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STV News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- STV News
Tram power lines shutdown after demonstrators 'ignore safety issues'
A pro-Palestinian demonstration is set to be rerouted to avoid protesters getting close to the tram line, after an emergency shutdown of power lines was needed at a march over the weekend. Police Scotland expressed concerns over the August 9 march after a demonstration on Saturday saw 'frantic calls' to get the power to the trams cut off over electrocution concerns. They said that the rally's route was changed two days before it started, which made policing it more difficult and led to road closures not being in place in time. The August 9 march, which is estimated to have 500 participants, is set to be held on the same day as a major Orange walk, which will see 1,500 participants descend on the city centre at the height of the festival. The city's licensing sub-committee considered two pro-Palestine demonstrations from the organisers of Saturday's march on Monday, with one set to run on August 2 and the other on August 9. Police sergeant Grant Robinson said: 'Our assessment was that serious safety issues were frankly ignored by participants and stewards. 'Many presented waving high flags and banners on approach to the Edinburgh Tram line. 'This resulted in an emergency shutdown of the overhead power cables, as if the flags or banners touched or came near these items, the electricity would have arced, causing serious injury or worse. 'It's essential that we have agreed routes with sufficient notice, so that safety measures can be put in place in advance, as this caused frantic calls between police and Edinburgh Trams to enable the shutdown.' A spokesperson for Edinburgh Trams confirmed that the power lines were shut down for 15 minutes on Saturday over safety concerns. Sergeant Robinson also said the 'number, ability and knowledge' of the protest stewards was concerning to the police service. He said Police Scotland was willing to arrange third-party free training sessions to 'upskill' stewards. The organisers of the event were not present, having asked if the council sub-committee meeting could be delayed so they could attend. Council officers proposed that the routes of the pro-Palestine rally on August 2 be swapped with one on the 9th, in order to space out the demonstrations happening on that day. Councillors elected not to swap the routes, but modified the route of the march on the 9th to keep it away from the Edinburgh Trams infrastructure. Liberal Democrat councillor Jack Caldwell asked if the organisers could be sanctioned for not attending the sub-committee meeting or for amending the routes of past demonstrations. Council officer Max Mitchell replied: 'This is not a license application, notification of parades. There is no sanction for not attending the committee. 'What the act simply says is that if the council makes an order, and the organiser departs from the terms of that order, that would potentially become a matter for Police Scotland, and would become a statutory offence under the act.' Sergeant Robinson said the police would only charge organisers as a last resort, continuing to say: 'We are very practical. We take an informed, reasonable approach. 'We're looking to do the, you know, engage encourage educate, before we really go down that route. 'I very much stress that we do not want to charge people for exercising their right [to protest], but it is a qualified right.' Addressing the request by council officers to swap the routes of the two marches, Conservative councillor and sub-committee convener Joanna Mowat said: 'I would be mindful not to alter their fundamental structure, as in, they want to go up to the American consulate. 'I don't know why they want to go on the second of August, but that's not relevant for us. 'I would be minded, because we are going to have to do something on the 9th, which is quite a big change that we're going to have to make to their routes, that I wouldn't alter the dates. 'I think public safety has asked us to do that, but I'm not sure we have justification to do that.' For the march on the 9th, committee agreed a new route intended to keep protesters away from the trams, which would run from Waverley Bridge and up Market Street, turning left at the Mound. The previous route had an ambiguous staging area of the Mound itself, which could take protesters close to the tramway at the junction with Princes Street. Cllr Mowat said: 'They shouldn't be going anywhere near tram lines with their banners at that point. 'I mean, obviously that's going to be a conversation public safety is going to have to have with them, because the next thing we're going to have to say is that there will be a no-banners march if they're going anywhere near the tram line.' 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
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Orange offers 4 billion euros for remaining 50% of Spanish unit: Report
MADRID: French telecom operator Orange has offered to buy the 50% it does not own in its Spanish unit MasOrange for 4 billion euros ($4.68 billion), Spanish news website El Confidencial reported on Tuesday, citing unidentified sources. The offer for the stake that is jointly owned by private equity funds KKR , Cinven and Providence is not binding, El Confidencial said. Orange's fully owned Spanish unit last year merged with rival MasMovil , which was owned by the three funds. Orange, MasOrange, KKR and Providence declined to comment, while a spokesperson for Cinven did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
New Look 'flattering' £12 wedding guest dresses selling out in huge summer sale
New Look's summer sale is a great opportunity to snap up stylish outfits for less - whether on the hunt for holiday looks or searching for a wedding guest dress New Look have launched a summer sale with up to 70% off thousands of stylish outfits. Fashion fans with a summer holiday on the horizon or a celebration in the calendar are in luck as among the sale are huge discounts on occasion dresses. Prices start at just £12 so shoppers can snap up 'very flattering' frocks without breaking the bank. With wedding season here, there are plenty of choices on offer including this Red Polka Dot Flutter Sleeve Midi Dress, now £12, or add a 'gorgeous' summer dress to the wardrobe with this Orange Patchwork Print Puff Sleeve Midi Dress - £20.99 down from £34.99. There are many styles to choose from, so to help narrow down the best bargains, we've picked out our favourite pieces from the sale below. From dresses that 'skim' the body, to comfortable options and dressier looks for formal nuptials. Our top picks from New Look's sale V-Neck Floral Devoré Long Sleeve Midi Dress - now £28.79 This New Look design has racked up top-ratings from customers and it's now on sale for £28.79 down from £47.99. There are five colours to choose from, including pale blue and lime green, and it comes in sizes 6 to 22. Fashion fans have labelled the dress as 'outstanding' saying it 'skims over as it falls'. One shopper said they wore it to a wedding and 'had so many compliments'. It has been noted that it 'was very low cut', which may not be suited to all wearers. Shop here. Curves Multicolour Patchwork Print Frill Sleeve Midi Dress - now £17.24 Stocked in sizes 18 to 32, this vibrant midi dress is bound to turn heads in the best way. It boasts a flattering wrap style, so the bodice can be adjusted to fit all wearers, and it has trendy puff sleeves. For another bold and beautiful option, the Tilly Dress from Never Fully Dressed is fun and playful - available in sizes XS to XXXL. Speaking of New Look's dress, one person said the material was a little 'thinner' than expected, but they went on to say the dress is 'beautiful, colourful and lightweight'. Shop here. Pink Floral Print Satin Midi Dress - now £20.99 Ensuring a wedding guest dress is comfortable all day is key - especially during the summer when the weather may be stuffy. This pink midi dress is as pretty from the front as it is from the back, featuring a ruffled neckline with back strap fastening. It also boasts a leg split for easy movement. The dress will look lovely paired with tan or rattan accessories, or for those looking to add a glam finish, we would opt for metallic gold. Now on sale for £20.99 down from £34.99, the discount saves shoppers £14. Shop here. Satin Ruffled Midi Dress - now £23.99 Shoppers wanting to keep their look classic, might want to consider this satin midi dress available in mint green or baby blue. It's on sale for £23.99, originally £39.99, and the matching shoes are also reduced to £26.99. One customer that has already worn it said 'the dress is a lovely shape and colour', however, they were 'not sure about the material'. Alternatively, this Ruffle Detail Slip Dress in emerald green is stocked at Debenhams for £55. It's a unique option as well as being lightweight and floaty. Blue Checked Floral Print Satin Midi Dress - now £19.79 An elegant choice for a summer occasion, this blue midi dress features a charming combination of checks and florals. The flowing silhouette keeps the wearer comfortable and ruching in the back accommodates for lots of body types. The back also boasts a key-hole cut out, setting the dress apart from the rest and giving it a quirky finish. We would pair ours with lots of layered necklaces and strappy sandals.
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Pro-Palestine demonstration set to be rerouted to avoid protesters getting close to the tram line
A pro-Palestine demonstration is set to be rerouted to avoid protesters getting close to the tram line, after an emergency shutdown of power lines was needed at a march over the weekend. Police Scotland expressed concerns over the August 9 march after a demonstration on Saturday saw 'frantic calls' to get the power to the trams cut off over electrocution concerns. And they said that the rally had its route changed two days before it started, which added difficulty for them in policing it and led to road closures not being in place in time. The August 9 march with an estimated 500 participants is set to be held on the same day as a major Orange walk, which is set to see 1,500 participants descend on the city centre at the height of the festival. The city's Licensing Sub-Committee considered two pro-Palestine demonstrations from the organisers of Saturday's march on Monday, with one set to run on August 2 and the other on August 9. Police sergeant Grant Robinson said: 'Our assessment was that serious safety issues were frankly ignored by participants and stewards. 'Many presented waving high flags and banners on approach to the Edinburgh Tram line. 'This resulted in an emergency shutdown of the overhead power cables, as if the flags or banners touched or came near these items, the electricity would have arced, causing serious injury or worse. 'It's essential that we have agreed routes with sufficient notice, so that safety measures can be put in place in advance, as this caused frantic calls between police and Edinburgh Trams to enable the shutdown.' A spokesperson for Edinburgh Trams confirmed that the power lines were shut down for 15 minutes on Saturday over safety concerns. Sergeant Robinson also said the 'number, ability and knowledge' of the protest stewards was concerning to the police service. He said Police Scotland was willing to arrange third-party free training sessions to 'upskill' stewards. The organisers of the event were not present, having asked if the council sub-committee meeting could be delayed so they could attend. Council officers proposed that the routes of the pro-Palestine rally on the 2nd be swapped with one on the 9th, in order to space out the demonstrations happening on that day. Councillors elected not to swap the routes, but modified the route of the march on the 9th to keep it away from the Edinburgh Trams infrastructure. Liberal Democrat councillor Jack Caldwell asked if the organisers could be sanctioned for not attending the sub-committee meeting or for amending the routes of past demonstrations. Council officer Max Mitchell replied: 'This is not a license application, notification of parades. There is no sanction for not attending committee. 'What the act simply says is that if the council makes an order, and the organiser departs from the terms of that order, that would potentially become a matter for Police Scotland, and would become a statutory offence under the act.' Sergeant Robinson said the police would only charge organisers as a last resort, continuing to say: 'We are very practical. We take an informed, reasonable approach. 'We're looking to do the, you know, engage encourage educate, before we really go down that route. 'I very much stress that we do not want to charge people for exercising their right [to protest], but it is a qualified right.' Addressing the request by council officers to swap the routes of the two marches, Conservative councillor and sub-committee convener Joanna Mowat said: 'I would be mindful not to alter their fundamental structure, as in, they want to go up to the American consulate. 'I don't know why they want to go on the second of August, but that's not relevant for us. 'I would be minded, because we are going to have to do something on the ninth, which is quite a big change that we're going to have to make to their routes, that I wouldn't alter the dates. 'I think public safety have asked us to do that, but I'm not sure we have justification to do that.' For the march on the 9th, committee agreed a new route intended to keep protesters away from the trams, which would run from Waverley Bridge and up Market Street, turning left at the Mound. The previous route had an ambiguous staging area of the Mound itself, which could take protesters close to the tramway at the junction with Princes Street. Cllr Mowat said: 'They shouldn't be going anywhere near tram lines with their banners at that point. 'I mean, obviously that's going to be a conversation public safety are going to have to have with them, because the next thing we're going to have to say is that there will be a no banners march if they're going anywhere near the tram line.' By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Pro-Palestine march through Edinburgh to be re-routed to avoid banners touching tram lines
A pro-Palestine demonstration is set to be rerouted to avoid protesters getting close to the tram line, after an emergency shutdown of power lines was needed at a march over the weekend. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Police Scotland expressed concerns over the August 9 march after a demonstration on Saturday saw 'frantic calls' to get the power to the trams cut off over electrocution concerns. And they said that the rally had its route changed two days before it started, which added difficulty for them in policing it and led to road closures not being in place in time. A pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Mound in 2023. Picture: Lisa Ferguson. | LISA FERGUSON Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The August 9 march with an estimated 500 participants is set to be held on the same day as a major Orange walk, which is expected to see 1,500 participants descend on the city centre at the height of the Festival. The city's Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday considered two pro-Palestine demonstrations from the organisers of Saturday's march, with one set to run on August 2 and the other on August 9. Police sergeant Grant Robinson said: 'Our assessment was that serious safety issues were frankly ignored by participants and stewards. Many presented waving high flags and banners on approach to the Edinburgh Tram line. 'This resulted in an emergency shutdown of the overhead power cables, as if the flags or banners touched or came near these items, the electricity would have arced, causing serious injury or worse. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's essential that we have agreed routes with sufficient notice, so that safety measures can be put in place in advance, as this caused frantic calls between police and Edinburgh Trams to enable the shutdown.' A spokesperson for Edinburgh Trams confirmed that the power lines were shut down for 15 minutes on Saturday over safety concerns. Sergeant Robinson also said the 'number, ability and knowledge' of the protest stewards was concerning to the police service. He said Police Scotland was willing to arrange third-party free training sessions to 'upskill' stewards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The organisers of the event were not present, having asked if the council sub-committee meeting could be delayed so they could attend. Council officers proposed that the routes of the pro-Palestine rally on the 2nd be swapped with one on the 9th, in order to space out the demonstrations happening on that day. Councillors elected not to swap the routes, but modified the route of the march on the 9th to keep it away from the Edinburgh Trams infrastructure. Liberal Democrat councillor Jack Caldwell asked if the organisers could be sanctioned for not attending the sub-committee meeting or for amending the routes of past demonstrations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A council officer replied: 'This is not a license application, notification of parades. There is no sanction for not attending committee. 'What the act simply says is that if the council makes an order, and the organiser departs from the terms of that order, that would potentially become a matter for Police Scotland, and would become a statutory offence under the act.' Sergeant Robinson said the police would only charge organisers as a last resort, continuing to say: 'We are very practical. We take an informed, reasonable approach. 'We're looking to engage, encourage, educate, before we really go down that route. I very much stress that we do not want to charge people for exercising their right [to protest], but it is a qualified right.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Addressing the request by council officers to swap the routes of the two marches, Conservative councillor and sub-committee convener Joanna Mowat said: 'I would be mindful not to alter their fundamental structure, as in, they want to go up to the American consulate. I don't know why they want to go on August 2, but that's not relevant for us. 'I would be minded, because we are going to have to do something on the 9th, which is quite a big change that we're going to have to make to their routes, that I wouldn't alter the dates. I think public safety have asked us to do that, but I'm not sure we have justification to do that.' For the march on the 9th, committee agreed a new route intended to keep protesters away from the trams, which would run from Waverley Bridge and up Market Street, turning left at the Mound. The previous route had an ambiguous staging area of the Mound itself, which could take protesters close to the tramway at the junction with Princes Street. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cllr Mowat said: 'They shouldn't be going anywhere near tram lines with their banners at that point. I mean, obviously that's going to be a conversation public safety are going to have to have with them, because the next thing we're going to have to say is that there will be a no banners march if they're going anywhere near the tram line.'
