Islamic State terrorists are "moving in migrant flows, hiding in plain sight", the head of the Armed Forces has warned.
In comments that could reignite the debate around ID cards, Sir Stuart Peach said Britain should think about how it "manages identity" due to the global reach of IS militants who deliberately destroy their identity documents to travel illegally into other countries.
Sir Stuart warned that IS, also known as Daesh, represents the closest danger.
Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute, he said: "I worry about the global reach of Daesh as an idea - copycat, using the internet - more than the internet - using social media, popping up all over the world.
"The Chinese state has accepted they have a problem. This is not now a localised phenomenon, it is now a wider phenomenon.
"And of course we face…a potential network of combat-experienced terrorists".
He added: "They are moving in migrant flows, hiding in plain sight.
"One of the obvious deductions…is how we manage identity in a world where people are deliberately trying to destroy their identity documents and/or they move in migrant flows."
Sir Stuart's comments come as British military personnel arrive in the Middle East to train "moderate" Syrian opposition forces, who are attempting to open up a second front around IS stronghold Raqqa.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the Syrian forces were being trained in infantry, medical and explosive hazard awareness skills.
Speaking ahead of a summit of defence ministers in London, Sir Michael added that Britain is taking a leading role in the fight against IS "through our airstrikes, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and our training".
At the meeting, the Defence Minister will reveal that he has agreed to "surge" the number of data recovery experts to exploit material obtained as IS forces are defeated or flee from Mosul in Iraq.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Yahoo cyber attack
Yahoo says it believes more than one billion user accounts may have had data stolen in a cyber attack in 2013.
In another embarrassing episode for the US technology giant, it was different to the one in 2014, revealed this September, in which 500 million accounts were affected.
It made the latest discovery as it was investigating the hack from two years ago which it had said was "state sponsored", although some analysts questioned that theory.
Yahoo believes an unauthorised third party had stolen the data in the newly revealed hack and said it was working closely with authorities.
It is thought to be the biggest data breach at an email provider.
Stolen user account information may have included names, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, "hashed" passwords and, in some cases, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers.
Password hashing is a security measure and without it, all passwords stored in a compromised database would be exposed without any form of encryption.
Payment card data and bank account information were not stored in the system believed to be affected and the hackers did not obtain passwords in clear text, the company said.
It said in a statement: "Yahoo believes an unauthorised third party, in August 2013, stole data associated with more than one billion user accounts."
Yahoo said this case "is likely distinct from the incident the company disclosed on September 22, 2016".
Verizon, which is in the process of buying Yahoo for $4.8bn (£3.8bn), said of the 2013 hack: "We will review the impact of this new development before reaching any final conclusions."
The breach disclosed in September had already threatened to derail the deal or result in a reduction in the sale price.
Yahoo used to be one of the internet's biggest names but has failed to keep up with the likes of Google and Facebook.
In the mid-1990s it was among the most popular sites, helping many people navigate the web.
But its fortunes started to fade when Google became the dominant search destination.
In another embarrassing episode for the US technology giant, it was different to the one in 2014, revealed this September, in which 500 million accounts were affected.
It made the latest discovery as it was investigating the hack from two years ago which it had said was "state sponsored", although some analysts questioned that theory.
Yahoo believes an unauthorised third party had stolen the data in the newly revealed hack and said it was working closely with authorities.
It is thought to be the biggest data breach at an email provider.
Stolen user account information may have included names, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, "hashed" passwords and, in some cases, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers.
Password hashing is a security measure and without it, all passwords stored in a compromised database would be exposed without any form of encryption.
Payment card data and bank account information were not stored in the system believed to be affected and the hackers did not obtain passwords in clear text, the company said.
It said in a statement: "Yahoo believes an unauthorised third party, in August 2013, stole data associated with more than one billion user accounts."
Yahoo said this case "is likely distinct from the incident the company disclosed on September 22, 2016".
Verizon, which is in the process of buying Yahoo for $4.8bn (£3.8bn), said of the 2013 hack: "We will review the impact of this new development before reaching any final conclusions."
The breach disclosed in September had already threatened to derail the deal or result in a reduction in the sale price.
Yahoo used to be one of the internet's biggest names but has failed to keep up with the likes of Google and Facebook.
In the mid-1990s it was among the most popular sites, helping many people navigate the web.
But its fortunes started to fade when Google became the dominant search destination.
South China Sea: Weapons systems installed on islands
China appears to have installed weapons - including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems - on all seven of the artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea.
Citing new satellite imagery, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), a US think-tank, said on Wednesday its findings come despite statements by the Chinese leadership that Beijing has no intention to militarise the islands in the strategic trade route, where territory is claimed by several countries.
AMTI said it had been tracking construction of hexagonal structures on Fiery Cross, Mischief, and Subi reefs in the Spratly Islands since June and July. China has already built military length airstrips on these islands.
Satellite images showed what appeared to be anti-aircraft guns and what were likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) to protect against cruise missile strikes, it said.
"These gun and probable CIWS emplacements show that Beijing is serious about defence of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea," AMTI said.
Citing new satellite imagery, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), a US think-tank, said on Wednesday its findings come despite statements by the Chinese leadership that Beijing has no intention to militarise the islands in the strategic trade route, where territory is claimed by several countries.
AMTI said it had been tracking construction of hexagonal structures on Fiery Cross, Mischief, and Subi reefs in the Spratly Islands since June and July. China has already built military length airstrips on these islands.
Satellite images showed what appeared to be anti-aircraft guns and what were likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) to protect against cruise missile strikes, it said.
"These gun and probable CIWS emplacements show that Beijing is serious about defence of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea," AMTI said.
'One billion' affected by Yahoo hack
Yahoo says one billion user accounts affected in another breach of its systems
Aleppo truce 'back on track' in tit-for-tat deal in Syria
A ceasefire deal to allow Syrian rebels and thousands of civilians to be evacuated from the last opposition-held area of eastern Aleppo is apparently back on track.
The fragile truce, brokered by Russia and Turkey, had collapsed after less than a day when airstrikes, gunfire and shelling broke out.
But it is due to begin again "within hours" after a reciprocal arrangement to evacuate the villages Foua and Kefraya that are surrounded by rebels in Idlib province.
Around 15,000 people will be able to leave those two areas, which was a condition introduced by the Syrian government for the truce to resume.
Spokesmen for three rebel groups said the ceasefire would start again on Wednesday night and people would begin leaving areas of eastern Aleppo early on Thursday.
Syrian president Bashar al Assad also hit out at the original ceasefire.
He said it was designed to "keep the terrorists and save them" and stop his government's advance on the last tiny pockets of resistance.
He said western countries had pressured Russia for the ceasefire when rebels appeared to be on the verge of losing all their territory.
It meant the original evacuation plan from the last rebel area - a square-mile pocket of eastern Aleppo - was delayed.
The withdrawal had been due to begin at 5am (3am GMT) on Wednesday but was put on hold as shelling resumed.
Syrian government buses that had been waiting to take people out to nearby Idlib were forced to return to their depots.
Both sides accused each other of breaking the ceasefire.
Activists and fighters trapped in the opposition's last sliver of territory said pro-government forces had struck their district with rockets.
They spoke of "intense shelling", with some accusing Iranian militias allied to Mr Assad.
Mojahed Abu Joud said in a video that people had been wounded in the shelling - as the sound of explosions was heard in the background.
Activists also said fighter jets had resumed bombing raids.
Russia, which has been helping the Syrian regime's bombardment, blamed the rebels for breaking the ceasefire and "resuming the hostilities" at dawn.
The country's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said the resistance was likely to end in the next two or three days.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also congratulated President Assad on a victory in "liberated Aleppo", saying it was an important step towards "wiping out terrorism in Syria"
The fragile truce, brokered by Russia and Turkey, had collapsed after less than a day when airstrikes, gunfire and shelling broke out.
But it is due to begin again "within hours" after a reciprocal arrangement to evacuate the villages Foua and Kefraya that are surrounded by rebels in Idlib province.
Around 15,000 people will be able to leave those two areas, which was a condition introduced by the Syrian government for the truce to resume.
Spokesmen for three rebel groups said the ceasefire would start again on Wednesday night and people would begin leaving areas of eastern Aleppo early on Thursday.
Syrian president Bashar al Assad also hit out at the original ceasefire.
He said it was designed to "keep the terrorists and save them" and stop his government's advance on the last tiny pockets of resistance.
He said western countries had pressured Russia for the ceasefire when rebels appeared to be on the verge of losing all their territory.
It meant the original evacuation plan from the last rebel area - a square-mile pocket of eastern Aleppo - was delayed.
The withdrawal had been due to begin at 5am (3am GMT) on Wednesday but was put on hold as shelling resumed.
Syrian government buses that had been waiting to take people out to nearby Idlib were forced to return to their depots.
Both sides accused each other of breaking the ceasefire.
Activists and fighters trapped in the opposition's last sliver of territory said pro-government forces had struck their district with rockets.
They spoke of "intense shelling", with some accusing Iranian militias allied to Mr Assad.
Mojahed Abu Joud said in a video that people had been wounded in the shelling - as the sound of explosions was heard in the background.
Activists also said fighter jets had resumed bombing raids.
Russia, which has been helping the Syrian regime's bombardment, blamed the rebels for breaking the ceasefire and "resuming the hostilities" at dawn.
The country's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said the resistance was likely to end in the next two or three days.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also congratulated President Assad on a victory in "liberated Aleppo", saying it was an important step towards "wiping out terrorism in Syria"
Notorious jewel thief, 86, held over theft of $2,000 necklace
An 86-year-old jewel thief made famous by a TV documentary has struck again, according to police in the US.
Officers in Dunwoody, near Atlanta, say Doris Payne was arrested at a Von Maur department store.
They say she was stopped as she tried to leave with a $2,000 (£1,573) necklace in her back pocket.
Police were called when a member of staff apparently noticed her behaving suspiciously.
In 2013 Ms Payne was the subject of a TV documentary called The Life And Crimes Of Doris Payne.
It depicted her as a career criminal who had stolen £2m worth of jewellery since her 20s.
She would dress in fine clothes, charm sales workers at upmarket department stores and pocket expensive items when they were distracted.
Ms Payne, who has spent many years in jail, said in the documentary she had no regrets about her life of crime except "getting caught".
Last October, she was arrested in Atlanta after she allegedly took a pair of $690 Christian Dior earrings from a Saks Fifth Avenue store.
At the time, she was also wanted by police in North Carolina over the theft of a $33,000 engagement ring.
She has not been charged in connection with that incident.
Officers in Dunwoody, near Atlanta, say Doris Payne was arrested at a Von Maur department store.
They say she was stopped as she tried to leave with a $2,000 (£1,573) necklace in her back pocket.
Police were called when a member of staff apparently noticed her behaving suspiciously.
In 2013 Ms Payne was the subject of a TV documentary called The Life And Crimes Of Doris Payne.
It depicted her as a career criminal who had stolen £2m worth of jewellery since her 20s.
She would dress in fine clothes, charm sales workers at upmarket department stores and pocket expensive items when they were distracted.
Ms Payne, who has spent many years in jail, said in the documentary she had no regrets about her life of crime except "getting caught".
Last October, she was arrested in Atlanta after she allegedly took a pair of $690 Christian Dior earrings from a Saks Fifth Avenue store.
At the time, she was also wanted by police in North Carolina over the theft of a $33,000 engagement ring.
She has not been charged in connection with that incident.
UN: The Gambia President Jammeh must step aside
The UN's West Africa envoy says Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh must step down when his mandate ends in January and would be "strongly sanctioned" if he sought to remain in power.
Long-ruling Jammeh lost the election to little-known businessman Adama Barrow on December 1 and conceded defeat in a widely celebrated moment of democratic hope for the continent.
But he has since changed his mind and his party is now challenging the outcome at Gambia's Supreme Court.
"For Mr Jammeh, the end is here and under no circumstances can he continue to be president," the UN's special representative Mohammed Ibn Chambas told Reuters news agency by telephone on Wednesday.
Chambas also told AFP news agency that "by January 19, he [Jammeh] should be ready to hand over power".
On Monday, Barrow had called for the president to step down "now" as his coalition became increasingly frustrated by Jammeh's refusal to admit defeat.
Jammeh has alleged that the election was rigged and called for a recount and fresh polls.
There are worries within the opposition camp that Jammeh could try to cling on to power pending the outcome of the legal case lodged on Wednesday by the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reconciliation and Construction (APRC).
'Outrageous act of disrespect'
Chambas' spokesman had earlier told AFP that the security forces' ongoing occupation of Gambia's Independent Electoral Commission - the object of the APRC's legal complaint - was an "unacceptable act".
"It is a violation of the independent nature, guaranteed by the constitution, of the electoral commission, as some soldiers have taken away commission materials relating to the presidential election," the spokesman added.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the government takeover of electoral offices, calling it an "outrageous act of disrespect of the will of the Gambian people and defiance towards the international community".
The electoral commission's chairman, Alieu Momar Njie, dismissed Jammeh's legal challenge of the election result as unworkable due to a lack of judges on the Supreme Court.
"The only way they can pursue the commission is through the court, and there is no court," Njie said.
To meet the January 18 deadline, he would need to appoint as many as six judges to the Supreme Court, which has laid dormant since May 2015. Lawyers continued a planned boycott of the court system on Wednesday in protest at Jammeh's legal fight.
The country's most influential lawyers' group, the Bar Association, said any appointment of judges by Jammeh to decide on a case involving himself would be fundamentally unjust.
Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said on Tuesday that a heavyweight delegation of four African leaders including herself had failed to reach a consensus with Jammeh and Barrow on a transition of power.
"We come to help Gambians find their way through a transition. That's not something that can happen in one day," said Sirleaf.
Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque, reporting from Senegal, which borders Gambia, said that the visiting West African heads of state have left Gambia "empty-handed", without agreements or deals, despite serious efforts to persuade Jammeh to provide a smooth transition of power.
Long-ruling Jammeh lost the election to little-known businessman Adama Barrow on December 1 and conceded defeat in a widely celebrated moment of democratic hope for the continent.
But he has since changed his mind and his party is now challenging the outcome at Gambia's Supreme Court.
"For Mr Jammeh, the end is here and under no circumstances can he continue to be president," the UN's special representative Mohammed Ibn Chambas told Reuters news agency by telephone on Wednesday.
Chambas also told AFP news agency that "by January 19, he [Jammeh] should be ready to hand over power".
On Monday, Barrow had called for the president to step down "now" as his coalition became increasingly frustrated by Jammeh's refusal to admit defeat.
Jammeh has alleged that the election was rigged and called for a recount and fresh polls.
There are worries within the opposition camp that Jammeh could try to cling on to power pending the outcome of the legal case lodged on Wednesday by the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reconciliation and Construction (APRC).
'Outrageous act of disrespect'
Chambas' spokesman had earlier told AFP that the security forces' ongoing occupation of Gambia's Independent Electoral Commission - the object of the APRC's legal complaint - was an "unacceptable act".
"It is a violation of the independent nature, guaranteed by the constitution, of the electoral commission, as some soldiers have taken away commission materials relating to the presidential election," the spokesman added.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the government takeover of electoral offices, calling it an "outrageous act of disrespect of the will of the Gambian people and defiance towards the international community".
The electoral commission's chairman, Alieu Momar Njie, dismissed Jammeh's legal challenge of the election result as unworkable due to a lack of judges on the Supreme Court.
"The only way they can pursue the commission is through the court, and there is no court," Njie said.
To meet the January 18 deadline, he would need to appoint as many as six judges to the Supreme Court, which has laid dormant since May 2015. Lawyers continued a planned boycott of the court system on Wednesday in protest at Jammeh's legal fight.
The country's most influential lawyers' group, the Bar Association, said any appointment of judges by Jammeh to decide on a case involving himself would be fundamentally unjust.
Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said on Tuesday that a heavyweight delegation of four African leaders including herself had failed to reach a consensus with Jammeh and Barrow on a transition of power.
"We come to help Gambians find their way through a transition. That's not something that can happen in one day," said Sirleaf.
Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque, reporting from Senegal, which borders Gambia, said that the visiting West African heads of state have left Gambia "empty-handed", without agreements or deals, despite serious efforts to persuade Jammeh to provide a smooth transition of power.
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