerous and can travel at an average of 60 miles per hour, reaching temperatures up to 1,000°C (Picture: European Space Agency) However, the flows did not make it beyond the Valle del Leone (or Lion Valley) which forms a natural containment area. But the volcano has been active recently, with the latest eruption marking the 14th episode since mid-March. The most recent pyroclastic flows with significant reach were recorded on February 10, 2022, October 23, 2021, December 13, 2020 and February 11, 2014, Marco Viccaro, president of Italy's national volcanology association, said on Tuesday (Picture: European Space Agency) Mount Etna reaches around 3,350 meters (11,050 feet) above sea level and is 35 kilometers (22 miles) in diameter. It is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active stratovolcano in the world. It has documented eruptions dating back to 1500 BCE. The largest recorded historical eruption of the volcano occurred in 1669, when a number of big eruptions took place for around four months. It's thought that around fourteen villages and towns were destroyed by the lava flows or by earthquakes, and around 20,000 people were killed by the eruptions (Picture: AP) At the moment, researchers cannot give accurate details on when a volcano is about to blow. However, there are some warning signs, such as earthquakes when the magma pushes its way up to the surface. The magma also makes the ground near a volcano bulge upwards very slightly, by a few millimetres or centimetres, which can be monitored using satellites. However, new research suggests that trees may act as a good early warning detection system, as the magma beneath the surface releases a lot of carbon dioxide, which makes the trees more green – and this can be monitored through satellites (Picture: Getty)
The National
27-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Highlands and Islands residents split over £100bn investment plan
Not all see it that way, as I report below. The scale is described as 'unprecedented' for the Highlands and Islands, possibly even the whole of Scotland and much of the UK by the report's joint commissioner, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), with much investment coming by 2027. It encompasses onshore and offshore wind energy projects with resulting pylons, transmission cables and substations; green hydrogen facilities; marine biotech such as tidal capture; space technology; life sciences studies; and infrastructure including road transport upgrades, mainly set to be driven by private sector investment. Citing 251 planned development projects in the pipeline, 36,000 new housing units and 34,000 construction and operational jobs, this is said to far exceed other 'transformational' periods such as the post-war Highlands hydro development and oil and gas. Projects are dispersed across the region, including initiatives in Orkney and Shetland, Caithness and Sutherland, Lewis, Argyll and Kintyre, the Inner Moray Firth and down the Great Glen. Forbes chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government's Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, this month to view a presentation of the report alongside HIE chief executive Stuart Black, Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner and members of the regional economic partnership he heads. Forbes said: 'The challenge is now to capitalise on this promise. I look forward to working alongside our public and private-sector partners to deliver on this enormous potential, creating thousands of top-quality jobs for future generations.' Bremner also welcomed the report, highlighting the crucial role of local authorities and public-sector bodies in fostering sustainability. 'We stand on the brink of a once-in-a-generation opportunity for economic transformation,' he said. The meeting was sparsely attended by the public but caught the attention of Conservative and Unionist Party Highland Councillor Helen Crawford (Aird and Loch Ness Ward). She later said: 'Decision-makers around the table were asked to identify to what extent they could become enablers, identify what the blockages are and how to overcome them.' Specifically on renewable energy proposals which largely drove the report, Crawford added: 'Two parts of Highland life are absent when decision-makers talk about energy infrastructure in the Highlands. Firstly, tourism, which is the backbone of the Highland economy, and secondly the communities expected to host the major energy infrastructure, in particular the upgraded transmission lines, substations, battery storage and major wind turbines. That needs to change with both tourism and our impacted communities given a place at the table when we make decisions about this.' Local activist groups were quick to condemn the report carried out by research specialist Ekosgen, a Glasgow-based consultancy related to a Manchester firm with several English council board members. Dan Bailey of campaign group Better Cable Route (Strathpeffer & Contin) described the convention meeting as 'a talking shop between unaccountable quangos, politicians who parrot industry publicity, and multinational energy companies with their eyes on vast profits'. He said it smacks of deals being made at the expense of residents. He went on: 'You cannot have a fair and green economy without involving the people at the sharp end of the energy transition – the people who have to live with all this development. We will bear the negative impact of a seemingly endless wave of new power lines, substations, storage facilities and wind farms, yet see precious little benefit. Local communities are consistently sidelined by the industry and our elected representatives alike.' After presenting the report at the Strathpeffer convention, Martin Johnson, HIE director of strategy and regional economy, said that while its concept of a collaborative, holistic and place-based approach was critical in realising the benefits of investment opportunities, 'engaging with communities was not what this [report] was.' He said: 'In the real world this happens through engagement between local authorities and key businesses where the development is taking place and through the planning process.' While conceding that sectors such as tourism and food and drink offered good opportunities in the Highlands, Johnson said the current report was more concerned with transformation of scale rather than what he termed localised and incremental businesses. 'We announced this report to raise awareness across the region on what does 'big' look like and opportunities for the future, including housing and jobs,' he said. Johnson said about a year of research went into the report, partly in the context of the UK Government's clean energy and decarbonisation 'net-zero' policy. READ MORE: Scottish Borders town takes local hotel into community ownership On the 251 projects, 'researchers talked to project owners about what they were planning, the timescales, where the projects were placed from ideas to final investment decisions'. According to HIE analyses, the UK energy grid upgrade currently under consideration is a critical factor for its investment projects. In the Highlands, electricity infrastructure is controlled by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSE), whose expected investment of more than £22bn in Highland grid upgrades is included in the report's £100bn projection. Meanwhile, grid pricing of wholesale electricity sits with the UK Government, with reform expected this summer. At the same time, SSE is expected to miss 2030 net-zero targets while cutting £3bn in renewable investment, according to several media reports. The UK's high energy pricing and uncertain growth are major variables for HIE's Highland prospects. However, Johnson asserted that HIE's report findings give private-sector investors the confidence they need on house building, such as in the Moray Firth area and with prospects of Highland re-population with property development and job potential. He expected investment in supply chains as well as capital projects that include the UK's Great British Energy and overseas firms such as Japan's Sumitomo Electric Ltd which has established a subsea cable manufacturing plant at the Port of Nigg on the Cromarty Firth. HIE would not be drawn, however, on Highland business prospects of trade with the European electricity market as discussions continue between the UK and EU under their 'reset' engagement on energy. READ MORE: Revealed: The Scottish councils now using Elon Musk's Starlink internet technology Observers noted that the UK would have to follow EU rules to seal the deal, with the prospect of re-energising carbon trading under the EU emissions trading system. Highland residents I spoke to are critical of the HIE report. Shaun Ince, a Strathpeffer resident, biologist and retired academic, said: 'It looks a bit like pie in the sky investment. The environmental aspect worries me. If it's going to be 'big development' that should be well controlled with the right planning. There's a lot of beautiful land and communities that could be destroyed if you're not careful.' John Heathcote, from the village Contin, is an environmental advocate and geologist and was a former principal specialist at Dounreay nuclear site in Caithness. He said: 'My immediate reaction is not positive – no-one has asked us if we want growth to this extent. At the moment the Highlands is a very different place to live compared to an English city. Do we want this difference to disappear? 'We do, however, need to think about how we can manage modern services with a scattered population, where schools are too small to be viable and medical services are limited. But it is not clear that the proposed growth will fix this. Personally, I think that we have to move on from the growth agenda'. For her part, Crawford called for a 'Highland Convention in the Glens' next month in response to the HIE report, claiming there are seven community councils in support. She said: 'The likely speed of transformational change, as outlined in that paper, is enormous. It is more important now, than ever before, that our impacted communities come together and speak with a combined voice on behalf of those who are living in the areas that are being adversely impacted.' It seems a 192-page report is going to have political, societal and business implications – and generate very different views – well into the future in the Highlands and Islands.
Wales Online
26-05-2025
- Wales Online
Car thief dragged owner along road before speeding off and crashing
Car thief dragged owner along road before speeding off and crashing Stuart Black has 151 previous offences on his record and keeps driving despite being a disqualified driver for more than two decades Stuart Black (Image: South Wales Police ) The owner of a car was dragged along the road as he tried to stop a thief from taking it, a court has heard. After the owner fell to the floor - suffering concussion and a gash to his head - Stuart Black drove off before slamming into a parked car and writing it off. Swansea Crown Court heard Black ran away but was chased and caught by a witness. The defendant then threated to stab the Good Samaritan. The court heard Black - who has more than 150 previous offences on his record - has never held a full licence and has been a disqualified driver since 2002. Brian Simpson, prosecuting, told the court that at noon on March 8 this year the owner of a BMW car was doing work on his vehicle at the roadside on Glebe Road in Loughor when the defendant walked by pushing his bicycle. He said the owner of the BMW then popped into his garage and Black took his chance - he walked back to the car and jumped into the driver's seat and began revving the engine. The owner ran to his car and took hold of the defendant who "accelerated away at speed" dragging his victim along the road as he made off. The victim was dragged for a short distance before losing his grip and falling to the ground. Black then performed a U-turn in the road and drove back the way he had come "swerving from side to side" across the road before crashing into a parked car. The court heard that a witness saw Black running away down a lane and gave chase while calling 999. The Good Samaritan caught up with Black who responded by reaching into the bag he was carrying and warning "Come near me and I will f****** stab you". For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter Article continues below The court heard the victim suffered grazes to his legs and a four centimetre gash to the back of his head, and it is thought he lost consciousness on the road for a brief time. In an impact statement which was read to the court by the prosecutor the car owner said doctors had told him he suffered concussion in the incident and he said he had been left with pains in his legs and hip and suffering with daily headaches. Black was arrested a short time after the incident when a PC spotted a man who matched the defendant's description on nearby Culfor Road. Black was described as "sweating profusely" and with a "white substance" around his mouth. He told the arresting officer he was in the area to look after horses. The 45-year-old defendant tested positive for alcohol and drugs at the roadside and subsequently gave a sample of blood for analysis when in custody but the court heard the results of the evidential tests had not yet come back. Stuart Black, of Cadle Mill, Cadle, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle-taking, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance, and common assault - the threats made to the man who chased him - when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has 58 previous convictions for 151 offences including three drug-drivings, six vehicle-takings, 10 driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, assault by beating, shoplifting, and possession of a bladed article. The court heard that in 2002 provisional licence holder Black was disqualified for dangerous driving and has never passed the extended test required for him to get a full licence. Read about a 'street racer' who led police on a 110mph chase before crashing into a car and flipping it onto its roof Stuart John, for Black, said it was "almost impossible" to mitigate the offending but said the defendant's actions had been "opportunistic" and the injuries caused had been "incidental" to his intention of stealing the car. He said: "He saw the car and decided to take it". The advocate said it was accepted Black had a "formidable" antecedent record characterised by driving offences and acquisitive crime, and he said while drug misuse has "always been a factor in his life" the defendant's consumption of substances had increased following the break-down of a relationship. He added that his client has a three-year-old daughter. Judge Catherine Richards told Black he was a drug addict and said while she accepted addiction was a disease, the reality was he was not only ruining his own life but was affecting the lives of others too. With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas Black was sentenced to three years in prison. He will serve 40 per cent of the sentence in custody being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. The defendant was disqualified from driving for two years with the ban extended by an additional 18 months to account for the time he will be behind bars. Article continues below Speaking after the sentencing South Wales Police sergeant Stuart Williams said: "Stuart Black is an opportunist thief who saw a car running and decided to try his luck with stealing it. In doing so, the owner has attempted to stop Black in the act, and sadly ended up having to go to hospital as a result. "This was an incident which happened entirely because of Stuart Black's criminal actions. The victim was fortunate not to be more seriously injured, but this was nonetheless a very shocking and distressing experience for them."
The National
12-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Highlands can secure '£100bn and over 18,000 jobs via renewables'
The research found it could even outstrip the peak of the North Sea oil and gas era. The report only looked at 251 large-scale projects and does not include analysis of the economic impacts on the wider supply chain – including industries such as tourism and food and drink, as well as public-sector spending. Stuart Black, the chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said the region could become the 'engine room' for growing the Scottish economy. READ MORE: Labour MP slapped down over claim UK-US trade deal 'great for Scotland' 'We know there's a lot to get right. Bringing these projects to fruition means addressing some serious challenges facing the region and a strong commitment to partnership,' he said. 'But the sheer scale of the potential prize from these efforts makes all that very worthwhile, and that's where our focus should be. 'The report will be crucial in informing decisions around things like planning and investment in order to realise as much of the potential benefits as possible.' Councillor Raymond Bremner, chairman of the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP), added: 'We stand on the brink of a once-in-a-generation opportunity for economic transformation. 'This scale of opportunity is unprecedented for the Highlands and islands, and possibly for Scotland and the UK.' The document will be discussed on Monday at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Strathpeffer. The meeting will be attended by Deputy First Minister Katw Forbes. The research was carried out by Ekosgen and was commissioned by HIE and HIREP.
