Latest from STV News
STV News
21 minutes ago
- STV News
Teen who wanted to carry out 'Doomsday' mass shooting at school to be sentenced
An Edinburgh teenager who wanted to carry out a mass shooting at his own school is to be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow. Felix Winter, now aged 18, repeatedly spoke about carrying out an attack at his secondary, referring to the day he would 'clear it out' as 'Doomsday'. Jurors previously heard the teenager 'idolised' the killers behind the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado in the United States in 1999, which saw 12 students and a teacher gunned down. A major police investigation began in the summer of 2023 after a photo circulated on social media showing Winter at school in full combat gear, carrying an imitation gun, which caused panic among pupils and parents. He had already been referred to a UK-wide anti-terrorism programme aimed at preventing radicalisation. He also held racist and pro-Nazi views. Winter pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace and a charge under the Terrorism Act. His offending took place between June 2022 and July 2023. Defence KC Shelach McCall told the court in March that a professor who assessed her client found a 'serious link' between his autism and his behaviour, arguing it was his condition – rather than extremism – that drove his obsession with school shootings. Ms McCall said Winter had made a 'marked improvement' since his offending. She said: 'He has expressed regret and recognises that he didn't previously appreciate how his behaviour was impacting on others. 'He accepts in the context of his plea of guilty and his remarks about school shootings in 2022, him dressing in that costume and carrying that in a school would generate alarm to those who came upon it but this was not his intent.' Winter will appear at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, July 30. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
21 minutes ago
- Climate
- STV News
Tsunami warnings across Pacific Ocean after 8.8 magnitude earthquake
One of the world's strongest earthquakes struck Russia's Far East on Wednesday as an 8.8-magnitude tremor set off a tsunami in the northern Pacific and prompted warnings for Alaska, Hawaii and south toward New Zealand. A tsunami has hit coastal areas of Russia's Kuril Islands and Japan's large northern island of Hokkaido after an 8.7-magnitude earthquake early on Wednesday. People were advised to move to higher ground in multiple locations, but places where tsunami waves have already washed ashore have reported no significant damage. Waves under 30 centimetres above tide levels were observed in the Alaskan communities of Amchitka and Adak, said Dave Snider, tsunami warning co-ordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Centre in Alaska. A Tsunami WARNING has been issued by the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for the Hawaiian Islands following a massive 8.7 earthquake off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia. The first tsunami wave is estimated to arrive in Hawaii by 7:17pm Hawaii Standard Time, July 29, 2025.… — Pacific Disaster Center – PDC Global (@PDC_Global) July 30, 2025 A tsunami of 60 centimetres was recorded at Hamanaka on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate on the main island, up from the earlier tsunami of 40cm, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. A spokesman said second or third tsunami waves of tsunami had arrived, adding high waves may last for at least a day. Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said no injuries or damage have been reported and issued an evacuation advisory to more than 900,000 people along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Okinawa. The first tsunami wave hit the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk, the main settlement on Russia's Kuril Islands in the Pacific, according to the local governor Valery Limarenko. He said residents were safe and staying on high ground until the threat of a repeat wave was gone. Damage and evacuations were reported in the Russian regions nearest the quake's epicentre on the Kamchatka Peninsula. PA Media An empty beach in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, western Japan after beachgoers evacuated (Kyodo News/AP). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said waves of one to three metres above tide level were possible along some coastal areas of Hawaii, Chile, Japan and the Solomon Islands. Waves of more than three metres were possible along some coastal areas of Russia and Ecuador. The centre said a tsunami could cause damage along the coastlines of all the Hawaiian islands. 'Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property,' the warning stated. Cars jammed streets and highways in Honolulu as the tsunami alerts coincided with the Tuesday afternoon rush hour. Warning sirens blared as people moved to higher ground. China's Ministry of Natural Resources' Tsunami Warning Centre issued an alert for parts of the country's east coast along Shanghai and Zhejiang provinces, which are already under alert with Typhoon CoMay expected to land in the Zhejiang province Wednesday. The quake at 8.25am Japan time had a preliminary magnitude of 8.0, Japan and US seismologists said. Japan and the US Geological Survey (USGS) later updated their measurements to 8.7 magnitude and the USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of 12 miles. PA Media In this image taken from a video released by the Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, rescuers inspect a kindergarten damaged by an earthquake in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service/AP). The quake was about 160 miles away from Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's four big islands, and was felt only slightly, according to Japan's NHK television. Russia's Tass news agency reported from the biggest city near the epicentre, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, that many people ran out into the street without shoes or outerwear. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably. Tass also reported power outages and mobile phone service failures in the capital of the Kamchatka region, quoting a local Russian official as saying residents on Sakhalin Island were being evacuated and emergency services were working at full capacity. Russian news agencies quoted the regional health ministry saying several people sought medical help in Kamchatka after the earthquake, but no serious injuries were reported. The National Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Alaska, issued a tsunami warning for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands and a watch for portions of the west coast, including California, Oregon and Washington, as well as Hawaii. The advisory also includes a vast swath of Alaska's coastline. PA Media People who evacuated to Hiyoriyama mountain watch toward the sea in Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture, northern Japan (Muneyoshi Someya/Kyodo News/AP). The earthquake appeared to be the strongest anywhere in the world since the March 2011 earthquake off northeast Japan that measured 9.0 magnitude and caused a massive tsunami that set off meltdowns at a Fukushima nuclear power plant. Only a few stronger earthquakes have been measured around the world. Japanese nuclear power plants along the Pacific coast have reported no abnormalities after Wednesday's earthquake. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, which operates the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, said about 4,000 workers are taking shelter on higher ground at the plant complex while monitoring remotely to ensure plant safety. Philippine authorities warned provinces and towns along the archipelago's eastern coast facing the Pacific of possible tsunami waves of less than one metre and advised people to stay away from the beach and coastal areas. New Zealand authorities issued warnings of 'strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges' along coastlines throughout the country. The alert by the government emergency management agency said people should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas, and away from harbours, marinas, rivers and estuaries. New Zealand is in the South Pacific and about 6,000 miles from the epicentre. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- STV News
First British person paid damages by church for exorcism of ‘gay demons'
ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand spoke to Matthew Drapper who was put through conversion therapy and received a five-figure compensation from the church. A man has been paid compensation for an exorcism which attempted to rid him of 'gay demons' in what is believed to be the first legal settlement of its kind in the UK. Speaking on camera for the first time, Matthew Drapper told ITV News he was led to believe demons had left his mouth during the intense prayer session at St Thomas Philadelphia Church in Sheffield in 2014. 'They said that one of the reactions you'll have is that when people are praying for you to get rid of the demonic influence, you'll want to stop. And that's a sign that you should carry on and that you should push through. And they said you might have a physical reaction', he said describing the prayer session. Mr Drapper was told to 'push out' his homosexuality from his body during the intense prayer session at St Thomas Philadelphia Church in Sheffield Following an independent report by Barnardos in 2023 which upheld complaints by Mr Drapper, St Thomas Philadelphia, which is a joint Church of England-Baptist church, has now paid him a five-figure sum in compensation for the harm caused by the exorcism. Since ITV News first investigated conversion practices in 2018, successive governments have promised to ban them. But despite repeated pledges no law has yet been brought forward. ITV News has been told the Labour government still has no timeframe for outlining a bill to ban conversion therapy, after committing to one in both its 2024 manifesto and last year's King's Speech. ITV News also understands the Prime Minister recommitting to a ban at a reception in No10 to celebrate Pride, but no details were given. Campaigners for a ban hope Mr Drapper's case will act as another form of deterrent, with the potential for many more legal cases to be brought against churches which practice conversion therapy. Richard Scorer, who represented Mr Drapper, told ITV News that the win would 'lay down a marker that if people are harmed as a result of practises like this, then there is the potential to take action and seek accountability for that'. ITV News spoke to Richard Scorer who believes there will be many more legal cases ITV News understands that a bill drafted by civil servants and the Equalities Minister Dame Nia Griffith has reached No10 for consideration, but hasn't progressed any further. It is understood that sticking points remain around religious freedoms, the question of whether someone can 'consent' to conversion therapy, as well as what role parents should be allowed to play in the case of children who may be questioning their sexuality or gender identity. It is also understood the government is carefully considering the recent Supreme Court judgement on the definition of a woman before proceeding with a ban, as well as requesting more evidence of current conversion practices. Speaking on Thursday, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted the Government would sill deliver a ban. He said. 'It's still something the government's committed to. I'm not aware of the schedule around that. 'But it's something we've been absolutely clear on and we'll take the action we promised them.' A Government spokesperson from the Cabinet office told ITV News: 'Conversion practices are abuse – such acts have no place in society and must be stopped. 'We committed to bringing forward legislation to finally ban conversion practices, as one of our legislative priorities set out in the King's Speech.' Much of this frustrates campaigners, who argue these points have already been considered at length by previous governments, causing unnecessary delay. But those who oppose a full-scale ban on a variety of grounds believe a ban could have unintended consequences, such as stifling freedom of religion or preventing constructive conversations about gender identity with parents and teachers. The Church of St Thomas Philadelphia responded to ITV News several days after publication of our report to claim that compensation was paid only in response to the way Matthew Drapper's case was handled and not in response to any reported harm from the prayer session. Mr Drapper's lawyer disputes this. The Church says that it does not practice or support conversion therapy. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- STV News
Five arrests made during police operation for Trump's visit to Scotland
Five arrests were made during one of the 'biggest operations in Police Scotland's history' as Donald Trump visited the country. More than 7,000 officers were mobilised for 'Operation Roll 2' during the visit of the US President across five days. The operation included local, national and specialist officers from Police Scotland as well as officers from UK police forces. Trump met with notable figures such as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney during visits to Turnberry and Balmedie. A number of demonstrations and protests took place across the country including in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Police said five arrests were made in connection with Operation Roll 2, described as one of the biggest operations in the force's history. A 25-year-old male was arrested in Glasgow on Friday in relation to an offence of threatening or abusive behaviour at Balmedie on July 24. He is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Wednesday, August 20. A 65-year-old female was arrested at Balmedie on Friday in relation to an offence of threatening or abusive behaviour. She was cautioned, charged and reported to the Procurator Fiscal. A 25-year-old male was arrested in Prestwick on Friday and issued with a Recorded Police Warning (RPW) for an offence relating to threatening or abusive behaviour. A 41-year-old male was arrested at Glasgow Airport on Sunday for assault and an Aviation Act offence. He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday and was remanded in custody. A 50-year-old female was also issued with an RPW on Sunday near to the American Consulate in Edinburgh for an offence relating to threatening or abusive behaviour. Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond, Gold commander for the police operation, said: 'This significant event took place safely without any serious disruption. 'A policing plan was put in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption. 'I'd like to thank the public for their patience as we worked tirelessly to deliver this operation, while police work continued in communities across Scotland. 'Most importantly, I'd like to thank our officers and staff. Thank you for your professionalism and hard work during every long shift away from your family and friends. 'Every single officer and member of police staff should be incredibly proud of how we delivered this significant operation while keeping communities safe across Scotland.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
10 hours ago
- Health
- STV News
'Chris Hoy effect' sees patients wait over a year for urology appointments
Waiting times of more than a year to get a urology appointment have been partly due to 'the Chris Hoy effect', members of NHS Forth Valley's board have heard. Members were told that more than 70 people have been waiting more than 52 weeks to see a specialist in the Forth Valley area, but the board was reassured that work is now under way to tackle the backlog. The board's regular performance report showed concerns over waiting times for cancer treatment but urology was highlighted as a concern. Garry Fraser, director of acute services at NHS Forth Valley, told members that nationally there had been a huge upsurge in the numbers of men looking for testing for prostate cancer, after Olympic hero Chris Hoy shared his diagnosis. He said: 'They are calling it the 'Chris Hoy effect''. 'It's a good thing, in a sense, in that people are coming to get checked but it has caused a spike across the whole country in the number of referrals to urology.' The report added that there have also been 'staffing challenges' in the urology speciality, due to sickness absence, but members were told there is 'a plan in place' to ensure that the backlog is dealt with and waiting times come down. Mr Fraser said it is likely that the levels will reduce again in the coming months. The performance report also shows that Forth Valley has continued to struggle with improve on meeting its targets for treatment in the emergency department and across Forth Valley Royal Hospital as a whole. But Mr Fraser said that a recent decision to work closely with Falkirk's Health and Social Care Partnership to move patients who have been delayed in their discharge from hospital is beginning to show signs of success. He reported that 35 patients have now been moved into the community which is freeing up hospital beds in the over-stretched hospital in Larbert. 'This piece of work has really helped to free up areas and get our flow going,' he said. Another new addition is a 'frailty unit' which identifies frail patients at the front door and getting them treatment quickly in order to discharge them without delay. Mr Fraser said that the most recent figures will show that the work means that the hospital has fewer 12-hour waits for patients in July. Work will continue to look at staffing levels in the Emergency Department, to make sure that staffing matches the volume of patients, particularly during back shift hours. He admitted that while overall performance was showing an improvement 'it is still quite variable' and they will continue to monitor the situation. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
