<p>A Tunisian man who stabbed to death a police employee outside Paris watched jihadist propaganda videos just before the attack, France's anti-terror prosecutor said Sunday, adding that a fifth person was detained for questioning.</p>

<p>Based on an analysis of the killer's cellphone as well as his social media postings, "his radicalisation appears little in doubt," French magistrate Jean-Francois Ricard said at a press conference.</p>

<p>The 36-year-old attacker, identified as Jamel Gorchene, stabbed a woman who worked at the police station in Rambouillet, a suburb southwest of Paris, on Friday as she was returning from a break.</p>

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<p>Racing into the building's secure entry hall, he grabbed the victim from behind and stabbed her in the stomach and throat while yelling "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest), Ricard said.</p>

<p>An officer in the building shot Gorchene after he refused an order to drop the knife, which had a 22-centimetre (nine-inch) blade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Investigators later discovered that he had watched videos of songs praising jihadist fighters on his phone moments before the attack.</p>

<p>A Koran and a prayer rug were found in his scooter afterwards, Ricard said.</p>

<p>Video surveillance cameras appear to show that Gorchene visited a temporary prayer hall in Rambouillet a few hours before arriving at the station, he added, though the images do not confirm if he entered the building.</p>

<p>Gorchene's father, who was still being held for questioning Sunday, "revealed that his son had adopted a rigorous practice of Islam," Ricard said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"On the other hand, he also said that he had noticed behavioural troubles since the beginning of this year," he added.</p>

<p>A couple who housed Gorchene after he arrived illegally in France in 2009 were released from custody without charge, a judicial source said.</p>

<p>Two cousins remained in custody Sunday as investigators try to work out what prompted the attack by a man unknown to any of France's intelligence services and without a criminal record.</p>

<p>France has suffered a wave of Islamist terror attacks that have killed more than 250 people in recent years. Ricard said the Rambouillet attack number 17&nbsp;since 2014.</p>

<p>Gorchene, who obtained a French residency permit last year, had returned last month to Tunisia to visit his family, his first trip to the country since he immigrated.</p>

<p>Ricard said investigators were working with Tunisian authorities, while Tunisia's embassy in Paris said it "strongly condemned" a "barbaric act" carried out during the holy month of Ramadan.</p>

<p>Posts on Gorchene's Facebook page indicate that he might have been spurred to action after the jihadist murder of Samuel Paty, a school teacher, last October, Ricard said.</p>

<p>Paty had angered some students' parents by showing controversial cartoons of the prophet Mohammed printed by the Charlie Hebdo newspaper, whose offices were also targeted in a deadly jihadist attack in 2015.</p>

<p>After the Paty murder, Gorchene embraced "an ideology that legitimises violence against those who offend the prophet," Ricard said.</p>

<p>Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the government would present a new law this week to toughen anti-terror measures, including increased use of computer algorithms to detect potential terror threats among internet users.</p>

<p>"We are now dealing with isolated individuals, increasingly younger and unknown to intelligence services, and often without any links to established Islamist groups," he told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper on Sunday.</p>

<p>President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday visited the police station in Rambouillet as well as the bakery owned by the husband of the victim, a 49-year-old mother of two teenage girls.</p>

<p>The latest violence targeting police is likely to heighten attention on the danger of Islamic extremism in France and on wider concerns about security and immigration a year ahead of presidential elections.</p>

<p>Polls currently indicate that Macron will face a tough race against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who accused the government of failing to eradicate "Islamism" in the wake of the attack.</p>

<p>But other critics say Macron's efforts to tackle religious extremism, including making it easier for authorities to track foreign funding of mosques, risk stigmatising or alienating French Muslims.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Tunisian man who stabbed to death a police employee outside Paris watched jihadist propaganda videos just before the attack, France's anti-terror prosecutor said Sunday, adding that a fifth person was detained for questioning.

A Tunisian man who stabbed to death a police employee outside Paris watched jihadist propaganda videos just before the attack, France's anti-terror prosecutor said Sunday, adding that a fifth person was detained for questioning. Based on an analysis of the killer's cellphone as well as his social media postings, "his radicalisation appears little in doubt," French magistrate Jean-Francois Ricard said at a press conference. The 36-year-old attacker, identified as Jamel Gorchene, stabbed a woman who worked at the police station in Rambouillet, a suburb southwest of Paris, on Friday as she was returning from a break. Racing into the building's secure entry hall, he grabbed the victim from behind and stabbed her in the stomach and throat while yelling "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest), Ricard said. An officer in the building shot Gorchene after he refused an order to drop the knife, which had a 22-centimetre (nine-inch) blade. Investigators later discovered that he had watched videos of songs praising jihadist fighters on his phone moments before the attack. A Koran and a prayer rug were found in his scooter afterwards, Ricard said. Video surveillance cameras appear to show that Gorchene visited a temporary prayer hall in Rambouillet a few hours before arriving at the station, he added, though the images do not confirm if he entered the building. Gorchene's father, who was still being held for questioning Sunday, "revealed that his son had adopted a rigorous practice of Islam," Ricard said. "On the other hand, he also said that he had noticed behavioural troubles since the beginning of this year," he added. A couple who housed Gorchene after he arrived illegally in France in 2009 were released from custody without charge, a judicial source said. Two cousins remained in custody Sunday as investigators try to work out what prompted the attack by a man unknown to any of France's intelligence services and without a criminal record. France has suffered a wave of Islamist terror attacks that have killed more than 250 people in recent years. Ricard said the Rambouillet attack number 17 since 2014. Gorchene, who obtained a French residency permit last year, had returned last month to Tunisia to visit his family, his first trip to the country since he immigrated. Ricard said investigators were working with Tunisian authorities, while Tunisia's embassy in Paris said it "strongly condemned" a "barbaric act" carried out during the holy month of Ramadan. Posts on Gorchene's Facebook page indicate that he might have been spurred to action after the jihadist murder of Samuel Paty, a school teacher, last October, Ricard said. Paty had angered some students' parents by showing controversial cartoons of the prophet Mohammed printed by the Charlie Hebdo newspaper, whose offices were also targeted in a deadly jihadist attack in 2015. After the Paty murder, Gorchene embraced "an ideology that legitimises violence against those who offend the prophet," Ricard said. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the government would present a new law this week to toughen anti-terror measures, including increased use of computer algorithms to detect potential terror threats among internet users. "We are now dealing with isolated individuals, increasingly younger and unknown to intelligence services, and often without any links to established Islamist groups," he told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper on Sunday. President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday visited the police station in Rambouillet as well as the bakery owned by the husband of the victim, a 49-year-old mother of two teenage girls. The latest violence targeting police is likely to heighten attention on the danger of Islamic extremism in France and on wider concerns about security and immigration a year ahead of presidential elections. Polls currently indicate that Macron will face a tough race against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who accused the government of failing to eradicate "Islamism" in the wake of the attack. But other critics say Macron's efforts to tackle religious extremism, including making it easier for authorities to track foreign funding of mosques, risk stigmatising or alienating French Muslims. (With inputs from agencies)

France knife attack: Tunisian stabber watched jihadist propaganda videos

<p>Islamic State said on Monday its fighters had carried out an attack on the northern&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;town of Palma, where dozens were killed, thousands displaced and some remain missing.</p>

<p>Islamist insurgents hit the town, adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, with a three-pronged attack on Wednesday. Fighting continued on Monday, according to a security source directly involved in efforts to secure the town.</p>

<p>The government confirmed on Sunday that dozens of people had died, including seven when their convoy of cars was ambushed during an escape attempt.</p>

<p>Islamic State claimed the attack via its Amaq news agency, saying its fighters had taken control of the town after days of clashes with security forces.</p>

<p>They had killed at least 55 people, including a number of soldiers, destroyed and taken control of buildings including factories and banks, and seized vehicles, it said.</p>

<p>Reuters could not independently verify the claims. Most communications to Palma have been down since Wednesday.</p>

<p>Officials at&nbsp;Mozambique's defence ministry and its national police could not be reached for comment by phone on Monday and did not immediately reply to text messages.</p>

<p>The country's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado, where Palma is located on the border with Tanzania, has been home since 2017 to a simmering Islamist insurgency now linked to Islamic State.</p>

<p><strong>Boat rescues</strong></p>

<p>The total number of dead or missing following the attack remains unclear. Tens of thousands of people may have fled, according to three aid workers.</p>

<p>Nick Alexander, a British-South African contractor, was in a convoy of vehicles attempting to escape a besieged hotel on Friday, his daughter Jayde, who lives in Johannesburg, told Reuters via WhatsApp.</p>

<p>He spent two nights crawling in the bush after the ambush before being rescued, she said, adding that he had grabbed a machine gun from a military vehicle for protection only to find it did not work.</p>

<p>"He is alive and well and on his way home," she said.</p>

<p>Many people fled to the beach in hopes of being rescued, another security source in touch with government-allied forces said. A variety of boats were taking them to the provincial capital, Pemba, about 150 miles (240 km) to the south, an aid worker said.</p>

<p>Government-contracted helicopters have also been rescuing people, the security sources said.</p>

<p><strong>No contact</strong></p>

<p>Relatives of the missing waited anxiously at Pemba's port, hoping to hear news of their family members.</p>

<p>"I have had no contact with my family since Wednesday, my wife, my sons, my mother, my brothers," Pemba resident Patricio Amade told Portugal's state news agency Lusa.</p>

<p>Lusa also reported on Monday that hundreds of people who fled Palma had arrived at the border with Tanzania after walking through the bush for days to get to safety.</p>

<p>Tanzania's police told Reuters they had not so far seen people seeking to enter their territory from&nbsp;Mozambique.</p>

<p>At least one South African was among those killed. Britain's The Times newspaper reported that a British national had died.</p>

<p>French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its $20 billion development outside Palma following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a "strict minimum".</p>

<p>The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to security issues.</p>


Islamic State said on Monday its fighters had carried out an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma, where dozens were killed, thousands displaced and some remain missing.

Islamic State said on Monday its fighters had carried out an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma, where dozens were killed, thousands displaced and some remain missing. Islamist insurgents hit the town, adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, with a three-pronged attack on Wednesday. Fighting continued on Monday, according to a security source directly involved in efforts to secure the town. The government confirmed on Sunday that dozens of people had died, including seven when their convoy of cars was ambushed during an escape attempt. Islamic State claimed the attack via its Amaq news agency, saying its fighters had taken control of the town after days of clashes with security forces. They had killed at least 55 people, including a number of soldiers, destroyed and taken control of buildings including factories and banks, and seized vehicles, it said. Reuters could not independently verify the claims. Most communications to Palma have been down since Wednesday. Officials at Mozambique's defence ministry and its national police could not be reached for comment by phone on Monday and did not immediately reply to text messages. The country's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado, where Palma is located on the border with Tanzania, has been home since 2017 to a simmering Islamist insurgency now linked to Islamic State. Boat rescues The total number of dead or missing following the attack remains unclear. Tens of thousands of people may have fled, according to three aid workers. Nick Alexander, a British-South African contractor, was in a convoy of vehicles attempting to escape a besieged hotel on Friday, his daughter Jayde, who lives in Johannesburg, told Reuters via WhatsApp. He spent two nights crawling in the bush after the ambush before being rescued, she said, adding that he had grabbed a machine gun from a military vehicle for protection only to find it did not work. "He is alive and well and on his way home," she said. Many people fled to the beach in hopes of being rescued, another security source in touch with government-allied forces said. A variety of boats were taking them to the provincial capital, Pemba, about 150 miles (240 km) to the south, an aid worker said. Government-contracted helicopters have also been rescuing people, the security sources said. No contact Relatives of the missing waited anxiously at Pemba's port, hoping to hear news of their family members. "I have had no contact with my family since Wednesday, my wife, my sons, my mother, my brothers," Pemba resident Patricio Amade told Portugal's state news agency Lusa. Lusa also reported on Monday that hundreds of people who fled Palma had arrived at the border with Tanzania after walking through the bush for days to get to safety. Tanzania's police told Reuters they had not so far seen people seeking to enter their territory from Mozambique. At least one South African was among those killed. Britain's The Times newspaper reported that a British national had died. French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its $20 billion development outside Palma following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a "strict minimum". The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to security issues.

Islamic State claims deadly attack on northern Mozambique town

<p>A Pakistani man who attacked the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine last September was radicalised by videos of preachers in his home country and anti-France demonstrations at the time, a report said Wednesday.</p>

<p>The 26-year-old had spent days leading up to his knife attack watching extremist preachers on YouTube and TikTok denouncing France and Charlie Hebdo, Le Parisien newspaper reported, citing the police investigation.</p>

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<p>"I couldn't eat. I was crying watching the videos," Zaheer Hassan Mahmood told investigators.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Weeks before, the magazine had republished cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, which were considered blasphemous by many Muslims, to mark the start of a trial of men linked to a 2015 attack on its offices.</p>

<p>Mahmood said he did not realise the magazine had moved offices after the 2015 attack and presumed the two people he slashed with a meat cleaver were employees of the publication, the paper said.</p>

<p>Both victims, who worked for a TV production company with no links to Charlie Hebdo, sustained serious injuries.</p>

<p>Mahmood, from the village of Kothli Qazi in Punjab province, had entered France with false papers showing him as an unaccompanied minor, enabling him to claim asylum.</p>

<p>Islamist groups organised demonstrations in Pakistan in September against Charlie Hebdo and French President Emmanuel Macron, who defended freedom of expression and blasphemy, which is legal in France. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Mahmood watched videos by Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the late founder of the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party, and other radical preachers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was also influenced by Prime Minister Imran Khan, who accused Macron of "attacking Islam", the paper said.</p>

<p>Blasphemy is a criminal act in conservative Pakistan, where laws allow for the death penalty for anyone deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures.</p>

<p>Mahmood said he initially intended to damage the office building, rather than attack people, and has offered to apologise to his victims.</p>

<p>Investigators have found a video he sent to a friend the day before his attack which called for the decapitation of blasphemers, and he received a call from Greece the same day which appeared to refer to a pre-meditated assault.</p>

<p>He has been charged with "attempted murder with relation to a terrorist enterprise".</p>


A Pakistani man who attacked the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine last September was radicalised by videos of preachers in his home country and anti-France demonstrations at the time, a report said Wednesday.

A Pakistani man who attacked the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo magazine last September was radicalised by videos of preachers in his home country and anti-France demonstrations at the time, a report said Wednesday. The 26-year-old had spent days leading up to his knife attack watching extremist preachers on YouTube and TikTok denouncing France and Charlie Hebdo, Le Parisien newspaper reported, citing the police investigation. "I couldn't eat. I was crying watching the videos," Zaheer Hassan Mahmood told investigators. Weeks before, the magazine had republished cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, which were considered blasphemous by many Muslims, to mark the start of a trial of men linked to a 2015 attack on its offices. Mahmood said he did not realise the magazine had moved offices after the 2015 attack and presumed the two people he slashed with a meat cleaver were employees of the publication, the paper said. Both victims, who worked for a TV production company with no links to Charlie Hebdo, sustained serious injuries. Mahmood, from the village of Kothli Qazi in Punjab province, had entered France with false papers showing him as an unaccompanied minor, enabling him to claim asylum. Islamist groups organised demonstrations in Pakistan in September against Charlie Hebdo and French President Emmanuel Macron, who defended freedom of expression and blasphemy, which is legal in France. Mahmood watched videos by Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the late founder of the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party, and other radical preachers. He was also influenced by Prime Minister Imran Khan, who accused Macron of "attacking Islam", the paper said. Blasphemy is a criminal act in conservative Pakistan, where laws allow for the death penalty for anyone deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures. Mahmood said he initially intended to damage the office building, rather than attack people, and has offered to apologise to his victims. Investigators have found a video he sent to a friend the day before his attack which called for the decapitation of blasphemers, and he received a call from Greece the same day which appeared to refer to a pre-meditated assault. He has been charged with "attempted murder with relation to a terrorist enterprise".

Charlie Hebdo: Stabbings suspect 'radicalised by Pakistani groups'

<p>The French government will launch a "massive and unprecedented" wave of measures to combat religious extremism, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday, adding that one step would be to inspect 76 mosques.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">76 mosquées sont aujourd’hui soupçonnées de séparatisme.<br />
Dans les prochains jours, des contrôles vont être menés sur ces lieux de culte.<br />
Si jamais ces doutes sont confirmés, je demanderai leur fermeture. <a href="https://t.co/Mq8DGnB2Pr">pic.twitter.com/Mq8DGnB2Pr</a></p>
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) <a href="https://twitter.com/GDarmanin/status/1334395726906929158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Darmanin said in a statement on Twitter&nbsp;that if any prayer hall was found to promote extremism it would be closed down.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Sur les 231 étrangers en situation irrégulière fichés pour radicalisation :<br />
- 66 ont été expulsés<br />
- 46 sont en centre de rétention administrative<br />
- 30 sont assignés à résidence<br />
- 5 sont incarcérés <a href="https://t.co/AMTwEgm8RU">pic.twitter.com/AMTwEgm8RU</a></p>
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) <a href="https://twitter.com/GDarmanin/status/1334401405839413251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The inspections to be carried out on Thursday afternoon are part of a response to two gruesome attacks that particularly shocked France,&nbsp;the beheading of a teacher who showed his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed and the stabbing to death of three people in a church in Nice.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-france-beheading-a-clash-between-secularism-and-islam-336536/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Darmanin said the fact that only a fraction of the around 2,600 Muslim places of worship in France were suspected of peddling radical theories showed "we are far from a situation of widespread radicalisation".</p>

<p>"Nearly all Muslims in France respect the laws of the Republic and are hurt by that (radicalisation)," he said.</p>

<p>President Emmanuel Macron's government has responded to several deadly Islamist attacks in recent weeks with a promise to crack down on what some public officials have called "the enemy within."</p>

<p>The killing of teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown his pupils cartoons of Mohammed in a class on free speech, sent shockwaves through France, where it was seen as an attack on the republic itself.</p>

<p>In the aftermath of his murder, the authorities raided dozens of Islamic sports groups, charities, and associations suspected of promoting extremism.</p>

<p>They also ordered the temporary closure of a mosque near Paris that shared a vitriolic video inciting hatred of Paty.</p>

<p>The latest inspections come as Darmanin attempts to fend off fierce criticism over cases of police brutality caught on camera that have forced the ruling party to revise a controversial bill restricting filming of the police.</p>


The French government will launch a "massive and unprecedented" wave of measures to combat religious extremism, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday, adding that one step would be to inspect 76 mosques.

The French government will launch a "massive and unprecedented" wave of measures to combat religious extremism, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday, adding that one step would be to inspect 76 mosques. 76 mosquées sont aujourd’hui soupçonnées de séparatisme. Dans les prochains jours, des contrôles vont être menés sur ces lieux de culte. Si jamais ces doutes sont confirmés, je demanderai leur fermeture. pic.twitter.com/Mq8DGnB2Pr — Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) December 3, 2020 × Darmanin said in a statement on Twitter that if any prayer hall was found to promote extremism it would be closed down. Sur les 231 étrangers en situation irrégulière fichés pour radicalisation : - 66 ont été expulsés - 46 sont en centre de rétention administrative - 30 sont assignés à résidence - 5 sont incarcérés pic.twitter.com/AMTwEgm8RU — Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) December 3, 2020 × The inspections to be carried out on Thursday afternoon are part of a response to two gruesome attacks that particularly shocked France, the beheading of a teacher who showed his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed and the stabbing to death of three people in a church in Nice. Darmanin said the fact that only a fraction of the around 2,600 Muslim places of worship in France were suspected of peddling radical theories showed "we are far from a situation of widespread radicalisation". "Nearly all Muslims in France respect the laws of the Republic and are hurt by that (radicalisation)," he said. President Emmanuel Macron's government has responded to several deadly Islamist attacks in recent weeks with a promise to crack down on what some public officials have called "the enemy within." The killing of teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown his pupils cartoons of Mohammed in a class on free speech, sent shockwaves through France, where it was seen as an attack on the republic itself. In the aftermath of his murder, the authorities raided dozens of Islamic sports groups, charities, and associations suspected of promoting extremism. They also ordered the temporary closure of a mosque near Paris that shared a vitriolic video inciting hatred of Paty. The latest inspections come as Darmanin attempts to fend off fierce criticism over cases of police brutality caught on camera that have forced the ruling party to revise a controversial bill restricting filming of the police.

France to inspect nearly 80 mosques accused of radicalisation

<p>France on Monday affirmed its&nbsp;"profound respect for Islam"&nbsp;in the country's defence of the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad.</p>

<p>French&nbsp;Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said ''We have a first principle which is the highest respect for Islam.&nbsp;I also want to say that Muslims are fully part of society in&nbsp;France.''</p>

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<p>''The second message is that we're confronted by a terrorism threat, fanaticism, on our soil but also elsewhere, and this battle is a common battle," he added.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;statement&nbsp;comes in the wake of several attacks in&nbsp;France&nbsp;apparently provoked by anger over the defence of the caricatures, considered blasphemous by Muslims, as freedom of expression.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-fm-in-egypt-to-calm-tensions-after-cartoon-controversy-341799" hreflang="en">France FM in Egypt to calm tensions after cartoon controversy</a></strong></p>

<p>After meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Le Drian said an "anti-French" campaign in the Muslim world had often been the result of a distortion of French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on the issue.</p>

<p>The Cairo-based Al-Azhar considered the foremost religious institutions for Sunni Muslims, condemned French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo's decision in September to reprint the cartoons.</p>

<p>Demonstrations have erupted in several Muslim-majority countries after Macron defended the right to publish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, which many saw as insulting and an attack on Islam.</p>

<p>Macron's remarks came after a suspected Islamist decapitated a schoolteacher in a Paris suburb on October 16, after he showed the cartoons during a lesson on freedom of expression.</p>

<p>Sisi himself had weighed in, saying last month that “to insult the prophets amounts to underestimating the religious beliefs of many people”.</p>


France on Monday affirmed its "profound respect for Islam" in the country's defence of the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said ''We have a first principle which is the highest respect for Islam.

France on Monday affirmed its "profound respect for Islam" in the country's defence of the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said ''We have a first principle which is the highest respect for Islam. I also want to say that Muslims are fully part of society in France.'' ''The second message is that we're confronted by a terrorism threat, fanaticism, on our soil but also elsewhere, and this battle is a common battle," he added. The statement comes in the wake of several attacks in France apparently provoked by anger over the defence of the caricatures, considered blasphemous by Muslims, as freedom of expression. Also read: France FM in Egypt to calm tensions after cartoon controversy After meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Le Drian said an "anti-French" campaign in the Muslim world had often been the result of a distortion of French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on the issue. The Cairo-based Al-Azhar considered the foremost religious institutions for Sunni Muslims, condemned French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo's decision in September to reprint the cartoons. Demonstrations have erupted in several Muslim-majority countries after Macron defended the right to publish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, which many saw as insulting and an attack on Islam. Macron's remarks came after a suspected Islamist decapitated a schoolteacher in a Paris suburb on October 16, after he showed the cartoons during a lesson on freedom of expression. Sisi himself had weighed in, saying last month that “to insult the prophets amounts to underestimating the religious beliefs of many people”.

France affirms respect for Islam in dispute over cartoons

<p>French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he would step up border security in the wake of several terror attacks, including a knife rampage in a Nice church blamed on a Tunisian migrant.</p>

<p>During a visit to the border between France and Spain, Macron announced that the number of border guards would be doubled to 4,800 from 2,400&nbsp;"because of the worsening of the threat" from terrorism.</p>

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<p>Macron also&nbsp;called for a strengthening of border controls in the European Union's Schengen zone following recent Islamist attacks in France and Austria.</p>

<p>The increased controls would target illegal immigration amid "a growing terrorism threat", he said.</p>

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<p>"I am in favour of an in-depth re-foundation of Schengen to re-think its organisation and beef up our common border security," Macron added.</p>

<p>France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community, has been hit by a string of militant attacks in recent years.</p>

<p>A knife-wielding Tunisian man shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) beheaded a woman and killed two other people in a church in the French city of Nice on Oct. 30.</p>

<p>France has deployed thousands of soldiers to protect important sites such as places of worship and schools, and France's security alert is at its highest level.</p>


French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he would step up border security in the wake of several terror attacks, including a knife rampage in a Nice church blamed on a Tunisian migrant.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that he would step up border security in the wake of several terror attacks, including a knife rampage in a Nice church blamed on a Tunisian migrant. During a visit to the border between France and Spain, Macron announced that the number of border guards would be doubled to 4,800 from 2,400 "because of the worsening of the threat" from terrorism. Macron also called for a strengthening of border controls in the European Union's Schengen zone following recent Islamist attacks in France and Austria. The increased controls would target illegal immigration amid "a growing terrorism threat", he said. "I am in favour of an in-depth re-foundation of Schengen to re-think its organisation and beef up our common border security," Macron added. France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community, has been hit by a string of militant attacks in recent years. A knife-wielding Tunisian man shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) beheaded a woman and killed two other people in a church in the French city of Nice on Oct. 30. France has deployed thousands of soldiers to protect important sites such as places of worship and schools, and France's security alert is at its highest level.

France to double security forces on borders in wake of Nice attack

<p>The UK's terror level threat is to be upgraded to 'severe' in the wake of the deadly attack in Vienna. Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the change in a tweet, as she warned people to stay vigilant.</p>

<p>The alert level means an attack is 'highly likely.'<br />
<br />
<strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamist-terror-is-our-common-enemy-germanys-angela-merkel-offers-condolence-to-vienna-340079">'Islamist terror is our common enemy': Germany's Angela Merkel offers condolence to Vienna</a></strong></p>

<p>"The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has changed the UK terror threat level from substantial to severe. This is a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat. The public should continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police," she tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has changed the UK terror threat level from substantial to severe.<br />
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This is a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat.<br />
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The public should continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. <a href="https://t.co/XJa0gXetee">pic.twitter.com/XJa0gXetee</a></p>
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) <a href="https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1323659464701075456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sounded-like-firecrackers-making-of-american-film-eyewitnesses-describe-vienna-terror-attack-340099">Also read | 'Sounded like firecrackers', 'making of American film': Eyewitnesses describe Vienna terror attack</a></p>

<p>The step was taken as a precaution and was not based on a specific plot against Britain, Patel said on Twitter. Deadly incidents in France and Austria in recent weeks prompted the move, police said.</p>

<p>Last week, three others died in a knife attack in Nice, France, and a teacher was murdered in the French capital Paris last month.</p>

<p>Assessments of terror threat levels are taken by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), part of the MI5 intelligence service, which makes its recommendations independently from the government. They range between five categories of low, moderate, substantial, severe and critical.</p>

<p>The UK's terrorism threat level was raised to the highest rating, "critical", in the days following the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017. The threat level remained at the second-highest rating, "severe", until last November last year when it was downgraded to "substantial", where it has stayed until now.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The UK's terror level threat is to be upgraded to 'severe' in the wake of the deadly attack in Vienna. Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the change in a tweet, as she warned people to stay vigilant.

The UK's terror level threat is to be upgraded to 'severe' in the wake of the deadly attack in Vienna. Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the change in a tweet, as she warned people to stay vigilant. The alert level means an attack is 'highly likely.' Also read | 'Islamist terror is our common enemy': Germany's Angela Merkel offers condolence to Vienna "The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has changed the UK terror threat level from substantial to severe. This is a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat. The public should continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police," she tweeted. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has changed the UK terror threat level from substantial to severe. This is a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat. The public should continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. pic.twitter.com/XJa0gXetee — Priti Patel (@pritipatel) November 3, 2020 × Also read | 'Sounded like firecrackers', 'making of American film': Eyewitnesses describe Vienna terror attack The step was taken as a precaution and was not based on a specific plot against Britain, Patel said on Twitter. Deadly incidents in France and Austria in recent weeks prompted the move, police said. Last week, three others died in a knife attack in Nice, France, and a teacher was murdered in the French capital Paris last month. Assessments of terror threat levels are taken by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), part of the MI5 intelligence service, which makes its recommendations independently from the government. They range between five categories of low, moderate, substantial, severe and critical. The UK's terrorism threat level was raised to the highest rating, "critical", in the days following the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017. The threat level remained at the second-highest rating, "severe", until last November last year when it was downgraded to "substantial", where it has stayed until now. (With inputs from agencies)

UK terror threat level raised to severe, Brits told attack is 'highly likely'

<p>France announced on Monday that it is mulling to ban&nbsp;a Turkish ultra-nationalist group known as the Grey Wolves.</p>

<p>The move is set to further strain&nbsp;already tense relations with Ankara as&nbsp;the Grey Wolves is&nbsp;seen as a wing of a party allied to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-president-emmanuel-macron-faces-wrath-of-muslim-world-watch-this-report-339984/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Turkish members of the&nbsp;Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) condemned it.</p>

<p>The dissolution was announced after a memorial centre to mass killings of Armenians during World War I was defaced with graffiti including the name of the Grey Wolves at the weekend.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-calls-for-boycott-of-french-goods-over-macrons-stance-against-radical-islam-338069">Erdogan calls for boycott of French goods over Macron's stance against radical Islam</a></strong></p>

<p>It will be put to the French cabinet on Wednesday, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told a parliamentary committee.</p>

<p>"To put it mildly, we are talking about a particularly aggressive group," Darmanin said.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-macrons-message-to-anti-france-protesters-339953/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"It deserves to be dissolved," he added, saying the move meant that actions or meetings by the group can be punished by fines or imprisonment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His announcement came after a memorial centre outside Lyon to the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, regarded as genocide by Armenia, was defaced with pro-Turkish slogans including "Grey Wolves" and "RTE" in reference to Erdogan.</p>

<p>The incident in the town of Decines-Charpieu came against a background of sharp tension in France between its Armenian and Turkish communities over the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.</p>

<p>Turkey has strongly backed its ally Azerbaijan in the conflict over the region that is part of Azerbaijan but has been controlled by Armenian separatists since a 1990s war as the Soviet Union broke up.</p>

<p>Four people were wounded outside Lyon last Wednesday in clashes between suspected Turkish nationalists and Armenians protesting against Azerbaijan's military offensive.</p>

<p>Armenians have long campaigned for the mass killings of their ancestors in the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to be recognised as genocide.</p>

<p><strong>'No place in our country'&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The move by Darmanin risks further stoking tensions with Ankara.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Turkey, the Grey Wolves are closely linked to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) of Devlet Bahceli which has a political alliance with Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP).</p>

<p>Analysts see the MHP as critical to Erdogan's continued domination of Turkey, with the support of Bahceli a key factor behind his victory in 2018's presidential election.</p>

<p>The Grey Wolves are regarded as the militant wing of the MHP and caused havoc on the streets in Turkey during the 1970s and 1980s when its members frequently clashed with leftist activists.</p>

<p>Those affiliated to the Grey Wolves, known as Bozkurtlar in Turkish, and MHP traditionally show their loyalty with a hand gesture in which the little and index fingers are raised.</p>

<p>Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish nationalist who attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981, has also been linked to the movement.</p>

<p>"It is excellent news," said French MP Yael Braun-Pivet who chairs the laws committee where Darmanin made the announcement. "These violent groups have no place in our country," she wrote on Twitter.</p>

<p>There have been weeks of tensions between France and Turkey, which reached a peak last month after the beheading of a French schoolteacher who showed his pupils cartoons mocking Islam's Prophet Mohammed.</p>

<p>In the wake of the killing, President Emmanuel Macron delivered a passionate defence of free speech, including the right to mock religion, prompting Erdogan to question his mental health.</p>

<p>France responded by recalling its ambassador to Ankara for consultations.</p>

<p>In an interview with Al-Jazeera on Saturday, Macron accused Turkey of adopting a "bellicose" stance towards its NATO allies, saying tensions could ease if Erdogan showed respect and did not tell lies.</p>

<p>Following a spate of Islamist attacks in recent weeks, France has also been taking steps to ban radical Islamist groups and to cut off foreign funds to them.</p>

<p>In Compiegne, a town in northern France, two wild boar heads were found Monday on the building site of new offices for a French-Turkish cultural exchange association, which said it had filed charges for trespassing and "an Islamophobic act".</p>


France announced on Monday that it is mulling to ban a Turkish ultra-nationalist group known as the Grey Wolves. The move is set to further strain already tense relations with Ankara as the Grey Wolves is seen as a wing of a party allied to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

France announced on Monday that it is mulling to ban a Turkish ultra-nationalist group known as the Grey Wolves. The move is set to further strain already tense relations with Ankara as the Grey Wolves is seen as a wing of a party allied to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish members of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) condemned it. The dissolution was announced after a memorial centre to mass killings of Armenians during World War I was defaced with graffiti including the name of the Grey Wolves at the weekend. Also read: Erdogan calls for boycott of French goods over Macron's stance against radical Islam It will be put to the French cabinet on Wednesday, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told a parliamentary committee. "To put it mildly, we are talking about a particularly aggressive group," Darmanin said. "It deserves to be dissolved," he added, saying the move meant that actions or meetings by the group can be punished by fines or imprisonment. His announcement came after a memorial centre outside Lyon to the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, regarded as genocide by Armenia, was defaced with pro-Turkish slogans including "Grey Wolves" and "RTE" in reference to Erdogan. The incident in the town of Decines-Charpieu came against a background of sharp tension in France between its Armenian and Turkish communities over the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey has strongly backed its ally Azerbaijan in the conflict over the region that is part of Azerbaijan but has been controlled by Armenian separatists since a 1990s war as the Soviet Union broke up. Four people were wounded outside Lyon last Wednesday in clashes between suspected Turkish nationalists and Armenians protesting against Azerbaijan's military offensive. Armenians have long campaigned for the mass killings of their ancestors in the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to be recognised as genocide. 'No place in our country' The move by Darmanin risks further stoking tensions with Ankara. In Turkey, the Grey Wolves are closely linked to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) of Devlet Bahceli which has a political alliance with Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). Analysts see the MHP as critical to Erdogan's continued domination of Turkey, with the support of Bahceli a key factor behind his victory in 2018's presidential election. The Grey Wolves are regarded as the militant wing of the MHP and caused havoc on the streets in Turkey during the 1970s and 1980s when its members frequently clashed with leftist activists. Those affiliated to the Grey Wolves, known as Bozkurtlar in Turkish, and MHP traditionally show their loyalty with a hand gesture in which the little and index fingers are raised. Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish nationalist who attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981, has also been linked to the movement. "It is excellent news," said French MP Yael Braun-Pivet who chairs the laws committee where Darmanin made the announcement. "These violent groups have no place in our country," she wrote on Twitter. There have been weeks of tensions between France and Turkey, which reached a peak last month after the beheading of a French schoolteacher who showed his pupils cartoons mocking Islam's Prophet Mohammed. In the wake of the killing, President Emmanuel Macron delivered a passionate defence of free speech, including the right to mock religion, prompting Erdogan to question his mental health. France responded by recalling its ambassador to Ankara for consultations. In an interview with Al-Jazeera on Saturday, Macron accused Turkey of adopting a "bellicose" stance towards its NATO allies, saying tensions could ease if Erdogan showed respect and did not tell lies. Following a spate of Islamist attacks in recent weeks, France has also been taking steps to ban radical Islamist groups and to cut off foreign funds to them. In Compiegne, a town in northern France, two wild boar heads were found Monday on the building site of new offices for a French-Turkish cultural exchange association, which said it had filed charges for trespassing and "an Islamophobic act".

France sparks Turkish fury with plans to ban ‘Grey Wolves’ nationalist group

<p>Global leaders on Monday condemned the ''terror attack'' in Vienna in which at least three&nbsp;people have been killed and 15 injured after multiple gunmen opened fire.</p>

<p>The perpetrators of the Vienna attack&nbsp;have yet to be identified, but the shootings follow a spate of Islamist attacks in France that have set the nation on edge.</p>

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<p>Austrian&nbsp;Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described it as a "repulsive terrorist attack" and said&nbsp;the army would protect sites in the capital so the police could focus on anti-terror operations.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="de">Ich bin froh, dass unsere Polizisten bereits einen Täter ausschalten konnten. Wir werden uns durch Terrorismus niemals einschüchtern lassen und diese Angriffe mit allen Mitteln entschieden bekämpfen.</p>
— Sebastian Kurz (@sebastiankurz) <a href="https://twitter.com/sebastiankurz/status/1323388438737989633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Speaking to ORF, he said the attackers "were very well equipped with automatic weapons" and had "prepared professionally."</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vienna-shooting-atleast-2-dead-15-injured-after-gunmen-open-fire-339973" hreflang="en">Vienna shooting: Atleast 2 dead, 15 injured after gunmen open fire</a></strong></p>

<p>Police said on Twitter that at least one person had been killed and that the injured included a police officer.&nbsp;Vienna&nbsp;mayor Michael Ludwig told ORF that 15 people were being treated in&nbsp;Vienna&nbsp;hospitals and that seven were in serious condition.</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump criticised the ''vile act of terrorism in Europe'' and vowed his support against ''radical Islamic terrorists''.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our prayers are with the people of Vienna after yet another vile act of terrorism in Europe. These evil attacks against innocent people must stop. The U.S. stands with Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including radical Islamic terrorists.</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1323481349030879232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After tonight's horrific terrorist attack in Vienna, Austria, Jill and I are keeping the victims and their families in our prayers. We must all stand united against hate and violence.</p>
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1323457369670512641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed solidarity with Austria ''during this tragic time''.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna. India stands with Austria during this tragic time. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1323483525337632768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>European Union chief Charles Michel slammed the shootings in Vienna on Monday in which at least two people including one attacker died and several more were injured as "cowardly".</p>

<p>Europe "strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values," European Council chief Michel tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Europe strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values.<br />
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My thoughts are with the victims and the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vienna?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vienna</a> in the wake of tonight’s horrific attack.<br />
<br />
We stand with Austria <a href="https://twitter.com/sebastiankurz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sebastiankurz</a></p>
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) <a href="https://twitter.com/eucopresident/status/1323376433033596929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>French President Emmanuel Macron vowed Europe would not bow to terrorists following the shootings in Vienna.</p>

<p>"We French share the shock and sorrow of the Austrian people following the attack in Vienna," Macron tweeted in both French and German.</p>

<p>"After France, it is a friendly nation that has been attacked. This is our Europe. Our enemies must know who they're dealing with. We will concede nothing."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Israel condemns the brutal attack in Vienna and stands in total solidarity with Austria. Civilized peoples everywhere must unite to defeat the savagery of resurgent Islamist terrorism.</p>
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1323532689220272128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte "strongly condemned" the shootings and said, "There is no room for hatred and violence in our common European home."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it">Ferma condanna dell’attentato che questa sera ha colpito la città di <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vienna?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vienna</a>. Non c’è spazio per l’odio e la violenza nella nostra casa comune europea. Vicinanza al popolo austriaco, ai familiari delle vittime e ai feriti.</p>
— Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) <a href="https://twitter.com/GiuseppeConteIT/status/1323383835497844736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Germany's foreign ministry said Monday that "we cannot give in to hate that is supposed to divide our societies" following shootings in the Austrian capital.</p>

<p>"Even if we can't yet foresee the extent of the terror, our thoughts are with the wounded and the victims in these difficult hours," the ministry wrote on Twitter, calling the news from neighbouring Austria "horrifying and disturbing".</p>

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;sent a telegram&nbsp;to Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz,&nbsp;calling&nbsp;the attack a "cruel and cynical crime", the Kremlin said in a statement.</p>


Global leaders on Monday condemned the ''terror attack'' in Vienna in which at least three people have been killed and 15 injured after multiple gunmen opened fire.

Global leaders on Monday condemned the ''terror attack'' in Vienna in which at least three people have been killed and 15 injured after multiple gunmen opened fire. The perpetrators of the Vienna attack have yet to be identified, but the shootings follow a spate of Islamist attacks in France that have set the nation on edge. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described it as a "repulsive terrorist attack" and said the army would protect sites in the capital so the police could focus on anti-terror operations. Ich bin froh, dass unsere Polizisten bereits einen Täter ausschalten konnten. Wir werden uns durch Terrorismus niemals einschüchtern lassen und diese Angriffe mit allen Mitteln entschieden bekämpfen. — Sebastian Kurz (@sebastiankurz) November 2, 2020 × Speaking to ORF, he said the attackers "were very well equipped with automatic weapons" and had "prepared professionally." Also read| Vienna shooting: Atleast 2 dead, 15 injured after gunmen open fire Police said on Twitter that at least one person had been killed and that the injured included a police officer. Vienna mayor Michael Ludwig told ORF that 15 people were being treated in Vienna hospitals and that seven were in serious condition. US President Donald Trump criticised the ''vile act of terrorism in Europe'' and vowed his support against ''radical Islamic terrorists''. Our prayers are with the people of Vienna after yet another vile act of terrorism in Europe. These evil attacks against innocent people must stop. The U.S. stands with Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including radical Islamic terrorists. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2020 × After tonight's horrific terrorist attack in Vienna, Austria, Jill and I are keeping the victims and their families in our prayers. We must all stand united against hate and violence. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 3, 2020 × Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed solidarity with Austria ''during this tragic time''. Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna. India stands with Austria during this tragic time. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 3, 2020 × European Union chief Charles Michel slammed the shootings in Vienna on Monday in which at least two people including one attacker died and several more were injured as "cowardly". Europe "strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values," European Council chief Michel tweeted. Europe strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values. My thoughts are with the victims and the people of #Vienna in the wake of tonight’s horrific attack. We stand with Austria @sebastiankurz — Charles Michel (@eucopresident) November 2, 2020 × French President Emmanuel Macron vowed Europe would not bow to terrorists following the shootings in Vienna. "We French share the shock and sorrow of the Austrian people following the attack in Vienna," Macron tweeted in both French and German. "After France, it is a friendly nation that has been attacked. This is our Europe. Our enemies must know who they're dealing with. We will concede nothing." Israel condemns the brutal attack in Vienna and stands in total solidarity with Austria. Civilized peoples everywhere must unite to defeat the savagery of resurgent Islamist terrorism. — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) November 3, 2020 × Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte "strongly condemned" the shootings and said, "There is no room for hatred and violence in our common European home." Ferma condanna dell’attentato che questa sera ha colpito la città di #Vienna. Non c’è spazio per l’odio e la violenza nella nostra casa comune europea. Vicinanza al popolo austriaco, ai familiari delle vittime e ai feriti. — Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) November 2, 2020 × Germany's foreign ministry said Monday that "we cannot give in to hate that is supposed to divide our societies" following shootings in the Austrian capital. "Even if we can't yet foresee the extent of the terror, our thoughts are with the wounded and the victims in these difficult hours," the ministry wrote on Twitter, calling the news from neighbouring Austria "horrifying and disturbing". Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, calling the attack a "cruel and cynical crime", the Kremlin said in a statement.

Vienna shooting: World leaders condemn 'repulsive terror attack'

<p>Militants killed 18 people in an attack on a village in eastern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dr-congo-ebola-death-toll-2231-to-date-report-270888">Congo</a>, a regional official and a local human rights group said on Monday, the latest in a 60-day counter-offensive that has killed nearly 200 civilians.</p>

<p>The attack occurred in Apetina, in a remote forested area a few miles from the Ugandan border where attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist group, have increased since October&nbsp;30, when the army launched a campaign to root them out.</p>

<p>Democratic Republic of Congo <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/opposition-leader-felix-tshisekedi-declared-winner-in-dr-congo-presidential-election-189319">President Felix Tshisekedi</a> has said the campaign has dismantled nearly all of the ADF's sanctuaries, but attacks continue unabated. Earlier this month, 22 were killed in ambushes on two villages in the same region.</p>

<p>"There was a raid by ADF rebels in...​​Apetina on Sunday night. These rebels killed 18 people and burned down eight houses," said Donat Kibwana, the administrator of Beni territory.</p>

<p>He said that the army was alerted to the attack but arrived after the killings had occurred. CEPADHO, a human rights group, also said that 18 had been killed.</p>

<p>The Congolese government has blamed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/17-people-killed-in-twin-attacks-in-dr-congo-182195">ADF for attacks</a> going back years, including dozens of night-time massacres since 2014 that have killed hundreds of civilians. But repeated military operations have failed to fully eradicate the group.</p>

<p>The recent surge in violence has complicated efforts to stamp out an Ebola outbreak in the area. Infections have started to rise in areas health workers have been unable to access because of insecurity.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-two-iranian-judges-for-overseeing-iranian-regimes-miscarriage-of-justice-269258">US&nbsp;Treasury</a> this month imposed sanctions on six members of the ADF, including its leader Musa Baluku. Islamic State has claimed some ADF attacks this year, but researchers say there is a lack of hard evidence linking the two groups.</p>


Militants killed 18 people in an attack on a village in eastern Congo, a regional official and a local human rights group said on Monday, the latest in a 60-day counter-offensive that has killed nearly 200 civilians.

Militants killed 18 people in an attack on a village in eastern Congo, a regional official and a local human rights group said on Monday, the latest in a 60-day counter-offensive that has killed nearly 200 civilians. The attack occurred in Apetina, in a remote forested area a few miles from the Ugandan border where attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist group, have increased since October 30, when the army launched a campaign to root them out. Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has said the campaign has dismantled nearly all of the ADF's sanctuaries, but attacks continue unabated. Earlier this month, 22 were killed in ambushes on two villages in the same region. "There was a raid by ADF rebels in...Apetina on Sunday night. These rebels killed 18 people and burned down eight houses," said Donat Kibwana, the administrator of Beni territory. He said that the army was alerted to the attack but arrived after the killings had occurred. CEPADHO, a human rights group, also said that 18 had been killed. The Congolese government has blamed the ADF for attacks going back years, including dozens of night-time massacres since 2014 that have killed hundreds of civilians. But repeated military operations have failed to fully eradicate the group. The recent surge in violence has complicated efforts to stamp out an Ebola outbreak in the area. Infections have started to rise in areas health workers have been unable to access because of insecurity. The US Treasury this month imposed sanctions on six members of the ADF, including its leader Musa Baluku. Islamic State has claimed some ADF attacks this year, but researchers say there is a lack of hard evidence linking the two groups.

Militants kill 18 in attack in eastern Congo

<p>The propaganda of the Islamic State (ISIS) is growing across South Asia. Easter attacks in Sri Lanka which killed over 250 people is case in point. The attacks were claimed by a local terror group National Thowheeth Jamaath, which is an ISIS-affiliate</p>

<p>It's important to recall here that investigations had revealed that the mastermind of the attack, Zaharan Hashim, was in touch with radical elements in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Following the investigations, NIA had arrested several suspects, one of whom had confessed to the plan of carrying out a suicide attack in Kerala.</p>

<p>Kerala police and Coast guard were already on high alert since Sri Lanka attacks, what raises more concern are the Intelligence inputs claiming that a boat carrying 15 IS operatives has been set off for Lakshadweep Islands from Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>Moreover, in a recently held internal security meeting, Intelligence agencies have warned Home Ministry that radical groups are trying to spread their presence across the country.</p>

<p>Apart from southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, these groups are also targetting people in Northeastern states. The inputs further stated that funds from Gulf countries are being used to mobilise these outfits.</p>

<p>Home Ministry has asked the intelligence agencies to keep a tight vigil on the suspected groups. Furthermore, the government is likely to come up with a counter-radicalisation policy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government is also keeping a close watch on social media as the ISIS operatives, many a time, use technology to approach the youth. State police also keep check on deviant youth and once the suspects are identified they are counselled on the risks involved.</p>

<p>Taking a cue from the countries that have implemented counter-radicalisation policy, the government can also run programmes which not just focus on countering ideology but also psychological rehabilitation. Local religious leaders, lawyers, senior citizens can be roped in to engage with the youth on dangers of extremism and radicalisation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national security team now has two prominent faces on the diplomatic and strategic fronts which is an asset for the government - External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. They both have achieved a lot together during the previous term of the NDA government. (2014-2019).</p>

<p>In his last tenure, Doval had played a key role in launching de-radicalisation initiatives with several Asian countries. The government will continue with such initiatives this time as well.</p>

<p>India and Maldives on Saturday agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism, countering violent extremism and de-radicalisation.</p>

<p>India has been struggling with the radicalisation of youth in Jammu and Kashmir by the militant groups based in Pakistan. According to security officials, at least 50 youngsters have joined various terror outfits since March 2019. Youth in the age group of 15 years to 25 years are most vulnerable to be exploited.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Centre already runs some programmes to counsel the youth in the valley to bring in them positive behavioural changes. Army has been able to bring back a number of ultras to the mainstream with the help of the parents&nbsp;and senior citizens.</p>

<p>The state needs more career counselling centres, drug de-addiction centres, personality development centres and training workshops.</p>

<p>To defeat terrorism and radicalisation, it's important to engage in dialogue with the youth and motivate them to live a dignified and constructive life.</p>

<p>Amit Shah has also instructed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take "harsh action" against separatist leaders who are instrumental in fuelling terror activities in the state and put them behind bars.</p>

<p>In a stern message to Pakistan when the global strategic environment is against Islamabad, Prime Minister Modi has reiterated its stand that there can be no talks between the two countries until Pakistan stops its anti-India activities.</p>

<p>Narendra Modi government 2.0 has&nbsp;shown zero-tolerance towards terrorism, radicalisation and extremism across the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With Shah, Jaishankar and Doval, Modi has ramped up India's security infrastructure to deal with the challenges pertaining to the national security and foreign policy.<br />
<br />
<em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The propaganda of the Islamic State (ISIS) is growing across South Asia. Easter attacks in Sri Lanka which killed over 250 people is case in point. The attacks were claimed by a local terror group National Thowheeth Jamaath, which is an ISIS-affiliate It's important to recall here that investigations had revealed that the mastermind of the attack, Zaharan Hashim, was in touch with radical elements in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The propaganda of the Islamic State (ISIS) is growing across South Asia. Easter attacks in Sri Lanka which killed over 250 people is case in point. The attacks were claimed by a local terror group National Thowheeth Jamaath, which is an ISIS-affiliate It's important to recall here that investigations had revealed that the mastermind of the attack, Zaharan Hashim, was in touch with radical elements in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Following the investigations, NIA had arrested several suspects, one of whom had confessed to the plan of carrying out a suicide attack in Kerala. Kerala police and Coast guard were already on high alert since Sri Lanka attacks, what raises more concern are the Intelligence inputs claiming that a boat carrying 15 IS operatives has been set off for Lakshadweep Islands from Sri Lanka. Moreover, in a recently held internal security meeting, Intelligence agencies have warned Home Ministry that radical groups are trying to spread their presence across the country. Apart from southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, these groups are also targetting people in Northeastern states. The inputs further stated that funds from Gulf countries are being used to mobilise these outfits. Home Ministry has asked the intelligence agencies to keep a tight vigil on the suspected groups. Furthermore, the government is likely to come up with a counter-radicalisation policy. The government is also keeping a close watch on social media as the ISIS operatives, many a time, use technology to approach the youth. State police also keep check on deviant youth and once the suspects are identified they are counselled on the risks involved. Taking a cue from the countries that have implemented counter-radicalisation policy, the government can also run programmes which not just focus on countering ideology but also psychological rehabilitation. Local religious leaders, lawyers, senior citizens can be roped in to engage with the youth on dangers of extremism and radicalisation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national security team now has two prominent faces on the diplomatic and strategic fronts which is an asset for the government - External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. They both have achieved a lot together during the previous term of the NDA government. (2014-2019). In his last tenure, Doval had played a key role in launching de-radicalisation initiatives with several Asian countries. The government will continue with such initiatives this time as well. India and Maldives on Saturday agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism, countering violent extremism and de-radicalisation. India has been struggling with the radicalisation of youth in Jammu and Kashmir by the militant groups based in Pakistan. According to security officials, at least 50 youngsters have joined various terror outfits since March 2019. Youth in the age group of 15 years to 25 years are most vulnerable to be exploited. Centre already runs some programmes to counsel the youth in the valley to bring in them positive behavioural changes. Army has been able to bring back a number of ultras to the mainstream with the help of the parents and senior citizens. The state needs more career counselling centres, drug de-addiction centres, personality development centres and training workshops. To defeat terrorism and radicalisation, it's important to engage in dialogue with the youth and motivate them to live a dignified and constructive life. Amit Shah has also instructed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take "harsh action" against separatist leaders who are instrumental in fuelling terror activities in the state and put them behind bars. In a stern message to Pakistan when the global strategic environment is against Islamabad, Prime Minister Modi has reiterated its stand that there can be no talks between the two countries until Pakistan stops its anti-India activities. Narendra Modi government 2.0 has shown zero-tolerance towards terrorism, radicalisation and extremism across the country. With Shah, Jaishankar and Doval, Modi has ramped up India's security infrastructure to deal with the challenges pertaining to the national security and foreign policy. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

As radicalisation grows, Narendra Modi government puts in place stronger measures