Manchester United Player Victim Of Attempted Burglary

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Manchester United's Angel Di Maria has been the victim of an attempted burglary while at his home in Cheshire, the BBC understands.

A number of offenders tried to smash the back door of the house in the Chelford Road area of Prestbury on Saturday evening, Cheshire Police said.

The alarm was raised before the men got inside and they fled the scene.

Conflict In South Sudan To End After Deal Signed

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and rebel commander Riek Machar have signed a deal, committing to end the conflict that has devastated the country.

The ceasefire agreement was signed at talks in Ethiopia.

But consultations will continue on the contentious issue of a future government and power-sharing.

The conflict - which erupted in December 2013 - has displaced about 1.5 million people and earlier ceasefire deals have not lasted.

Coup Allegation

Court In Egypt Endorses Death Sentence Of Muslim Brotherhood

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A court in Egypt has upheld death sentences on 183 Muslim Brotherhood supporters over a 2013 attack on a police station near Cairo.

The men were convicted over the deaths of at least 11 officers in Kerdasa.

The attack took place after Egyptian military forces cracked down on Islamist supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi that July.

Hundreds of death sentences have been passed on Mr Morsi's supporters but none has been carried out.

Army In Nigeria Push Back Assault By Boko Haram

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The Nigerian army says it has repelled an assault by Boko Haram Islamist militants on the strategic north-eastern city of Maiduguri.

Defence Ministry spokesman Chris Olukolade is quoted as saying the attack was "contained" and the rebels suffered heavy casualties.

The militants attacked in the early hours of Sunday, and gunfire was reported on the streets of the city.

Last week's assault by Boko Haram on the city was also stopped by the army.

Former US Army Sergeant Pleads Guilty To Gambia Coup

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A former US army sergeant has pleaded guilty to involvement in a failed coup attempt in the Gambia last December.

Papa Faal, 46, who has dual American and Gambian nationality, was arrested after he returned to the US.

In court in the city of Minneapolis on Thursday, he admitted conspiring to carry out a coup and conspiring to export weapons without a licence.

The plotters had attacked the presidential palace in Banjul but were repelled by guards.

Several were killed and others, including Faal, escaped.

"The intent was not to kill anybody" unless they were fired on, Faal told the court.

Journalist Peter Greste Release From Prison In Egypt

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste will not rest until his colleagues are released from prison in Egypt, his family says.

After 400 days behind bars, Mr Greste was freed and deported on Sunday. He landed safely in Cyprus, on his way to his native Australia.

Arrested in 2013, he was tried on charges that included spreading false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood.

Two al-Jazeera colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, remain jailed.

Mr Fahmy, who holds dual Egyptian and Canadian citizenship, could be freed if he renounces his Egyptian nationality, presidential sources say.

Fire At Plastics Factory In Dhaka Kills Thirteen

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

At least 13 people have died and dozens have been injured in a fire at a plastics factory in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, officials say.

The cause of the blaze in the multi-storey Nasim Plastic building is still unclear, but it may have triggered by a faulty gas cylinder or boiler.

The fire was later brought under control. Fire-fighters are now searching through the rubble.

Factory fires are common in Bangladesh, where safety conditions are often poor.

In 2012, 112 workers died in a fire in the factory just outside the capital.

Jordan Pledge To Secure Release Of Pilot From Islamic State

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Jordan has vowed to do all it can to secure the release of a pilot captured by Islamic State, after a video was released appearing to show the beheading of a Japanese hostage.

Jordan echoed Japan in strongly condemning the murder of Kenji Goto.

The pilot, Lt Moaz al-Kasasbeh, was captured when his plane came down in December on a mission to support the US-led, anti-IS military coalition.

Jordan says it is willing to exchange an Iraqi prisoner for his safe return.

Building Designed By Frank Gehry Opens In Sydney

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Sydney has joined the list of cities with a Frank Gehry-designed building.

The Chau Chak Wing Business School building has been dubbed the "brown paper bag" by local media.

Speaking at Monday's opening, Mr Gehry said he hoped the building would generated a "spirit of invention" in those who work and study in it.

The A$180m ($140m; £93m) building for the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), is named after businessman and philanthropist Dr Chau Chak Wing.

It is the architect's first design to be built in Australia.

Ukraine Rebel Leader To Recruit 100,000 Men

February 2, 2015 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko has announced plans to recruit 100,000 men, as fighting with Ukrainian forces intensifies.

The rebels want to push government forces out of the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and are trying to capture the key town of Debaltseve.

Dozens of people including civilians were killed in clashes and artillery fire at the weekend.

Attempts to agree a truce failed when rebel negotiators did not turn up.