Notorious Dutch Gangster Given Life Imprisonment

July 4, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Willem Holleeder, the Netherlands' most notorious gangster, has been found guilty of ordering a series of murders of figures in the world of organised crime.

Holleeder, now 61, achieved notoriety in the 1980s for the kidnapping of beer tycoon Freddy Heineken. He then became a big crime boss and has been convicted after a lengthy and expensive trial in Amsterdam. Among his victims was friend and associate Cor van Hout.

Details Of Fire On Board Russian Submersible 'Totally Classified'

July 3, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Russia refused to release any details about a fire which killed 14 crew aboard a submersible on Monday, saying the information was a "state secret".

Revealing the incident on Tuesday, Russia's defence ministry said the men died from smoke inhalation.

Authorities refused to say whether the vessel was nuclear powered, raising concerns over possible radiation leaks.

Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, said details about the vessel were "totally classified". "There is nothing illegal about this. It fully corresponds to the Russian law on state secrets," he said.

US Military Parade To Include Tanks Ordered By President Trump

July 2, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

President Donald Trump's plans to host a military parade on US Independence Day this week have left critics seeing red, rather than red, white and blue.

At his "Salute to America" on Thursday, Mr Trump will address the nation from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC amid a parade of military tanks. But city officials have expressed dismay at the possible damage to roads at the 4 July event.

Russian Made Missile Lands In Northern Cyprus

July 1, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A stray Russian-made missile apparently launched by Syria hit the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus overnight, officials say.

Foreign Minister Kudret Ozersay said the air defence missile was thought to have been launched during suspected Israeli air strikes on Syria. The projectile struck a mountainside north of Nicosia, 225km (140 miles) from the Syrian coast, sparking a fire.

At least four civilians were reportedly killed in the air strikes on Syria.

Unreliable GPS Signals At Israeli Airport Blamed On Russians

June 27, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Russia has denied Israeli suggestions that it is behind disruption of GPS signals at Israel's Ben Gurion airport.

Since early June, GPS signals at the airport have been unreliable for pilots and planes using the location.

The missing navigational data has had a "significant impact" on airport operations, said Israel's Airports Authority. Russia's ambassador to Israel said the accusation was "fake news" and could not be "taken seriously".

French Police Under Spot Light

June 25, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

An inquiry has begun after French police broke up a group of revellers celebrating an annual music festival and a man aged 24 disappeared.

Fourteen people were rescued from the River Loire after falling in during the police crackdown, witnesses say.

Steve Maia Caniço was last seen in the early hours of Saturday and friends say he went missing when police intervened.

Witnesses say police fired tear gas and rubber bullets as they tried to bring an end to a night of techno music.

Iran Shoots Down US Drone

June 20, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A US military surveillance drone has been shot down by Iranian forces while flying over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said the aircraft had violated Iranian airspace, and that the incident sent a "clear message to America".

But the US military insisted the drone had been over international waters at the time, and condemned what it called an "unprovoked attack" by the IRGC.

President Donald Trump tweeted: "Iran made a very big mistake!"

The incident comes at a time of escalating tension between the two countries.

Teenager Repeatedly Stabbed In Luton

June 18, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A 15-year-old boy is being treated for life-threatening injuries after being stabbed more than 20 times.

The teenager was attacked in Preston Gardens, Luton, at about 02:10 BST.

Det Insp Jerry Waite described the violence as "horrific" and appealed for witnesses.

"The victim received more than 20 stab wounds in this shocking incident and is now fighting for his life," Det Insp Waite said.

"It's absolutely vital that anyone who has any information about this incident, no matter how minor it may seem, gets in touch with us."

Egyptian Former President Dies On Trial

June 17, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Egypt's former president Mohammed Morsi, who was ousted by the army in 2013, has died after fainting in a courtroom, state TV says.

Morsi, a former top figure in the now-banned Islamist movement Muslim Brotherhood, was at a session over accusations of espionage. He was 67.

He was overthrown following mass protests a year after he took office as the country's first democratically elected leader.

Second Attack On Saudi Airport Within Two Days

June 14, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Yemen's rebel Houthi movement has launched drones at a Saudi airport, the second such attack in two days.

Five drones targeted Abha airport and the nearby city of Khamis Mushait, Saudi officials said in a statement.

No casualties were reported and Abha airport was said to be running normally without any disruption to flights. An attack on Abha on Wednesday injured 26 people.

Yemen has faced consistent bombing by coalition forces since March 2015.