IS Bomb Mosques In Double Tap Attack

February 26, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

At least 15 people have been killed in a so-called "double tap" bombing at a Shia mosque in Iraq's capital Baghdad.

Scores of people were wounded in the blasts, thought to have been the work of two suicide bombers. The first assailant detonated his vest inside the mosque and the second blew himself up when security forces gathered at the site, reports say.

The so-called Islamic State (IS) group claimed the attack at the Rasul al-Azam mosque in the Shuala neighbourhood. IS said the bombers had targeted "apostates" - a term the Sunni Muslim jihadist group uses to refer to Shia Muslims.

British Fugitive Could Be In Australia

February 26, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A British fugitive wanted over two murders in Liverpool may be living in Australia, Federal Police (AFP) say.

Kevin Parle, 35, is wanted over the deaths of Lucy Hargreaves, 22, and Liam Kelly, 16, more than a decade ago.

A witness reportedly said he believes he had a drink with Parle in Perth, Western Australia, prompting Australian authorities to launch an appeal. Parle goes by the nickname 'Hemp' and is currently listed as one of Spain's most wanted fugitives, AFP said. He is known to have links to the Torrevieja area of Spain.

Man Shot Dead In South Belfast

February 26, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A murder investigation has been launched after a 28-year-old man died following a shooting in south Belfast.

The gun attack took place in a house at Walmer Street in the Ormeau Road area shortly before 22:45 GMT on Thursday night.

Police said it was believed four men were involved. The man's partner and a nine-year-old child were in the house. Police said the man was taken to hospital, but later died from his injuries.

Part of Walmer Street and neighbouring streets have been closed off and police forensic teams are at the scene. Police have appealed for information about the shooting.

Tim Cook Hits Back Over FBI Court Order

February 25, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Apple boss Tim Cook has hit back at the FBI over the handling of a court order to help unlock the iPhone of San Bernardino killer Syed Rizwan Farook.

Mr Cook told ABC his company first learned of the controversial request when it was reported in the news media. "I don't think that's the way the railroad should be run," he said. "I don't think that something so important to this country should be handled in this way."

New Year's Eve Cologne Attackers May Never Be Found

February 25, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Most of the men who sexually assaulted women in Cologne on New Year's Eve may never be caught, the city's police chief, Juergen Mathies, has said.

CCTV footage was not good enough to identify sex crimes. Police have identified 75 suspects in connection with the thefts and assaults that took place around Cologne station.

Somali Base Attacks By al-Shabab Killed 180 Troops

February 25, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

At least 180 Kenyan troops were killed when al-Shabab attacked their base last month, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said.

Kenya has still not given casualty figures for the assault in the southern Somali base of el-Ade. The Islamist militant group said it had killed about 100 Kenyan troops.

London Hostage Situation Not Terror Related

February 25, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A man has been arrested after a woman was taken hostage, apparently at knifepoint, at a restaurant near Leicester Square in London's West End.

Police with riot shields surrounded the Bella Italia restaurant on Irving Street after the incident was reported at 20:50 GMT. Parts of the busy tourist area were cordoned off and nearby diners were ordered to stay indoors.

The man was detained soon after 22:45. There were no reports of injuries. He was seen being led from the restaurant by police and was then driven away. Officers at the scene said the man had been found with a knife in his pocket.

Killings & Torture Reported In Libya According To UN

February 25, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Killings and torture are being committed with impunity by all sides in Libya, according to a UN report.

Human rights violations carried out by armed groups battling for control of the country could amount to war crimes, the report says. Victims include detainees, journalists and human rights activists. Scores of people have been tortured and killed. Libya, fragmented since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, now has rival militia-backed parliaments.

Police Officer Holds Gun To A Man's Head In Raid

February 24, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

This is the dramatic moment when a police officer held a gun to a man's head in a raid at west Belfast house.

Armed police targeted the property at Aspen Walk in Twinbrook in the early hours of Wednesday after a 41-year-old man was shot in the leg.

Two men, aged 25 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after armed officers and a police helicopter were deployed.The victim is in a serious condition after the attack at Glasvey Drive.

Obama Pushes To Close Guantananmo Bay

February 24, 2016 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The White House has presented to Congress a plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, one of the president's long-standing goals.

He wants to transfer the remaining 91 detainees to their home countries or to US military or civilian prisons. But Congress is deeply opposed to terror suspects being held on US soil and is expected to block the move.

The prison costs $445m (£316m) to run annually and closing it was a 2009 promise from President Barack Obama. Human rights campaigners have repeatedly complained about the prison in Cuba, which has held 780 detainees since it opened in 2002.