My night with the Russian ultras: "We respect the English tradition of hooliganism, but we no longer fear them"

Russia

I met him at a bar in the southeast of Moscow.

Vadim was a founder of Flint's Crew, one of Moscow's most infamous football hooligan firms — or ultras as they now prefer to be called — and I had expected him to be shaven-headed and semi-articulate.

My expectations, though, were confounded. Long-haired and about 40 years old, he wasn't a caricature of those who attacked England supporters inside the Stade Vélodrome in Marseilles on Saturday.

Yet he was as passionate and informed about football hooliganism as some people are about wine or art.

"Strange as it may seem, the first football hooligans in Russia were hippies," Vadim told me over the first of several beers.

"It was in the early 1970s, and anything that guys could get their hands on from the West became immediately fashionable.

Russian 'ultras' attack English and Welsh fans as 'hyper violent' thugs ignore UEFA 'suspended expulsion' from Euro 2016

Chairs were thrown (left) and a supporter was pictured lying on the ground outside a bar (bottom right) in the northern French city on the same day that Russia was fined and threatened with being thrown out of the tournament. Concerns had already been raised about the security of fans as England prepare to take on Wales in Lens on Thursday and Russia play Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday, with the cities just 23 miles apart. Witnesses said a group of Russians (top right) provoked English fans who were in a bar near Lille's central train station this afternoon before chairs were launched through the air. Two Russians have been arrested in the city centre. One masked Russian fan wore a t-shirt with the words 'Tour de France' and 'f**k Euro 2016 on the front - complete with a map of the host nation

Footballer Samuel Eto'o marries long-term partner, Georgette Tra Lou in Italy (photos)

Cameroonian professional footballer, former Barcelona and Chelsea striker, Samuel Eto'o got married today to his long-term partner and mother of his two children, Georgette Tra Lou in a stunning ceremony that took place in Stezzano, Italy. See more photos after the cut...

Killer of French police officer, partner, broadcast incident live on Facebook, source says

The killer of a French police officer and his partner broadcast the scene of the attack live on Facebook Monday night local time, a French source close to the investigation told CNN.
The man who carried out the deadly knife attack in Magnanville, which is 45 kilometers (28 miles) northwest of Paris, was Larossi Abballa, the source told CNN terrorism analyst Paul Cruickshank.
French police officers work at the crime scene.

Police seize 140kilograms of crystal meth worth $80MILLION and bust drug syndicate suspected of supplying bikie gangs

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Police have seized 140kg of crystal meth and busted an international drug syndicate supplying Australia's outlaw bikie gangs.

Four people were arrested after police found $80million worth of methamphetamine in the western Sydney suburb of Rossmore.

The shipment was the result of an 'unusual' co-operation between Mexican and West African organised crime gangs, the Australian Federal Police said.

15 killed in 48 hours in ongoing war between two criminal gangs in Calabar South

At least 15 people have been killed in two days in ongoing war between members of two criminal gangs, the Baggars Confraternity and Mafians, a version of the Klans confraternity in Calabar, according to CrossRiverWatch.

Here are the movie sequels that have bombed at the box office in 2016

Jesse Eisenberg in "Now You See Me 2"Lionsgate

"Now You See Me 2" couldn't muster up the surprise success of its predecessor.

The sequel to the 2013 heist film earned $23 million in its opening weekend, while its original managed a better $29.3 million. That's not a huge difference, but it will be a disappointment to the studio executives who hoped to cash in on love for the first title.

"The Conjuring 2" actually came in first place at the box office this weekend, earning $40.3 million — only 3.6% less than its original.

But most sequels, at least so far this year, have been bombing.

There has long been talk of Hollywood having a "sequel problem" — "sequelitis" as Variety calls it.

There are many to choose from at the theater nowadays. Do you want to watch the latest installment in an ongoing superhero franchise? (Take your pick between "Captain America: Civil War," "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," or "X-Men: Apocalypse.") Or a live-action remake of an old cartoon? (It's a lose-lose with "Alice Through the Looking Glass" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.")

Studios are trying to build the next big Harry Potter or Marvel franchise, but not every film can be "Captain America," which has seen a steady increase in its domestic gross since the first time Chris Evans' Cap graced our screens in 2011.

The FBI director just painted a bizarre picture of the man behind the worst mass shooting in US history

Director of the FBI, James Comey Thomson Reuters

The director of the FBI, James Comey, said Monday that the man who carried out the worst shooting in US history at a gay nightclub in Orlando mentioned links to Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and the Islamic State - all within a three-year span.

"We first became aware of him in 2013, while he was working as a security guard at a local courthouse," Comey told reporters Monday. "He made inflammatory and contradictory statements about terrorism that raised concern with his coworkers, and claimed family connections to Al Qaeda."

He continued: "He then said he was a member of Hezbollah, which is a Shiite terrorist organization that is ideologically opposed to Al Qaeda, a Sunni terrorist organization."

Law-enforcement officials have identified the shooter as 29-year-old Omar Mateen. Comey said he was declining to use his name. Comey said the FBI's Miami office opened up a preliminary investigation into the shooter in 2013 that lasted 10 months.

BREAKING: PDP Crisis: Ali Modu Sheriff storms Wadata plaza to take over power

The immediate past chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party has stormed the Wadata Plaza National Secretariat of the opposition party to take over the affairs of the party.

Mr. Sheriff led his group to storm the secretariat early on Monday morning.

He was however prevented from gaining entrance to the secretariat by security operatives.

Mr. Sheriff was chairman before the party’s national convention held in Port Harcourt bon May 21.

Before leaving the Rivers State capital that day, he announced the cancellation of the convention, citing court orders.

Other leaders of the party however ignored him and went ahead with the convention and also announced his sack and the appointment of a caretaker committee headed by former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu buys N16m PDP Nomination Form | Says “Edo will no longer have a government that will tell our women to go and die”

Former secretary to the Edo State government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has declared his intention to contest the forthcoming Edo governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ize-Iyamu purchased the N16m nomination form at the PDP state secretariat on June 9th, 2016, becoming the first aspirant to do so.

Escorted by a throng of supporters, the aspirant was received at the secretariat by party chairman, Dan Orbih, who advised him to conduct a campaign based on the serious issues affecting the people of the state.

Ize-Iyamu assured the chairman that his conduct will dignify the party at all times.

“The journey to reclaim Edo from the tyrant that has held the state hostage has began,” he said. “We elected a government without vision and agenda. We must change the change that has brought poverty and hardship upon our people”.

Wizkid set to “Break the Internet” with FAB Digital Today

For fans of FAB Magazine who have requested monthly installments of the the magazine, FAB Magazine relaunches on www.fab.ng with it’s first monthly digital experience with the StarBoy, Wizkid on it’s cover.

With 100,000,000,000 (100 billion) stars in the Milky Way, and 100 billion galaxies in the observable Universe, the cover theme is inspired by the StarBoy – Wizkid.

“This is a digital magazine that is better experienced than explained as we have nothing to compare this masterpiece with at the moment,” says Publisher,Familusi Akin Babajide.

New Terror Gang Emerges in Kaduna – Police

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHAIRMAN, SUPREME COUNCIL FOR SHARIA IN NIGERIA, KADUNA STATE CHAPTER, ALHAJI TUKUR ABDULSALAM, (R) SYMPATHIZING WITH THE VICTIM OF AN ATTACK, EMMANUEL FRANCIS BY SUSPECTED MEMBERS OF THE “YAN SHARA” GANG. 4191/12/6/2016/SULEIMAN/HB/NAN

A new deadly gang has surfaced in Kaduna called “Yan Shara” (meaning “Sweepers” in Hausa).

According to PREMIUM TIMES, the Kaduna police have stepped up security following the group’s attacks in the state.

Spokesman of the command Abubakar Zubair in an interview said:

The Kaduna police have all the information about the activities of the gang in some part of the state that include Tudun Wada and Rigasa area and have taken all the necessary steps to bring that to a stop. We never had any other report of such activities from groups like that in recent time.”

RRS nabs ex-convict for robbing foreigners

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command has arrested an ex-convict for allegedly robbing a Portuguese couple in traffic around Ijora, Lagos.
The suspect, Samuel Meme, 22, from Delta, an erstwhile scrap metal collector before venturing into robbery, stated that, he targeted and robbed cars whose occupants are busy using their phones while in traffic.


Meme was arrested on Saturday morning after robbing a Portuguese couple and occupant of another car in traffic at Marine Bridge, Ijora.
In his statement, the suspect said,  

Angry England fans blast lack of police protection after Russian stadium attack

English supporters described terrifying scenes in the Marseille ground and say stewards had to deal with the violence for 10 minutes before police arrived

England fans have told of coming under attack from organised Russian thugs in the stadium at Marseille, demanding: “Where were the police to protect us?”

Russian ultras – hardline supporters driven by violence and a neo-Nazi agenda – had got into Saturday’s Euro 2016 opening match equipped with gloves, gumshields and flares, intent on wreaking maximum chaos.

Some wore England shirts to make it easier to carry out their vicious attacks on unsuspecting fans in the stands of the Stade Vélodrome.

Parents were seen snatching up terrified children and carrying them over anything in their path to safety.

Red Carpet photos from the 2016 Tony Awards

 Lucy Liu, Lupita Nyong'o and a host of other stunning celebrities arrive at the 2016 Tony Awards red carpet at the Beacon Theatre in New York. More

Horrific Orlando nightclub shooting images show aftermath of homophobic terror attack that killed 50

FBI agents investigate near the damaged rear wall of the Pulse Nightclub where Omar Mateen allegedly killed at least 50 people

FBI agents investigate near the damaged rear wall of the Pulse Nightclub where Omar Mateen allegedly killed at least 50 people

Images have emerged showing the scale of the devastation caused by lone wolf gunman Omar Mateen, who murdered 50 and injured 53 in an attack on Orlando gay nightclub Pulse.

The images show forensic officers examing a huge holes punched into the building by bullets and explosives - possibly used as a diversion by a SWAT team who stormed the club and killed Mateen after he took some clubbers hostage

Witnesses described how lone-wolf gunman Mateen, 29, indiscriminately massacred partygoers at the gay nightclub.

One reveller texted his mother: “I’m going to die”, as the maniac–armed with an assault rifle and pistol – made his way into the venue, and claimed at least 50 lives.

Orlando shooting investigators had to block out the sound of mobiles constantly ringing as the bodies lay where they fell.

Man Falls Into Scalding Yellowstone Hot Spring; Nothing Left of His Body to Recover

The search has been called off for the remains of an Oregon man who fell intoone of Yellowstone National Park’s hot springs.

Officials at Yellowstone National Park confirm there is nothing left of the man’s body to recover.

Colin Nathaniel Scott, 23, of Portland, was visiting the park with his sister when the incident happened near the Noris Basin Geyser on Tuesday, CNN reports.

Scott reportedly left the boardwalk and fell into the hot spring, officials say. There are signs warning visitors not to leave the boardwalks for their own safety.

The temperature can top 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the Noris Basin Geyser. The boiling point of water is 212°F.

Officials were cautious about recovering the body due to the searing heat around the hole.

At least 22 park visitors have lost their lives in the hot springs and thermal areas of the park located mainly in Wyoming.

Father of Orlando Gay Nightclub Shooter Omar Mateen Says Son Was ‘Very Angry’ After Seeing 2 Men Kissing; ‘This Had Nothing to Do With Religion’; Deadliest Mass Shooting in U.S. History

MSNBC spoke with the father of the gunman who opened fire inside an Orlando gay nightclub, killing 50 and wounding at least 53 early Sunday.

Omar Mateen’s father apologized for his son’s actions. He said Mateen, 29, was “very angry” after seeing 2 men kissing in downtown Miami months ago.

Kevin Loibl Identified as Singer Christina Grimmie’s Killer

The man who shot and killed The Voice star Christina Grimmie has been identified by police as 27-year-old Kevin Loibl. The shooting occurred at the Plaza Live venue in Orlando at an autograph signing event following Grimmie’s show with the band Before You Exit. There were about 120 people in the theater when the incident took place.

Loibl, who was armed with two guns and a hunting knife, opened fire on the 22-year-old singer before being tackled by Grimmie’s brother Mark. During the struggle, the gunman turned the weapon on himself, committing suicide. There was no known connection between the killer and Grimmie.

This note was found on the shooter’s door on Saturday…

Man who shot and killed Christina Grimmie @TheRealGrimmie is
Kevin James Loibl DOB 03/10/1989 pic.twitter.com/2D7ZIDhXCa

— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 11, 2016

picture of Orlando gunman who killed 50 people after storming inside gay nightclub

Omar Mateen

This is the first picture of a gunman who killed 50 people after storming into a gay nightclub in Florida.

Omar Mateen stormed into the Pulse Club in Orlando, Florida, at about 2am local time today.

He then began shooting at the crowd, killing about 50 people and injuring 53.

Mateen was 29 and was a US citizen who lived in Port St. Lucie.

It is believed he was not on a terrorism watchlist. Police have been investigating possible links to Islamist extremism.

However, it is thought he was being investigated over an unrelated crime.

It has emerged that Twitter accounts linked to ISIS have been celebrating the attack.

Single mum murdered in her bed for an iPhone as her eight-year-old daughter slept next door

Melissa had just moved into a new home with her daughter Hannah

The luxury apartment in a leafy area of Raleigh, North Carolina, was supposed to be a fresh start for Melissa Huggins-Jones and her young daughter Hannah. Melissa, 30, was newly divorced and adjusting to life as a single mum.

She’d chosen the flat as a sanctuary to start again and was comforted knowing it was in a good part of town. But after just two weeks of living there, eight-year-old Hannah ran out onto the street barefoot and crying out, "My mum’s hurt." A concerned construction worker came to her aid, but when he walked into the flat, he was confronted with a truly savage scene.

Little Hannah had woken up to discover her mum had been stabbed and beaten to death in her bed. Just how had Melissa’s new beginning triggered her brutal end?

Covered in blood

Church-going Melissa had moved from Tennessee with Hannah in 2013 after her recent divorce.

Approximately 20 people are dead in 'domestic terror incident' at Orlando nightclub, police say

A shooting rampage at an Orlando nightclub early Sunday created left approximately 20 people dead, including a gunman, Police Chief John Mina said.

Mina said the tragedy began at 2:02 a.m. when a police officer engaged in a gun battle with a suspect outside Pulse, a gay club just south of downtown. A hostage situation then took place and a SWAT team was called in, he said. Police received updates from patrons trapped in the club.

"At about 5 a.m., a decision was made to rescue hostages," Mina said. "Exchanged gunfire with the suspect. He is dead."

Mina said 42 people were transferred to local hospitals. He estimated the death toll at 20, and said about 30 people were rescued.

"Tonight our community witnessed a horrific crime... that will have a lasting effect on our community," a solemn Mayor Buddy Dyer said.

Mina said the gunman was armed with an assault rifle and handgun. Officers from multiple agencies and dozens of emergency vehicles responded to the scene. Orange County Fire and Rescue called for gurneys to move victims from the club.

Ex Super Eagles coach, Shuaibu Amodu laid to rest

 

The technical director of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and Former Super Eagles Chief Coach, Shuaibu Amodu, who died last night after complaining of chest pain, has been laid to rest at his home in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. His family members, Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mohammed Sanusi, Chairman of the Edo Football Association, Frank Ilaboya and others attended his burial.

The late football coach is survived by his wife, 7 children, aged mother and other family members. May his soul rest in peace Amen. More photos after the cut...

Donald Trump's casino business in Atlantic City was a 'protracted failure'

Donald Trump's casinos in Atlantic City were not nearly as successful as the presumptive Republican nominee makes them seem in statements on the campaign trail, according to an investigation by The New York Times.

In an investigative report published on Saturday, the Times found that Trump's casinos were largely financial failures riddled with debt.

One of Trump's Atlantic City casinos, the Trump Plaza Casino and Hotel, is now shuttered, and another one, the Trump Taj Mahal, is under new ownership.

Overall, profits at Trump's Atlantic City casinos "consistently lagged," behind his competitors, according to the Times.

An iconic former Victoria's Secret supermodel just slammed Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner

Stephanie Seymour. Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris

Some people do not respect Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.

Even though the two walked the runway for Victoria's Secret's iconic annual Fashion Show and have secured many high-profile deals, they aren't respected by some of the company's former models.

"They are completely different than we were," Stephanie Seymour, one of the Victoria's Secret models from its earlier days, recently told Vanity Fair. "Supermodels are sort of the thing of the past. They deserve their own title.