New York Biker 'Gang Attack': Officer Probed

Police are investigating whether an undercover officer witnessed a violent confrontation between an SUV driver and a biker gang in New York and did not immediately report it.

The official said the officer came forward several days after last Sunday's videotaped attack on a black Range Rover in Manhattan in which the driver Alexian Lien was left needing stitches on his face.

New York Police Department spokesman John McCarthy confirmed that a detective was stripped of his gun and badge pending the outcome of an internal probe.

It came as two more motorcyclists were taken into police custody over the altercation.

Robert Sims, 35, of Brooklyn, has been charged with gang assault, weapons possession and other offences while another Brooklyn man was detained on Friday but has not been charged.

Police said the bikers stopped the car on a highway, attacked the vehicle, then chased Mr Lien and pulled him from the car after he ploughed over motorcyclist Ed Mieses while trying to escape.

Mr Lien was allegedly beaten up by the group but his wife and young child, who were also in the car, were unhurt.

Two other bikers were charged previously, though the case against one was dismissed.

The other suspect Christopher Cruz, 28, of New Jersey, has already been charged with reckless driving and unlawful imprisonment. Cruz's lawyer has denied all allegations.

The New York incident was caught on a helmet-mounted camera worn by a biker and was posted online anonymously.

A video captured the moment as about two dozen riders slowed down, swarming the SUV and blocking its path. Some got off their bikes and approached the vehicle.

Police said a number of them began damaging the Range Rover.

Mr Mieses, the biker who was hit by the SUV as it sped away, may never be able to walk again, his wife Dayana said.

He suffered broken legs, fractured ribs and spine injuries, according to his family.

At least one other biker was injured in the incident.

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Madonna Reveals She Was Raped At Knifepoint

Madonna has revealed she was held at knifepoint and raped at the beginning of her music career.

The American pop star, who grew up in Rochester, Michigan, recounts the horrifying ordeal in November's issue of Harper's Bazaar.

She tells of her move in the 1970s to New York City, "which did not welcome me with open arms".

"The first year, I was held up at gunpoint," she writes. "Raped on the roof of a building I was dragged up to with a knife in my back, and had my apartment broken into three times. I don't know why; I had nothing of value after they took my radio the first time."

But while she was "scared s***less and freaked out" by some aspects of the city, she remained "defiant" and hell-bent on surviving and on making it.

"It was hard and it was lonely, and I had to dare myself every day to keep going," she says.

In the article for the magazine's "Daring Issue", she describes her early years as a "rebel" and nonconformist, who "did the opposite of what all the other girls were doing" and turned herself into a "man repeller".

She was considered "strange" and her unpopularity and lack of social life led to her decision to move to the Big Apple to become "a real artist" and "express myself in a city of nonconformists".

She also recalls her time in England, married to director Guy Ritchie: "It wasn't easy for me. Just because we speak the same language doesn't mean we speak the same language.

"I didn't understand that there was still a class system. I didn't understand pub culture. I didn't understand that being openly ambitious was frowned upon.

"Once again I felt alone. But I stuck it out and I found my way, and I grew to love English wit, Georgian architecture, sticky toffee pudding, and the English countryside. There is nothing more beautiful than the English countryside."

Her essay ends back in New York: "Ten years later, here I am, divorced and living in New York. I have been blessed with four amazing children.

"I try to teach them to think outside the box. To be daring. To choose to do things because they are the right thing to do, not because everybody else is doing them."

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Adam Jones: Appeal To Free 'Kidnapped' Boy

The mother of a British schoolboy allegedly abducted in Qatar has appealed to the country's new Emir to free her son.

Adam Jones, 13, was allegedly taken by his dead father's family in Doha in 2009 and has been kept a "virtual prisoner" since then.

He has written two letters to David Cameron begging for his help and asking whether the Prime Minister has forgotten about him.

Speaking to Sky News, on the fourth anniversary of his alleged kidnapping, his mother Rebecca urged Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to allow her to be reunited with her son.

She said Sheikh Tamim - who became Qatar's new Emir in June - had discussed her son's case with Mr Cameron in the past few weeks, and described it as "a very good start".

Rebecca, speaking in Bahrain, told Sky News: "I'd like to thank the Qatar Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for considering this case and talking to the Prime Minister, and I'd like to make a personal plea to him today to release my son.

Adam's mother Rebecca desperately wants to be reunited with her son

"He is suffering on a day to day basis.

"Taking into consideration what Adam has gone through over the last four years - which no child should have had to go through - I honestly believe that Adam should be released immediately.

She said she has "exhausted all legal avenues" to be reunited with Adam - who lives with his uncle under the custody of his 80-year-old grandmother - and "is now at breaking point".

"For the past four years Adam has been a virtual prisoner in Qatar," she said.

"He has no life realistically...He has no freedom, he is kept inside most of the time, not allowed any friends, not allowed a proper education.

"But most of all he's not allowed the freedom to speak with his family - his mum, his sister, his grandmother...It's a tragic situation that basically he is now at breaking point."

Adam on his 10th birthday before he went to Qatar (Pic: Bring Adam Home)

She added: "In recent months, Qatar has been under a lot of negative press about the rights in Qatar, and I think this is a very good opportunity for the Emir to show the world that serious consideration is being taken in our case and that they are a country that are more compassionate and merciful, and that they do care about human rights.

"David Cameron made a promise to my son two years ago and that promise still hasn't been kept.

"I think the Qatar Emir has promised to get Adam back in court before the end of the year. I think it's now a chance for David Cameron to press this and make it a priority and to have an aggressive action plan to make sure that happens."

A No 10 spokesperson told Sky: "We understand how incredibly difficult it is for Rebecca Jones to be separated from her son.

"The Prime Minister raised this case with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, when they met last month and they agreed to work together on a solution.

"The Prime Minister believes that it is important that the child's views are taken into account as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and consular staff stand ready to support Ms Jones as she takes this to court."

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Chloe Kinsella: Missing Teen's Body Identified

Police have confirmed that a body found in a river in Ireland is that of missing teenager Chloe Kinsella.

The 15-year-old's body was recovered from the River Shannon at Brown's Quay in the Thomondgate area of Co Limerick, a short distance from her family home.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place on Saturday at University Hospital. Officers do not suspect foul play.

The teenager's uncle Matthew Franklin told the Irish Independent: "As far as we know, there was nothing wrong with Chloe. It just all of a sudden came on top of her."

He appealed to anyone troubled and under pressure in their lives to seek help.

Chloe's body was found near to where she lived in Limerick

"Live your lives, just relax and be happy ... because if it gets out of hand, we'll have another tragedy on our hands ... If the pressure gets to you, just go and seek help."

Paying tribute to Chloe he added: "She was just a lovely little child. She passed my house every morning and hugged my little seven-year-old daughter. And now she's gone. I can't believe it."

Her sister Linsey Kinsella, who led an online campaign to help find the teenager, told the newspaper: "I never thought I'd be seeing this day.

"Chloe, I was waiting for you to come home or even ring my phone. Thanks to everyone who helped to find her. She never knew how much she was really loved."

The Limerick Leader reported that there were emotional scenes at a community centre in the city on Friday where many had gathered and heard the news.

Relatives, friends and volunteers had been helping with the search effort since Chloe went missing from her home in Kenyon Avenue, Kileely, Limerick, a week ago.

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Norfolk: Hospital Worker Held Over 'Murder'

A hospital staff member has been arrested for murder after a patient died from a suspected drug overdose in Norfolk.

James May, 76, from Great Yarmouth, died at the James Paget Hospital, in Gorleston, on September 20.

An allegation of medical malpractice in connection with his death was reported to police 10 days later.

Officers arrested a member of the hospital's medical staff, a middle-aged man, on suspicion of murder on Saturday morning. He remains in police custody.

Mr May died from heart failure according to a post-mortem examination carried out at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on Wednesday.

Police are waiting for the results of further toxicology tests, which they say will help their murder investigation.

The hospital called police after investigating Mr May's death

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Durham, leading the inquiry, said: "We are investigating an allegation that a drugs overdose was administered to a patient, leading to his death.

"We understand that this news may generate concern and it's important for us to underline that our investigation, which is still at an early stage, is based on a single report of an isolated incident and that the hospital trust is co-operating fully with the investigation. "

Mr May's family have been informed and are being supported by Police Family Liaison Officers. It is understood he was admitted to hospital the day before he died.

In a written tribute to local newspaper The Eastern Daily Press, friends of Mr May wrote: "You were one in a million and will be sadly missed. Sleep peacefully."

Mr May died at the hospital in Great Yarmouth two weeks ago

Christine Allen, chief executive of James Paget University Hospitals trust, said doctors called in police after an internal investigation into Mr May's death.

"Our thoughts are with the family of this patient at what is a very difficult time," she said. "Our priority is patient safety and we understand that this news will cause concern. At this time, we believe it is an isolated incident and relates to the alleged action of a single member of staff.

"The member of staff against whom the allegation has been made is absent from the Trust and will not return until the investigation is completed.

"Throughout this difficult period, the James Paget University Hospital will continue to provide the best possible care to our patients and we are fully co-operating with the police."

:: Police said anyone with concerns can contact Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team on 01953 424533 or 424528.

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Man Who Set Himself On Fire In Washington Dies

A man who set himself on fire in a part of Washington DC close to the US Capitol has died of his injuries.

Officer Araz Alali said the man died on Friday night at a hospital in the capital after being airlifted there with life-threatening burns.

He said the man was so badly burned that he will need to be identified through DNA and dental records.

Witnesses said on Friday they saw the man pour a red canister of petrol over his head and then set himself on fire.

Witness Vanessa Sink wrote on Twitter: "Just witnessed the craziest thing ever ... a man set himself on fire and danced down the Mall.

"A runner and passerby put the flames out. I didn't see him light the match, but I saw the flames engulf his body. It was incredible."

A dog checking the scene afterwards. Pic Vanessa Sink/@LiveMusicGirl

She said the man had been picked up by a helicopter and transported to a medical facility.

The incident happened just after 4.20pm EST (9.20pm UK time) on Friday in a part of Washington DC called the National Mall, between Capitol Hill and the White House.

It comes during a period of heightened tension in the capital, a day after a woman was shot for trying to ram her way into the White House and Capitol grounds and weeks after 12 people were shot at the Washington Navy Yard.

DC police spokeswoman Saray Leon said: "We have a report of a man on fire at 7th and Independence."

She said the man had been "conscious and breathing" when firefighters responded.

It is believed a police officer with the city's Metro Police attempted to help put out the blaze.

A dog was seen checking the scene with a police handler afterwards.

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Ireland Votes Against Abolishing Senate

By Vicki Hawthorne, Ireland Correspondent

People in Ireland have voted to keep their upper house of parliament following a referendum on its proposed abolition.

Voters went to the polls yesterday to vote in two referenda, one on whether the Senate (Seanad) should be abolished after the next general election in 2016.

The final result was very close with a 'No' vote (against abolition of the Senate) of just 51.73%. The 'Yes' vote was 48.27%.

The rejection of the proposed abolition of the upper house is a surprise and a body blow to the Irish Government.  

Before it came to power, the main governing party, Fine Gael, promised a referendum on the issue. 

Party leader and Prime Minister Enda Kenny was the main driving force for abolition and had argued that the upper house costs too much money and is inefficient. 

The cost of the Senate became the main talking point of the campaign in the weeks leading up to the vote. 

The outcome is a blow for Prime Minister Enda Kenny

Enda Kenny claimed scrapping the Senate would save €20m (£17m) a year.

Those against the abolition argued that the figure would be much less.

The Senate has 60 senators and is loosely based on the House of Lords in the UK. 

Members can be nominated by the Prime Minister or special panels of academics and politicians. 

The Irish Government supported the 'Yes' campaign for the abolition of the upper house. 

Unusually, most of the main political parties including Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Fein came together to campaign for a 'Yes' vote.

The main opposition party, Fianna Fáil, campaigned for a 'No' vote.

A second referendum on the establishment of a Court of Appeal was also held yesterday. 

Turnout for the vote was low, as many had predicted

There is currently a High Court and a Supreme Court in Ireland, and the 'Yes' campaign argued that a Court of Appeal should also be created.

Supporters say it would cut the backlog of cases currently waiting to be heard in the Supreme Court.

The campaign leading up to the referenda had been somewhat slow and voters seemed disengaged. 

The Irish Prime Minister was criticised for not taking part in a televised debate with other party leaders on the referenda issues in the weeks leading up to the vote. 

Predictions of a low turnout were correct, with a voter turnout of less than 39.17%.

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Al Shabaab: 'Western Forces Strike In Somalia'

Western forces - believed to be American - have carried out a raid on al Shabaab fighters inside Somalia, it has been claimed.

A resident of Barawa - a seaside town 110 miles south west of Mogadishu - said fighting erupted just before dawn.

Western forces carried out the raid by arriving on the town's beach while it was still dark, an al Shabaab spokesman said.

Officials told the Reuters agency the target had been a Chechen leader of the extremist network, which is based in Somalia.

Al Shabaab said one of its militants was killed, but it is not known if the mission's aim was achieved.

The strike comes exactly two weeks after al Shabaab militants attacked Nairobi's Westgate Mall, a four-day terrorist assault that killed at least 67 people in neighbouring Kenya.

The leader of Al Shabaab, Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr, also known as Ahmed Godane, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was in retaliation for Kenya's military deployment inside Somalia.

The Barawa resident who spoke to the Associated Press said that heavy gunfire woke up residents before dawn prayers.

An al Shabaab fighter who gave his name as Abu Mohamed said "foreign" soldiers attacked a house, and fought their way inside.

One of the gunman in the Kenyan shopping centre attack

It prompted militants to rush to the scene in an attempt to capture a foreign soldier. Mohamed said no foreign forces were seized.

A Somali intelligence official also said the strike was carried out by a foreign military. Somalia's army does not have the capability to carry out a stealth night-time strike.

Sky's correspondent Alex Crawford said she had spoken to a "high-level source" in Somalia who said he believed it was carried out by American forces.

A Western intelligence official said it appeared likely that either US or French forces carried out the attack.

In Washington, Pentagon spokesman George Little declined to comment. A French government spokesman said its army had not been involved, but did not comment on its navy.

The British Ministry of Defence said there was no UK involvement.

Many Western militaries have warships that ply the waters off Somalia to keep piracy in check.

Another resident of Barawe, who gave his name as Mohamed Bile, said militants in Barawe closed down the town in the hours after the assault, and that all traffic and movements had been restricted.

He said militants were carrying out house-to-house searches to track down who it was that gave the foreign forces the information.

"We woke up to find al Shabaab fighters had sealed off the area," Mr Bile told AP. "The town is in a tense mood."

In September 2009 a daylight commando raid carried out by Navy SEALs in Barawa killed six people.

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Kenya Mall Massacre Gunmen Are Named

Four of the gunmen involved in the Kenya mall attack have been named, as police say the number who took part is fewer than first thought.

A Kenyan military spokesman gave their names as Abu Baara al-Sudani, Omar Nabhan, Khattab al Kene and Umayr.

The men all died in the attack that began on September 21, say officials.

Al Qaeda-linked Somali-based militant group al Shabaab said it carried out the gun and grenade assault in retaliation for Kenya's military operations inside Somalia.

Al Sudani, from Sudan, was the leader of the group inside the mall and had been trained by al Qaeda, said Kenyan military spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir.

Abu Baara al Sudani is said to have been the group's leader

He was described as "an experienced fighter and sharpshooter".

Nabhan, a Kenyan of Arab origin, was born in Mombasa and travelled to Somalia with his uncle at the age of 16, said the spokesman.

The third attacker, Al Kene, is said to be Somali from the capital Mogadishu, and is linked to al Shabaab Islamist militants, Major Chirchir said.

Omar Nabhan was born in Kenya and travelled to Somalia as a teenager

The other names of the fourth attacker, Umayr, as well as his nationality and history were "not yet identified", he said.

Al Kene and Umayr are known members of al Hijra, a Kenyan extremist group affiliated with al Shabaab, according to Matt Bryden, former head of the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia.

At least 67 people were killed in September's assault on Nairobi's Westgate shopping centre.

New video has also emerged showing the four named gunmen during the siege.

Khattab al Kene is being linked with an al Shabaab-affiliated group

It shows the heavily-armed attackers walking through a storeroom in the mall and searching other adjacent rooms. 

It is understood that the CCTV pictures captured the gunmen mid-way through the assault - as many of the victims remained terrified and trapped inside the mall.

Kenya's government initially said 10 to 15 attackers were involved in the assault but police now believe between four to six people took part.

Umayr's nationality and history have not yet been identified

"From what we have now that is coming out of the investigation, the number of attackers was between four to six," police chief David Kimaiyo told Kenyan television station KTN.

"None of them managed to escape from the building after the attack," he said.

Kimaiyo also confirmed that wanted British "White Widow" Samantha Lewthwaite - reported to have been one of the attackers - was not involved.

He said: "On Samantha we have also established that she was not part of the attackers in the building. There was no woman."

Al Shabaab has promised more attacks inside Kenya unless the country's troops are withdrawn.

Some of the mall complex collapsed during the three-day siege

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to continue the military mission inside Somalia despite the mall attack.

Mr Kenyatta ordered a commission of inquiry into the attack. The Red Cross says a further 39 people are still unaccounted for.

Meanwhile, Somali al Shabaab militants have claimed foreign forces raided one of its bases in the early hours of Saturday and attacked a house.

Forces landed on the beach at Barawe -110 miles south of Mogadishu - and a gunfight ensued, a spokesman for al Shabaab's military operations, told the Reuters news agency.

Sky's correspondent Alex Crawford said she had spoken to a "high-level source" in Somalia who said he believed it was carried out by American forces.

Pentagon spokesman George Little declined to comment on whether US forces had taken part in the alleged raid.

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Ronaldo: Star's Support For Pitch Invasion Fan

Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo has appealed to a court not to jail a fan who ran on to a pitch to embrace him after he scored a goal.

Ronald Gjoka, 19, went on during an International Champions Cup match between Real Madrid and Chelsea in Miami in August.

Ronaldo, one of the world's highest-paid athletes handled the incident calmly, even chatting with the 19-year-old fan, and telling security officials to take it easy on him before he was taken away.

Gjoka ended up spending the rest of the day and night in cells and has now been charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing.

The Portuguese striker is asking prosecutors to drop charges against the Canadian student who could face immigration problems if the charges are not dismissed.

Ronaldo wrote in a hand-signed letter sent to the prosecutor: "I was playing at Sun Life Stadium last month when a fan entered the field.

Police arrest Mr Gjoka during Real Madrid's match with Chelsea

"We hugged, and we spoke for a while, until security arrived to escort him off the field. He was not aggressive or violent in ANY way.

"I understand your position and the importance of enforcing rules and laws. However, I respectfully request that you and your office reconsider this decision and dismiss the two criminal charges this young man faces," he added.

Gjoka, who attends Palm Beach State Community College, is a long-time Ronaldo fan and was wearing a No.7 Ronaldo shirt when he ran on to the field after his 28-year-old idol scored the second of two goals.

The letter was sent from Ronaldo's lawyers in Portugal after Gjoka's attorney, Richard Hujber of Boynton Beach, contacted them a few weeks after the incident.

"He made my day. I grew up up fatherless and I have looked up to Ronaldo all my life," Gjoka told Reuters. "My adrenalin was running. I just said to myself 'go for it. See if you can jump the barrier and give him a hug'."

"I told him 'Ronaldo, thank you for making my life complete'."

Hujber said Gjoka, who had never been arrested before, realises he made a mistake, but believes he has paid a big enough penalty already after ending up in jail.

Terry Gonzalez-Chavez, a spokeswoman for the state attorney's office in Miami, said: "Although Mr Ronaldo's letter is very nice, it probably has no bearing on the case because it is Sun Life Stadium that is the victim in this case and they are the entity pressing charges." 

Stadium spokesman Jason Jenkins told The Miami Herald: "Generally speaking, these laws are in place to protect the safety of the participants, coaches and sideline personnel by discouraging fans from running onto the field during the course of games." 

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