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Royal Marine Guilty Of Murdering Afghan Fighter

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 09 November 2013 | 10.03

The Events That Led To A Murder

Updated: 3:16pm UK, Friday 08 November 2013

By Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Defence Correspondent

The events that led up to the murder of the injured insurgent in Helmand province were filmed on a helmet-camera belonging to Marine B.

The footage begins as the Marine's were nearing the end of a routine patrol. An Apache helicopter is heard flying nearby. It then fires 139 rounds at suspected insurgents.

The patrol was then asked to go and perform a tactical battlefield assessment - essentially look for injured or dead bodies.

They found one Afghan lying in the middle of a field. He was badly wounded in the chest and legs. An AK-47 was found with him.

At this point Marine B is some 40 yards from the wounded Afghan, having taken up a position to scan the field for the enemy. His camera records Marine A, a 39 year old Sergeant, and Marine C searching and assessing the Afghan.

Having established he had no other weapons or explosives on him, Marine A then instructs his colleagues to drag the man to the edge off the field. This, he claimed, was so that they weren't sat out in the open where they would be easy targets. He wanted to treat the insurgent in safety Marine A claimed. The prosecution disagreed, arguing that it was a deliberate attempt to find cover, out of the sight of the Apache and a long range surveillance camera in Camp Bastion, know as a PGSS, that might have been monitoring their activity.

Once in a clearing on the edge of the field, Marine A is heard on the video asking if anyone wants to give the Afghan first aid.

"Anybody want to do first aid on this idiot?" he asks.

"No" reply a number of Marines.

"I'll put one in his head, if you want," offers Marine C.

Laughter is heard before Marine A decides:

"No, not in his head, 'cause that'll be f****** obvious."

Marine A is also seen speaking on the radio, updating his base on the status of the Afghan.

He claims he was preparing a '9-liner', the process of calling in medical evacuation, so called because of the nine lines of checks that must be completed before a helicopter is allowed to deploy. A pink 9-liner form can be seen in his hand at one point.

In addition to the video, the events were recorded in a journal kept by Marine C. This was also used in evidence.

"Now we were in cover, I was ready and waiting to pop him with a 9mm, one in the heart should do it, but I waited out for the nod from Marine A, ... and although for one minute I thought we were actually going to treat and casivac him, Marine A squashed it and sent it up that he'd snuffed it while we treated him," he writes.

"So there I was, pistol drawn, waiting for Marine A to get off the net so I could pop this little w***** and be done with it; when Marine A came back over, and thinned me out, to take up arcs with the others." 

"As I walked off..., Marine A popped him one himself!  I felt mugged off, but job done; little f*** was dead at the end of the day."

The video clearly shows Marine A lean towards the Afghan who is lying supine on the ground. He levels his 9mm pistol at the man's chest and fire a shot at virtual point blank range.

Dr Nicholas Hunt, a Pathologist who gave expert witness at the trial, explained what happened next in his view:

"The hands. Particularly the right hand comes up to the area to which the weapon has been discharged – that's the first thing I noted," he told the court.

"The legs are also seen to move quite significantly. His head has started to move and his breathing becomes very obviously laboured, much more rapid than it has been before and much deeper breaths."

"He was still alive at the point he was shot. After that his breathing far less obvious – it becomes shallower and the gap between breaths increases."

Marine A's defence was that he believed the Afghan man was already dead when he shot him.

"I saw no signs of life from him, so yes I believed he'd passed,"he told Bulford Military Court.

When asked why he'd shot a man he believed was dead, Marine A replied:

" Stupid, lack of self-control. Poor judgement on my part."

"I was very surprised the amount he did move. I believed he was dead. I'd not seen any move,ent for a few minutes. He suddenly became very animated once I'd shot him."

On the video Marine A is heard admitting he'd just broken the Geneva Convention but insists he was referring to the fact he'd shot a dead body rather an injured man.

Under cross-examination, Marine A was asked what was done to check if the man had died.

"Did anyone check the man's pulse?"

"No," Marine A answered.

"Did anyone check the man's breathing?"

"Not that I saw."

"Did anyone check the man's eyes?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

Marine B argued that he was giving the insurgent first aid but  admitted it was cursory. Marine C said that he'd started walking away from the area and had his back turned when the shot was fired. He also claimed that his diary was a form of therapy and not always accurate.

The Marines were arrested in October last year. Under cross-examination during the trial Marine B admitted misleading the investigation.

"Was there a plan to cover it up?" he was asked by Dave Perry QC for the prosecution.

"We were protecting him, yes," Marine B replied. "In my opinion he had shot an alive, injured insurgent."

Mr Perry asked: "We saw on the video you suggesting a cover story to the patrol. What was the cover story to be?"

"It was just protecting Marine A. It meant to say it was a warning shot," was Marine B's answer.


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Super Typhoon Haiyan Hits The Philippines

At least four people have been killed after one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded hit the Philippines.

The victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan are reported to include a mother and child who drowned in South Cotabato, and a boy who was struck by lightning in Zamboanga City.

A fourth person was killed by a falling tree, according to the AP news agency.

A mother takes refuge with her children as Typhoon Haiyan hits Cebu cityResidents rush to safety past a fallen tree during Typhoon Haiyan Residents of Cebu City shelter from the storm's powerful winds

However, the number of confirmed deaths is expected to rise as emergency workers reach the worst affected areas, many of which remain cut off.

Minnie Portales, a spokesman for the aid agency World Vision, said: "As we wait for early reports from some of the hardest-hit provinces, we fear for the worst. This could be very bad."

Anna Lindenfors, Save the Children's director for the Philippines, added: "We expect the level of destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan to be extensive and devastating, and sadly we fear that many lives will be lost."

Waves up to six metres high have been reported as a result of high winds Waves up to six metres high have been reported as a result of high winds

Some 750,000 people living in villages in Haiyan's path were ordered to leave their homes amid fears the storm damage could be the worst in the Philippines' history.

Many of them are refugees whose homes were reduced to rubble when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bohol last month.

The typhoon, which is now careering across the South China Sea towards Vietnam, packed sustained winds of 195mph and gusts of up to 235mph, according to the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre in Hawaii.

Damage in Ormoc City. Picture: Ritchel M. Deleon Buildings in Ormoc City were damaged by the storm. Pic: Ritchel M. Deleon

On land, differing reports from meteorologists put the wind speeds at between 145mph and 170mph.

Jeff Masters, a former hurricane meteorologist who is a director at the private firm Weather Underground, warned there would be "catastrophic damage".

"There aren't too many buildings constructed that can withstand that kind of wind," he said. "The wind damage should be the most extreme in the Philippines' history."

Children sheltering in Cebu Children sheltered in emergency accommodation in Cebu. Picture: Red Cross

The 300-mile-wide cyclone, known locally as Yolanda, whipped up waves that reached six metres high and threatened to inundate low lying areas.

Local journalist Mike Cohen told Sky News there were already reports of some landslides and a "very strong storm surge" entering coastal towns and villages.

Up to 12 million people live in areas affected by the typhoon, including the tourist districts of Leyte Island and Borocay Island.

Typhoon Haiyan is pictured in this NOAA satellite handout image A closer look reveals the eye of the storm over the Philippines

President Benigno Aquino III, who had threatened to use guns to force people living in high-risk areas to leave, put dozens of military planes, helicopters and ships on standby.

"No typhoon can bring Filipinos to their knees if we'll be united," he added.

Some meteorologists have claimed Haiyan is the strongest severe tropical storm ever to make landfall.

A map showing the path and predicted path of Typhoon Haiyan A map showing the path and predicted path of Typhoon Haiyan

According to the Reuters and AP news agencies, the record is currently held by 1969 storm Hurricane Camillie, which had winds of up to 190mph.

Meteorologists fear the storm could intensify further as it approaches the Vietnamese coast, where it is expected to make landfall on Sunday morning.

Haiyan is the 24th tropical storm to hit the Philippines this year.

Last year, Typhoon Bopha, which had maximum sustained winds of 175mph, killed 1,100 people in the country.


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Marine Afghanistan 'Murder' Audio Released

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 08 November 2013 | 10.03

A recording of the moments a Royal Marine allegedly executed a captured Afghan national has been released by a military court.

Three men - known only as marines A, B and C - are appearing before the court martial charged with killing the unknown person on or around September 15, 2011, while on patrol in Afghanistan. They deny the charges.

A gunshot is heard on the recording shortly before Marine A is heard saying: "Shuffle off this mortal coil, you ****."

He is then heard saying: "Obviously this doesn't go anywhere fellas ... I've just broken the Geneva Convention."

A panel at the court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire, has retired to consider its verdicts in the case, after two weeks of evidence.

The whole event was filmed by a camera mounted on the helmet of one of the three commandos.

Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett has ruled that the graphic video footage cannot be released, but has agreed that the audio can be made public.

Referring to the video, he said: "Its release may be for proper journalistic purposes ... but would also be used for sensationalist purposes by others and propaganda purposes by terrorist groups. More importantly its release will increase the threat of harm to British service personnel.

A still image from the helmet cam footage Another image from the helmet camera footage released by the court

"I am not prepared to make an order which may lead to the injury or death of a single member of the British armed forces and in making this decision I have erred on the side of safety."

The court martial heard the insurgent had been shot at by an Apache attack helicopter with 139 30mm anti-tank rounds but was still alive - albeit seriously injured - when discovered by the patrol.

The footage, which was shown to the court, shows Marine A walking forward, bending down, and shooting the man at close range in the centre of his chest with a 9mm pistol.

Giving evidence to the court martial, Marine A insisted he believed the insurgent was dead at the time and he was simply shooting into a corpse in anger.

Also released were excerpts from a diary kept by Marine C, including one extract that relates to the moments of the shooting.

It reads: "... although for one minute I thought we were actually going to treat and (have him airlifted by helicopter), Marine A squashed it and sent it up that he'd snuffed it while we treated him.

"So there I was, pistol drawn, waiting for Marine A to get off the net so I could pop this little ****** and be done with it; when Marine A came back over, and thinned me out, to (help the others keep look-out).

"As I walked off towards (name removed) and (name removed), Marine A popped him one himself! I felt mugged off, but job done; little **** was dead at the end of the day."


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Haiyan: Tropical Storm Slams Into The Philippines

Three people are reported to have been killed after the strongest tropical storm of the year barrelled into the Philipinnes.

Among those reported dead are a mother and child who drowned in South Cotabato and a boy who was struck by lightening in Zamboanga City.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated from villages in Haiyan's path amid fears the storm damage could be the worst in Philippines history.

PHILIPPINES-WEATHER-STORM Residents of Legazpi city in Albay province, south of Manila, are evacuated

President Benigno Aquino III assured residents in high-risk areas, including 100 coastal communities, of war-like preparations with three C-130 air force cargo planes and 32 military helicopters and planes on standby, along with 20 navy ships.

Residents were warned they would be forcibly evacuated at gunpoint if necessary.

"No typhoon can bring Filipinos to their knees if we'll be united," the President said in a televised address.

Cebu Pacific airways planes park at the tarmac at Ninoy Aquino International airport in Pasay city, metro Manila Nearly 200 flights have been suspended at Ninoy Aquino airport

The US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii said Haiyan's maximum sustained winds were 314km per hour (195 mph), with gusts up to 379km per hour (235 mph).

Local journalist Mike Cohen told Sky News: "We're seeing a lot of strong winds but not a lot of rain. The eye of the storm has not yet made landfall, this is just the outer wall of the storm and it's 600km across.

"There are already reports of some landslides and very strong storm surge entering towns and villages in the path of the storm.

PHILIPPINES-WEATHER-STORM-WINDSTORMS Philippine Coast Guards beside newly-acquired rubber boats in Manila

"Trees are falling and there is lots of damage reported across the region".

According to Mr Cohen the power has been cut to the worst affected areas, mainly as a preventative measure to avoid electrocution but that this was making communications difficult.

Jeff Masters, a former hurricane meteorologist who is meteorology director at the private firm Weather Underground warned residents to prepare for "catastrophic damage".

PHILIPPINES-WEATHER-TYPHOON The calm before the storm: Fisherman's outrigger anchored off Manila bay

"195-mile-per-hour winds; there aren't too many buildings constructed that can withstand that kind of wind. The wind damage should be the most extreme in Phillipines history," he said.

Local Philippines meterologists forecast lower readings, saying the storm's speed at landfall had sustained winds at 234km per hour (145mph) with gusts of 275km per hour (170.88 mph).

PHILIPPINES-WEATHER-TYPHOON Fishermen repair their outrigger at Manila bay ahead of Haiyan's arrival

Haiyan is forecast to barrel through the Philippines' central region before blowing toward the South China Sea over the weekend, heading towards Vietnam.

The head of the government's main disaster response agency in the capital Manila said people are still being moved from communities prone to landslides and flooding.

Super Typhoon Haiyan is seen approaching the Philippines in this Japan Meteorological Agency handout image A closer look reveals the eye of the storm as it approaches the Philippines

These include residents of Bohol, many of whom are still living in tents after being made homeless following an earthquake last month

But there is hope that, as Haiyan is a fast-moving storm, flooding from heavy rain - which usually causes the most deaths from typhoons in the Philippines - may not be as bad.

Haiyan is the 24th tropical storm to hit the Philippines this year.

More follows...


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Child Killer Alan Giles Found After Manhunt

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 07 November 2013 | 10.03

Child killer Alan Giles, who has been on the run since last week, has been captured by police.

The 56-year-old walked out of an open section of HMP Hewell in Worcestershire on October 28 while serving life for the 1995 kidnap and murder of a 16-year-old student.

West Mercia Police said he was found in the Gunnings Road area of Alcester, Warwickshire, after a call from a member of the public who believed they had spotted him just after 6pm.

Alan Giles wanted poster A previous wanted poster of Alan Giles

Police flooded the area with officers and although the murderer initially ran off, he was quickly caught and taken into custody in Redditch.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Judge said: "We are very pleased to have tracked down Mr Giles as the search for him has taken up an enormous amount of our time and resources over the past ten days.

"As we always suspected, a tip-off from a member of the public was key to us bringing Mr Giles back into custody tonight and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every single person who has come forward with information to help our investigation.

"We have been really impressed by the amount of information that has come in and how keen people have been to help us with our inquiries."

Last week, police made a direct appeal to Giles, who is eligible to apply for parole next year, to hand himself in.

Giles, originally from the Quinton, near Birmingham, was jailed for 19 years for killing Kevin Ricketts.

The 16-year-old's body was not found until 1998, after Giles asked to speak to West Midlands Police while serving his sentence.


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Intelligence Agency Heads To Be Quizzed Live

By Tim Marshall, Foreign Affairs Editor

The three heads of Britain's intelligence agencies will be questioned at a historic televised Parliamentary Committee later.

It is the first time they have appeared in public together and the first time the head of one of the agencies, GCHQ, has been seen in public.

The hearings come as the agencies are under fire following revelations by the NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden that the UK is monitoring communications on a vast scale.

The three intelligence chiefs are Sir Iain Lobban, Director of GCHQ; Andrew Parker, Director General of Security Service (MI5) and Sir John Sawers, Chief of Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).

Promo For ISC Hearing

They were originally scheduled to appear in the spring of this year but the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) workload did not allow this, and then members were busy talking to the agencies following the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich.

Anyone who follows intelligence affairs knew that modern agencies have the capability to monitor vast amounts of communications traffic, but Snowden gave details of how, and revealed that GCHQ was running a programme called Tempora.

This called into question whether the agencies were "overstretching" in their surveillance capabilities and intentions.

The headquarters of MI6, the Secret Intelligence Service The MI6 building on next to Vauxhall Bridge on the River Thames

An inquiry found that Tempora falls within the UK laws governing monitoring, but the disquiet remains over "who guards the guards".

That is the framework for the ISC hearings.

In the UK, Parliament makes the laws the agencies should abide by and the newly empowered ISC tries to ensure they do just that.

This year it was given greater powers and a bigger budget.

Members are proposed by all major political parties and are then approved by the Prime Minister.

Britain's Secret Intelligence Service Chief Sir John Sawers Addresses Live Televised Gathering Sir John Sawers will appear at the committee

In the unlikely event he/she was to turn someone down, the ISC reserves the right to make this public. The ISC also now has powers to go into the headquarters of the agencies, look at documents and question officers.

It and the agencies are also overseen by two commissioners who are senior judges. They hold similar powers to the ISC.

The intelligence community is concerned that the UK public has the impression that millions of emails and phone calls are being listened to.

This is physically impossible, but what they are doing is monitoring vast amounts of digital traffic and using computers to try and track people they are already interested in, or to find patters of interest.

Handout aerial photograph shows Britain's Britain's Government Communications Headquarters in Cheltenham The GCHQ building in Cheltenham

Within that they may well come across an ordinary person's communications, but in law actually reading or listening to that requires another step.

When an agency wants to tap a phone, or read an email, it needs to apply to a secretary of state.

In the case of GCHQ and MI6 that is the Foreign Secretary, while the Home Secretary oversees MI5. A judge may be required to approve the request for monitoring.

Part of the job of the commissioners is to ask the agency chiefs to justify their applications.

There are more revelations to come from Snowden, and more public debate, which is part of the reason why the spies are emerging from the shadows and into the 21st century.

:: For live coverage of the Parliamentary Committee watch Sky News from 2pm.


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dog Attack: Young Girl Dies After Being Bitten

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 06 November 2013 | 10.03

A four-year-old girl has died after being bitten by a dog at her home in Leicestershire.

The victim, who has been named as Lexi Hudson, was taken by air ambulance to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where doctors were unable to save her.

Police were called to a flat in the quiet cul-de-sac of Rowena Court in Mountsorrel, a village between Leicester and Loughborough, just after noon on Tuesday.

Lexi Hudson It is not known if this was the dog that attacked Lexi

A spokesman said the dog involved was believed to be the family pet.

Neighbours said the animal was a rescue dog and had only been with the family for a few weeks, it was reported.

Lexi Hudson Lexi was described as always having a smile on her face

They described Lexi as a friendly girl who played outside her home and was often seen with quite a large dog, which potentially could be a French Mastiff.

Lexi lived in a flat with her mother Jodi Hudson and they had been there for about a year, neighbours added.

Police did not say what breed the dog was. It is not thought the animal was of one of the four breeds banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Dog attack at Rowena Court, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire The attack happened at Rowena Court, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire

The dog died shortly after the attack but police did not say how.

Arthur Nash, who lives in Rowena Court, said: "Everybody is in shock at the moment with Lexi dying.

"When I saw an ambulance pull up I thought it was an old lady on the court who had had a heart attack, and then the neighbour came up and said she had been killed by the dog. We're in shock."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "We've seen all the activity today and I've just had a phone call from one of the neighbours to say she's died.

"The police have been and then the ambulance came and we heard.

"I always say hello when I pass, and the little girl used to play outside - she used to say hello when she was playing. It is just such a shock, such a sad shock."

In September 2006 a five-month-old girl, Cadey-Lee Deacon, died after being savaged by two rottweiler dogs guarding a pub in nearby Leicester.


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Job Losses Feared At BAE Shipyards Amid Review

Defence giant BAE Systems will announce job losses when it releases a report on the future of shipyards on Thursday, Sky sources understand.

It is thought that two facilities in Scotland and one at Portsmouth could be affected.

Unions are to meet company representatives to discuss the future of the three sites amid a review of its business.

The firm has refused to comment on speculation that hundreds of jobs could be axed at Govan, Scotstoun and Portsmouth.

BAE said last year that it was considering closing one of its major shipyards as part of a maritime defence review, which is launched 18 months ago.

Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "We have been in dialogue for some time with BAE Systems on the issues surrounding the future of the Clyde shipyards.

"We are awaiting the outcome of BAE's discussions with the Ministry of Defence and are very alert to the situation concerning both yards.

"We are seeking urgent clarity on the future for both Govan and Scotstoun."

A BAE spokeswoman said: "We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Defence to explore all possible options to determine how best to sustain the capability to deliver complex warships in the UK in the future.

"This work is ongoing and we are committed to keeping our employees and trade unions informed as it progresses."

Hugh Scullion, Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions general secretary said: "We have secured talks with senior BAE systems executives early next week to examine the business case of the forthcoming announcement.

"Now is not the time for idle speculation or indeed party political point scoring.

"This is the future of an industry and we need to know from the company and the government directly what their plans for the future of UK shipbuilding are.

"The shipbuilding workforce throughout the UK are working flat out to deliver the aircraft carriers for the defence of the UK and they need to know what lies in store for them, their families and their communities."

A GMB union spokesman added: "Full time union officials and shop stewards will meet BAE next week to go over the detailed business case on how work will be organised once the carrier programme winds down."


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gosport Car Victim's Mother 'Kissed Her Goodbye'

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 05 November 2013 | 10.03

The mother of one of two girls killed when she was struck by a car outside her home in Gosport kissed her daughter goodbye as she lay in the road.

Jasmine Allsop, 14, and Olivia Lewry, 16, were killed early on Sunday morning after being run down by a green Honda Civic on Ann's Hill Road. 

Jasmine died at the scene, while Olivia passed away in hospital, Hampshire Police said.

"It was just all a blur," Rosemary Allsop said at her home just metres from where the collision, which is being investigated as a murder, happened.

Ms Allsop said Olivia was at the house for a "girls' night in" and she assumed the pair were listening to music and talking about boys when she went to bed. 

"I went out and then a neighbour covered me in a blanket. I kissed her - it was four hours before they took her body away because I did not want to let her go.

"I told her she was my angel and I'd loved her since the day she was born. I can remember her big blue eyes staring.

Police at scene of Gosport hit and run murder Police at the scene of the car collision

"I'm empty inside and lost. I keep expecting her to come through the door."

A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering the two girls.

Jasmine's father Kevin MacLaughlan, 58, a road worker from Thorne in South Yorkshire, said he would remember her as "the most beautiful, bubbly-natured girl". 

He had not seen Jasmine for two and a half months but said he drove straight down after hearing the news.

Mr MacLaughlan said his thoughts were with Olivia's family as well.

"We are sharing the same feelings and we'd like to meet up with them," he said. 

Brune Park Community School, which Olivia recently left to attend St Vincent College and where Jasmine was still a pupil, said the best friends "lived life to the full".

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this dreadful time," it said in a statement.

"They were both independent, strong-minded individuals who lived their lives to the full with confidence and a sense of humour and a sense of fun.

"We will miss them both immensely and their unique talents which they displayed."

Mourners at scene of Gosport hit and run murder Mourners at the scene of the collision

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Dick Pearson of the Hampshire Major Investigation Team renewed his appeal for witnesses to come forward.

"A dedicated team of officers and staff from a range of departments are working closely together to analyse leads from witnesses and forensics," he said.

"The green Honda Civic is the subject of further examinations to ensure all potential evidence has been gathered and preserved.

"A key line of enquiry is identifying as many witnesses as possible with information about the behaviour of the driver in the green Honda Civic around the Gosport area during the early hours of Sunday morning."

The suspect was originally taken into custody on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but the offence was later changed to suspected murder, police said.

D/Supt Pearson also urged people to avoid posting rumours or details about the case online.

"This plea particularly applies to names and possible motives of people perceived to be involved in the circumstances surrounding this case," he said.

"Such speculation is upsetting and disrespectful to the victims' families, and can also have unintended effects on important lines of enquiry and evidence ahead of any future court case."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team at Fratton Police Station on 101, quoting Operation Barb.


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Norway Bus Stabbings Leave Three Dead

A man has been arrested on suspicion of stabbing three people to death and hijacking a bus in Norway.

The suspect - thought to have been a passenger on the vehicle - is said to have attacked two passengers and the bus driver on Monday, just after 5.30pm.

Two men and a woman are understood to have died in the incident on Route 53, between Lake Tyin and the village of Ovre Ardal in Sogn and Fjordane county, western Norway.

Motorists who saw what was happening and attempted to help were threatened, local media reported.

One witness told Norway's TV2 that a man was walking around the inside of the bus with a knife.

Police said the suspect was not an ethnic Norwegian but could not give details on where he was from. The motive was not immediately clear, he said.

A map showing the location in Norway where the stabbings occurred A map showing the location of Tyin, near where the attack happened

Emergency services were originally told a bus accident had occurred and rescuers from the fire department were the first to arrive on the scene.

Police were called soon after and ordered people nearby to stay inside their cars and lock their doors.

Until they declared the scene safe, they were unsure whether the man was acting alone.

The suspect, described as a man in his 50s, was at first held by firefighters but later arrested when officers arrived at the scene.

Oslo police had feared it was a terrorist incident and prepared to send an anti-terror unit to the scene aboard army helicopters.

They called off the deployment after receiving reports that the suspect had been arrested.

Local mayor Arild Ingar Lægreid told Bergensavisen website: "It is cruel that such things can happen. I'm shocked.

"The most important thing now is to take care of the families, and we do the best we can."

The bus, operated by Jotunheimen and Valdres, was heading east at the time of the attacks.


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gosport 'Car Murder': Two Teenage Girls Named

Written By Unknown on Senin, 04 November 2013 | 10.03

A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two teenage girls died when they were hit by a car.

Jasmine Allsop, 14, died at the scene in Ann's Hill Road in Gosport, while Olivia Lewry, 16, was taken to hospital but also died, Hampshire Police said.

Detective Superintendent Dick Pearson said: "This is an extremely tragic incident which has resulted in the death of two young girls.

"I currently have a team of detectives and other officers, including expert road collision investigators, working on this case to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these two teenage girls.

Police at scene of Gosport hit and run murder Forensic staff have been examining the scene.

"I would appeal to anyone who knows anything which could help this investigation to contact my team as soon as possible."

The girls were pedestrians and were involved in a collision with a green Honda Civic car which was being driven along the road at about 4.15am on Sunday.

The older girl was taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth with serious injuries but did not survive.

A man was originally taken into custody on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but the offence was later changed to suspected murder, police said.

Mourners at scene of Gosport hit and run murder Mourners brought flowers to pay their respects to the girls.

He remains in custody.

A bouquet of flowers placed near the scene read: 'In loving memory of Olivia and Jaz, thinking of you lots of love.'

One local resident Aaron O'Sullivan told the Portsmouth News: "It's horrible – what a waste of life, especially coming up to Christmas, it's just shocking."

Sky News reporter Siobhan Robbins spoke to some of the girls' friends, saying they described them as 'outgoing and bubbly'.

One local resident Daniel Close said: "It's tragic. It's got to be the worst news you can get."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team at Fratton Police Station on 101, quoting Operation Barb.


10.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Terror Suspect Hunted By Police

A terror suspect who escaped surveillance by changing into a burka on a visit to a mosque is being hunted by counter-terrorism officers.

Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed was last seen at a west London mosque on Friday afternoon.

He entered the building wearing Western-style clothes, but CCTV images issued by Scotland Yard later show him leaving with his face and body fully covered by the traditional Islamic garment.

The 27-year-old is subject to a Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures notice (Tpim).

A court-imposed anonymity order banning the publication of Mr Mohamed's name has been lifted to allow police to make a public appeal, following an application from the Home Secretary.

Mr Mohamed is "not considered at this time to represent a direct threat to the public", Scotland Yard said, but anyone who sees him is urged to call 999 immediately.

Security Minister James Brokenshire said: "National security is the Government's top priority and the police are doing everything in their power to apprehend this man as quickly as possible.

Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed Mr Mohamed, pictured before he vanished

"The police and security services do not believe that this man poses a direct threat to the public in the UK.

"The Home Secretary, on police advice, yesterday applied to the High Court for an order protecting anonymity to be lifted in order to assist with their investigation."

Somalia-born Mr Mohamed, who is 5ft 8in tall and of medium build, arrived at the An-Noor Masjid and Community Centre in Church Road, Acton, at 10am on Friday and was last seen there at 3.15pm that day.

He is the second person to breach a Tpim since they were introduced to replace control orders in early 2012.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The Counter Terrorism Command immediately launched inquiries to trace Mr Mohamed and these continue.

"Ports and borders were notified with his photograph and details circulated nationally. Public safety remains our priority."

Tpims, which include restrictions on overnight residence, travel and finance, are imposed by judges who are given access to secret evidence that can not be placed before juries.

Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed Another CCTV image shows the burka-clad figure, believed to be Mr Mohamed

They do not allow for the relocation of suspects, as control orders did and unlike control orders, Tpims have a maximum time limit of two years.

Control orders could be extended year on year without limit, while Tpims can be extended after a year for another 12 months before they expire.

As of August 31, there were nine Tpims in force, including eight against British suspects, the latest written update to MPs showed.

Last December, Ibrahim Magag, who is understood to have attended terrorist training camps in Somalia, absconded from a Tpim notice after ripping off his electronic tag. The police search for him is continuing.

The terrorism watchdog warned earlier this year that Tpims could allow those deemed potentially dangerous to be left "free and unconstrained" in the absence of prosecution or new evidence of terrorism-related activity.

Ibrahim Magag Police are still hunting Ibrahim Magag, who absconded in December 2012

David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said in his first report on Tpims, that the two-year limit was the "boldest" change from control orders made by the Government, adding that it was "tempting, in the most serious cases, to wish for longer".

Speaking in March, he said: "Some subjects who have been judged by the Home Secretary and by the courts to be potentially dangerous will then, absent prosecution or new evidence of terrorism-related activity, be free and unconstrained."

Mr Anderson said a longer time limit was tempting as allegations against some Tpim subjects were at the "highest end of seriousness, even by the standards of international terrorism".

However, he concluded that the two years of constraint now permitted were "a very strong power by international or indeed historic British standards".

Mr Brokenshire has defended the measures, describing them as providing a "robust mechanism" to manage suspects and reassure the public.


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Maidstone Prison 'Riot' Brought Under Control

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 03 November 2013 | 10.03

A "riot" at Maidstone Prison has been brought under control, the Prison Service has said.

Officers from special prison service riot units across the country were called in to deal with the Maidstone incident in a system known as Operation Tornado.

A prison officers union said they had been told the riot involved up to 180 prisoners, but the Prison Service said that just 40 took part in the "incident".

Disorder at Maidstone prision Riot units were called to the prison

Prison Officers Association, Vice Chair, Ralph Valerio, told Sky News that negotiators were sent to the scene in Kent to try to contain the disturbance.

He said he had been told that that, at one point, inmates were smashing up Thanet Wing at the prison.

Mr Valerio said he was led to believe that between 160 to 180 foreigners were involved and some staff could have been assaulted.

Disorder at Maidstone prision Up to 180 foreigners are thought to have taken part in the disturbance

He said the prison staff were forced to retreat to safety. Thanet Wing, where the riot occurred, is separated from the other wings.

Jackie Hipwell, the landlady of a pub nearby, said the whole road in front of the prison was filled with fire engines and riot vans.

She said it started around 4pm and there were so many vehicles deployed she was unable to use the road.

The location of Thanet Wing at HMP Maidstone The location of Thanet Wing at Maidstone Prison

A Prison Service spokesperson said later: "An incident involving around 40 prisoners at HMP Maidstone has been successfully resolved with no injuries to staff or prisoners.

"An investigation is under way and the perpetrators will be dealt with appropriately by the prison."

Mr Valerio believes staff shortages and the impact this has had on the prisoners is a possible reason behind the rioting.

Maidstone, with an inmate population of about 600, is a category C training prison that predominantly houses sex offenders from the Kent and Sussex areas.

Its website says it aims to "create a therapeutic environment that supports, embraces and empowers change with a primary focus on risk reduction and protection".

The prison also takes in foreign prisoners with more than 18 months to serve and provides forums with the UK Border Agency.

Kent Police confirmed they were aware of the incident, but a spokeswoman said prison services were dealing with the matter.

Meanwhile, a passive demonstration took place at G4S-run Rye Hill Prison, near Rugby,  involving 60 inmates. However, this was resolved peacefully and was not linked to the Maidstone riot.


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EBay: Nazi Holocaust Memorabilia Removed

Auction site eBay has apologised after Nazi Holocaust memorabilia, including clothes worn by concentration camp victims, were traded online.

Journalists claim to have found several items for sale, including a complete Auschwitz uniform worn by a Polish baker who died in the camp.

The Auschwitz uniform had reportedly been priced at £11,300 by the seller, a Ukrainian man in Canada, named as Viktor Kempf,.

Child survivors of Auschwitz Survivors liberated from Auschwitz in 1945

He had apparently sold similar clothing for $18,000 (£11,491) last year.

It was claimed Mr Kempf had been criticised in the past for selling such items, but did so to "document" them and to fund history book projects.

Mr Kempf was quoted as saying: "I don't want people to think I'm just doing it for the money. These periods in history are horrific, nobody should ever forget them."

Holocaust Memorabilia on EBay How Mr Kempf described the items on eBay

EBay has offered to donate £25,000 to charity after the items were discovered and admitted they breached their terms of use.

In a statement, the online retailer said: "We are very sorry these items have been listed on eBay and we are removing them.

"We don't allow listings of this nature, and dedicate thousands of staff to policing our site and use the latest technology to detect items that shouldn't be for sale.

The original copy of a list of over 1,200 Polish Jews known as Schindler's List shown in Stuttgart, .. Schindler's list failed to sell on eBay when offered for sale for £3m

"We very much regret that we didn't live up to our own standards. We have made a donation to charity to reflect our concern."

Other items found on eBay, by journalists at the Mail on Sunday, included shoes and a toothbrush said to have belonged to concentration camp victims.

There were also yellow Star of David armbands used by the Nazis to identify Jews for persecution.

An original copy of Schindler's list of Jews saved from the Holocaust by Oskar Schindler went unsold on eBay in July.

The 14-page typewritten list - bearing the names of 801 men - originated from the German industrialist's right-hand man Itzhak Stern and had a steep opening bid of $3m (£1.96m).


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