Emmanuel Macron has changed the DNA of French politics by rejecting appeasement. His brand of politics has broken out of the classic left-right division. But a 'far-right' leader Marine Le Pen is looking to end Macron's rule. Will she succeed? WION's Palki Sharma tells what the odds are.

Gravitas: Emmanuel Macron's brand of politics

The French Government is pushing a bill to fight Islamist Extremism. With this new law, French President Emmanuel Macron is making a clear distinction between Islamophobia and fighting extremism. WION's Palki Sharma tells you about the 7 key features of the proposed law.

Gravitas: French President Macron pushes law to fight radical Islam

France's lower house of parliament approved on Tuesday a law to fight extremism and 'Islamist separatism' that the government bills as a riposte to religious groups attempting to undermine France's secular traditions. &nbsp;

President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party rallied around the legislation, with 347 National Assembly lawmakers voting in favour, 151 against and 65 abstaining. &nbsp;

With an eye on 2022 elections, President Emmanuel Macron has championed the bill, which seeks to tighten rules on issues ranging from religious teaching, online hate to polygamy.&nbsp;

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It has been debated in a highly charged atmosphere in France after three attacks late last year by extremists including the beheading in October of teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.&nbsp;

The law is dubbed the anti-separatism bill as ministers fear Islamists are creating communities that reject France's secular identity and laws, as well as its values, such as equality between the sexes.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/macrons-new-anti-extremism-bill-sparks-fresh-protests-in-france-363888" hreflang="en">Macron's new anti-extremism bill sparks fresh protests in France</a>

France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community, is still shaken by the succession of massacres committed by Islamist militants from January 2015 that left hundreds dead.&nbsp;

The National Assembly lower house voted on the legislation after a total of 135 hours of debates that saw some 313 amendments adopted. &nbsp;

The upper house Senate will also examine the draft legislation in the coming months and could amend it. If that it is the case, the bill will then go back to the National Assembly for a final reading.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/france-recommends-single-vaccine-dose-for-people-who-have-had-covid-363224" hreflang="en">France recommends single vaccine dose for people who have had Covid</a>

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said after the final debate on Saturday that the bill "provides concrete responses to... the development of radical Islam, an ideology hostile to the principles and values on which the Republic is founded."&nbsp;

Paty's killing prompted the inclusion of the specific crimes of online hate speech and divulging personal information on the internet that could be used to harm someone.&nbsp;

France's lower house of parliament approved on Tuesday a law to fight extremism and 'Islamist separatism' that the government bills as a riposte to religious groups attempting to undermine France's secular traditions.

France's lower house of parliament approved on Tuesday a law to fight extremism and 'Islamist separatism' that the government bills as a riposte to religious groups attempting to undermine France's secular traditions. President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party rallied around the legislation, with 347 National Assembly lawmakers voting in favour, 151 against and 65 abstaining. With an eye on 2022 elections, President Emmanuel Macron has championed the bill, which seeks to tighten rules on issues ranging from religious teaching, online hate to polygamy. It has been debated in a highly charged atmosphere in France after three attacks late last year by extremists including the beheading in October of teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. The law is dubbed the anti-separatism bill as ministers fear Islamists are creating communities that reject France's secular identity and laws, as well as its values, such as equality between the sexes. Also read: Macron's new anti-extremism bill sparks fresh protests in France France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community, is still shaken by the succession of massacres committed by Islamist militants from January 2015 that left hundreds dead. The National Assembly lower house voted on the legislation after a total of 135 hours of debates that saw some 313 amendments adopted. The upper house Senate will also examine the draft legislation in the coming months and could amend it. If that it is the case, the bill will then go back to the National Assembly for a final reading. Also read: France recommends single vaccine dose for people who have had Covid Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said after the final debate on Saturday that the bill "provides concrete responses to... the development of radical Islam, an ideology hostile to the principles and values on which the Republic is founded." Paty's killing prompted the inclusion of the specific crimes of online hate speech and divulging personal information on the internet that could be used to harm someone.

French lawmakers approve bill to battle Islamist extremism

The kidnap of 344 schoolboys in northwest Nigeria had the appearance of an Islamist militant attack. There was even a video purporting to show some of the boys with members of Boko Haram, the extremists behind the 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls in the northeast.

But four government and security officials familiar with negotiations that secured the boys’ release told Reuters the attack was a result of inter-communal feuding over cattle theft, grazing rights and water access – not spreading extremism.

The mass abduction of children in Katsina state would mark a dramatic turn in clashes between farmers and herders that have killed thousands of people across Africa`s most populous nation in recent years, posing a challenge to authorities also battling a decade-long Islamist insurgency in the northeast.

Officials in Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara, where the boys were released after six days, said the attack was carried out by a gang of mostly semi-nomadic ethnic Fulanis, including former herders who turned to crime after losing their cows to cattle rustlers.

"They have local conflicts that they want to be settled, and they decided to use this (kidnapping) as a bargaining tool," said Ibrahim Ahmad, a security adviser to the Katsina state government who took part in the negotiations through intermediaries.

Such groups are known more for armed robberies and small-scale kidnappings for ransom.

Cattle herders in the northwest are mainly Fulani, whereas farmers are mostly Hausa. For years, farmers have complained of herders letting their cows stray on to their land to graze, while herdsmen have complained their cows are being stolen.

NEGOTIATIONS

Dozens of gunmen arrived on motorcycles at the Government Science Secondary School on Dec. 11 in the town of Kankara in Katsina. They marched the boys into a vast forest that extends from Katsina into Zamfara.

Officials in both states told Reuters they established contact with the kidnappers through their clan, a cattle breeders` association and former gang members who participated in a Zamfara amnesty programme.

The intermediaries met the kidnappers in Ruga forest on several occasions before they agreed to release the boys, according to Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle and security sources including Ahmad.

The gang accused vigilante groups, set up to defend farming communities against banditry, of killing Fulani herders and stealing their cows, Matawalle and Ahmad said. They also made similar accusations against members of a Katsina state committee set up to investigate cattle theft, Ahmad added.

He said he was not aware of any such incidents, but said a police investigation had been launched. No ransom was paid for the boys` release, according to officials in both states.

Reuters could not reach the gang for comment. A spokesman for the herders’ association, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders` Association of Nigeria, declined to discuss the negotiations.

BOKO HARAM?

Gangs such as these have carried out attacks across the northwest, making it hard for locals to farm, travel or tap rich mineral deposits in some states. They were responsible for more than 1,100 deaths in the first half of 2020 alone, according to rights group Amnesty International.

Boko Haram, based in the northeast, has sought to forge alliances with some of them and released videos this year claiming to have received pledges of allegiance, said Jacob Zenn, a Nigeria expert at the U.S.-based Jamestown Foundation think tank.

A man identifying himself as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for the schoolboys` kidnappings in an unverified audio recording. Soon after, the video started circulating on social media.

However, one boy who spoke in the video later told Nigeria’s Arise television that he did not believe the kidnappers when they told him to say he was being held by Boko Haram.

"Sincerely speaking, they are not Boko Haram... They are just small and tiny, tiny boys with big guns,” said the boy, who did not give his name.

Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed also dismissed Boko Haram`s claim at a Dec. 18 news conference, saying: "They just want to claim that they are still a potent force.

"The boys were abducted by bandits, not Boko Haram," Mohammed said.

Independent security experts said the kidnappers appeared to have drawn inspiration from the militants and may have received advice, but most were sceptical of any direct involvement.

Cheta Nwanze, lead partner at Lagos-based risk consultancy firm SBM Intelligence, said direct Boko Haram involvement was unlikely because of the "logistics of getting to an area that is unfamiliar" to them.

"It’s beyond their current capabilities," he said. "The northwest is an ungoverned area controlled by other groups."

SECOND KIDNAP

Tension between farming and herding communities has been growing in the northwest, where population growth and climate change have increased competition for resources, analysts said.

The day after the boys were returned to their families in Kankara and other towns, another gang briefly abducted some 80 students who were returning from a trip organised by an Islamic school.

The kidnappers released the children after a gunfight with police and a local vigilante group, state police said.

"All the bandits were Fulanis and are over 100 in number," Abdullahi Sada, who led the vigilantes, told Reuters.

He said some of his men were armed with bows and arrows while others had guns made by local blacksmiths.

He denied any knowledge of attacks by vigilantes against Fulani herders, saying: "I have no idea of any such thing happening in my area."

Nastura Ashir Shariff, who chairs the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), an influential civil society group, blamed a scarcity of police for such clashes, saying communities were taking law enforcement into their own hands.

Whoever was responsible for the Kankara kidnappings, Ummi Usman, whose 14-year-old son Mujtaba was among those captured, said she was not sure whether to send him back to school.

"He is still in extreme fear whenever he remembers what they went through at the hands of their abductors," she said.

"Some of them were threatening the students that they will be back."

The kidnap of 344 schoolboys in northwest Nigeria had the appearance of an Islamist militant attack. There was even a video purporting to show some of the boys with members of Boko Haram, the extremists behind the 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls in the northeast.

The kidnap of 344 schoolboys in northwest Nigeria had the appearance of an Islamist militant attack. There was even a video purporting to show some of the boys with members of Boko Haram, the extremists behind the 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls in the northeast. But four government and security officials familiar with negotiations that secured the boys’ release told Reuters the attack was a result of inter-communal feuding over cattle theft, grazing rights and water access – not spreading extremism. The mass abduction of children in Katsina state would mark a dramatic turn in clashes between farmers and herders that have killed thousands of people across Africa`s most populous nation in recent years, posing a challenge to authorities also battling a decade-long Islamist insurgency in the northeast. Officials in Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara, where the boys were released after six days, said the attack was carried out by a gang of mostly semi-nomadic ethnic Fulanis, including former herders who turned to crime after losing their cows to cattle rustlers. "They have local conflicts that they want to be settled, and they decided to use this (kidnapping) as a bargaining tool," said Ibrahim Ahmad, a security adviser to the Katsina state government who took part in the negotiations through intermediaries. Such groups are known more for armed robberies and small-scale kidnappings for ransom. Cattle herders in the northwest are mainly Fulani, whereas farmers are mostly Hausa. For years, farmers have complained of herders letting their cows stray on to their land to graze, while herdsmen have complained their cows are being stolen. NEGOTIATIONS Dozens of gunmen arrived on motorcycles at the Government Science Secondary School on Dec. 11 in the town of Kankara in Katsina. They marched the boys into a vast forest that extends from Katsina into Zamfara. Officials in both states told Reuters they established contact with the kidnappers through their clan, a cattle breeders` association and former gang members who participated in a Zamfara amnesty programme. The intermediaries met the kidnappers in Ruga forest on several occasions before they agreed to release the boys, according to Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle and security sources including Ahmad. The gang accused vigilante groups, set up to defend farming communities against banditry, of killing Fulani herders and stealing their cows, Matawalle and Ahmad said. They also made similar accusations against members of a Katsina state committee set up to investigate cattle theft, Ahmad added. He said he was not aware of any such incidents, but said a police investigation had been launched. No ransom was paid for the boys` release, according to officials in both states. Reuters could not reach the gang for comment. A spokesman for the herders’ association, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders` Association of Nigeria, declined to discuss the negotiations. BOKO HARAM? Gangs such as these have carried out attacks across the northwest, making it hard for locals to farm, travel or tap rich mineral deposits in some states. They were responsible for more than 1,100 deaths in the first half of 2020 alone, according to rights group Amnesty International. Boko Haram, based in the northeast, has sought to forge alliances with some of them and released videos this year claiming to have received pledges of allegiance, said Jacob Zenn, a Nigeria expert at the U.S.-based Jamestown Foundation think tank. A man identifying himself as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for the schoolboys` kidnappings in an unverified audio recording. Soon after, the video started circulating on social media. However, one boy who spoke in the video later told Nigeria’s Arise television that he did not believe the kidnappers when they told him to say he was being held by Boko Haram. "Sincerely speaking, they are not Boko Haram... They are just small and tiny, tiny boys with big guns,” said the boy, who did not give his name. Nigerian Information Minister Lai Mohammed also dismissed Boko Haram`s claim at a Dec. 18 news conference, saying: "They just want to claim that they are still a potent force. "The boys were abducted by bandits, not Boko Haram," Mohammed said. Independent security experts said the kidnappers appeared to have drawn inspiration from the militants and may have received advice, but most were sceptical of any direct involvement. Cheta Nwanze, lead partner at Lagos-based risk consultancy firm SBM Intelligence, said direct Boko Haram involvement was unlikely because of the "logistics of getting to an area that is unfamiliar" to them. "It’s beyond their current capabilities," he said. "The northwest is an ungoverned area controlled by other groups." SECOND KIDNAP Tension between farming and herding communities has been growing in the northwest, where population growth and climate change have increased competition for resources, analysts said. The day after the boys were returned to their families in Kankara and other towns, another gang briefly abducted some 80 students who were returning from a trip organised by an Islamic school. The kidnappers released the children after a gunfight with police and a local vigilante group, state police said. "All the bandits were Fulanis and are over 100 in number," Abdullahi Sada, who led the vigilantes, told Reuters. He said some of his men were armed with bows and arrows while others had guns made by local blacksmiths. He denied any knowledge of attacks by vigilantes against Fulani herders, saying: "I have no idea of any such thing happening in my area." Nastura Ashir Shariff, who chairs the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), an influential civil society group, blamed a scarcity of police for such clashes, saying communities were taking law enforcement into their own hands. Whoever was responsible for the Kankara kidnappings, Ummi Usman, whose 14-year-old son Mujtaba was among those captured, said she was not sure whether to send him back to school. "He is still in extreme fear whenever he remembers what they went through at the hands of their abductors," she said. "Some of them were threatening the students that they will be back."

Nigeria school abductions sparked by cattle feuds, not extremism, officials say

By Mallika Singh

Amidst Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's efforts to liberalise the conservative Muslim Kingdom, a promotional video published by Saudi Arabia's state security agency categorises feminism, homosexuality, and atheism as extremist ideas.

The verified account of the State Security Presidency tweeted an animated video on the weekend, declaring that "all forms of extremism and perversion are unacceptable". 
&nbsp; 
Takfir was enlisted alongside the ideologies, which is a controversial concept in Islamist discourse, symbolising ex-communication, pronouncing that someone is an unbeliever and no longer Muslim. &nbsp;

"Don't forget that excess of anything at the expense of the homeland is considered extremism," stated the video.

In the Kingdom's efforts to promote tolerance, attract foreigners and foreign investment into the oil-dependent economy, the Crown Prince has pushed for a more moderate approach in his attempts to invoke nationalist sentiment among its countrymen.

Saudi Arabia this year embarked on loosening social restrictions with Riyadh doing away with the guardianship system that prevailed in the country, which stripped women of taking any major decisions about themselves without the consent of the assigned man.

The Kingdom also launched a tourist visa in the country's attempt to take over the presidency of the Group-20 countries next year.

The authorities have also cracked down on dissent, as a large number of women's rights advocates were arrested prior to the uplifting of a ban on women drivers last year, which led to people speculating it was a message that reform can only take place at the government's initiative. &nbsp;

According to Saudi law, groups classified as extremist organisations can be punished with imprisonment.

Homosexuality and atheism are considered to be illegal offences punishable by death in the absolute monarchy, where free media is still an alien concept. &nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

By Mallika Singh Amidst Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's efforts to liberalise the conservative Muslim Kingdom, a promotional video published by Saudi Arabia's state security agency categorises feminism, homosexuality, and atheism as extremist ideas.

By Mallika Singh Amidst Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's efforts to liberalise the conservative Muslim Kingdom, a promotional video published by Saudi Arabia's state security agency categorises feminism, homosexuality, and atheism as extremist ideas. The verified account of the State Security Presidency tweeted an animated video on the weekend, declaring that "all forms of extremism and perversion are unacceptable". Takfir was enlisted alongside the ideologies, which is a controversial concept in Islamist discourse, symbolising ex-communication, pronouncing that someone is an unbeliever and no longer Muslim. "Don't forget that excess of anything at the expense of the homeland is considered extremism," stated the video. In the Kingdom's efforts to promote tolerance, attract foreigners and foreign investment into the oil-dependent economy, the Crown Prince has pushed for a more moderate approach in his attempts to invoke nationalist sentiment among its countrymen. Saudi Arabia this year embarked on loosening social restrictions with Riyadh doing away with the guardianship system that prevailed in the country, which stripped women of taking any major decisions about themselves without the consent of the assigned man. The Kingdom also launched a tourist visa in the country's attempt to take over the presidency of the Group-20 countries next year. The authorities have also cracked down on dissent, as a large number of women's rights advocates were arrested prior to the uplifting of a ban on women drivers last year, which led to people speculating it was a message that reform can only take place at the government's initiative. According to Saudi law, groups classified as extremist organisations can be punished with imprisonment. Homosexuality and atheism are considered to be illegal offences punishable by death in the absolute monarchy, where free media is still an alien concept. (With inputs from Reuters)

Saudi Arabia's State Security categorises feminism, homosexuality, atheism as extremist ideas

Expressing concern over threats posed from cyberspace, India on Tuesday called for coordinated efforts to prevent forces of terrorism and extremism from building their presence in the digital domain.

Speaking at the Paris Peace Forum on issues pertaining to the governance of cyberspace, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi "strongly supports" the Christchurch Call to eliminate rich and violent extremist content online.

Named after New Zealand city where a deadly terrorist attack took place on May 15, the non-binding agreement Christchurch Call has been signed by 18 leaders from around the globe to encourage tech companies and countries to curb extremism online.

"We are excited about the opportunity (given by digital transformation), we are concerned naturally about the threats from cyberspace because there are actors, both state and non-state, whose actions pose a clear threat to national, regional and global security one of the examples of that is the relatively unimpeded growth of terrorism-related activities including extremist propaganda terrorist financing illicit trafficking and radicalisation," said Jaishankar.

"That is the reason we very strongly support Christchurch Call to eliminate rich and violent extremist content online and we are pleased to work with like-minded countries ... We need to get the balance right between the less a fair approach and authoritarian approach and the sense of responsibility becomes very important so," said he.

He also urged the countries to build "national capacities" to secure the cyber world.

"We need a very clear role and responsibility from states and government to strengthen the respective national capacities when it comes to cybersecurity. States must protect data privacy and make sure data security for all citizens and they maintain openness ta the same time," said Jaishankar. The second annual forum was hosted by France.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Expressing concern over threats posed from cyberspace, India on Tuesday called for coordinated efforts to prevent forces of terrorism and extremism from building their presence in the digital domain.

Expressing concern over threats posed from cyberspace, India on Tuesday called for coordinated efforts to prevent forces of terrorism and extremism from building their presence in the digital domain. Speaking at the Paris Peace Forum on issues pertaining to the governance of cyberspace, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi "strongly supports" the Christchurch Call to eliminate rich and violent extremist content online. Named after New Zealand city where a deadly terrorist attack took place on May 15, the non-binding agreement Christchurch Call has been signed by 18 leaders from around the globe to encourage tech companies and countries to curb extremism online. "We are excited about the opportunity (given by digital transformation), we are concerned naturally about the threats from cyberspace because there are actors, both state and non-state, whose actions pose a clear threat to national, regional and global security one of the examples of that is the relatively unimpeded growth of terrorism-related activities including extremist propaganda terrorist financing illicit trafficking and radicalisation," said Jaishankar. "That is the reason we very strongly support Christchurch Call to eliminate rich and violent extremist content online and we are pleased to work with like-minded countries ... We need to get the balance right between the less a fair approach and authoritarian approach and the sense of responsibility becomes very important so," said he. He also urged the countries to build "national capacities" to secure the cyber world. "We need a very clear role and responsibility from states and government to strengthen the respective national capacities when it comes to cybersecurity. States must protect data privacy and make sure data security for all citizens and they maintain openness ta the same time," said Jaishankar. The second annual forum was hosted by France.

Must prevent terrorism, extremism from building digital presence: S Jaishankar

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed an "unrelenting fight" against Islamist extremists on Tuesday as he paid tribute to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-officers-killed-in-paris-police-headquarters-attack-report-253539">four Paris police staff stabbed to death </a>last week by a radicalized colleague.

Mickael Harpon, a 45-year-old computer expert in the police intelligence-gathering department, used a kitchen knife and an oyster shucker to kill three male and one female colleague in a 30-minute rampage that ended when an officer shot him in the head.

The attack in the police's inner sanctum caused shock in France, where the government is being pressed to answer how Harpon's radicalisation went unnoticed, despite him having high-level security clearance.

"We will wage an unrelenting fight in the face of Islamist terrorism," Macron vowed at a ceremony at the police headquarters near Notre-Dame cathedral where the attack took place.

Macron said it was "inconceivable and unacceptable" that Harpon, who had worked for the police since 2003, had managed to carry out an attack "in the very place where we pursue terrorists and criminals".

He blamed the attack on "a distorted, deadly Islam" which he vowed to eradicate and vowed to build in France a "society in a state of vigilance".

At the same time, he warned against lapsing into a climate of permanent suspicion, assuring: "This is not a fight against a religion but against the distortion of it which leads to terrorism."&nbsp;

Thursday's attack brought to 255 the number of people killed in attacks blamed on, or claimed by Islamist radicals since 2015.

Harpon, a father of two, had converted to Islam about 10 years ago and adopted increasingly radical beliefs.

He had been in close contact with a hardline Salafist imam in the months before his rampage last week, according to investigators.

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed an "unrelenting fight" against Islamist extremists on Tuesday as he paid tribute to the four Paris police staff stabbed to death last week by a radicalized colleague.

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed an "unrelenting fight" against Islamist extremists on Tuesday as he paid tribute to the four Paris police staff stabbed to death last week by a radicalized colleague. Mickael Harpon, a 45-year-old computer expert in the police intelligence-gathering department, used a kitchen knife and an oyster shucker to kill three male and one female colleague in a 30-minute rampage that ended when an officer shot him in the head. The attack in the police's inner sanctum caused shock in France, where the government is being pressed to answer how Harpon's radicalisation went unnoticed, despite him having high-level security clearance. "We will wage an unrelenting fight in the face of Islamist terrorism," Macron vowed at a ceremony at the police headquarters near Notre-Dame cathedral where the attack took place. Macron said it was "inconceivable and unacceptable" that Harpon, who had worked for the police since 2003, had managed to carry out an attack "in the very place where we pursue terrorists and criminals". He blamed the attack on "a distorted, deadly Islam" which he vowed to eradicate and vowed to build in France a "society in a state of vigilance". At the same time, he warned against lapsing into a climate of permanent suspicion, assuring: "This is not a fight against a religion but against the distortion of it which leads to terrorism." Thursday's attack brought to 255 the number of people killed in attacks blamed on, or claimed by Islamist radicals since 2015. Harpon, a father of two, had converted to Islam about 10 years ago and adopted increasingly radical beliefs. He had been in close contact with a hardline Salafist imam in the months before his rampage last week, according to investigators.

Macron vows 'unrelenting fight' against Islamist terror after police killings

Canada Removed References To Khalistan Extremism While Pak Incites Anti-India Protests In London From Kashmir rabble rousers to Khalistan sympathisers, countries like the UK and Canada have unwittingly kept the anti-India separatism alive. Last year, Canada even removed references to Khalistan extremism while Pakistan incites violent anti-India protests in London in its bid to internationalise Kashmir issue. Is it right to interfere in the sovereignty of India in the garb of promoting free speech? Where should these countries draw the line? Palki explains.

Gravitas: Why countries like UK & Canada support anti-India separatism?

WION World Order: Palki discusses role of SCO in shifting power dynamics and urgent need to boost regional security, combatting terrorism and extremism with Kyrgyzstan Ambassador Asein Isaev, Afghanistan's Charge d'Affairs @tahirqadiry and ORF distinguished fellow @jonandan on #WIONWorldOrder

WION World Order: Role of SCO to boost security, tackling terorism, extremism? Discussed with panel

In the wake of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/new-zealand-has-not-yet-seen-intel-linking-sri-lanka-bombings-to-christchurch-pm-212941">Christchurch attack</a>, New Zealand said on Wednesday that it would work with France in an effort to stop social media from being used to promote terrorism and violent extremism.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement that she will co-chair a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on May 15 that will seek to have world leaders and CEOs of tech companies agree to a pledge, called the Christchurch Call, to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.

A lone gunman killed 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, while live streaming the massacre on Facebook.

Brenton Tarrant, 28, a suspected white supremacist, has been charged with 50 counts of murder for the mass shooting.

''It’s critical that technology platforms like Facebook are not perverted as a tool for terrorism, and instead become part of a global solution to countering extremism," Ardern said in the statement.

"This meeting presents an opportunity for an act of unity between governments and the tech companies," she added.

The meeting will be held alongside the Tech for Humanity meeting of G7 digital ministers, of which France is the chair, and France’s separate Tech for Good summit, both on 15 May, the statement said.

Ardern said at a press conference later on Wednesday that she has spoken with executives from a number of tech firms including Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Google and few other companies.

"The response I've received has been positive. No tech company, just like no government, would like to see violent extremism and terrorism online," Ardern said at the media briefing, adding that she had also spoken with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg directly on the topic.

A Facebook spokesman said the company looks forward to collaborating with government, industry and safety experts on a clear framework of rules.

"We're evaluating how we can best support this effort and who among top Facebook executives will attend,” the spokesman said in a statement sent by email.

Facebook Inc, the world's largest social network with 2.7 billion users, has faced criticism since the Christchurch attack that it failed to tackle extremism.

One of the main groups representing Muslims in France has said it was suing Facebook and YouTube, a unit of Alphabet's Google, accusing them of inciting violence by allowing the streaming of the Christchurch massacre on their platforms.

Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said last month that the company was looking to place restrictions on who can go live on its platform based on certain criteria.

In the wake of the Christchurch attack, New Zealand said on Wednesday that it would work with France in an effort to stop social media from being used to promote terrorism and violent extremism.

In the wake of the Christchurch attack, New Zealand said on Wednesday that it would work with France in an effort to stop social media from being used to promote terrorism and violent extremism. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement that she will co-chair a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on May 15 that will seek to have world leaders and CEOs of tech companies agree to a pledge, called the Christchurch Call, to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. A lone gunman killed 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch on March 15, while live streaming the massacre on Facebook. Brenton Tarrant, 28, a suspected white supremacist, has been charged with 50 counts of murder for the mass shooting. ''It’s critical that technology platforms like Facebook are not perverted as a tool for terrorism, and instead become part of a global solution to countering extremism," Ardern said in the statement. "This meeting presents an opportunity for an act of unity between governments and the tech companies," she added. The meeting will be held alongside the Tech for Humanity meeting of G7 digital ministers, of which France is the chair, and France’s separate Tech for Good summit, both on 15 May, the statement said. Ardern said at a press conference later on Wednesday that she has spoken with executives from a number of tech firms including Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Google and few other companies. "The response I've received has been positive. No tech company, just like no government, would like to see violent extremism and terrorism online," Ardern said at the media briefing, adding that she had also spoken with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg directly on the topic. A Facebook spokesman said the company looks forward to collaborating with government, industry and safety experts on a clear framework of rules. "We're evaluating how we can best support this effort and who among top Facebook executives will attend,” the spokesman said in a statement sent by email. Facebook Inc, the world's largest social network with 2.7 billion users, has faced criticism since the Christchurch attack that it failed to tackle extremism. One of the main groups representing Muslims in France has said it was suing Facebook and YouTube, a unit of Alphabet's Google, accusing them of inciting violence by allowing the streaming of the Christchurch massacre on their platforms. Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said last month that the company was looking to place restrictions on who can go live on its platform based on certain criteria.

New Zealand, France plan bid to tackle extremism on social media

Australia unveiled a radical plan Thursday to strip convicted terrorists of their citizenship even if they are native-born Australians.

Acting after a series of Jihadist-inspired plots and attacks in the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government needed expanded powers to withdraw citizenship from anyone found guilty of terrorist activity.

"People who commit acts of terrorism have rejected absolutely everything that this country stands for," Morrison told a hastily organised press conference.

"This is something that can't be tolerated, and for those who would engage in this sort of activity, and they have citizenship elsewhere, or we have reason to believe they do, they can go."

Australia's current Citizenship Act allows authorities to revoke citizenship from people jailed for six years or more for terrorist activities, but only if they are already dual nationals.

Morrison called these limits "unrealistic" and said the law should be broadened so that anyone convicted of a terrorist offence, even native-born Australians, could be expelled if they could "reasonably" be expected to gain citizenship in another country through their parents or grandparents.

The conservative government will submit legislation to amend the Citizenship Act to enshrine these new powers by the end of the year, he said.

The legislation will also seek the power to impose "temporary exclusion orders" on so-called "returned foreign fighters" -- Australian citizens who travel to conflict zones to fight alongside extremist groups.

Modelled on a British law, the provision would allow Australia to bar the return of a citizen for up to two years, and to impose strict conditions on their activities once they come home.

Morrison's action came two days after police in Melbourne arrested three Australian-born men of Turkish descent for allegedly plotting a mass shooting in the city.

Less than two weeks earlier, another man who was born in Somalia but came to Australia with his family as a child, went on a stabbing rampage in Melbourne, killing one man and wounding two others before being fatally shot by police.

Authorities said all four men were inspired by Jihadist propaganda from the so-called Islamic State group, even though none had any direct links to an extremist organisation.

Controversial legislation&nbsp;

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said there had been seven terror-related attacks in Australia while authorities had thwarted 15 other plots since 2014.

Nine convicted terrorists have already had their citizenship revoked under existing law, mainly for activities overseas, he added.

"We assess there are around 50 Australian dual citizens who may be eligible to lose citizenship under the current provisions, and even more with the changes we are announcing today," Dutton said.

Morrison and Dutton also said they would renew a push for controversial legislation which would allow authorities to break into encrypted messaging apps that police say are widely used by extremists and other criminals.

The law, which would force app developers and telecom companies to provide police with the ability to decrypt messages, has drawn strong criticism from civil liberties groups.

Morrison heads a minority coalition government that must call a national election before May 2019 but is trailing well behind the main opposition Labor Party in opinion polls.

As campaigning builds towards the election, Morrison and Dutton have led a tough law-and-order push around terrorism and immigration.

The government's proposed citizenship crackdown is meanwhile certain to worsen tensions with parts of Australia's large Muslim community.

Several Islamic leaders already boycotted a proposed meeting with Morrison this week after he said the community needed to do more to police extremists in their ranks.

Australia unveiled a radical plan Thursday to strip convicted terrorists of their citizenship even if they are native-born Australians. Acting after a series of Jihadist-inspired plots and attacks in the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government needed expanded powers to withdraw citizenship from anyone found guilty of terrorist activity.

Australia unveiled a radical plan Thursday to strip convicted terrorists of their citizenship even if they are native-born Australians. Acting after a series of Jihadist-inspired plots and attacks in the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government needed expanded powers to withdraw citizenship from anyone found guilty of terrorist activity. "People who commit acts of terrorism have rejected absolutely everything that this country stands for," Morrison told a hastily organised press conference. "This is something that can't be tolerated, and for those who would engage in this sort of activity, and they have citizenship elsewhere, or we have reason to believe they do, they can go." Australia's current Citizenship Act allows authorities to revoke citizenship from people jailed for six years or more for terrorist activities, but only if they are already dual nationals. Morrison called these limits "unrealistic" and said the law should be broadened so that anyone convicted of a terrorist offence, even native-born Australians, could be expelled if they could "reasonably" be expected to gain citizenship in another country through their parents or grandparents. The conservative government will submit legislation to amend the Citizenship Act to enshrine these new powers by the end of the year, he said. The legislation will also seek the power to impose "temporary exclusion orders" on so-called "returned foreign fighters" -- Australian citizens who travel to conflict zones to fight alongside extremist groups. Modelled on a British law, the provision would allow Australia to bar the return of a citizen for up to two years, and to impose strict conditions on their activities once they come home. Morrison's action came two days after police in Melbourne arrested three Australian-born men of Turkish descent for allegedly plotting a mass shooting in the city. Less than two weeks earlier, another man who was born in Somalia but came to Australia with his family as a child, went on a stabbing rampage in Melbourne, killing one man and wounding two others before being fatally shot by police. Authorities said all four men were inspired by Jihadist propaganda from the so-called Islamic State group, even though none had any direct links to an extremist organisation. Controversial legislation Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said there had been seven terror-related attacks in Australia while authorities had thwarted 15 other plots since 2014. Nine convicted terrorists have already had their citizenship revoked under existing law, mainly for activities overseas, he added. "We assess there are around 50 Australian dual citizens who may be eligible to lose citizenship under the current provisions, and even more with the changes we are announcing today," Dutton said. Morrison and Dutton also said they would renew a push for controversial legislation which would allow authorities to break into encrypted messaging apps that police say are widely used by extremists and other criminals. The law, which would force app developers and telecom companies to provide police with the ability to decrypt messages, has drawn strong criticism from civil liberties groups. Morrison heads a minority coalition government that must call a national election before May 2019 but is trailing well behind the main opposition Labor Party in opinion polls. As campaigning builds towards the election, Morrison and Dutton have led a tough law-and-order push around terrorism and immigration. The government's proposed citizenship crackdown is meanwhile certain to worsen tensions with parts of Australia's large Muslim community. Several Islamic leaders already boycotted a proposed meeting with Morrison this week after he said the community needed to do more to police extremists in their ranks.

Australia proposes stripping native-born extremists of citizenship

Australia on Saturday warned the use of encrypted messaging apps to plan terrorist attacks was the greatest threat faced by intelligence agencies in modern times and urged a &quot;united and cohesive&quot; response.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told an ASEAN-Australia special summit in Sydney that the use of the &quot;dark web&quot; by extremists and other criminals was a spiralling problem.

&quot;The use of encrypted messaging apps by terrorists and criminals is potentially the most significant degradation of intelligence capability in modern times,&quot; he said.

Dutton added at the meeting of Southeast Asian leaders that the only way to deal with the threat, and the increasing use of the internet by groups like Islamic State to radicalise and recruit new members, was together.

&quot;While our nations are focused on countering the ongoing threat of terrorism domestically, it would be a mistake to approach the problem from a purely national perspective,&quot; he said.

&quot;Terrorism and violent extremism transcend national borders.&nbsp;

&quot;Countering the threat requires a united and cohesive regional effort involving coordination between our respective national security and law enforcement agencies.&quot;

Canberra is already helping Southeast Asian states choke terrorist financing and counter violent extremism.

The problem has been exacerbated by jihadists now being forced out of Syria and Iraq with the Islamic State caliphate mostly crushed.

The issue was driven home last year when pro-Islamic State militants seized the southern Philippine city of Marawi, with Australia aiding Manila to win it back.

A memorandum of understanding will be issued at the summit later Saturday, reportedly with an agreement to pool cyber intelligence and police resources across the region for the first time.

The Australian newspaper said it would include a regional digital forensics taskforce and uniform criminal legislative frameworks to secure prosecutions.

Australia has suffered six terror attacks in recent years and disrupted 14 more, including a plot to bring down a plane departing Sydney.

In response, Canberra has consolidated key functions like national security, immigration, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, and border protection under a newly-created Home Affairs department, headed by Dutton.

He said that to address the issue of apps which allow extremists to operate clandestinely, Canberra planned to introduce legislation to strengthen agencies&#39; ability to adapt to encryption.

This will include making companies that provide communications services and devices obliged to assist when asked, while also making the use of surveillance devices and computer network exploitation by authorities easier.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with Australia a dialogue partner since 1974.&nbsp;

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told an ASEAN-Australia special summit in Sydney that the use of the 'dark web' by extremists and other criminals was a spiralling problem

Australia on Saturday warned the use of encrypted messaging apps to plan terrorist attacks was the greatest threat faced by intelligence agencies in modern times and urged a "united and cohesive" response. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told an ASEAN-Australia special summit in Sydney that the use of the "dark web" by extremists and other criminals was a spiralling problem. "The use of encrypted messaging apps by terrorists and criminals is potentially the most significant degradation of intelligence capability in modern times," he said. Dutton added at the meeting of Southeast Asian leaders that the only way to deal with the threat, and the increasing use of the internet by groups like Islamic State to radicalise and recruit new members, was together. "While our nations are focused on countering the ongoing threat of terrorism domestically, it would be a mistake to approach the problem from a purely national perspective," he said. "Terrorism and violent extremism transcend national borders. "Countering the threat requires a united and cohesive regional effort involving coordination between our respective national security and law enforcement agencies." Canberra is already helping Southeast Asian states choke terrorist financing and counter violent extremism. The problem has been exacerbated by jihadists now being forced out of Syria and Iraq with the Islamic State caliphate mostly crushed. The issue was driven home last year when pro-Islamic State militants seized the southern Philippine city of Marawi, with Australia aiding Manila to win it back. A memorandum of understanding will be issued at the summit later Saturday, reportedly with an agreement to pool cyber intelligence and police resources across the region for the first time. The Australian newspaper said it would include a regional digital forensics taskforce and uniform criminal legislative frameworks to secure prosecutions. Australia has suffered six terror attacks in recent years and disrupted 14 more, including a plot to bring down a plane departing Sydney. In response, Canberra has consolidated key functions like national security, immigration, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, and border protection under a newly-created Home Affairs department, headed by Dutton. He said that to address the issue of apps which allow extremists to operate clandestinely, Canberra planned to introduce legislation to strengthen agencies' ability to adapt to encryption. This will include making companies that provide communications services and devices obliged to assist when asked, while also making the use of surveillance devices and computer network exploitation by authorities easier. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with Australia a dialogue partner since 1974.

Australia warns Southeast Asia of high-tech terror threat

The Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Mr Raghubar Das and his counterpart in Bihar, Mr Nitish Kumar were confident that the Maoist movement in Bihar has been brought under control. However, both have been proven to be wrong. Just after midnight today, a group of armed Moist insurgents killed one deputy head of village committee and abducted two staff of the Indian Railways, including an ASM. The irony is that this incident happened at Masudan Railway station which is just 164kms away from the heart of Bihar&#39;s capital city, Patna.

&nbsp;

There is a purpose in selecting the place and the action. They want to convey the message that they can reach anywhere, anytime and even in the proximity of the capital, spreading terror and insecurity in the minds of people.

&nbsp;

It is a matter of concern. Indeed, it is a matter of serious concern.

&nbsp;

Bihar and Jharkhand are important transit points for Maoists. It connects two important strongholds of the red corridor, the Dandakaranya in Chhattisgarh and Junglemahal in West Bengal and, hence, carries very high value for the Maoist movement. The entire leadership of the Maoist movement emphasises on controlling this corridor at all costs or else their movement will split and die.

&nbsp;

But what compelled Maoist to kill innocent civilians, burn the railway station and abduct the staff?&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The answer lies in the recent developments in Bihar, Dandakaranya (Chhattisgarh) and Jharkhand. Over last three years, Bihar and Jharkhand Police have been cracking down on the Maoists in the bordering areas of the two states. So far, they have recovered a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and incendiary literature.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Also, their ideologue and member of Polit Bureau, Kobad Ghandy was re-arrested by Police. As the Central Police Forces are cracking down on the Maoist leadership and their ideology, while the civil administration is making inroads in the rural and underdeveloped areas, they are constantly losing moral ground among the local population. The poor tribal and villagers who used to help Maoist movement selflessly, are now getting away from them because they have understood the reality of the movement.

&nbsp;

A few years back, any shutdown declared by the Maoists used to be totally successful because of a whole-hearted local support. But things have changed now, and Maoists have no option but to undertake forceful measures to make their shutdown successful.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The recent incident of Lakhisarai reflects the highest level of frustration among the Maoist leadership. They demanded that the railway traffic on this route would be stopped till their shutdown is over. In his letter issued to the common public, some Suraj who claimed to be the secretary of Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee says, &quot;Join for protests on 18th and 19th December and follow the total Shutdown on 20th December 2017.&quot;

&nbsp;

The message is clear. The movement which earlier claimed to be the movement of public has already turned into a terrorist movement. Not for the people but for their own prestige, money and power.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

In choosing soft targets, the Maoists are showing vulnerability in their once stronghold.

The Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Mr Raghubar Das and his counterpart in Bihar, Mr Nitish Kumar were confident that the Maoist movement in Bihar has been brought under control. However, both have been proven to be wrong. Just after midnight today, a group of armed Moist insurgents killed one deputy head of village committee and abducted two staff of the Indian Railways, including an ASM. The irony is that this incident happened at Masudan Railway station which is just 164kms away from the heart of Bihar's capital city, Patna. There is a purpose in selecting the place and the action. They want to convey the message that they can reach anywhere, anytime and even in the proximity of the capital, spreading terror and insecurity in the minds of people. It is a matter of concern. Indeed, it is a matter of serious concern. Bihar and Jharkhand are important transit points for Maoists. It connects two important strongholds of the red corridor, the Dandakaranya in Chhattisgarh and Junglemahal in West Bengal and, hence, carries very high value for the Maoist movement. The entire leadership of the Maoist movement emphasises on controlling this corridor at all costs or else their movement will split and die. But what compelled Maoist to kill innocent civilians, burn the railway station and abduct the staff? The answer lies in the recent developments in Bihar, Dandakaranya (Chhattisgarh) and Jharkhand. Over last three years, Bihar and Jharkhand Police have been cracking down on the Maoists in the bordering areas of the two states. So far, they have recovered a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and incendiary literature. Also, their ideologue and member of Polit Bureau, Kobad Ghandy was re-arrested by Police. As the Central Police Forces are cracking down on the Maoist leadership and their ideology, while the civil administration is making inroads in the rural and underdeveloped areas, they are constantly losing moral ground among the local population. The poor tribal and villagers who used to help Maoist movement selflessly, are now getting away from them because they have understood the reality of the movement. A few years back, any shutdown declared by the Maoists used to be totally successful because of a whole-hearted local support. But things have changed now, and Maoists have no option but to undertake forceful measures to make their shutdown successful. The recent incident of Lakhisarai reflects the highest level of frustration among the Maoist leadership. They demanded that the railway traffic on this route would be stopped till their shutdown is over. In his letter issued to the common public, some Suraj who claimed to be the secretary of Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee says, "Join for protests on 18th and 19th December and follow the total Shutdown on 20th December 2017." The message is clear. The movement which earlier claimed to be the movement of public has already turned into a terrorist movement. Not for the people but for their own prestige, money and power. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Why Maoists chose soft targets to prove their dominance

Every year, at the very end of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, and at the end of the Passover Seder, Jews all over the world recite, &ldquo;Next year in Jerusalem.&rdquo; The City, older than Bible, is at the heart and mind of all practising Jews. Jerusalem, more than any other city, stands as the symbol of the &#39;Promised Land&#39; as the Jews survived expulsion by the Romans, slavery in the land of the Pharaohs and the Holocaust in Europe. At the end of the Second World War, many Jewish survivors of Hitler&#39;s concentration camps came back to settle in and around Jerusalem.&nbsp;

For long, the Jewish stakeholders around the world had been trying very hard to gain a recognition for the Holy City as Israel&#39;s capital. But they have faced tough luck so far. Even Israel&#39;s closest ally, the US had been refusing to grant capital status to Jerusalem primarily because of the sensitivity of the matter.&nbsp;

Battle for Jerusalem

Palestinians and Israelis have been fighting over Jerusalem ever since the state of Israel has been established. Israel&rsquo;s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has himself asserted that Israel is in the midst of a &ldquo;battle for Jerusalem&rdquo;. While political and religious acrimony over the city has caused much bloodshed among members of both the communities, the lives of the Jerusalem&#39;s citizens have been almost inextricably intertwined.&nbsp;

The primary flashpoint in Jerusalem is the sacred compound in the Old City, known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount. The religious topography there is meaningful for the current conflict. Islamic structures stand on the Haram today and are used on a daily basis. The Jewish holy places exist primarily in archaeology and memory. Worship focuses on a remaining fragment of the Second, or Herod&rsquo;s, Temple, known as the Western Wall. A fragile modus vivendi has existed since 1967 that enables Jews to pray below at the Wall and Muslims above on the esplanade.&nbsp;

Such entwined existence is ubiquitous because the two communities, over the ages, have lived there in harmony as well as in discord. So much so that when violence breaks out it has become impossible to spare anyone community from sufferings such attacks entail. In 2014, for instance, when an attack took place in West Jerusalem at a synagogue, killing four Jewish worshippers, it also resulted in the death of Israeli Druze Zidan Saif.&nbsp;

Saif, incidentally, was not an Israeli Jew.&nbsp; He belonged to a distinct branch of Islam whose members often serve in Israel&rsquo;s police or armed forces. Saif&#39;s funeral was attended by the President of Israel and a large number of ultra-orthodox Jews.&nbsp;

My city, your city, our city

President Trump&#39;s announcement in support of making Jerusalem the capital city of Israel will further weaken the fragile balance on which Jerusalem sustains itself. The decision has the potential to embroil the different religious communities in bloody violence. Particularly because just like the Israeli state, in May 2017, the Palestinian group Hamas presented a document that proposed the formation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.&nbsp;

Giving to the demand of one community over the other, particularly when one-third of the population of Jerusalem is actually Muslim, and with a large number of Christians living in the area too, tantamounts to playing with fire. But Trump to fulfill his election promises and to pacify a large number of his orthodox influential voters is ready to let an already volatile region go further the extremist way.&nbsp;

But as Trump does not seem to care, it seems similar dogged determination has taken over supporters of the Zionist cause living in Israel too.&nbsp;Shumel Rosner, an expert in the Israeli politics and Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for instance, writes in the New York Times that the Israelis will not be deterred by threats of violence or by actual violence itself. Indeed as per the words of Rosner, the US declaration in support of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel is a truly Trumansque moment. The author is here referring back to President Truman&#39;s decision to support the partition of Palestine, though the C.I.A. warned the President that &ldquo;armed hostilities between Jews and Arabs will break out if the U.N. General Assembly accepts the plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Whose city is it anyway?

Jews, Muslims and Christians all the three communities have very long and intimate association with Jerusalem. For historical reasons, one community might have come before the other, but their histories overlap for a significant stretch of time.

Jews had been praying facing Jerusalem for time immemorial.&nbsp;

It is Jerusalem that matter most to the Christians, more than Bethlehem and Nazareth. This was where Christ preached, ate the Last Supper with his disciples before his death, where he was arrested, put on trial, condemned to death, crucified, and died, a man mocked and tortured by the occupying Romans. It is where, Christians believe, his tomb was found empty and he rose from the dead. Jerusalem, they say, is the &#39;sacred heart&#39; of the Christian story.

Jerusalem&#39;s pivotal place in the religious and political history of Islam is equally undeniable. According to Islamic tradition, the prophet travelled miraculously from Mecca to Jerusalem and then upwards through the seven heavens, culminating in a direct conversation with, and/or vision of, God. Before his ascension, he led all the previous prophets of God, including all the Biblical and Israelite prophets, in prayer. Islamic rule over Jerusalem lasted for 12 centuries, longer than any other rule, whether Israelite, Roman, Persian or Christian.

President Trump should have shown better judgement on the matter. He needed to have shown more nuanced appreciation towards the shared history of the region. But characteristically to his rash and provocative nature, Trump went ahead without heeding the advice of the world community.&nbsp;

We can just hope that Jerusalem in spite of its newfound recognition will continue to be a place of harmony for all peoples. And, instead of being the political capital of nation-state, it will be the emotional center of a multicultural universe. After all, the root meaning of Jerusalem is shalom- a city of peace. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

To fulfill his election promises and to pacify a large number of his orthodox influential voters, Trump is ready to let an already volatile region go further down the extremist way.?

Every year, at the very end of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, and at the end of the Passover Seder, Jews all over the world recite, “Next year in Jerusalem.” The City, older than Bible, is at the heart and mind of all practising Jews. Jerusalem, more than any other city, stands as the symbol of the 'Promised Land' as the Jews survived expulsion by the Romans, slavery in the land of the Pharaohs and the Holocaust in Europe. At the end of the Second World War, many Jewish survivors of Hitler's concentration camps came back to settle in and around Jerusalem. For long, the Jewish stakeholders around the world had been trying very hard to gain a recognition for the Holy City as Israel's capital. But they have faced tough luck so far. Even Israel's closest ally, the US had been refusing to grant capital status to Jerusalem primarily because of the sensitivity of the matter. Battle for Jerusalem Palestinians and Israelis have been fighting over Jerusalem ever since the state of Israel has been established. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has himself asserted that Israel is in the midst of a “battle for Jerusalem”. While political and religious acrimony over the city has caused much bloodshed among members of both the communities, the lives of the Jerusalem's citizens have been almost inextricably intertwined. The primary flashpoint in Jerusalem is the sacred compound in the Old City, known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount. The religious topography there is meaningful for the current conflict. Islamic structures stand on the Haram today and are used on a daily basis. The Jewish holy places exist primarily in archaeology and memory. Worship focuses on a remaining fragment of the Second, or Herod’s, Temple, known as the Western Wall. A fragile modus vivendi has existed since 1967 that enables Jews to pray below at the Wall and Muslims above on the esplanade. Such entwined existence is ubiquitous because the two communities, over the ages, have lived there in harmony as well as in discord. So much so that when violence breaks out it has become impossible to spare anyone community from sufferings such attacks entail. In 2014, for instance, when an attack took place in West Jerusalem at a synagogue, killing four Jewish worshippers, it also resulted in the death of Israeli Druze Zidan Saif. Saif, incidentally, was not an Israeli Jew. He belonged to a distinct branch of Islam whose members often serve in Israel’s police or armed forces. Saif's funeral was attended by the President of Israel and a large number of ultra-orthodox Jews. My city, your city, our city President Trump's announcement in support of making Jerusalem the capital city of Israel will further weaken the fragile balance on which Jerusalem sustains itself. The decision has the potential to embroil the different religious communities in bloody violence. Particularly because just like the Israeli state, in May 2017, the Palestinian group Hamas presented a document that proposed the formation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Giving to the demand of one community over the other, particularly when one-third of the population of Jerusalem is actually Muslim, and with a large number of Christians living in the area too, tantamounts to playing with fire. But Trump to fulfill his election promises and to pacify a large number of his orthodox influential voters is ready to let an already volatile region go further the extremist way. But as Trump does not seem to care, it seems similar dogged determination has taken over supporters of the Zionist cause living in Israel too. Shumel Rosner, an expert in the Israeli politics and Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for instance, writes in the New York Times that the Israelis will not be deterred by threats of violence or by actual violence itself. Indeed as per the words of Rosner, the US declaration in support of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel is a truly Trumansque moment. The author is here referring back to President Truman's decision to support the partition of Palestine, though the C.I.A. warned the President that “armed hostilities between Jews and Arabs will break out if the U.N. General Assembly accepts the plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.” Whose city is it anyway? Jews, Muslims and Christians all the three communities have very long and intimate association with Jerusalem. For historical reasons, one community might have come before the other, but their histories overlap for a significant stretch of time. Jews had been praying facing Jerusalem for time immemorial. It is Jerusalem that matter most to the Christians, more than Bethlehem and Nazareth. This was where Christ preached, ate the Last Supper with his disciples before his death, where he was arrested, put on trial, condemned to death, crucified, and died, a man mocked and tortured by the occupying Romans. It is where, Christians believe, his tomb was found empty and he rose from the dead. Jerusalem, they say, is the 'sacred heart' of the Christian story. Jerusalem's pivotal place in the religious and political history of Islam is equally undeniable. According to Islamic tradition, the prophet travelled miraculously from Mecca to Jerusalem and then upwards through the seven heavens, culminating in a direct conversation with, and/or vision of, God. Before his ascension, he led all the previous prophets of God, including all the Biblical and Israelite prophets, in prayer. Islamic rule over Jerusalem lasted for 12 centuries, longer than any other rule, whether Israelite, Roman, Persian or Christian. President Trump should have shown better judgement on the matter. He needed to have shown more nuanced appreciation towards the shared history of the region. But characteristically to his rash and provocative nature, Trump went ahead without heeding the advice of the world community. We can just hope that Jerusalem in spite of its newfound recognition will continue to be a place of harmony for all peoples. And, instead of being the political capital of nation-state, it will be the emotional center of a multicultural universe. After all, the root meaning of Jerusalem is shalom- a city of peace. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Trump is wrong; Israel alone can't claim Jerusalem

US&nbsp;tech firms such as Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc should be more aggressive in tackling extremism and political misinformation if they want to avoid government action, a report from the World Economic Forum said on Monday.

The study from the Swiss nonprofit organization adds to a chorus of calls for Silicon Valley to stem the spread of violent material from Islamic State militants and the use of their services by alleged Russian propagandists.

Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc&#39;s Google will go under the microscope of US&nbsp;lawmakers on Tuesday and Wednesday when their general counsels will testify before three US&nbsp;congressional committees on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential election.

The report from the World Economic Forum&#39;s human rights council warns that tech companies risk government regulation that would limit freedom of speech unless they &quot;assume a more active self-governance role.&quot;

It recommends that the companies conduct more thorough internal reviews of how their services can be misused and that they put in place more human oversight of content.

The German parliament in June approved a plan to fine social media networks up to 50 million euros if they fail to remove hateful postings promptly, a law that Monday&#39;s study said could potentially lead to the takedown of massive amounts of content.

The study from the Swiss nonprofit organization adds to a chorus of calls for Silicon Valley to stem the spread of violent material.

US tech firms such as Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc should be more aggressive in tackling extremism and political misinformation if they want to avoid government action, a report from the World Economic Forum said on Monday. The study from the Swiss nonprofit organization adds to a chorus of calls for Silicon Valley to stem the spread of violent material from Islamic State militants and the use of their services by alleged Russian propagandists. Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc's Google will go under the microscope of US lawmakers on Tuesday and Wednesday when their general counsels will testify before three US congressional committees on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. The report from the World Economic Forum's human rights council warns that tech companies risk government regulation that would limit freedom of speech unless they "assume a more active self-governance role." It recommends that the companies conduct more thorough internal reviews of how their services can be misused and that they put in place more human oversight of content. The German parliament in June approved a plan to fine social media networks up to 50 million euros if they fail to remove hateful postings promptly, a law that Monday's study said could potentially lead to the takedown of massive amounts of content.

Tech firms must do more on extremism: World Economic Forum

Twitter announced on Thursday&nbsp;that it had cut off 360,000 accounts during the past six months in a heightened crackdown on use of the global messaging service to promote violent extremist causes. 
 
The suspensions raised to 360,000 the total number of accounts sidelined since the middle of 2015 and was helping &quot;drive meaningful results&quot; in curbing the activity, according to the San Francisco-based company.&nbsp;Twitter has been striving to balance protecting free speech at the one-to-many messaging service with not providing a stage for extremist groups to spread violent messages and enlist people to their causes. 
 
In February, Twitter said that it had neutralised 125,000 accounts for violating rules against violent threats and promotion of terrorism.&nbsp;&quot;Since that announcement, the world has witnessed a further wave of deadly, abhorrent terror attacks across the globe,&quot; Twitter said in a blog post.&nbsp;&quot;We strongly condemn these acts and remain committed to eliminating the promotion of violence or terrorism on our platform.&quot; 
 
Daily suspensions of accounts are up more than 80 per cent since last year, and spike in the immediate aftermath of terror attacks, according to Twitter.&nbsp; 
 
Twitter said that it is getting quicker at identifying extremist content and shutting down accounts involved, resulting in dramatic decreases in the number of followers attracted while posts are active.&nbsp;Moves have been made to make it tougher for people behind suspended accounts to immediately return to Twitter, and teams reviewing reports of suspected terror content have been expanded. 
 
Like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube rely heavily on users to point out posts that violate standards or policies.&nbsp;Tech titans have been increasingly dabbling with enlisting software to battle extremist propaganda. 
 
&quot;There is no one &#39;magic algorithm&#39; for identifying terrorist content on the Internet,&quot; Twitter said in the post.&nbsp;&quot;But, we continue to utilise other forms of technology, like proprietary spam-fighting tools, to supplement reports from our users and help identify repeat account abuse.&quot; 
 
During the past six months, automated tools have helped Twitter identify more than a third of the accounts suspended for promoting terrorism, according to the company.&nbsp; 
 
Twitter said that it collaborates with other online social platforms in the fight against terror content.&nbsp;Since dreadful attacks in Paris and the city of San Bernardino in California, pressure has been growing for online social networks to thwart extremist groups from taking advantage of their platforms. 
 
A US judge last week tossed out a lawsuit accusing Twitter of abetting terrorism by allowing Islamic State (IS) group propaganda to be broadcast using the messaging platform.&nbsp;District Court Judge William Orrick granted a motion by Twitter to dismiss the case, reasoning that providing a platform for speech is within the law and that the company did not create the content. 
 
The Communications Decency Act (CDA) protects online platforms from being held responsible for what users post.&nbsp;The suit was filed in San Francisco federal court by the families of two government contractors killed late last year while working at a police training center run by the United States in Amman, according to court documents. 
 
A Jordanian police captain studying at the center fatally shot the two men, and IS later claimed the captain was a &quot;lone wolf&quot; working for the group&#39;s cause, the judge recounted in his ruling.&nbsp;&quot;As horrific as these deaths were, under the CDA Twitter cannot be treated as a publisher or speaker of ISIS&#39;s hateful rhetoric and is not liable under the facts alleged,&quot; Orrick said in the decision, using another name for IS. 
 
The suit accused Twitter of providing &quot;material support&quot; by letting accounts spread the message of the extremist group.&nbsp;The judge left open the option of refiling an amended version of the suit. 
 
(AFP)

In February, Twitter had blocked 360,000 accounts for violating rules against violent threats and promotion of terrorism

Twitter announced on Thursday that it had cut off 360,000 accounts during the past six months in a heightened crackdown on use of the global messaging service to promote violent extremist causes. The suspensions raised to 360,000 the total number of accounts sidelined since the middle of 2015 and was helping "drive meaningful results" in curbing the activity, according to the San Francisco-based company. Twitter has been striving to balance protecting free speech at the one-to-many messaging service with not providing a stage for extremist groups to spread violent messages and enlist people to their causes. In February, Twitter said that it had neutralised 125,000 accounts for violating rules against violent threats and promotion of terrorism. "Since that announcement, the world has witnessed a further wave of deadly, abhorrent terror attacks across the globe," Twitter said in a blog post. "We strongly condemn these acts and remain committed to eliminating the promotion of violence or terrorism on our platform." Daily suspensions of accounts are up more than 80 per cent since last year, and spike in the immediate aftermath of terror attacks, according to Twitter. Twitter said that it is getting quicker at identifying extremist content and shutting down accounts involved, resulting in dramatic decreases in the number of followers attracted while posts are active. Moves have been made to make it tougher for people behind suspended accounts to immediately return to Twitter, and teams reviewing reports of suspected terror content have been expanded. Like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube rely heavily on users to point out posts that violate standards or policies. Tech titans have been increasingly dabbling with enlisting software to battle extremist propaganda. "There is no one 'magic algorithm' for identifying terrorist content on the Internet," Twitter said in the post. "But, we continue to utilise other forms of technology, like proprietary spam-fighting tools, to supplement reports from our users and help identify repeat account abuse." During the past six months, automated tools have helped Twitter identify more than a third of the accounts suspended for promoting terrorism, according to the company. Twitter said that it collaborates with other online social platforms in the fight against terror content. Since dreadful attacks in Paris and the city of San Bernardino in California, pressure has been growing for online social networks to thwart extremist groups from taking advantage of their platforms. A US judge last week tossed out a lawsuit accusing Twitter of abetting terrorism by allowing Islamic State (IS) group propaganda to be broadcast using the messaging platform. District Court Judge William Orrick granted a motion by Twitter to dismiss the case, reasoning that providing a platform for speech is within the law and that the company did not create the content. The Communications Decency Act (CDA) protects online platforms from being held responsible for what users post. The suit was filed in San Francisco federal court by the families of two government contractors killed late last year while working at a police training center run by the United States in Amman, according to court documents. A Jordanian police captain studying at the center fatally shot the two men, and IS later claimed the captain was a "lone wolf" working for the group's cause, the judge recounted in his ruling. "As horrific as these deaths were, under the CDA Twitter cannot be treated as a publisher or speaker of ISIS's hateful rhetoric and is not liable under the facts alleged," Orrick said in the decision, using another name for IS. The suit accused Twitter of providing "material support" by letting accounts spread the message of the extremist group. The judge left open the option of refiling an amended version of the suit. (AFP)

Twitter neutralises 360,000 accounts in crackdown on extremism

Members of Shia National Front took to the streets in Lucknow city of India&#39;s northern Uttar Pradesh state on Saturday demanding a ban on Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik, for allegedly propagating extremism. 
 
The protesters alleged that Naik spewed venom against all religions in his speeches and was misguiding people. 
 
Naik has come in the line of fire following revelations that one of the attackers involved in the assault in a restaurant in Dhaka last week was influenced by his speeches. 
 
Shia cleric, Maulana Yasoob Abbas, claimed that Naik wanted every Muslim to become Osama bin Laden. 
 
&quot;Zakir Naik has no relation with Islam. He quotes verses from Quran and Geeta but that is to fool people and mislead the youth. I urge the Indian government to ban Peace TV and probe the source of his wealth to find out who is funding him,&quot; said Abbas. 
 
He added that he had met India&#39;s interior minister seeking an immediate ban on Naik. 
 
According to a national daily of Bangladesh, an attacker, Rohan Imtiaz, the son of a politician of the&nbsp;country&#39;s ruling Awami League, had even written a post on Facebook last year quoting Naik. 
 
Six gunmen stormed a restaurant in Dhaka&#39;s diplomatic zone late on July 1 and killed 20 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, in an assault claimed by Islamic State. 
 
It was one of the deadliest militant attacks to date in Bangladesh. 
 
Naik&#39;s speeches are broadcast across the Indian sub-continent through his Peace TV with a viewership of at least 100 million, said media reports. 
 
Naik already faces a ban in the United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia. He has made several controversial statements in the past. In a statement from 2006, Naik was caught on camera telling Muslims it was acceptable to embrace terrorism in certain instances. 
 
The radical preacher had also supported once dreaded militant Osama bin Laden in one of his speeches. Naik is also of the idea that homosexuals should be killed. 
 
(Reuters)

One of the attackers involved in the Dhaka siege had reportedly quoted Naik in a Facebook post about a year ago

Members of Shia National Front took to the streets in Lucknow city of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state on Saturday demanding a ban on Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik, for allegedly propagating extremism. The protesters alleged that Naik spewed venom against all religions in his speeches and was misguiding people. Naik has come in the line of fire following revelations that one of the attackers involved in the assault in a restaurant in Dhaka last week was influenced by his speeches. Shia cleric, Maulana Yasoob Abbas, claimed that Naik wanted every Muslim to become Osama bin Laden. "Zakir Naik has no relation with Islam. He quotes verses from Quran and Geeta but that is to fool people and mislead the youth. I urge the Indian government to ban Peace TV and probe the source of his wealth to find out who is funding him," said Abbas. He added that he had met India's interior minister seeking an immediate ban on Naik. According to a national daily of Bangladesh, an attacker, Rohan Imtiaz, the son of a politician of the country's ruling Awami League, had even written a post on Facebook last year quoting Naik. Six gunmen stormed a restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic zone late on July 1 and killed 20 people, most of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, in an assault claimed by Islamic State. It was one of the deadliest militant attacks to date in Bangladesh. Naik's speeches are broadcast across the Indian sub-continent through his Peace TV with a viewership of at least 100 million, said media reports. Naik already faces a ban in the United Kingdom, Canada and Malaysia. He has made several controversial statements in the past. In a statement from 2006, Naik was caught on camera telling Muslims it was acceptable to embrace terrorism in certain instances. The radical preacher had also supported once dreaded militant Osama bin Laden in one of his speeches. Naik is also of the idea that homosexuals should be killed. (Reuters)

Shia Muslims in Northern India seek ban on controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik

Spanish police arrested three brothers of Pakistani nationality suspected of spreading Islamic extremist propaganda via social media networks. 
 
Officers detained the men, aged between 25 and 31, in an early morning raid on their home in the northeastern city of Lleida, a police spokesman said. 
 
The brothers operated several social media accounts to upload videos praising group executions carried out by Islamic State, the Taliban and other Pakistan-based extremist groups, police said in a statement. 
 
Police said the brothers had attracted a large number of followers in their attempts to spread jihadist ideology. 
 
The raid comes three days after a gun attack by a suicide bomber at Istanbul&#39;s Ataturk airport killed 44 people and which Turkish officials said appeared to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. 
 
(AFP)

The brothers used social media profiles to upload videos in support of executions by Islamic State, Taliban and other extremist groups

Spanish police arrested three brothers of Pakistani nationality suspected of spreading Islamic extremist propaganda via social media networks. Officers detained the men, aged between 25 and 31, in an early morning raid on their home in the northeastern city of Lleida, a police spokesman said. The brothers operated several social media accounts to upload videos praising group executions carried out by Islamic State, the Taliban and other Pakistan-based extremist groups, police said in a statement. Police said the brothers had attracted a large number of followers in their attempts to spread jihadist ideology. The raid comes three days after a gun attack by a suicide bomber at Istanbul's Ataturk airport killed 44 people and which Turkish officials said appeared to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. (AFP)

Spain arrests 3 Pakistani brothers for propagating Islamic extremism

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