ANOM: Hundreds arrested in massive global crime sting - BBC News

Reuters

Law enforcement agencies say they have arrested hundreds of criminals around the world in a three-year operation, using a secure messaging app run by the American FBI.

The operation, jointly conceived by Australia and the FBI, saw the app ANOM secretly distributed among criminals, allowing police to monitor their conversations without their knowledge.

It has led to arrests in 18 countries.

They include suspects linked to the mafia and organised criminal groups.

Drugs, weapons and cash have also been seized.

Australia said it had arrested 224 people as a result of the operation, and had acted on 20 "threats to kill", potentially saving the lives of a "significant number of innocent bystanders".

The country's prime minister called the sting a "watershed" operation that had hit criminal gangs globally.

"[It] has struck a heavy blow against organised crime - not just in this country, but one that will echo around organised crime around the world," Scott Morrison said in a press conference.

New Zealand, which detained 35 people, called the operation the "world's most sophisticated law enforcement action against organised crime to date".

The FBI and Europol will present more details later on Tuesday.

How did ANOM work?

New Zealand police said that after the FBI had dismantled two other encryption services, it began operating its own encrypted device company called ANOM.

Devices with the chat app were distributed in the criminal underworld.

Australian police said the devices were initially used by alleged senior crime figures, giving other criminals the confidence to use the platform.

Fugitive Australian drug trafficker Hakan Ayik was key to the sting, having unwittingly recommended the app to criminal associates after being given a handset by undercover officers, they said.

"You had to know a criminal to get hold of one of these customised phones. The phones couldn't ring or email. You could only communicate with someone on the same platform," the police explained.

Officers were able to read millions of messages in "real time" describing murder plots, mass drug import plans and other schemes.

"All they talk about is drugs, violence, hits on each other, innocent people who are going to be murdered, a whole range of things," said Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw.

Commissioner Kershaw said Ayik was a marked man and should turn himself in.

What did the authorities uncover?

Commissioner Kershaw said that in Australia, police had been able to intercept drug operations and prevent incidents such as mass shootings.

• Qantas 'disturbed' by claims of gang infiltration

The more than 200 arrests in the country included members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, Australian mafia groups, Asian crime syndicates and serious and organised crime groups.

Australian police have also seized three tonnes of drugs and A$45m (£25m; $35m) in cash and assets.

Authorities said their sting, which they called Operation Ironside, was the nation's largest police operation and involved 4,000 police officers.

Some 9,000 police officers were involved worldwide.

"Knocking out their communications has been a key part of us disrupting the organised crime," Commissioner Kershaw said.

He said the app access had given law enforcement "an edge that it had never had before", but added the platform was just one of many messaging apps favoured by organised crime gangs.

New Zealand police called their sting Operation Trojan Shield. They said they had laid more than 900 charges in relation to the 35 people arrested.

About NZ$3.7m (£1.9m, $2.7m) of assets were seized.

"We believe the termination of these operations will have a significant impact on New Zealand's organised crime scene," National Organised Crime Group Director Detective Superintendent Greg Williams said.

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In 2020 major crime figures were among over 800 Europe-wide arrests after messages on another encrypted app, EncroChat, were intercepted and decoded.

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2021-06-08 07:09:45Z
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Muslim family killed in 'premeditated' truck attack - BBC News

Four members of a Muslim family were killed in a "premeditated" vehicle attack on Sunday, Canadian police say.

The alleged attack took place in the city of London, Ontario province. A boy aged nine, the family's only survivor, is in hospital with serious injuries.

A 20-year-old Canadian man has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

The attack was the worst against Canadian Muslims since six people were killed in a Quebec City mosque in 2017.

"It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslim," Detective Superintendent Paul Waight told a news conference on Monday.

Police are weighing possible terrorism charges, he said, adding that it is believed to be a hate crime.

What are the details?

The victims were two women - aged 74 and 44 - a 46-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl. They have not been named, in accordance with the wishes of the family. A nine-year-old boy was in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, said police.

Police named the alleged attacker as Nathanial Veltman, 20, of London, Ontario. He was arrested without incident at a shopping centre about 6km (4.8 miles) from the crime scene.

It is not yet known if the suspect has ties to any hate groups, said Det Supt Waight.

"There is no known previous connection between the suspect and the victims," Det Supt Waight said, adding that the suspect was wearing a vest that appeared to be "like body armour".

Officials added that there was good weather and high visibility conditions when the black truck was seen mounting the kerb on Hyde Park Road at around 20:40 local time on Sunday.

One eyewitness told CTV News she had to shield her young daughter's eyes from the bodies.

Another witness told CTV the scene was "just chaos".

"There were people everywhere and running," said Paige Martin. "Citizens were trying to direct the emergency vehicles where to go. There was a lot of pointing and screaming and arm waving."

A 2016 census found that London - a city about 200km southwest of Toronto - is growing increasingly diverse. One in five people was born outside of Canada, with Arabs being the area's largest minority group, and South Asians coming in a close second.

What has the reaction been?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was among those who paid tribute to the victims, tweeting: "Hate and Islamophobia have NO place in Ontario."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he was "horrified" by the news.

"To the loved ones of those who were terrorised by yesterday's act of hatred, we are here for you," he wrote.

Hate and Islamophobia have NO place in Ontario. Justice must be served for the horrific act of hatred that took place in London, Ontario yesterday.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends during this difficult time. These heinous acts of violence must stop.

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) June 7, 2021

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

I’m horrified by the news from London, Ontario. To the loved ones of those who were terrorized by yesterday’s act of hatred, we are here for you. We are also here for the child who remains in hospital - our hearts go out to you, and you will be in our thoughts as you recover.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 7, 2021

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

"This was an act of mass murder, perpetrated against Muslims, against Londoners, and rooted in unspeakable hatred," said London Mayor Ed Holder.

In a statement, Mayor Holder said he was speaking "on behalf of all Londoners when I say our hearts are broken".

"We grieve for the family, three generations of whom are now deceased."

The mayor's statement added that he had ordered flags outside London City Hall to be lowered for three days of mourning.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) said in a statement that the attacker should face terrorism charges.

"A man allegedly got in his car, saw a Muslim family walking down the street, and made the decision that they do not deserve to live," said the organisation's CEO Mustafa Farooq.

"He did not know them. This is a terrorist attack on Canadian soil, and should be treated as such," his statement continued.

Nawaz Tahir, a London lawyer and representative of the Muslim community, said during the police news conference: "These were innocent human beings who were killed simply because they were Muslim."

"We will stand strong against Islamophobia. We will stand strong against terror with faith, with love, and a quest for justice," he continued.

"Hate will never overshadow the light of love."

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2021-06-07 22:16:49Z
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Muslim family killed in 'premeditated' truck attack - BBC News

Four members of a Muslim family were killed in a "premeditated" vehicle attack on Sunday, Canadian police say.

A pickup truck mounted the curb and hit the victims in the city of London, Ontario province. A boy aged nine, the family's only survivor, is seriously injured in hospital.

A 20-year-old Canadian man has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Police believe the collision was a planned hate crime.

"It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslim," Detective Superintendent Paul Waight told a news conference.

Police are weighing possible terrorism charges, he said.

The victims were two women - aged 74 and 44 - a 46-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl. They have not been named, in accordance with the wishes of the family. A nine-year-old boy was in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, said police.

It is not yet known if the attacker - named as Nathanial Veltman, 20, of London - has ties to any specific hate groups, said Det Supt Waight. He was arrested without incident at a shopping centre about 6km (4.8 miles) from the crime scene.

"There is no known previous connection between the suspect and the victims," Det Supt Waight said, adding that the suspect was wearing a vest that appeared to be "like body armour".

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was among those who paid tribute to the victims, tweeting: "Hate and Islamophobia have NO place in Ontario."

Hate and Islamophobia have NO place in Ontario. Justice must be served for the horrific act of hatred that took place in London, Ontario yesterday.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends during this difficult time. These heinous acts of violence must stop.

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) June 7, 2021

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

"This was an act of mass murder, perpetrated against Muslims, against Londoners, and rooted in unspeakable hatred," said London Mayor Ed Holder.

In a statement, Mayor Holder said he was speaking "on behalf of all Londoners when I say our hearts are broken".

"We grieve for the family, three generations of whom are now deceased."

The mayor's statement added that he had ordered flags outside London City Hall to be lowered for three days of mourning.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) said in a statement that the attacker should face terrorism charges.

"A man allegedly got in his car, saw a Muslim family walking down the street, and made the decision that they do not deserve to live," said the organisation's CEO Mustafa Farooq.

"He did not know them. This is a terrorist attack on Canadian soil, and should be treated as such," his statement continued.

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2021-06-07 21:09:04Z
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US approves first new Alzheimer's drug in 20 years - bbc.co.uk

The first new treatment for Alzheimer's disease for nearly 20 years has been approved by regulators in the United States, paving the way for its use in the UK.

Aducanumab targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, rather than its symptoms.

Charities have welcomed the news of a new therapy for the condition.

But scientists are divided over its potential impact because of uncertainty over the trial results.

At least 100,000 people in the UK with a mild form of the disease could be suitable for the drug if it were to be approved by the UK regulator.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said there was "substantial evidence that aducanumab reduces amyloid beta plaques in the brain" and that this "is reasonably likely to predict important benefits to patients".

Controversial trial

In March 2019, late-stage international trials of aducanumab, involving about 3,000 patients, were halted when analysis showed the drug, given as a monthly infusion, was not better at slowing the deterioration of memory and thinking problems than a dummy drug.

But later that year, the US manufacturer Biogen analysed more data and concluded the drug did work, as long as it was given in higher doses. The company also said it significantly slowed cognitive decline.

Aducanumab targets amyloid, a protein that forms abnormal clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer's that can damage cells and trigger dementia, including:

• memory and thinking problems
• communication issues
• confusion

'Heading in right direction'

Aldo Ceresa, who took part in the trial, first noticed problems differentiating between left and right 10 years ago.

After his diagnosis, the 68-year-old, who is originally from Glasgow and now lives in Oxfordshire, close to his family, had to give up his job as a surgeon.

Mr Ceresa took aducanumab for two years before the trial was halted - and then had to wait almost as long for another trial, at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, in London, to begin.

"I'm quite happy to volunteer," he says.

"I really, really enjoy this journey that I'm going through - and obviously the benefits I'm getting from it, which I'm very, very grateful for."

He is convinced the drug has helped him.

"I feel like I'm not quite as confused. Although it's still there, it's not quite as bad.

"And I'm just getting that bit more confident now."

Mr Ceresa says his family has noticed improvements too.

"Before, if I was going to get something, I couldn't remember, you know, where to find things in the kitchen.

"That has become less of a problem," he says.

"I haven't caught up to the level that I was before - but I'm heading in the right direction."

More than 30 million people around the world are thought to have Alzheimer's, with most aged over 65.

For around 500,000 people affected in the UK, those eligible for aducanumab will be mostly in their 60s or 70s and at an early stage of the disease.

'Very cautious celebration'

We need to keep our feet on the ground.

This is not a miracle drug, nor a cure for Alzheimer's but it is the first treatment which tackles the destructive mechanism in the brain that drives the destruction of neurons.

And that makes this a landmark moment.

But scientific opinion both here and the United States is divided. While some have welcomed approval, calling it a milestone for millions living with Alzheimer's, others believe the drug will only have marginal benefits.

Alzheimer's charities say they will be pressing for an early decision in the UK - but that could take another year.

Lastly, we don't know how much aducanumab will cost - it could be tens of thousands of pounds per patient each year. And if approved, access will be limited to those who've had specialist brain scans to confirm their diagnosis.

Despite all the caveats, this is moment for very cautious celebration.

Prof Bart De Strooper, director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, said the decision to approve aducanumab marked "a hugely significant milestone" in the search for treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

In the past decade, more than 100 potential Alzheimer's treatments have flopped.

But while he hoped it would prove a turning point for millions of people with the condition, he said there were "still many barriers to overcome".

Prof John Hardy, professor of neuroscience at University College London, said: "We have to be clear that, at best, this is a drug with marginal benefit which will help only very carefully selected patients."

'Grave error'

And Prof Robert Howard, professor of old age psychiatry at UCL, went further calling the drug's approval "a grave error" that could derail the ongoing search for meaningful dementia treatments "for a decade".

He said the FDA had ignored data from the trial which showed no slowing of decline in cognition or function.

However, Alzheimer's Society said the drug was "promising" but added it was "just the beginning of the road to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease".

Another charity, Alzheimer's Research UK, said it had written to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock asking the government to prioritise the fast-track approval process for the drug in the UK.

Chief executive Hilary Evans, said: "People with dementia and their families have been waiting far too long for life-changing new treatments.

"It is now essential that regulatory authorities assess the evidence to decide whether they believe the drug is safe and effective for use in the UK."

Although many doctors are doubtful of aducanumab's benefits, its US approval could be a huge boost to dementia research, which is traditionally underfunded compared with cancer or heart disease.

Related Internet Links

• Alzheimer's Research UK - the UK's leading Alzheimer's research charity

• Alzheimer's Society - United Against Dementia

• Causes of dementia - NHS

• Biogen - Home

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

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2021-06-07 16:54:51Z
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Toddler's body that washed up in Norway is boy who drowned during migrant Channel crossing - Sky News

Police say a toddler's body that washed up on the Norwegian coast on New Year's Day is that of a boy who died along with his family as they attempted to cross the Channel.

The child has been identified as Artin Irannezhad, who was 15 months old when he drowned with his parents and two older siblings.

The Kurdish-Iranian family died when their migrant boat capsized in October while trying to cross from France to the UK.

Rasoul Iran-Nejad and his wife Shiva Mohammed Panahi, both 35, drowned along with their three children, including Anita, who was nine, and six-year-old Armin.

Image: The clothing and life jacket that the toddler was wearing. Pic: Norwegian Police

The body of Artin, who was wearing a blue overall and life jacket, was not found at the time and drifted across the North Sea to Norway.

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His remains washed up in the municipality of Karmoey in the southwest of the country - more than two months after the tragedy.

Police were able to confirm the toddler's identity by matching his DNA with a relative close enough in lineage who happens to live in Norway.

More on Migrant Crisis

Camilla Tjelle Waage, head of investigations at the sheriff's office in Karmoey, confirmed: "The boy who was found is Artin Irannezhad.

"He is of Iranian origin and disappeared during a shipwreck in the English Channel off the coast of France on 27 October.

"Both parents died, as well as Artin's two older siblings who were found dead after the shipwreck. The rest of the family have been notified."

Image: Rasoul Iran-Nejad, 35, Shiva Mohammad Panahi, 35, Anita, nine, and Armin, six. Pic: Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights

She added: "This story is tragic, but at least it's good to be able to give the relatives an answer."

Following the sinking, a refugee who said he knew the family claimed he had warned them not to undertake the journey because of bad weather.

Choman Manish said he spoke to them most days at their makeshift home in a camp on the outskirts of Dunkirk, France.

The 37-year-old Kurd, from Iraq, told Sky News they were a "beautiful friendly family".

Mr Manish said: "I'm really so sad because I know this family. I advised them, please don't go by boat, it's not good and a really bad situation if you stay in the water.

"I said, it will be bad for you. They told me God is big. I know God is big, but what can I do?

"I told them many times, but they never accepted my word... they trusted in God, they think God will protect them."

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'I said please don't go by boat' before fatal trip

Fifteen people were rescued following the sinking.

Thousands of migrants attempt to cross into Europe each year by land and sea from North Africa, the Middle East and beyond in search of a better life.

They often taking huge risks and pay large amounts to people smugglers.

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2021-06-07 15:48:57Z
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Alzheimer’s drug from Biogen wins US approval - Financial Times

US regulators have approved an Alzheimer’s drug from Biogen that split the scientific community, marking a significant moment for sufferers of the disease and their families.

Aducanumab is designed for patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. Biogen claims it reduces the progression of the disease by breaking up clumps of amyloid plaques that form in the brain. 

The treatment has been surrounded by controversy for years, and many scientists opposed its approval, saying it does not work.

The US Food and Drug Administration’s decision announced on Monday is monumental given that no new drug has been approved for the disease in two decades, and very few treatments exist. Nearly 6m people in the US suffer from Alzheimer’s.

The regulator acknowledged the contentious nature of its decision.

“We are well-aware of the attention surrounding this approval,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

She said that the treatment was “reasonably likely” to help patients but added that uncertainty remained about the drug’s clinical benefit. Ultimately the agency concluded that the overall benefits of aducanumab outweighed its risks for Alzheimer’s patients.

The FDA’s own panel of scientific advisers last year strongly opposed the approval of aducanumab, saying that Biogen’s trials did not prove sufficient evidence that the drug worked.

Cavazzoni acknowledged the disagreements but said the drug removed amyloid plaques from the brain and “it is expected” that this would reduce cognitive decline in people with the disease.

The drug’s approval was fast-tracked as it meets an unmet need for a severe disease and Biogen will need to carry out phase 4 trials.

The Alzheimer’s Association welcomed the decision, hailing it as a new day of hope for Alzheimer’s patients. “This approval is a victory for people living with Alzheimer’s and their families,” said Harry Johns, president of the Alzheimer’s Association.

John Hardy, professor of neuroscience at University College London, said: “While I am pleased that aducanumab has received approval, we have to be clear that, at best, this is a drug with marginal benefit which will help only very carefully selected patients.”

Trading in Biogen’s shares was halted ahead of the decision but shares in Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai, which it partnered with, surged 45 per cent.

The FDA’s decision has ramifications for research into Alzheimer’s beyond Biogen. Shares in Eli Lilly, which is currently trialling its own amyloid-clearing drug, jumped 10 per cent.

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2021-06-07 15:21:37Z
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COVID-19: Narendra Modi offers free vaccines for all adults in India as several states lift lockdown and cases fall - Sky News

India is offering free vaccines to all adults as it eases lockdown in several states following a steady fall in cases.

"It has been decided that from 21 June all adults over the age of 18 will be vaccinated free," Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a televised address on Monday.

The new policy means the federal government will take over India's vaccine rollout, which has been widely criticised for being too slow amid the recent deadly wave of cases.

It comes as several states ease their COVID restrictions after the country recorded its lowest number of infections in two months.

Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced free vaccines for all adults

Shops, restaurants and other businesses are allowed to reopen with limited hours in New Delhi and Mumbai, with some restrictions also lifted in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

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The Delhi metro, which serves the city and surrounding areas, has reopened at 50% capacity, but Mumbai's state rail network remains closed.

Coronavirus infections peaked at around 400,000 a day in May after a devastating wave hit India at the start of April.

More on Covid

But on Monday, the number of new COVD cases was the lowest it has been for two months - with 100,636 reported in the past 24 hours.

Despite recorded infections steadily declining, experts fear the virus is spreading unchecked through India's rural areas - where the majority of its people live.

India is still second to the US in terms of total cases globally - with almost 29 million - but a lack of testing facilities and hospital capacity mean that figure is thought to be a vast underestimate.

The country's health ministry said 2,427 new deaths were registered in the latest 24-hour period on Monday, taking the total to 349,186.

Image: A man gets his hair cut at a barbers in Mumbai. Pic: AP

So far 222 million COVID-19 jabs have been given out across India - with less than 5% of its 1.39 billion population fully vaccinated.

Before his address on Monday, Mr Modi was under mounting pressure over the rollout, which previously only offered free jabs to the over-45s and frontline workers.

He has also been widely criticised for the £1.27bn redevelopment of New Delhi's historical centre, which includes a new 15-acre residence for him.

Recently MP Rahul Gandhi tweeted to say the cost of the Central Vista project was equivalent to 450 million vaccines or 10 million oxygen cylinders.

Image: The Delhi metro system has reopened. Pic: AP

Under the old vaccine system, anyone under 45 who was not a frontline worker had to pay for their jab at a private hospital unless they could get state funding.

India has just ordered 300 million doses of an unlicensed vaccine made by an Indian company called Biological E in a bid to boost supplies.

The jab is still in phase three trials, but previous ones have shown encouraging results.

Last month the UK sent 1,000 ventilators to India as cases spiralled out of control, families begged for oxygen equipment and officials struggled to deal with the number of dead.

The Delta variant, a double mutation of the virus that originated in India, has left health systems overwhelmed.

Meanwhile politicians have focused on trying to the save the economy, with New Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal saying on Monday: "Now the corona situation is under control. The economy must be brought back on track."

But other states are being more cautious when it comes to restrictions, with the southern states of Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu extending their lockdowns for at least another week.

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2021-06-07 12:56:15Z
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