Yemen will become federation of six regions

February 10, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Yemen is to become a federation of six regions as part of its political transition, state media report.

Final approval was given by a committee chaired by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi following two weeks of talks with delegates from across the country.

The federal structure should be enshrined in a new constitution that must be put to a referendum.

The move is intended to end the complaints against centralisation that fed rebellions in the north and south.

Iranian warships sailing close to US maritime border

February 10, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Iranian warships in the Atlantic Ocean are to sail close to US maritime borders for the first time, a senior naval commander has said.

Iranian media quoted Adm Afshin Rezayee Haddad as saying the deployment was a response to US vessels in the Gulf.

The fleet consists of a destroyer and a helicopter-carrying supply ship.

It began its voyage last month and entered the Atlantic though South African waters, the IRNA news agency quoted the admiral as saying.

Barack Obama says Spying must not hurt US-German ties

January 22, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

President Barack Obama has said he will not let controversial surveillance by US intelligence services undermine Washington’s ties with Germany.

Speaking to Germany’s ZDF TV, he indicated that US bugging of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone had been a mistake and would not happen again.

After the row broke out last year, Mrs Merkel accused the US of an unacceptable breach of trust.

On Friday, Mr Obama ordered curbs on how intelligence was being collected.

Personal pledge

Iranian diplomat killed in a gun attack in the Yemeni

January 22, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

An Iranian diplomat has been killed in a gun attack in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

He was shot as he was leaving the Iranian ambassador’s residence in the southern Hadda district by car.

The diplomat, named as Ali Asghar Assadi, was taken to hospital but died from his wounds.

Iranian state TV said he had been hit in the chest and stomach while driving. It said Mr Assadi, described as Iran’s economic attache, had been “martyred”.

Edward Snowden may have been working with Russia

January 22, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden may have collaborated with Russia, the chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee has alleged.

“I believe there’s a reason he ended up in the hands, the loving arms, of an agent in Moscow,” Rep Mike Rogers told CBS’s “Face the Nation” programme.

Mr Rogers offered no firm evidence to back his theory, and the FBI is said to remain sure Mr Snowden acted alone.

Mr Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia.

Catherine Samba-Panza elected by Central African Republic MPs

January 22, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Bangui mayor Catherine Samba-Panza, 59, has been elected interim president of the Central African Republic, making her the first woman to hold the post.

She beat her rival Desire Kolingba in the second round of voting by the interim parliament.

Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers agreed at a meeting on Monday to send troops to CAR, diplomatic sources said.

Violence has continued, with two Muslim men killed and burnt in the capital Bangui on Sunday.

Nearly a million people have been forced from their homes – 20% of the population – by the conflict between Muslims and Christians.

Fourth trial called for Mohammed Morsi

January 22, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The ousted president of Egypt, Mohammed Morsi, faces a fourth trial, on charges of insulting the judiciary.

The Islamist leader and 24 other politicians, media personalities, activists and lawyers will be tried on the new charges, judicial sources said.

Mr Morsi was removed from power in July and his Muslim Brotherhood declared a terrorist organisation.

His first trial to date was adjourned earlier this month.

Correspondents say the new trial is a sign that the military have no intention of easing their crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan sacks military chiefs

January 22, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked his military high command, his spokesman Reuben Abati has said.

No reason was given but the dismissals come amid growing concern about the military’s failure to end the Islamist-led insurgency in northern Nigeria.

Mr Abati said Air Marshal Alex Badeh replaces Admiral Ola Ibrahim as the new chief of defence staff, the most senior post in the military.

Boko Haram has been waging a four-year insurgency in Nigeria.

UN invites Iran to Syria peace talks

January 22, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has invited Iran to take part in preliminary Syrian peace talks this week in Switzerland, an offer Tehran has accepted.

Mr Ban said he had received assurances that Iran would play a positive role in securing a transitional government.

But Syria’s main opposition group said it would withdraw from the talks unless Mr Ban retracted the offer to Iran.

And the US said the offer must be conditional on Iran’s support for the 2012 deal on Syria’s transition.

Credit card details on 20 million South Koreans stolen

January 22, 2014 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Credit card details from almost half of all South Koreans have been stolen and sold to marketing firms.

The data was stolen by a computer contractor working for a company called the Korea Credit Bureau that produces credit scores.

The names, social security numbers and credit card details of 20 million South Koreans were copied by the IT worker.

The scale of the theft became apparent after the contractor at the centre of the breach was arrested.

Unprotected data

Managers at the marketing firms which allegedly bought the data were also arrested.