US Believe Russia Is Testing Nuclear Weapons

May 30, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Russia may be violating a ban on the testing of low-yield nuclear weapons capabilities at a site in the Arctic, a top US intelligence official said.

Lt Gen Robert Ashley, the director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, said Moscow was "probably not adhering to" the rules of a recognised treaty.

He was referring to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), a multilateral agreement prohibiting nuclear testing.

Russia, which ratified the treaty in 2008, says it complies with the CTBT.

The US has signed but has not yet ratified the treaty.

Two Killed In Japanese Attack

May 29, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A knife-wielding man has attacked a group of schoolchildren waiting for a bus in the Japanese city of Kawasaki near Tokyo.

At least 18 people were injured in a residential area. Two of them, an 11-year-old girl and a 39-year-old man, have died. The suspect, a man in his 50s, stabbed himself in the neck after his rampage and later died in hospital. Police have named him as Ryuichi Iwasaki.

Violent crime is rare in Japan and the motive for the attack is unknown.

The suspect was holding knives in both hands as he attacked the victims - 16 of whom were schoolgirls.

Parcel Bombs Sent To London Transport Hubs Linked To Devices Sent In 2014

May 29, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Parcel bombs sent to UK addresses including Heathrow Airport could be linked to those sent in 2014 to army careers offices, detectives have said.

"Small improvised explosive devices" were found at Waterloo station, London City Airport and Heathrow on 5 March.

Another was recovered at the University of Glasgow the next day, while a fifth was found after being returned to a postal depot in Limerick, Ireland.

Crimes Against Humanity Being Committed In Northern Sinai

May 28, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Egyptian forces and militants in the Sinai might both be responsible for crimes against humanity, human rights campaigners say.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) accuses the government of carrying out enforced disappearances, killings, torture and other illegal acts. It says militants who the government is fighting have kidnapped, tortured and murdered hundreds of Sinai residents.

The two sides have long been battling in the northern part of the peninsula.

The government has declared the Northern Sinai a closed military zone, meaning independent reporting is not possible from there.

Ex US Marine Claims He Is Victim Of Political Kidnap

May 24, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A former US marine imprisoned in Russia on suspicion of spying has complained of "abuses and harassment" and says he is a "victim of political kidnap".

Mr Whelan - a citizen of the US, UK, Canada and Ireland - was arrested in late December, accused of espionage. The 48-year-old denies the charges and told a court on Friday that he had been subjected to threats and abuse by a security service investigator.

The comments came as his pre-trial custody was extended until 29 August.

'American Taliban' Released From Prison

May 23, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

John Walker Lindh - the so-called "American Taliban" - has been released from prison, a move Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared "unconscionable".

Lindh served 17 years of a 20-year sentence after he was captured in 2001 fighting in Afghanistan. His early release has sparked fierce criticism, with many believing he still harbours extremist views.

In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Mr Pompeo said it was "deeply troubling and wrong".

Police Forces Arrest Nearly 600 Gang Members In The Last Week

May 21, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Nearly 600 suspected members of county lines drugs gangs have been arrested across the UK in the past week, the National Crime Agency has said.

Police forces led by the National County Lines Coordination Centre also seized cocaine worth £176,780, £312,649 in cash and 46 weapons.

The NCA estimates there are about 2,000 city-based gangs exploiting young people to sell drugs in smaller towns. It says tackling the gangs is a "national law enforcement priority".

In the operation between 13 and 20 May:

Teenagers Living In Care Vulnerable To Organised Crime Gangs

May 20, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Thousands of teenagers in care are being "dumped" in unregulated homes and "abandoned to organised crime gangs".

The number of looked-after children aged 16 and over living in unregistered accommodation in England has increased 70% in a decade, Newsnight has found.

Police forces have raised concerns, saying criminals see the premises as an easy target for recruitment. The government said children in care "deserve good quality accommodation".

Neo Nazi Terror Plotter Jailed For Life

May 17, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A neo-Nazi who planned to murder Labour MP Rosie Cooper in a terrorist attack has been jailed for life.

Jack Renshaw, 23, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, must serve at least 20 years in prison.

A judge at the Old Bailey said Renshaw, who earlier admitted preparing an act of terror, wanted to "replicate" the murder of Jo Cox.

Renshaw made a Nazi salute towards supporters as he was led to the cells from the dock. He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to buying a machete to kill the West Lancashire MP and making threats to kill police officer Det Con Victoria Henderson.

Leader Of Terrorist Group Eta Arrested In French Alps

May 16, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The political leader of the Basque separatist group Eta has been arrested in the French Alps after 17 years on the run, officials say.

In a joint French-Spanish police operation, Josu Ternera - whose real name is José Antonio Urrutikoetxea - was arrested in Sallanches. He is accused over several Eta killings.

Eta, which waged a violent campaign for Basque independence for more than 40 years, said in 2018 it was disbanding. The group killed more than 800 people during its campaign of violence before declaring a ceasefire in 2011.