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Uber driver ‘plotted terror attacks to unleash death and suffering’

AN UBER driver allegedly conspired terror attacks on Madam Tussauds, the Gay Pride parade and London tourist buses, a Woolwich Crown Court heard.

Mohiussunnath Chowdhury, 28, allegedly planned to "unleash death and suffering on non-Muslim members of the public" in 2019.


Chowdhury is now facing legal proceedings for engaging in the preparation of acts of terrorism.

The Uber driver from Luton rejected all the allegations and said he was not engaged in the preparation for acts of terrorism.

He is also accused of being in possession of a terror plotter's guide and sharing a video related to Islamic terrorism.

Earlier, Chowdhury was cleared of preparing to commit an act of terrorism at the Old Bailey in December 2018 after waving a sword at cops outside Buckingham Palace,  jurors heard.

Duncan Atkinson, QC, prosecuting, said: “Mohiussunnath Chowdhury was motivated by dreams of martyrdom for the cause of Islam and inspired by Islamist hate preachers.”

"Various potential targets were discussed between the defendant and those he believed to be committed to the same cause and the same forms of violence as himself.

"The targets mentioned included Madam Tussauds in central London, the Gay Pride parade, and an attack on tourists on a London open-top tour bus.

"The object, whichever of those targets was chosen, was to unleash death and suffering on non-Muslim members of the public, who happened to be present, using a firearm, sword and even a van as part of an attack."

Jurors heard that Chowdhury took sword training with his sister and  have taken a firearms training course, and tried to get trained in the use of arms and ammunition.

The sister of the accused, Sneha Chowdhury, 25, is also accused of two charges of failing to notify the government of a possible terror attack.

She has denied two charges of failing to disclose information about terrorism last year.

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Falklands sovereignty row erupts days before King Charles meets Trump

No 10 was quick to respond, with the prime minister's spokesman saying the government "could not be clearer" on its stance

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Falklands sovereignty row erupts days before King Charles meets Trump

Highlights

  • A Pentagon email reported by Reuters suggested the US was considering reviewing its support for UK sovereignty over the Falklands.
  • Downing Street said sovereignty "rests with the UK" and the islanders' right to self-determination is "paramount".
  • Report emerged just three days before King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to meet Trump at the White House.
A report suggesting the US may be rethinking its position on the Falkland Islands has sparked a strong response from Downing Street, coming just days before King Charles and Queen Camilla head to Washington to meet president Donald Trump.
An internal Pentagon email, reported by Reuters, suggested the US was looking at ways to put pressure on Nato allies it felt had not supported its war in Iran.
One of the options discussed was a review of American backing for British sovereignty over the Falklands.
No 10 was quick to respond, with the prime minister's spokesman saying the government "could not be clearer" on its stance.
"Sovereignty rests with the UK and the islanders' right to self-determination is paramount," he told BBC, adding that this had been "expressed clearly and consistently to successive US administrations."
He was firm that "nothing is going to change that."
The Falkland Islands government backed London's position, saying it had "complete confidence" in the UK's commitment to defending its right to self-determination.
Previous US administrations have recognised Britain's administration of the islands but have stopped short of formally backing its sovereignty claim.

Political reaction grows

The report triggered sharp reactions from across British politics. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the reported US position "absolute nonsense", adding: "We need to make sure that we back the Falklands.

They are British territory." Reform UK's Nigel Farage said the matter was "utterly non-negotiable" and confirmed he would raise it with Argentina's president Javier Milei when they meet later this year.

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