Quantcast
Channel: News4Security
Viewing all 3496 articles
Browse latest View live

Reigate nightclub ‘suspends doorman’ after claim woman was refused entry because of her dress size

0
0

A Reigate1 nightclub has launched an investigation after a woman claimed she was rejected entry into the venue because of her dress size. Mishiko, in Church Street, is looking into the claim, which was made on social media at 1.06am yesterday (October 22). Kelly Twine wrote on Facebook: “This evening I was rejected from a nightclub in Reigate due to my dress size….. That’s the society we live in.”

In the comments underneath the post, Ms Twine named the nightclub as recently opened Mishiko which replaced JJ Whispers and added: “I was told to enter the club I would have to undergo the hula hoop challenge. Meaning that I couldn’t step through a hula hoop.

“As someone that’s suffered with eating disorders her entire life I don’t feel great.”

But the club, who say a doorman has been suspended while the allegation is investigated, said CCTV showed two women leaving the venue after not having cash to pay for entry. The post has generated more than 80 comments and some have posted screenshots of negative reviews left on the club’s Facebook page after the allegations were reported. Friends have also rallied around Ms Twine, describing her as “beautiful” and urging the club to take the matter seriously.

READ MORE: New plan for 140 flats and demolition of 1930s facade at Redhill’s derelict Liquid and Envy site2

Daniel Sheridan, area manager of Mishiko, said on Facebook in response to Ms Twine’s post: “Hi Kelly, my name is Dan we spoke very briefly last night, I’m the area Manager of Mishiko. I have tried contacting today unfortunately with not much luck.

“I was not there on the night, but I am shocked and deeply saddened by what you are saying occurred last night.

“Just to make you aware, we are actively investigating the alleged incident and the doormen in question is on suspension during the investigation process. It is of course our number one priority to make sure this is done correctly so if you could get in touch so we could talk and get a clear understanding of your side of events that would be extremely helpful and much appreciated.

“I’d like to say that Mishiko has and always will have a zero tolerance policy towards any kind of discrimination towards our guests. Our policy is to be welcoming to all and as a part of the local Reigate community greeting many people from around the area every week I feel this is important to make this clear.”

Mr Sheridan said the member of staff is employed by an external company, which is also carrying out an investigation. He added: “I am very sorry that something has upset you and I can assure you it’s of the upmost importance to me and the whole of the management team at Mishiko to investigate.”

A spokesman for the club told the Surrey Mirror the external company was called Bridgegate Security and added: “The CCTV shows the two ladies come into the venue.

They come into the reception desk.

“It appears that the doorman who is in the reception bit is laughing with them. Then they go to pay at the reception.

“They are greeted by the receptionist. The first lady opens a purse to pay by card and you can clearly see she’s got a debit card in her hand while speaking to the receptionist. The receptionist makes her aware that it’s cash only at the desk because we don’t have a credit card machine at the desk.

“He then gestures that there’s a cash machine, pointing towards where it is. The second lady then goes to open her purse and also sees that she doesn’t have any cash and the two ladies then leave.

“They have left and not come back.”

Ms Twine said the pair had enough money between them to pay for entry, but did not return to the club because of the alleged comments. In response to Mr Sheridan’s promise of an investigation, Ms Twine said on Facebook: “It’s not a reflection of the establishment, but the door staff, I appreciate you reaching out Daniel.

“I really appreciate all your messages and those of you who have reached out privately as well, this is a prime example of how the majority of humanity is kind and generous and it’s the minority that fail us.

“The nightclub in question is dealing with the issues, however I think there is a much bigger issue at hand that needs to be addressed, there is no law that supports discrimination against size.

“As an actor I have developed quite a thick skin and get most of my work based on what I look like, however this isn’t the case for the majority of society. Genetics plays a huge part in people’s size and makeup but psychology is another factor and it’s unacceptable in my eyes to break another human down based on what they look like.”

The Surrey Mirror has contacted Bridgegate Security for further comment.

READ MORE: Redundancies as Partnership prepares to move out of Redhill and into Reigate3

References

  1. ^ Reigate (www.surreymirror.co.uk)
  2. ^ New plan for 140 flats and demolition of 1930s facade at Redhill’s derelict Liquid and Envy site (www.surreymirror.co.uk)
  3. ^ Redundancies as Partnership prepares to move out of Redhill and into Reigate (www.surreymirror.co.uk)

Transgender student at Wiltshire College dead after bullying claims

0
0

Transgender Student At Wiltshire College Dead After Bullying ClaimsSWNS.COM

TRAGIC: Dog walkers found Gabriel Tinto (centre) dead near a leisure centre

Tragic mature student Gabriel Tinto posted on social media that she was “isolated and angry” after relentless insults. The 51-year-old wrote: “Getting frustrated about my voice again, it’s the first thing people judge me by and instantly marks me as trans and the most common reason my gender is questioned.

“So isolating and nothing I can do to change it. I feel hopeless and angry about it, I’m instantly judged and there is nothing I can do to make people see further.”

London Gay Pride 2016

Saturday, 25th June 2016 Thousands of people are set to take to the streets of London for the annual Pride parade today. The event will see increased security after 49 people were killed during a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando in Florida. Transgender Student At Wiltshire College Dead After Bullying Claims

I am starting to believe the insults. I am tired and I can’t see a happy ever after

Gabriel Tinto

It has emerged the emotional post came on the same day the psychology student complained to Wiltshire College she was being bullied.

But later Gabriel, of Salisbury, Wilts., added on Facebook: “I am starting to believe the insults. I am tired and I can’t see a happy ever after.

“I got more abuse on Wednesday and I am having issues because of it.”

Tragically, dog walkers found Gabriel hanged from a tree near a leisure centre on Wednesday morning, six days after her complaint.

Transgender Student At Wiltshire College Dead After Bullying ClaimsSWNS.COM

SAD: Gabriel claimed she was receiving ‘abuse and insults’ about her gender identity

Amanda Burnside, Wiltshire College principal, said everyone at the institution was saddened by the news. She confirmed Gabriel had lodged bullying complaints.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “Police are not treating the death as suspicious however enquiries are ongoing and a file will be prepared on behalf of H M Coroner for Wiltshire.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”

For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch.

Related Articles


  • Gay man claims he was kicked out of grammar school event for dressing ‘inappropriately’

  • Fury as tampon bins put in MEN’S toilets in UK to help transgender students

  • ‘I feared they would kill me’ Vile thugs batter boy, 15, in sickening homophobic attack

Connected devices create millions of cyber security weak spots

0
0

Default passwords on devices from the digital video recorder in your living room to the security camera in your office threaten the stability of the internet, as hackers build vast networks of Internet of Things1 devices to bombard websites with traffic. The attack on Dyn, a domain name service provider, that disrupted access2 to high profile sites such as Twitter, Spotify and the New York Times3 on Friday, highlighted the risks posed by the billions of devices connected to the internet with little or no cyber security protections . Unidentified hackers took over tens of millions of devices using malicious software called Mirai, making the attack much more powerful4 and harder to defend against than the average distributed denial of service attack. In a rush of excitement about the prospect of controlling houses and office buildings from smartphones changing the temperature or detecting burglars using cameras many manufacturers with little experience of cyber security have connected devices to the internet.

Regulators have not yet created clear rules on how they should be protected and even businesses are finding well meaning suppliers or facilities managers have accidentally created holes in their corporate networks by adding connected devices. Michael Sutton, chief information security officer of Zscaler, a cloud security company, said Friday s attack would be a wake-up call for the hardware industry.

Security in the hardware industry is a decade behind where it is in the software industry, he said . Mirai was successful because so many webcams, digital video recorders, etc have been produced with default passwords that have never been changed . A simple internet scan identifies them and they can quickly be compromised.

Cyber security experts have been warning about the risk of Internet of Things devices for years, staging high profile hacks at their annual conference Def Con that show how everything from connected cars5 to insulin pumps6 could be hacked . But often it has been hard to see why a cyber criminal would target an individual s device, unless to expose the activity of a person in the public eye or cause harm to a political figure . This attack showed even if a connected device is not necessarily a huge threat to its owner, it could be used maliciously to attack others.

20bn

Estimated number of connected devices in the world by 2020 (Source: Gartner)

Gartner, the research firm, forecasts there will be over 20bn connected devices in the world by 2020 with consumers spending $1,500bn on the Internet of Things and businesses spending almost as much . The research firm predicts that more than a quarter of attacks on companies will involve connected devices by 2020, but enterprises will only spend 10 per cent of their cyber security budgets on protecting against these types of attacks. Jeremiah Grossman, chief of security strategy at SentinelOne, a Silicon Valley-based cyber security company, says more attention to the problem of insecure devices is long overdue . Device makers should force users to change their default passwords as part of the set-up process and issue security updates, just as they do on PCs, he said . Installing an agent that can monitor what the device is doing would have showed the very anomalous behaviour when it was recruited to a botnet, he added.

Regulating the industry is almost impossible , Mr Grossman added, because the companies connecting devices to the internet do not fit in any one category: stretching from makers of smart TVs to medical device manufacturers. Some regulators have taken a look at the potential threat, with the US Food and Drug Administration, which oversees the manufacturers of pacemakers7 and other medical equipment, issuing draft guidelines earlier this year for how hospitals and manufacturers should monitor devices for vulnerabilities and deploy updates.

Related article

Attack on company with fewer than 500 employees causes massive disruption

Shuman Ghosemajumder, chief technology officer at Shape Security, agreed it is tough for regulators to solve the problem as security challenges are constantly changing when hackers develop new techniques . But he said they should be responsible for setting minimum expectations and norms .

The industry as a whole needs to do a better job . There s no question that the growth of the Internet of Things has been fuelled by the excitement around the internet connection enabling new functionality and security has taken a back seat, he said.

However, he added that potential targets, such as Dyn, a domain name services provider which many major companies rely on to provide access to their sites, also need to improve their security and better protect themselves from these ever-expanding botnets. Dyn said in a blog post8 on Saturday that it was watching out for any further attacks and working with law enforcement agencies and others to investigate who was behind the attack . The number and type of attacks, the duration and the scale, and the complexity of these attacks are all on the rise, said Kyle York, chief strategy officer. Mr York said because of the customers that relied on it Dyn was often the first responder of the internet .

But as the internet grows larger, bringing in thermostats, lightbulbs and baby monitor, sending in the paramedics just got even harder.

Sample the FT s top stories for a week

You select the topic, we deliver the news.

References

  1. ^ Internet of Things (www.ft.com)
  2. ^ disrupted access (www.ft.com)
  3. ^ New York Times (markets.ft.com)
  4. ^ more powerful (www.ft.com)
  5. ^ connected cars (www.ft.com)
  6. ^ insulin pumps (www.ft.com)
  7. ^ pacemakers (www.ft.com)
  8. ^ blog post (hub.dyn.com)

Reigate nightclub launches investigation after woman claims she …

0
0

A Reigate1 nightclub bouncer has been suspended after a woman claimed she was denied entry into the venue because of her dress size. Mishiko, on Church Street, said it had launched an investigation into the claim and confirmed it had suspended a member of its door staff. Kelly Twine posted on Facebook at 1.06am on Saturday (October 22): This evening I was rejected from a nightclub in Reigate due to my dress size….That s the society we live in.

In the comments underneath the post, Ms Twine named the nightclub as recently opened Mishiko which replaced JJ Whispers and added: I was told to enter the club I would have to undergo the hula hoop challenge. Meaning that I couldn t step through a hula hoop.

Read More

Latest headlines

  • Reigate Nightclub Launches Investigation After Woman Claims She ... Neo-Nazi group protests uni
  • Reigate Nightclub Launches Investigation After Woman Claims She ... Serious sexual assault allegation
  • Reigate Nightclub Launches Investigation After Woman Claims She ... Double fatal collision in Dorking
  • Reigate Nightclub Launches Investigation After Woman Claims She ... Body found in Box Hill search

As someone that s suffered with eating disorders her entire life I don t feel great. But the club said CCTV showed two women leaving the venue after not having cash to pay for entry. The post has generated more than 80 comments and some have posted screenshots of negative reviews left on the club s Facebook page after the allegations were reported.

Friends have also rallied around Ms Twine, describing her as beautiful and urging the club to take the matter seriously. Daniel Sheridan, area manager of Mishiko, said on Facebook in response to Ms Twine s post: Hi Kelly, my name is Dan we spoke very briefly last night, I m the area manager of Mishiko. I have tried contacting you today unfortunately with not much luck.

I was not there on the night, but I am shocked and deeply saddened by what you are saying occurred last night.

Zero tolerance

Just to make you aware, we are actively investigating the alleged incident and the doormen in question is on suspension during the investigation process.

“It is of course our number one priority to make sure this is done correctly so if you could get in touch so we could talk and get a clear understanding of your side of events that would be extremely helpful and much appreciated.

I d like to say that Mishiko has and always will have a zero tolerance policy towards any kind of discrimination towards our guests.

“Our policy is to be welcoming to all and as a part of the local Reigate community greeting many people from around the area every week I feel this is important to make this clear.

Investigation

Mr Sheridan said the member of staff is employed by an external company, which is also carrying out an investigation. He added: I am very sorry that something has upset you and I can assure you it s of the upmost importance to me and the whole of the management team at Mishiko to investigate.

A spokesman for the club said the external company was called Bridgegate Security and added: The CCTV shows the two ladies come into the venue. They come into the reception desk.

Read More

It appears that the doorman who is in the reception bit is laughing with them. Then they go to pay at the reception.

They are greeted by the receptionist. The first lady opens a purse to pay by card and you can clearly see she s got a debit card in her hand while speaking to the receptionist. The receptionist makes her aware that it s cash only at the desk because we don t have a credit card machine at the desk.

Read More

He then gestures that there s a cash machine, pointing towards where it is.

The second lady then goes to open her purse and also sees that she doesn t have any cash and the two ladies then leave.

They have left and not come back. Ms Twine said the pair had enough money between them to pay for entry but did not return to the club because of the alleged comments. In response to Mr Sheridan s promise of an investigation, Ms Twine said on Facebook: It s not a reflection of the establishment, but the door staff, I appreciate you reaching out Daniel.

Discrimination

I really appreciate all your messages and those of you who have reached out privately as well, this is a prime example of how the majority of humanity is kind and generous and it s the minority that fail us.

The nightclub in question is dealing with the issues, however I think there is a much bigger issue at hand that needs to be addressed, there is no law that supports discrimination against size.

As an actor I have developed quite a thick skin and get most of my work based on what I look like, however this isn t the case for the majority of society.

Genetics plays a huge part in people s size and makeup but psychology is another factor and it s unacceptable in my eyes to break another human down based on what they look like.

Bridgegate Security has been contacted for further comment.

References

  1. ^ Reigate (www.getsurrey.co.uk)

Rugeley Amazon workers help pack essential items for children in emergency need

0
0

Comments (0)1

WORKERS at Amazon’s Rugeley site have taken time out to help support a Stafforshire charity with a bag pack of essential items for children who find themselves in emergency accommodation due to complex family situations. The Buddy Bags Foundation provides bags of essential and comfort items for children in emergency shelter such as toothbrushes, pyjamas, teddy bears and reading books. The team at Amazon in Rugeley chose to support the charity with a 1,000 donation towards much needed items for the bags while hosting a team pack at the fulfilment centre. Amazon regularly supports charities in the area having recently made donations to the Woodland Beaver Group, the Birmingham Donkey Sanctuary and Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. General Manager Mark Hemming said: “When we heard about the compassionate and heartwarming work being carried out by this local charity, we were keen to support. The Buddy Bags Foundation plays a significant role in restoring security into a child’s life during traumatic times and I’m really proud of the team here for getting involved in the bag pack and making the job a huge success.” Karen Williams, from the Buddy Bags Foundation, added: “We would like to issue a heartfelt thanks to everyone at Amazon for rolling their sleeves up and getting involved in the bag pack.

I started the Buddy Bags Foundation to help the rising number of children entering emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home.

These bags are designed to provide extra love and support they need towards a happy and successful future.”

Related content

References

  1. ^ Comments (0) (www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk)

Images of the Weekend

0
0

Images of the Weekend

Images Of The Weekend

Images Of The Weekend

Mon, Oct 24, 2016

By using this website, you consent to our use of cookies. For more information on cookies see our Cookie Policy. X1 Images Of The Weekend PHILIP CAIRNS: Image from a march in Ballyroan, Dublin, to mark 30 years to the day since the disappearance of schoolboy Philip Cairns. Floral tributes were placed by local people who participated. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Images Of The Weekend POETIC LICENCE: Poet Brendan Kennelly and President Michael D Higgins at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, at an event to celebrate the the poet s 80th year. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times Images Of The Weekend WOLFE TONE COMMEMORATION: Miche l Martin (left) and Emmet Kane at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Annual Fianna F il Wolfe Tone Commemoration in Bodenstown, Co Kildare. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times Images Of The Weekend CAUSE OF IRISH FREEDOM: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in Kilmainham Gaol to announce the celebration of a Eucharist of Commemoration to remember in a dignified way the sacrifice of those who died in the prison for Irish freedom 100 years ago. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Images Of The Weekend FRACKING AMAZING: Water enthusiasts gathered on Lough MacNean, outside Glenfarne, Co Leitrim over the weekend to raise awareness of next Thursday’s private members Bill in the D il seeking to ban gas fracking. Above is canoeist Tina Pommer and her dog Lolly on the lough. Photograph: Brian Farrell ADVERTISEMENT

Images Of The Weekend

Images Of The Weekend DUCK SOUP: Powering Pink Duck Race on the River Liffey, in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation: Martina McDonagh, from Naas, Co Kildare, owned the winning duck in the charity event to help fight breast cancer, and won a luxury weekend stay in the Conrad Hotel Dublin. Photograph: Shane O’Neill Photography Images Of The Weekend SONS OF FOLEY: CJ Stander comforts Tony and Dan, sons of the recently deceased Munster Rugby head coach Anthony Foley, after the European Champions Cup Pool One match at Thomond Park, Limerick. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA Wire Images Of The Weekend MINUTE S SILENCE: European Rugby Champions Cup Round 2, Thomond Park, Limerick – a view of Thomond Park as Munster and Glasgow Warriors stand for a minute s silence in memory of Anthony Foley. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Images Of The Weekend SMART BOY: Matthew Russell (15), from Cabinteely, Dublin, with his Smart House project, looking at building security and energy efficiency at DojoCon 2016. The annual global CoderDojo conference was held in D n Laoghaire at the weekend. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Images Of The Weekend BEYOND BREXIT: David Campbell, a farmer at Carrickfergus, on the outskirts of Belfast, with his herd of Aberdeen Angus sucklers, pictured for the Irish Times series Beyond Brexit. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times ADVERTISEMENT

Images Of The Weekend

Images Of The Weekend FLEEING VIOLENCE: An Iraqi man arrives near a checkpoint east of Mosul as people flee violence during an operation by the Iraqi army to retake the city from Islamic State jihadists. Photograph: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images Images Of The Weekend JUNGLE COUNTDOWN: A rainbow forms as a migrant talks on a mobile phone at the Jungle migrant camp in Calais, France. French authorities are preparing to clear the migrant and refugee camp imminently. Photograph: Jack Taylor/Getty Images Images Of The Weekend IT’S GETTING CLOSE: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks while campaigning at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The US presidential election is just more than two weeks away. Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images Images Of The Weekend PORTUGAL MASTERS: Padraig Harrington acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green after winning the Portugal Masters at Victoria Clube de Golfe in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

For the best site experience please enable JavaScript in your browser settings

Mon 24/10/2016

References

  1. ^ Cookie Policy (www.irishtimes.com)

Iraqi forces advance near Mosul as IS attacks western town

0
0

|

KHAZER, Iraq (AP) Iraqi Kurdish forces pushed toward Mosul on Sunday, cordoning off eight villages and coming within 9 kilometers (5 miles) of the northern city held by the Islamic State group, which staged an attack in a western town hundreds of miles away in an apparent diversionary tactic. The Kurdish forces, known as peshmerga, said the area they cordoned off measures around 100 square kilometers (38 square miles), and that they also secured a “significant stretch” of highway. The statement said eight car bombs were destroyed in the operation, including three by U.S.-led coalition aircraft, and “dozens” of militants were killed. The offensive near the town of Bashiqa came nearly a week after Iraq announced the start of the long-awaited Mosul offensive. Iraqi and Kurdish forces are approaching from the north, east and south through a belt of mostly abandoned and heavily mined villages scattered across the Ninevah plain.

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Internally displaced persons stand at a checkpoint as an Iraqi army convoy passes by in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. The U.N. and aid organizations say that some 5,000 civilians have been displaced since the operation to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State began, a tiny fraction of the estimated one million remaining inside the city. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhi, of Iraq’s special forces said they also took part in the operation, and that Bashiqa was completely encircled. IS has put up stiff resistance in many areas and has carried out attacks further afield that appear aimed at diverting attention from the Mosul operation.

IS militants stormed into the town of Rutba, in far western Iraq, unleashing three suicide car bombs that were blown up before hitting their targets, according to the spokesman for the Joint Military Command, Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool. He said some militants were killed, without giving an exact figure, and declined to say whether any civilians or Iraqi forces were killed. He said the militants did not seize any government buildings and that the situation “is under control.”

The IS-run Aamaq news agency had earlier said militants stormed Rutba from several directions.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, confirmed there had been a complex attack in Rutba and said he expects more such diversionary attacks as Iraqi forces close in on Mosul. IS carried out a large assault on the northern city of Kirkuk on Friday, in which more than 50 militants stormed government compounds and other targets, setting off more than 24 hours of heavy fighting and killing at least 80 people, mainly security forces.

The Mosul offensive involves more than 25,000 Iraqi ground forces as well as U.S.-led coalition aircraft and advisers. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive IS from Iraq’s second-largest city, which is home to more than a million civilians. Bashiqa is close to a military base of the same name where some 500 Turkish troops are training Sunni and Kurdish fighters for the Mosul offensive. Turkey’s prime minister, Binali Yildirim , told reporters Sunday that Turkish tanks and artillery had begun aiding the Kurdish forces in the Bashiqa offensive.

The presence of the Turkish troops has angered Iraq, which says it never gave them permission to enter the country and has called on them to withdraw. Turkey has refused, insisting that it play a role in retaking Mosul from IS. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has visited both countries in recent days, and was in the Kurdish regional capital, Irbil, on Sunday. After meeting with Turkish leaders, Carter announced an “agreement in principle” for Turkey to have a role in the operation.

But Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told Carter on Saturday that Mosul was an “Iraqi battle.”

The forces taking part in the Mosul offensive include Iraqi troops, the peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militias. Many fear the operation could heighten tensions between Iraq’s different communities, which are allied against IS but divided over a host of other issues, including the fate of territories near mostly Sunni Mosul that are claimed by the largely autonomous Kurdish region and the central government. Carter praised the peshmerga, saying they “fight extremely well,” but also acknowledged that they had suffered casualties. Brig. Gen.

Halgord Hekmet, a spokesman for the Kurdish forces, told reporters that 25 of their troops have been killed since the battle to retake Mosul began and a “large number” had been wounded. He said the peshmerga have had good coalition air support, but could use more armored vehicles and roadside bomb detectors. Most of the fallen peshmerga were riding in unarmored vehicles, he said. The U.N. agency for children meanwhile expressed concern over the more than 4,000 people it says have fled from areas around Mosul since the operation began.

UNICEF’s Iraq representative, Peter Hawkins, said that in at least one refugee camp the conditions for children were “very, very poor.” He said UNICEF teams delivered water, sanitation and other supplies expected to last seven days. They also provided immunizations against polio and measles, which he said had not been available during the more than two years that the people lived under IS rule. UNICEF has plans to assist more than 784,000 people, including up to 500,000 children. Hawkins says children in and around Mosul are at risk of death or injury from the fighting, as well as sexual violence, kidnapping and recruitment by armed groups.

___

Krauss reported from Baghdad. Associated Press writers Sinan Salaheddin in Baghdad, Lolita C. Baldor in Irbil, Iraq, and Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report.

___

Follow Joseph Krauss on Twitter at www.twitter.com/josephkrauss . His work can be found at www.bigstory.ap.org/journalist/joseph-krauss

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

People cross a street as the sun is eclipsed by toxic clouds in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. Islamic State fighters torched a sulfur plant south of Mosul, sending a cloud of toxic fumes into the air that mingled with oil wells the militants had lit on fire to create a smoke screen. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraq’s elite counterterrorism forces patrol outside the town of Bartella, Iraq, Saturday, Oct.

22, 2016. Iraqi forces retook Bartella, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraq’s elite counterterrorism forces are deployed in the town of Bartella, Iraq, Saturday, Oct.

22, 2016. Iraqi forces retook Bartella, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

A helicopter of the U.S.-led coalition flies over the town of Bartella, Iraq, Saturday, Oct.

22, 2016. Iraqi forces retook Bartella, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Arabic that reads “confiscated by Islamic State” is written on a restaurant in the town of Bartella, Iraq, Saturday, Oct.

22, 2016. Iraqi forces retook Bartella, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraq’s elite counterterrorism forces are deployed in the town of Bartella, Iraq, Saturday, Oct.

22, 2016. Iraqi forces retook Bartella, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraq’s elite counterterrorism forces are deployed in the town of Bartella, Iraq, Saturday, Oct.

22, 2016. Iraqi forces retook Bartella, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Arabic that reads: “Property belonging to Islamic State” is written on a house of a Christian man in the town of Bartella, Iraq, Saturday, Oct.

22, 2016. Iraqi forces retook Bartella, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) east of Mosul, earlier this week, but are still facing pockets of resistance in the area. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Children who have inhaled sulfur fumes wait for treatment at a hospital in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. Islamic State fighters torched a sulfur plant south of Mosul, sending a cloud of toxic fumes into the air that mingled with oil wells the militants had lit on fire to create a smoke screen. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

A boy gets his skin treated for sulfur burns at a hospital in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. Islamic State fighters torched a sulfur plant south of Mosul, sending a cloud of toxic fumes into the air that mingled with oil wells the militants had lit on fire to create a smoke screen. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

A member of the Iraqi security forces is treated with oxygen after inhaling sulfur fumes, at a hospital in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. Islamic State fighters torched a sulfur plant south of Mosul, sending a cloud of toxic fumes into the air that mingled with oil wells the militants had lit on fire to create a smoke screen. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

A member of the Iraqi security forces gets medical attention after inhaling sulfur fumes, at a hospital in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. Islamic State fighters torched a sulfur plant south of Mosul, sending a cloud of toxic fumes into the air that mingled with oil wells the militants had lit on fire to create a smoke screen. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Internally displaced persons wait for aid distribution in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. The U.N. and aid organizations say that some 5,000 civilians have been displaced since the operation to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State began, a tiny fraction of the estimated one million remaining inside the city. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

A man tends to a flock of sheep as thick smoke is seen on the horizon in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. Islamic State fighters torched a sulfur plant south of Mosul, sending a cloud of toxic fumes into the air that mingled with oil wells the militants had lit on fire to create a smoke screen. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Internally displaced persons wait for aid distribution in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. The U.N. and aid organizations say that some 5,000 civilians have been displaced since the operation to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State began, a tiny fraction of the estimated one million remaining inside the city. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Internally displaced persons sit at a checkpoint in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. The U.N. and aid organizations say that some 5,000 civilians have been displaced since the operation to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State began, a tiny fraction of the estimated one million remaining inside the city. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Internally displaced persons sit at a checkpoint as smoke rises from the burning oil wells in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016. Islamic State fighters torched a sulfur plant south of Mosul, sending a cloud of toxic fumes into the air that mingled with oil wells the militants had lit on fire to create a smoke screen. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Iraqi Forces Advance Near Mosul As IS Attacks Western Town

Internally displaced persons are transported on the back of a truck in Qayyarah, about 31 miles (50 km) south of Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Oct.

23, 2016.The U.N.

and aid organizations say that some 5,000 civilians have been displaced since the operation to retake the city of Mosul from Islamic State began, a tiny fraction of the estimated one million remaining inside the city. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

  • SHARE PICTURE

References

  1. ^

Nightclub bouncers’ trick lad in Bolton with breathalyser prank

0
0

The bouncers conned a reveller into thinking a walkie talkie was a breathalyser making the young clubber blow into it. The staff told the lad he would be denied entry into Level Nightclub in Bolton, Greater Manchester, if he failed the test. Comical mobile phone footage shows one bouncer say: “You have to blow for about 10 to 15 seconds. Right deep breath, you only get one go and that’s it”.

Nightclub Bouncers' Trick Lad In Bolton With Breathalyser PrankFACEBOOK / LEVEL NIGHTCLUB

JOKE: The bouncers played a prank on a reveller

Unbelievable facts about alcohol

Wednesday, 8th June 2016 Here are some cool facts about alcohol you probably did not know. Nightclub Bouncers' Trick Lad In Bolton With Breathalyser Prank

The hapless partier puts the end of the aerial in his mouth before trying desperately to continuously blow into the device. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t pass the test and it is believed he was sent on his way. The footage has been viewed more than 66,000 times on Facebook alone.

Nightclub Bouncers' Trick Lad In Bolton With Breathalyser PrankFACEBOOK / LEVEL NIGHTCLUB

CLEAR: The staff explained the process to the young clubber

Have you been fooled?

Friday, 1st April 2016 Companies all over Britain have today announced new and innovative products to take the UK by storm. But is all what it seems or are you being fooled?

From rainbow paint, to ‘bootybras’ here are the new products. Nightclub Bouncers' Trick Lad In Bolton With Breathalyser PrankPH Domino s has unveiled its latest robot innovation to transport transports customers live into the Domino s kitchen

Social media users loved the ingenious trick.

Kane Fitzharris wrote: “This has to be the best thing I’ve ever seen.”

Olivia Crowe added: “This so funny.”

But Arshad Aziz noted: “That’s how good alcohol is for you.”

Related articles


"Beloved" Southern Reg security guard died on Parkway

0
0

"Beloved" Southern Reg Security Guard Died On Parkway

Service member killed in Iraq; Bridgegate testimony; Hackers cause widespread internet outages on the East Coast APP NewsBreak

"Beloved" Southern Reg Security Guard Died On Parkway

File photo(Photo: ~File)

BARNEGAT – State Police identified a 77-year-old man who died early Saturday morning in his car1 while driving northbound on the Garden State Parkway near mile marker 67.9. Richard Baran, 77, of the Forked River section of Lacey died while behind the wheel in the center lanes of the Parkway, and was found with his foot still on the brake pedal, State Tooper Alejandro Goez said. Baran was a retired law enforcement officer who worked as a security guard in the Southern Regional School District for 17 years, said Keith Weidenhof, president of the district’s Board of Education.

Baran was “loved by the students and the staff, and was the type of person who could find good in everybody he came in contact with,” Weidenhof said.

NATIONAL NEWS: At least 13 dead after tour bus, truck crash in Calif2

The school district’s crisis intervention team is preparing to meet Monday and provide staff and students with support in the aftermath of Baran’s unexpected death, he said.

We re like a family at Southern,” said Weidenhof . He was beloved by the staff and the students and will be sorely missed. An autopsy lead investigators to believe a heart condition contributed to his death, Goez said.

No one else was injured when Baran’s vehicle stopped in the middle of the Parkway, he said.

JERSEY SHORE CRIME: Asbury Park man, 21, convicted of murdering Brick man3

COLUMNIST: Bridget Kelly s Bridgegate testimony challenges Christie s credibility4

Amanda Oglesby: 732-557-5701; aoglesby@GannettNJ.com

Don’t miss a thing

"Beloved" Southern Reg Security Guard Died On Parkway Download our apps and get alerts for local news, weather, traffic and more .

Search “Asbury Park Press” in your app store or use these links from your device: iPhone app | Android app for phone and tablet | iPad app Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook!5678

Read or Share this story: http://on.app.com/2f6zCo3

References

  1. ^ who died early Saturday morning in his car (www.app.com)
  2. ^ At least 13 dead after tour bus, truck crash in Calif (www.app.com)
  3. ^ Asbury Park man, 21, convicted of murdering Brick man (www.app.com)
  4. ^ Bridget Kelly s Bridgegate testimony challenges Christie s credibility (www.app.com)
  5. ^ iPhone app (itunes.apple.com)
  6. ^ Android app for phone and tablet (play.google.com)
  7. ^ iPad app (itunes.apple.com)
  8. ^ ‘like’ us on Facebook! (www.facebook.com)

Deposits of just under US$10Gs: How one Mexican drug cartel banked its cash in New York City

0
0

NEW YORK In the photos, Alejandra Salgado and her little brother Francisco look like ordinary tourists strolling the streets of midtown Manhattan. He carries a shopping bag. She wears a white dress, a necklace and a leather tote slung over one shoulder. But the outings were hardly innocent. Over two hours, federal agents snapped pictures as the pair visited seven banks, stopping at each one to make cash deposits of just under US$10,000 all from piles of drug money stashed in their bags.

Prosecutors say the flurry of modest deposits was one of the many schemes hatched by Mexican crime cartels trying to bring billions of dollars in drug proceeds back from the United States without attracting scrutiny from banking regulators. The cartels collect much of their cash proceeds from the U.S. market much the way the cocaine and other drugs come in, by sneaking it across the border.

But using regular banks remains in the mix, said James Hunt, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration s New York City office. The trick is keeping deposits small, because banks are required to report cash deposits of $10,000 or more to the government. The benefit, he said, is that if investigators do catch onto such a scheme, less cash gets confiscated. The bagmen also often face less jail time.

It s a little more time-intensive but it s not as heavy a hit if you get caught, Hunt said. Before they went to prison late last month, the Salgados were paid to launder up to $1 million a month collected from drug wholesalers doing business with the notorious Sinaloa cartel, prosecutors said.

Investigators say Alejandra Salgado, 59, who has a Mexico City address and was in the U.S. on an expired visa, was supervised by a high-ranking member of the cartel. Agents began watching her in New York after her name came up in an investigation of money-laundering cells in southern California, Michigan and Arizona being conducted by investigators from the DEA Drug Enforcement Task Force, Department of Homeland Security, the IRS and local agencies. Details from the case files of federal agents and narcotics prosecutors provided to the AP offer a look inside how the Salgados operated.

At one point she had been a courier who would drive drug money over the border. But later, she was assigned by cartel leaders to deposit funds into multiple bank accounts held under fake names, then write checks to a produce company in San Diego controlled by the cartel. An undercover investigator wearing a wire recorded her calling the assignment a hassle, but safer than her previous gig.

After her handler told her there was a lot of work for her in New York, she and her brother, a legal resident with an Alaska address, set up shop at a Manhattan hotel in the summer of 2013. She preferred to collect payments from local drug dealers in midtown, rather than in their home territories in the Bronx or Washington Heights, for security reasons.

Like a friend of mine said: This is a business for tough people, she said in a conversation with the undercover agent. And it s all based in trust. While under investigation, the siblings made at least two dozen deposits in amounts ranging from about $8,100 to $9,600 at banks located from the Upper West Side to Canal Street.

Following the money trail was worthwhile to gain insight into the practices of the cartels, said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan, whose office prosecuted the case. At Francisco Salgado s sentencing, his lawyer, Jeffrey Taub, portrayed him as a small fish in an unfortunate situation.

The penalties for the launderers can be lighter than in bigger federal conspiracy cases. The brother and sister took plea deals resulting in sentences of 16 months to four years. Alejandra Salgado s attorney, Robert W.

Georges, said it s certain his client will be deported once she serves her time a fate she s accepted.

She s remorseful and looking forward to getting on with her life in Mexico, Georges said.

Prison and deportation probably wasn t what Salgado had in mind when she told an undercover agent, in a recorded call, that being a money courier was a nice way to make a living in a treacherous drug world.

I live in peace and I live tranquil, she said.

William Wallace: Peace and security in Europe still vital

0
0

PEACE and stability is one of those issues that was hardly raised in the referendum campaign. It was an issue that the previous Prime Minister was determined to keep out of the campaign, in spite of efforts by many of us to bring it into the argument, and despite evidence that voters, when asked, responded positively to the reminder. Since June 24, the Prime Minister and other Ministers have said that, in leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe and that we shall continue to play our full part in European foreign policy and external and internal security co-operation . The question to the Government is when will they tell us how on earth they intend to manage to play our full part when we leave the structures of co-operation?

In the early years of Margaret Thatcher s government, Conservative ministers were enthusiasts for foreign policy co-operation . I remember the London report that the then Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, commissioned from 1980 to 1981 to investigate how to strengthen foreign policy co-operation . Those of us who have read Mrs Thatcher s Bruges speech carefully will remember that that also touched on the need for wider European security, speaking of Prague, Warsaw and Budapest as great European cities . When the Cold War ended, the UK was in the lead on enlargement and in assisting the transformation of east European countries towards democracy and stability and in providing training for their police and border forces and armed forces, as we learnt that the disappearance of the Iron Curtain meant that co-operation on internal security and borders had become essential . The UK led in establishing Europol, and Europol has a number of very good British staff and a British secretary-general.

In his first years as Prime Minister, Tony Blair supported closer Franco-British defence co-operation through the 1988 agreement to strengthen and lead closer European defence co-operation and to encourage others the Germans, the Dutch, the Italians and others to follow. However, the Daily Mail campaign against what it dubbed the European Army led him to back off, because he always hated standing up to the Daily Mail . Since then, what we have had is a widening gap between the realities of developing co-operation on peace and security and the unwillingness of Ministers, both Labour and Conservative, to admit to the right-wing press or to the House of Commons how far we have been usefully engaged, in our own national interest, in shared European interests. In 2010, the French took the initiative to strengthen bilateral defence co-operation further .

Liam Fox, the then Secretary of State for Defence, followed the policy but did his best to suppress public awareness of joint operations and manoeuvres as far as possible . I am told that his first briefing by the official who managed Franco-British co-operation led to the Secretary of State saying: Ah yes, but I shall want to talk about this as little as possible. I am told that the memorandum to David Cameron on the commemoration of the First World War that sparked off a committee on which I still sit included the phrase and we must ensure that commemoration does not lend support to the myth that European integration arose out of the conflicts of World Wars One and Two . That is not a myth; it is very much part of why, after the war, we ended up trying to develop European co-operation. The referendum campaign was thus fought on the basis that this was an argument about economics and sovereignty, unconnected with peace or security .

One has to say that Liam Fox and others were European security co-operation deniers in that campaign . Yet the experience of two world wars had been that Britain cannot stand aside when the continent faces disorder. I was listening to a senior Nato official who spelt out clearly that, in an era of hybrid warfare, cyberattacks, surges of refugees and migrants and economic and financial sanctions as means of political pressure short of war, the EU is now as central to western security as Nato, and the EU is the essential partner of Nato in meeting these threats and challenges. Without having an answer to how we manage continuing co-operation in foreign policy, defence policy and internal security, we shall have no credible foreign policy . Perhaps it is appropriate that we still have no credible Foreign Secretary to push such a policy.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire is a Lib Dem peer who spoke in a House of Lords debate on Brexit .

This is the full text.

This week’s North East appointments

0
0

Entrepreneurship1 Posted by 2 on 24 Oct 2016

Your weekly North East appointment fix.

Watson Burton

Five university graduates are launching their legal careers, thanks to Newcastle-headquartered commercial law firm Watson Burton. The graduates have joined the firm s graduate training programme, which provides high level training and a comprehensive introduction to law. During the course of the two-year programme, the trainees will have the opportunity to work across Watson Burton s key practice areas, including corporate and commercial, real estate, construction and engineering, professional indemnity insurance, employment and commercial litigation.

The programme will cover four six month rotations across Watson Burton s national groups and each trainee will be supported by an experienced mentor. Northumbria University graduates Olivia Coulson, from Durham and Francesca Hawker, from Scarborough, York University graduates Sarah Stubbs, from Lanchester and Jane Robertson, from Sunderland, and Leeds University graduate Katy Ames, from Whitley Bay, have all been awarded training contracts. Duncan Reid, partner and training principal at Watson Burton, said: We re looking forward to helping Olivia, Francesca, Sarah, Jane and Katy build their careers in law and seeing them play their part in delivering legal services to a wide array of clients.

The new trainees all have a true passion for commercial law and it s exciting to have them on board at Watson Burton.

Our graduate training programme provides a fantastic opportunity for aspiring legal professionals to develop their careers and expertise, and gain hands on experience of real client work.

This Week's North East Appointments

Phil Surtees and Steve McKenny, Call27

Newcastle-based communications technology provider Call27 has appointed Phil Surtees and Steve McKenny as Managing Director and Director of Planning and Strategy respectively. Established in 2011 by founder Dean Johnston, the firm provides internet connections to businesses throughout the North East along with cloud services, VoIP telephone systems and hosting. Both Phil and Steve bring with them a wealth of experience in implementing proven business management systems, business growth and quality systems.

Phil said: Our aim is to ensure that small and medium sized businesses have the fastest, most reliable internet service possible. We offer a high quality tailored service to our customers, with a personal service.

One of the reasons we are experiencing the growth that we are is our intentional move away from faceless service, we aim to bring the human element back into business, we want to go and visit our clients and resolve their problems quicker and in person rather than solely from the other end of the phone.

Part of our culture here at Call27 is to create happy customers. It may sound a bit of a clich to some but we believe that happy customers tell their friends and colleagues about the great service they receive. The company, based on Newcastle Business Park have an extensive network which they have built from the ground up with centres in Newcastle, London and Manchester.

Operations Director Darren Wright explains how the new appointments have already had a huge impact on the business.

Both Dean and I have spent the last few years building the network which now offers our customers speeds of up to 10Gbps; Phil and Steve have joined us to take our systems and processes to the next level, provide a growth plan and help us realise our goal of being the largest ISP in the north of England.

In an industry that is predominantly lead by price, we are aiming to put the focus back on a reliable and quality service.

We also have ambitious plans to grow our team of network and customer service specialists in the coming months as we expand.

With companies now relying on internet connections not just for its outward activities but also for its internal technologies such as connected devices for energy efficiency and security, having a more than capable broadband connection is now no longer a nice to have, it s a necessity.

This Week's North East Appointments

Hugh Wheatcroft, Ringtons

Newcastle-headquartered Ringtons has appointed Hugh Wheatcroft as business development manager, as the company prepares to open the doors of a significant expansion at its state-of-the-art coffee facility in north east England. With responsibility for existing clients and securing new accounts across Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln and the surrounding areas, Hugh brings with him a wealth of experience in the food services industry. His career spans over 30 years, and his CV includes stints at Thorntons Confectionery, the Milk Marketing Board and Pelican Rouge.

Hugh said: Working for the sales division of the Milk Marketing Board and promoting an industry built on traditional doorstep deliveries, meant I became aware of Ringtons as a customer-focused family business early on in my career.

The company s great reputation mixed with my own experience in the food service and coffee industry made joining the Ringtons Beverages team a natural move for me.

Over the years I have heard only positive feedback about Ringtons; from both its doorstep delivery customers and business and hospitality clients. Now that I am part of the Ringtons team I am delighted to find that everything I believed to be true about Ringtons is.

This Week's North East Appointments

Craig Horsfall, Haines Watts

Craig Horsfall has joined accountancy firm Haines Watts North East after working in the industry for 14 years. Craig will work with a wide-ranging client portfolio as well as supporting the Audit team. Commenting on his new role at Haines Watts, Craig said: I m thrilled to be working for Haines Watts North East as an Associate Partner.

As a nationally recognised firm, the team offer real quality for their clients but with an understanding and appreciation of the regional marketplace. The balance between the two areas is crucial for our client s continued success.

The direction and drive of the Haines Watts North East team at the moment is especially exciting. It s refreshing to work with an organisation with a clear digital and online presence and I hope to be able to work to develop this further.

The team here are all friendly, motivated and great at working together to achieve top results and I m looking forward to being part of such a positive and enthusiastic organisation.

This Week's North East Appointments

Emma Harrington, Waltons Clark Whitehill

Tees Valley chartered accountants and business advisers Waltons Clark Whitehill, has appointed Emma Harrington as a lead auditor in its Business Services Team. Emma, 26, who lives in the region, has 5 years experience, and recently became ACA qualified, with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. She graduated with a history degree in 2011 from Northumbria University. Waltons Clark Whitehill s team provides a range of support services for clients, including annual accounts, audits, bookkeeping, management accounts, VAT, tax services including planning, company secretarial, payroll and business and strategic planning.

Heather O Driscoll, Managing Director of Waltons Clark Whitehill, said: We re delighted to welcome Emma to the team, her skills and past experience within the industry will add capacity to our team allowing us to provide an outstanding service to our growing client base, across the Tees Valley and the wider North East. Emma added: I m excited to take the next step in my career by joining Waltons Clark Whitehill, it is a great company and very active in the North East business sectors, I m looking forward to building new relationships with clients.

This Week's North East Appointments

Wullie Trimble, Scott Logic

A bespoke software development consultancy has welcomed a new Lead Test Engineer to its Newcastle headquarters. Originally from Dumfriesshire in Scotland, Wullie Trimble, 40, has taken up the role, which marks an expansion to Scott Logic s team of software testers, after taking redundancy from his previous post at Hewlett Packard in North Tyneside.

Wullie, who now lives near Chester le Street in County Durham, has broad experience in both software testing and consultancy, after graduating from Strathclyde University with a degree in Chemistry. He explained: After a brief career as an industrial chemist in the manufacturing industry, I was offered a relocation package to move to the North East and my first IT role was as a systems tester.

It was a six-month contract that said no experience was required, so I thought I d go for it, and here I am 16 years later. Wullie has found an enduring interest in the IT world and in recent years, software testing has become more of a focus for him.

He s now keen to develop further as a leader as Scott Logic continues to grow.

Scott Logic s Head of Development in Newcastle Rob Newsome added: It s great to welcome another talented individual to our software consultancy team, and in particular to be expanding our test engineering community.

I m really looking forward to working with Wullie and seeing him contribute his expertise to our clients projects.

Join us again next week for more appointment news.

More from North East

References

  1. ^ Entrepreneurship (bdaily.co.uk)
  2. ^ (bdaily.co.uk)

Letters, mail pose unique security problems for prisons

0
0

Hundreds of pieces of mail, especially letters, go in and out of jail facilities every week in the Mountain Empire and ensuring the safety and security of the process can be a daunting task for staff.

Within the past year, in two separate incidents, prisoners at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Wise County, Virginia, sent threatening letters to organizations in Bristol, authorities said.

Login

Choose an online service.

  • 1 Current 7 Day Print Subscriber Free!1

    Add digital to current active 7 day print subscription

  • Best Value 2 Monday – Sunday & All Access 2

    Get home delivery of the newspaper every day. Plus receive digital access, which includes unlimited use of HeraldCourier.com on web and mobile web as well as our electronic replica edition.

    (Per 30 days)

  • 3 Monday – Saturday & All Access 3

    Get home delivery of the newspaper Monday – Saturday. Plus receive digital access, which includes unlimited use of HeraldCourier.com on web and mobile web as well as our electronic replica edition. 13 week intro rate will convert to $14.86 per month.

    (Per 30 days)

  • 4 Friday – Sunday & All Access 4

    Get home delivery of the newspaper Friday – Sunday. Plus receive digital access, which includes unlimited use of HeraldCourier.com on web and mobile web as well as our electronic replica edition. 13 week intro rate will convert to $14.86 per month.

    (Per 30 days)

  • 5 Sunday Only & All Access 5

    Get home delivery of the Sunday newspaper. Plus receive digital access, which includes unlimited use of HeraldCourier.com on web and mobile web as well as our electronic replica edition. 13 week intro rate will convert to $14.86 per month.

    (Per 30 days)

  • 6 All Access Only 6

    Receive unlimited web and mobile web access to HeraldCourier.com and get an electronic replica edition every day. 13 week intro rate will convert to $16.86

    (Per 30 days)

The following services are print only and offer no digital access

Need an account? Create one now.7

You must login to view the full content on this page.

kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQm~?6 =6EE6C adk^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQmp?@E96C E9C62E6?:?8 =6EE6C H9:49 H2D 255C6DD65 E@ E96 qC:DE@= ‘:C8:?:2 r:C4F:E r@FCE r=6C6?E @7 r@CC64E:@?D :?E6C46AE65 E96 =6EE6C 2?5 :?7@C>65 E96 4@FCE 4=6C2? ‘6C?@? q6=496C x?

255:E:@? E@ E9C62E6?:?8 E@ 3@>3 96 H2D 492C865 H:E9 6IE@CE:@?k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQmq6=496C 92D AC6G:@FD 4@?G:4E:@?D @7 D6?5:?8 E9C62E6?:?8 =6EE6CD 244@C5:?8 E@ 4@FCE C64@C5Dk^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQmvC68@CJ r2CE6C D2:5 @776?56C 4@CC6DA@?56?46 😀 6?4@FC2865 %96C6 D ?@ =:>:E E@ E96 2>@F?E @7 >2:= E92E 2? @776?56C 42? D6?5 @C C646:G6] p== 4@CC6DA@?56?46 😀 C625k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQm|@DE 2C62 ;2:=D >2:?E2:?

D:>:=2C >2:= A@=:4:6Dk^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQmp3@FE d__ E@ h__ A:646D @7 >2:= A2DD E9C@F89 E96 $F==:G2? r@F?EJ y2:= 😕 q=@F?EG:==6 %6??6DD66 6249 H664@I D2:5 Q(6 92G6 @?6 A6CD@? E92E 5@6D :E 2?5 E96J 86E 96=A @?

2 4@FA=6 52JD 2 H662;@C H9@ @G6CD66D E96 4@F?EJ ;2:=k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQmx?>2E6D H:E9 >@?6J 42? AFC492D6 >2E6C:2= E@ HC:E6 =6EE6CD :?4=F5:?8 6?G6=@A6D H:E9 A@DE286 2?5 A2A6C x?5:86?E :?>2E6D E9@D6 H:E9@FE >@?6J %96 :?>2E6D 2C6 2=D@ AC@G:565 ;2:=D276 A6?D $:>4@I D2:5k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQm~442D:@?2==J =6EE6CD H:E9 4C:>:?2= 3692G:@C @C :?2AAC@AC:2E6 >6DD286D 2C6 5:D4@G6C65 😕 E96 >2:= 2E E96 $F==:G2? r@F?EJ y2:=k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQmQ(6 42? C6;64E >2:=Q $:>4@I D2:5 Qp?JE9:?8 E92E 😀 E9C62E6?:?8 @C 2?JE9:?8 E92E H@F=5 92G6 D@>6 6 2E6 E@ :?>2E6 4@CC6DA@?56?46 >FDE C646:G6 AC:@C 2AAC@G2=k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQm(9:=6 ;2:= DE277 49646D :E D 5CF8D E2A65 @C 9:556? :?D:56Qk^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQm|2?J ;2:=D 92G6 DA64:2= 6BF:A>6?E E@ 49642:= 7@C 5CF8D]k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQm(C:E:?8 😀 ;FDE @?6 H2J AC:D@?6CD 42?

4@>>F?:42E6 H:E9 A6@A=6 @? E96 @FED:56] s:8:E2= A9@?6D 6>2:= 2?5 G:56@ G:D:E2E:@?

2C6 2=D@ 2G2:=23=6k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQm{:2:= 2E E96 ;2:= r9C:DE>2D 42C5D 2?5 @E96C 76DE:G6 >2E6C:2=D 2C6 C68F=2C=J 5:DEC:3FE65 E@ AC:D@?6CD 5FC:?8 E96 9@=:52JD wFEE@? D2:5k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQmx?4@>:?8 >2:= >FDE 92G6 2 C6EFC?

255C6DD 2D H6== 2D E96 :?>2E6 D ?2>6 @C :?>2E6 :56?E:7:42E:@? ?F>36C wFEE@? D2:5 >2:= H:E9@FE C6EFC?

255C6DD6D H:== ?@E 36 5:DEC:3FE65 E@ :?>2E6D]k^Am kA DEJ=6lQE6IE2=:8?i =67EjQ 2=:8?lQ;FDE:7JQmp?J >2:= H:E9 :==682= >2E6C:2=D 49:=5 A@C?@8C2A9Jk^Am

Login

Choose an online service.

  • 1 Current 7 Day Print Subscriber Free!10

    Add digital to current active 7 day print subscription

  • Best Value 2 Monday – Sunday & All Access 11

    Get home delivery of the newspaper every day. Plus receive digital access, which includes unlimited use of HeraldCourier.com on web and mobile web as well as our electronic replica edition.

    (Per 30 days)

  • 3 Monday – Saturday & All Access 12

    Get home delivery of the newspaper Monday – Saturday. Plus receive digital access, which includes unlimited use of HeraldCourier.com on web and mobile web as well as our electronic replica edition. 13 week intro rate will convert to $14.86 per month.

    (Per 30 days)

  • 4 Friday – Sunday & All Access 13

    Get home delivery of the newspaper Friday – Sunday. Plus receive digital access, which includes unlimited use of HeraldCourier.com on web and mobile web as well as our electronic replica edition. 13 week intro rate will convert to $14.86 per month.

    (Per 30 days)

  • 5 Sunday Only & All Access 14

    Get home delivery of the Sunday newspaper. Plus receive digital access, which includes unlimited use of HeraldCourier.com on web and mobile web as well as our electronic replica edition. 13 week intro rate will convert to $14.86 per month.

    (Per 30 days)

  • 6 All Access Only 15

    Receive unlimited web and mobile web access to HeraldCourier.com and get an electronic replica edition every day. 13 week intro rate will convert to $16.86

    (Per 30 days)

The following services are print only and offer no digital access

Need an account? Create one now.16

References

  1. ^ Current 7 Day Print Subscriber (www.heraldcourier.com)
  2. ^ Monday – Sunday & All Access (www.heraldcourier.com)
  3. ^ Monday – Saturday & All Access (www.heraldcourier.com)
  4. ^ Friday – Sunday & All Access (www.heraldcourier.com)
  5. ^ Sunday Only & All Access (www.heraldcourier.com)
  6. ^ All Access Only (www.heraldcourier.com)
  7. ^ create an account (www.heraldcourier.com)
  8. ^

Border insecurity?Look north

0
0
ALBURGH An hour before sunset, Miguel Ramos waited in his gray minivan for three Guatemalans to walk undetected across the Canadian border and make illicit entry into the United States. They walked around a gate to a wooded area, trying to evade security cameras, then quickly piled into the back of the van, and Ramos tried to drive off. But federal agents who had been tipped off about a suspicious vehicle swooped in to arrest him and his passengers.

Ramos, 32, of the Bronx, was the only one who could produce proper identification. While the Southern border with Mexico, about 2,000 miles, attracts much more attention, the 5,500-mile Northern border with Canada offers more opportunity for illegal crossing. In many places, like this Vermont border town, there are few signs of where one nation ends and another begins.

Some homes, farms and businesses even sit astride the two countries; in other areas, a small white obelisk is the only marker of a border. In the past year, agents made 3,000 apprehensions along the Northern border, compared with 100 times that many along the Southwestern border with Mexico. They also seized 700 pounds of marijuana and cocaine in the North compared with 1.6 million pounds along the heavily gated Southern border.

But authorities acknowledge that they cannot say with certainty how much criminal activity occurs as a result of Northern border crossings because their means of detection are so limited. The problem is that we don t know what the threats and risk are because so much attention is given to the Southwest border, said Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.

This area is a haven for smugglers and cross-border criminal organizations. Each year, Border Patrol agents catch hundreds of drug smugglers and human traffickers who use the sparsely populated and heavily wooded areas along the Vermont-Canada border to bypass the agents, cameras, sensors and other electronic devices that the Department of Homeland Security has installed to make up for the lack of personnel. The expanse and remoteness of much of the Northern border, which includes Alaska, make the task of law enforcement daunting, said Norman M.

Lague, who leads the Border Patrol station in Champlain, New York, one of the eight stations in the Swanton region that oversee border security operations in Vermont, upstate New York and New Hampshire. We do the best that we can with the resources we have, he said. The border with Canada, the longest between two countries in the world, has hardly warranted a mention in a presidential campaign dominated by Donald Trump s call to build a wall between the United States and Mexico.

But officials and law enforcement officers say that makes the region more vulnerable in many ways to exploitation by criminal enterprises and possible terrorists. Since the Sept.

11, 2001, attacks, the Department of Homeland Security has increased the number of Border Patrol agents stationed along the Northern border to more than 2,000, from about 340, in addition to adding ground sensors, drones and other detection devices. Nearly 18,000 agents patrol the Southwestern border with Mexico.

Ramos was driving from Derby Line, Vermont, last month when agents stopped his van, which has North Carolina license plates. A fourth passenger was another Guatemalan man, Gerardo Xar-Marroquin, who the police said had hired Ramos to spirit the group into the United States. Ramos and Xar-Marroquin were charged with illegally transporting immigrants into the United States.

This was just one of dozens of large- and small-scale smuggling attempts the Border Patrol has stopped this year. In the Detroit region, the Border Patrol said it arrested people in a smuggling ring operated by Piotr Lisiecki, a Polish citizen who had overstayed his visa. Lisiecki was arrested in August while trying to smuggle several residents of Poland into Port Huron from across the river in Canada, said Douglas E.

Harrison, chief patrol agent in the Detroit Sector. Heitkamp has sponsored legislation, along with several other senators from border states, including Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., that would require the Department of Homeland Security to assess the national security risks posed by the terrorist and criminal organizations operating on the Canadian border. During a hearing last year before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, several law enforcement officials raised concerns about terrorists making their way to the United States through the sparsely populated areas along the border.

In 2007, people from the Government Accountability Office managed to cross from Canada into the United States carrying a duffel bag with contents that looked like radioactive material, and they never encountered a law enforcement officer. No one is arguing that the Northern border is the same as what s happening down on the Southwestern border, but we can t forget about this area, said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

If we take our eye off of that, they will go where the weakest link is. Border Patrol agents here in the Swanton region say the biggest problem they face along the nearly 300-mile area they patrol is drug and human smuggling from criminal organizations that work on both sides of the border. While marijuana is the main drug, officials say they are starting to see an increase in drugs like fentanyl, which contributes to the national opioid and prescription drug abuse crisis.

Drug smuggling is a continuing issue because the lack of security and natural barriers make the point of entry from Canada much easier for the smugglers than the Southern border. In January, Border Patrol agents arrested Cedrik Bourgault-Morin, 22, a Canadian from Quebec, after he was detected by night vision cameras and ground sensors along a railroad track near the border in the village of North Troy, Vermont, pulling a sleigh with a 182-pound duffel bag. Agents said Bourgault-Morin, who was wearing white camouflage, was trying to hide the bag in the snow when he was caught.

Agents found 300 vacuum-sealed bags of Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication, in the duffel bag. According to court records, the pills had a street value of $1.6 million. Bourgault-Morin was sentenced to one year in prison in August.

In addition to drugs, the smuggling of people is another challenge for law enforcement. Bradley S. Curtis, the acting division chief for the Border Patrol Swanton Division, said agents had caught hundreds of people from dozens of countries trying to enter the United States through the dense forests and open fields.

We ve seen people from all over the world: Chinese, Haitians, Eastern Europeans, Brazilians, you name it, Curtis said. In February, Reynaldo Reyes, 39, a native of Quebec, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for running a ring that smuggled people across the border from Canada at night. Several of the people who were caught with him told Border Patrol officials that Reyes charged them as much as $8,000 a person for their passage.

Law enforcement also faces another singular challenge in the North: Native American reservations where they have no legal authority to enter, making them attractive to drug smugglers. Another issue is that officials here admit they do not actually know how many people and how much drugs get through. Officials acknowledge that many more people than they apprehend could be crossing the border illegally.

For example, cameras along the border recently showed four men dressed in camouflage outfits who appeared to have weapons crossing the border. Agents never caught them. Another camera image showed a group of about half a dozen people walking through the woods at night across the border.

Agents said they had no information on the group.

These guys make me nervous, Curtis said.

My technology can show me when someone makes an entry, but it can t tell me who they are, and we can t always get there in time to catch them.

PICTURES: Photographer captures the Calais ‘Jungle’ as child refugees come to Oxfordshire

0
0
YOUNG refugees have been arriving in the UK ahead of the clearance of the Calais 'Jungle' camp, which is beginning today. One of those who has taken an interest in their plight is photojournalist Daniel James Homewood, 36, from Faringdon. The father-of-one has visited the camp on three occasions and taken a series of photos.

Mr Homewood, who is working on a self-funded long-term project to document the journeys of migrants, said: "Over the last few months I have set out on what I predict to become several years work, documenting the effect of the European migrant trail. "Starting in the UK, I will be visiting a range of locations in France, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and Lebanon. "So far, I have made several trips to the camp in Calais, and to the city itself to try to get beneath the skin of this frontier in northern France. "'Les Calaisiens' are a unique group of people. Seemingly brash and forthright, they are an extraordinarily open-minded and tolerant species. "The first tricklings of refugees began arriving in the area in 1999, and over the years their location and numbers have fluctuated, resulting in some 10,000 human beings living in the camp known as the Jungle. "Throughout this period, I have heard many stories of the kindness offered to these people; including the fostering of children, finding families safety and security in homes both in France and the UK, and of a former Jungle resident called Alpha, who now lives in a permanent address in central Calais thriving as a freelance artist." Mr Homewood warned there was a 'growing faction' who were very much against the Calais camp. He added: "There have been several protests this year alone, resulting heated clashes. "On October 1, I was in Calais during a protest that went ahead, despite a 24-hour blanket ban on such activities." The photographer said the camp being broken up was a 'double-edged sword' and added: "There need to be provisions in place for everyone.

Most of the refugees I saw were from Sudan and Eritrea." A dozen teenagers arriving in the UK from Calais last week were met with cheers and applause as the transfer of vulnerable children from the Jungle continued. Relatives and supporters waited behind barricades, some holding 'welcome' signs, as the children made their way inside the Home Office building in Croydon. Oxfordshire County Council 1 said one young refugee from the Calais camp had already arrived in Oxfordshire.

Spokesman Paul Smith said: "We have responded to the Home Office request to assist with the placing of children from the Calais camp with family members living in the UK and have already helped enable this to happen in one case. "Like other councils, we have a safeguarding role to ensure that relatives are able to provide a safe environment for children, but this is not the same as taking children into care. "The council has a statutory responsibility for unaccompanied asylum seeking children otherwise arriving in Oxfordshire. "Though the circumstances in which such children come to the council s attention are obviously very different from other children coming into the care system, care arrangements for all children are made based on an assessment of the individual needs of the child. "Typically a foster care arrangement, residential placement or supported accommodation would be the most likely outcome for children." He added that there were 58 unaccompanied asylum seeking children currently in the care of the county council. "Their countries of birth are Afghanistan, Albania, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria," Mr Smith added. Jericho and Osney county councillor Susanna Pressel said child refugees who came to Oxfordshire from the Calais camp could end up being 'fine upstanding citizens and a great asset.' She added: "This country has always been proud to welcome refugees, especially children who can be in danger of being abused or trafficked - other countries should do their bit as well. "As far as I am aware, Oxfordshire already does take child refugees because, from time to time, they arrive on lorries and are dumped near the M40. "Now the Calais camp is going to be broken up it is even more urgent to make suitable arrangements but we are incredibly short of foster carers." More children are expected to arrive after a team of British officials were sent to Calais to help French authorities speed up the transfer of minors ahead of the dismantling of the camp. Campaigners, including Citizens UK, which said it had reunited 60 children from Calais with relatives in Britain since March, claim to have identified hundreds of children in the camp who have a right to come to the UK.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has written to the Prime Minister Theresa May asking her to act urgently to bring more vulnerable children to the UK. But some critics have argued that the new arrivals appeared to be much older than 18. Earlier this month there was a demonstration at Carfax by Oxfordshire councillors, trade union representatives and campaigners in support of the refugees at the Calais camp including 1,000 children.

Cathy Augustine, 55, from Didcot, who works in internal communications, is the secretary of the Oxford branch of Stand Up to Racism.

She attended the Carfax protest and said: "It has already been proved that some of the Calais child refugees as many as 300 to 500 have a legal right to come to this country so it is frustrating that they are still stuck there." References ^ Oxfordshire County Council (www.oxfordshire.gov.uk)


Cyber security firm Secarma to double London outfit

0
0

A string of new client wins and a significant expansion within existing accounts are boosting growth at cyber security firm Secarma. Following this growth, the firm, headquartered in Manchester, also plans to double the size of its London base.

Secarma1 , launched by UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones as a standalone cyber security firm in 2012, acquired application security specialists Pentest in May this year for an undisclosed fee. The move added 50 ethical hackers and CHECK and CREST accreditation to the security firm, which previously supplied services exclusively to UKFast s customer base.

Lawrence said the acquisition of Pentest has given Secarma a boost to its expertise and resources.

Read More

Cybersecurity is in the news daily and the risks are growing at an alarming rate, said Lawrence.

If hackers are able to disrupt sophisticated companies like Twitter and Facebook and take them offline, it s a wake up call for us all.

The acquisition adds some amazing clients to our books. We have a very diverse customer base including a few of the largest Silicon Valley operations, along with some more traditional British establishments.

It also gives us a highly accredited team which is well respected in the industry. The quality of the team was ultimately the reason we chose invest in Pentest rather than some of the other firms on the market.

We ve had some good client wins and some significant expansion within our existing client base since the acquisition and there are clearly opportunities to grow further. The British business community is beginning to understand the risks online and as a consequence the security market is going to grow for the foreseeable future.

Read More

The doubling of the London office is set to see the firm develop its southern client base and talent pool within the capital.

We re attracting some exciting new talent in both London and Manchester, and whilst it is exiting to expand, I am mindful that the companies culture needs to remain in tact. Pentest s Manchester team is set to move into its purpose built cyber-security research lab and defensive security operations centre at UKFast Campus later this year.

References

  1. ^ Secarma (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)

Horror moment ‘brutish’ bouncers ‘attacked mouthy young lads outside nightclub’

0
0

‘Brutish’ bouncers allegedly beat up a pair of “mouthy” young guys after chasing them down the street.

Two men in suits are seen pinning a screaming man to the ground outside a Kent1 nightclub before punching and kicking him. The alleged attack started when two half-naked lads in their 20s were seen shouting and smashing bottles outside a Kent club on Saturday night. An eyewitness saw a boy smash a bottle on the ground at around 11.30pm before the bouncers allegedly chased the two boys down the street.

In the shocking footage filmed in Rochester, a man can be heard saying “I will knock you into next week you ****”.

Horror Moment 'brutish' Bouncers 'attacked Mouthy Young Lads Outside Nightclub' An altercation took place outside a club late at night

Sam Beck, 32, from Chatham, Kent, was out with friends when he spotted the alleged attack and started filming. He said: “I was out with a group of mates and we were walking down the high street when two boys with no shirts on were shouting and screaming at some bouncers.

“One of the boys was bleeding from the mouth and then he smashed a bottle on the ground in frustration.”

Read More

Horror Moment 'brutish' Bouncers 'attacked Mouthy Young Lads Outside Nightclub' It spilled out into the street and bystanders couldn’t help but see what happened

In the video police sirens and lights can be seen – but after cops turned up and the alleged violence is claimed to have stopped, nobody was arrested

Sam, who said he spoke to the two alleged victims afterwards, claims they were brothers visiting Rochester to watch a football game. He added: “When the police turned up the bouncers walked away, nobody was arrested, I was surprised.

Read More

“It was brutal to watch, the guy being beaten up in the video said he and his brother had come down to watch the football match between Charlton and Gillingham.”

A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police is aware of a video circulating on social media regarding an incident in Rochester High Street, believed to have taken place on October 22.

“The incident has not been reported to police but officers are reviewing the footage and will conduct initial enquires.”

References

  1. ^ Kent (www.mirror.co.uk)

Social media users ‘finally waking up’ to cyber attack threats, study finds

0
0

High-profile cyber attacks are making social media users recognise the importance of account security, new research claims. According to online security firm Eset, more than two-thirds (68%) of UK social media users have taken steps to improve the privacy settings on their various accounts, including changing to a stronger password and not using the same password across multiple accounts. Among a range of high-profile breaches, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey have both had social media accounts compromised this year.

Mark James, security specialist at Eset said: “The findings from our study show that UK social media users are finally waking up to the dangers that exist online, and the fact that there are people out there who are specifically looking to compromise their data.

“Data is the currency of the 21st century and cybercriminals are constantly looking at new ways to get their hands on it. However, as consumers become more privacy conscious, this becomes a more difficult job for hackers, which, in my opinion, can only be a good thing.”

75% of those surveyed said they believed privacy on social media was more important than popularity, while 81% said they did not use passwords that were related to their personal lives, such as birthdays or anniversary dates. The research also highlighted a divide between men and women, with women found to be alert to the importance of privacy – only 29% had never taken steps to use different passwords on different accounts, compared to more than a third (36%) of men.

“While the results of our study show that many people are beginning to take privacy more seriously, we cannot overlook the fact that there are still a number of people out there getting it wrong, who could therefore be putting themselves at risk,” Mr James said.

“My advice to them would be start improving your online privacy and security now, before it is too late.

This includes taking simple steps like ensuring you use a different password for all your online accounts and updating the privacy settings on the social media accounts you use so photos and posts are not public.”

Hackers of State sites earlier this year yet to be identified

0
0

Garda , along with Europol and the FBI, have yet to discover who was behind the cyber attack on a number of Government websites earlier this year.

Hackers Of State Sites Earlier This Year Yet To Be Identified

The head of the Garda Cybercrime Unit, detective superintendent Michael Gubbins, said that Irish authorities had worked with other agencies to solve the attack but they had not found the culprit.

At the start of the year, our own Government was hit by a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack. It was a group online and we haven t been able to track them, we worked with our colleagues in Europol, the secret service and the FBI trying to put some investigation into this.

We ve also been working with CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) in the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the Department of Communications, said Det Supt Gubbins. He was speaking at Cybercrime Awareness Day 2016, which was Ireland s only event for European Cybersecurity Month. A DDoS attack is a common way of downing a website without hacking into it.

It happens when more traffic than a website can handle is deliberately sent to that website. It results in the public not being able to access that site. The Central Statistics Office (CSO.ie), the Courts Service (courts.ie) and the Department of Justice (justice.ie) were all affected in this way last January.

The detective superintendent explained why it has been difficult to catch the group behind the attack.

In relation to the Distributed Denial of Service attacks on the Government networks in January of this year, the difficulty in investigating those matters is that those attacks all originate with compromised computers.

So by the time you get to them and you get the IP (internet protocol) address, get your mutual assistance requests in order, the data might be gone to allow you to get to the next hop on it, he said.

Also, those computers are already compromised and the owners of them aren t even aware possibly that they themselves have been compromised and have been used as part of a greater attack, he added. Yesterday s event, which was hosted by Irish telecoms and cyber security firm Magnet, was the only one in Ireland for the European-wide initiative. There are almost 500 related events taking place across Europe.

Detective superintendent Gubbins said that there are a number of things that the general public can do to keep their information safe.

We need to encrypt our data, we need to encrypt our communications.

People have to be aware and alert to the likes of the phishing emails, the scams that are out there, not to give away their information, not to put up too much online and to be cautious of how they work and where they put their stuff on the internet, he said.

The important part is, the internet is there, it s good for everybody, it s good for communications, to do business and personal lives, so we re not to be afraid to use it, just to exercise caution, added the detective superintendent.

Irish Examiner Ltd.

All rights reserved

Whitegate is ‘crucially important’ for oil security

0
0

The decision by a Canadian firm to buy Ireland s only refinery at Whitegate in Cork Harbour ensures security of supply and contributes to the country s economic growth, Environment Minister Denis Naughten has said.

Whitegate Is 'crucially Important' For Oil Security

Environment Minister Denis Naughten at the ‘Welcome Whitegate’ event at Irving Oil Whitegate Refinery, Co Cork. Picture: Provision

Speaking at the official launch of the Irish division of Irving Oil yesterday, Mr Naughten stressed the Whitegate facility was crucially important for Ireland .

It is crucially important from the point of view this is the only oil refinery on the island of Ireland. It is much easier to access crude oil than processed oils petrol and diesel.

“So it is important from a security point of view that we have an oil refinery on the island. It is not just an Irish issue. It is a European issue as well, he said. Mr Naughten said the new owner had secured 160 jobs at the refinery, as well as many more indirect jobs.

The future of the refinery, which was owned and operated by Phillips 66, was in doubt when the 15-year operating licence ran out during the summer. Irving Oil views Whitegate as a key element in expanding their business in Europe. The refinery can process 75,000 barrels of crude oil a day, as well as handle other fuels such as kerosene, diesel and home heating oil.

Irving Oil president Ian Whitcomb praised Whitegate s safety record, saying there were great opportunities for the refinery to work alongside Irving s refinery in Canada, the country s largest. Whitegate supplies up to 40% of the main products on the Irish market, and was privatised as a result of its sale by the State in 2001 to Phillips 66. Up to the 1990s most of the crude oil in Ireland came from the North Sea but supply is now imported from multiple sources, including west Africa and Canada, said operations manager Dermot O Sullivan, who has worked at the 230-acre Whitegate site since 1986.

You manage it (safety) by looking after the very small things. In the event of an incident, we would evacuate straight away.

We have an emergency response team in the refinery.

“We have a shift of 12 people all trained emergency response personnel. We have our own emergency response vehicles. We have fire engines and ambulances, Mr O Sullivan said. Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Michael Hegarty said the acquisition of the refinery was fantastic news for the area. Irving Oil was founded in 1924 and is a privately owned regional refining and marketing company.

Irving Oil operates Canada s largest refinery in Saint John, which can process 320,000 barrels a day.

Irish Examiner Ltd.

All rights reserved

Viewing all 3496 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images