Venezuela military plane crash: 7 dead; technical failure suspected, says defense ministry
The crash occurred deep in the Amazon jungle and was attributed to a technical failure. The plane was part of an air force unit that provides assistance to remote Indigenous communities in the region.
Among the victims was the aircraft's co-pilot, while three military personnel, including the pilot, survived the crash.
The plane had been transporting members of the Yanomami community back to their territory when the incident occurred. Local authorities and rescue teams have reached the crash site, and an investigation into the exact cause is underway.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'I will be your champion': Krissy Barrett makes history as first female AFP commissioner; background in terror and overseas missions
Australia federal police's chief Krissy Barrett standing alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Image credits: X @AlboMP) Australia federal police's (AFP) assistant commissioner Krissy Barrett will become the first woman to lead the force, earning her role as the nation's top cop, following the early retirement of former commissioner Reece Kershaw. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and home affairs minister Tony Burke announced the leadership change at a press conference in Canberra, standing alongside both Barrett and Kershaw. Barrett, currently serving as a deputy commissioner, brings significant experience in counter-terrorism and international operations. She has played key roles in deployments to the Solomon Islands and the investigation into the Bali bombings. She will become the ninth commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). 'As commissioner, I will ensure the AFP continues to keep Australians safe, protects the vulnerable, and identifies and disrupts an emerging cohort of criminals who have mixed motivations and threaten our national security,' Barrett said as quoted by Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 'I promise I will be your champion. I promise I will do this uniform proud for you. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Woman Wears Her Mothers Old Ring For 25 Years - Then Jeweller Tells Her This Marvelousa Undo And to every Australian, I will be devoted to protecting you and our way of life, and I commit to working as hard as I can every single day, like every AFP commissioner before me," she added. The AFP chief also acknowledged the support she received from Kershaw throughout her career, saying he had been a mentor to her and many others in the agency. Kershaw's contract had been extended in May last year to run until October 2026, but he recently signalled his intention to retire. He has led the AFP since his appointment by the Coalition in 2019. Home affairs minister Burke said Kershaw had expressed his decision to step down a few weeks ago. Prime Minister Albanese thanked Kershaw for his contribution, stating, 'Reece, you have achieved an enormous amount for our nation. And I hope you feel incredibly proud.' During his time as commissioner, Kershaw made child exploitation, organised crime, and drug trafficking key priorities for the AFP. His background as a child protection investigator informed much of this work. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy. He faced criticism over his handling of the Dural caravan saga, which was later exposed as a fake terror plot. In 2023, questions were raised about his relationship with a senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Mick Fuller, involving a government contract. Text messages later revealed Kershaw had more frequent interactions with Fuller than he initially disclosed to parliament. Despite these concerns, minister Burke said in July that Kershaw retained the government's 'full confidence.' This came even as accusations of racism were levelled against the Northern Territory Police, which Kershaw led prior to joining the AFP. Kershaw stepped down just weeks after the release of a coroner's report into the 2019 death of Kumanjayi Walker. Coroner Elisabeth Armitage described the NT Police as having 'hallmarks of institutional racism' and found 'clear evidence of entrenched, systemic and structural racism' within the force, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
UK couple held in Iran moved to 'worst' prisons
A British couple detained in Iran for seven months on espionage charges have been moved to separate prisons in and near Tehran, heightening fears for their welfare, their son told AFP on Monday. A undated handout picture released by the family of Craig and Lindsay Foreman through Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London on February 15, 2025, shows Craig and Lindsay Foreman posing for a selfie photograph at an unknown location.(AFP) Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both 52 and who previously split their time between southeast England and Spain, were seized in Kerman, in central Iran, in early January while on a round-the-world motorbike trip. Their family has known little about their whereabouts since then, but say they learned Sunday via the UK Foreign Office that Lindsay has been transferred to Qarchak women's prison near the capital. It has a dubious reputation, with human rights groups repeatedly criticising dire conditions reported there. "It's one of the worst prisons in the world," Lindsay's son Joe Bennett said in an interview Monday near his home in Folkestone, southeast England. Meanwhile, his stepdad Craig has been moved to Tehran's infamous central prison, also known as Fashafouyeh, which is about 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the capital and has similar notoriety. Bennett, who has yet to talk to his parents since they were detained more than 200 days ago, called the developments "unbelievably tough". "Because of where they are, I'm worrying more than I was ever," he added, urging Iranian authorities to allow British officials fresh access to the couple and to let his parents call home. "You're just thinking, 'is she OK'," he said of the seven-month ordeal, adding "it's like you feel sick all the time". Fears "I do have confidence in their resilience, they are mentally strong," Bennett told AFP. But the 31-year-old sales manager, who used to speak to his mum nearly daily, fears overcrowding at their new prisons and that they may be abused, as well as a fallout from their enforced separation. "I believe they will be, together, as strong as possible, but now they've been separated... that lifeline has been taken." The couple, who were on a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip, entered Iran from Armenia and had only intended to stay four days before crossing into Pakistan. The UK government advises against all travel to Iran, after a string of British and UK-Iranian dual nationals have been detained over the last decade. Western governments have accused Tehran of using them as bargaining chips amid perpetually fraught relations between Iran and the West. Bennett noted the family -- which includes three other siblings -- were confident they "knew what they were doing" given they are "experienced travelers". He said the couple took "every means possible" to travel safely and compliantly through the country, including getting tourist visas, hiring tour guides, keeping to main roads and staying in hotels. Relatives first realised something was wrong when the couple stopped communicating but their messages on WhatsApp and other platforms showed as having been read. Iran then said in February that the Foremans were accused of entering Iran "posing as tourists" to gather information. It claimed to have established links between the couple and foreign intelligence services and that they were being held on "espionage charges". 'Crazy' Bennett dismissed the claim that his parents are spies as "crazy". "They're not spies or political players. They are just two people who are traveling around the world." He also renewed his criticism Monday of the UK government, saying it felt like ministers and officials were just going "through the motions" in their response. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said it was "deeply concerned" at Iran's espionage allegations and that it continues to raise the case "directly with the Iranian authorities". "We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members," she added. But Bennett claimed the family's letters to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had gone unanswered, while meetings with junior ministers left them feeling underwhelmed. "If you're not taking accountability for two UK citizens abroad, and you're not acknowledging us as a family, we don't feel like we're getting supported in the right way," he said. Bennett said the family had been receiving support and advice from former British detainees in Iran and their relatives, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was held there for several years, and her husband Richard Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe mounted a years-long campaign for his wife's release, which eventually occurred in 2022.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Israel foreign minister slams Hamas for ‘sadistic propaganda campaign' with hostages after release of videos
Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar condemned "Hamas and Islamic Jihad" for what he described as a "deliberate and well-planned sadistic propaganda campaign" using hostages, following the release of disturbing videos showing two Israeli captives. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar warned that hostage-taking is being used as a strategic tool by terror groups to ensure their survival. (AFP) Addressing international media at a press conference, Sa'ar said, "Hamas and Islamic Jihad are using the starvation and torture of hostages as part of a deliberate and well-planned sadistic propaganda campaign. The issue of the hostages must be front and center on the world stage!" The remarks came after videos were released showing hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in visibly deteriorated condition. "The world witnessed their terrible condition. Starved. Tortured. Evyatar was forced to dig his own grave. The world saw the thick arm of the well-fed terrorist - next to the starved and tortured Evyatar," Sa'ar said. He drew comparisons between Hamas and notorious groups, stating, "On October 7th - and since then - Hamas has committed evil crimes like the Nazis and ISIS did." "There are still 50 hostages cruelly being held in the dungeons of Gaza," the minister added, criticising the absence of international oversight. "We see the dire condition of our starved hostages - yet they still have not seen representatives of the Red Cross, despite this being explicitly agreed upon." He further alleged that the starvation campaign was being manipulated for media purposes. "These organisations also planned the starvation campaign of lies together. The amount of aid entering proves that it is a fake propaganda campaign." Sa'ar warned that hostage-taking is being used as a strategic tool by terror groups to ensure their survival. "Terror states and organisations kidnap civilians in order to ensure their own survival and interests. Innocent civilians are inhumanely used as tools by terrorists to achieve their goals. In the case of Hamas - to force upon us their conditions: Remaining in power in Gaza." Labelling the situation as a global threat, Sa'ar said, "This is a dangerous phenomenon that could happen tomorrow anywhere. The international community must make it not worthwhile for the terrorists. The world must put an end to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It must be front and center on the world stage." Sa'ar announced his travel plans to New York to push the issue at the United Nations. "This is why I will head to New York tonight: To participate in a special UN Security Council session, which I initiated, taking place tomorrow on the situation of the hostages. I thank the US and Panama for answering our call and helping convene this important and urgent meeting." The minister expressed appreciation for countries that joined Israel's diplomatic efforts. "That is why I reached out to my colleagues and asked them to urgently put the issue of the hostages at the center of the global agenda. I thank them for showing up and for raising their voice." Calling out international media, Sa'ar said: "The unbalanced and twisted anti-Israeli agenda of a huge part of the international media has once again been exposed. Just as there is no acknowledgement of Israel's humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip - and Israel is doing a lot - the horrible images of the hostages were painfully missing from the front pages of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and most of the global media. It is shameful!" He demanded the "immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages," calling out what he described as global hypocrisy. "Certain countries and leaders try to create a 'symmetry' between both sides - between hostages and murderers. But this is a distortion! There is no symmetry here!" Taking aim at French President Emmanuel Macron's comments, Sa'ar said: "You heard what the President of France said. Hostages 'on both sides.' But there aren't! On one side you have hostages, brutally kidnapped from their homes on Oct. 7th, tortured and held in cruel captivity for almost two years by Hamas. On the other side, evil murderers serving life sentences. The simple truth: There are hostages on one side. And terrorists on the other." He accused countries such as France, the UK, and Canada of rewarding Hamas through diplomatic steps. "The steps taken by countries like France, the UK, Canada and others are a pure prize for terror. A huge gift for Hamas." Citing statements from Hamas, he said: "Here you have a senior member of Hamas clearly stating: These are the fruits of October 7th. These countries must understand the consequences of their actions." Sa'ar claimed that moves to recognise a virtual Palestinian state derailed hostage negotiations. "I warned on this very stage that recognizing a virtual Palestinian State will lead to the assassination of the chances to reach a hostage deal and ceasefire. This is exactly what happened." Calling the diplomatic moves "immoral" and "politically foolish," he said: "These steps have only hardened Hamas' stance during critical days in the negotiations for a hostage deal and ceasefire and rewarded them for their terror. It is a huge mistake. It is morally distorted. It is geopolitically foolish." He closed with a strong message to the global community: 'It is time for these countries to do some soul-searching. If you can't help - for God sake - don't continue to cause damage to all the people living in our region!'
