UK authorities criticized by Spain over missing Spaniard in London terror attack

UK authorities criticized by Spain over missing Spaniard in London terror attack

Spanish citizen Ignacio Echeverría was last seen trying to fight off several attackers
in the act of stabbing a woman in Borough Market on Saturday. He died a hero, but his family only received confirmation five days later... read more

Watch female cyclist exact perfect revenge on catcalling van driver

A concerned motorcyclist saw the man hitting on the woman cyclist and caught the whole sexist incident on viral video.

The woman in question was first seen standing on Goodge Street in central London, waiting to cross the street. A silver colored van was stopped next to her. The GoPro on a motorcyclist’s helmet caught the sound of the driver and passenger of that van harassing and catcalling the female cyclist. The driver can be heard shouting at her, asking if she wants his phone number.

The woman, obviously upset by the driver’s attentions, seems to slap the side of the van, as the rider of the motorcycle (filming the incident) pulls up behind her at the lights. The driver can be heard responding to her by telling her to not be like that, while the woman in no uncertain terms tells him to go away. 

What charm school did you attend?

The driver is then heard to respond to her saying that wasn’t very ladylike and asking her which charm school she attended. He went on to say her parents should get their f****** money refunded. The woman then shouts at the driver again (which is unclear on the video) and he immediately responds by saying, “Shut up you old dog,” and asking her if she was on her period. He then reached out of the van window in an attempt to touch her shoulder, again asking her to give him her number. In response to this, the woman is caught on camera shrugging him off and giving the man the finger as he drives away.

The chase is now on

As the van pulls away, the female cyclist and the motorcyclist who is filming the whole thing, all head in the same direction, turning on to Chenies Street. As the van pulls up in the street, the woman suddenly stops next to it. She quickly rips off the driver’s side wing mirror, before dropping it casually in the middle of the road and cycling away. The motorcyclist then drives past the driver, who is seen getting out of his van, and he can be heard telling him that was exactly what he deserved and called him “scum.” It seems hell hath no fury like a catcalled female cyclist!

Real or fake?

According to a report by the Independent, there are no further details available and they were unable to find out more information about the woman, the driver or the person making the video. The Evening Standard reported that some media outlets had interviewed passersby, who said the whole incident appeared to have been staged. They also quoted Paul Beiboer of Jungle Creations, who licensed the video, as saying his company didn’t create the video and while they couldn’t verify its authenticity, they don’t believe it is fake.

You can watch the action as it happened in the video included below. 

London police seek hypnotist thief (CCTV video)

Scotland Yard has released a video showing a man using a hypnosis technique to rob a north London shop owner. In the CCTV footage released by police, a man can be seen entering an off license in Highgate.  

He then approaches the owner and apparently tells him his wife is pregnant and that she needs some bottled water, in the process putting him into some kind of trance.

The man can then be seen touching first the stomach and then the shoulder of the shopkeeper, apparently mimicking a pregnant woman.  These actions appear to leave the shopkeeper in some kind of trance.

We can then see the man reaching inside the shopkeeper's pockets, removing some money, while the man "remained motionless and unable to resist the robbery taking place", according to the Met Police.

As the alleged thief leaves the store, the shopkeeper seems to snap out of the trance and starts walking after the suspect.

According to Detective Sergeant Dave Bullock of the Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit in Haringey, the victim was momentarily unaware of what was happening to him.  It seems the distraction techniques worked as the shop owner had an amount of money taken from his pocket.

While faces are blurred out in the video, police do ask anyone who might recognize the suspect, or have been a victim in a similar crime, to contact them.  They say the suspect is approximately 30-35 years old, is approximately 5ft 8ins tall and of slim build, has an Eastern European appearance with short black hair.  He was wearing dark jeans with a grey polo shirt and black bomber jacket with white writing on the back, just below the collar.

London 24 gave the following contact details for anyone with any information:

If you have any information about the theft contact the Met’s Incident Room on 0203 2763158 quoting reference CRIS 2820756/14, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

World's Tallest & Shortest Men meet in UK for Guinness Anniversary (Video)

It was a true case of the long and the short of it when the World Tallest man met up with the World's Shortest on Thursday as part of a special event to mark the 60th anniversary of the Guinness World Records.

The World's Tallest man is Sultan Kösen who hails from Turkey and reaches an impressive 8 foot, 3 inches (2.51 meters) in height. In the video we see him shake hands with the World's Smallest Man, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, who hails from Nepal and measures in at 21.5 inches (54.6 centimeters) tall.

When Kösen achieved his record he said he never imagined he would be in the book.  "I dreamed about it, but it was still a huge surprise," he said.

According to the Daily Mail, Dangi is the same size as six cans of baked beans, stacked on top of each other.

It seems smallness is in the family as three of his five brothers were under four feet tall.  However his two sisters and the other two brothers are of an average height.

Viral Vid: Cutest dog having fun in a water fountain

It happened outside Central St Martins College in Kings Cross, London.  Martha Bellingham was on her way to work at the College when she spotted this dog "dancing" and generally having fun in the water fountains outside. 

She says, "It is amazing how animals have the ability to teach humans to enjoy the simple pleasures in life."  It seems quite a few humans have simple pleasure from the video, as it gradually goes viral.

Video: Fireworks around the world celebrate the entry of 2013

As the world turned, bringing 2013 to each country, fireworks lit the sky in incredible displays. Despite austerity, many major cities represented in the video offered pyrotechnic extravaganzas. Let us hope for peace and prosperity in the new year.

While the video does not clearly label each city, in most cases it is easy to recognize which one is being represented.

Read more and watch video: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/340251

Assange's full Christmas address from Ecuadorian embassy, London

WikiLeaks founder and editor, Julian Assange, gave a Christmas address to his supporters on Thursday evening from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London. 

Marking the six month anniversary of his stay in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where Assange first sought, and later received diplomatic asylum from Ecuador, a crowd was out in the street waiting for his speech. 

His first words were, "Good evening, London, what a sight for sore eyes," as he viewed the crowd gathered in front of the embassy. He thanked his supporters worldwide for their help and for the support of WikiLeaks and its aims and referred to other journalists and whistleblowers who are currently in a much worse situation that he, including Nabeel Rajab, Bradley Manning, Jeremy Hammond and Godfried Svartholm. 

The full transcript can be read here.

Assange to run for seat in Australian Senate, WikiLeaks party

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has said that he intends to run for a seat in the Australian Senate in the 2013 federal election, and plans to form a WikiLeaks party. Another interview speaks of his health and the financial blockade of WikiLeaks.

Assange made the announcement from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he has been holed up for six months to avoid extradition to Sweden and possibly the US. 

Assange told Fairfax Media that his plans to register the WikiLeaks political party were “significantly advanced” and added that “a number of very worthy people admired by the Australian public” have expressed their availability to run for election on the party ticket.. read more and listen to interviews.

Assange: 'Entire nations intercepted in total web surveillance'

RT's Laura Smith held an exclusive interview with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. They discussed his new book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, and Internet security as a whole.

While WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange has been ensconced in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, awaiting the chance to gain safe passage out of the country, he has been busy. 

 

He has completed and now published a book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, talking about Internet freedom and security and how to protect them... read more and watch interview.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/338015#ixzz2Dho2g000

RT's Laura Smith held an exclusive interview with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. They discussed his new book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, and Internet security as a whole.

While WikiLeaks founder, Assange has been ensconced in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, awaiting the chance to gain safe passage out of the country, he has been busy. He has completed and now published a book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, talking about Internet freedom and security and how to protect them.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/338015#ixzz2DhoDFFHq

RT's Laura Smith held an exclusive interview with Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. They discussed his new book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, and Internet security as a whole.

While WikiLeaks founder, Assange has been ensconced in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, awaiting the chance to gain safe passage out of the country, he has been busy. He has completed and now published a book, Cypherpunks - the Freedom and Future of the Internet, talking about Internet freedom and security and how to protect them.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/338015#ixzz2Dho2g000

Streaker climbs statue in central London and poses for 3 hours

Braving a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius, the man climbed the statue of Prince George in Whitehall, London, took off his clothes and proceeded to pose naked, waving at onlookers.

The incident, which happened at midday, brought London's traffic to a standstill for around three hours, as police feared the man might pose a security risk.Described as an inconspicuous man in his thirties or forties, he clambered up the bronze statue of Prince George, the Victorian-era commander-in-chief of the British Army, which is outside Whitehall, and houses the UK government and Ministry of Defence.

Striking various provocative poses, he even climbed on top of the feathered bicorne worn by the general, and attracted crowds of onlookers, taking photos with their mobile phones.

The incident attracted a response team of four police cars, two fire trucks, and four mounted policemen, who blocked off the area within 100 meters of the statue. This forced government employees to enter their buildings through alternative routes.

Eventually, after three hours, professional negotiators managed to urge the man to climb down. He was then detained under the Mental Health Act.

More images of the streaker can be viewed on RT.  Watch video of the incident at: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/337569#ixzz2D8DAaXV8

Braving a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius, the man climbed the statue of Prince George in Whitehall, London, took off his clothes and proceeded to pose naked, waving at onlookers.

The incident, which happened at midday, brought London's traffic to a standstill for around three hours, as police feared the man might pose a security risk. Described as an inconspicuous man in his thirties or forties, he clambered up the bronze statue of Prince George, the Victorian-era commander-in-chief of the British Army, which is outside Whitehall, and houses the UK government and Ministry of Defence. Striking various provocative poses, he even climbed on top of the feathered bicorne worn by the general, and attracted crowds of onlookers, taking photos with their mobile phones. The incident attracted a response team of four police cars, two fire trucks, and four mounted policemen, who blocked off the area within 100 meters of the statue. This forced government employees to enter their buildings through alternative routes. Eventually, after three hours, professional negotiators managed to urge the man to climb down. He was then detained under the Mental Health Act. More images of the streaker can be viewed on RT.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/337569#ixzz2D8D7rm1J

Ecuador 'gravely concerned' about health of Assange

Julian Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy since June, has been granted political asylum by Ecuador, but the UK will not grant him safe passage to leave the country. Now his health is suffering.

After losing his appeal against extradition to Sweden for questioning on alleged sex-related charges, Assange entered the Ecuadorian embassy in London, seeking political asylum in that country. It was feared that should he be extradited to Sweden for questioning, he would then be sent on to the US on charges of espionage, over the release of sensitive diplomatic cables which have both angered and embarrassed the US government. 

Despite the fact that Ecuador granted asylum to Assange in August, the UK will not grant him safe passage to travel out of the country. UK officials would arrest Assange should he step outside the door. 

The Ecuadorian embassy in London is about the size of an apartment, and Assange has a small room to himself. His health is now suffering, possibly from confinement in such a small space. 

A senior Ecuadorian diplomat says that Assange's health is deteriorating, and that he should be given safe passage out of the country's London embassy should it decline further. Vice Foreign Minister, Marco Albuja Martinez told RT in an exclusive interview, “We have officially asked the UK for safe passage. But we are concerned that while UK authorities mull over the decision, Julian Assange’s health may break down completely.”  

News.com.au reports Martinez as saying, “Assange has grown noticeably thinner and we are very concerned about his health,” Martinez said. “If he falls ill we will have to choose between two alternatives – to treat Assange at the embassy or hospitalize him.” 

The news service also reports that Ecuador has requested a document from the UK Government, guaranteeing his safe passage to hospital and back to the embassy without arrest; but that no reply has yet been received. 

“We will not put pressure on them and will patiently await an answer,” Martinez said. 

However, a statement from the UK Foreign office reads, "Ecuador have not told us that Mr Assange is ill. However, were they to do so, we would consider the matter."  

While Martinez did not specify the medical problems involved, he did note that Assange had lost weight and said that denying him proper facilities for treatment would be “an issue of human rights.” 

Recent photos of Assange show that the 41-year-old is looking pale and gaunt, as with the image above of his recent speech to the UN General Assembly, and he has complained of a "racking cough." He does, however, exercise daily with a personal trainer, who is an ex-Special Forces soldier and fellow-whistleblower.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/335474

100,000 protesters hit the UK streets protesting austerity (videos)

It was the UK's turn to hit the streets on Saturday in protest against austerity measures and budget cuts. Tens of thousands participated with a wide range of different groups involved. 

Amidst cries of "Pay your taxes", more than 100,000 protesters poured into the streets of London, Belfast and Glasgow, angry at the Government's austerity measures which they say are killing Britain. 

Protesters were blowing whistles, waving flags and banners, reading ‘Cameron has butchered Britain’, ‘cut war not welfare’, and ‘need before greed’. 

The protest was led by a group of unemployed young people, nurses, teachers and off-duty policemen, along with anti-war activists and politicians. In all three demonstrations (London, Glasgow and Belfast), there was a strong trade union presence... read more and watch videos.

Thousands of Muslims tell Google take down 'Innocence of Muslims''

In ongoing protests over the YouTube video, "Innocence of Muslims", thousands of Muslims protested outside Google's UK headquarters, saying they now live in an "age of mockery".

Reportedly the video "Innocence of Muslims" is still available on YouTube in the United Kingdom, and around 10,000 Muslims have traveled to London from various parts of the country to protest against this. 

This is the first of a series of organized attempts to demand that YouTube, which is a subsidiary of Google, take down the offending video, which has caused outrage worldwide. Protesters say that they will continue until their demand is met.

The demonstrators chanted that the video is "hateful and offensive" and that Muslims now live in an "age of mockery", and carried posters and banners reading, ‘Google Supports Terrorism’ and ‘Freedom of Speech = hatred to Muslims?’ Others read, 'We love our prophet more than our lives' and 'Prophet Muhammad is the founder of freedom of speech.'

Masoud Alam, organizer of the rally, told the Telegraph, "Until it is banned we will keep protesting. This is not freedom of expression; there is a limit for that. This insult of the Prophet will not be allowed.” Alam said that the group's next action will be a "a million strong" march, which would take place in Hyde Park "in the next few weeks." 

According to The Sun, a YouTube spokesperson said: "We work hard to create a community everyone can enjoy and which also enables people to express different opinions.

"This can be a challenge because what's OK in one country can be offensive elsewhere. This video - which is widely available on the Web - is clearly within our guidelines and so will stay on YouTube." 

The YouTube-published trailer for the film "Innocence of Muslims" sparked unrest throughout the Arab world, after it was brought into notice by an Egyptian TV presenter last month. While it is unclear whether the full length film even exists, the protests have continued, even spreading to European and other non-Arab countries.

Read more and watch a video of the protest at: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/334871