Hundreds of former Taliban fighters are being recruited by a British charity to clear landmines in Afghanistan. Major General James Cowan, ex-commander of British troops in Helmand province, said the former insurgents were swapping AK47s for mine-detectors to earn £230 a month. He said that although he had lost 64 of his soldiers to the … Read more
15 people are trampled to death, including 11 women, as thousands wait in Afghanistan to collect visas to enter Pakistan 15 people died and at least 10 others were injured after the crush in Jalalabad Officials said more than 3,000 Afghans had gathered at a football stadium The Pakistani consulate had resumed issuing visas last … Read more
Year after year, it is always one of the most moving sights in the calendar. For as far as the eye can see, there are veterans of all ages — a few frail witnesses to Monte Cassino or the Burmese jungle or the huts of Bletchley Park; old sweats from Korea or Malaya or Aden; … Read more
Ex-Royal Marine, 33, who lost an arm and a leg in Afghanistan and suffers flashbacks and phantom pain has been denied a blue badge by local council for 13 years – because he is ‘not disabled enough’ Ben McBean, 33, had his parking permit stripped by Plymouth Council in 2009 Council workers had spotted him running … Read more
The coronavirus pandemic will cost the US an estimated $16 trillion – about 90 percent of the annual gross domestic product – in the next year, a new study suggests. Researchers say about half of the figure, $8.6 trillion, will be due to premature deaths and those who have long-term health implications from contracting COVID-19. … Read more
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is developing a rocket to deliver weapons anywhere in the world in an hour for the US military SpaceX — and aerospace firm xArc — have signed a contract with the US forces A rocket could ship cargo from Florida to Afghanistan, for example, in an hour Such a journey by cargo plane … Read more
Former British Army chief General Lord Richard Dannatt writes pleading letter to Prince Harry asking him not to ‘stay away too long’ because veterans need him General Sir Richard Dannatt written letter asking Prince Harry to help veterans Said they ‘miss him’ and the high-profile support he provides veteran charities Despite his letter, General admitted … Read more
Can YOU spot the SAS soldiers in this photo? Members of the unit’s elite Mountain Troop are barely visible as they patrol in winter camouflage SAS Mountain Troop are experts in mountain climbing and arctic warfare Camouflage includes face masks and white speckled clothing and equipment Makes it possible for them to move almost invisibly … Read more
Drug dealer turned Army sergeant who now guards the Queen urges military to relax rules on convicts joining the forces so they can ‘give back to the country’ Rhys Rutledge, 34, of 1st Batallion Welsh Guards is calling for rules to be eased The Afghanistan veteran was locked up aged 19 for possession of a Class … Read more
Hamid blamed an apparent breakdown in communication, with the Home Office failing to give any warning to the translators, the authorities in Glasgow or their dedicated case workers that the visas were about to be granted Five interpreters are enduring a ‘heartbreaking and shameful’ delay in being reunited with their families after a Home Office blunder. … Read more