ISIS claim cyber attack on French TV network
Hackers claiming allegiance to ISIS cut transmissions to 11 channels of the Paris based TV network, TV5 Monde, also taking over their website and social media accounts on Thursday. The cyber attack on TV5 Monde, which broadcasts to over 200 countries, is thought to be the most complex attack on a media outlet by the group. The hackers, who call themselves Cybercaliphates, left a banner on the media organisation’s website and Facebook page that read “Je SuIS IS”, and posted what they claim to be the ID cards and CVs of French soldiers. The French culture minister called a meeting with French media chiefs to discuss “vulnerable points” and risks within their organisations.
Milan gunman arrested
A lawyer, co-defendant and a judge were killed by a man on trial for a bankruptcy case at the Palace of Justice in Milan, Italy. The 57-year-old suspect, Claudio Giardiello, fired 13 shots before fleeing the courthouse on a motorbike. He was later arrested in Vimercate, a suburb north-east of Milan. The shooting has raised concerns of how the gunman managed to sneak in a weapon through security, which was tightened after France’s Charlie Hebdo attacks. The gunman told police he wanted revenge for those who ruined him.
South Carolina officer had history of excessive force
It has been revealed that Michael Slager, the police officer who was caught on video fatally shooting the unarmed 50-year-old, Walter Scott, had a previous excessive force complaint in 2003. The South Carolina officer, who has since been fired and charged with murder, allegedly threw Mario Givens to the ground, dragged him outside and tasered him after he “threw [his] hands up” during a search of his home – only to find out police were looking for his brother. The Givens case is being re-investigated by police in light of recent events.
Filipino family plead to Widodo for clemency
The family of 30-year-old Philippine national Mary Jane Veloso, who is awaiting execution alongside Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaranin in an Indonesian jail, have written an open letter to Indonesian president Joko Widodo to appeal for her life. Her mother claims that if her daughter was involved with drugs, they wouldn’t be living in a wood shanty in a farm. Veloso, who worked overseas as a maid to provide for her family, was caught with 2.6 kilograms of heroin at Yogyakarta Airport in 2010. While the Mr Widodo has not replied to their appeal, Indonesia’s Attorney General has said that no executions will be carried out until at least April 24, due to an Asia–Africa conference with international delegates visiting the country. – Compiled from web sources by Jion Legaspi
Top screenshot from Tv5 Monde’s Facebook page.
About the author
