Myanmar Army Takes Power In Coup Detaining Aung San Suu Kyi

February 1, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Myanmar's military has seized power after detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratically elected leaders.

Troops are patrolling streets in major cities and communications are limited. The top army commander is now in charge and a one-year state of emergency has been declared, army TV announced. The move follows a landslide win by Ms Suu Kyi's party in an election the army claims was marred by fraud. She urged her supporters to "not accept this" and "protest against the coup".

Prime Minister Reverses Decision On UK National Security Advisor

January 29, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Downing Street has appointed a new National Security Adviser days before Lord David Frost was due to start.

The chief Brexit negotiator was meant to take up the post on Monday, but will now be replaced by the Ministry of Defence's Sir Stephen Lovegrove.

No 10 faced criticism over Lord Frost's appointment in June last year, with former PM Theresa May saying he had "no proven expertise" in the area. Now he will be the PM's representative on Brexit and International Policy.

Emotet Botnet Shut Down Following International Police Operation

January 28, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Police have seized thousands of computers running one of the most dangerous hacking networks worldwide.

The Emotet network obtains access to victims' computers, via malicious email attachments, then sells it to criminals who install more dangerous malware.

Police from the UK, EU, US and Canada worked together to "disrupt" Emotet.

Homeland Security Issues Heightened Threat Of Domestic Terrorism

January 28, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

US security chiefs have warned of a heightened threat of domestic terrorism from people unhappy with the outcome of the November election.

The Department of Homeland Security said the 6 January attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters may have emboldened some extremists.

In an advisory it warned of a threat from "individuals frustrated with the exercise of governmental authority". But it added that there was no information on a specific plot.

Bomb Squad Called To Factory Producing UK Covid Vaccine

January 27, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine has been suspended at a plant in Wales after it received a suspicious package.

The Wockhardt UK plant was evacuated and a bomb disposal unit seen at the jab producer's site at Wrexham Industrial Estate in Holt on Wednesday.

Wockhardt said it still aimed to stick to the "previously approved production schedule". Downing Street said it is being regularly updated on the incident.

Several Injured After Knife Attack In Frankfurt

January 26, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Multiple people have been wounded - some of them seriously - in a knife attack on a train station in Frankfurt.

The attack occurred around 9am in the central German city before police overpowered and arrested the attacker.

Three people were seriously injured in the attack, local newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine reported, though police added no injuries were life-threatening. Witnesses told the newspaper that the man seemed to be under the influence of drugs and appeared to chose his victims at random.

Mexico Finds 19 Charred Bodies In Vehicles Near US Border

January 25, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The burnt bodies of 19 people have been found close to the Mexican border with the US, according to officials from Tamaulipas state.

Police found two burnt-out vehicles on Saturday and initial findings indicate the people were shot and then set alight. Violent drug gangs operate in the area, where migrants also try to cross the border into Texas.

An official said the victims may be undocumented migrants, reports AFP.

Riots Erupt In Netherlands During Protest Over Lockdown Curfew

January 25, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has condemned weekend riots against newly imposed coronavirus restrictions as "criminal violence".

Rioters attacked police and set cars and bikes on fire to protest against a curfew introduced on Saturday.

In the southern city of Eindhoven, protesters threw fireworks, looted supermarkets and smashed shop windows. There were smaller protests in Amsterdam, and in some cities and towns around the country.

More than 200 people have been detained, police said.

Iran's Supreme Leader Vows Revenge On Trump

January 22, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A Twitter account linked to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has posted what appears to be a call for an attack on Donald Trump in revenge for last year's killing of its top military commander, Gen Qasem Soleimani.

The post features a depiction of a man resembling the former US president playing golf in the shadow of a warplane or large drone. "Vengeance is inevitable," it reads.

The social media giant has now suspended the account - @khameneisite.

Boy, 15 Killed By Armed Gang In Birmingham

January 22, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A 15-year-old boy has died after being attacked in a residential street by a group of youths "armed with knives".

Police said Keon Lincoln was "set upon" at about 15:30 GMT on Thursday on Linwood Road, in Handsworth, Birmingham, and died later in hospital.

The attackers fled in a car which crashed into a house a short distance away, added police, who said they had since seized the vehicle. A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody.