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SIPA USA/PA Images

British officials search inbound plane from Moscow over security fears

Britain said it conducts routine checks on aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime.

BRITISH AUTHORITIES SAID that border officials had searched an incoming Aeroflot plane, a move Russia called an act of “blatant provocation” in the ongoing diplomatic spat between London and Moscow.

Britain said it conducts routine checks on aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and people attempting to bring harmful substances into the country.

The Russian embassy in London said Friday’s search on a scheduled plane arriving from Moscow at London Heathrow Airport was “extraordinary”.

Britain’s Security Minister Ben Wallace said in a statement: “It is routine for Border Force to search aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and from those who attempt to bring harmful substances like drugs or firearms into the country.

“Once these checks were carried out the plane was allowed to carry on with its onward journey.”

The Russian embassy suggested the jet had been searched in connection with the diplomatic crisis over the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter on British soil earlier this month.

“We have witnessed another blatant provocation by the British authorities,” it said of the search. “This kind of event is extraordinary.”

The embassy claimed British officials at first tried to search the plane without the crew, although the captain was eventually allowed to be present.

It claimed their requests for clarification on the search had been met with no response.

“We have no other explanation but that the incident at Heathrow is in one way or another connected with the hostile policy that the UK government is conducting with regard to Russia,” it said.

Relations between Russia and the West have been plunged into crisis following the first use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II.

Skripal, who came to Britain in a spy swap, and his daughter Yulia have been in hospital since 4 March after they were poisoned in the southwestern English city of Salisbury.

British authorities say a Soviet-designed nerve agent dubbed Novichok was used.

London, supported by its major Western allies, says there is no alternative conclusion other than Russian state involvement. Moscow denies being behind the attack.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is verifying Britain’s findings.

© AFP 2018

Read: Dublin City Council looking at plans to ban disposable coffee cups at its offices and parks >

Read: Russia escalates action against European countries as it puts UK diplomats on notice >

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    Mute Sat Singh
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    Sep 7th 2014, 8:26 AM

    The last one is the new library on Broad Street Birmingham City Centre.

    75
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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Sep 7th 2014, 8:34 AM

    You can see the parts of the world where the most ambitious building projects are happening today are not Europe or the US. Obviously connected to economics, but also national self confidence?

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    Mute Darragh mc kenna
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    Sep 7th 2014, 9:15 AM

    Scandinavia still has a few ambitious building projects.

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    Mute Malvolio32
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    Sep 7th 2014, 10:52 AM

    Maybe one/two but bulk seem to be Australasia and emerging economies

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    Mute E=MC2
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    Sep 7th 2014, 8:18 AM

    Is there a single modern Irish building worthy of a postcard? The only structure that comes to mind is the Harp Bridge in Dublin. The proposed new Liberty Hall / ESB head office must tie for joint last place on any awards list.

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    Mute Michael Church
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    Sep 7th 2014, 8:31 AM

    The criminal courts on Parkgate street is a pretty class building.

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    Mute Stephen
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    Sep 7th 2014, 8:38 AM

    The new Dun Laoghaire library

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    Mute Ablitive
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    Sep 7th 2014, 8:48 AM

    The new Dun Laoghaire library is not original….

    …. it is a copy oft the Norwegian Doomsday seed vault.

    http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/02/photogalleries/seedvault-pictures/

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    Mute Philip
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    Sep 7th 2014, 8:53 AM

    Music and Dance building in UL Limerick!

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Sep 7th 2014, 9:03 AM

    The Irish lights HQ in Dun Laoghaire looks great.

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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    Sep 7th 2014, 10:27 AM

    My vote would go the Hong Kong, The UK space building looks like total shite.

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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Sep 7th 2014, 10:51 AM

    Would our enlightened planners allow any of these to be built? Did I just enlightened and planner, bit of an oxymoron!

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    Mute ken walsh
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    Sep 7th 2014, 9:17 AM

    The National Lifeguard Training Centre in Tramore will be class when finished.

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    Mute Mindfulirish
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    Sep 7th 2014, 10:22 AM

    Why does RTE stay quiet on the Library building in Dun Laghoire. ?? Nothing reported.

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Sep 7th 2014, 12:49 PM

    The first building is breath taking.

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    Mute Kissmyartichoke
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    Sep 7th 2014, 1:33 PM

    Wow there must be money in Buddhism, fab building

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Sep 7th 2014, 1:43 PM

    Seriously…check out the Mexican house…looks a bit Frank Lloyd Wright…there’s a figure of a girl beside the road on the left, in exactly the same position as Christine Olsen in ‘Christina’s World’ by Andrew Wyeth. Might even be photoshopped in, I suppose.

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