A man has been killed in a machete attack and his two assailants shot by police in Woolwich, south-east London.
The government is reported to be treating the assault as a suspected terrorist incident and the prime minister said it was “truly shocking”.
Home Secretary Theresa May has summoned a meeting of the government’s emergency response committee Cobra.
Both suspects in the attack have been apprehended, and are being treated at separate London hospitals for their injuries. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the unidentified victim.
We have confidence in London. We put on the Olympics, so we can do this.London Marathon observer Nicola Selwood • Discussing the London Marathon, taking place less than a week after the Boston Marathon bombing incident. Despite this, the incident is going on as planned, though with higher security. As part of the event, a campaign among runners is picking up steam, recommending that, as runners cross the finish line, they put their hands over their hearts.
You vacillate, ambivalent about the role you wish to perform – the disciple of David or Nero. With such a contradiction between your statements and actions, on what basis can you expect anyone – Christians in particular – to trust or respect you?Joseph Devine, the Bishop of Motherwell • Ripping British Prime Minister David Cameron for his supportive stance on gay marriage, and calling Cameron “out of his depth” for his stance on the issue — as well as his lack of support on moves by Christians approaching the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to demand their right to wear the cross. “So far as the Roman Catholic Church … is concerned, you are out of your depth. We will take no finger-prodding lectures from anyone or any group devoid of moral competence,” Devine said. That last statement is odd: Devine is significantly more out of his depth than Cameron is.
A Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban has every chance of making a “good recovery”, British doctors said on Monday as 14-year-old Malala Yousufzai arrived at a hospital in central England for treatment of her severe wounds.
Yousufzai, who was shot for advocating education for girls, was flown from Pakistan to receive specialist treatment at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital at a unit expert in dealing with complex trauma cases that has treated hundreds of soldiers wounded in Afghanistan.
“Doctors…believe she has a chance of making a good recovery on every level,” said Dr Dave Rosser, the hospital’s medical director, adding that her treatment and rehabilitation could take months.
Promising news regarding the health of Malala Yousufzai, an outspoken 14-year-old critic of the Taliban, whose school bus was attacked by multiple gunmen last week. While Yousufzai underwent successful surgery to remove a bullet near her spinal cord the day after the attack, she will need intensive follow-up care and treatment, and will hopefully make a full recovery with the aid of British health experts.
I would expect it will be significant, which means thousands, not hundreds, but I would not expect it to be the majority.British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond • Discussing the planned troop withdrawals out of Afghanistan next year. Roughly 500 troops will get removed by the end of 2012, leaving about 9,000 still in the country — so based on Hammond’s statement, as many as 4,500 troops will get withdrawn in 2013.
I don’t want to judge allegations that have not been proven and would not, in any case, be considered a felony in Latin American, too. It has never been the intention of the Ecuadorean government for Julian Assange not to respond to those allegations.Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa • Agreeing with many critics of Ecuador, following the country’s decision to grant political asylum to Julian Assange, that the Wikileaks founder should face the allegations of rape which have been leveled against him. While Correa agrees that Assange should not flee from authorities, he also restated his belief that Ecuador’s diplomatic sovereignty should continue to be respected the United Kingdom and other countries. Some inside of Ecuador have accused Correa of grandstanding, by offering asylum to a known whistleblower in an effort to deflect criticism he faces for closing several radio and television networks across Ecuador, ahead of presidential elections this fall. source (via • follow)
If the measure announced in the British official communication is enacted, it will be interpreted by Ecuador as an unacceptable, unfriendly and hostile act and as an attempt against our sovereignty. It would force us to respond. We are not a British colony.Ricardo Patino, Foreign Minister of Ecuador • In a televised statement, confirming reports that UK officials have threatened to storm the Ecuadorian embassy in London to arrest Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. A UK Foreign Office spokesman did not confirm or deny the allegations, instead choosing to reiterate the UK’s legal obligation to extradite Mr. Assange. “Throughout this process we have drawn the Ecuadorians’ attention to relevant provisions of our law… [including] the legal status of diplomatic premises in the UK,” said the spokesman, adding, “We are still committed to reaching a mutually acceptable solution.” source (via • follow)
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New developments have emerged regarding the possiblity of Julian Assange receiving asylum from Ecuador. We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available. source
Update: ABC Australia has issued a statement to clarify their initial report, regarding Julian Assange’s asylum, to say that Ecuador wants to extend the offer but can’t because Assange can’t be guaranteed safe passage.
The NYT’s epic lede about the Olympics spectacle put on by the United Kingdom tonight, clearly written by someone who has no idea how to explain what in the heck they just saw.
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At noon London time on July 12, 2012, Britain will slip silently into a new era of radio history.
At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - will transmit its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London.
For more than 70 years the art-deco building was the beating heart of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s overseas service and a bastion of press freedom around the world.
From here King George V addressed the Empire in 1932, Charles de Gaulle defied the Nazis, and legions of emigres sent news in dozens of languages to the unmistakeable introductory strains of Lilliburlero, its signature tune.
All things must end. Some great history here.
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