Security News the latest breaking news

Raja Pervez Ashraf: Pakistan Supreme Court orders arrest of PM

January 16, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of PM Raja Pervez Ashraf and 15 others over corruption allegations, raising fears of a political crisis just months ahead of an election.

Mr Ashraf denies accepting bribes when approving power generation projects as minister for water and power in 2010.

Analysts say that the move is unlikely to lead to his immediate removal.

It comes as a populist cleric led thousands of protesters in Islamabad, demanding the government resign.

There was a mood of mass euphoria as the news of the court’s order reached demonstrators, led by Tahirul Qadri. Some jumped for joy and others hugged, some crying.

“So far we have not received anything from the Supreme Court in writing. The government, the law ministry and the prime minister have not received any order from the Supreme Court,” Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira reportedly told private TV channel Geo.

Mali conflict: France to increase troop numbers

January 16, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

President Francois Hollande says more French troops are to be deployed in Mali to support the 750 in the country countering an Islamist insurgency.

Mr Hollande said new air strikes overnight had “achieved their goal”. One target was the town of Diabaly, which rebels entered on Monday.

West African military chiefs are meeting in Mali to discuss how an alliance with the French will work.

France began its intervention on Friday to halt the Islamists’ advance south.

Late on Monday, the UN Security Council unanimously backed the intervention.

‘Really scared’

Mr Hollande, on a visit to the French regional military base known as Peace Camp in Abu Dhabi, said: “For now, we have 750 men and the number will increase. New strikes overnight achieved their goal.”

British special constable shot dead by bandits in Kenya

January 16, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A British man who was killed in Kenya on Saturday was a special constable with the Metropolitan Police.

Jamal Moghe, 26, from Wembley, north-west London, also worked as a civilian employee of the Met based at Ealing in west London.

He is believed to have been killed by bandits while travelling on a charity trip.

Ealing borough commander Andy Rowell said: “We were all shocked and saddened to hear of Jamal’s death.”

Mr Moghe was a criminal exhibits officer in Ealing and also worked as a special constable – a volunteer police officer – in his home borough of Brent.

Cdr Rowell said: “He was a popular member of the team at Ealing borough and he also chose to serve his community by volunteering as a special. Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this time.”

Guatemalan mayor Carlos Castillo Medrano shot dead

January 16, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The mayor of the eastern Guatemalan town of Jutiapa has been shot dead as he waited to have his hair cut at a barber’s.

Witnesses say Carlos Enrique Castillo Medrano, 39, was killed by two unidentified men who shot at him six times before escaping on a motorbike.

His death came as President Otto Perez Molina addressed the nation to mark his first year in office and hailed “a historic decline in violence”.

Murders were down by some 10%, he said.

“We have had 526 fewer homicides in 2012 than in the previous year,” said Mr Perez Molina in his state-of-the-nation address.

According to government figures, there were 5,174 violent deaths in Guatemala in 2012.

The president also highlighted a reduction in other crimes.

Cairo train derailment leaves 19 dead

January 16, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A military train carrying army recruits has derailed south of Egypt’s capital, Cairo, killing 19 people and injuring more than 100, officials say.

The train was heading to an army camp in Cairo when a carriage became detached and crashed into a goods train in the Badrashin area of Giza.

Egypt’s prime minister visited the scene, but was led to safety after being abused by angry bystanders.

Egypt’s roads and railways have a notoriously poor safety record.

Last November 50 children died when a train hit their school bus near Manfalut, 350km (230 miles) south of Cairo, after a signal operator fell asleep.

The transport minister and the head of the railway authority were forced to resign in the wake of the crash.

Anger has been directed towards the government for failing to improve railway safety and infrastructure.