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- Man drives into pedestrians in Modena, injuring eight, four critically
- Modena driver confirmed not suspected of terrorism, says Italy’s minister
- Drone strike targets UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant, causing fire
- Modi strengthens EU-India ties during Sweden business round table meeting
- Woman detained for carrying a ‘genuine sword’ at Unite the Kingdom protest | News UK
- Qantas Airways flight diverted to Tahiti after passenger bites crew member
- Wes Streeting calls Brexit a ‘catastrophic mistake’ in leadership bid
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Man drives into pedestrians in Modena, injuring eight, four critically
12:00 am
Get you up to speed: Man drives into pedestrians in Modena, injuring eight, four critically
Salim El Koudri, 31, drove into pedestrians in the centre of Modena, injuring eight people, four of whom were critically hurt. After exiting his vehicle, El Koudri stabbed Luca Signorelli, who attempted to stop him from fleeing the scene.
Eight people were injured, four critically, after Salim El Koudri, 31, drove into pedestrians in Modena, Italy, as stated by local prosecutors who described the incident as occurring in an “indiscriminate, random and deliberate manner.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her solidarity with the victims, calling the event “extremely serious” and trusting that El Koudri would be held “fully accountable for his actions.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will visit Modena on Sunday alongside President Sergio Mattarella following the incident involving Salim El Koudri, who injured eight pedestrians. Prosecutors stated that El Koudri acted “in an indiscriminate, random and deliberate manner” during the attack.
Driver with ‘mental issues’ sped into crowd leaving one woman needing legs amputated | News World
Eight people have been left injured, four critically, after a man mowed down pedestrians on a pavement in Modena, Italy (Picture: AFP)
A man who drove into pedestrians in the Italian city of Modena was known to have mental disorders.
Salim El Koudri, 31, rammed into crowds in the centre of the city in Emilia Romagna, injuring eight people, including four critically.
Two of the victims lost their legs and one, a 55-year-old woman is said to be in a life-threatening condition at a hospital in Bologna.
After leaving his vehicle, El Koudri stabbed a pedestrian, Luca Signorelli, who tried to stop him fleeing the scene.
A 27-year-old woman, a 71-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man are all currently at Modena’s polyclinic with non-serious injuries.
In a statement today, prosecutors said he had struck passers-by ‘in an indiscriminate, random and deliberate manner’.
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Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly cancelled a meeting with the Cypriot president in Nicosia to join president Sergio Mattarella on a visit to Modena on Sunday.
She wrote on X: ‘I express my solidarity with those who were injured and their families.
Police officers standing by the crashed car in the centre of Modena in Emilia Romagna, Italy (Picture: Reuters)
‘What happened in Modena is extremely serious. I trust the person responsible will be held fully accountable for his actions.’
Modena’s mayor Massimo Mezzetti suggested that El Koudri had a history of mental instability but insisted it was too early to draw conclusions.
Italy’s far-right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who leads the anti-immigrant League party, highlighted El Koudri’s Moroccan heritage and called for migrants who commit crimes to have their resident permits revoked.
Dramatic footage showed the moment El Koudri rocketed down the street in a silver car, before mounting the pavement and damaging a row of shop awnings.
A witness told Corriere della Sera: ‘He was going incredibly fast, definitely over 100 miles per hour.’
Mr Signorelli said that El Koudri was behaving as if under the influence of alcohol or drugs before the attacker stabbed him, however police confirmed the 31-year-old had tested negative for both.
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Modena driver confirmed not suspected of terrorism, says Italy’s minister
11:00 pm
Modena driver confirmed not suspected of terrorism, says Italy’s minister
Modena Incident
Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated the 31-year-old driver involved in the Modena crowd incident is not suspected of terrorism and has mental health issues.
Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated the 31-year-old driver involved in the Modena crowd incident is not suspected of terrorism and has mental health issues.
Mental Health Context
Matteo Piantedosi’s statement emphasises the significance of mental health considerations in public safety, distinguishing a non-terrorist incident amidst rising concerns over violent acts.
Matteo Piantedosi’s statement emphasises the significance of mental health considerations in public safety, distinguishing a non-terrorist incident amidst rising concerns over violent acts.
Official Response
“The individual involved was not suspected of a terrorist act and is currently addressing mental health issues,” stated Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
“The individual involved was not suspected of a terrorist act and is currently addressing mental health issues,” stated Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
Key developments
Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed the 31-year-old driver involved in the Modena incident does not face terrorism charges, citing mental health concerns as a contributing factor.
Local authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the event to ascertain additional details, including the driver’s background and any potential prior incidents.
Terrorism scenario excluded by investigators following car attack in Italy's Modena
Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the 31-year-old man who drove into a crowd in Modena on Saturday was not suspected of a terrorist act and was dealing with mental issues.
Drone strike targets UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant, causing fire
8:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Drone strike targets UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant, causing fire
A drone strike targeted the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, causing a fire at its perimeter. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the strike caused a fire in an electrical generator, with one reactor powered by emergency diesel generators.
According to the UAE’s nuclear regulator, the fire from the drone strike did not affect plant safety, and all units at the Barakah nuclear power plant are operating normally. IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that military activity threatening nuclear safety is “unacceptable” and expressed “grave concern” about the incident.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that one reactor at the Barakah nuclear power plant is currently powered by emergency diesel generators following the drone strike. IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed ‘grave concern’ about the incident and stated that military activity threatening nuclear safety is unacceptable.
Drone strike targeting UAE’s only nuclear power plant sparks fire | News World
A drone strike has targeted the United Arab Emirates’ sole nuclear power plant, sparking a fire on its perimeter.
There were no reports of injuries or radiological release, but the strike has worried locals as the Iran ceasefire remains tenuous.
No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the targeted strike, and the UAE has not blamed anyone.
It has, however, accused Iran of launching multiple drone and missile attacks in recent days as tensions have risen over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy waterway that Iran still has in a chokehold.
This weekend, President Donald Trump suggested hostilities could resume as diplomatic efforts aimed at a more durable peace have repeatedly faltered.
Iranian state television has also repeatedly aired segments with anchors holding Kalashnikov-style rifles in an effort to prepare the public for war – including one segment, where the anchor fired directly at the UAE flag.
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The massive nuclear power plant went online in 2020 (Picture: AFP)
The 20 billion dollar Barakah nuclear power plant was built by the UAE with the help of South Korea and went online in 2020.
It is the first and only nuclear power plant in the Arab world and can provide a quarter of all the energy needs in the country.
The UAE’s nuclear regulator said the fire did not affect plant safety and confirmed that all units are operating normally.
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, said the strike caused a fire in an electrical generator and that one reactor was being powered by emergency diesel generators.
Iranian state television featured a segment firing a gun at a UAE flag (Picture: WTX)
IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed ‘grave concern’ about the incident and said military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable, the agency said in a statement.
Sunday’s strike marked the first time the four-reactor Barakah plant has been targeted in the war.
It is near the border with Saudi Arabia, some 140 miles west of the UAE’s capital city, Abu Dhabi.
Fighting has also heated up between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon despite a nominal ceasefire there.
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Modi strengthens EU-India ties during Sweden business round table meeting
7:00 pm
Modi strengthens EU-India ties during Sweden business round table meeting
Modi’s Tour
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen during a business round table in Gothenburg.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen during a business round table in Gothenburg.
Trade Agreement Scale
The EU-India trade agreement covers nearly two billion people, representing almost a quarter of global economic output, marking the largest bilateral trade pact for both parties.
The EU-India trade agreement covers nearly two billion people, representing almost a quarter of global economic output, marking the largest bilateral trade pact for both parties.
Official Response
“All in all, this dynamic new era in EU-India relations opens historic opportunities, and we are determined to seize them,” stated Ursula von der Leyen.
“All in all, this dynamic new era in EU-India relations opens historic opportunities, and we are determined to seize them,” stated Ursula von der Leyen.
Key developments
During his visit to Sweden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting the commitment to the EU-India trade agreement, expected to finalise by year-end.
Von der Leyen emphasised the necessity of an investment agreement to complement the current trade pact, which aims to deepen economic ties between India and the EU, covering nearly two billion people.
Modi’s European tour will proceed to Oslo for the India-Nordic summit, where leaders will discuss collaboration in technology, renewable energy, and defence, according to India’s External Affairs Ministry.
Von der Leyen lauds ‘dynamic new era’ in EU-India relations as Modi visits Sweden
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Sweden on Sunday, the second stop of a tour through Europe that also includes the Netherlands, Norway and Italy.
In Gothenburg, Modi met with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen at the European Business Round Table for Industry to meet with European and Indian business leaders.
“This will also deepen investment linkages between India and Europe,” Modi said in a post on X ahead of the event.
Von der Leyen reiterated the commitment to the EU-India trade agreement, dubbed the “mother of all deals” that the two sides inked in New Delhi in January, which is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
Covering nearly two billion people and almost a quarter of global economic output, the deal marks the biggest bilateral trade pact either side has ever signed, at a time when global trade is increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions.
Under the agreement, India will eliminate or reduce duties on 96.6% of EU goods exports, while the EU will liberalise 99.5% of its tariff lines on goods imported from India over seven years.
“But trade is only half of the equation,” Von der Leyen said on Sunday, adding that the “next step must be to deliver an investment agreement.”
“This is the missing piece of the puzzle in our reinforced economic cooperation,” she added.
“All in all, this dynamic new era in EU-India relations opens historic opportunities, and we are determined to seize them,” Von der Leyen concluded.
Modi and Kristersson also discussed strengthening bilateral ties in “trade, investments, innovation, defence and more.”
On Saturday, Modi also signed a strategic partnership aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, technology and energy with the Netherlands after meeting Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
Next, Modi will move on to Oslo for the third India-Nordic summit, where’s he’s scheduled to meet with the leaders of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. Talks will focus on the nations’ cooperation on technology, renewable energies, defence, space and the Arctic region, India’s External Affairs Ministry said.
Modi’s tour will finish up in Italy on 20 May with a visit to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
In 2024, Modi and Meloni committed to a “Joint Strategic Action Plan,” agreeing to build cooperation in a number of areas including security and defence, as well as promoting “safe and legal migration channels.”
Woman detained for carrying a ‘genuine sword’ at Unite the Kingdom protest | News UK
4:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Woman detained for carrying a ‘genuine sword’ at Unite the Kingdom protest | News UK
PROTEST ARREST
WTXpolitan Police arrested a woman for carrying a real sword at Tommy Robinson’s protest in London, confirming it was classified as an offensive weapon.
WTXpolitan Police arrested a woman for carrying a real sword at Tommy Robinson’s protest in London, confirming it was classified as an offensive weapon.
PROTEST ARRESTS
WTXpolitan Police confirmed a total of 43 arrests were made during the Unite the Kingdom and Nakba Day demonstrations in central London.
WTXpolitan Police confirmed a total of 43 arrests were made during the Unite the Kingdom and Nakba Day demonstrations in central London.
POLICE ACTION
More than 4,000 WTXpolitan Police officers were deployed to monitor both the Unite the Kingdom and Nakba demonstrations in central London, resulting in 43 arrests.
More than 4,000 WTXpolitan Police officers were deployed to monitor both the Unite the Kingdom and Nakba demonstrations in central London, resulting in 43 arrests.
What we know so far
A woman was arrested by police for bringing a real sword to a protest organised by Tommy Robinson in central London. The protester, wearing a white hooded cloak, had the weapon attached to her belt in a scabbard. She was heard saying, “I honestly haven’t done anything wrong” during the event.
The WTXpolitan Police confirmed the sword was real and stated the arrest was made for carrying “an offensive weapon”. A witness claimed that the protester had been told she would not be arrested, only for officers to subsequently detain her. The witness expressed sympathy for the woman, describing her as “completely cooperative” but frightened.
Over 4,000 officers were deployed to manage both Robinson’s protest and the Nakba Day march, resulting in a total of 43 arrests across the events. The police reported 20 arrests connected to the Unite the Kingdom protest, with further arrests made for various offences including assault on emergency workers and drunk and disorderly behaviour. The Met stated, despite the arrests, both marches “proceeded largely without significant incident”.
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Woman arrested for bringing ‘real sword’ to Unite the Kingdom protest | News UK
A woman was arrested by police for bringing a real sword to Tommy Robinson’s protest.
Officers detained the protester wearing a white hooded cloak with the weapon attached to her belt in a scabbard.
She is heard saying: ‘I honestly haven’t done anything wrong’ at the protest on Saturday.
The sword has Christus Vincit engraved on the hilt, Latin for ‘Christ Conquers’.
A witness posted on social media: ‘This poor girl was arrested for having a fake sword.
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‘Obviously in costume, sword was in a sheath around her waist, police then lied to her and told her she wouldn’t be arrested, the sword would just be confiscated.
‘Then he took her around the corner and slapped the cuffs on her. She was completely cooperative and obviously very frightened. Felt very sorry for her.’
The WTXpolitan Police replied to the post on X, confirming the blade was real and that the protester was arrested for carrying ‘an offensive weapon’.
It comes as more than 4,000 officers were deployed to central London yesterday to police both the Nakba Day march and the protest organised by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as well as the FA Cup final.
A total of 43 arrests were made across both demonstrations, with 20 confirmed on the Unite the Kingdom protest and 12 on the pro-Palestine march.
Two Unite the Kingdom protesters were arrested for assaulting emergency workers, with arrests also taking place for drunk and disorderly behaviour as well as criminal damage.
In a post on X, the Met shared a clip of officers placing a protester in handcuffs near Euston station.
‘One arrest in a crowd requires numerous officers and can involve unpredictable levels of physical and verbal resistance. It’s not as simple as many think’, the force said.
Two men were arrested yesterday outside the busy London station, it said.
One protester was detained in connection with an incident in Birmingham where a man was run, with the second was arrested for encouraging people to attack an officer.
The Met added that despite the number of arrests, the two marches ‘proceeded largely without significant incident’.
It comes amid a wider debate over extremism and whether divisive marches should be banned or have greater restrictions placed on them, such as requiring the demonstrations to be static.
Sir Keir Starmer said the opposing marches showed the need to ‘fight for the soul of this country’.
He wrote in LBC the marches were a ‘reminder that our values are not given but earned. And that each of us has a responsibility to affirm the respect and decency that binds us together.’
Qantas Airways flight diverted to Tahiti after passenger bites crew member
3:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Qantas Airways flight diverted to Tahiti after passenger bites crew member
A Qantas Airways flight from Melbourne to Dallas was forced to divert to Papeete in Tahiti due to an incident involving a drunken passenger who allegedly bit a flight attendant. The passenger became confrontational when denied permission to leave the cabin for a cigarette.
A Qantas Airways flight was diverted to Papeete in Tahiti due to an altercation with an angry passenger who allegedly bit a flight attendant. This incident highlights the growing concern of anti-social behaviour on flights, with drunken behaviour being a criminal offence in the UK, punishable by a maximum penalty of £5,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
Qantas Airways flight diverted to Papeete in Tahiti due to a drunken passenger who threatened cabin crew and allegedly bit a flight attendant. Anti-social behaviour on flights has become a growing concern for airlines, prompting calls for stricter alcohol regulations in airports.
Angry passenger ‘bites flight attendent’ forcing flight into emergency landing | News World
A plane was forced to land on a remote pacific island after a drunken manthreatened cabin crew onboard.
The angry passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant on a Qantas Airways flight between Melbourne and Dallas.
The route is one of the world’s longest scheduled services, at 15 hours flying time.
However the journey was even more prolonged tha usual on Friday, after the aircraft was forced to divert to Papeete in Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia.
Footage of the incident was uploaded by Australian comedian Mike Goldstein, who was travelling on the flight.
It showed the troublemaker wearing a green shirt, confronting cabin crew near a toilet.
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The angry passenger was heard shouting ‘F*** you’ after they refused his demands to allow him to walk out ‘for a ciggie’.
He was warned by the staff he would be restrained for the whole journey if he refused to behave.
The passenger was filmed having an altercation with cabin crew near a toilet on board a Qantas Airways flight to Dallas (Picture: Metrograb)
The man was told by a male flight attendant: ‘You’re carrying on like a bloody two-bob watch.’
A ‘two-bob watch’ is an Australian slang term for something cheap and unreliable.
However the clip did not show the alleged biting.
In a response to comments, Mr Goldstein added that the man became involved in brawl with a fellow traveller sitting in front of him after they reclined their seat.
Anti-social behaviour onboard flights has become an increasing headache for airlines, which face huge costs if their planes are diverted off course including extra fuel and compensating delayed passengers.
With alcohol a key factor in incidents, passengers are strictly prohibited from consuming their own booze on flights.
However, tipple is widely available in airports including at bars and executive lounges, which are not required to conform to usual restrictions on opening hours which apply to their high street counterparts.
Drunken behaviour on board planes is a criminal offence in the UK, carrying a maximum penalty of £5,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
Earlier this month, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary called for airports to be banned from serving alcohol to passengers before early morning flights.
His intervention was criticised by JD Wetherspoon’s boss Sir Tim Martin, who said a ban would be impossible to implement and an ‘overreaction’.
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