Terrorists are planning to kidnap foreigners in tourist hotspots across the Philippines, Western governments have warned, following a foiled abduction attempt by Islamist militants last month.
The US embassy warned there was a kidnapping threat on the western island of Palawan - one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines.
In a travel advisory, it said: "The US Embassy has received credible information that terrorist groups may be planning to conduct kidnapping operations targeting foreign nationals in the areas of Palawan."
The warning identified two locations - the capital city of Puerto Princesa and a nearby underground river that attracts thousands of visitors every day.
Puerto Princesa is around 240 miles from the southern islands that are strongholds for the Abu Sayyaf, militants who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State and frequently kidnap foreigners.
President Rodrigo Duterte has insisted that security has been increased on the island of Palawan.
Warnings have also been issued by the Canadian and British embassies on Wednesday, highlighting concerns in the Philippines, around Bohol, Dumaguete, Siquijor and Cebu in particular.
Last month, Abu Sayyaf attempted a kidnapping on Bohol island, in central Philippines, but were foiled after authorities became aware of the plot.
Security forces discovered the militants a day after they arrived on speedboats from Bohol and engaged them in a gun battle.
Nine militants, three soldiers and one policeman were killed in the clashes, authorities said. Another militant died in police custody.
The Bohol raid occurred days after the US embassy issued a warning of kidnappings in Bohol and the neighbouring island of Cebu.
Abu Sayyaf typically targets coastal areas after travelling from their southern island strongholds on speedboats.
Last year, militants from the group beheaded two Canadian citizens and an elderly German sailor in February after ransom demands were not met.
The group also raided a resort in Puerto Princesa's Honda Bay in 2001, abducting three Americans and 17 Filipinos. One of the Americans was beheaded, a second was killed in a military rescue attempt a year later and the third was freed.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Durham Police using artificial intelligence to make custody decisions
Police in Durham will trial an artificial intelligence system (AI) to judge the risk of suspects re-offending.
The AI will help custody sergeants decide whether suspects should be sent into the criminal justice system.
It has been called the Harm Assessment Risk Tool (HART) and will be launched within the next three months, Durham police told Sky News.
It will classify the suspects as either low, medium, or high risk of reoffending, contributing to whether they are released or remanded in custody.
A scientific randomised trial of the forecasts found that only 2% of low-risk suspects turned out to be at high-risk of reoffending.
However, it also found that 12% of those forecast as high risk turned out to be low risk.
HART was developed by Dr Geoffrey Barnes in a partnership between Durham Constabulary and the University of Cambridge's Centre for Evidence-Based Policing.
Professor Lawrence Sherman, the director of the centre, told Sky News that, with budgets for the Crown Prosecution Service and magistrates' courts being "slashed", it was an important economic requirement for police to identify when to keep suspects out of the criminal justice system.
"What the algorithm does is allow the police to make evidence-based decisions," said Professor Sherman.
Asked if he was concerned about the 12% of low-risk suspects that were wrongly identified as high risk, and thus more harshly treated than they might have been, Professor Sherman said: "Not at all.
"This is totally transparent science.
"The hypothesis that we want to test will clearly have a result in showing whether the algorithm made the decisions better or worse."
Professor Sherman said he was concerned about whether incorrect decisions resulted in damaged lives, but stressed: "We don't know if the current system could be damaging lives."
The AI will help custody sergeants decide whether suspects should be sent into the criminal justice system.
It has been called the Harm Assessment Risk Tool (HART) and will be launched within the next three months, Durham police told Sky News.
It will classify the suspects as either low, medium, or high risk of reoffending, contributing to whether they are released or remanded in custody.
A scientific randomised trial of the forecasts found that only 2% of low-risk suspects turned out to be at high-risk of reoffending.
However, it also found that 12% of those forecast as high risk turned out to be low risk.
HART was developed by Dr Geoffrey Barnes in a partnership between Durham Constabulary and the University of Cambridge's Centre for Evidence-Based Policing.
Professor Lawrence Sherman, the director of the centre, told Sky News that, with budgets for the Crown Prosecution Service and magistrates' courts being "slashed", it was an important economic requirement for police to identify when to keep suspects out of the criminal justice system.
"What the algorithm does is allow the police to make evidence-based decisions," said Professor Sherman.
Asked if he was concerned about the 12% of low-risk suspects that were wrongly identified as high risk, and thus more harshly treated than they might have been, Professor Sherman said: "Not at all.
"This is totally transparent science.
"The hypothesis that we want to test will clearly have a result in showing whether the algorithm made the decisions better or worse."
Professor Sherman said he was concerned about whether incorrect decisions resulted in damaged lives, but stressed: "We don't know if the current system could be damaging lives."
North Sea search launched for man missing from oil rig
An air and sea search has been launched for a man missing from an oil rig in the North Sea.
The 49-year-old, who works on the Noble Loyd Noble installation in the Mariner oil field about 90 miles (150km) east of Shetland, could not be located on board the platform.
Police were called to the rig at around 9.20pm on Tuesday evening.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "An extensive search of the rig itself and the water surrounding it is ongoing, led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
"This involves the use of a search and rescue helicopter, two standby vessels and a platform supply vessel.
"We are working closely with the companies involved and next of kin to keep them informed of any developments."
The Noble Lloyd Noble installation is one of the world's largest jack-up rigs, with long support legs that can be raised or lowered to move the platform.
Drilling began in the Mariner oil field in 2016, and the rig is expected to produce its first oil in 2018.
The 49-year-old, who works on the Noble Loyd Noble installation in the Mariner oil field about 90 miles (150km) east of Shetland, could not be located on board the platform.
Police were called to the rig at around 9.20pm on Tuesday evening.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "An extensive search of the rig itself and the water surrounding it is ongoing, led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
"This involves the use of a search and rescue helicopter, two standby vessels and a platform supply vessel.
"We are working closely with the companies involved and next of kin to keep them informed of any developments."
The Noble Lloyd Noble installation is one of the world's largest jack-up rigs, with long support legs that can be raised or lowered to move the platform.
Drilling began in the Mariner oil field in 2016, and the rig is expected to produce its first oil in 2018.
Common painkillers may increase risk of heart attack
Taking common painkillers on a regular basis could increase the risk of a heart attack, according to new research.
Researchers from Canada, Finland and Germany looked at previous studies bringing together the data of almost 450,000 people, 61,460 of whom had suffered a heart attack.
They found that any dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, was associated with an increased risk.
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "This large-scale study worryingly highlights just how quickly you become at risk of having a heart attack after starting NSAIDs.
"Whether you are being prescribed painkillers like ibuprofen, or buying them over the counter, people must be made aware of the risk and alternative medication should be considered where appropriate."
John Smith, chief executive of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, which represents makers of over-the-counter medicine, said: "NSAIDs that are available to buy over the counter are much lower doses than those prescribed.
"Prescribed NSAIDs are also typically used daily and for much longer duration, often to treat long-term conditions.
"People taking over-the-counter NSAIDs should not be concerned by this research if they are taking the medicine occasionally for short periods and according to the on-pack instructions."
The study is published in the British Medical Journal.
Researchers from Canada, Finland and Germany looked at previous studies bringing together the data of almost 450,000 people, 61,460 of whom had suffered a heart attack.
They found that any dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, was associated with an increased risk.
Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "This large-scale study worryingly highlights just how quickly you become at risk of having a heart attack after starting NSAIDs.
"Whether you are being prescribed painkillers like ibuprofen, or buying them over the counter, people must be made aware of the risk and alternative medication should be considered where appropriate."
John Smith, chief executive of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, which represents makers of over-the-counter medicine, said: "NSAIDs that are available to buy over the counter are much lower doses than those prescribed.
"Prescribed NSAIDs are also typically used daily and for much longer duration, often to treat long-term conditions.
"People taking over-the-counter NSAIDs should not be concerned by this research if they are taking the medicine occasionally for short periods and according to the on-pack instructions."
The study is published in the British Medical Journal.
Shocked FBI boss James Comey thought his firing was a prank
It doesn't look good. For Donald Trump's opponents, it has all the hallmarks of a cover up.
President Trump fires the man leading the FBI investigation into whether his campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 election.
It was a decision advised by the attorney general who recused himself from any probe into possible Kremlin links because he falsely testified about his own contacts with Russia.
The White House says Comey's sacking has nothing to do with Russia and everything to do with his mishandling of Hillary Clinton's email investigation which left him unable to "effectively lead the bureau".
It is time for a fresh start at the FBI, it says - with who knows who at the helm.
But the core of Trump's rationale for firing Comey is the same thing he praised the former director for during his campaign, admiring the "guts" it took for him to reopen the investigation into Clinton's emails just days before the election.
Democrats aren't buying it - they say the Russian investigation is now in danger of becoming a charade.
During James Comey's recent testimony at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, the then FBI director could not say unequivocally that the president is not a target of the ongoing Russia investigation.
This is perhaps why, in his dismissal letter, Trump made very deliberate reference to Comey informing him "on three separate occasions" that he is not under investigation.
Trump's opponents say he's protesting too much.
James Comey reportedly thought his removal was a prank.
The former FBI director learned he'd been sacked from TV news coverage while addressing employees in LA.
This is only the second time in US history that a president has fired an FBI director.
An administration known for shock moves has surpassed itself.
President Trump fires the man leading the FBI investigation into whether his campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 election.
It was a decision advised by the attorney general who recused himself from any probe into possible Kremlin links because he falsely testified about his own contacts with Russia.
The White House says Comey's sacking has nothing to do with Russia and everything to do with his mishandling of Hillary Clinton's email investigation which left him unable to "effectively lead the bureau".
It is time for a fresh start at the FBI, it says - with who knows who at the helm.
But the core of Trump's rationale for firing Comey is the same thing he praised the former director for during his campaign, admiring the "guts" it took for him to reopen the investigation into Clinton's emails just days before the election.
Democrats aren't buying it - they say the Russian investigation is now in danger of becoming a charade.
During James Comey's recent testimony at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, the then FBI director could not say unequivocally that the president is not a target of the ongoing Russia investigation.
This is perhaps why, in his dismissal letter, Trump made very deliberate reference to Comey informing him "on three separate occasions" that he is not under investigation.
Trump's opponents say he's protesting too much.
James Comey reportedly thought his removal was a prank.
The former FBI director learned he'd been sacked from TV news coverage while addressing employees in LA.
This is only the second time in US history that a president has fired an FBI director.
An administration known for shock moves has surpassed itself.
SpaceX successfully tests Falcon Heavy rocket ahead of space missions
SpaceX has successfully completed a test fire of the centre core of its Falcon Heavy rocket, which will be the world's most powerful rocket when put into operation.
The Falcon Heavy rocket is key to the company's plans of sending manned missions to the Moon, and eventually to Mars.
Its first launch is one of 27 which SpaceX has planned for this calendar year, more than triple the eight flights it managed in 2016.
According to the company, the Falcon Heavy will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two.
SpaceX has now released footage of a successful test of the rocket's centre core which took place at its rocket development facility in Texas last week.
SpaceX aims to safely land rockets after launching them for re-use, and estimates the launch cost of the Falcon Heavy, which is capable of lifting 63,000kg into low Earth orbit, at $90m.
The company, which was founded by billionaire Elon Musk, made history in March when it launched a rocket which had successfully returned after a previous launch.
SpaceX has claimed that Falcon Heavy "was designed from the outset to carry humans into space and restores the possibility of flying missions with crew to the Moon or Mars".
The rocket design is heavily based on the Falcon rockets used by the firm to make deliveries to the International Space Station.
The company says the rocket can lift the equivalent of a fully loaded 737 jetliner, complete with passengers, luggage and fuel, into orbit.
It aims to be able to lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational rocket, the Delta IV Heavy, at what SpaceX claims is a third of the cost because the rocket can be landed and recycled.
The Falcon Heavy rocket is key to the company's plans of sending manned missions to the Moon, and eventually to Mars.
Its first launch is one of 27 which SpaceX has planned for this calendar year, more than triple the eight flights it managed in 2016.
According to the company, the Falcon Heavy will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two.
SpaceX has now released footage of a successful test of the rocket's centre core which took place at its rocket development facility in Texas last week.
SpaceX aims to safely land rockets after launching them for re-use, and estimates the launch cost of the Falcon Heavy, which is capable of lifting 63,000kg into low Earth orbit, at $90m.
The company, which was founded by billionaire Elon Musk, made history in March when it launched a rocket which had successfully returned after a previous launch.
SpaceX has claimed that Falcon Heavy "was designed from the outset to carry humans into space and restores the possibility of flying missions with crew to the Moon or Mars".
The rocket design is heavily based on the Falcon rockets used by the firm to make deliveries to the International Space Station.
The company says the rocket can lift the equivalent of a fully loaded 737 jetliner, complete with passengers, luggage and fuel, into orbit.
It aims to be able to lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational rocket, the Delta IV Heavy, at what SpaceX claims is a third of the cost because the rocket can be landed and recycled.
Conservative election spending charges decision due
A decision on whether to prosecute any Conservative candidates for breaching election spending laws during campaigning in 2015 is expected to be made later.
Some 14 police forces have sent files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over the past few months.
Each file relates to allegations concerning a candidate and an election agent and the number of people involved totals at least 30.
The allegations relate to busloads of Conservative activists sent to key seats whose expenses were reported as part of national campaign spending, rather than falling within the lower constituency limits.
The CPS said files had been received from the Metropolitan Police, as well as forces in Avon and Somerset, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, West Mercia, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire.
If any General Election candidates are prosecuted, the Conservatives could choose to suspend them and replace them.
The decision comes just a day before the nominations for next month's election close.
Some 14 police forces have sent files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over the past few months.
Each file relates to allegations concerning a candidate and an election agent and the number of people involved totals at least 30.
The allegations relate to busloads of Conservative activists sent to key seats whose expenses were reported as part of national campaign spending, rather than falling within the lower constituency limits.
The CPS said files had been received from the Metropolitan Police, as well as forces in Avon and Somerset, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, West Mercia, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire.
If any General Election candidates are prosecuted, the Conservatives could choose to suspend them and replace them.
The decision comes just a day before the nominations for next month's election close.
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