Connect with us

Foreign

New Zealand: Attacker killed, at least 6 injured in supermarket terrorist attack

Published

on

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed on Friday that the violent attack that happened at a supermarket in Auckland was a “terrorist attack” carried out by an “extremist.”

The attacker was shot dead by police at the scene after injuring multiple people at 2:40 p.m. local time at the Countdown supermarket in Auckland’s New Lynn.

Ambulance service St. Johns spokesperson said at least six people were injured, including three in critical condition.

“A violent extremist undertook a terrorist attack on innocent New Zealanders at a New Lynn Countdown in Auckland,” Ardern told a press conference in Wellington.

“This was a violent attack. It was senseless and I’m sorry it happened,” said the prime minister, adding that the police shot the offender within roughly a minute of the attack happening.

The attacker is a Sri Lankan national who arrived in New Zealand in 2011 and has been closely monitored by the New Zealand police since 2016 for his Islamic State ideology, she said.

It is unknown whether the man is a New Zealand citizen.

New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster also confirmed at the press conference that the individual behind the attack was under heavy surveillance over “concerns about his ideology.”

The offender was acting alone and there was no further threat to the public, said Coster.

The person travelled from where he lived in Glen Eden to Countdown at LynnMall in western Auckland, and was closely watched by surveillance teams.

He entered the Countdown supermarket where he obtained a knife.

Surveillance teams were as close as they could be and when the commotion began they acted, according to Coster.

When the man approached them with the knife he was shot and killed, said Coster.

Armed police have blocked off the roads nearby and at least ten police vehicles were around the mall where the supermarket is located.

Ardern said, “If we’d reached a threshold for him to be in prison, he would have been in prison.

“If he’d committed a criminal act that would have allowed him to be in prison, that’s where he would have been.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t. That is why, instead, he was being monitored constantly and followed.”

“It would be wrong to direct any frustration to anyone beyond this individual.

“That is who is culpable, that is who is responsible – no one else,” she said.

The prime minister also assured the public that more information will be shared as soon as it is available.

NAN

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Foreign

German authorities arrest woman suspected of spying for China

Published

on

China

German police arrested a woman on allegations of spying as a Chinese agent, prosecutors announced on Tuesday.

The woman, a Chinese citizen identified only as Yaqi X, was arrested by police in the eastern city of Leipzig on Monday.

Her home and workplace were also searched by police.

According to German prosecutors, Yaqi worked for a company providing logistics services at the Leipzig/Halle airport.

She is accused of having repeatedly transmitted sensitive data about flights, cargo shipments and passengers at the airport to Chinese intelligence.

Prosecutors allege that the data included particular details about the transport of military equipment and people connected to a German armaments firm between August 2023 and February 2024.

Continue Reading

Foreign

Malaysia to deepen diplomatic relations with Nigeria in trade, education

Published

on

Malaysia to deepen diplomatic relations with Nigeria in trade, education

Malaysia to deepen diplomatic relations with Nigeria in trade, education

Aiyub bin Omar, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, has reiterated his country’s dedication to strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria, particularly in trade and education, as they approach 60 years of bilateral relations by 2025.

Omar speaking at an event commemorating Nigeria’s 67th Independence Day and Malaysia’s 61st National Day on Friday in Abuja, highlighted Malaysia’s contributions to Nigeria’s development through technical assistance and expertise under the South-South Cooperation framework.

He said since 1981, 569 Nigerian government officials have benefited from the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) in various technical courses, including trade, economy, construction skills, and cybersecurity.

Omar emphasised the longstanding relationship between the two nations, built on mutual interest in politics and economy.

“In essence, our bilateral relations focus on trade, education, people-to-people contact, and bilateral development assistance.

“Globally, Nigeria ranks as Malaysia’s 37th trading partner, with total bilateral trade valued at USD956 million in 2023.

“This year, our bilateral trade reached USD747 million by July; Nigeria is currently Malaysia’s 4th largest trading partner in Africa, after South Africa, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire.

“Malaysia remains a preferred destination for Nigerian students pursuing tertiary education, with approximately 3,386 students enrolled in Malaysian public and private institutions.

“Malaysia’s journey to post-independence was marked by challenges, struggles, and negotiations among political parties, ultimately leading to self-governance.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Amb. Mistura Abdulraheem, Director of the Asia-Pacific Division in the ministry, commended the Malaysian people for their unity, resilience, and progress.

He noted that Nigeria and Malaysia have a long-standing diplomatic relationship built on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and common interests, which have been strengthened through economic cooperation.

“Our two countries have enjoyed strong diplomatic ties for decades, built on a foundation of mutual cooperation in various sectors, including trade, education, and technology.

“A shining example is the collaboration between Nigeria and Malaysia, which has facilitated critical exchange in technology transfer, capacity building, and innovation.

“This partnership in technology highlights the potential of our countries working together to address the challenges of the 21st century.

“By leveraging Malaysia’s advancements in areas such as ICT, digital innovation, sustainable development, and oil markets, we are creating opportunities for our people and economies,” he said.

Continue Reading

Crime

Horror in Avignon: Woman Testifies Against Husband Who Drugged Her for Dozens of Men to Rape

Published

on

Horror in Avignon: Woman Testifies Against Husband Who Drugged Her for Dozens of Men to Rape

Horror in Avignon: Woman Testifies Against Husband Who Drugged Her for Dozens of Men to Rape

In a shocking case that has gripped the southern French city of Avignon, a 71-year-old woman gave harrowing testimony in court, recounting years of abuse after her husband allegedly drugged her and allowed dozens of men to rape her.

“The image is unbearable, I’m lying lifeless in my bed, asleep, and they’re about to rape me,” the woman told the court. “It’s a barbaric scene. They look at me like a bag of rubbish, it’s unbearable, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get up again.”

Her 72-year-old former husband, who she has since divorced, is standing trial, accused of orchestrating the horrific abuse over a period of 10 years by drugging his wife and arranging for other men to assault her. Fifty men have been accused of participating in the assaults, with 18 currently in custody.

According to the indictment, the husband, a pensioner, made contact with the men online. While no money was exchanged, he reportedly gained satisfaction from watching the rapes. The crimes were discovered after the man was arrested for filming under the skirts of women in a supermarket, leading investigators to uncover hundreds of videos of the assaults on his computer.

The woman, who appeared in court alongside her three children, bravely confronted the accused, some of whom claimed they were unaware that she had been drugged and believed she was pretending to be asleep as part of a consensual game.

“These people knew very well what they were doing and what a lethargic state I was in,” the woman testified, rejecting the defence’s claims.

The abuse only came to light after her husband’s arrest, although she had long complained of memory lapses and extreme fatigue, unaware that her husband had been drugging her.

“I was sedated, like before going into the operating theatre. Afterwards, you can no longer remember the operation. That’s exactly what happened to me,” she told the court.

While 72 men were recorded assaulting the woman, authorities have been unable to identify all the perpetrators from the videos. The trial continues, with most of the accused having admitted to their involvement.

Continue Reading

You May Like

Copyright © 2024 Acces News Magazine All Right Reserved.

Verified by MonsterInsights