Briefsfromshittu: October 2016

Monday, October 31, 2016

US Democrats: FBI chief may have broken the law

Senior members of the Democratic Party have said FBI director James Comey might have broken the law after he called for a probe into emails potentially tied to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton just days before the US election.

Comey set off a political firestorm late last week after announcing that the FBI would investigate newly discovered emails related to Clinton.

The emails, belonging to Clinton's closest aide, Huma Abedin, came to light during an investigation of her estranged husband, disgraced former New York congressman Anthony Weiner.

The FBI found the emails on computers it seized during an investigation into lewd messages Weiner is accused of sending to an underaged girl.

Nevada Democrat Harry Reid wrote a stinging letter to Comey on Sunday suggesting he may have broken the Hatch Act by informing Congress of the new emails. The Hatch Act prohibits FBI staff from using their position to influence an election.

"Your actions in recent months have demonstrated a disturbing double standard... with what appears to be a clear intent to aid one political party over another," Reid said, adding that through Comey's "partisan actions, you may have broken the law."

Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, called Comey's actions "extremely puzzling," while John Podesta, Clinton's campaign manager, said the FBI should have investigated the new trove of emails before announcing the review.

"To throw this in the middle of a campaign 11 days out just seems to break with precedent and be inappropriate at this stage," Podesta told CNN's "State of the Union" show.

The FBI had said in July that its investigation into Clinton's email practices had concluded with a recommendation of no criminal charges in the matter.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama said he did not believe Comey was secretly trying to influence the election outcome, the White House said.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest also said he had no "independent knowledge" of how Comey had arrived at his decision to make public the FBI email investigation or "what factors were considered" in his decision to discuss the issue publicly.

However, Michael Hayden, a former director at the CIA, said Clinton bore responsibility for having used a private email server when serving as US secretary of state.

"The original email set-up was the sin," he told Al Jazeera. "Anyone with government experience views that email arrangement to be frankly inconceivable and all the subsequent explanations of it to be incoherent. Now we're here in this dark place."

Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan, reporting from Washington, DC, said Comey's announcement was likely to improve Trump's standing in the election.

"This might encourage Trump supporters who had been thinking about staying home because they thought the race was lost. Following this announcement they might now go out and vote," she said.

Within minutes of Comey's announcement on Friday, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump used Comey's letter to attack Clinton on the campaign trail.

He said the political system "might not be as rigged as I thought" now that the FBI has decided to investigate new emails found.

At a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, Trump praised the FBI, saying: "I think they are going to right the ship, folks."

That is a new tune for Trump, who has repeatedly complained that the Washington establishment has rigged the political system against him.

In an average of national polls, Clinton is leading Trump at 48.0 to 44.9 percent.

Warning as hundreds of jailed terrorists back on UK streets

The vast majority of convicted terrorists jailed over the past 15 years are now back on Britain's streets, a Sky News investigation has discovered.

Around three-quarters of the 583 people imprisoned on terror charges in the years since the 9/11 attacks have now served their sentences and been released from UK prisons, many still holding the same extremist beliefs that got them jailed in the first place.

Sky News has been told that around two-thirds of those released refused to engage with prison deradicalisation programmes aimed at addressing their extremist behaviour.

It comes as MI5's director general said today that police and intelligence services had foiled 12 terror plots since June 2013

The release of 418 terror prisoners, many from the al Qaeda generation of offenders, is posing an increasingly difficult challenge for police and the security services, which are already stretched to the limit dealing with the threat from Islamic State-related terrorism.

Among those released in recent years are three men who helped the four London suicide bombers plan the 7/7 attacks in 2005.

Seven men who formed part of the wider circle around the failed 21/7 plot two weeks after the London bombings are also free.

As are five people who plotted a dirty bomb attack in the capital in 2004.

Lord David Blunkett, who oversaw many of those terrorist convictions, said there now had to be a more robust programme to properly monitor those who were back in the community.

He told Sky News: "It's perfectly reasonable to say that once someone's served their sentence, if it isn't possible to reassess them, we should continue to monitor them outside prison.

"So, if there's any indication at all that they are reconnecting with organised terrorist groups, the intervention can take place very quickly rather than allowing them to commit another act and then having to try to pick them up again."

Omar Khyam, who led a plot to detonate huge fertiliser bombs at a Kent shopping centre and a nightclub, is among the two-thirds of terrorist prisoners who refused to engage with efforts to address their extremist behaviour.

As is Abdullah Ahmed Ali, the lead plotter in a terror cell which planned to blow up transatlantic airliners with liquid bombs.

Our research reveals that 164 convicted terrorists have been released from jail in the last two years alone.

During that period, 104 were freed after serving sentences of between 12 months and four years, the range of sentence normally handed down to those supporting and encouraging terror groups or plots.

Some 24 were released from prison having served more than four years - and are likely to have played more of a part in terrorist planning.

Three were released in the last couple of years after serving life sentences for terror offences.

Hanif Qadir, a former jihadi who now runs a counter-extremism outreach programme said the prison deradicalisation scheme is "failing miserably".

He said: "There are experts out there that are equipped and able to tackle the problem but they are not the ones that are doing it in prison.

"At the moment the prison imams, God bless them, they're not adequate and they're not experienced enough to tackle the problem of radicalisation within prisons."

Some of those who refused to co-operate with prison deradicalisation programmes have already gone on to reoffend.

Nabeel Hussain was jailed for his part in the 2006 liquid bomb plot. He was released from an eight year sentence, but is back in jail after he was caught trying to travel to Syria to join IS.

Abu Bakr Mansha, imprisoned in 2005 for a plot to murder a British soldier who had served in the Iraq war, was also freed. But he was locked up again for assaulting a group of youngsters in a religiously motivated attack.

Another man, Mizanur Rahman, was jailed originally for his support of a banned extremist organisation. He was released but then jailed again in September 2016, along with Anjem Choudary, on charges they invited support for IS.

Richard Walton, the former head of Scotland Yard's counter terror command, said that "very few" of those convicted of IS-related terrorism had reformed.

He told Sky News: "It's almost as if this particular version of Islam is so potent that once somebody is brainwashed with this ideology it almost feels like it is irreversible and there are very few examples from around the world where somebody has rejected IS ideology having subscribed to it before."

Many other terror prisoners are due for release in the UK over next few years.

There is understandable concern that a significant proportion continues to resist attempts to reform and may still be committed to violent extremism.

HRW: Boko Haram refugees in Nigeria raped by officials

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Nigerian officials of sexually exploiting women and girls living in camps for victims of Boko Haram in the war-torn northeast.

HRW said in a report published on Monday that it documented 43 cases of women and girls in seven internally displaced persons' camps in Maiduguri, the epicentre of a seven-year battle with Boko Haram, who had been abused by camp leaders, policemen and soldiers.

"It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram," said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW.

"It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them," she added.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement that he was "worried and shocked" by the report and directed police to "immediately commence investigations into the issue".

"The welfare of these most vulnerable of Nigerian citizens has been a priority of his government," presidency spokesman Garba Shehu said, adding that the allegations raised by the HRW "are not being taken lightly".

Michael Douglas confirms Val Kilmer is battling cancer

Michael Douglas has told a London audience that his close friend and former co-star Val Kilmer has cancer.

The 72-year old actor was discussing working with Kilmer on the 1996 movie The Ghost And The Darkness when he said that "things don't look too good for him".

Douglas, famous for his iconic portrayal of fictitious Walls Street magnate Gordon Gecko, was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2010.

"Val is a wonderful guy who is dealing with exactly what I had," he told the audience at London's Drury Lane Theatre on Sunday.

Actor Val Kilmer denied rumours earlier this year that he was battling with cancer.

On his Facebook page in February, Kilmer thanked fans for their support, but said he did not have a tumour.

This was taken last Friday when I was released from the hospital and on my way home. FREEDOM!!!! pic.twitter.com/VH5j4kOCvR
— Val Kilmer (@valkilmer) February 9, 2015

"I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the UCLA ICU," Kilmer wrote, referring to the intensive care unit of the University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Centre.

The actor, who has disclosed in previous interviews that he is a member of the Church of Scientology, also said in the message he was assisted by friends who know his "spiritual convictions" and have helped minimise what he called "gossip and silly talk".

The Batman Forever star later revealed he did have a tumour, but "was healed in a matter of days" last year.

A representative for Kilmer has not yet responded to Douglas' comments.

During the An Evening With Michael Douglas event, the actor also spoke about the difference between making films in the 1970s and "the quality of the work going on in television now."

"Streaming services like Netflix or HBO.. they're a real opportunity to do good work," he said.

Michael Douglas confirms Val Kilmer is battling cancer

Michael Douglas has told a London audience that his close friend and former co-star Val Kilmer has cancer.

The 72-year old actor was discussing working with Kilmer on the 1996 movie The Ghost And The Darkness when he said that "things don't look too good for him".

Douglas, famous for his iconic portrayal of fictitious Walls Street magnate Gordon Gecko, was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2010.

"Val is a wonderful guy who is dealing with exactly what I had," he told the audience at London's Drury Lane Theatre on Sunday.

Actor Val Kilmer denied rumours earlier this year that he was battling with cancer.

On his Facebook page in February, Kilmer thanked fans for their support, but said he did not have a tumour.

This was taken last Friday when I was released from the hospital and on my way home. FREEDOM!!!! pic.twitter.com/VH5j4kOCvR
— Val Kilmer (@valkilmer) February 9, 2015

The Batman Forever star later revealed he did have a tumour, but "was healed in a matter of days" last year.

A representative for Kilmer has not yet responded to Douglas' comments.

During the An Evening With Michael Douglas event, the actor also spoke about the difference between making films in the 1970s and "the quality of the work going on in television now."

"Streaming services like Netflix or HBO.. they're a real opportunity to do good work," he said.

Michel Aoun elected president of Lebanon

Michel Aoun, the former Lebanese army chief, has been elected president of Lebanon, ending more than two years of deadlock surrounding the vacancy.

Aoun, 81, secured the presidency by winning the support of 83 MPs, well above the absolute majority of 65 needed to win, according to a tally of votes read out in a televised broadcast from parliament on Monday.

Fireworks echoed across Beirut as the tally showed Aoun the winner.

Aoun, an MP, was shown smiling in his seat. The Lebanese presidency is reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing system.

Lebanon had been without a head of state for 29 months after Michel Suleiman stepped down as president at the end of his term in May 2014.

Since then, 45 sessions to elect a new leader have failed due to political infighting that led to of a lack of quorum.

Around noon on Monday, more than 100 of the 128-member legislature arrived at the parliament building guaranteeing the needed quorum for the session to start.

Lebanon had been without a head of state for 29 months after Michel Suleiman stepped down as president at the end of his term in May 2014.

Since then, 45 sessions to elect a new leader have failed due to political infighting that led to of a lack of quorum.

Around noon on Monday, more than 100 of the 128-member legislature arrived at the parliament building guaranteeing the needed quorum for the session to start.

Key figure in South Korea political crisis says she 'deserves death'

The woman at the centre of a political scandal in South Korea has made a rare public appearance, saying through tears that she "deserves death".

Choi Soon-sil appeared at the office of prosecutors investigating allegations she used her friendship with President Park Geun-hye to influence state affairs and amass an illicit fortune.

The scandal has roiled South Korea and piled pressure on the president to resign.

"Please, forgive me," Ms Choi said, as she tried to enter the prosecutors' building in Seoul surrounded by hundreds of reporters.

"I committed a sin that deserves death," the 60-year-old added.

Wearing a hat and scarf and covering her face with her hand, she pushed her way through the crowd of journalists and people demanding her arrest and Ms Park's resignation.

She was nearly knocked off her feet several times and reportedly lost her shoe amid the scrum, while one protester tried to enter the building with a bucket full of animal faeces.

The scandal exploded last week when Ms Park acknowledged that Ms Choi, who has no official ties to the administration, edited some of her speeches and provided public relations help.

According to reports, Ms Choi also used her connections with the president to pressure businesses to give money - possibly as much as 80bn South Korean won (£57m) - to two non-profit organisations she controls, and then allegedly used some of those funds for personal purposes.

Thousands of South Koreans held a protest at the weekend, saying Ms Park had betrayed public trust and mismanaged the government.

Ms Choi insists she did not benefit financially from her friendship with Ms Park or influence state affairs.

Ms Park, who was elected in 2012, has apologised for giving her friend access to draft speeches during the first months of her presidency.

Ms Choi, a cult leader's daughter with a decades-long connection to the Park family, returned home on Sunday from seclusion in Germany.

Ms Choi's father gained Ms Park's trust by reportedly convincing her that he could communicate with her assassinated mother.

He denied this in a 1990 media interview.

A34 crash lorry driver jailed for killing family while on phone

A motorist who smashed into a family's car while looking at his mobile phone has been jailed for 10 years for killing a mother and three children.

Tracy Houghton, 45, her sons Ethan, 13, and Josh, 11, and stepdaughter Aimee Goldsmith, also 11, died in the crash on the A34, near Newbury in Berkshire, on August 10.

Lorry driver Tomasz Kroker ploughed into the family's stationary car at 50mph while scrolling through music on his mobile phone.

Their car was shunted underneath the back of a heavy goods vehicle and crushed to a third of its size.

The family, from Bedfordshire, who were making their way home from a camping holiday in Devon, were killed instantly.

Kroker, from Andover in Hampshire, broke down at the scene, crying and saying to himself: "I've killed them."

But he also tried to claim his brakes had failed, telling officers the traffic in front of him "just stopped - I hit my brakes but just couldn't stop".

The court heard the 30-year-old was so distracted by his phone he barely looked at the road for almost a kilometre.

Sentencing Kroker on Monday at Reading Crown Court, Judge Maura McGowan told him his attention to the road was so poor, he "might as well have had his eyes closed".

Just an hour before the pile-up he had signed a declaration to his employer, promising he would not use his phone at the wheel.

His truck smashed into a stationary queue of two lorries and four smaller vehicles which were stuck behind a slow-moving articulated lorry near the villages of East and West Ilsley at around 5.10pm.

A man was seriously injured and four other people hurt in the crash.

Dash-cam footage showed Kroker using his phone less than a second before impact, looking up with sudden horror on his face.

His lorry ploughed into a Mazda which was thrown onto its roof, before smashing into a Citroen driven by Ms Houghton's partner Mark Goldsmith, who was with his 13-year-old son Jake.

Their car was shunted into Ms Houghton's Vauxhall Corsa.

Prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson said: "It is a particularly distressing feature that the two surviving members of the family were in the car behind, and a 13-year-old boy was forced to witness at close range the deaths of four members of close family."

Aimee's mother Kate Goldsmith said the prison term "does not do justice to the crime committed".

In a family statement outside the court, she said Kroker's actions turned his lorry into a "lethal weapon".

"He was so distracted, he made no attempt to slow down. The sentence of 10 years in prison will not ease our pain and suffering," she said.