Latest news with #PublicSecurity
Al Bawaba
2 days ago
- Al Bawaba
Jordanian child injured by drone in Azraq disctrict
Published June 19th, 2025 - 09:34 GMT ALBAWABA - A 12-year-old Jordanian girl was injured and rushed to the hospital after a drone fell into a residential area in the Azraq sub-district in Zarqa City, as reported by AlMamlaka TV. The drone also caused damage to three homes and two vehicles, prompting Jordanian authorities to launch an investigation to determine the cause of the incident and assess potential security concerns. On the contrary, Jordan's Directorate of Public Security revealed that it had noticed a suspicious object on the roof of a school in Al-Mafraq Governorate. However, no fires or injuries were reported, but a teacher inside its premises evacuated the scene after hearing a loud noise. Jordanian child injured by drone in Azraq district © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Bawaba
2 days ago
- Al Bawaba
Drone crashes in Jordan's Amman causing damage to car and bus stop
Published June 19th, 2025 - 08:35 GMT ALBAWABA - Jordan's Public Security announced on Tuesday that a drone crashed in Amman's Abu Nseir area, causing damage to a vehicle and a bus shelter. The Public Security Directorate revealed that authorities received multiple reports of falling objects Thursday morning in several governorates across the Kingdom, all of which were dealt with. It further added that one of these reports was in the Abu Nseir area, and immediately, the directorate dispatched a response team to the scene, and upon arrival, it was discovered that a drone had crashed near commercial stores, causing damage to a vehicle and a bus shelter. No human casualties were reported. The relevant security and military agencies are investigating the incident. The Public Security Directorate reiterated its warning against approaching any unfamiliar objects, which could be extremely dangerous. It also urged people to cooperate by reporting any sightings directly to the unified emergency number 911, and to allow the relevant authorities to investigate and respond. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Euronews
11-06-2025
- Euronews
What we know about the gunman who killed 10 in Austria school shooting
Austria is observing three days of national mourning for 10 people killed after a gunman attacked a high school in the southern city of Graz. The incident in Austria's second-largest city of some 300,000 was the deadliest mass shooting in the Alpine country's recent history. Police are investigating why the gunman, identified by authorities as a former student at the school who failed to graduate, may have carried out the attack. The perpetrator, identified by Austrian media as "Artur A", had no prior criminal record. He reportedly took his own life in the school bathroom after carrying out the attack. During a search of the alleged perpetrator's house, the police found plans for an explosive attack as well as a non-functioning pipe bomb. They also found a digital and handwritten suicide note addressed to the perpetrator's parents. "No motive can be taken from the farewell letter so far," Director of Public Security Franz Ruf told public broadcaster ORF on Tuesday evening. Local media speculated that years of bullying may have been a possible motive for the massacre. By Wednesday morning, the authority that runs hospitals in Graz said that all patients were in stable condition. Nine were still in intensive care units, with one needing a further operation on a facial wound and a second on a knee injury, while another two had been moved to regular wards. Local media report that the 21-year-old lived with his mother. A neighbour told OE24 that 'he was completely introverted.' The suspected gunman was in possession of two firearms which were seized by police after the attack. He had legally acquired both weapons and had reportedly passed the psychological evaluation required in Austria to obtain a so-called 'Category B' firearm possession card. In Austria, weapons are traditionally carried for hunting rather than for self-defence. Some weapons, such as rifles and shotguns, can be purchased from the age of 18 without a permit. Other weapons, such as repeating shotguns or semi-automatic firearms, are more difficult to acquire — buyers need a gun ownership card and a firearms pass. The rare shooting, which has led to an outpouring of grief and shock in Austria, is likely to prompt a domestic debate over whether arms should be restricted, which has more liberal gun laws and high private gun ownership relative to the rest of Europe. The mayor of the city of Graz, Elke Kahr, has already called for a complete ban on private weapons. Gun licenses are "issued too quickly," she said in the aftermath of the tragedy. The case would be examined and gaps would be closed, Ruf said. The perpetrator was not allowed to carry the weapons outside of his home, he added. Local media speculated that the school was unprepared for an attack of this scale, given that school shootings are rare in Austria. Director of Public Security Franz Ruf stated that investigations will be launched to explore how schools can better implement preventive and protective measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker called the tragedy "incomprehensible". "Schools must remain places of peace – places where children can grow and learn," he said. The government added that numerous crisis intervention teams have been set up to support the victims and their families, including a hotline for those affected. "The school must be a safe place for everyone, where students can develop. Everyone who needs help after today's crime should get help," Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr said. Martin Jäger, Germany's ambassador to Ukraine, is set to become the new head of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), German media reported on Wednesday, citing government sources. Jäger will replace Bruno Kahl as Germany's spy chief, with Kahl set to take up the ambassadorship to the Vatican. The German government has yet to officially confirm the change. Jäger is considered an experienced crisis diplomat due to his role as German ambassador to Ukraine, a post he has filled since 2023, the year after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country. He previously served as ambassador to Iraq and Afghanistan. In Germany, Jäger, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, worked as a spokesperson for the finance ministry, then headed by Wolfgang Schäuble. He also worked as state secretary in the Ministry of the Interior. The Federal Intelligence Service is subordinate to the chancellery and therefore under Friedrich Merz, who is authorised to appoint the president. The BND is tasked with collecting and evaluating information of foreign and security policy significance and supplying the federal government with reports and analyses. The BND is one of the few government agencies authorised to use intelligence services such as espionage. According to German outlets, the German government is planning a fundamental reorganisation of the intelligence service and wants to provide the BND with more funding. The BND is also to be given more flexibility in terms of spying abroad and technical reconnaissance, according to the domestic press.
Daily Maverick
11-06-2025
- Daily Maverick
Former pupil kills 10 people and himself in shooting at Austrian school
Former pupil attacked secondary school in Graz He killed nine, then himself, interior minister says Graz Hospital later confirms death of 10th victim Austria to hold three days of mourning By Francois Murphy, Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich and Leonhard Foeger Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said six of those killed at the school were female and three were male, without giving any details of their ages. Graz Hospital later confirmed the death of a 10th person. Karner said another dozen people had been injured but gave no further details about the victims. Austrian media said most were pupils. Police said they believed the 21-year-old Austrian shooter, who was found dead in a bathroom, had been operating alone when he entered the school with two guns and opened fire. His motive remained unclear. Director General of Public Security Franz Ruf told state broadcaster ORF that victims were found outside and inside the school on various floors, adding the gunman had been armed with both a shotgun and a pistol, both found at the scene. Chancellor Christian Stocker called the shooting a 'dark day in the history of our country'. 'There are no words for the pain and grief that we all – all of Austria – are feeling right now.' Stocker travelled to Graz where, at a press conference alongside officials including Karner, he announced three days of national mourning. A minute's silence was set for 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Wednesday. Ruf also told ORF the suspect had left behind a farewell letter, both in analogue and digital form, in which he said goodbye to his parents but gave no indication of a motive, which was still being investigated. More than 300 police were called in after shots were heard around 10 a.m. at the school, for pupils of 15 and above. Ambulances also arrived within minutes as the premises were cordoned off. The Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper said in an unconfirmed report that the suspect had opened fire on pupils in two classrooms, one of which had once been his own. It said he had been a victim of bullying. Julia Ebner, an extremism expert at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue think-tank, said the incident appeared to be the worst school shooting in Austria's post-war history. Foreign leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed shock. Austria has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with an estimated 30 firearms per 100 people, according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project. Four people were killed and 22 injured when a convicted jihadist went on a shooting spree in the centre of Vienna in 2020. In November 1997, a 36-year-old mechanic shot dead six people in the town of Mauterndorf before killing himself.
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-06-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
International Media Delegations Visit Hajj Command and Control Center in Holy Sites
International media delegations covering this year's Hajj season visited the command and control center in Saudi Arabia's holy sites. The visit provided them with an in-depth look at the integrated security and technical efforts dedicated to managing the Hajj season. They were received by Director General of Public Security and Chairman of the Hajj Security Committee Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami. During their visit, the delegations were briefed on the coordination mechanisms that operate under a unified operational umbrella, bringing together various security and technical agencies. This robust system is supported by the latest monitoring, analysis, and live surveillance technologies, all of which significantly enhance the national system's readiness to serve pilgrims. The media representatives also learned about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in supporting efficient crowd management and the proactive dispatch of pilgrims.
