Latest news with #BrizeNorton
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘EFL community has been missing something like this': U's fan on new app
AN Oxford United fan believes his new EFL predictor app is filling a gap in the market, following its launch on Friday. Kieran Whelan, from Brize Norton, and two friends launched an EFL predictor app called Tipple Sports, where users predict the correct results in six out of the 20 toughest games from the Premier League through to Sky Bet League Two. The app's scoring system includes point penalties for poor weeks, bonuses for winning the weekly 'Big Bet', and base points for correct results. SEE ALSO: The best photos of the U's faithful in Indonesia Having released the app on the Apple App Store, Whelan spoke about the feedback he has gotten so far. He said: 'It has been pretty good so far as people seem to be receiving it well once downloaded and there have been positive comments on the look and feel of the app and the ease of use.' Whelan expressed how the biggest piece of feedback he's gotten has been more positive than he could imagine. He said: 'The main bit of feedback I've received so far has been for an Android version, and this has come up a lot. This is exactly what I was hoping for as it shows a real desire to use the app. 'The Android version is in the pipeline and depending on how successful the start of this season goes will define how quickly I can implement this.' CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) Whelan's aim for the app is to engage the EFL community in a way that most other predictor apps tend to ignore, with those focusing more on the top flight. 'I think the EFL community has been missing something like this for a long time, and I think the unrest in the community towards the Premier League and the gap in coverage, money, and everything else that comes with that has been growing especially in the last few years,' said Whelan. 'I hope that this app can be used to grow interest in the EFL, with games having more importance and maybe it can persuade people who wouldn't normally watch to tune in and see that it is as entertaining, if not more, than the top tier.' Having already received a lot of feedback, Whelan and his friends are looking to make changes to improve the app, including implementing a blog. He said: 'Me and a few friends will also be running a weekly blog called This Week In Tipple Sports and we're kicking things off with our full league predictions coming out at the end of this month. 'The idea is that users can compare their results with the 'experts' and try to beat the creators of the game themselves, making the app more interactive.' For more information about Tipple Sports, please visit:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
High Court to hear bid to challenge Palestine Action ban
The co-founder of the proscribed group Palestine Action is set to ask the High Court for the green light to challenge the Home Secretary's decision to ban the organisation at a hearing on Monday. Huda Ammori is seeking to challenge Yvette Cooper's decision to proscribe Palestine Action under anti-terror laws, after the group claimed an action which saw two Voyager planes damaged at RAF Brize Norton on June 20. On July 4, Ms Ammori failed in a High Court bid to temporarily block the ban coming into effect, with the Court of Appeal dismissing a challenge to that decision less than two hours before the proscription came into force on July 5. The ban means that membership of, or support for, the direct action group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. The Government is opposing the bid for the legal challenge to be allowed to proceed, with the hearing before Mr Justice Chamberlain due to begin at 10.30am on Monday at the Royal Courts of Justice. Ms Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action on June 23, stating that the vandalism of the two planes, which police said caused an estimated £7 million of damage, was 'disgraceful'. Four people – Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 36, and Lewis Chiaramello, 22 – have all been charged in connection with the incident, and are due to face trial in early 2027. Since the ban came into force, dozens of people have been arrested at protests in cities including London, Manchester and Cardiff, including an 83-year-old reverend. At the hearing earlier this month, Raza Husain KC, for Ms Ammori, said the proscription was an 'ill-considered, discriminatory and authoritarian abuse of statutory power'. He also said that the Home Office 'has still not sufficiently articulated or evidenced a national security reason that proscription should be brought into effect now'. Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC, also representing Ms Ammori, told the court that the harm caused by the ban would be 'far-reaching' and could cause 'irreparable harm to large numbers of members of the public', including causing some to 'self-censor'. Ben Watson KC, for the Home Office, said Palestine Action could challenge the Home Secretary's decision at the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC), a specialist tribunal, rather than at the High Court. Mr Justice Chamberlain said that an assessment on whether to ban the group had been made as early as March, and 'preceded' the incident at RAF Brize Norton. Dismissing the bid for a temporary block, the judge said that the 'harm which would ensue' if a block was not ordered was 'insufficient to outweigh the strong public interest in maintaining the order in force'. He added that some of the 'consequences feared by the claimant' were 'overstated'. At a late-night Court of Appeal hearing, the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Lewis and Lord Justice Edis threw out a bid to challenge the High Court's decision, finding that there was 'no real prospect of a successful appeal'.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
UK's arsenal of nuclear bombers will be protected by garden fence just 5 FEET tall – amid fury over Brize Norton breach
THE UK's deadly arsenal of nuclear bomber jets will only be protected by a 5ft garden fence amid fury over the Brize Norton breach. Britain's state-of-the-art warplanes across the country are being 'guarded' by flimsy wooden fences and even hedgerows in a huge security risk, according to a new investigation by the Telegraph. 8 8 The outlet found that some of the RAF's most critical airbases could be waltzed into by determined activists or enemy agents with barely a barbed wire in sight. In one shocking case, a 5ft chain-link fence was all that stood between infiltrators and a base tipped to host Britain's new nuclear-ready F-35 fighter jets. At other bases, entire sections of the perimeter are protected by garden-style wooden fences, patchy CCTV, or even nothing at all – making them sitting ducks for intruders, according to findings. It comes after huge security concerns were raised in recent weeks following a break in at RAF Brize Norton. An estimated £7million of damage was inflicted at the Oxfordshire air base including military aircraft sprayed with paint during the raid. The group Palestine Action have claimed the damage on two Voyager aircraft was carried out by them. The group has since vowed to strike again, naming two more RAF bases as future targets, including one that trains the UK's top military officers. The Telegraph, which accessed a secret meeting of the group, reports that one of the bases has a four-mile stretch of perimeter made up of broken fences, drystone walls, or open access points. Shocking findings also revealed that there were also two gates that are simply left open. Another site had three unmanned gate barriers with gaping holes in between, giving infiltrators a straight run onto the grounds. UK military ready for war Greg Bagwell former Air Marshal RAF says One of the bases targeted is reportedly linked to Elbit Systems UK, a weapons firm repeatedly targeted by activists. And while some 10ft black metal fences have recently gone up on site, huge gaps remain. Even the RAF's main intelligence hub isn't safe, with 700 metres of its perimeter protected by a mix of hedges and low metal fencing. There is no barbed wire in sight and a handy escape route leads straight onto the A15. Nearby, another base is protected only by a 6ft-high, garden-style wooden fence for almost 1.5 miles along its north and eastern perimeter. The major base is home to RAF Typhoon fighter squadrons. Insiders admitted to the Telegraph that the defences were 'not perfect'. Security experts have already warned the sites' weaknesses are clearly visible on Google Street View and is highly likely to have already been assessed by activists and foreign agents. 8 8 8 The Telegraph claims to have handed over its dossier to the Ministry of Defence. However, it is refusing to name the bases or pinpointing the weak spots, for national security reasons. Video posted online last month showed yobs from Palestine Action vandalising Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton. Four people have since appeared in court since the attack and have been remanded into custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on July 18. It is understood that enhanced measures are in place following the infiltration at Brize Norton and that security at all bases is under review. Further 'layered' security measures are also in place inside the bases and other non-visible security measures being used include electronic motion sensors. Sources also said there were air safety limits on the height of fences that can be erected immediately next to runways. The majority of the five bases' perimeters consist of barbed wire-topped metal fencing and main gates are guarded by uniformed personnel. Frequent patrols are conducted by the RAF, police and dog units, and signs warn people to keep out. A MoD spokesperson told the Telegraph: 'We take security extremely seriously and operate a multi-layered approach to protect our sites, including fencing, patrols and CCTV monitoring. 'Following the security incident at RAF Brize Norton, we are urgently reviewing security procedures across the Defence estate and have immediately implemented a series of enhanced security measures at all sites. 'After years of hollowing out and underfunding of the Armed Forces, the Strategic Defence Review concluded that we need to invest more in this area, backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War.' 8 8
Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Revealed: Palestine Action sets up secret website to recruit new members
Palestine Action has attempted to thwart the Government's terror ban by creating a secret website to recruit activists for further direct action, The Telegraph can reveal. The protest group said it would continue its activity 'regardless of the name it falls under', as it directed potential recruits to a vetting form for a 'new collective' set up an hour before Palestine Action was officially designated a terrorist organisation. The move to ban the group was spurred by it claiming responsibility for the vandalism of two Voyager aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire in June, which police said caused around £7 million of damage. Support or membership of Palestine Action is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The group's website has also been blocked in the UK. On Saturday, hours after the midnight deadline brought the ban into effect, an 83-year-old retired priest was among 29 protesters arrested on suspicion of terror offences. The activists had displayed signs supporting Palestine Action outside Parliament. In a statement before the protest, Scotland Yard had warned that showing support for the group would lead to prosecution. But the group's ringleaders have now been privately messaging potential recruits encouraging them to 'join the frontline against Zionism' by signing up to a 'new collective' called Direct Action Training. The message, sent on Signal, an encrypted messaging app, on Saturday, said: 'While Palestine Action is banned, we do not want this draconian move from the Home Secretary to deter your dedication to your solidarity with Palestine. 'Direct action is for everyone, regardless of the name it falls under. We do believe that by staying focused and targeting the heart of the war machine again and again, the people will be able to shut the Zionist supply chain.' Following Saturday's arrests, Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, was asked on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg whether arresting an 83-year-old priest was a good use of police time. He said: 'The law doesn't have an age limit, whether you're 18 or 80. If you're supporting proscribed organisations, then the law is going to be enforced. 'Officers, you could see, did it with great care and tried to preserve that person's dignity, but they're breaking a serious law.' The website for Direct Action Training was set up at 10.41 pm on Friday and has its internet protocol address in Iceland, a country which is not a part of any major international surveillance alliances and is renowned for its strong data protection laws. The new group, which describes itself as 'training to bring the Zionist machine down brick by brick, wall by wall', said it condemned the 'active participation of the UK' in nearly two years of 'ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza '. The group's website landing page said: 'Direct action has proven time and time again to be the most effective route to create the material conditions for the change we want'. To register an 'expression of interest', prospective protesters are asked 14 questions ranging from queries about their personal details to testing their 'dedication to the Palestinian cause'. The form clarifies that training 'will be specifically aimed at dismantling the Zionist war machine in the UK' and 'for this, your dedication to the Palestinian cause is key'. Candidates must disclose their full name, mobile number, email address, date of birth and where they are based. Recruits must also divulge their social media handles, the name of anyone who could 'vouch' for them, their membership of any other direct action or political groups, their understanding of direct action and any experiences of it. After this, the recruits are then asked if they have a 'political ideology that led you here' and any relevant skills. The new collective then asks recruits about their 'current knowledge of the Palestinian context,' before adding: 'Don't worry, you don't need to be an expert.' 'What led you into solidarity with Palestine?' the questionnaire probes, adding: 'What other causes are you passionate about?' The form was created using the same software as another questionnaire, seen by The Telegraph, which Palestine Action used to recruit members before it was proscribed. It also poses similar questions. In the previous 21-question form, Palestine Action said vetting had to be conducted in the 'interests of keeping cops, Zionists and other bad-faith actors out of the movement'. The Direct Action Training recruitment form also specifies that the group is looking for expertise in areas such as 'climbing' and 'organisational skills', and asks if candidates have a driving licence and would be prepared to drive for the group, given that it could risk 'points on your licence'. It also asks whether participants would be 'willing to take action that risks arrest' and if there were any actions they 'wouldn't consider'. Potential recruits are further questioned about which Palestine Action protests had particularly inspired them. Last month, The Telegraph accessed a Palestine Action workshop in which its host discussed a range of tactics, including 'accountable' and 'covert' actions. The former is carried out with the aim of getting caught and raising publicity, such as locking or glueing yourself to something. The latter, the host said, involves 'covering up anything that might make you identifiable, doing the action at a certain time, making sure it is as quick as possible, and essentially trying to get away at the end of it.' She later added: 'If you're very fast on your feet then it might be worth taking the risk to do covert and run away.'
Russia Today
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Recently vandalized UK warplanes are foreign assets – ex-envoy to RT (VIDEO)
The Royal Air Force warplanes defaced by pro-Palestinian activists last month are owned not by the British government but a US hedge fund, prominent human-rights activist Craig Murray has alleged. He added that at least some of the planes appear to be routinely leased out to the Israeli military. In June, several activists from the group Palestine Action broke into Brize Norton, the UK's largest airbase, and sprayed red paint into the turbines of two Voyager aircraft before fleeing the scene undetected. The group said the stunt was a protest against the supposed involvement of the Royal Air Force in Israel's military operation in Gaza. The British authorities vowed to prosecute those responsible. Speaking to RT on Sunday, Murray, who served as British ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2002 till 2004 and is an associate of WikiLeaks' co-founder Julian Assange, said that he had discovered that the planes in question were owned by Airtanker Ltd, which, in turn, is supposedly 'owned by a string of seven fake companies.' According to Murray, behind the cutout entities stands a US hedge fund named Polygon Global Partners LLP, which is the real owner of the planes. He claimed that the entity 'has joint interests with the Trump organization and BlackRock,' which has stakes in several military industrial giants. The former British diplomat told RT that of the 14 planes in question 'nine are permanently with the RAF, and five of them are sometimes with the RAF, and sometimes can be leased out to other foreign militaries, including the Israeli military.' 'It seems to be fairly definite that the Israelis are using these planes. These planes have been frequently flying to [the RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus] which has been the main military support base for Israeli activities into Gaza,' Murray claimed. He added that officials in London refuse to either confirm or deny that such military missions are carried out in support of Israel. On top of that, according to Murray, the British 'taxpayer is being ripped off' as under the contract with Polygon Global, the UK government is 'paying five times the value of these planes.' He said the agreement expires in 2049. In the wake of the vandalism, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to designate the activist group as a terrorist organization and ban it.
