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Fire at derelict school was ‘deliberate' as PSNI appeal for information
Fire at derelict school was ‘deliberate' as PSNI appeal for information

Belfast Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Belfast Telegraph

Fire at derelict school was ‘deliberate' as PSNI appeal for information

The blaze at the former Faughan Valley school in Drumahoe was tackled by 45 firefighters, with six pumping appliances and one aerial appliance also dispatched. Police also attended the scene after receiving the report around 5am and their enquiries are ongoing. The Drumahoe Road was closed at the junctions with the Glenshane Road and the Fincairn Road but has since been reopened to traffic. Local residents had also been advised to keep windows closed. It's the second time in little over a year that the site has been the target of a 'deliberate' blaze, with the abandoned school also at the centre of a suspected arson attack in March 2024. Locator: Faughan Valley High School The 2024 attack required a similar NIFRS response with around 50 firefighters sent to douse the flames alongside seven pumping appliances, one aerial appliance and a command support unit. A PSNI spokesperson said at the time: "Fortunately, there have been no reports of any injuries. However, there has been significant damage to the building as a result of the blaze. "The fire is being treated as arson and we're appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw any suspicious activity, or has any information, to contact us.' A NIFRS spokesman added at the time the cause of last year's fire was "deliberate ignition". Anyone with any information about the latest incident is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 236 of 31/05/25. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at

Thom Yorke calls Netanyahu an ‘extremist' who ‘needs to be stopped' after being criticised for ‘silence'
Thom Yorke calls Netanyahu an ‘extremist' who ‘needs to be stopped' after being criticised for ‘silence'

Belfast Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Entertainment
  • Belfast Telegraph

Thom Yorke calls Netanyahu an ‘extremist' who ‘needs to be stopped' after being criticised for ‘silence'

Yorke issued a lengthy eight-page statement on the war in Gaza, in which he also decried Hamas for 'choosing to hide behind the suffering of its people'. His comments arrive months after Yorke walked offstage when he was heckled by a pro-Palestine protester during a solo show in Melbourne. Footage filmed by a member of the audience in October 2024 showed a man in the crowd yelling at Yorke about the 'Israeli genocide of Gaza' and the death toll, half of whom he said 'were children'. Yorke could be seen standing and listening before removing his guitar and leaving the stage. He returned shortly after the incident to play Radiohead's 1997 song 'Karma Police.' The musician, who has also come under scrutiny in the past over his decision to continue performing in Israel, has now shared a statement on the incident. Addressing being heckled, he said the concert 'didn't really seem like the best moment to discuss the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza'. Yorke added that, once the show had ended, he' remained in shock that my supposed silence was somehow being taken as complicity, and I struggled to find an adequate way to respond to this and to carry on with the rest of the shows on the tour'. Yorke wrote: 'That silence, my attempt to show respect for all those who are suffering and those who have died, and to not trivialise it in a few words, has allowed other opportunistic groups to use intimidation and defamation to fill in the blanks, and I regret giving them this chance. This has had a heavy toll on my mental health.' The musician said his music was 'evidence' that he 'could not possibly support any form of extremism or dehumanisation of others', before adding: 'I think Netanyahu and his crew of extremists are totally out of control and need to be stopped, and that the international community should put all the pressure it can on them to cease. 'Their excuse of self-defence has long since worn thin and has been replaced by a transparent desire to take control of Gaza and the West Bank permanently.' The remainder of his statement is below: 'I believe this ultra-nationalist administration has hidden itself behind a terrified & grieving people and used them to deflect any criticism, using that fear and grief to further their ultra-nationalist agenda with terrible consequences, as we see now with the horrific blockade of aid to Gaza … 'At the same time the unquestioning Free Palestine refrain that surrounds us all does not answer the simple question of why the hostages have still not all been returned? For what possible reason? 'Why did Hamas choose the truly horrific acts of October 7th? The answer seems obvious, and I believe Hamas chooses too to hide behind the suffering of its people, in an equally cynical fashion for their own purposes.' Yorke shared the statement on Instagram with the caption: 'For those who need to know.. let me fill in the blanks.' The band's history with Israel goes back to their debut single, 'Creep', which received widespread airplay on Israeli radio stations after initially failing to make an impact elsewhere. They played Tel Aviv in 2017, in defiance of the pro-Palestine campaign by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Responding to criticism from British director and BDS supporter Ken Loach, who wrote an op-ed for The Independent urging Radiohead to join the boycott, Yorke said: 'Playing in a country isn't the same as endorsing the government. 'We've played in Israel for over 20 years through a succession of governments, some more liberal than others. As we have in America. We don't endorse [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu any more than [Donald] Trump, but we still play in America.

Leading motorbike rider 'in good spirits' after Isle of Man TT crash
Leading motorbike rider 'in good spirits' after Isle of Man TT crash

Belfast Telegraph

time3 hours ago

  • Automotive
  • Belfast Telegraph

Leading motorbike rider 'in good spirits' after Isle of Man TT crash

The 14-time TT winner was involved in an incident at Kerrowmoar shortly after the combined Superbike, Superstock and Supersport qualifying run began at 6.30pm. Hickman was riding his 8TEN Racing BMW Superstock machine when he crashed, with a red flag situation declared at 6.40pm. Around half an hour afterwards, the organisers confirmed that no further action would take place following reports of rain coming in from the west of the island. An official update was provided on the red flag incident, with 38-year-old Hickman described as 'currently conscious and stable'. Race organisers provided a further updates on Saturday morning. A statement read: 'Peter Hickman, bike number 10, came off at Kerrowmoar on the opening lap of the third qualifying session of TT 2025. He was reported as conscious and stable, and taken via AirMed to Noble's Hospital where he is currently being treated for chest, back, shoulder, and facial injuries. He is described as being 'comfortable' and 'in good spirits'.' Earlier in the day, Hickman said that he wasn't happy with his Superstock machine. 'Interestingly enough, normally I'm pretty happy with the Superstock bike and the Superbike is the one that's hard work, but it seems to be the other way around this time,' he told Manx Radio TT. 'The Superbike is working mint and the 'Stocker I'm not feeling happy with just yet, but we've a bit of time yet.' No laps were completed in the evening qualifying session, which was a contingency slot to give competitors more time on the course after inclement weather disrupted practice week. In a revised schedule on Saturday, additional qualifying sessions are set to go ahead in place of the first Supersport and Sidecar races of TT 2025, which have been moved to Monday — originally a rest day on the event schedule. The Superbike TT over six laps is still scheduled to run on Sunday at 1.30pm, but with more wet weather forecast on Saturday and showers expected on Sunday, the organisers could announce further changes. Bolton-born Dean Harrison, fastest in Wednesday's qualifying session with a 133mph lap on his Honda Racing Superbike, recorded the fastest lap again in Friday afternoon's session, this time on his Superstock machine. The 36-year-old lapped at 132.853mph to lead the Superstock times by 4.3 secs from Hickman, who went round at 132.29mph. Hickman's 8TEN Racing BMW team-mate Davey Todd was third fastest at 132.195mph ahead of Michael Dunlop (MD Racing BMW), who recorded a lap of 130.225mph from a standing start. 'We've got a good idea on which direction we're going now, so it's good,' said Harrison. 'There's so much going on and practice is a bit up and down, but everyone's in the same boat. 'I'm feeling good with the bikes, I feel that I can go quite a bit quicker in a lot of places, so it's good, I can't complain.' Todd was fastest in the Superbike session at 132.673mph after a single lap on his BMW, with Hickman (131.326mph) and Manx rider Conor Cummins (131.027mph) making up the top three. Dunlop has work to do with his new BMW Superbike after he ended the session in fifth, lapping at 129.965mph. The Ballymoney man was fastest in the Supertwin class on his Paton at 122.159mph, while Harrison set a new Supersport qualifying record at 128.093mph to edge out Dunlop (MD Racing Ducati), who did 127.739mph from a standing start. Peter Hickman wasn't the only rider to receive medical attention. Kent's Tom Weeden was also air-lifted to hospital. In a statement, race organisers said: 'Earlier on Friday in the second qualifying session of TT 2025, Tom Weeden, bike number 33, came off at Glen Helen. He was taken to Noble's Hospital via AirMed where he is currently being treated for back, leg and ankle injuries.'

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