Dr Ju Young Um, a 34-year-old anaesthetist, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of 23 voyeurism charges. The Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how Um installed hidden cameras inside air fresheners and a smoke alarm in his Hyndland property, which he partially rented out on Airbnb. The devices were strategically placed to capture individuals in private situations, leading to the recording of over 24 people over a span of more than three years.

The discovery of the cameras was prompted by a victim who noticed the unusual positioning of two air fresheners in the bathroom. Upon closer inspection, hidden cameras were found inside the plastic containers, and a subsequent search revealed a third camera concealed within a smoke alarm. The victim's report to the police led to the seizure of the cameras, along with a mobile phone, laptop, and storage device containing recordings of several individuals.

Further investigations uncovered that Um had also covertly filmed people in private situations within staff accommodation at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Fraser Gibson, the procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, described Um's actions as calculated and premeditated, emphasizing the breach of trust and the significant violation of privacy for his own sexual gratification.

In addition to the prison sentence, Um has been placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and will remain on licence for a further nine months following his release, during which time he will be subject to close monitoring and supervision. The case highlights the severe consequences of violating privacy and the importance of vigilance in shared and rented accommodations.

King Charles has joined forces with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a previously unpublicized podcast recording focused on global conservation efforts. The 22-minute episode, titled "Unearthed: The Need For Seeds," was recorded in the private gardens of Windsor Castle in July and features the monarch alongside Blanchett and Kew seed scientist Dr. Elinor Breman. This marks only the second podcast recording in the King's public life, demonstrating his continued commitment to environmental causes that have defined much of his royal work.

The conversation centered on the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex, which King Charles originally opened in 2000 and has maintained an active interest in since. The facility represents one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, having collected, cleaned, dried and stored nearly 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 plant species in walk-in freezers maintained at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Both the King and Blanchett, who became Wakehurst's first ambassador last year, emphasized the critical importance of this work in preserving global biodiversity.

During the discussion, Blanchett expressed concern about the rapid loss of natural habitats, noting that "97 percent of wildflower meadows have been decimated" in recent decades. She highlighted the disconnect between perceived natural beauty and actual ecological fragility, stating that "there is an urgency to the work that the seed bank does." The King echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his long-standing awareness of environmental degradation, particularly the damage to flower-rich meadows since the postwar period.

The podcast also touched on broader conservation challenges, including the need for increased funding and public awareness. Blanchett pointed to the frustration of seeing "so many extraordinary initiatives right there ready to be scaled up" but lacking financial support and direction. King Charles acknowledged both the progress made and the need to accelerate conservation efforts, stating that while the seed bank's work is "wonderful," the process must speed up to address escalating environmental threats facing plant species worldwide.