January 2013 - Page 5 of 6 - Armoured & Luxury

Can an emboldened President Obama address gun control?

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

I am in London as I follow news of this terrible slaughter. The president is so right – every parent will feel this tragedy deep in their hearts.

But politics is never far away.

Only hours before, I had been explaining to British friends that most people in the UK just did not get the American attitude towards guns, with many regarding it as a sort of crazy aberration.

But it is just different.

Americans believe they have a right to own guns, not just for sport or hunting but for self defence. That right is embodied in their most revered political document, the constitution.

Guns are much more a part of every day life than they are in the UK. That is why some insist that they should even be allowed to own weapons which are designed for no other purpose than to kill a lot of people, quickly.

Gabrielle Giffords launches gun control campaign

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A former US congresswoman who survived a gunshot wound to her head during a mass shooting has launched a campaign against gun violence.

Gabrielle Giffords’ Americans for Responsible Solutions initiative aims to raise money for gun control efforts.

It comes as the White House holds talks with groups representing gun-owners, victims and the video game industry.

A school shooting in December that killed 20 children and six adults has fuelled debate over gun violence.

Ms Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly – both gun owners – wrote in USA Today on Tuesday: “In response to a horrific series of shootings… Congress has done something quite extraordinary – nothing at all.”

The couple also highlight the influence of the gun lobby, adding: “Achieving reforms to reduce gun violence and prevent mass shootings will mean matching gun lobbyists in their reach and resources.”

How will oil affect Madagascar’s environmental riches?

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Amid the hills of western Madagascar, villagers have long been aware of a thick sticky substance naturally seeping out of the ground.

But it is only recently that these unconventional oil deposits in the region of Melaky have attracted the attention of investors.

The rising prices of oil on world markets, coupled with new technologies aim to turn the Indian Ocean island – famous for its unique habitat and wildlife – into a significant oil producer.

Tsimiroro is extremely remote – even by the vast island’s standards – and most of Madagascar Oil’s estimated 100 employees are flown by small plane from the capital, Antanarivo, 300km (about 185 miles) to the east of the oil field.

“Currently I work three weeks on the site and get one week off,” says a 48 year old oil worker as he arrives at Tsimiroro airstrip after a week in Antananarivo with his wife in children.

Cyanide ‘killed Chicago lottery winner’ Urooj Khan

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The death of a Chicago lottery winner has led to a murder investigation after a post-mortem examination found he died of cyanide poisoning.

Urooj Khan, 46, died suddenly as he was about to collect almost $425,000 (£264,000), but his death was initially attributed to natural causes.

The local coroner reopened his case after a relative came forward.

Chicago police confirmed they were now investigating Khan’s death as a homicide.

“It’s pretty unusual,” Cook County Medical Examiner Stephen Cina said, commenting on the rarity of cyanide poisonings. “I’ve had one, maybe two cases out of 4,500 autopsies I’ve done.”

Mr Cina’s office found that Khan died shortly after ingesting a lethal dose of cyanide.

Indian troops shot dead near Kashmir’s Line of Control

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Two Indian soldiers have been shot dead in the disputed Kashmir region between India and Pakistan, officials say.

The Indian army said a patrol was attacked by Pakistani soldiers in “a grave provocation” near the so-called Line of Control.

Pakistan denied the accusation. The deaths came two days after a Pakistani soldier was killed near the LoC.

Kashmir is claimed by both nations in its entirety and has been a flashpoint between them for more than 60 years.

Tuesday’s shootings took place near Mendhar, 220 km (140 miles) north of the Indian city of Jammu, Indian officials said.