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STV News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
'More talks needed' over future trophy celebrations in Glasgow
More talks are needed with Glasgow football clubs and fans over future trophy celebrations to stop the disruption faced by city centre residents, councillors say. Locals said streets became a 'no go area for residents, businesses and traffic' on Saturday when thousands of Celtic fans gathered for an unofficial title party. They said normal life was 'brought to a standstill' as flares were set off and rubbish, including bottles and cans, was left behind. On Friday, Celtic urged fans not to attend 'unlicensed large public gatherings' – a move that has been welcomed by the council, which also says the city will support clubs or supporters' groups who are 'serious' about holding 'safe' events. Meetings have previously been held to discuss the issue between the council, Police Scotland and Celtic and Rangers. They came after a similar celebration was held by Celtic fans last year. Bailie Christy Mearns, Greens, who represents the city centre, said she would be 'pressing for a better forum' to discuss solutions. Fan zones, financial contributions from football clubs and a more 'proactive' public response to issues like cleansing should be considered, she suggested. Glasgow Labour leader Rashid Hussain said his party wants to see 'more meaningful engagement with supporter groups and clubs'. Thousands of Celtic fans descended on the Trongate following the club's 1-1 draw with St Mirren at Celtic Park. After the game, the players were presented with the Premiership trophy. Some supporters climbed traffic lights and the Mercat Cross while several roads were closed. Bus shelters had been dismantled ahead of the gathering. Police Scotland confirmed officers had made six arrests around the Trongate. A council spokesman said: 'What we have seen over recent seasons are the consequences of groups arranging and promoting mass gatherings without making even the most basic arrangements to keep the people attending safe – or taking account of the needs of the local community. 'The council has heard the concerns and the frustrations of the residents and businesses that have felt the greatest impact from the disruption these gatherings have caused – and we have tried to ensure those are also taken on board by football clubs and other stakeholders. 'We have been clear – both this season and in previous years – that if clubs, supporters' groups or others are serious about wanting to hold safe, sustainable celebration events then the city will support them in any way it can.' Bailie Mearns said: 'Most people who chose to participate in the celebrations did so in a manner entirely reasonable, however the actions of a smaller number was enough to create completely unacceptable conditions for many living in the city centre. 'With such an impact being felt on a relatively regular basis, it's imperative that more is done to bring parties round the table to discuss solutions which many would like to see considered more seriously, such as fan zones, financial contributions from football clubs and more proactive public response in terms of cleansing facilities, for example. 'I'll continue pressing for a better forum to be set up which enables these conversations to be had and for parties to be held to account on the actions being taken.' Bailie Hussain added: 'Football is a huge part of Glasgow's identity, but celebrations must be safe and respectful for everyone in the city. 'Glasgow Labour calls for more meaningful engagement with supporter groups and clubs. We need a more constructive approach that allows fans to celebrate while preventing disruption to local communities and public services.' Following Saturday's celebrations, a spokesperson for Merchant City and Trongate Community Council, which represents residents, said city centre streets were 'turned into a 'no go' area'. They added: 'The event was mainly good humoured but an historic monument, traffic lights and a subway station roof were climbed upon. Flares and firecrackers were set off. Normal life in and around Glasgow Cross and Trongate was brought to a standstill.' The statement added the community council was grateful Celtic spoke out 'at long last' but fans had 'ignored the belated appeal'. It continued: 'It is clear Celtic cannot control its supporters when they take to the streets. We repeat our request made two years ago, that should there be another such occasion the club organises – at its cost – its own celebration at Parkhead, the Emirates across the road from the stadium, Glasgow Green or any other venue of its choice.' Celtic had asked fans to celebrate in 'a safe and responsible manner' as unlicensed large public gatherings don't have 'safety planning, facilities or infrastructure for supporters attending'. The club added: 'Celtic has been trying for some time to work with city stakeholders to seek to discuss and develop plans, which might allow for a more suitable venue for celebratory events away from Celtic Park. 'We can assure our fans that we will continue to do so, as we strive to develop appropriate arrangements for our supporters in the future, as is the case in other cities.' 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
Glasgow Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow former Labour deputy on bowing out of leadership contest
Councillor Rashid Hussain has been elected as the party's new leader while Councillor John Carson was chosen as deputy – replacing Bailie Siddique at an AGM on Tuesday. Southside Central councillor Siddique said she bowed out of the contest due to additional barriers that come with being a Muslim woman in politics. Reacting to the new appointments, Councillor Siddique said: 'Congratulations to the new leadership team. Thank you Labour and Glasgow for trusting me as deputy leader. I've felt the glass ceiling, but I'm still here fighting for real Labour values. READ MORE: Council paying out over £32m per year after equal pay settlement 'To BAME women, you belong in politics.' She told the LDRS: 'I chose not to run for the group leader because being a BAME woman in politics often means navigating unnecessary additional barriers. 'As divisive voices grow louder, I believe more than ever that our politics, especially at the local level, needs strong vocal labour voices. That is exactly what I intend to be. I would like to thank the members of the Labour Group and party who have supported me.' Dr Siddique, who has a PhD in cancer research, said she hopes her presence will encourage another 'hijab wearing female' to enter politics. READ MORE: Glasgow English teacher boasted about the size of his manhood, court hears Explaining more about her background, she said: 'I'm the daughter of migrant parents, raised in a tenement in Anderston and the first in my family to go to university. I never set out to be a career politician but I couldn't stay silent in the face of injustice. Breaking the glass ceiling as a woman of colour has meant facing racism, Islamophobia, and misogyny, not just in society but within the political party system itself. ' She added: 'When I ask why I carry on, it's because I hope another hijab wearing female from a not-so-privileged background will step forward and put her name on the ballot. We can't afford to let politics be dragged backwards by the forces of populist parties, people like me demand a voice in the politics of today.' New deputy leader of the Labour group, Councillor Carson, said: 'I'd like to pay tribute to our outgoing depute leader, Soriya Siddique, who has performed the role with class and dignity over the past three years—particularly while confronting some of the worst prejudices still faced by our BAME communities.' Greater Pollok councillor Hussain was replacing former leader George Redmond, who decided to step aside.
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Candidates to lead Labour on Glasgow council revealed as party veteran stands down
Two Labour councillors are in the running to become their party's next leader on Glasgow council. Rashid Hussain and Jill Pidgeon are the contenders to succeed party veteran George Redmond who is standing down. It means the Labour group will elect their first female leader in decades or their first BAME leader. But it is understood there were no nominations for the posts of Chair or Business Manager , landing the victor a potential headache in running the party in the city chambers. Hussain, a Bailie , is a data analyst for an aerospace company and sits on the council's Net Zero and Climate Progress Monitoring committee. Pidgeon, Labour 's education spokesperson on the council, is a company director and works for MP Zubir Ahmed. She would be Labour's first female group leader on the council in Glasgow since Jean McFadden in the 1990s. Two sources told the Record the contest is too close to call. In a statement to colleagues, Redmond revealed he would not stand for re-election: "After a great deal of thought and reflection, I've decided that I will not be seeking nomination for group leader at the forthcoming AGM . "It has been an immense honour to serve as Labour's leader. I want to thank each and every one of you for your support, your trust, and your friendship over the years. We've faced challenges head-on, stood firm in our values, and worked tirelessly for the people we represent. I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together. Redmond, who was first elected in 1999, was a key player in exposing the scandal of golden goodbyes to former senior figures at the council. Labour ran Glasgow council for decades before they were toppled by the SNP in 2017. To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here
New York Times
11-03-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Separatists Hijack Train Carrying Over 400 Passengers in Pakistan
Separatist militants hijacked a train carrying more than 400 people in an isolated mountainous area of southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday. The fate of the passengers, whom the militants said they were holding hostage, was not immediately clear. The militants, Baloch ethnic fighters, forced the train to stop in the Bolan district of Balochistan Province after opening fire on it, according to railway and police officials. The train was traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. It was to pass through several cities, including Lahore and Rawalpindi, near Islamabad. Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan provincial government, said the authorities were struggling to reach the site of the ambush because of the challenging terrain. Rashid Hussain, a trader in Quetta, said his family had left on the train for Rawalpindi in the morning but had become unreachable after 2 p.m. 'I am deeply worried,' he said by telephone. 'The government is not providing any updates. Neither roads nor trains are safe in this province.' The seizure of the passenger train highlighted the increasing sophistication of a separatist insurgency in Pakistan's southwest. The attack was the latest in a series of violent episodes in Balochistan, a province bordering Iran and Afghanistan that is the site of major Chinese-led projects, including a strategic port. A group known as the Baloch Liberation Army, or B.L.A., claimed responsibility for the train hijacking. In a statement, it said its militants had taken hostages, some of whom were security personnel. The government has yet to confirm reports of hostages or any casualties. Last year, the B.L.A. carried out one of Pakistan's deadliest terrorist attacks, a suicide bombing that killed at least 25 people, including security personnel, at Quetta's busy railway station. The group also claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing targeting a convoy carrying Chinese citizens near the international airport in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city. The separatists accuse the Chinese of stealing the province's resources. In recent months, separatist groups have escalated high-profile attacks along Balochistan's three major highways, directly challenging the state's authority. Last week, an alliance of the groups, including the B.L.A., announced plans to intensify attacks on Pakistani security forces, infrastructure and Chinese interests in the region. 'It points to two key trends: the increasing operational capabilities and sophistication of separatist groups and the weakening control of the government in Balochistan,' said Abdul Basit, senior associate fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. At the Quetta railway station, families of passengers aboard the train anxiously gathered at the information counter on Tuesday, seeking updates. Many people in the region had begun to prefer rail travel after frequent militant ambushes on the highways on which passengers were killed after being taken off buses. Frequent protests have also caused road blockages. Train services had resumed only in October after a two-month suspension because of militant attacks on railway tracks.
