Man arrested after fires at two homes linked to Keir Starmer
The 21-year-old was arrested early on Tuesday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in custody.
This is a developing story
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Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Justice Committee Chairperson Condemns Killing of Eastern Cape Prosecutor
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Xola Nqola, has expressed his deepest shock and outrage at the cold-blooded murder of public prosecutor Ms Tracy Brown in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, yesterday. 'This is indeed a tragedy where the protectors of our criminal justice system are not safe anymore. This is unacceptable and no stone should be left unturned to bring the culprits to book,' he said. According to reports, Ms Brown was ambushed and shot multiple times by four armed assailants while sitting in her car, in full view of her partner and child. 'The brutal nature of this assassination-style killing is deeply disturbing and represents a direct attack on the justice system and those who serve it with dedication and courage,' emphasised the Chairperson. This incident follows the tragic murder of Ms Elona Sombulula, a court official at the Engcobo Magistrates Court, in April this year. The committee is gravely concerned by what appears to be a pattern of targeted violence against officials within the justice sector. Mr Nqola stated: 'The murder of Ms Brown is not only a devastating loss to her family and colleagues, but an attack on the rule of law in South Africa. Prosecutors serve at the forefront of our fight against crime and corruption. When they are targeted, it threatens the foundations of our constitutional democracy. 'The committee sends its heartfelt condolences to Ms Brown's loved ones and colleagues during this painful time. The committee also calls on law enforcement agencies to prioritise the investigation and ensure that those responsible are swiftly apprehended and face the full might of the law.' He said the portfolio committee will engage with the Department of Justice and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on urgent measures to enhance the safety and security of prosecutors and court officials across the country. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Khaleej Times
14 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Man gets life sentence, Dh500,000 fine for smuggling 15kg of drugs from US, Europe
A 56-year-old Asian man has been sentenced to life in prison and fined Dh500,000 after being convicted of importing 15kg of illegal narcotics from the US and Europe in what authorities described as a highly organised international drug trafficking operation. The ruling, issued by the Dubai Court of First Instance, also included a deportation order to be executed following the completion of the prison term. In addition, the court imposed a two-year post-release ban on the defendant from engaging in any form of financial transfer or remittance to others. The case unfolded when a vigilant customs inspector at a major courier hub in Dubai noticed several suspicious parcels addressed to the defendant. The packages, which had originated from multiple locations in the United States and Europe, were unusually heavy and tightly sealed with industrial-grade plastic. According to official police records, the inspector raised an alert, prompting authorities to subject the parcels to forensic examination. Lab analysis revealed that the packages contained 15kg of narcotic substances concealed within layers of clothing and plastic wrapping. Authorities did not publicly disclose the exact type of drug but confirmed it fell under restricted Class A substances under UAE law. Following confirmation of the illegal drugs, Dubai Police's anti-narcotics division coordinated a sting operation to catch the suspect in the act. Investigators replaced the real drugs with dummy materials and tracked the shipment to its final delivery point. The suspect was arrested red-handed while attempting to collect the consignment from a delivery centre in Dubai. The officer who testified in the case said that they monitored the suspect closely until authorities had enough evidence. The suspect walked into the trap without realising he had been under surveillance. The man initially denied the charges during interrogation and trial, claiming he had no knowledge of the contents of the parcels. However, prosecutors presented strong evidence, including surveillance footage, forensic reports, and customs records linking him directly to the shipments. The Court of First Instance found the evidence against the defendant overwhelming and sentenced him to life in prison. The verdict was later upheld by the Dubai Court of Appeal after the defendant contested the ruling. The case underscores the UAE's zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking, with authorities reiterating that anyone caught attempting to bring drugs into the country, regardless of quantity or method, will face the full force of the law. The Dubai Police commended the swift coordination between customs, forensic experts, and narcotics officers, which prevented the drugs from reaching the streets. 'This is a message to all drug traffickers: the UAE is not a transit point or market for drugs. Our systems are robust, and our people are trained to detect even the most discreet attempts at smuggling,' the police statement added. The defendant remains in custody and will serve a life sentence in Dubai Central Prison, pending his eventual deportation.
The National
a day ago
- The National
UK tax authority warns of fake social media posts
Claims in a social media video that the British government is tracking taxpayers who travel overseas more than three times a year have been rejected as a fake by the UK 's tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs. The video has been circulated widely in the Middle East, causing alarm among British nationals overseas and UK residents. It claims that from August 4, a new branch of HMRC and the Home Office – called the Mobility Oversight Unit – will check whether a person's employment status and tax record match their lifestyle. This is part of an 'enhanced customs monitoring' programme to tackle benefit fraud and tax evasion, the video and other related social media posts claim. HMRC said the information contained in the video was false. 'This video is disinformation, designed to cause undue alarm and fear. Anyone wanting information on rules around taxation should go to or seek advice from a tax professional,' an HMRC spokesperson said. Many social media users commented under the video that the information was false, but that did not stop it being widely shared. Fact-checking charity Full Fact traced the video back to a TikTok account, where the post had been shared more than 66,000 times and liked by 57,200 accounts. The video claimed the information was first reported by The Guardian, but there was no evidence of this on the newspaper's website. Full Fact added that while there are existing restrictions on the length of travel for people claiming benefits, the system in described in the video does not exist. The Home Office was contacted for comment. British government departments are being targeted with misinformation. One widely shared post on social media says 'the UK government is hiring' for a 'Shariah law administrator'. A separate post claimed 'the role is for the Department of Work and Pensions' alongside a screenshot of a – now deleted – listing for Manchester Community Centre. The job description says the successful candidate will 'provide all admin and secretarial work for Manchester Shariah Council'. In fact, the advert was not for a government job and the administrator was being hired using money a mosque said it had raised through donations. The job was advertised on a portal run by the government, where private employers can post. It is not known whether any of the posts are part of a hostile state-backed cyber campaign. UK government bodies have repeatedly warned of threats from online and phishing operations by actors in Russia and Iran. Earlier this year the UK's National Cyber Security Centre exposed a cyber campaign by military unit 26165 of Russia's GRU intelligence directorate against western logistics providers and technology companies that had been running since 2022.
