ISIS expert is blown up along with 3 of his apprentices while booby-trapping a car in Iraq

An ISIS booby-trapping expert died alongside three helpers after a car he was rigging with bombs exploded in his workshop.

Abu Yusuf al-Halab, a Syrian in his forties, was killed in the blast near the town of Tal Afar, reports an Iraq-based news agency.

The man was known as ‘al-mohandis’, Arabic for engineer, according to a source who asked to remain anonymous.

The source told AlSumaria News: ‘Abu Yusuf al-Halabi, a prominent expert of vehicles booby-trapping in Tal Afar, was killed along with three of his aides.

‘This was due to an explosion of a car while booby-trapping it inside a workshop.’

The incident follows the death of an ISIS commander by sniper fire around the same location.

Tal Afar remains an important ISIS stronghold, and is being targeted by the Iraqi state-backed Hashed al-Shaabi militia.

The force recently took Hatra, 80 miles southwest of Mosul, and recapturing Tal Afar is seen as the next step in their campaign.

The ancient city is one of the heritage jewels of Iraq and was damaged by IS after they took over large parts of the country three years ago.

Meanwhile, fighting continues to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second city and ISIS’ last major urban stronghold in Iraq.

According to the UN, more than half a million civilians have been forced to flee their homes since the offensive was launched more than six months ago.

Iraqi forces have made steady progress in west Mosul but the jihadists are expected to make a bloody last stand in the narrow streets of the Old City.

An estimated 400,000 civilians remain trapped in the Old City, making it difficult for Iraqi or US-led coalition aircraft to provide ground troops with air support.

Read more:

Source: ISIS explosive expert is blown up while booby-trapping car | Daily Mail Online

‘Bernie Ecclestone stunted #F1’: New chairman Chase Carey

Carey, who on Friday will mark his 100th day at the helm of F1 following Liberty Media’s takeover, believes Ecclestone’s failure to create a long-term vision has left the sport behind its rivals.

Carey also defended Liberty’s early record in which they have made very few changes to a sport which Ecclestone, 86, transformed from an amateur show into a multibillion-dollar global business.

Carey, the mustachioed-American, made his debut in the paddock at last September’s Singapore Grand Prix before formally taking over from Ecclestone at the turn of the year. Last Sunday’s race in Russia marked his fourth in charge.

‘Day-to-day I find a level of frustration,’ Carey said. ‘It was very much a sport that got into a habit of saying “no” too much.

I want to be saying “yes” to a whole lot more. What is the value of having an idea if the answer to everything you want to do is “no”? All it does is create frustration.

‘There are an array of things that weren’t done that needed to be done. We felt it was a sport that for the last five or six years had really not been managed to its full potential or taken advantage of what was here.

‘All of us make mistakes and nobody is perfect. Bernie took a business from decades ago and sold it for eight billion dollars. He deserves all the credit in the world for what he has done. But in today’s world you need to market a sport. We were not marketing the sport.

‘When you have someone so identified with the sport for such a long period of time there is always going to be some degree of complexity. I will do what I think is right.

‘Bernie’s style was divide and conquer – to keep everything very close – but we want it to be a spirit of partnership in that we compete on the track.

‘The teams, the promoters, Formula One and the FIA all have a shared vision of where we want the sport to go and building it in a way that is healthy for everybody.’

One of Carey’s first moves was to hire Ross Brawn, the British engineering mastermind behind Michael Schumacher’s seven world championships at Benetton and latterly Ferrari, and also Sean Bratches, a former ESPN executive.

The triumvirate have increased the sport’s presence on social media by allowing teams to post short videos to their digital channels, and also called for more guests to be granted access to the exclusive paddock.

MORE: ‘Bernie Ecclestone stunted F1’: New chairman Chase Carey | Daily Mail Online

Better Call Saul s3 ep4 ‘Sabrosito’: Mike the fixer who never fixes

We’ve bitten through to the flesh of Better Call Saul season 3 now, this week’s episode having the intricate plot of a Breaking Bad season 4 episode, albeit one that unfolds at BCS’ trademark measured pace. Jimmy took a back seat this week as Gus Fring made a welcome arrival as one of the season’s main characters, much of the episode being given over to his war with Hector Salamanca.

The cold open took place at a Mexican swimming pool familiar to Breaking Bad fans and saw the return on Don Eladio and his (eventually fatal) penchant for tequila. This wasn’t the only nod to the future, the don being given a t-shirt with a Los Pollos Hermanos logo on the back – literally a marked man.

Did Hank Schrader just make a very subtle return in Better Call Saul?

Upset that Gus was now far outstripping him in meth distribution, Hector made his presence felt at Los Pollos Hermanos, detaining staff and later trying to muscle in on Gus’ operation (I loved the barely perceptible expression change from faintest flicker of a smile to steely deadpan from Fring as his rival walked out). Gus managed to explain away the situation to his staff with a non-sequitur, rousing speech about America, and set about plotting revenge on Hector. It was rare to see such a wicked smile from Gus, much less him swish throwing a tin foil ball into the trash, so we can expect major retribution; Hector’s walking days are definitely numbered.

Mike meanwhile is straddling the Gus and Jimmy storylines, being sent around to Chuck’s house, posing as a repairman and snapping photos of Chuck’s house. He later passed these over to Jimmy along with a mysterious scrap of paper, noting that his favourite part of the job was actually fixing the door the repairman was supposed to.

“It was nice to fix something for once,” he lamented, ever the despondent, morally-conflicted fixer who only ever breaks things.

The episode closed out with Mike returning his payment to Gus because of an unplanned death in the process. Gus respects Mike’s cool-headedness, fastidiousness and the care he take in his job, but appears to have reservations about the fact Mike actually has scruples. As if challenging him, Gus told Mike he didn’t let him kill Hector because “a bullet to the head would have been far too humane”. Giancarlo Esposito has stolen the show this season and you yearn for more Gus-centric scenes – which is good as we seem to be getting them.

Better Call Saul likes to keep its cards close to its chest, but this week was particularly opaque. Kim may have cried “bingo!” just before the credits rolled, but her implied plan certainly wasn’t as clear to viewers as it was to Jimmy. We know Chuck has the tape of Jimmy’s confession “under lock and key”, so did the scrap of paper Mike gave Jimmy bear the combination for Chuck’s safe? Given Jimmy already broke into Chuck’s house, would Chuck not see a safe theft coming? A more interesting question perhaps, is ‘would Kim really get involved with such a straight-up law-breaking plan?’ She doesn’t seem the kind to break bad, but then neither did Skyler…

Source: Better Call Saul season 3 episode 4 ‘Sabrosito’ review and recap: Mike the fixer who never fixes | The Independent

Bomb squad called to police raid in Perth’s south

POLICE claim they had to deal with an “explosive device” during a raid on a house in Perth’s south where  guns, ammunition and drugs were allegedly seized.

Two people were arrested at the Casuarina property on Monday as part of an investigation into the alleged deprivation of liberty and assault of a 21-year-old woman.

The police bomb response unit was called after an improvised explosive device was allegedly found at the front entrance to the property. Police say it was disarmed before they were able to enter the house.

Three people were taken into custody, with police subsequently laying charges against two of them.

It will be alleged firearms, ammunition, drugs and drug paraphernalia were located at the property.

Further inquiries led police to yesterday raid a house in Parmelia where drugs, cash, knuckle dusters and drug paraphernalia were allegedly seized.

Police arrested two people at the property.

A Casuarina man, 36, has been charged with deprivation of liberty and assault occasioning bodily harm.

A 27-year-old Parmelia man was charged with drug supply and possession charges.

Both men are due to appear in Rockingham Magistrates Court on May 4.

A 28-year-old Casuarina man was charged with aggravated possession of a firearm and and 37-year-old Halls Head woman was charged with possessing drugs and breaching bail.

They are due to appear in court on May 8.

Police say further charges are pending.

Source: Drugs, guns cash seized in police raids | Perth Now

The UK Sun mistakenly reports Prince Philip is dead

The Sun newspaper mistakenly published a story reporting The Duke of Edinburgh had died ahead of an emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace.

The Sun posted a story with the headline: ‘Prince Philip dead at 95, how did the Duke of Edinburgh die, etc etc.’

An obituary paying tribute was put online before Buckingham Palace announced The Duke of Edinburgh, who is 95, will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year.

The Sun story read: ‘Prince Philip, otherwise known as the Duke of Edinburgh, was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.

‘He was married to Queen Elizabeth II. The pair had four children together – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.’

Royal sources had said there was ‘no cause for alarm’ about the couple’s health ahead of the meeting.

While the story was swiftly removed from the website, it continued to appear in Google searches.

French media also mistakenly published stories incorrectly announcing Prince Philip had died…

MORE HERE: The Sun mistakenly reports Prince Philip is dead | Daily Mail Online

Terrifying moment packed passenger jet falls 18,000 FEET – before making an emergency landing

A packed tourist plane was involved in a terrifying drama this week when it plummeted some 18,000 feet before making an emergency landing in Crete, with one passenger claiming on social media afterwards that they ‘nearly crashed’.

Panicking passengers claimed the aircraft’s engines had stalled, leading to the rapid loss of altitude, but it was reported later that the crew had initiated an emergency descent due to a problem with cabin pressure.

The Nordwind Airbus A321-200, which was travelling from Greece to St.Petersburg, had climbed to 25,000 feet when the problem arose.

Then, the aircraft fell to 7,000 feet over the Mediterranean before returning to Greece’s Heraklion Airport some 40 minutes after departure.

The incident follows severe turbulence on an Aeroflot flight, this week, when two dozen passengers suffered injuries including broken bones after being ‘spun around like in a washing machine’ as a Boeing 777 was preparing to land in Bangkok.

A shaken passenger on the Nordwind plane, bound for St Petersburg, wrote on social media: ‘Friends, we nearly crashed. To be more precise, we fell about three kilometres.’

In fact, The Aviation Herald reported an 18,000 ft drop – almost 5km – and passengers said that despite reported cabin pressure problems, oxygen masks were not released…

MORE: Terrifying moment Nordwind Airbus jet falls 18,000 feet | Daily Mail Online

Alanis Morissette ex-manager jailed for $US7m theft

A business manager who stole more than $US7 million ($A9.4 million) from Alanis Morissette and others has been sentenced to six years in federal prison and ordered to pay $US8.6 million in restitution.

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, 47, wept and apologised at the hearing on Wednesday, saying he took full responsibility for his behaviour and would have a life of shame because of it.

“I alone am responsible for the devastation,” he said, adding: “I will spend the rest of my life asking for forgiveness.”

He could have faced more than 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax crimes but judge Dolly Gee hewed to sentencing guidelines that suggested around five to six years.

In a victim statement at the hearing, Morissette had urged a stiff sentence, saying Schwartz had stolen her trust and her money for years.

“He did this in a long, systematic, drawn-out and sinister manner” that would have bankrupted the singer within three years had the thefts continued, Morissette said.

Schwartz acknowledged stealing nearly $US5 million from Morissette between May 2010 and January 2014 and more than $US2 million from five unnamed clients when he worked at GSO Business Management, a firm that touted relationships with entertainers such as Katy Perry, 50 Cent and Tom Petty.

Schwartz was a high-flying partner making $US1.2 million a year, according to court papers.

His crimes cost the firm at least $US2 million above what insurance covered, led to layoffs of about a dozen employees, and is expected to cause about $US20 million in financial fallout because of the blow to the firm’s reputation, according to founder Bernard Gudvi.

The embezzlement was discovered by a new money manager Morissette hired.

When the firm was contacted about the apparent theft, Schwartz made “wild accusations” that his former client was in the throes of drug addiction and mentally unstable, Gudvi said.

Schwartz also falsely claimed he invested the money in an illegal marijuana growing business.

Schwartz has blamed the crimes on a gambling addiction but prosecutors said he took the money to finance a lavish lifestyle and never showed sincere regret.

Schwartz had offered financial guidance to some of the biggest stars and was said to represent Beyonce and Mariah Carey, who both appeared at a fundraiser last year in support of a heart disease charity he founded.

Source: Singer’s ex-manager jailed for $US7m theft | Perth Now

Prince Philip to ‘retire’ from royal duties at 95

Prince Philip is to retire from all public royal duties at the age of 95 and ‘has the full support of the Queen’, it was revealed today.

The 95-year-old Duke of Edinburgh’s well-earned retirement was announced at a top secret emergency meeting called by Buckingham Palace today.

It caused fevered speculation around the world about the future of the Queen and her husband – but it has emerged that Philip has decided to end his royal duties.

In a statement Buckingham palace said this morning: ‘His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen.

‘Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying The Queen. Thereafter, The Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.

‘The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.

‘Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the Royal Family.’

The Mail revealed last night that Her Majesty’s most senior aides called her entire household from across Britain to London for a 10am summit ahead of a royal announcement.

But royal sources said that internet rumours about the Queen’s or the Duke of Edinburgh’s health faltering are ‘wide of the mark’ and the couple are ‘fine’.

As speculation swirled yesterday the spokesman refused to say what the meeting is about but added: ‘There’s no cause for alarm’ and the Royal Standard remains at full mast over Buckingham Palace today, meaning there has been no death in the royal family.

The Queen met Theresa May in London yesterday to dissolve Parliament for the General Election and Prince Philip opened a new stand at Lords cricket ground and both looked in rude health. Both have royal engagements in the capital later.

Servants from royal residences across the country have been ordered to London and will be addressed this morning at 10am by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior officer of the Royal Household, as well as Her Majesty’s right-hand man, Private Secretary Sir Christopher Geidt.

Even her longest serving staff were left in the dark about why the meeting was being called but multiple sources said it was ‘highly unusual’ and had sparked fevered talk about an imminent announcement concerning the monarch or her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Royal experts have suggested that it could be that Buckingham Palace is to be closed for a £369million refurbishment and the royal family will move to Sandringham or Balmoral permanently. Others have claimed that Prince Philip could be about to announce his retirement from royal duties.

‘Everyone is on tenterhooks,’ said one.

‘Although meetings involving the entire royal household are occasionally called, the way this has been done at the eleventh hour is highly unusual and suggests that there is something major to be disseminated.

‘But at the moment, only those closest to her genuinely know what on earth this is all about.’

The Queen’s loyal former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said it was unlikely to do with the royal couple’s health.

He tweeted: ‘It could well be about the Buckingham Palace refurbishment’ adding that the meeting was ‘nothing unusual’.

Source: Prince Philip to ‘retire’ from royal duties at 95  | Daily Mail Online

Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft shows incredible view of Saturn

N Korea threatens ‘grave consequences’ for China in rare criticism of neighbour

North Korea’s state media has published a rare criticism of China, saying Chinese state media commentaries calling for tougher sanctions over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme were undermining relations with Beijing and worsening tensions.

A commentary carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) referred to recent commentaries in China’s People’s Daily and Global Times newspapers, which it said were “widely known as media speaking for the official stand of the Chinese party and government.”

“A string of absurd and reckless remarks are now heard from China every day only to render the present bad situation tenser,” it said.

“China had better ponder over the grave consequences to be entailed by its reckless act of chopping down the pillar of the DPRK-China relations,” the commentary said, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

China is North Korea’s neighbour and only major ally and the United States has pressed it to use its influence to rein in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes. Diplomats say Washington and Beijing are negotiating a possible stronger UN Security Council response – such as new sanctions – to North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches.

The KCNA commentary charged that the Chinese articles had attempted to shift the blame to Pyongyang for “deteriorated relations” between China and North Korea and US deployment of strategic assets to the region.

It also accused China of “hyping up” damage caused by North Korean nuclear tests to China’s three northeastern provinces.

Chinese state media calls for North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programme were “a wanton violation of the independent and legitimate rights, dignity and supreme interests” of North Korea and constituted “an undisguised threat to an honest-minded neighbouring country which has a long history and tradition of friendship,” it said…

MORE: North Korea threatens ‘grave consequences’ for China in rare criticism of neighbour | The Independent

Melbourne’s KIIS launch Naked Dating with AWKWARD segment

Billionaire Andrew Forrest daughter Sophia knees a man in the crotch on Love Child

Child bundled into car after having a hood placed over head in kidnapping in Sydney

A child had a hood placed over their head and were bundled into a car, before they narrowly managed to escape, in a terrifying kidnapping attempt this week.

The incident occurred in Sydney’s inner west, at around 8am on Monday.

Further adding to parents’ worries, a primary school student was also approached in a nearby area on Tuesday morning, the Daily Telegraph reports.

While police do not believe the incidents are linked, parents are being warned to be on high alert for anyone acting suspicious.

Sydney Secondary College, in Leichhardt, circulated a note to parents warning them of the incidents.

‘In once case a secondary student had a hood placed on their head and was pushed into a car. Luckily they were able to escape,’ the note began.

All class teachers will be speaking to our students about stranger danger tomorrow.

‘Please speak with your child/ren in regards to remaining vigilant and aware when travelling to and from school, as well as not speaking with strangers if approached.’

Police are currently investigating both incidents, a spokesperson for police media said…

MORE + Source: Sydney schoolchild narrowly escapes attempted kidnapping | Daily Mail Online

Chaos in Sydney after motorcyclist dies on M4 + two police officers are injured…

A motorcyclist has been killed on the M4 in Sydney’s west at Granville following a collision with two trucks (pictured).The male driver died at the scene and the two truck drivers were uninjured.

Moments later a police van and a car crashed nearby at the intersection of the M4 and James Ruse Drive.

Two police officers and the car’s driver were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Citybound traffic banked up nearly eight kilometres as a result of the two crashes.

The eastbound lane is now open on the M4 following the fatal crash, according to authorities

Traffic is still heavy but is expected to start to ease now all lanes open again.

It comes almost a month after a female motorcyclist also lost her life on Sydney’s M4 after a fatal collision with a truck.

The woman died at the scene and the truck driver was uninjured…

Source: Traffic chaos in west Sydney after motorcyclist dies on M4 | Daily Mail Online

Jesinta Franklin flaunts boob tattoo dedicated to Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin

Defenders: Luke Cage, Daredevil, Jessica Jones + Iron Fist take on Sigourney Weaver

Tall black man met Cassandra Sainsbury in hotel before she left with 5.8kg of cocaine

Measles risk for Bali holiday-makers

WEST Australians heading overseas, particularly to Bali, are being warned to make sure they have been vaccinated against measles, following a further case contracted on the island.

WA Health medical epidemiologist Gary Dowse said there had been more than 20 separate importations of measles from Bali to WA since 2013, including seven already this year, which is more than for any other overseas travel destination.

“Unfortunately, it is not unusual for Australians to be infected with measles overseas, including in Bali, but the increase in the number of cases in WA and other States in recent months suggests there is an ongoing measles outbreak in Bali,” Dr Dowse said.

“With high vaccination coverage, naturally occurring measles has been eliminated from WA for around 20 years but occasional cases and small outbreaks still occur – associated with tourists or WA residents who are infected overseas.”

He said every imported measles case was treated as a public health emergency because of the risk of local spread, including to those most vulnerable to infection such as infants too young to be vaccinated, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.

Travellers returning from Bali or other countries who developed a fever with other symptoms – including cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and a rash – within two to three weeks of returning home, should see their doctor.

Dr Dowse said public health staff had also been providing information to people who were potentially exposed to the most recent Bali measles case where they were known, but it was not possible to identify and specifically warn people who were in public places.

People could have been exposed to the recent case at the following locations in Perth, with dates/times as indicated:

• Thursday April 27 – around 3pm at the Coles supermarket in Fitzgerald St, North Perth.
• Friday April 28 – around 8am at the IGA supermarket in 2nd Ave, Mount Lawley.
• Friday April 28 – around 3pm at Vintage Cellars in 2nd Ave, Mount Lawley.
• Saturday April 29 – between 9am and 10.20am at Loftus Recreation Centre in Leederville.
• Saturday 29 April – around 6pm to 7pm at Domino’s Pizza in Beaufort St, Inglewood.
• Sunday 30 April – around 2pm at the Coles supermarket in Guildford Rd, Maylands.

Dr Dowse said anyone who believed they might have measles should call ahead so that they can be isolated when they arrive at the GP surgery or emergency department, to prevent infecting other patients and staff.

Measles is contagious for about four days before and after the development of the rash. Children and adults who have been unwittingly exposed are at risk of developing measles if they are not immune.

Source: Measles risk for Bali holiday-makers | Perth Now

Agent from scandal-hit Delta Airlines ‘smacks’ phone out of 12yo boy’s hand sparking lawsuit

SHOCKING footage shows an angry airline employee “smacking” a phone out a 12-year-old passenger’s hand. The astonishing clip, filmed at New York’s La Guardia Airport, sparked a law suit with the boy’s family suing Delta Airlines.

The incident occurred when the staff member was trying to explain to passengers why their flight to Florida had been delayed for 17 hours.

Matthew Boggan was headed to West Palm Beach with 10 family members on July 1, 2016 when their trip was beset by the nearly day-long delay.

The Boggans say that they were forced to sleep on the floor outside the gate for Delta Flight 2370.

After waiting in the terminal for 12 hours Boggan took his iPhone 6s out of his pocket and started recording the scene on Snapchat.

The lad wanted to film the passengers’ reaction when the uniformed Delta agent made the announcement in the terminal at 7:06am on July 2, his attorney Terrence James Cortelli said.

But as he started recording, a Delta employee approached him and then “smacked” the phone out of his hand, the suit alleges.

“She just came over and hit me,” the schoolboy told The New York Post on Tuesday.

“My phone went flying,” Boggan said. “I was in shock.”

The Delta agent also yelled that it was “illegal” for him the film the scene, the suit says.

In response, passengers started yelling, “this is child abuse,” added Matthew’s father, Brian Boggan, a physical education teacher.

MORE: Shocking moment agent from scandal-hit Delta Airlines ‘smacks’ phone out of 12-year-old boy’s hand sparking lawsuit

This Girl Scout Smiling In The Face Of A Neo-Nazi Is A Total Hero

May we all be as cool, calm and collected in the face of hate.

On May 1, a Girl Scout in the Czech Republic showed us what resistance looks like.

The scout, Lucie, squared off with a neo-Nazi at a far-right rally in Brno, Czech Republic, and ― like many badass women before her ― stayed calm, cool, collected.

The photo, taken by Vladimír Čičmanec, was posted on the World Organization of the Scout Movement’s Facebook page on Tuesday, with a caption about how the Scouts showed up to the march in protest for the far-right to champion peace and diversity in the face of hate.

“People from all walks of life, and #Scouts among them, came to the streets during an extreme right march yesterday, to express their support for values of diversity, peace and understanding,” the caption read.

The photo has since picked up steam on Twitter and Reddit, with many heralding Lucie as “fearless” and “brave.” In the photos below, she’s shown carrying a banner that reads, “”We will raise your children,” a Scout’s motto.

MORE HERE: This Girl Scout Smiling In The Face Of A Neo-Nazi Is A Total Hero