Latest news with #specialforces
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Osiris review – Linda Hamilton drops in to rescue charmingly hokey space-horror
An entertaining-enough space-horror, a mishmash of storylines and character types that sees some special forces commandos abducted by a gang (herd? flock? troop?) of aliens whose intentions are aligned more closely with the likes of the predator than lovely little ET the Extra-Terrestrial. The pop culture off-worlders these beasties most resemble physically, however, are the xenomorphs from James Cameron's Aliens – and not the massive multi-limbed queen, mind you, but the smaller foot-soldier guys who can be played by a fella in a suit. This fella-in-a-suit aspect is the one of the film's strengths. You might argue that it hinders the willing suspension of disbelief, because you always know you're looking at a fella in a suit. But in truth there's something about the physicality of even the hokiest practical effect that is more enjoyable than all but the most skilfully rendered digital efforts. Another area in which the film recalls the earlier work of James Cameron is in the casting of Linda Hamilton (Terminator 2: Judgment Day) in the role of a tough, uncompromising military type. Lest fans get too excited by the Hamilton-heavy marketing for the film, she certainly gives good Hamilton while on screen, but she doesn't appear for the first hour; it's very much an 'and Linda Hamilton' credits situation. And that's fine: it's better to have practical effects and a modest helping of recognisable actors than A-listers sleepwalking through expensive CGI glop for a paycheck. Osiris is far from a perfect film, and it's certainly not an original one, but it understands the assignment and delivers. Osiris is on digital platforms from 28 July.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: First they came for the soldiers, now it's the coppers... Orgreave is another excuse to dance on Mrs Thatcher's grave
First they came for the soldiers, who so valiantly risked their lives serving Queen and Country against the IRA. Shamefully, members of the special forces and other troops posted to Northern Ireland during the Troubles are still being hounded through the courts while terrorists issued with 'letters of comfort' by the British government and freed from jail early enjoy a care-free retirement.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Florida hit by terrorist threat against retired commanders
Retired US special forces operatives living in Florida have been warned they could be targets of a credible terrorist threat, in a chilling alert issued by the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The alarming notice — which has been shared on social media — was quietly circulated to former senior military personnel who served in Iraq and Syria, and specifically cautioned those now residing in the Sunshine State. While officials declined to identify the terrorist group or country of origin behind the threat, the warning was deemed serious enough to warrant a 'duty to warn' notification. Col. Allie Scott, a spokesperson for the command, told the New York Times that such notifications are not uncommon, and issued when there's credible information that retired service members could be in danger. She declined to provide additional details, citing operational sensitivity. The warnings are usually issued when there is intelligence relating to a potential threat of intentional killing, serious bodily harm, or kidnapping, and when the cost to alerting those in danger is low. The threat does not apply to active-duty special operations personnel, but they were advised to stay alert both on and off base, and to immediately report any suspicious behavior. The provost marshal, Col. Mark A. Katz, who signed the warning, urged current troops to inform any retired comrades living in Florida of the situation and to remain vigilant. 'We encourage all personnel to remain alert to their surroundings, both on and off post, and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate authorities,' says the alert. Florida is home to thousands of retired elite military personnel, many of whom settled there after serving with the Tampa-based US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Pictured: Members assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command execute a simulated rescue mission during a Special Operations Forces (SOF) demonstration in Downtown Tampa, Florida, May 18, 2022. That was the nerve center for missions against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terror networks in the Middle East. US commandos have played a key role in clandestine raids, drone strikes, and counterterror operations in Iraq and Syria for decades, often anonymously, due to fears of retaliation. The Pentagon has long acknowledged the possibility of foreign actors or jihadist networks seeking revenge against American forces — even on US soil. Andrew Sullivan, the executive director of No One Left Behind, a non-profit that supports locals who assisted America's War on Terror, said ex-service members faced 'urgent and dire' dangers. 'The terrorist threat emanating from Syria is so strong that some retired American veterans in Florida are at risk of reprisal because of their service in Syria or Iraq,' Sullivan posted on social media. The nature of this latest threat remains unclear, but the warning has raised eyebrows in security circles and renewed concerns about the long arm of extremist groups seeking payback for US military campaigns abroad. Military sources say anyone connected to past operations — whether officers, contractors, or retired advisors — should now be on high alert. For those who served in the shadows, the war may not be over.
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Over 100 British spies and commandos exposed in data leak
The identities of more than 100 MI6 spies, British special forces operatives and other military personnel were compromised in a massive data breach which was subsequently covered up, multiple media organizations reported on Thursday. The fallout from the massive British Defense Ministry Afghanistan leak was kept from public view under a court-imposed superinjunction for years. That gag order was lifted Tuesday by a High Court judge, allowing the media to report on the incident. Days later, several news outlets revealed that UK military and intelligence personnel were among those exposed. The names of more than 100 British officials were in the leaked data, including members of MI6 and special forces, the BBC admitted on Thursday. The UK Defense Ministry had originally leaked a spreadsheet via a mistakenly sent email in February 2022 containing then personal details of nearly 19,000 Afghans. These individuals had worked with the British during the decades-long US-led war in Afghanistan and had applied for resettlement in the UK, fearing retaliation from the Taliban. The data breach resurfaced the following year, when someone in Afghanistan posted part of it on Facebook and threatened to publish the rest. This prompted London to scramble to put a gag order on the matter and create a secret relocation scheme for those affected. The individuals were not informed of the leak 'despite the risk to their safety,' according to the BBC. The total costs of relocating thousands of Afghans and their families to the UK and housing them, 'could be assumed to run into several billion pounds,' according to Judge Justice Chamberlain, who lifted the superinjunction. A total of 4,500 people have been moved from Afghanistan to the UK under the scheme to date, the BBC reported on Thursday. UK Defense Secretary John Healey has issued a 'sincere apology' on behalf of London to those whose information was compromised in the data breach. He said he was 'unable to say for sure' whether anyone had been killed as a result of the leak, according to the BBC.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Florida hit by 'credible' terrorist threat as retired Pentagon commanders are warned they could be 'targets'
Retired US special forces operatives living in Florida have been warned they could be targets of a credible terrorist threat, in a chilling alert issued by the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The alarming notice — which has been shared on social media — was quietly circulated to former senior military personnel who served in Iraq and Syria, and specifically cautioned those now residing in the Sunshine State. While officials declined to identify the terrorist group or country of origin behind the threat, the warning was deemed serious enough to warrant a 'duty to warn' notification. Col. Allie Scott, a spokesperson for the command, told the New York Times that such notifications are not uncommon, and issued when there's credible information that retired service members could be in danger. She declined to provide additional details, citing operational sensitivity. The warnings are usually issued when there is intelligence relating to a potential threat of intentional killing, serious bodily harm, or kidnapping, and when the cost to alerting those in danger is low. The threat does not apply to active-duty special operations personnel, but they were advised to stay alert both on and off base, and to immediately report any suspicious behavior. The provost marshal, Col. Mark A. Katz, who signed the warning, urged current troops to inform any retired comrades living in Florida of the situation and to remain vigilant. 'We encourage all personnel to remain alert to their surroundings, both on and off post, and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate authorities,' says the alert. Florida is home to thousands of retired elite military personnel, many of whom settled there after serving with the Tampa-based US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). That was the nerve center for missions against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terror networks in the Middle East. US commandos have played a key role in clandestine raids, drone strikes, and counterterror operations in Iraq and Syria for decades, often anonymously, due to fears of retaliation. The Pentagon has long acknowledged the possibility of foreign actors or jihadist networks seeking revenge against American forces — even on US soil. Andrew Sullivan, the executive director of No One Left Behind, a non-profit that supports locals who assisted America's War on Terror, said ex-service members faced 'urgent and dire' dangers. 'The terrorist threat emanating from Syria is so strong that some retired American veterans in Florida are at risk of reprisal because of their service in Syria or Iraq,' Sullivan posted on social media. The nature of this latest threat remains unclear, but the warning has raised eyebrows in security circles and renewed concerns about the long arm of extremist groups seeking payback for US military campaigns abroad. Military sources say anyone connected to past operations — whether officers, contractors, or retired advisors — should now be on high alert. For those who served in the shadows, the war may not be over.
