Author Archives: OP King

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionThe ICRC launched an internal review after reports of misconduct at aid agencies The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says 21 members of staff have left their jobs for sexual misconduct in the last three years. The ICRC’s director-general, Yves Daccord, said the individuals had paid for “sexual services” andContinue reading “Red Cross reveals 21 staff paid for sexual services”

Image copyrightREUTERSImage captionThe Eastern Ghouta has seen one of fiercest assaults of the Syrian war over the past week Syrian government forces have killed more than 500 civilians during a week of intense bombardment of a rebel enclave near Damascus, activists say. The victims in the Eastern Ghouta include 121 children, says the Syrian ObservatoryContinue reading “Syria war: Air strikes in Eastern Ghouta ‘kill 500’”

Image copyrightPA Ecuador says the country’s latest efforts to negotiate the departure of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from its London embassy have failed. Foreign minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa said the UK was unwilling to take part in talks about his release. Mr Assange, 46, has been staying at the country’s London embassy since 2012 whereContinue reading “Julian Assange: Ecuador says latest talks on release failed”

Image copyrightEPAImage captionIt was not immediately clear who was behind the blasts Three bombs have exploded in Sittwe, the capital of Myanmar’s restive Rakhine province, police say. A police officer was slightly injured in the blasts. It was unclear who was behind them, police said. One of the bombs went off near the home ofContinue reading “Myanmar: Bombs explode in capital of restive Rakhine state”

Image copyrightEPAImage captionMs Demafelis’s sister cried over her casket upon its arrival in Manila last week Police have arrested the employer of a Filipina maid found dead in a freezer in Kuwait after a weeks-long manhunt. Joanna Demafelis, 29, was found frozen in her employers’ apartment more than a year after she was reported missing.Continue reading “Joanna Demafelis: Employer of Filipina maid found dead in freezer arrested”

Image copyrightEPAImage captionMr Manafort insists he is innocent Ex-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort secretly paid unnamed former senior European politicians to lobby for Ukraine’s previous pro-Russia government, a new indictment filed by special counsel Robert Mueller says. Mr Manafort paid over €2m ($2.5m; £1.8m) to the ex-politicians, it says. He has maintained his innocence inContinue reading “Trump-Russia: Manafort ‘paid European ex-politicians’”

Image copyrightNORTHUMBRIA POLICEImage captionEighteen people were jailed for their involvement in the sexual abuse of vulnerable young women in Newcastle Vulnerable women are most likely being “extensively” abused across the UK and ministers need to urgently review sex exploitation laws, a report says. David Spicer led a review in the wake of Operation Sanctuary whichContinue reading “Operation Sanctuary review finds adult abuse ‘extensive’”

Image copyrightPAImage captionSean Rigg died in police custody in 2008 The police watchdog has said five officers should face gross misconduct hearings over the death in custody of a mentally ill man. Sean Rigg, 40, who had schizophrenia, died from cardiac arrest at Brixton police station in August 2008 after being restrained by officers. LastContinue reading “Sean Rigg custody death: Watchdog requests new hearings”

Image copyrightPA The general secretary of the Labour party, Iain McNicol, has stood down “to pursue new challenges” after serving for a “tumultuous seven years”. In a statement, issued late on Friday, Mr McNicol said he would continue to work “in the service” of the party. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn thanked him for his service, addingContinue reading “Labour’s general secretary Iain McNicol resigns”

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionActivists are putting pressure on companies with ties to the NRA, a powerful gun lobby More than half a dozen US companies have cut ties with the National Rifle Association (NRA) as consumers urge a boycott of businesses linked to the politically powerful gun lobby. The firms included car rental giants HertzContinue reading “Florida shooting: NRA-linked firms hit by consumer boycott”