John Donald, a tech-savvy grandfather and entrepreneur who sells robotic falcons globally, lost nearly £100,000 to cyber criminals during the pandemic. Despite his initial suspicions, the pressure from fraudsters led him to transfer the funds to a fake bank account. The incident occurred when his family business was experiencing a 95% drop in turnover. Police Scotland reported a 68% increase in fraud since 2018, with 17,000 cases last year, most of which were online.

The Scottish government has confirmed an independent public inquiry into the police handling of the Emma Caldwell murder investigation, following the life imprisonment of Iain Packer for her murder and offences against 22 women. The inquiry, announced by Justice Secretary Angela Constance, aims to scrutinize the case, understand the failures, and provide answers to victims and survivors. The Caldwell family seeks to create a legacy for Emma and other victims of sexual violence. The Lord Advocate has also confirmed that an external police force will investigate the conduct of officers involved in the original inquiry.

A former sheriff, Alistair Duff, was fined £1,275 after being overheard making sexual and racist remarks during an online training call for justices of the peace. The 69-year-old former solicitor advocate and director of the Judicial Institute of Scotland forgot to switch off his microphone during a lunch break. His comments were reported to police, who discovered he had been speaking to a man watching pornography. Duff's defense acknowledged his actions destroyed his reputation, and Sheriff Douglas Keir considered Duff's long career in his judgment. Duff had also represented Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, convicted of the Lockerbie bombing.

The inquiry into the abuse of young offenders and vulnerable children in care in Scotland from 1930 to 2014 has begun, with survivors urging an investigation into 'organised predatory paedophiles.' The focus is on residential accommodation for young offenders and children in need of care and protection, examining the extent of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Shelagh McCall KC, representing In Care Abuse Survivors, highlighted the lifelong damage suffered by members in these institutions and questioned why the brutality of the regimes was tolerated and why abusers were allowed to move between institutions.

Scotland's Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain is seeking to change evidence rules in rape cases to allow distress as evidence of the act, potentially increasing prosecutions. The 1997 ruling currently limits distress evidence to lack of consent. The appeal court, with a panel of seven judges, is hearing the case. Roddy Dunlop KC opposes the move, citing risks of wrongful convictions and suggesting the Scottish Parliament should decide on such changes. The decision will be announced later and won't affect a specific Aberdeen case.

The Court of Session in Scotland has launched a live streaming service called 'Court of Session Live' to enhance public access to justice. The service will regularly stream most cases handled by the Inner House from the 19th Century Court 1 at Parliament House in Edinburgh. The initiative, led by Inner House judge Lord Pentland, aims to ensure justice is transparent in a modern court system. Not all cases will be streamed, with exceptions for witness confidentiality or involvement of children. The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service will publish details on forthcoming cases in advance.

A collection of 18 photos captures the vibrant nightlife of Huddersfield, showcasing people enjoying their time at various venues such as Camel Club and Meltham Lib. The images, taken by photographer David Cowan over the past year, are part of the Big Night Out feature. Venues in Huddersfield or across Yorkshire interested in being featured can contact craig.jones@reachplc.com.

Photographer David Cowan captures the vibrant nightlife of Huddersfield in a photo feature showcasing the town's party spirit at popular venues The Crown and The Kings Head. The venues are known for live music, DJs, sports, and real ales.

The article discusses the historical and cultural significance of clothing, tracing back to the biblical figures Adam and Eve. It explores the various purposes clothing serves, from basic functionality and protection to the expression of identity through uniforms or fashion choices. The author reflects on the thought process behind what people wear, regardless of their budget, suggesting that clothing choices are a universal consideration in human society.