Kamis, 14 Oktober 2021

Norway bow and arrow attacks: Suspect in Kongsberg killings had been flagged for radicalisation, police say - Sky News

The suspect in the Norway bow and arrow rampage which left five people dead had been flagged for possible signs of radicalisation, police have said.

Officers had been worried about signs the man, who is a Muslim convert, may have been radicalised, police chief Ole Bredrup Saeverud said at a news conference.

The 37-year-old Danish man is in custody.

Kongsberg 20211013..An arrow left in a wall after a person has moved around with a weapon that is said to have been an arrow and a bow in Kongsberg city center..Photo: H..kon Mosvold Larsen / NTB
Image: An arrow seen following the attacks. Pic: AP

According to prosecutor Ann Iren Svane Matthiassen, he admitted carrying out the attack in Kongsberg, to the southwest of capital Oslo which also left two others wounded.

Thomas Nilsen lives near the scene of the attacks and said he came out of his house after hearing what he initially thought was an argument.

"I thought it was war, because it was so intense." he told NRK.

"But then I heard a scream I have never heard before. It was a scream that burned into the soul. I will never forget that. I perceived it as a death cry."

More on Kongsberg Attacks

After walking outside his home he saw people had begun to gather to start administering life-saving first aid.

"In the end, there were 20 to 30 police cars, ambulances and fire trucks there," he told VG newspaper.

"Then I did not stay around to look."

The death toll was the worst of any attack in Norway since 2011, when far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people, most of them teenagers at a youth camp.

Police were first alerted to events in Kongsberg at 6.15pm local time, and the suspect was arrested half-an-hour later.

There was a confrontation with officers and the man tried to run away before he was arrested, the police said.

A number of the victims were in a Coop Extra supermarket when they were attacked.

Police believe the man acted alone
Image: Police say the man was flagged for radicalisation

A spokesman for the chain said: "We can confirm that there has been a serious incident in our store and that none of our employees are physically injured.

"We are now concerned with following up our employees, and beyond that, we refer to the police investigation."

Both of the people left injured were taken into intensive care, and one was an off-duty police officer who was in the supermarket at the time.

Additional officers were deployed following the incident, and the usually unarmed constables were told they should temporarily carry weapons.

The Norwegian police directorate said: "This is an additional contingency measure. The police do not yet have any concrete indications that there is a change in the threat level in the country."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Police helicopters at scene of bow and arrow attacks

Kongsberg, a small town of some 26,000 inhabitants, is about 66 kilometres (41 miles) southwest of Oslo.

Local officials said anyone who needed support would be welcome at the town's main church.

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L25vcndheS1ib3ctYW5kLWFycm93LXN1c3BlY3QtaGFkLWJlZW4tZmxhZ2dlZC1mb3ItcmFkaWNhbGlzYXRpb24tcG9saWNlLXNheS0xMjQzMzQxNdIBc2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9ub3J3YXktYm93LWFuZC1hcnJvdy1zdXNwZWN0LWhhZC1iZWVuLWZsYWdnZWQtZm9yLXJhZGljYWxpc2F0aW9uLXBvbGljZS1zYXktMTI0MzM0MTU?oc=5

2021-10-14 09:33:45Z
CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L25vcndheS1ib3ctYW5kLWFycm93LXN1c3BlY3QtaGFkLWJlZW4tZmxhZ2dlZC1mb3ItcmFkaWNhbGlzYXRpb24tcG9saWNlLXNheS0xMjQzMzQxNdIBc2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9ub3J3YXktYm93LWFuZC1hcnJvdy1zdXNwZWN0LWhhZC1iZWVuLWZsYWdnZWQtZm9yLXJhZGljYWxpc2F0aW9uLXBvbGljZS1zYXktMTI0MzM0MTU

Kongsberg: Bow and arrow suspect known to Norwegian police - BBC News

An arrow left in a wall is seen after several people were killed and others were injured by a man using a bow and arrows to carry out attacks, in Kongsberg, Norway, October 13, 2021.
Reuters

A man arrested over a deadly bow and arrow attack in Norway had converted to Islam and there were fears he had been radicalised, police have said.

The 37-year-old Danish citizen is accused of killing four women and a man on Wednesday night in the southern town of Kongsberg.

He was arrested and questioned for several hours overnight.

Regional police chief Ole Bredrup Saeverud said officers had last been in touch with the man in 2020.

The victims were all aged between 50 and 70, Chief Saeverud told reporters on Thursday morning.

Police had initially confronted the man six minutes after the attack began at 18:12 (16:12 GMT) on Wednesday but he shot arrows at the officers, who in response fired warning shots. The man escaped and was not caught until 18:47 - 35 minutes after the attack started.

The police chief said all five victims were most likely killed after he was first confronted by police.

Reports of the incident were "horrifying", said Prime Minister Erna Solberg, hours before she was due to leave office.

The attacker is said to have launched the assault inside a Coop Extra supermarket on Kongsberg's west side. One of those injured was an off-duty police officer who was in the shop at the time.

The officer and another person who was wounded are recovering in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The attack was Norway's deadliest since far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik murdered 77 people on the island of Utoya in July 2011.

'Completely inconceivable'

Kongsberg Mayor Kari Anne Sand said it was a shocking attack that had taken place in an area where many people lived, and that a crisis team would help anyone affected.

Describing the town as "a completely ordinary community with completely ordinary people", Ms Sand said everyone had been deeply shaken by "this very tragic situation."

A police technician enters a building after a deadly attack in Kongsberg
Reuters

The suspect was taken to a police station in the town of Drammen, where his defence lawyer, Fredrik Neumann, said he was questioned for more than three hours and was co-operating with authorities.

The suspect had a Danish mother and Norwegian father, he explained.

Police prosecutor Ann Irén Svane Mathiassen told TV2 that the man had lived in Kongsberg for several years.

The attack came on the final day of Erna Solberg's conservative government, and a new justice minister takes over the case on Thursday under a centre-left coalition led by Labour leader Jonas Gahr Store.

Mr Store said it was a "gruesome and brutal act", hours before announcing his new cabinet.

Norwegian police are not usually armed and after the attack the police directorate ordered all officers nationwide to carry firearms as an extra precaution.

"The police have no indication so far that there is a change in the national threat level," the directorate said in a statement (in Norwegian).

Map
1px transparent line
Banner saying 'Get in touch'

Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiLmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy93b3JsZC1ldXJvcGUtNTg5MTA3OTTSATJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iYmMuY29tL25ld3Mvd29ybGQtZXVyb3BlLTU4OTEwNzk0LmFtcA?oc=5

2021-10-14 09:17:33Z
52781936571714

Only in Australia: Kangaroos take over Canberra during lockdown - Daily Mail

Peak Australia in lockdown: Kangaroos take over city centre after the streets were left empty with residents forced to stay home

  • TikTok shows a mob of Kangaroos take over Canberra's CBD during lockdown 
  • Vision was captured in September, five weeks into the ACT stay-at-home orders
  • Canberrans are due to come out of lockdown at 11.59pm on Thursday 

A mob of Kangaroos have been spotted taking over Canberra's eerily quiet CBD while residents were tucked away at home amid lockdown

Footage has emerged on TikTok from September, showing three Kangaroos hopping through the once bustling Civic Centre in the nation's capital.  

'Canberra lockdown be like, city is for kangaroos now,' the caption read.

The unusual sight was filmed five weeks into lockdown as the trio of kangaroos took advantage of the deserted city centre free from residents. 

Amused TikTok users took to the video to point out how incredible it was to see nature reclaim the city. 

'It's amazing how nature is reclaiming itself,' wrote one person. 

A mob of Kangaroos have taken over Canberra's Civic Centre (pictured) while residents remain in lockdown until midnight Thursday

A mob of Kangaroos have taken over Canberra's Civic Centre (pictured) while residents remain in lockdown until midnight Thursday

'Kangaroo takeover. The Kangaroos are outside more than the local humans at the moment,' commented another. 

'This is so cool, let them have fun while its quiet,' added a third. 

Others took the opportunity to make their best traffic jokes, with one user writing: 

'At least they stop at the stop sign.' 

Canberrans are set to come out from lockdown at 11.59pm on Thursday, but it's not the first time kangaroos have been spotted so close to urban areas in the territory. 

On Saturday a roo was filmed hopping down a footpath on Mort Street near the Civic bus interchange, much to the surprise of witnesses.

The roo bounced onto the road, passing a construction site before making its way towards Braddon.

Last month a distressed kangaroo that was pulled to safety from Lake Burley Griffin after it became stuck in freezing shallow waters. 

While viral footage of the brave rescue warmed hearts around the world it was later revealed the sick kangaroo had to be euthanised due to its poor physical condition.

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service reminded the community to always call for professional help if a native animal is in danger.

'Please give the animal space and keep an eye on them from a distance - maintain enough room for the animal to leave the area,' the spokesperson said.

Footage of the trio emerged on TikTok in September, five weeks into the ACT's lockdown

Footage of the trio emerged on TikTok in September, five weeks into the ACT's lockdown

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtMTAwOTAxNTEvT25seS1BdXN0cmFsaWEtS2FuZ2Fyb29zLUNhbmJlcnJhLWxvY2tkb3duLmh0bWzSAWVodHRwczovL3d3dy5kYWlseW1haWwuY28udWsvbmV3cy9hcnRpY2xlLTEwMDkwMTUxL2FtcC9Pbmx5LUF1c3RyYWxpYS1LYW5nYXJvb3MtQ2FuYmVycmEtbG9ja2Rvd24uaHRtbA?oc=5

2021-10-14 00:29:33Z
CAIiEDIOJyU60HtsZN6tPuk-4uYqGQgEKhAIACoHCAowzuOICzCZ4ocDMKiaowY

Rabu, 13 Oktober 2021

Europe gas prices: How far is Russia responsible? - BBC News

Gas metering station at Berehove in Ukraine
Reuters

Gas prices have been soaring in countries across Europe, and there have been accusations that Russia may be seeking to exploit the situation for its own advantage.

Jake Sullivan, the US National Security adviser, recently expressed concern that Russia might be using energy as a political weapon.

"I believe they [Russia] should respond to the market demands for increased energy supplies to Europe," he said.

But how far is Russia responsible for current shortages and rising prices?

How much gas does Europe get from Russia?

Map showing main pipeline routes from Russia to Europe

Russia supplies about 50% of Europe's natural gas. Most of the rest comes from Norway and Algeria.

Russia sends gas to Europe through several main pipelines - such as the Nord Stream, the Yamal-Europe and the Brotherhood.

The gas is collected in regional storage hubs, and then distributed to different countries across the continent.

Chart showing Russia gas exports to Europe October 2019 to October 2021

During the pandemic, overall gas exports from Russia to Europe fell because there was less demand.

Although it has picked up again in Europe, this downward trend has been continuing - with lower supply this year, especially via the Ukraine and Belarus pipelines.

This has led to stocks across Europe being depleted, which in turn is driving up prices.

Has Russia been meeting its commitments?

Gazprom, Russia's majority state-owned energy company, supplies gas to Europe under two different arrangements:

  • Long-term contracts often lasting from 10 to 25 years
  • "Spot" deals or one-off purchases for a fixed amount of gas

Gazprom itself describes long-term contracts as "fundamental to stable and sustainable gas supplies".

And it is understood that it has met its obligations to European buyers this year under these contracts.

However, the International Energy Agency's executive director, Fatih Birol, recently said it estimated Russia could supply 15% more gas if it wanted to.

Construction workers at Nord Stream 2 site in Lubmin, Germany
AFP

Some analysts have suggested Russia could be holding back supplies to speed up approval of the newly-built Nord Stream 2 pipeline running directly from Russia to Germany.

This bypasses Ukraine, and has been met with objections on geo-political as well as environmental grounds, although Russia is keen for it to come on stream.

"A significant section of the mainstream European media has attributed this to Gazprom intentionally withholding supplies in order to force the German regulator and European Commission to approve Nord Stream 2," says Jack Sharples, of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

But he adds that this analysis "is questionable".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she was not aware of any instances where Russia had not met its contractual obligations.

"Russia can only deliver gas on the basis of contractual obligations and not just like that," she was quoted as saying.

But it is worth noting that "spot" sales do not appear to be happening in any significant quantity, going by data from Gazprom's own electronic sales platform.

Dr Sharples says: "This leads to the conclusion that Gazprom is supplying the volumes... under its long-term contracts - but it is not providing additional volumes beyond those contracts."

That view was also expressed by the EU's Energy Commissioner, Kadri Simson.

"Our initial assessment suggests that Russia is fulfilling its long-term contracts while not providing any additional supply." she told MEPs on 6 October.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergey Ryabkov, told the BBC: "Gazprom has in fact started pumping out from its reserves into pipelines to stabilise the market."

And he added: "We have never been in a position to exert pressure through our energy supplies."

What's happened to stocks in Europe?

Gas storage across Europe is well below the 10-year average, with levels currently at about 75% of storage capacity, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe data.

The UK's gas storage is currently at full capacity - but Russia only provides about 5% of the country's usage, so it's less reliant on Russian imports than other European countries.

Russia's own gas storage is also down.

Adeline Van Houtte, a Europe analyst at the Economist's Intelligence Unit, says: "Currently, the Russian domestic gas market remains tight, with output already near its peak and winter is looming... limiting gas export capacity."

There are several other factors affecting the situation in Europe, such as:

  • cold weather at the start of 2021 depleting stocks
  • rising prices in spring and summer put traders off buying to sell later in the year
  • limited supply from Norway because of maintenance issues
  • reduction in other energy sources such as wind power
  • growing demand for gas elsewhere in the world

Why is there a surge in demand for gas?

The economic rebound in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic has caused factories to ramp up production, pushing up demand for energy.

Europe is also facing increased competition for gas from other parts of the world.

Charts showing rising gas demand in various regions

In recent decades, demand for gas in some regions like Asia and the Middle East has risen sharply.

This has knock-on effects on the market for liquified natural gas (LNG), which makes up about a quarter of Europe's imports.

When demand for LNG is high, supplies tend to be diverted to Asia to take advantage of rising prices.

In addition, Russia has been expanding its gas exports to China, and in June inaugurated a gas processing plant in the far east of the country, which is predicted to become one of the biggest in the world.

Additional reporting by Kumar Malhotra and Daniele Palumbo

Reality Check branding

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiI2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzLzU4ODg4NDUx0gEnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvNTg4ODg0NTEuYW1w?oc=5

2021-10-13 23:19:38Z
52781936834476

La Palma volcano eruption update: eruption continues with high effusion rates - VolcanoDiscovery

Support us - Help us upgrade our services!

We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.
We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please make a donation (PayPal or Online credit card payment).

Planned features:

  • Improved multilanguage support
  • Tsunami alerts
  • Faster responsiveness
Thanks to your past donations, these features have been added recently:
  • Earthquake archive from 1900 onwards
  • Detailed quake stats
  • Additional seismic data sources
Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online:
Android | IOS
Thank you!

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMihwFodHRwczovL3d3dy52b2xjYW5vZGlzY292ZXJ5LmNvbS9sYS1wYWxtYS9uZXdzLzE0NDIyNy9MYS1QYWxtYS12b2xjYW5vLWVydXB0aW9uLXVwZGF0ZS1lcnVwdGlvbi1jb250aW51ZXMtd2l0aC1oaWdoLWVmZnVzaW9uLXJhdGVzLmh0bWzSAQA?oc=5

2021-10-13 17:38:56Z
52781931584049

Kongsberg: Five dead in Norway bow and arrow attack - BBC News

Armed police on the streets of Kongsberg after an attacker opened fire on people with a bow and arrow
Hakon Mosvold/NTB/via Reuters

Five people have been killed and two more injured in Norway after a man used a bow and arrow to attack them.

Police first received word of an attack in the town of Kongsberg, south-west of the capital Oslo, at around 18:13 local time (16:13 GMT).

Chief Oeyvind Aas said a suspect had been caught and seemed to have acted alone.

Police will investigate whether it was an act of terror, a spokesman said.

"It is a tragedy for all those affected," Mayor Kari Anne Sand told VG newspaper. "I have no words."

The attacker is said to have launched the assault inside a Coop Extra supermarket on Kongsberg's west side. One of those injured was an off-duty police officer who was in the shop at the time.

A spokesperson for the chain later confirmed there was a "serious incident" at their store, adding that none of their staff were physically injured.

There was reportedly a confrontation between the attacker and the police before he was eventually detained at 18:47 local time.

Officers are also investigating whether the attacker used other weapons during the incident, Chief Aas told reporters.

The suspect moved over a large area, and authorities have cordoned off several parts of the town. Residents were ordered to stay indoors so authorities could examine the scene and gather evidence.

The suspect has now been taken to a police station in the town of Drammen. He has yet to be questioned.

Dozens of emergency vehicles are at the scene, including ambulances, police cars and helicopters.

Norway's Justice Minister Monica Maeland has been informed and is closely monitoring the situation, the ministry tweeted.

The country's police directorate has ordered all officers nationwide to carry firearms as an extra precaution. Usually police in the country are not armed.

"The police have no indication so far that there is a change in the national threat level," the directorate said in a statement (in Norwegian).

Map
1px transparent line
Banner saying 'Get in touch'

Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiMGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3dvcmxkLWV1cm9wZS01ODkwNjE2NdIBNGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3dvcmxkLWV1cm9wZS01ODkwNjE2NS5hbXA?oc=5

2021-10-13 21:11:16Z
52781936571714

Russia denies weaponising energy amid Europe gas crisis - BBC News - BBC News

Adblock test (Why?)


https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiK2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9Sm1DT2lLQkdUaEXSAQA?oc=5

2021-10-13 20:32:10Z
52781936764681