Prominent Kosovo Serb Politician Killed Outside His Office

January 16, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A prominent Kosovo Serb politician, Oliver Ivanovic, has been shot dead outside his party offices in the Serb-run north of Mitrovica.

Ivanovic, seen as a moderate Kosovo Serb leader, was shot four times in the chest and died later in hospital, his lawyer Nebojsa Vlajic said.

Serbian government negotiators walked out of EU-mediated talks with Kosovo Albanians in Brussels after the news. Kosovo remains ethnically divided since unilaterally splitting from Serbia. Mitrovica - in northern Kosovo - is divided, with the south run by Kosovo Albanians.

Old Bailey Hears How British Man Was Preparing Acts Of Terrorism

January 16, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Big Ben and Heathrow Airport were among landmarks targeted by a British man who was "fascinated" by the so-called Islamic State, a court has heard.

Umar Ahmed Haque, 25, from east London, denies preparing acts of terrorism. He is on trial at the Old Bailey in London alongside three other men, aged between 19 and 27.

Mark Heywood QC, opening the case, said Mr Haque had decided to "carry out one or more violent attacks" in the UK and had "identified methods and targets".

Two Russian Bombers Intercepted By RAF

January 15, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Two Russian Blackjack bombers were intercepted by the RAF over the North Sea as they were approaching a UK "area of interest", the RAF has confirmed.

Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland on Monday morning.

An RAF spokesman said a "variety of friendly nation fighters" initially monitored the Russian aircraft, before the RAF moved to intercept them. The Russian aircraft did not enter sovereign UK airspace, he said. The spokesman added: "We can confirm that Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth scrambled to monitor two Blackjack bombers a…

Dozens Injured And Killed In Suicide Bombing In Baghdad

January 15, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

At least 35 people have been killed in a double suicide bombing in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, medical sources say, the second attack in three days.

More than 90 were injured in the attack in Tayaran Square, in the city centre.

Baghdad has repeatedly been the target of bombings and armed attacks since the Islamic State (IS) group overran large areas of the country in 2014. However, the pace of attacks has slowed since Iraq's government declared it had retaken all the territory last month.

Hawaii Missile Alert Employee Temporarily Reassigned

January 15, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The unnamed employee who mistakenly sent a missile alert which caused panic in the US state of Hawaii on Saturday has been temporarily reassigned to other duties, a US official has said.

People across the state received text messages warning of an imminent attack. The US media regulator says the mistake was "absolutely unacceptable". Hawaii did not have "reasonable safeguards or process controls" in place to prevent the false alert, it said.

Leader Of Nigerian Gang Responsible For Death Of British Missionary Killed

January 12, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The leader of a Nigerian gang responsible for the death of a British aid worker has been killed, according to the Nigerian army.

A manhunt for gang leader Peregbakumo Oyawerikumo, known as Karowei, had been under way in southern Nigeria since last year. He coordinated the kidnap of four British missionaries in October. Three were released but one man, Ian Squire, was shot dead in captivity.

Kidnapping for ransom is common in southern Nigeria though most often those taken are freed after a ransom is paid.

Estimated £3.5m Of Jewellery Stolen From Ritz In Paris

January 11, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Armed robbers have seized millions of euros worth of merchandise from a jewellery shop at the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris.

Five men armed with axes smashed a window at the shop inside the hotel at about 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT), French media report. Three men have been arrested, police said, while others remain on the run.

It is not clear whether any of the loot, estimated to be worth more than €4m (£3.5m), was recovered.

Boss Of Yakuza Gang Arrested After 15 Years On The Run

January 11, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Thai police have arrested a Japanese yakuza boss on the run for 15 years after pictures of his tattoos went viral on Facebook.

Shigeharu Shirai is accused of murdering a gang rival in 2003. The photographs of the 74-year old fugitive's elaborate yakuza tattoos were taken by a local person in Thailand unaware of his identity.

The mafia-like yakuza gangs have been part of Japanese society for centuries and have an estimated 60,000 members.

While the gangs themselves are not illegal, much of their earnings are gained illicitly through gambling, prostitution, drug trafficking and cyber-hacking.

Russian Man Steals And Crashes Armoured Vehicle

January 10, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A Russian man has been arrested after he reportedly stole an armoured vehicle and crashed it into a shop in a town north of the Arctic Circle.

According to regional news outlet Hibinform.ru, the unnamed culprit took the vehicle from a driving school, before failing to negotiate a bend, destroying a car, and crashing into the shop front in the north-western town of Apatity.

He's also suspected of stealing a bottle of wine from the supermarket, and "it was with this very bottle that policemen detained him," Hibinform says.

Advert Promoting Army Recruitment Receives Mixed Reviews

January 10, 2018 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Critics have said an Army recruitment campaign, which promotes the emotional support given to troops, will fail to target those most likely to sign-up.

New radio, TV and online adverts seek to address concerns potential soldiers might have about religion or sexuality. They ask: "What if I get emotional?", "Can I be gay in the Army?" and "Do I have to be a superhero?"