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STV News
3 hours ago
- STV News
Met Police introduces patrols to protect women and girls at concerts
New measures are being introduced to tackle sexual offences against women and girls at concerts in London, the Metropolitan Police said. It comes ahead of 51 large-scale music events planned in London this summer, with more than three million people set to attend shows at Wembley Stadium alone. The Met has introduced new violence against women and girls (VAWG) patrols alongside the V100 project, a new data-driven approach to identify serious sexual offenders and prevent crimes. The operation began on June 5 at US singer Beyonce's concert at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and led to the removal of an individual on suspicion of stalking and threatening behaviour, as well as the arrest of a man for upskirting, who remains on police bail. Ben Russell, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, said: 'The V100 is our approach to identifying those men who are at the top end of carrying out the most serious and harmful attacks against women and girls – that's multiple serious sexual assaults. 'Thankfully, there are a relatively small number of offenders who we believe are behind the most serious crime. 'In the short time we've been running this initiative, we've already arrested 177 of our V100 nominals and 129 of them have been convicted for a range of serious offences. 'And this is about identifying through our data the men posing the biggest risk of women and girls in London and taking action in a very targeted, precise way.' PA Media A young fan poses outside Wembley Stadium ahead of a concert (PA). He added: 'With our VAWG patrols, there's two parts to them: Firstly, it's about engagement, so our officers talk to the public, really engage with them, having conversations, helping people to feel safe, and letting them know that if they've got concerns, they can come and speak to us. 'But the other part to it has a much harder edge, which is looking at the crowd and saying, 'who should not be here?' 'So that will not be so visible to normal concert-goers, but we will approach people we think should not be there and we will make sure they leave venues and leave the areas as quickly as possible.' An additional 565 officers and staff have been drafted into public protection roles across the force, aimed at enhancing the domestic abuse, rape and sexual offence investigation teams. The Met has also increased its live facial recognition tools to locate those wanted for offences and those subject to court orders, including sexual harm prevention orders. Mr Russell added: 'For us and the Met, protecting women and girls has been one of our number one priorities for a while now, and we're working really closely with the Government on that, and we're supportive of the mission to try and halve violence against women and girls, over the life of this parliament. 'Part of the way we look at our success is trust and confidence in the Metropolitan Police, so we track on a regular basis how much people feel that they think we're doing a good job, and that's something working with the mayor's office, we track regularly. 'It's also about just getting out and arresting people at these events. We think if we spot people in the crowds who are committing these offences and are making arrests, that's a good result. 'Equally, if we recording and these crimes, that tells us that the public have the faith to come forward with over three million people coming to these events in the summer, we know that some crime will take place, a relatively small amount, but when we're able to track it to identify it, to record it, and arrest suspects, that for us is a good result.' 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
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘New energy' was a bust – our Government's headless-chickening mirrors a world on fire & their goose is already cooked
4 THE Duracell Bunny is about to keel over. His batteries are on the blink. Advertisement The 'New Energy' promised by former Taoiseach, the young pup 4 Now, I'm not blaming Simon and the rest of the Dail ditherers for all of the world's catastrophes Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved Far from hitting the ground running, the new Away from our shores, Now, I'm not blaming Simon and the rest of the Dail ditherers for any of those catastrophes. Advertisement That would be a bit mad and I'm not quite Looney Tunes yet. Give it time. The impending end of civilisation should keep you awake at night. If you can somehow manage to sleep soundly despite all the horror, drop me a line and reveal your secret. I'd love to know how your nerves aren't frayed, how you're not one step from the ward for the very, very nervous. Advertisement I wish they'd all just exit stage left with their wars and their egos. Or self-combust. Didn't we endure enough suffering during three interminable years of the Simon Harris 'does not expect' poll on Irish unity in this decade So, we certainly don't need the added torment of a But it's what we have. So suck it up as best you can. Throwing your Advertisement You may also want to douse your mobile phone in a flammable liquid and set it ablaze (that thing you look at for hours from one end of the day to the other contains all the poison that has turned many of us into angry, intolerant idiots). Burn it, smash it, dump it in a toilet, whatever, get rid of it. RARE HAPPINESS Nowadays, happiness only exists in the warm embrace of those closest to you, perhaps, or in a few silent moments you steal for yourself, or in the joy of sport, the hum of nature at peace with itself. Hope though is a hard commodity to find. Like ste behind a rocking horse, as a dear old friend used to say in moments of supreme clarity. There's precious little hope to be found away from these shores, except maybe on a desert island. Advertisement Even there, the hand of Trump hovers like a dark shadow, a Hooded Claw. At home too, hope is like a dried-up well, or a rain-drenched MORE DOOM AND GLOOM Hope is a hole in your shoe, especially if you're young. Those poor sods must be tearing their hair out at the gomdaw antics of those handed the power to fix their broken lives. A failed generation under the omnipresent Advertisement And what do we get from the banjaxed Duracell Bunny Harris? Not hope, no, just more doom and gloom. It's all he has to offer. What has he and his Government done in the last six months apart from talk and talk and talk. They're 'engaging key stakeholders' now and have set up an 'accelerating infrastructure taskforce' to deliver deliverables. Plenty of blah, blah, blah and damn all do, do, do. Advertisement EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES They had another talking shop on Monday, the National 'There are dark clouds on the horizon,' said Harris, his ever-greying face mirroring the sombre mood that has descended. Talk about stating the bleedin' obvious, though. Sherlock and that thing we do twice a day (if we're lucky) come to mind. The lads and lassies in Leinster House know their goose is already cooked and they're barely seven months into their Government term. Success or failure depends entirely on Trump now. Advertisement If tariffs arrive, then the game is up and the Government knows it. The days of having our coffers stuffed with many billions in US multinational cash is about to abruptly end. IRISH EXPORTS SOARED In the first three months of this year, Most of that was pharma giants getting their product to the States before Trump's tariffs kick in. Clever sods. We may have bumper receipts now from US multinationals, but they will fall off a cliff when Trump's tariff axe swings. Advertisement If only successive governments HADN'T put all the eggs in the one multinational basket. But they did. The success of the The Emperor has no clothes, no wonder the Duracell Bunny has lost his lustre. PUTIN'S LIES ON WAR CRIMES RUSSIA repeatedly claims it isn't targeting civilians in Ukraine. It's a nauseating lie, of course, but Putin and his army of psychopaths revel in deception and double-speak. Since Ukraine wiped out much of Russia's fleet of bombers in a daring attack last month, Putin has unleashed record-breaking volleys of missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, indiscriminately bombing apartment blocks, shopping centres and schools. One such blatant attack by an Iranian drone was captured live on Ukrainian TV as it slammed into the side of a high-rise block of flats. It was a shuddering sight. Anyone inside would have died on impact. Putin doesn't care. His goal is to drag the war out as long as he can and exhaust the civilian population with nightly terror raids, like the one pictured here. Trump, who has said he 'likes' Putin, obviously hasn't the balls to stand up to the Russian tyrant, so he keeps on killing with abandon. LISTEN TO MACRON, FELLAS HE may have married his teacher, a woman 22 years his senior, but when French President As US President Donald Trump prepared to join Advertisement 4 Emmanuel Macron denounced the idea of using force in regime change in Tehran Credit: AFP He immediately denounced the idea of using force to achieve regime change in Tehran, reminding Trump and Israel's 'Does anyone think that what was done in For those with short memories, the invasion of It also fuelled the rise of Isis across the Advertisement The toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya also led to a brutal civil war in the north African country, one that divided the country in two and still bubbles along to this day. While conceding the Israeli point that it has a right to defend itself and that Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism around the world – Hezbollah and He said: 'I think the biggest mistake today is to use military means to bring about regime change in Iran because that would mean chaos.' Trump and Netanyahu aren't listening though. Netanyahu bluntly said that killing Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's Supreme leader, 'is not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end the conflict'. Trump added: 'We know exactly where he is. We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least for now.' Advertisement Khamenei appeared on TV from his bunker, vowing no surrender. Long weeks lie ahead of us. KIRBY A REAL JOY DUNNO if you're into cycling – the sport, not the dangerous exercise of getting from A to B on Irish roads – but I was delighted to hear the chuckling tones of cycling commentating legend Carlton Kirby on TNT Sports this week as he took viewers on a linguistic waltz during the Tour of Switzerland. Carlton is a fellow Sheffield Wednesday sufferer, so he's a kindred spirit. I could listen to him for days on end. Cadence, wit and repartee are his middle names. Among the gems he revealed about Switzerland is the fact each town, village or hamlet employs a caretaker whose job is to keep the public realm in tip-top shape. Grass verges are never overgrown, graffiti never up for long and fag butts as alien as ketchup on a fondue. FARCICAL CLUB CUP CLUB World Cup anyone? Nah, you're alright. 4 Bayern Munich beat a bunch of amateurs from Auckland 10-0 Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement An online platform called DAZN is the only place you can watch it, if you are bothered to jump through hoops backwards trying to sign up to their free stream. DAZN reportedly paid $1BILLION for the privilege of being the exclusive broadcasters. The competition, which kicked off last weekend, soon descended into farce after Who wants to watch that? Not even the most die-hard sports fans, and I count myself among their number, would get excited by a Club World Cup. Advertisement Reports from The Club World Cup will limp to a conclusion over the next few weeks out of the spotlight. Feck all people will tune in. And Fifa will quietly drop it when they realise it's a dead duck. HIQA REPORTS ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE HIQA must have read my column last week, because this week they confirmed they have passed reports on alleged abuses at two Emeis Ireland-run nursing homes in Dublin and Portlaoise to Gardai. Nothing less will do. Hiqa also reported some 198 allegations of abuse at one of them, yet they went on to say that it 'didn't necessarily mean a failure at compliance'. Talk about utter hogwash. Hiqa is as useful as a monkey without a tail.
Qatar Tribune
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Czech star Kvitova to retire after US Open
PAMedia/DPA London Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has announced she intends to retire after the US Open later this year. The 35-year-old Czech returned to the tour in February following the birth of son Petr last summer and will play at Wimbledon for a final time after being given a wild card. Kvitova was a surprise winner of a maiden Grand Slam title at the All England Club in 2011, defeating Maria Sharapova in the final. The powerful left-hander's game proved perfect for grass courts and she added a second Wimbledon crown in 2014, while she also made the Australian Open final in 2019 and reached a career high of second in the rankings. She achieved both feats despite a shocking stabbing by an intruder at her home in late 2016 in which she suffered damage to tendons and nerves in her left hand, threatening her career. Writing on social media, Kvitova said: 'Growing up in my hometown of Fulnek and hitting the first tennis balls with my father on the local courts, I never imagined becoming a professional tennis player, being able to travel the world, and playing in the most beautiful stadiums around the world. 'I've been privileged to reach incredible heights over the past 19 years since becoming a professional tennis player. From winning my two Wimbledon Championships, bringing home six Billie Jean King Cup trophies for the Czech Republic, reaching the world #2 ranking and so much more. 'I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined and I am so grateful to everything that tennis has given me all these years. It has taught me countless lessons, not only on the court or in the gym, but also in life. 'I would never be whom I am today without this beautiful sport, and everything it has given me both on and off the court. 'As with all phases in life, there comes a day that it is time for a new chapter, and that time for me has come now. I therefore wanted to share with you that 2025 is my last season on tour as a professional. 'I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career for me. 'And while I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer. 'While no such decision is ever easy to make, for me this is a happy moment! I will leave the sport with the biggest smile on my face - the same smile you've seen from me on and off court throughout my whole career.' Kvitova has found wins very hard to come by since returning to the match court in Texas following more than a year away. It took her five tournaments to register her first victory, which came against Irina-Camelia Begu on clay in Rome, but that so far remains her only win.
Qatar Tribune
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Real held by Inzaghi's Al Hilal in CWC opener
PA Media/dpa London Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso and Al Hilal counterpart Simone Inzaghi had to make do with a share of the spoils as they launched the latest phase of their careers with a 1-1 Club World Cup draw. On a night when new Real head coach Alonso handed debuts to summer signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, it was another former Premier League player who helped to ensure it finished level in Group H. Ruben Neves converted a 41st-minute penalty to cancel out Gonzalo Garcia's opener at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, but his efforts would have counted for little had goalkeeper Bono not saved Federico Valverde's stoppage-time spot-kick. The Saudi side were first to threaten with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Neves and Marcos Leonardo all going close inside the opening 10 minutes. Renan Lodi thought he had given Inzaghi's men a 19th-minute lead only for an offside flag to quickly halt his celebrations. Central defender Hassan Altambakti headed a 27th-minute Neves corner wide as Al Hilal continued to enjoy the better of a game, and Alonso was vociferous with his players as they headed for the sideline for a water break. Whatever he said appeared to have an immediate impact with Rodrygo sending a left-foot shot over before sliding in a low cross at the end of a fluent counter-attack which was dispatched by Garcia with 11 minutes of the half remaining. A poor first-touch prevented Garcia from making the most of Jude Bellingham's 38th-minute through-ball, and Al Hilal were level with four minutes of the half remaining when, after Raul Asencio had pulled back Leonardo, former Wolves midfielder Neves calmly sent Courtois the wrong way from the spot. Skipper Salem Al-Dawsari might have put his side ahead as the whistle approached, but his curling attempt after he had exchanged passes with Milinkovic-Savic was deflected just wide. Asencio did not return for the second half and replacement Arda Guler rattled the crossbar from Vinicius' cross within seconds of his arrival before Garcia's header was improbably clawed away by Bono. Alexander-Arnold was starting to make his presence felt down the right and as Bellingham picked up the baton, the Spaniards began to dominate. However, they could not find a way past their opponents' rearguard. And even when they looked to have been handed an escape when they were awarded a stoppage-time penalty for Yasser Al-Qahtani's swinging arm on Fran Garcia, Valverde's spot-kick was saved superbly by Bono.
Qatar Tribune
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Alcaraz progresses at Queen's as Fearnley reaches first quarter-final
PAMedia/DPA London Jacob Fearnley dished out another French lesson as he reached a first career ATP Tour-level quarter-final at Queen's Club, while top seed Carlos Alcaraz also progressed. British number two Fearnley beat volatile qualifier Corentin Moutet 6-3 2-6 6-2 at the HSBC Championships. In doing so, Fearnley extended his remarkable, perfect record against French players to 17 wins from 17 matches. He said: 'I'm very happy to be in my first quarter-final, it's even better to do it here in the UK. It's really special for me, I've dreamed of these moments since I was a young boy. 'I tried to stick to my game plan and be aggressive. I did that better in the third set and the result speaks for itself.' Fearnley wrapped up a controlled first set with a double-ace finish, while madcap Moutet got a ticking-off from umpire Adel Nour for chucking his racket. However, the momentum shifted quickly when three double-faults from the home player gave Moutet an early break in the second. But Fearnley reset well in the decider, breaking Moutet with a backhand winner down the line, prompting the fiery 26-year-old to whack a ball high over the stands and earn a long-overdue warning from the chair. A diving backhand volley secured a double break and Fearnley kept his head as Moutet lost his - bickering with the umpire and the crowd - to wrap up victory in just over two hours. Fearnley will play a fellow 23-year-old, Czech world number 30 Jiri Lehecka, in the last eight. Top seed and 2023 winner Carlos Alcaraz escaped from being a break down in a deciding set to win an all-Spanish clash with Jaume Munar. The five-time grand slam champion, 22, squandered two match points in a second-set tie-break and then fell 4-2 behind in the third. But on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures hitting 32 degrees Celsius in west London, Alcaraz kept his cool to win 6-4 6-7 (7) 7-5 after three hours and 23 energy-sapping minutes. It was two hours shorter than his five-set French Open final win over Jannik Sinner earlier this month, and Alcaraz wrote on the TV camera lens: 'Were we on clay?' After a 15th straight win, the longest winning run of his career so far, a near-exhausted Alcaraz admitted: 'It was a really tough battle. 'He's a great competitor. I'm proud of how I played today. I struggled mentally and physically. Very proud and happy to give myself another chance to be in the quarter-final.'
