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Showing posts from June 26, 2016

Armed fighters demanding warlord’s release block Kiev court

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Armed members of a Ukrainian volunteer battalion back from fighting the self-proclaimed republics in the country’s east are blocking a court in the capital Kiev where a former commander is standing trial for kidnapping and organizing a mob. Valentin “Wardaddy” Likholit, a field commander in the notorious Aidar battalion, was detained on June 1 on allegations of committing grievous crimes, including organizing an armed gang and an assault related to robbery. Two other members of the battalion were arrested along with Likholit. The court has now ruled that Valentin Likholit is to remain under arrest for two more months. When the judge was announcing the Pechorsky court’s decision, members of volunteer regiments that were present in the courtroom started a brawl with the police officers who were guarding the session. Likholit’s supporters insist the accusations against their leader are “absurd” and are demanding that the warlord be released on bail as soon as possible. They have threatene

Neo-Nazi group crowns Scottish woman ‘Miss Hitler 2016’

A Scottish woman has been named “Miss Hitler 2016” in a competition organized by British neo-Nazi youth movement National Action. The winner has not been identified and is known only as ‘A-Bus-Full-Of-Retards.’ She poses on the group’s website giving the Heil Hitler salute with the lower part of her face covered. “I am an NA activist living in Scotland and a dedicated member of our organization,”  she says in an interview on the group’s  website . “I didn’t want to believe that Jews are the enemy as I was brought up to believe they are very similar to Christians. Eventually the Jewish propaganda became too obvious to ignore and so I became involved with NA.” The woman goes on to say that if she could kill one person and  “get away with it,”  it would be German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “I would put Angela Merkel (without any protection) in one of her camps and let her pet refugees do the rest.” While not much is known about ‘Bus-Full-Of-Retards,’ she says she enjoys  “reading, browsing

Israel and Palestinians: Powers warn of perpetual conflict

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AFP Two decades of on-off peace talks have not solved the conflict A group of key world powers has warned of "perpetual occupation and conflict" between Israelis and Palestinians. In a  long-awaited report , the so-called Quartet said ongoing violence, Israeli settlement-building and Palestinian splits were undermining peace hopes. Israel insisted it was a "myth" that settlements were an obstacle. The Palestinians said responsibility should not be "equalised" between "people under occupation" and a "foreign military occupier". Heightened tensions The Quartet - made up of the US, UN, EU and Russia and formed in 2002 - called on both sides to take positive action and said only direct bilateral negotiations could end the conflict. The last round of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians came to an end amid acrimony in April 2014. Friday's report identifies three main areas driving the conflict: Continui

Austria court orders presidential election re-run after far-Rightchallenge

Europe was plunged into fresh crisis on Friday as  Austria’s  courts ordered a re-run of the country’s presidential election. The constitutional court ruled the election, in which  a far-Right candidate was narrowly defeated , would have to be held again because of irregularities in counting postal votes. The ruling means the far-Right may  seize the presidency of a European Union member state  for the first time. Norbert Hofer, the gun-toting candidate of the far-Right Freedom Party (FPÖ) lost the election in May by just 31,000 votes. He was defeated by  Alexander van der Bellen , a soft-spoken former economics professor endorsed by the Green Party. "Confidence in the rule of law is the foundation of a democracy," Mr van der Bellen said. "I will stand in the rerun, and I intend to win it. I urge all citizens to exercise they right to vote. This is no game. For me it is about the unity of Austria." Mr Hofer’s supporters will hope Friday's ruli

‘We’re center right, not far fight’ – Austria’s Freedom party

Right-wing parties are gaining popularity across the EU as people don’t trust European politicians anymore, because they don’t give the answers citizens want, said Barbara Kappel MEP, from the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria.  Austria's constitutional court has overturned the result of May's presidential election and decided it must be held again. It saw independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen narrowly grab victory over the right-wing Freedom Party’s Norbert Hofer. Some media have been celebrating it as a victory against the far-right and an escape from neo-fascism. Hofer was labeled “a wolf in sheep's clothing,” “the Donald Trump of Europe,” and “the friendly face of the far-right.” However, he repeatedly said he is merely a patriot, not a neo-fascist. RT discussed Friday’s court ruling and the party’s further plans with MEP Barbara Kappel. RT :  You were together with Norbert Hofer listening to today's verdict. We could see how surprised and happ

How technology could help predict terrorist attacks

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The internet has become a weapon for terrorists, who use social media and other technologies to organise, recruit and spread propaganda. So is it possible to turn technology around and use it to not only catch terrorists but predict and potentially stop terror attacks before they happen? One thing we can do is use technology to search for patterns in the activity and language of terrorists and their supporters online. If we can spot trends that typically occur in the run up to an attack, it may be possible to automatically identify when future acts of violence are being planned. In a  new study , researchers from Harvard University  attempted to do just this . They used computer simulations to show how unofficial groups of online Islamic State (IS) supporters spread and grow through social networking sites and how this relates to the timing of violent attacks. Image: Institute for Economics and Peace This  follows research  into how messages on Twitter can be classifi

Frenchman stabbed by couple shouting Allahu Akbar

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Reuters The investigation is reportedly being led by criminal police rather than anti-terror units Police are investigating after a French charity worker said he was attacked with a knife and an axe by a couple who shouted "Allahu Akbar". The incident happened at a soup kitchen in Montreuil, east of Paris. The man said he was able to dodge the axe but was stabbed in the stomach, according to a prosecutors statement. His condition is not said to be serious. France remains under a state of emergency since last November's attacks claimed by Islamist militants. The victim told investigators the assailants shouted "Allahu Akbar", meaning "God is greatest", and called him an "infidel dog" before running away. He is director at Restos du Coeur, a charity which gives food packages and hot meals to the needy. According to Reuters, the investigation is being carried out by criminal police rather than anti-terrorism units. Since the

Eid event cancelled after far-right demonstration raises safety fears

Eid celebrations in Southampton have been cancelled over security concerns following a plan demonstration by anti-immigration activists. The British Bangladesh Cultural Academy (BBCA) said it has been forced to cancel its Eid al-Fitr prayer event in a Southampton park following a planned demonstration by the South Coast Resistance group at the weekend. Thousands had been expected to attend the annual Islamic event to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Shere Sattar  told the BBC:  "We have decided it would be best if we cancel the huge gathering considering the political situation and unrest in the UK after leaving the EU and the rise of racist activity and comments around the other cities." The demonstration in Southampton city centre by the far-right group - which is calling for “an end to mass immigration” – is due to take place on Saturday. The group said they plan to march under a banner saying “Refugees Not Welcome”. A counter-protest has been organised by a

Abdur Rehman Admits Link With Kandahar Plane Hijack Terrorists

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Press Trust of India  |  Updated: Jun 23, 2016 18:57 IST Rehman said he provided safe shelter in Cuttack to a Pakistani terrorist involved in Kandahar plane hijack. (File Photo) Bhubaneswar:  Al-Qaeda Indian sub-continent (AQIS) operative Mohammed Abdur Rehman has admitted his links with the terrorists involved in the 1999 Kandahar plane hijack and 2002 American Centre blast incident in Kolkata, a senior police official said today. Rehman had provided safe shelter in Cuttack to a Pakistani terrorist involved in Kandahar plane hijack. The said terrorist belonged to Pak-based Harkat-ul-Mujadhideen group that hijacked the Delhi-bound India Airlines flight IC-184 from Kathamandu to Kandahar, said an official of the Special Task Force of Crime Branch of Odisha Police. The hijackers had demanded release of Azhar Masood in order to release the passengers of the plane.  "As one of the terrorists involved in the hijack was close to Rehman, he brought him to Cuttack and kep

Gunmen take hostages in Bangladeshi capital Dhaka

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Gunmen have stormed a popular cafe in the diplomatic area of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, taking a number of hostages, officials say. Several foreigners are among those being held by eight or nine men in the city's Gulshan district, they add. A gun battle between the attackers and police wounded three people, including two officers. Police and security forces have sealed off the area and are trying to negotiate the hostages's release. "Some derailed youths have entered the restaurant and launched the attack," Benazir Ahmed, chief of Bangladesh's elite police force, said.  "We want to resolve this peacefully. We are trying to talk to the attackers... Our first priority is to save the lives of the people trapped inside." Local media reported that the gunmen entered the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe and opened fire. The cafe is described as being popular with expatriates, diplomats and middle-class families. Is extremism on the rise in Bangladesh? Lurching f

Al Qaeda Leader Warns Of Gravest Consequences If Boston Bomber Executed

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Reuters  |  Updated: Jul 01, 2016 20:47 IST Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was sentenced last year to death by lethal injection for the 2013 Boston attack. (File photo) Cairo:  Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri has warned the United States of the "gravest consequences" if Boston marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev or any other Muslim prisoner is executed. Tsarnaev, named in a new online video message from Zawahri, was sentenced last year to death by lethal injection for the 2013 bomb attack, which killed three people and injured more than 260. "If the US administration kills our brother the hero Dzhokhar Tsarnaev or any Muslim, it ... will bring America's nationals the gravest consequences," Zawahri said.  Zawahri, who became al Qaeda's leader after US forces killed Osama bin Laden in 2011, urged Muslims to take captive as many Westerners as possible, especially those whose countries had joined the "Crusaders' Campaign led by the United States"

Delhi Rejects Boko Haram's Role In Abduction Of 2 Indians In Nigeria

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Press Trust of India  |  Updated: Jul 01, 2016 21:26 IST Mangipudi Sai Srinivas is one of the two Indians abducted in Nigeria. New Delhi:  India today ruled out involvement of terror group Boko Haram in the abduction of two Indians from Gboko, a town in the Benue state of north-central Nigeria, and said it appears that 'local criminals' were involved. The duo -Mangipudi Sai Srinivas (from Andhara Pradesh) and his colleague Anish Sharma (from Karnataka) - were travelling to Dangote Cement Plc Plant in a car from their residential quarters around 7.20 pm on Wednesday when a group of armed men kidnapped them at a traffic signal.  "I have obtained a detailed report on the two Indian nationals Sai Srinivas and Anish Sharma who have been abducted in Nigeria. I have ... spoken to Mrs.Lalita Srinivas. I have assured her that we are doing everything to secure their release," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted. External Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup described

Tunisian prisoners tell of life with Islamic State in Libya

The prisoners said that militants in Sabratha were divided into cells that were ready to defy the group's hierarchical structures.  Local officials in Sabratha have long denied or played down Islamic State’s presence in the city.  When a US air strike hit Sabratha in western Libya on February 19, it reduced a building on the southern fringes of the city to rubble, killing dozens of militants and exposing a network of  Islamic State  cells operating just near the Tunisian border. It also upended the lives of three young Tunisian women who were married to militants killed in the strike or its aftermath, and are now being held with their children in a Tripoli prison. The women’s accounts, given in a rare interview, shed light on how Islamic State was able to operate largely undisturbed in Sabratha as the cell’s mainly Tunisian members plotted attacks back in their home country. It is also an illustration of how the militant group may continue to find space amid Libya’s turmoil even as