Latest news with #Samuel
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Body of British hiker, 36, found months after going missing in Italian Dolomites
The body of a British hiker who went missing in the Dolomites on New Year's Day has been found by mountain rescuers. Aziz Ziriat, 36, was last heard from on January 1 while hiking with a friend, Samuel Harris, in the Italian mountain range. Samuel, 35, was found dead just over a week after the pair went missing, his body covered in snow. Aziz's phone, bank card and glasses were found close to his friend's body. This morning (May 31) Trentino Alpine and Speleological Rescue teams said they have found Aziz's body, and are working to recover his remains. The friends, who both lived in London, were planning to climb a 3,000m mountain on January 1. Aziz filmed a video and shared it with family and friends on the day he disappeared, in which he said: 'Happy New Year! Woken up to some delightful sunshine, blue skies. 'There has not been a cloud in the sky since we got here, which is slightly unnerving but also quite jokes. 'I want to attack this today, get up into some of the 3,000 bits which are up yonder. 'Looking forward to a day scampering, we are not taking our packs today, for the last two days lugging up this God-forsaken valley, another day frolicking before schlepping over to the next valley.' But their families raised the alarm after they both missed their flight back to the UK on January 6. The Italian authorities began a search of the mountain, but their efforts were hampered by heavy snow and strong winds. They found Samuel's body on January 8 at the base of the Care Alto peak and suggested he may have fallen from rocks above. Rescuers traced their steps by tracking their mobile phones and managed to find both of their backpacks – but they found no trace of Aziz. Friends and family described Aziz and Samuel as experienced hikers and climbers who have faced harsh conditions before. Speaking soon after Samuel's body was found, his friend and business partner Spencer Jones paid tribute, saying: 'To say I am devastated would be an understatement, and I have no words to fully describe how I am feeling at the moment. 'The search is ongoing for our good friend Aziz Ziriat, so for now, I want to focus on Sam. 'He was an amazing friend of 23 years, ever since our school days. 'He was probably the most knowledgeable person I have ever known, and building the business with him has been an incredible journey.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Fears grow for British tourist who vanished on first night of stag do in Algarve party hotspot MORE: Experts reveal what would happen if supervolcano 1,000 miles from London erupted MORE: British man who vanished nearly a month ago in Amsterdam has been found
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Commanders' Deebo Samuel already impressed with Jayden Daniels
Commanders' Deebo Samuel already impressed with Jayden Daniels New Commanders WR Deebo Samuel is already impressed with Jayden Daniels. Deebo said, "just being here for two or three months now, I feel like the man can make every throw. He's comfortable. He knows what's going on. He knows where the ball needs to go. I think he's very smart." — Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) May 28, 2025 Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters had one goal this offseason: Find the missing pieces to get this team to the next level. After a Cinderella season in 2024, the Commanders need to prove that it wasn't a fluke and they are a legitimate threat each and every week, no matter which team they face. Peters has been on a mission to upgrade the offensive line, add weapons for Jayden Daniels to target, and solidify the defense. Part of that mission included trading with the San Francisco 49ers for veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Samuel's production has been hit or miss the last few seasons, but he has the talent and skill to be a solid option next to Terry McLaurin. Samuel has been with the team for just a short time, but he's already impressed with his new quarterback. First, Samuel is asked about the culture in Washington, which he says is a 'great culture' and that there's a big brotherhood here. Then came the big question: What has impressed you about Jayden Daniels? "Just being here for two-to-three months now, I feel like the man can make every throw. He's comfortable, he knows what's going on, he knows where the ball needs to go, I just think he's very smart. Samuel has received passes from several different quarterbacks, mainly Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy, but there were several other backups who hit the field on occasion while he was in San Francisco. He's been around the league long enough to understand what makes a good quarterback and how to tell if a guy can get the job done. That he's impressed with Daniels speaks volumes about Daniels' potential in the NFL. The Commanders' fanbase is nervous, and rightfully so given all it has experienced over the last 30 years, but the aura around the team and the organization is such that Daniels will not have a sophomore slump, and this team will regain the respect it lost due to decades of poor play and mismanagement.
Economist
4 days ago
- Economist
Myanmar's scam empire gets worse, not better
For Samuel, a sports teacher in Sierra Leone, a Facebook message promising a similar job in Thailand at ten times his salary was irresistible. Yet his dream curdled when he landed in Bangkok. Spirited across the border into Myanmar, he was tortured and coerced into the online-scam industry, and confined for ten months in a vast compound secured by barbed wire, high walls and armed guards. His job was to pose as an affluent Singaporean woman to defraud victims on eBay.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Two UK men locked up in notorious high-security jail in Norway over 'botched' job
Samuel Cook and another man - believed to be a former Royal Marine - are being held in high-security Ringerike Prison in Norway after a job transporting £1.5million of silver coins went wrong. Two men, including a former serviceman, are currently detained in a high-security Norwegian prison on charges of money laundering following an assignment to transport £1.5million worth of silver coins that seemingly went awry. Samuel Cook, 31, a father of one, and another man whose identity is yet to be disclosed, are close protection officers for a UK-based firm, typically tasked with delivering goods or safeguarding high-profile individuals. However, last month, their company assigned them to transfer a shipment of 500kg of silver coins between two locations in Oslo, according to Samuel's family. The duo were en route to deliver the package when they were intercepted and arrested by Oslo police on suspicion of aggravated robbery, as per Samuel's father, Steve Cook, 54. A month later, Samuel, hailing from Exeter, and his colleague, believed to be a former Royal Marine, continue to be held in the high-security Ringerike Prison - notorious for incarcerating mass murderer Anders Breivik. On May 22, the police successfully petitioned to extend their detention by another month, Steve revealed. He claims that the pair are clueless as to why they have been detained, believing it was a simple task of transporting goods. Samuel's lawyer, Odd Martin Helleland, confirmed that Samuel has been charged with negligent money laundering. Mr Helleland verified that the Oslo District Court deemed there was "reasonable ground for suspicion" and extended his detention by another four weeks. Steve and his wife Sarah Cook, 50, are reportedly "distraught with worry" over their son's predicament, reports the Mirror. Steve, a Royal Marine hailing from Exeter, revealed: "I got a phone call four weeks ago saying they have been stopped by police. "As far as Samuel and his co-worker were concerned, it was all legal, and above board. "The role is to do secure deliveries and escorting people but you don't really know your mission until you arrive. They were hired as couriers in good faith. We don't think they've been charged but it's been a month and they haven't been released. "Apparently they were first arrested for aggravated burglary. They were getting £250 a day, for three days. Who would risk prison for £750?" The duo were employed on April 21 by a firm that contracted their workplace, with travel and accommodation sorted for them, according to Steve. They jetted off to Oslo from Heathrow shortly thereafter, only to be arrested on 22 April. Steve disclosed that the British Embassy has recently informed him that the grounds for their detention have shifted from robbery to alleged "negligent money laundering". The pair attended a hearing at Oslo District Court on Thursday, represented by solicitors, where they were informed of their continued detention for another month. Documentation from the Oslo District Court, translated, suggests it was highly likely that the silver coins were proceeds from illegal activities. The Court of Appeal posited that the circumstances imply Samuel and his colleague "most likely understood" that the coins could have been acquired through criminal offences. Steve has insisted that Samuel, who is registered disabled because of his bipolar disorder, ADHD, and depression, does not have a criminal background and would never deliberately engage in illegal activities. It's been acknowledged that the two men were strangers to one another prior to accepting the job. Since being detained, Samuel's family have managed to speak with him several times, during which he appeared to be alright but was suffering from a lack of sleep. An FCDO spokesperson disclosed: "We are supporting two British men detained in Norway and are in contact with the local authorities". The Norwegian Correctional Service has maintained its stance, stating that it is legally forbidden to release information regarding individual prisoners. Oslo Politidistrikt, representing the Oslo police, revealed: "This case has been transferred to the National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim)." Jon André Hvoslef-Eide, a state prosecutor at Økokrim, confirmed: "We can confirm that the arrests are linked to an investigation in Norway.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Two UK men being held in prison in Norway after taking £750 job
Two men - one a former serviceman - are being held in a high-security Norwegian prison accused of money laundering after a job transporting £1.5million of silver coins seemingly went wrong. Dad-of-one Samuel Cook, 31, and another man, yet to be named, work as close protection officers for a UK-based company, and usually deliver goods or protect high-profile individuals. But last month they were hired, via their company, to move a consignment of 500kg of silver coins between two locations in Oslo, Samuel's family say. The pair were on their way to drop off the package when they were stopped by police in Oslo and arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery, according to Samuel's dad, Steve Cook, 54. A month on, Samuel, from Exeter, and his companion, understood to be a former Royal Marine, remain in high-security Ringerike Prison - famous for housing mass murderer Anders Breivik. On May 22, Police successfully appealed to keep them detained for a month longer, Steve said. He says the pair have no idea why they have been held, and thought it was a simple, straightforward job to transport goods. Samuel's solicitor, Odd Martin Helleland confirmed Samuel has been charged with negligent money laundering. Mr Helleland confirmed that Oslo District Court felt there was "reasonable ground for suspicion" and detained him a further four weeks. Steve and wife Sarah Cook, 50, are "distraught with worry" over their son. Steve, a Royal Marine from Exeter, said: "I got a phone call four weeks ago saying they have been stopped by police. "As far as Samuel and his co-worker were concerned, it was all legal, and above board. "The role is to do secure deliveries and escorting people but you don't really know your mission until you arrive. They were hired as couriers in good faith. We don't think they've been charged but it's been a month and they haven't been released. "Apparently they were first arrested for aggravated burglary. They were getting £250 a day, for three days. Who would risk prison for £750?" The pair were hired on April 21 by a company who contracted their workplace, and their transport and accommodation was arranged for them, Steve says. They flew out to Oslo from Heathrow soon after, and were arrested on 22 April. Steve said the British Embassy this week informed him the reason for their detention is now considered alleged "negligent money laundering" rather than robbery. The pair appeared at a hearing on Thursday at Oslo District Court with solicitors and were told they would be detained for another month. Translated Oslo District Court documentation claims it was deemed highly probable that the silver coins were proceeds of illegal activity. The Court of Appeal argued the circumstances suggest that Samuel and his colleague "most likely understood" that the coins may have been obtained through criminal offences. But Steve said Samuel - who is registered disabled due to having bipolar disorder, ADHD and depression - has no criminal record, and would not knowingly commit a crime. It is understood the two men were not known to each other before taking on the assignment. His family have spoken to Samuel a handful of times since he was detained and he seemed ok, but was lacking sleep. An FCDO (Foreign Office) Spokesperson said: 'We are supporting two British men detained in Norway and are in contact with the local authorities'. The Norwegian Correctional Service said it is "prohibited by law from disclosing information about individual inmates". A spokesperson for Oslo Politidistrikt - the Oslo police - said: "This case has been transferred to the National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim)." State prosecutor Jon André Hvoslef-Eide, of Økokrim said: "We can confirm that the arrests are linked to an investigation in Norway. "The investigation is ongoing, and we therefore have no further comments."
