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MSPs consider protected status for ancient breed of goats

A petition aimed at safeguarding the animals on Langholm Moor has garnered over 22,000 signatures.

A bid to grant protected status to a historic herd of wild goats will be presented to the Scottish Parliament, as campaigners advocate for their preservation.

Three feral goat kids on Langholm Moor with black and white fur they are lying in long brown grasses — A petition calling for protected status for the goats has gathered more than 22,000 signatures

A petition with over 22,000 signatures is calling for protection of the wild goats that inhabit the moors between Langholm and Newcastleton, highlighting the strong public support for their conservation.

However, landowners have expressed concerns that the goat population is too large, and that reducing their numbers through culling would help mitigate their environmental impact on the area.

The Wild Goat Conservation Trust (WGCT) is urging members of the parliament's petitions committee to consider the significance of the goats to the local community and the importance of preserving them.

For residents like Nicola Hood, who has lived in the area for nearly seven years, the goats hold a special place in her heart, having formed a strong bond with them.

According to Hood, the goats are an integral part of the local landscape, making the area feel like home, and their presence is deeply meaningful to her.

She believes that the goats are a unique and essential part of the environment, and their loss would be irreparable.

Hood has expressed concerns that if culling continues, the goat population could become extinct, which would be a devastating outcome for the local ecosystem.

David Braithwaite, chairman of the WGCT, is advocating for a more coordinated approach to managing the goat population, rather than relying on individual landowners to make decisions.

A man in a black hat with glasses and a green jacket stands in front of a fence with tree-lined hills in the background — David Braithwaite said the goats had been in the area for a "very long time"

Braithwaite has noted that some landowners are opting to cull the goats without a comprehensive understanding of the overall population, which could have unintended consequences.

He believes that granting protected status to the goats would be a crucial step in ensuring their long-term survival, as it would require landowners to work together to develop a unified management plan.

This approach would ultimately lead to a sustainable population of wild goats, which is the primary goal of the conservation efforts.

The WGCT has emphasized that these wild goats have been present in the area for a long time, highlighting their historical significance and the importance of preserving them for future generations.

Oxygen Conservation, a rewilding company that acquired a portion of the moor in 2023, has stated that it does not intend to eradicate the goats, but rather to manage their population as part of a broader landscape management plan.

Goats and their kids on Langholm Moor - there are about 10 of them in total. The adults have dark fur while the younger animals are predominantly white. — NatureScot said goat numbers could increase rapidly if not properly managed

The company has acknowledged that the current goat population is higher than historic levels, and that a comprehensive approach to managing the landscape is necessary to ensure a balanced ecosystem.

The Scottish government has indicated that it does not currently plan to grant protected status to the feral goats, but will consider the recommendations of the petitions committee.

In its written submission, NatureScot recognized the strong emotions surrounding the issue, but also noted the potential risks associated with feral goats, which are considered an invasive non-native species.

A large feral goat on Langholm Moor surrounded by long grass. It has a thick black coat and horns. — Campaigners say they fear the goats could become extinct

NatureScot has warned that if left unmanaged, the goat population could cause significant damage to the natural environment, and has recommended a collaborative approach to developing a sustainable management plan.

The organization has emphasized the importance of proper management to prevent the rapid growth of the goat population and to mitigate their environmental impact.

Currently, culling goats in Scotland is permitted as long as animal welfare standards are met, as they are not a protected species, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to ensure their preservation.

Campaigners are hopeful that they can persuade the Scottish government to grant protected status to the wild goats, which would provide a higher level of protection and ensure their long-term survival.

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Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

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Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling

A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.

The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

A close-up photo of Chloe Mitchell - a young woman with long, straight, fair hair - smiling at the camera. She is wearing black-framed sunglasses with blue lenses on her head, which are partially visible. — Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing in 2023

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.

Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.

Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.

Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.

The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.

The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.

The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.

The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.

The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.

Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.

Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.

Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.

Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.

The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

A close-up of Brandon Rainey, a man with short, fair hair and stubble, looking at the camera. He is sitting in a vehicle on a dark, wet night. — Brandon Rainey is accused of the murder of Chloe Mitchell

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.

The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.

Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.

Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.

George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.

He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.

However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.

The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia". — Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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