Tuesday, September 17, 2013

World News Briefs -- September 17, 2013



Washington Navy Yard Killer Was A Paranoid Insomniac Who 'Heard Voices In His Head': Gunman Begged To Be Treated For Possible Schizophrenia But Navy Didn't Take Away His Security Clearance -- Daily Mail

* Aaron Alexis, 34, the heavily armed gunman who killed 12 people and injured eight at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington D.C. – suffered a host of mental illnesses
* Reportedly 'heard voices in his head', lived with paranoia and could not sleep
* Had 'secret' clearance and was assigned to start working there as a civilian contractor with a military-issued ID card
* Used an AR-15 rifle the same weapon used in the Sandy Hook and Aurora mass shootings
* SWAT Teams fought a heavy gun battle with him and shot him dead
* Alexis served in the U.S. Navy for almost four years before he was discharged in 2011 for 'misconduct'
* It has been reported he was discharged from the U.S. Navy because of an arrest for firing his own gun in 2010; a similar incident occurred in 2004
* The FBI has determined that Alexis was the only shooter, and police say a valid security pass was used to get into the Navy Yard buildings

Washington Naval Yard gunman Aaron Alexis suffered a host of serious mental illnesses prior to his shooting rampage on Monday that claimed the lives of 12 people U.S. law enforcement officials revealed today.

Alexis, 34, sought treatment at the Veterans Administration for paranoia, insomnia and possible schizophrenia in August - but despite his psychiatric problems the Navy had not declared him mentally unfit which would have rescinded his security clearance and impacted his ability to purchase firearms.

Indeed, Alexis had 'secret' clearance and was assigned to start working at the naval yard as a civilian contractor with a military-issued ID card, his firm's chief executive Thomas Hoshko said today.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

'War crime': U.N. finds sarin used in Syria chemical weapons attack.

Syria accuses Turkey of escalating tensions by shooting down military helicopter.

In public shift, Israel calls for Assad's fall.

Car bomb explodes at Syria-Turkey crossing: activists.

Iran confirms exchange of letters with Obama.

Iran's president Rouhani responds to Syria weapons deal.

Facebook and Twitter blocked again in Iran after respite.

Renewed anti-government unrest persists in Turkey.

Netanyahu, Obama to meet in Washington on Sept 30, official says.

ASIA

Death toll jumps in Philippine rebel standoff as 64 hostages rescued. Philippine army says Muslim rebels fleeing southern city.

Japan considering shooting down drones that infringe into airspace.

UN fears 'deteriorating' human rights in Afghanistan.

North Korean inmates starved and tortured, abuse widespread: U.N.

South Korean soldiers fired hundreds of shots at man swimming to North Korea. South Korean military defends shooting of defector.

Bangladesh sentences Islamic leader to death for war crimes.

World's highest civilian airport opens in Tibet.

AFRICA

Security forces retake control of Islamist stronghold in Upper Egypt, 45 arrested.

Syrian refugees ‘living in fear in Egypt’.

Mali reconciliation on track despite protests, minister says.

11 armed groups in DR Congo demand included in national dialogue.

Libyan PM says dialogue, not bloodshed must stop oil protests.

Rwandan ruling party headed for huge poll win. Rwanda election: RPF aims to retain parliament majority.

Somalia to receive €1.8bn from donors under three-year reconstruction plan.

EUROPE

Russia unconvinced that Assad behind Syria chemical weapons attack.

African migrants break into Spain's Melilla territory.

Merkel coalition, combined opposition running neck-and-neck: poll.

Hungary backtracks on contested reforms after EU pressure.

Costa Concordia engineers exhausted and relieved after successful salvage.

Edward Snowden 'living incognito in Russia'.

Russia's Chief Justice injured in Ghana car crash.

AMERICAS

Navy Yard shooting: What we know and don't know.

Treasury warns Congress not to wait til last minute on debt ceiling.

Risk of default adds to woes for Argentina’s Fernández.

Mexico kidnappings highest in 16 years.

Ex-President Uribe in Colombia Senate run.

Nicaragua presses Colombia with new lawsuit in border dispute.

Brazil looks to break from US-centric internet.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda releases 'credible' hostage video.

Protesting 9/11 defendants, sick defense attorney stall Guantanamo hearing.

Judge at Gitmo considering pause in 9/11 case.

Omar and Me. My strange, frustrating relationship with an American terrorist.

10% of Syrian rebels linked to Al-Qaida – Study.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

The Forbes 400: The richest people in America.

Record Saudi Arabia oil output fills supply gap.

iPhone 5S reservations almost sold out in Beijing, Hong Kong.

A bitter ‘fertilizer war’ gripping Belarus and Russia is helping U.S. farmers.

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