Report Finds Evidence That Australian Soldiers Unlawfully Killed 39 People During Afghan War

November 20, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

There is "credible evidence" that Australian elite soldiers unlawfully killed 39 people during the Afghan war, a long-awaited report has found.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has released findings from a four-year inquiry into misconduct by its forces. It said 19 current or ex-special forces soldiers should be investigated by police over killings of "prisoners, farmers or civilians" in 2009-13.

Boris Johnson Announces Military Spending Boost

November 19, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A "once-in-a-generation modernisation" of the armed forces is required to extend British influence and protect the public, Boris Johnson has said.

The prime minister told MPs a new four-year funding deal would protect "hundreds of thousands" of jobs and create 40,000 new roles. "I have decided that the era of cutting our defence budget must end, and it ends now," he said.

Labour welcomed more defence spending but asked how it would be funded.

Man Arrested Over 21 Murders From 1974 Pub Bombings

November 18, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of 21 people in the 1974 pub bombings in Birmingham.

The blasts at the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs on the night of 21 November also injured 220 people.

Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, arrested the 65-year-old at his home in Belfast. He was detained under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Police said the man's home was being searched and he will be interviewed under caution at a police station in Northern Ireland.

Iran Warns Of Strong Response If Trump Targets Nuclear Site

November 17, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

President Donald Trump asked senior advisers last Thursday about potential options for attacking Iran's main nuclear site, US media report.

The advisers warned him that military action could spark a broader conflict, officials were cited as saying.

The White House has not commented on the accounts of the meeting.

It took place a day after the global nuclear watchdog said Iran's enriched uranium stockpile was 12 times what was permitted under a 2015 nuclear deal.

Four Men On Trial In France Over Foiled Train Terrorist Attack

November 16, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Four people have gone on trial in France over an August 2015 plot to attack Americans on a high-speed train.

Ayoub El-Khazzani is accused of opening fire on board a train travelling from Amsterdam to Paris, three months before the Paris attacks.

Two people were wounded before he was overpowered by passengers. No-one died in the incident, which inspired a Clint Eastwood thriller The 15:17 to Paris.

London Stop And Search By Police To Be Reviewed

November 13, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for police traffic stops to be reviewed to look at whether black people are disproportionately affected by some police tactics.

The year-long pilot scheme forms part of an Action Plan published by City Hall to help improve trust in the Met. It comes as Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick admitted the Met "is not free from racism or discrimination".

Mr Khan said "more must be done and will be done through this Action Plan".

Two Men Arrested Along Pall Mall London On Terror Charges

November 12, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Two men seen acting suspiciously in Westminster have been arrested over a suspected terror plot.

The pair, both aged 34 and from east London, were held in Pall Mall, which connects Trafalgar Square to St James's Street, shortly after midnight. Officers searched both men and the vehicle.

They were arrested on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to section five of the Terrorism Act 2006.

The Met Police's counter-terror unit is leading the investigation.

Multiple People Injured At Remembrance Day Bomb Attack In Jeddah

November 11, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Several people have been wounded in a bomb attack at a Remembrance Day ceremony attended by foreign diplomats in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

The embassies of France, Greece, Italy, the UK and the US said an improvised explosive device blew up at a cemetery for non-Muslims on Wednesday morning.

A joint statement strongly condemned the "cowardly attack".

Saudi authorities confirmed that a Greek consulate employee and a Saudi security officer had been hurt. One British person suffered minor injuries.

Young People Targeted By Extremists During Covid-19 Lockdown

November 11, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The second lockdown in England is making more young people vulnerable to being groomed by extremists, a senior counter-terror officer has warned.

Supt Matthew Davison, from Counter Terrorism Policing, said extremists were using the pandemic to spread hate and disinformation online. He said young people were being targeted "in their bedrooms".

At the same time referrals to the anti-extremism Prevent programme are falling.

The government said it would "continue to challenge and disrupt extremists who sow division".

Azerbaijan Apologises For Downing Russian Helicopter

November 10, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Azerbaijan has admitted mistakenly shooting down a Russian Mi-24 military helicopter over Armenia, killing two crew members and injuring a third.

In a statement, Azerbaijan apologised, offering to pay compensation.

Russia said a missile downed its Mi-24 accompanying a column of Russian troops in Armenia, where Russia has a base. It comes amid fierce fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenian separatists for Nagorno-Karabakh. But the helicopter was not downed near those clashes.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but has been run by ethnic Armenians since 1994.