Babak Belurs

Minggu, 02 April 2023

Afghanistan: Three British men being held in Taliban custody - including 'danger tourist' who returned after army evacuation - Sky News

Three British men - including so-called "danger tourist" Miles Routledge - are being held in Taliban custody in Afghanistan.

The other two men are charity medic Kevin Cornwell and another unnamed UK national who manages a hotel in Kabul.

They are all believed to have been held by Taliban secret police since January in separate incidents.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: "We are working hard to secure consular contact with British nationals detained in Afghanistan and we are supporting families."

Scott Richards from the Presidium Network non-profit organisation, which is assisting Mr Cornwell and the unnamed Briton, told Sky News that he believes the pair are in good health and being well treated.

But he added: "There has been no meaningful contact [with the men], there has been no access by international monitoring agencies... and there's been no other form of access to the individuals to date."

"We're very hopeful that contact will be made," he added.

His organisation hopes that a positive development in the situation could coincide with the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid.

Mr Routledge, 23, has gained fame - and attracted controversy - by travelling to dangerous countries and posting about it online.

In August 2021, he was on a "holiday" in Afghanistan when he was caught up in the chaos in the capital as the Taliban took control of the country.

He chose the war-torn country having looked up a list of the most dangerous places to visit in the world, despite the Taliban taking control of more and more of the country at the time.

Mr Routledge thanked the British Army after he was among those to leave during the Kabul airlift.

He appears to have returned to the country since then.

Mr Cornwell, 53, was arrested at his hotel by officers from the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence on 11 January.

He is accused of having an illegal firearm in the safe in his room, but his family say he had been granted a licence for the firearm.

Mr Richards said this was down to a "misunderstanding" and the licence may have become separated from the firearm during the search.

The FCDO continues to advise UK citizens against all travel to Afghanistan based on the security risks involved, including the possibility of detention by the Taliban authorities.

"At this point in time it would be unwise for anyone to enter into Afghanistan that doesn't understand the culture, that doesn't understand these things, because it can change on you very, very quickly," Mr Richards warned.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hZmdoYW5pc3Rhbi10aHJlZS1icml0aXNoLW1lbi1iZWluZy1oZWxkLWluLXRhbGliYW4tY3VzdG9keS1pbmNsdWRpbmctZGFuZ2VyLXRvdXJpc3Qtd2hvLXJldHVybmVkLWFmdGVyLWFybXktZXZhY3VhdGlvbi0xMjg0NzU4OdIBnwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvYWZnaGFuaXN0YW4tdGhyZWUtYnJpdGlzaC1tZW4tYmVpbmctaGVsZC1pbi10YWxpYmFuLWN1c3RvZHktaW5jbHVkaW5nLWRhbmdlci10b3VyaXN0LXdoby1yZXR1cm5lZC1hZnRlci1hcm15LWV2YWN1YXRpb24tMTI4NDc1ODk?oc=5

2023-04-02 05:48:45Z
CBMimwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hZmdoYW5pc3Rhbi10aHJlZS1icml0aXNoLW1lbi1iZWluZy1oZWxkLWluLXRhbGliYW4tY3VzdG9keS1pbmNsdWRpbmctZGFuZ2VyLXRvdXJpc3Qtd2hvLXJldHVybmVkLWFmdGVyLWFybXktZXZhY3VhdGlvbi0xMjg0NzU4OdIBnwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvYWZnaGFuaXN0YW4tdGhyZWUtYnJpdGlzaC1tZW4tYmVpbmctaGVsZC1pbi10YWxpYmFuLWN1c3RvZHktaW5jbHVkaW5nLWRhbmdlci10b3VyaXN0LXdoby1yZXR1cm5lZC1hZnRlci1hcm15LWV2YWN1YXRpb24tMTI4NDc1ODk

Sabtu, 01 April 2023

Reading marina death: Man arrested on suspicion of murder - BBC

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dead at a marina.

Officers recovered the body from water at the Thames and Kennet Marina in Caversham, Reading, shortly after being called to the scene at 10:30 BST.

Police have put a scene watch in place while investigations are carried out and appealed for information.

The force said a 61-year-old man from Caversham was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Det Insp Richard Pickering said: "We are in the very early stages of this investigation, and although we have made an arrest, I would urge the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the woman's death, which is being treated as unexplained at this time.

"There is currently a scene-watch in place at the location, and will be in place for some time while our investigation continues.

"Although the death is being treated as unexplained, we do not believe there to be any danger to the local community, and we are conducting a full and thorough investigation to ascertain the full circumstances of this tragic incident."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.

Related Internet Links

Thames Valley Police

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiOGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLWVuZ2xhbmQtYmVya3NoaXJlLTY1MTUwMDgy0gE8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvdWstZW5nbGFuZC1iZXJrc2hpcmUtNjUxNTAwODIuYW1w?oc=5

2023-04-01 15:54:59Z
1867998922

Dover delays news – live: Port ‘deeply frustrated’ as France blamed for 12-hour ferry queues - The Independent

Port of Dover declares critical incident as high levels of traffic caused lengthy delays

Long queues at the Port of Dover have seen travellers queuing for up to 12 hours in significant traffic delays as the Easter getaway begins.

A critical incident was declared overnight on Friday and operators P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways reported delays to ferry and coach services, citing bad weather and hold-ups at French border controls as partly responsible.

In a statement on Saturday morning, the port blamed the delays on “lengthy French border processes and sheer volume” of people travelling.

One man, part of a group of 19 adults and 14 children who have been stuck in Port of Dover traffic for more than 14 hours, described being “shellshocked” by the wait.

Dafydd Francis, a PE teacher from Seven Sisters, Neath, is one of 33 people travelling from South Wales to Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Austria.

They arrived at the port at 11pm on Friday night and were still awaiting boarding on Saturday lunchtime.

“(I’ve) never seen anything like this,” Mr Francis, 49, said.

“We will arrive at the resort 14 hours late if we are lucky... I have organised various trips since 1998 for school and family and friends, approximately 50 trips. We will fly next time.”

1680344406

Dover ferry passengers warned of severe delays as travellers stranded for over 12 hours

In a statement on Saturday morning, the port blamed the delays on “lengthy French border processes and sheer volume” of people travelling.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 11:20

1680368404

Government ‘in close contact’ with ferry operators and French authorities

Commenting on the delays, a government spokesperson said: “The UK government remains in close contact with ferry operators, the French authorities, and the Kent Resilience Forum, regarding delays at the Port of Dover.

“The port has advised that it remains busy, but the situation has improved significantly since yesterday, with coaches being processed at a much quicker rate.

“We recommend passengers check the latest advice from their operators before travelling.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 18:00

1680365704

Dover ferry passengers warned of severe delays as travellers stranded for over 12 hours

Officials at the Port of Dover say they are “deeply frustrated” about significant traffic delays that have seen thousands of travellers queuing for up to 12 hours as the Easter getaway begins.

In a statement on Saturday, the port blamed the delays on “lengthy French border processes and sheer volume” of people travelling.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 17:15

1680363904

Traffic update from Port of Dover

The Port of Dover said that processing times are improving and they are now at around 60 minutes.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 16:45

1680362104

Why Brexit is to blame for holiday traffic chaos at Dover

Our travel correspondent Simon Calder explains the reasons behind the Dover delays today:

When it’s the start of the Easter holidays and you’re a transport hub and you’re trending on Twitter, you know things are not going well.

Thousands of coach passengers endured a miserable wait, many of them through the night. Factors as diverse as stormy weather and the French were blamed for preventing travellers from getting away on much-needed holidays.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 16:15

1680360304

Traveller stuck at Dover for 16 hours says situation is ‘carnage'

A woman who was stuck at the Port of Dover for 16 hours from Friday to Saturday has described the situation as “carnage”.

Rosie Pearson, 50, is an environmental campaigner from Essex and is travelling to Val d’Isere in the French Alps with her family on an overnight bus.

It was due to arrive at 2.15pm on Saturday, but Ms Pearson, her husband and two teenagers will now not make it until 6am on Sunday due to delays in Dover.

“The whole thing was a shambles... Not a single bit of communication,” Ms Pearson said.

“It was carnage... The worst thing was that no-one told us anything for the whole 16 hours, literally nothing.

“(We are) very tired but people are resigned now and relieved to be en route... Shocking that something this chaotic can happen. My children’s school has a ski trip this week (they are not on it, with us instead) and their bus was turned away last night - they had to sleep at a service station and come back this morning.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 15:45

1680358504

UK government ‘in close contact’ with ferry operators and French authorities

“The port has advised that it remains busy, but the situation has improved significantly since yesterday, with coaches being processed at a much quicker rate.

“We recommend passengers check the latest advice from their operators before travelling.”

<p>Lorries are queueing on the A20 to get to the Port of Dover</p> — Lorries are queueing on the A20 to get to the Port of Dover
(Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 15:15

1680356702

Dover port ‘deeply frustrated’ with 12-hour delays

The Port of Dover said on Saturday morning it was “deeply frustrated” that coach traffic was suffering “significant delays”.

It said in a statement: “The Port of Dover is deeply frustrated by last night’s and this morning’s situation and particularly so on behalf of all the ferry operators’ coach passengers who have had to endure such a long wait at the port. Whilst freight and car traffic was processed steadily regardless of the additional challenging weather conditions and high seasonal volumes, coach traffic suffered significant delays due to lengthy French border processes and sheer volume.

“Despite considerable pre-planning with our ferry operators, border agency partners and the Kent Resilience Forum and the success of similar plans for processing substantial numbers of coaches during the most recent half term period, the additional coach bookings taken by ferry operators for Easter, has impacted operations for the port.

“Through the ferry operators and the port, food and drink has been provided to those coach passengers caught up in the border queues. We offer our sincere apologies for the prolonged delays that people have endured and continue to work with all of our partners to get all passengers on their way as quickly as possible.”

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 14:45

1680354604

Update from DFDS:

DFDS has posted an updated on their Twitter with traffic information:

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 14:10

1680353104

Simon Calder explains why there are long queues at Dover

Our travel correspondent Simon Calder told BBC Breakfast about some of the reasons behind the long delays at Dover this morning.

Watch the full clip here:

Maryam Zakir-Hussain1 April 2023 13:45

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvZG92ZXItaW5jaWRlbnQtcXVldWVzLWRlbGF5cy1mZXJyeS1wb3J0LWIyMzEyMjY5Lmh0bWzSAW5odHRwczovL3d3dy5pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5jby51ay90cmF2ZWwvbmV3cy1hbmQtYWR2aWNlL2RvdmVyLWluY2lkZW50LXF1ZXVlcy1kZWxheXMtZmVycnktcG9ydC1iMjMxMjI2OS5odG1sP2FtcA?oc=5

2023-04-01 17:00:04Z
1892914360

Man accused of Cambridgeshire double shooting appears in court - The Guardian

A man has appeared in court charged with the murders of a father and son who were shot dead in two villages six miles apart in Cambridgeshire.

The bodies of Gary and Joshua Dunmore, aged 57 and 32 respectively, were discovered at properties in Sutton, and Bluntisham on Wednesday.

Stephen Alderton, 66, of no fixed abode, is charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a firearm.

Alderton confirmed his name, age and address at Huntingdon magistrates court on Saturday, before being remanded in custody.

No pleas were entered and the case was sent to Cambridge crown court, where a hearing will take place on Monday.

The victims’ family paid tribute to the “devoted” father and son in a statement released via Cambridgeshire constabulary on Friday.

They said: “Josh was a devoted father and a loving uncle.

“He was a wonderful son and brother and leaves behind an extensive group of family and friends. He will be deeply missed and the devastation this has caused will never heal.

“Gary was the most devoted son, brother, dad and granddad, who gave everything for those he loved.

“He was a gentle and generous person who always put others before himself and he’ll be massively missed by his family and all those who knew and loved him.”

A floral tribute to Gary Dunmore, left outside his home in Sutton, said: “To my dear neighbour Gary. A man who loved his family dearly, a dear friend to all, so helpful and kind and was always around as a friend and my little odd job man.

“I’m going to miss you.”

Police said postmortem examinations will take place at Peterborough city hospital on Monday.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVndWFyZGlhbi5jb20vdWstbmV3cy8yMDIzL2Fwci8wMS9jYW1icmlkZ2VzaGlyZS1kb3VibGUtc2hvb3Rpbmctc3RlcGhlbi1hbGRlcnRvbi1hcHBlYXJzLWNvdXJ0LWdhcnktam9zaHVhLWR1bm1vcmXSAQA?oc=5

2023-04-01 12:42:00Z
1885171958

Man, 61, arrested on suspicion of murder after woman's body found in marina in Reading - Sky News

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was found in a marina in Reading, Thames Valley Police have said.

Police were called just after 10.30am on Saturday to reports of a body in the water at the Thames and Kennet Marina in Caversham.

Officers recovered the body from the marina and the suspect, 61, was arrested. He remains in police custody.

The woman's next of kin have been informed, the force said.

Detective Inspector Richard Pickering said: "We are in the very early stages of this investigation, and although we have made an arrest, I would urge the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the woman's death, which is being treated as unexplained at this time.

"There is currently a scene-watch in place at the location and will be in place for some time while our investigation continues.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMid2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L21hbi02MS1hcnJlc3RlZC1vbi1zdXNwaWNpb24tb2YtbXVyZGVyLWFmdGVyLXdvbWFucy1ib2R5LWZvdW5kLWluLW1hcmluYS1pbi1yZWFkaW5nLTEyODQ3Mzgz0gF7aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL21hbi02MS1hcnJlc3RlZC1vbi1zdXNwaWNpb24tb2YtbXVyZGVyLWFmdGVyLXdvbWFucy1ib2R5LWZvdW5kLWluLW1hcmluYS1pbi1yZWFkaW5nLTEyODQ3Mzgz?oc=5

2023-04-01 15:34:09Z
1867998922

Jumat, 31 Maret 2023

Man to serve at least 14 years for murder of woman who mistook his Welsh home for B&B - The Guardian

A “cowardly bully” has been jailed for life with a minimum of 14 years in prison for murdering a 71-year-old woman who mistook his home for a B&B and got into his bed.

Margaret Barnes had been visiting Barmouth in Wales from her home in Birmingham when she mistook her accommodation for the home of David Redfern, a few doors away, Caernarfon crown court heard.

After Redfern, 46, and his partner discovered her when they went up to bed, a row broke out and Barnes was dragged by her heels down the stairs and flung out of the house.

Redfern also kicked or stamped on the frail pensioner, breaking three of her ribs and causing a catastrophic and unsurvivable injury to her liver. Barnes died on the pavement outside, the court heard.

Redfern denied murdering Margaret Barnes on 11 July last year but was convicted by a jury this week.

Handing him a mandatory life sentence for murder with a minimum 14 years before parole, Mr Justice Charles Bourne told the defendant: “I accept you must have been very shocked to find a stranger in your house, your bedroom. But your reaction surpasses anything that any reasonable person could imagine.

“You are a large and strong man, aged 45 at the time. She was small and slight, at least 25 years older than you, clearly affected by alcohol and unsteady on her feet.

“I can understand why you might have escorted her out of your house, though a different person might have responded to this situation by trying to help her. But the assault, a kick or stamp of sufficient force to cause a fatal injury, was a dreadful thing to do to a defenceless elderly person.”

Earlier, the court heard that arrangements had been made with a local B&B for Barnes to stay in Barmouth and she had been out drinking with friends and was unsteady on her feet.

She mistook her accommodation for Redfern’s home and went inside and got in bed at about 10.10pm on 10 July last year.

When Redfern and his partner went upstairs to bed about 40 minutes later, Redfern at first calmly called police and asked officers to come to remove her. But things then went “terribly wrong” after a row broke out, the court heard.

Redfern told the jury he had found Barnes sitting up in their bed drinking gin and tonic, with her false teeth on the bedside table.

Outside court, Det Supt Mark Pierce of North Wales police said: “During a two-week trial Redfern showed no remorse, attempted to blame Margaret for his actions and subjected her family to the trauma of a two-week trial where details of the event were explored in graphic detail.

“David Redfern is a cowardly, vicious bully and will now spend at least 14 years behind bars where he can reflect on what he has done.”

The Barnes family said: “It has been the hardest time of our lives. It has been especially difficult for Margaret’s husband who had been her partner for 56 years. We now have some sort of closure on what has happened; however, no length of sentence will ever fill the void that Margaret has left behind.”

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVndWFyZGlhbi5jb20vdWstbmV3cy8yMDIzL21hci8zMS9jb3dhcmRseS1idWxseS1kYXZpZC1yZWRmZXJuLWdldHMtbGlmZS1mb3ItbXVyZGVyLW9mLW1hcmdhcmV0LWJhcm5lcy13aG8tbWlzdG9vay1oaXMtd2Vsc2gtaG9tZS1mb3ItYmLSAZYBaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAudGhlZ3VhcmRpYW4uY29tL3VrLW5ld3MvMjAyMy9tYXIvMzEvY293YXJkbHktYnVsbHktZGF2aWQtcmVkZmVybi1nZXRzLWxpZmUtZm9yLW11cmRlci1vZi1tYXJnYXJldC1iYXJuZXMtd2hvLW1pc3Rvb2staGlzLXdlbHNoLWhvbWUtZm9yLWJi?oc=5

2023-03-31 16:20:00Z
1886263665

Man jailed for life after murdering pensioner who mistook his home for B&B and got into his bed - Sky News

A man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years for murdering a woman who mistook his home for a B&B and got into his bed.

David Redfern, 46, from Barmouth in north Wales, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday.

Margaret Barnes, from Birmingham, died on Marine Parade, Barmouth, in the early hours of 11 July 2022.

Redfern's trial heard he dragged the 71-year-old down the stairs and was accused of kicking or stamping on her, inflicting liver injuries on her, which the pathologist described as being "un-survivable" and similar to those seen in car crash victims.

During sentencing, the judge described Redfern's behaviour towards Ms Barnes as "aggressive and offensive", adding that it was after he had called the police that things went "terribly wrong".

After finding Ms Barnes in his bed - holding a drink and surrounded by what appeared to be her belongings - Redfern's actions of asking her what she was doing in his home were "entirely appropriate", the judge said.

But the "trigger" for what happened next was Ms Barnes accusing Redfern's partner, Nicola Learoyd-Lewis, of stealing her handbag and lunging towards her, after the phone call to police had been made.

The judge added that when outside the house, Redfern watched Ms Barnes in an "aggressive" or "threatening" attitude as she tried to gather her belongings.

In comparison, Ms Learoyd-Lewis acted "gently" and "carefully", guiding Ms Barnes, who was unsteady on her feet, outside of the property.

Redfern's sentence was slightly lowered from the maximum of 14-15 years, due to the "sudden and bizarre circumstances" in which the offence was committed, and the "lack of intention to kill".

He previously admitted to having been drinking on the evening of 10 July 2022 - "about six or seven pints in total with, I believe, a gin and tonic".

He also acknowledged in his evidence that some of the comments he made towards Ms Barnes "were appalling", adding that he thought she was "very drunk" at the time.

In a statement released after the jury's verdict on Wednesday, Ms Barnes's family described her as "a much-loved wife, mother and grandmother".

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L21hbi13aG8tbXVyZGVyZWQtd29tYW4tYWZ0ZXItc2hlLW1pc3Rvb2staGlzLWhvbWUtZm9yLWItYi1qYWlsZWQtZm9yLWxpZmUtMTI4NDU4MDTSAQA?oc=5

2023-03-31 15:11:15Z
1886263665

Minggu, 02 April 2023

Sabtu, 01 April 2023

Related Topics

Related Internet Links

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get Simon Calder’s Travel email

Dover ferry passengers warned of severe delays as travellers stranded for over 12 hours

Government ‘in close contact’ with ferry operators and French authorities

Dover ferry passengers warned of severe delays as travellers stranded for over 12 hours

Traffic update from Port of Dover

Why Brexit is to blame for holiday traffic chaos at Dover

Traveller stuck at Dover for 16 hours says situation is ‘carnage'

UK government ‘in close contact’ with ferry operators and French authorities

Dover port ‘deeply frustrated’ with 12-hour delays

Update from DFDS:

Simon Calder explains why there are long queues at Dover

Jumat, 31 Maret 2023