RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Three performers were stabbed during a play in the Saudi capital Monday and the alleged assailant was arrested, state television said, in the first such incident since the kingdom opened its doors for entertainment. “Riyadh police have arrested an Arab resident in possession of a knife after he stabbed two men and a woman who were members of a theatrical group,” Al-Ekhbariya television reported. It said the injured were in […]
Tag: crime
80 Jewish graves desecrated in Denmark
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AFP) — Vandals have desecrated more than 80 graves at a Jewish cemetery in the western Danish town of Randers, police said Sunday. “More than 80 gravestones were daubed with green graffiti and some were overturned” at the Ostre Kirkegard cemetery, according toa police statement. “There are no symbols or words written on the gravestones but paint has been daubed on them,” the local Ritzau news agency quoted police spokesman Bo Christensen as […]
Japan seizes record 400 kg of cocaine at port
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japanese authorities have seized a record-breaking 400 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $73 million in a bust at a port in the city of Kobe, a customs spokesman said Friday. The discovery in the western city was made last month but came to light on Friday, with officials saying they could not provide additional details because the investigation was ongoing. “This is record-breaking, in terms of volume” for a cocaine […]
Mexico probes narco group ‘La Linea’ in Mormon murders
BAVISPE, Mexico (AFP) — Mexico alleged Wednesday that a drug cartel called “La Linea” massacred nine Mormon women and children in a case of mistaken identity, but devastated relatives insisted their loved ones were deliberately targeted. The three women and six children, who had dual US-Mexican citizenship, were killed in a hail of bullets Monday as they drove on a rural road between Sonora and Chihuahua, which border the United States. Eight other children […]
Brazil in ‘civil war,’ says head of Congress’ pro-gun faction
by Jordi Miro with Pascale Trouillaud BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil is caught in a “civil war” of crime and violence, the head of Congress’ pro-gun faction says, warning that ordinary Brazilians need to be armed and ready to fight back. Wearing an electric blue suit with matching glasses, and a heavy gold ring with the seal of Congress on his finger, Jose Augusto Rosa is both a high-profile lawmaker and a reserve captain in […]
Vietnam ‘strongly condemns’ human trafficking after UK truck tragedy
HANOI, Vietnam (AFP) — Vietnam said Saturday that it “strongly condemns” human trafficking, after British police confirmed 39 people found dead in a truck last week are believed to be Vietnamese. Most of the victims are thought to come from central Vietnam, where easy-to-find brokers help to arrange trips to Europe — often via Russia — for migrants hoping to earn money overseas. The extreme risks of the journeys were laid bare after eight […]
Four killed, several injured in Orinda shooting
LOS ANGELES, California (AFP) — At least four people were killed and several were wounded in a shooting at a party near San Francisco, local authorities and media reported. The shooting took place at a rented Airbnb home around Thursday night in Orinda, around 17 miles (30 km) northeast of San Francisco, according to NBC Bay Area news. “Orinda homicide update – four fatalities, several injuries,” the Contra Costa County sheriff’s office tweeted early Friday. […]
Aussie police get shoot-to-kill power for marauding drivers
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Police in part of Australia were given shoot-to-kill powers on Monday, to stop drivers who deliberately plough into pedestrians. Eight people have been killed and more than 45 injured in three such attacks in Melbourne, Victoria’s state capital and Australia’s second-biggest city, since 2017. Victoria Police said officers will be required to take “decisive action” in response to vehicle attacks — including ramming cars involved or shooting the driver. Deputy Commissioner […]
Three held over UK truck deaths freed on police bail
LONDON, United States (AFP) — Three suspects arrested in Britain over the deaths of 39 people found in a refrigerated truck has been released on bail, police said Sunday. They are a man and woman, both 38, from Warrington in northwest England, and a 46-year-old Northern Irish man who had been held at London’s Stansted Airport. They were arrested two days after the bodies of eight women and 31 men were discovered Wednesday in a […]
Dread builds in Vietnam over fate of missing UK migrants
by Tran Thi Minh Ha Agence France Presse NGHE AN, Vietnam (AFP) — Dread mounted across Vietnam on Sunday as relatives of migrants feared to be among 39 people found dead in a truck in Britain revealed new heart-wrenching details of their last contact with their loved ones. The driver of the refrigerated trailer discovered in an industrial park on Wednesday has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and people trafficking in a […]
Japan police hunt stolen diamond worth $1.8 million
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japanese police were on the hunt Friday for a stolen diamond worth more than $1.8 million after the pricey piece was discovered missing from a jewelry trade show outside Tokyo. “The diamond stolen on Thursday was valued at 200 million yen. We believe it was stolen from a display case,” a police spokesman told AFP. The 50-carat loose diamond was on display at a three-day show in Yokohama city where companies […]
Three gunmen killed in Brazil airport raid, kidnapping: police
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP) — Heavily armed gunmen raided an airport in Brazil on Thursday, officials said, stealing money from an armored truck before fleeing and taking a mother and baby hostage. Three attackers were killed during the hourslong drama that started at 10 am (1300 GMT) at the Viracopos airport cargo terminal, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Sao Paulo, a spokeswoman for the military police told AFP. Two of the criminals were killed […]
