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Crew members set to abandon ship after Red Sea attack

Crew members set to abandon ship after Red Sea attack

However, the scale of the attack led to the suspicion that Yemen's Houthi rebels carried it out. The rebels acknowledged the attack happened but have not claimed carrying out the assault.
The rebels have launched a series of attacks on ships in the Red Sea corridor in response to the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, though they have refrained for months from attacking ships.
The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre made the announcement about the stricken vessel.
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New Israeli report says Hamas used sexual violence as a 'weapon of war' in Oct. 7 attack
New Israeli report says Hamas used sexual violence as a 'weapon of war' in Oct. 7 attack

NBC News

time21 minutes ago

  • NBC News

New Israeli report says Hamas used sexual violence as a 'weapon of war' in Oct. 7 attack

Newly released interviews and documentation further bolster evidence that Hamas systematically used sexual violence as a weapon of war during its Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack, according to a report by a group of Israeli gender and law experts unveiled Tuesday. The report, titled "A Quest for Justice," was published by the Dinah Project, a legal research initiative led by law professor and women's rights activist Ruth Halperin-Kaddari of Tel Aviv's Bar-Ilan University, Sharon Zagagi-Pinhas, a lawyer and the former chief military prosecutor at the Israel Defence Forces, and Nava Ben-Or, a former judge and deputy attorney general. Partly funded by the British government and Jewish non-profit organizations, the report contains previously unheard testimony from 15 returned hostages from Gaza, along with a rape survivor from the Nova music festival, one of at least six different locations where Hamas carried out its attacks. It also includes eyewitness testimony from at least 17 different incidents of sexual assault, as well as accounts from first responders, forensic evidence, and audio and visual documentation. The issue of sexual assault and rape during the Oct. 7 attacks is highly emotive and charged, with some in Israel accusing United Nations observers of betraying survivors by downplaying the issue. Meanwhile, some international observers, including a U.N. official appointed to investigate, say that while there is evidence of cases where rape and sexual assault took place, it does not point to those incidents having been systematic or directed by militant leaders. Hamas has denied its militants committed sexual crimes on Oct. 7, 2023. The report states that clear patterns emerged of sexual violence being perpetrated, including victims who were found 'partially or fully naked with their hands tied, often to structures like trees or poles; evidence of gang rapes followed by execution; genital mutilation; and public humiliation.' The details add to and corroborate past reporting on sexual violence that took place during the attacks. The sexual violence "continued in captivity, with many returnees reporting forced nudity, physical and verbal sexual harassment, sexual assaults and threats of forced marriage,' the report adds. The victims also include two returned male hostages who were released in January and February after being held captive for about 500 days, where they were subjected to "sexual humiliation, which included forced nudity and physical abuse when naked," according to the report. In light of the testimonies, the report aims to have the sexual violence acknowledged as crimes against humanity and to hold the perpetrators accountable. Notably, it calls on the U.N. to send a fact-finding mission and blacklist Hamas as a group. 'We hence call upon the U.N. Secretary-General to blacklist Hamas as an organization responsible for the tactical use of sexual violence as a weapon of war,' it states. Reem Alsalem, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, said in a statement that she and fellow rapporteurs and experts emphasized that reports of such violence needed to be independently verified and investigated and perpetrators be held accountable. She added that the U.N. special commission appointed to investigate "found patterns indicative of sexual violence against Israeli women at different locations. The Commission was also unable to independently verify specific allegations of sexual and gender-based violence due to Israel's obstruction of its investigations." "It is my understanding that neither the Commission nor any other independent human rights mechanism established that sexual or gender-based violence was committed against Israelis on or since the 7th of October as a systematic tool of war or as a tool of genocide," Alsalem wrote in the statement. The Dinah Project report's findings follow previously published reports by the U.N. and the International Criminal Court on sexual violence and gang rape during the attack. In March 2024, a report compiled by Pramila Patten, the U.N. Special Representative on sexual violence in conflict, stated that it had found 'reasonable grounds' to believe some victims of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 were raped and sexually assaulted. There was 'clear and convincing' information that some of those taken captive were subjected to sexual violence, the U.N. team of experts said in their report, including rape and sexualized torture — violence it said 'may be ongoing.' In December 2023, NBC News published a separate report which reviewed evidence suggesting that dozens of Israeli women were raped, sexually abused or mutilated during the Oct. 7 attack, where more than 1,200 people were killed in Israel. Since then, Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 56,000 people and seriously injured thousands more, according to health officials in the enclave. It also comes after a U.N.-backed body, the Human Rights Council, released an extensive report in March this year which accused Israel of 'the systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence' in the Gaza Strip. The report by the found that the widespread destruction of Gaza, the use of heavy explosives in civilian areas, and Israeli attacks on hospitals and health facilities had led to 'disproportionate violence against women and children.'

Man wielding knife near Tour de France finish line arrested after 'making threats'
Man wielding knife near Tour de France finish line arrested after 'making threats'

Wales Online

time38 minutes ago

  • Wales Online

Man wielding knife near Tour de France finish line arrested after 'making threats'

Man wielding knife near Tour de France finish line arrested after 'making threats' Police have arrested a knife-wielding man, who was said to be "visibly unbalanced", in Rouen as crowds gathered during the Tour de France A man with a knife has been arrested by police in Rouen (Image: Getty ) A man brandishing a knife on the Tour de France route has been detained by police. The incident unfolded near the finish line of the fourth stage from Amiens to Rouen, with French outlet Valeurs Actuelles reporting that a police officer sustained a minor hand injury during the confrontation, which eventually saw the man 'neutralised'. ‌ Reports say he was brandishing the weapon before he was apprehended by police officers. The man was also said to be 'visibly unbalanced' at the event, which comes to Wales in 2027. ‌ The incident occurred around 3:30pm at the Saint-Hilaire roundabout, close to Boulingrin – which marks the end of Tuesday's stage – a full two hours before the cyclists arrived in the city. It is understood that officers acted swiftly to subdue the individual who was "making threats". Officers' actions allowed the stage to proceed as planned, with the main group catching up to a five-man breakaway en route to Rouen. Rouen, decked out in yellow, was ready to welcome the Tour at around 5pm local time as the peloton tackled the rolling roads between the two cities. Article continues below A reporter who witnessed the incident for 76actu said: "I saw the police rush at him when he fled. The Tour de France kicked off on Saturday "He had the knife in his hand and dropped it when a police officer hit him." Another described the police intervention as a "forceful arrest," reports the Mirror. ‌ Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel entered the fourth stage clad in the yellow jersey, maintaining a six-second lead over top contender Tadej Pogacar, while his principal rival Jonas Vingegaard trailed by an additional four seconds. British cyclist Joe Blackmore, representing Israel Premier-Tech, was positioned seventh in the overall standings. Mathieu van der Poel of Netherlands entered the fourth stage in the yellow jersey (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) ‌ Sprinter Jasper Philipsen, donning the green jersey, had to abandon the race yesterday due to a severe crash that resulted in hospitalisation, joining Filippo Ganna and Stefan Bissegger who were eliminated in Saturday's opening stage mishaps. Wednesday saw Tim Merlier pip Jonathan Milan on the line during a sprint finish to win Stage 3, with the Belgian eclipsing the Italian by the smallest of margins. "It was difficult to be in position in the battle before the last corner and I must say, my team did an incredible job to the last 5km and then the real battle started," said Merlier, via the BBC. Article continues below "I was able to get some slipstream next to Milan. It's always difficult to beat him but I'm happy I can take today my second win in the Tour de France." The Tour de France swung into action on Saturday, on the roads around Lille, and will finish in three weeks time on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Along the way the route will take in the sights of the Alps, Pyrenees and the Massif Central.

Wagner Group 'proxies' carried out arson on Ukraine-linked warehouse in London
Wagner Group 'proxies' carried out arson on Ukraine-linked warehouse in London

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

Wagner Group 'proxies' carried out arson on Ukraine-linked warehouse in London

Three men acting on the orders of Russia's terrorist Wagner Group have been found guilty of an arson attack that resulted in around £1 million of damage to a warehouse. The 'proxies' for Vladimir Putin's regime set were apparently motivated by the lure of cash when they set two units linked to Ukraine ablaze in east London on March 20 last year. Nii Mensah, 23, livestreamed on his phone as he and Jakeem Rose, 23, set fire to the industrial unit while fixer Ugnius Asmena, 20, waited in a car, the Old Bailey was told. Dylan Earl, 20, who had established contact with the notorious private military group, orchestrated the attack along with Gatwick airport cleaner Jake Reeves, 23. They targeted the warehouse in Leyton because it was being used to supply humanitarian aid and StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine. Meeting in a restaurant and wine shop in Mayfair, Earl and Reeves went on to plot more attacks and the kidnapping of the establishment's owner, the wealthy Russian dissident Evgeny Chichvarkin. They previously admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner, becoming the first defendants to be convicted of acting as proxies for the formation under the National Security Act 2023. Earl has also admitted possessing cocaine and thousands of pounds in criminal cash. Following an Old Bailey trial, Mensah, Rose and Asmena were today found guilty of aggravated arson with intent to endanger life. Driver Paul English, 61, was cleared of wrongdoing. Ashton Evans, 20, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts relating to the Mayfair plot but cleared of failing to tell authorities about the warehouse arson. Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, was cleared of two similar offences relating to both terrorist plots after the jury deliberated for nearly 22 hours. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'This case is clear example of an organisation linked to the Russian state using 'proxies', in this case British men, to carry out very serious criminal activity in this country on their behalf. 'The ringleaders, Earl and Reeves, willingly acted as hostile agents on behalf of the Russian state. 'I am pleased that, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, we were able to use the new National Security Act legislation, which meant the severity of Earl and Reeves's offending was reflected in the charges they faced. The warehouse arson put members of the public at great risk, and it was only by good fortune nobody was seriously injured or worse. 'Those involved showed little or no regard for the potential impact of their actions on the UK's wider security. 'Seemingly motivated by the promise of money, they were prepared to commit criminal acts on behalf of Russia. 'I hope these convictions send a strong warning of the very serious consequences of committing offences on behalf of a foreign country.' Both businesses in the damaged units were Ukrainian-owned. Initially, local Met Officers investigated before it emerged that another warehouse in Madrid linked to one of the companies had been subject to an arson attack. Detectives from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command then took over the investigation. They gathered 'overwhelming' evidence linking the arsonists to the Leyton attack, the court was told. The trio were tracked by phone data and traffic cameras as Mr English drove them in his Kia Picanto through south London and the scene of the fire, which was covered by CCTV. More footage captured Rose and Mensah getting out of the vehicle, climbing over a wall and approaching the warehouses. As they fled the scene, Rose dropped a very large knife with his DNA on it, with Mensah later messaging Reeves to say 'L9 (Rose's nickname) left his Rambo at the scene'. Sixty firefighters from eight crews had to get the blaze under control. Afterwards, Mensah messaged Earl: 'Bro there was bare smoke … You saw it on Face Time.' Later, he added: 'Bro lol it's on the news … we dun damagees [sic].' While the arsonists were motivated by the promise of money, Earl and Reeves had orchestrated it for Russia, Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC said. Earl had told a Wagner operative he met on Telegram he was keen to carry out a series of 'missions', of which the Leyton fire was to be just the first. Reeves was also prepared to accept money from a foreign intelligence service to target the Russian dissident and his London-based businesses next, the jury was told. Earl admitted preparing to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, west London, and kidnapping owner Mr Chichvarkin on behalf of the Wagner Group. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The court was told the two Mayfair businesses targeted by Wagner employed 200 people and were valued at more than £30 million. Mr Chichvarkin was described as a 'high-profile Russian dissident and refugee' who has been vocal in his criticism of Putin and the war in Ukraine. On April 5 2024, Reeves, from Croydon, south London, sent an unknown contact Mr Chichvarkin's name and said he would make an 'amazing target'. Earl was also in the plot, raising the possibility of 'exiling him back to Russia to face prison' according to police. In chat, Earl's Wagner contact, named Privet Bot, instructed him to watch the period drama The Americans and use it as a 'manual' for his covert mission. The television series is set during the Cold War and is about two KGB agents posing as Americans in Washington DC to spy on the American government. In further chat with Privet Bot, wholesale drug dealer Earl appeared to brag that he had criminal connections, saying he could 'sort' an introduction to the IRA and Kinahan Irish organised crime group. He was arrested in a B&Q car park in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and videos of the warehouse fire being started were found on his iPhone. In a search of his home in Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, police recovered a Russian flag, more than £20,000 in cash and cocaine hydrochloride with a street value of some £34,000. Evidence on his phone revealed details of a cryptocurrency account holding more than £58,000 and images of bundles of cash estimated to total £175,000. Following Reeves's arrest at Croydon East railway station, police uncovered videos on his phone which were taken by Mensah on the night of the arson attack. Giving evidence, Asmena, of no fixed address, denied being aware of the arson attack or hiring Mr English as the driver, telling jurors he was 'just there'. Mensah, of Thornton Heath, and Rose, from Croydon, had admitted arson and Rose also pleaded guilty to possessing a blade. However, both claimed the prosecution had failed to prove the fire had endangered life. Mr English, of Roehampton, told police upon his arrest that he had been paid £500 by Asmena to drive but knew nothing about the fire. Evans, from Newport, Gwent, told jurors that he had got in touch with Earl to buy cocaine, which he admitted having. He claimed not to take what Earl told him seriously and went along with it to get his money back after buying drugs that were not the genuine article. Aviation engineering student Mr Paulauskus, from Croydon, told jurors he had been doing work experience at an aircraft maintenance hangar, was interested in gaming and was a 'gun nerd'. More Trending Born in Lithuania, he holds a joint British and Russian passport and believed that the war with Russia was Ukraine's fault. He told jurors that he had been friends with Reeves since secondary school but did not believe anything he told him about the plots was real. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said the convicted defendants would be sentenced on a date to be fixed in the autumn. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Ex-Russian supermodel and Putin critic reveals she's on Kremlin's hitlist MORE: The shadowy Russian military firms vying for power after Wagner mutiny MORE: 'Liquidated' Prigozhin took world back to medieval-style warfare

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