How will oil affect Madagascar's environmental riches?

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In madagascar

Amid the hills of western Madagascar, villagers have long been aware of a thick sticky substance naturally seeping out of the ground.

But it is only recently that these unconventional oil deposits in the region of Melaky have attracted the attention of investors.

The rising prices of oil on world markets, coupled with new technologies aim to turn the Indian Ocean island - famous for its unique habitat and wildlife - into a significant oil producer.

Cyanide 'killed Chicago lottery winner' Urooj Khan

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In cyanide

The death of a Chicago lottery winner has led to a murder investigation after a post-mortem examination found he died of cyanide poisoning.

Urooj Khan, 46, died suddenly as he was about to collect almost $425,000 (£264,000), but his death was initially attributed to natural causes.

The local coroner reopened his case after a relative came forward.

Chicago police confirmed they were now investigating Khan's death as a homicide.

Indian troops shot dead near Kashmir's Line of Control

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Two Indian soldiers have been shot dead in the disputed Kashmir region between India and Pakistan, officials say.

The Indian army said a patrol was attacked by Pakistani soldiers in "a grave provocation" near the so-called Line of Control.

Pakistan denied the accusation. The deaths came two days after a Pakistani soldier was killed near the LoC.

Kashmir is claimed by both nations in its entirety and has been a flashpoint between them for more than 60 years.

Tuesday's shootings took place near Mendhar, 220 km (140 miles) north of the Indian city of Jammu, Indian officials said.

Thick fog

Egypt finance: Qatar steps in to ease Cairo cash crisis

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In finance

Qatar has lent Cairo a further £1.25bn and donated an extra £300m in an effort to control a currency crisis prompted by Egypt's political turmoil.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani announced the doubling of funds after meeting Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo.

Egypt faces the threat of a currency crisis after the Egyptian pound hit its lowest level in eight years.

Authorities warn the country's central reserves are at a "critical level".

Honduras police seize $50,000 gold-plated AK-47 rifle

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In police

The authorities in Honduras have seized a gold-plated, jewel-encrusted AK-47 assault rifle, complete with two silver magazines.

The gun, estimated to be worth more than $50,000 (£30,000), is believed to belong to drug traffickers.

Following a tip-off, police also found a number of weapons, along with other military equipment and passports.

Two security guards were detained during the raid at a ranch 300km (186 miles) from the capital, Tegucigalpa.

DR Congo's M23 rebels declare unilateral ceasefire

January 13, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In dr congo

M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have declared a unilateral ceasefire ahead of a second round of peace talks with the government.

The rebels told a news conference in the Ugandan capital Kampala that they hoped the government would follow suit.

An attempt last month to negotiate an end to the nine-month rebellion in the east of the country failed.

Up to 800,000 people have been displaced since the rebels took up arms against the Kinshasa government in May.

Second Man Arrested in Met Police 'Plebgate' Inquiry

December 21, 2012 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A second man has been arrested in connection with the Andrew Mitchell "plebgate" investigation.

The 23-year-old, who is not a member of police staff, was held on Wednesday night and has been released on bail. This follows the arrest of a police officer on Saturday.

Mr Mitchell quit as chief whip after it was alleged he called Downing Street police "plebs", which he denies.

CCTV footage has cast doubt on the original police accounts of the row.

Footballer Michael Owen Uses Home CCTV To Catch Thieves

December 21, 2012 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Famous Stoke City footballer Michael Owen, tried his hand as a CCTV control room operator on Friday as he guided Police to a would-be burglar outside his home.

Owen took to Twitter as he watched the intruder on his CCTV system.

He tweeted: “Great TV tonight. Been watching some fella on my cameras for an hour weighing up what to nick!”

He explained that the police had visited the scene but the man concealed himself in the woods of Owen’s £1.6m home in North Wales.

After the police had left the scene, he ran back to a parked van and hid in the back of it.

G4S to run first private security police station

December 21, 2012 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Private security company G4S is about to sign a deal which would see it building and staffing the first British police station run by a private security contractor.

The deal with Lincolnshire Police Authority – expected to be signed within days – represents the most radical outsourcing of law enforcement so far, according to a report last week in the Financial Times .

Jose Mujica is The World's Poorest President

November 23, 2012 / By Armoured Cars / In security

It's a common grumble that politicians' lifestyles are far removed from those of their electorate. Not so in Uruguay. Meet the president - who lives on a ramshackle farm and gives away most of his pay.

Laundry is strung outside the house. The water comes from a well in a yard, overgrown with weeds. Only two police officers and Manuela, a three-legged dog, keep watch outside.

This is the residence of the president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, whose lifestyle clearly differs sharply from that of most other world leaders.