Each event reshaped borders, policies and perceptions, forcing the world to confront the growing reach of extremism in the 21st century. 

From 9/11 to 26/11: 7 deadliest terror attacks that shook the world

The suspect in a shooting incident that left three Kurds dead and three others injured in Paris last Friday has admitted to a "pathological" hatred of foreigners.

Paris Attack: Suspect admits 'pathological' hatred of foreigners

According to the officials, a shooting in central Paris left two dead and several injured, including two in critical condition. Watch this video to know more.

Paris shooting kills two, suspected gunman arrested

Is an apology enough for carrying out terror attacks and taking several lives? This question seems to have come to fore now as the sole surviving member of the jihadist team, which carried out deadly attacks in November 2015 in Paris, has apologised to the victims on Friday. &nbsp;

The apology came at the end of his trial testimony. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-presidential-candidate-marine-le-pen-pledge-to-ban-ritual-slaughter-of-animals-irks-muslims-jews-471253" hreflang="en">French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen's pledge to ban ritual slaughter of animals irks Muslims, Jews</a>

In a tearful statement, 32-year-old Salah Abdeslam said in the court, “I wish to express my condolences and offer an apology to all the victims. I know that hatred remains.. I ask you today that you hate me with moderation". &nbsp;

He had earlier said that he changed his mind about the killings at the last moment. &nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, Abdeslam had told the special Paris court, which was hearing the case, "The objective I was given was to go to a cafe in the 18th district in northern Paris. I'm going into the cafe, I'm ordering a drink, I'm looking at the people around me -- and I said to myself: 'No, I'm not going to do it'." &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;French Election 2022: Polls show Macron leading at 53% vs Le Pen's 47%

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Abdeslam had also said that he was told about the plan of the attack on November 11. It was two days before they were actually carried out. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the attacks, around 130 people were killed. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Is an apology enough for carrying out terror attacks and taking several lives? This question seems to have come to fore now as the sole surviving member of the jihadist team, which carried out deadly attacks in November 2015 in Paris, has apologised to the victims on Friday.

Is an apology enough for carrying out terror attacks and taking several lives? This question seems to have come to fore now as the sole surviving member of the jihadist team, which carried out deadly attacks in November 2015 in Paris, has apologised to the victims on Friday. The apology came at the end of his trial testimony. Also Read: French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen's pledge to ban ritual slaughter of animals irks Muslims, Jews In a tearful statement, 32-year-old Salah Abdeslam said in the court, “I wish to express my condolences and offer an apology to all the victims. I know that hatred remains.. I ask you today that you hate me with moderation". He had earlier said that he changed his mind about the killings at the last moment. Earlier on Wednesday, Abdeslam had told the special Paris court, which was hearing the case, "The objective I was given was to go to a cafe in the 18th district in northern Paris. I'm going into the cafe, I'm ordering a drink, I'm looking at the people around me -- and I said to myself: 'No, I'm not going to do it'." Watch: French Election 2022: Polls show Macron leading at 53% vs Le Pen's 47% × Abdeslam had also said that he was told about the plan of the attack on November 11. It was two days before they were actually carried out. In the attacks, around 130 people were killed. (With inputs from agencies)

November 2015 Paris attacks suspect tenders ‘tearful’ apology to victims  

The last surviving suspected assailant in the deadly 2015&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;attacks&nbsp;told a court Wednesday that he changed his mind about going through with the killings at the last moment.

"The objective I was given was to go to a cafe in the 18th" district in northern&nbsp;Paris, Salah Abdeslam told the special&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;court hearing the case.

"I'm going into the cafe, I'm ordering a drink, I'm looking at the people around me -- and I said to myself: 'No, I'm not going to do it'," he added.

For the plaintiffs in the case, including the loved ones of victims of the November 2015&nbsp;attacks&nbsp;that killed 130 people, this was testimony they had been waiting months to hear.

Abdeslam, 32, said he was told about plans for the attack in&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;on November 11, two days before they were carried out.

That happened at a meeting in Charleroi, in Belgium, with Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who is accused of having masterminded the&nbsp;attacks.

Until then, said Abdeslam, he thought he was going to be sent to Syria. Instead, he was told he had been chosen to carry out an attack using an explosive belt.

'A shock for me' 

"It was a shock for me, but he ended up by convincing me," he added.

"I ended up accepting and saying, 'Okay, I'll go ahead with it'."

But at that meeting, he was given no details about the targets for the attack.

When he ultimately did not go through with the attack, he told the court how he took his car and drove around&nbsp;Paris&nbsp;at random until it broke down.

Then he got out and walked, he said, saying his memories of that period were "confused".

Pressed by the president of the court Jean-Louis Peries, he said only that he knew what he had been supposed to do.

"My brother, he had a belt, a Kalashnikov, I know he's going to open fire, I know he's going to blow himself up, but I didn't know the targets."

The attackers killed 130 people in suicide bombings and shootings at the Stade de France stadium, the Bataclan concert hall and on street terraces of bars and restaurants on November 13, 2015, in France's worst peacetime atrocity.

Abdeslam's older brother Brahim opened fire on a cafe terrace before blowing himself up.

Earlier in court another defendant, Mohamed Abrini, said Abdeslam simply had not had the nerve to go through with the attack.

Abrini, who is accused of having provided weapons and logistical support to the attackers, said he had seen Abdeslam when he turned up at a safe house a day after the&nbsp;attacks.

"He was exhausted, tired, he looked pale," said Abrini.

One of the organisers of the&nbsp;attacks&nbsp;had yelled at him for not having blown himself up.

"I think he told them that his belt hadn't worked," said Abrini.

Abdeslam told the court last month that in fact he had been lying about the malfunction.

After surviving the attack, Abdeslam fled to the Molenbeek district of Brussels where he grew up. He was captured in March 2016.

Alongside Abdeslam, co-defendants are answering charges ranging from providing logistical support to planning the&nbsp;attacks, as well as supplying weapons.

The last surviving suspected assailant in the deadly 2015 Paris attacks told a court Wednesday that he changed his mind about going through with the killings at the last moment.

The last surviving suspected assailant in the deadly 2015 Paris attacks told a court Wednesday that he changed his mind about going through with the killings at the last moment. "The objective I was given was to go to a cafe in the 18th" district in northern Paris, Salah Abdeslam told the special Paris court hearing the case. "I'm going into the cafe, I'm ordering a drink, I'm looking at the people around me -- and I said to myself: 'No, I'm not going to do it'," he added. For the plaintiffs in the case, including the loved ones of victims of the November 2015 attacks that killed 130 people, this was testimony they had been waiting months to hear. Abdeslam, 32, said he was told about plans for the attack in Paris on November 11, two days before they were carried out. That happened at a meeting in Charleroi, in Belgium, with Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who is accused of having masterminded the attacks. Until then, said Abdeslam, he thought he was going to be sent to Syria. Instead, he was told he had been chosen to carry out an attack using an explosive belt. 'A shock for me' "It was a shock for me, but he ended up by convincing me," he added. "I ended up accepting and saying, 'Okay, I'll go ahead with it'." But at that meeting, he was given no details about the targets for the attack. When he ultimately did not go through with the attack, he told the court how he took his car and drove around Paris at random until it broke down. Then he got out and walked, he said, saying his memories of that period were "confused". Pressed by the president of the court Jean-Louis Peries, he said only that he knew what he had been supposed to do. "My brother, he had a belt, a Kalashnikov, I know he's going to open fire, I know he's going to blow himself up, but I didn't know the targets." The attackers killed 130 people in suicide bombings and shootings at the Stade de France stadium, the Bataclan concert hall and on street terraces of bars and restaurants on November 13, 2015, in France's worst peacetime atrocity. Abdeslam's older brother Brahim opened fire on a cafe terrace before blowing himself up. Earlier in court another defendant, Mohamed Abrini, said Abdeslam simply had not had the nerve to go through with the attack. Abrini, who is accused of having provided weapons and logistical support to the attackers, said he had seen Abdeslam when he turned up at a safe house a day after the attacks. "He was exhausted, tired, he looked pale," said Abrini. One of the organisers of the attacks had yelled at him for not having blown himself up. "I think he told them that his belt hadn't worked," said Abrini. Abdeslam told the court last month that in fact he had been lying about the malfunction. After surviving the attack, Abdeslam fled to the Molenbeek district of Brussels where he grew up. He was captured in March 2016. Alongside Abdeslam, co-defendants are answering charges ranging from providing logistical support to planning the attacks, as well as supplying weapons.

Paris attacks suspect says he changed his mind at last moment

For fallen heroes: France pays respect to victims of Paris attack on 5th anniversary of attack

French police are questioning 10 people on suspicion of supplying weapons to an Islamist militant who attacked a Jewish deli in Paris in January 2015, killing four Jewish hostages, police sources said on Wednesday.

Amedy Coulibaly staged the attack on the kosher supermarket in eastern Paris, two days after two other gunmen stormed into the Paris offices of the satirical journal Charlie Hebdo and killed 12 people, most of them cartoonists and journalists.

Coulibaly was killed by French security forces after he planted explosives at the Paris deli during a police siege. The two other gunmen were killed after they took refuge in a print works.

The source said police, in their questioning, were looking at possible links between the attacks and people in Belgium.

Shortly after the attacks in January 2015, Belgian authorities detained one person for arms dealing and said they were investigating whether he had supplied Coulibaly with weapons to carry out the attack.

(Reuters)

The 10 people are under suspicion of supplying weapons to the Islamist militant who attacked a Jewish deli in Paris

French police are questioning 10 people on suspicion of supplying weapons to an Islamist militant who attacked a Jewish deli in Paris in January 2015, killing four Jewish hostages, police sources said on Wednesday. Amedy Coulibaly staged the attack on the kosher supermarket in eastern Paris, two days after two other gunmen stormed into the Paris offices of the satirical journal Charlie Hebdo and killed 12 people, most of them cartoonists and journalists. Coulibaly was killed by French security forces after he planted explosives at the Paris deli during a police siege. The two other gunmen were killed after they took refuge in a print works. The source said police, in their questioning, were looking at possible links between the attacks and people in Belgium. Shortly after the attacks in January 2015, Belgian authorities detained one person for arms dealing and said they were investigating whether he had supplied Coulibaly with weapons to carry out the attack. (Reuters)

French police question 10 over January 2015 Paris attacks

Mohamed Abrini, the &quot;man in the hat&quot; bombing suspect caught on camera during the Brussels airport attack, has been charged in France over the November 2015 jihadist massacres in Paris, his lawyers said on Monday.

Belgium handed Abrini over to the French authorities on Monday for a day so that he could face charges related to the deaths of 130 people in the French capital.

Abrini was captured in Brussels in April over his suspected involvement in the March 22 Brussels attacks and the Paris killings, both of which were claimed by the Islamic State group.

Belgian investigators have said the Brussels airport and metro bombers who killed a total of 32 people were part of the same Brussels-based cell that orchestrated the Paris attacks.

The main suspect in the Paris attacks is Salah Abdeslam, a Belgian-born French national believed to be the only survivor of the jihadist team behind the carnage.

(AFP)

Belgium handed Abrini over to the French authorities for a day so that he could face charges related to the deaths of 130 people in Paris

Mohamed Abrini, the "man in the hat" bombing suspect caught on camera during the Brussels airport attack, has been charged in France over the November 2015 jihadist massacres in Paris, his lawyers said on Monday. Belgium handed Abrini over to the French authorities on Monday for a day so that he could face charges related to the deaths of 130 people in the French capital. Abrini was captured in Brussels in April over his suspected involvement in the March 22 Brussels attacks and the Paris killings, both of which were claimed by the Islamic State group. Belgian investigators have said the Brussels airport and metro bombers who killed a total of 32 people were part of the same Brussels-based cell that orchestrated the Paris attacks. The main suspect in the Paris attacks is Salah Abdeslam, a Belgian-born French national believed to be the only survivor of the jihadist team behind the carnage. (AFP)

Brussels bombing suspect Mohamed Abrini charged over Paris attacks

Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes on Tuesday made a surprise performance at a London tribute concert to his &quot;dear friend&quot; Nick Alexander, the roadie killed in last year&#39;s Paris attacks.

The US rocker performed a solo set and joined in a mass singalong of Neil Young&#39;s classic hit &quot;Rockin&#39; in the Free World&quot; with other artists including British indie group Maximo Park and solo artists Gaz Coombes and Frank Turner.

Alexander, a 36-year-old Briton, was selling merchandise at the band&#39;s concert at Paris&#39; Bataclan concert hall on November 13 last year when he was killed by Islamic terrorists.&nbsp;

Hughes ended his set with an&nbsp;acapella song &quot;I&#39;ll Blow You a Kiss in the Wind&quot;, saying it was &quot;specifically for my dear friend Nick, who I miss every day... it&#39;s from our favourite episode of &#39;Bewitched&#39;&quot;. Alexander&#39;s mother Sheelagh gave Hughes a standing ovation as he left the stage, while sister Zoe Alexander was presented a bouquet of flowers before the sell-out crowd.

&quot;What is happening here is one of the most beautiful things you could ever ask for,&quot; the 44-year-old singer told the audience. &quot;The only answer there is for things that are terrible is love, beauty and peace.&quot;

Dressed from head to toe in white, Hughes earlier played Eagles of Death Metal hits &quot;Cherry Cola&quot; and &quot;Whorehoppin&#39;&quot; accompanied by a backing tape, reminiscing that he and Alexander had &quot;joked about how cool Britney Spears was and how it was OK she played from recorded tracks&quot;.

&quot;I&#39;m so glad that he was here, I&#39;ve been a massive fan of Jesse for a long, long time and he&#39;s been through a lot,&quot; concertgoer Kerry-Ann Clarke told AFP after the gig.

&quot;It was nice to see him around the corner, I asked him if he is OK now and he said he&#39;s gone through intensive therapy and is feeling a lot better and he&#39;s not going to let it beat him down.&quot;

Queens of the Stone Age singer Josh Homme, a part-time bandmate of Hughes, sent a video message, asking the crowd to &quot;raise a glass and celebrate the Alexander family&quot; in a video link.

France on Sunday marked the first anniversary of the coordinated Paris attacks, which claimed 130 lives. A ceremony took place outside the Bataclan, where 90 people were slain by three Islamic State attackers during a rock gig. The killers ruthlessly picked off young people lying defenceless, injured or cowering in fear.

The names of those killed at the Bataclan were read out as hundreds of people gathered in silence under rainy skies. Rock star Sting reopened the refurbished Bataclan on Saturday night with an emotionally-charged show held amid tight security.

(AFP)

The US rocker performed at a London tribute concert for his 'dear friend' Nick Alexander, the roadie killed in last year's Paris attacks

Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes on Tuesday made a surprise performance at a London tribute concert to his "dear friend" Nick Alexander, the roadie killed in last year's Paris attacks. The US rocker performed a solo set and joined in a mass singalong of Neil Young's classic hit "Rockin' in the Free World" with other artists including British indie group Maximo Park and solo artists Gaz Coombes and Frank Turner. Alexander, a 36-year-old Briton, was selling merchandise at the band's concert at Paris' Bataclan concert hall on November 13 last year when he was killed by Islamic terrorists. Hughes ended his set with an acapella song "I'll Blow You a Kiss in the Wind", saying it was "specifically for my dear friend Nick, who I miss every day... it's from our favourite episode of 'Bewitched'". Alexander's mother Sheelagh gave Hughes a standing ovation as he left the stage, while sister Zoe Alexander was presented a bouquet of flowers before the sell-out crowd. "What is happening here is one of the most beautiful things you could ever ask for," the 44-year-old singer told the audience. "The only answer there is for things that are terrible is love, beauty and peace." Dressed from head to toe in white, Hughes earlier played Eagles of Death Metal hits "Cherry Cola" and "Whorehoppin'" accompanied by a backing tape, reminiscing that he and Alexander had "joked about how cool Britney Spears was and how it was OK she played from recorded tracks". "I'm so glad that he was here, I've been a massive fan of Jesse for a long, long time and he's been through a lot," concertgoer Kerry-Ann Clarke told AFP after the gig. "It was nice to see him around the corner, I asked him if he is OK now and he said he's gone through intensive therapy and is feeling a lot better and he's not going to let it beat him down." Queens of the Stone Age singer Josh Homme, a part-time bandmate of Hughes, sent a video message, asking the crowd to "raise a glass and celebrate the Alexander family" in a video link. France on Sunday marked the first anniversary of the coordinated Paris attacks, which claimed 130 lives. A ceremony took place outside the Bataclan, where 90 people were slain by three Islamic State attackers during a rock gig. The killers ruthlessly picked off young people lying defenceless, injured or cowering in fear. The names of those killed at the Bataclan were read out as hundreds of people gathered in silence under rainy skies. Rock star Sting reopened the refurbished Bataclan on Saturday night with an emotionally-charged show held amid tight security. (AFP)

Bataclan attack 1 year later: Eagles of Death Metal frontman makes surprise tribute appearance

On Sunday, French President Francois Hollande and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo will hold a series of somber ceremonies, unveiling plaques commemorating the victims at six sites targeted in the November Paris attacks.&nbsp;

A year to the day, the people have not forgotten the deadly attack by the Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers that killed 130 people.&nbsp;

The first ceremony will take place outside the Stade de France national stadium where three suicide bombers detonated their explosives during an international football match, followed by a rally of attacks at bars and restaurants in the trendy neighbourhood on the fateful Friday evening.&nbsp;

Hollande will also visit the refurbished Bataclan, the concert hall where 90 people were killed on November 13, 2015. On Saturday, rock superstar Sting reopened the hall with a hugely symbolic show. &quot;We will not forget them,&quot; the British singer told the crowd in French after a minute&#39;s silence for the victims.

&quot;Tonight we have two tasks to achieve: first to remember those who lost their lives in the attack, and then to celebrate life and music in this historic place,&quot; he said. Sting began the emotionally charged concert with his song

&quot;Fragile&quot;, singing: &quot;Nothing comes from violence and nothing will.&quot;

Scores of survivors, who had been determined to return to the scene of the attack attended the sold-out concert.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s the first time I&#39;ve been in a public space for a year. I haven&#39;t been to the cinema, to a concert, I get my shopping delivered -- I&#39;ve always stayed at mine,&quot; said the man in his thirties, who did not want to give his full name.

&quot;Tonight I&#39;m taking my life back like it was before. It&#39;s a duty, there&#39;s an obligation to be here -- because there are 90 people who can&#39;t come anymore,&quot; he added, visibly moved, his hands trembling.

The wave of attacks profoundly shook France but Prime Minister Manuel Valls vowed Saturday that &quot;Islamist terrorism&quot; would be defeated once and for all.

&quot;Terrorism will strike us again,&quot; he warned. &quot;But we have in ourselves all the resources to resist and all the strength to beat it,&quot; he said as the country remains under a state of emergency a year on.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

The President will unveil plaques commemorating the victims as the country continues to remain under a state of emergency a year on

On Sunday, French President Francois Hollande and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo will hold a series of somber ceremonies, unveiling plaques commemorating the victims at six sites targeted in the November Paris attacks. A year to the day, the people have not forgotten the deadly attack by the Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers that killed 130 people. The first ceremony will take place outside the Stade de France national stadium where three suicide bombers detonated their explosives during an international football match, followed by a rally of attacks at bars and restaurants in the trendy neighbourhood on the fateful Friday evening. Hollande will also visit the refurbished Bataclan, the concert hall where 90 people were killed on November 13, 2015. On Saturday, rock superstar Sting reopened the hall with a hugely symbolic show. "We will not forget them," the British singer told the crowd in French after a minute's silence for the victims. "Tonight we have two tasks to achieve: first to remember those who lost their lives in the attack, and then to celebrate life and music in this historic place," he said. Sting began the emotionally charged concert with his song "Fragile", singing: "Nothing comes from violence and nothing will." Scores of survivors, who had been determined to return to the scene of the attack attended the sold-out concert. "It's the first time I've been in a public space for a year. I haven't been to the cinema, to a concert, I get my shopping delivered -- I've always stayed at mine," said the man in his thirties, who did not want to give his full name. "Tonight I'm taking my life back like it was before. It's a duty, there's an obligation to be here -- because there are 90 people who can't come anymore," he added, visibly moved, his hands trembling. The wave of attacks profoundly shook France but Prime Minister Manuel Valls vowed Saturday that "Islamist terrorism" would be defeated once and for all. "Terrorism will strike us again," he warned. "But we have in ourselves all the resources to resist and all the strength to beat it," he said as the country remains under a state of emergency a year on. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Paris attacks anniversary: Survivors relive horror of November terror attacks that killed 130

Rock star Sting on Saturday reopened the Bataclan, the Paris concert hall where jihadists massacred 90 people, with a hugely symbolic show to mark the first anniversary of France&#39;s bloodiest terror attacks.

&quot;We will not forget them,&quot; the British singer told the crowd in French after a minute&#39;s silence for the victims.

&quot;Tonight we have two tasks to achieve: first to remember those who lost their lives in the attack, and then to celebrate life and music in this historic place.&quot;

He began the emotionally charged concert with his song &quot;Fragile&quot;, singing: &quot;Nothing comes from violence and nothing will.&quot;

Many in the crowd at the popular rock venue -- where jihadists armed with guns and suicide bombs struck on November 13, 2015 -- wept during the first song.

But Sting, appearing on stage with French-Lebanese trumpet star Ibrahim Maalouf, then got the place on its feet clapping and stamping with &quot;Message In a Bottle&quot;.

&quot;I&#39;ll send an SOS to the world,&quot; he sang. &quot;Only hope can keep us alive.&quot;

&nbsp;

(AFP)

Sting told the crowd 'We will not forget them,' after a minute's silence for 90 victims who died on November 13, 2015, in a suicide attack

Rock star Sting on Saturday reopened the Bataclan, the Paris concert hall where jihadists massacred 90 people, with a hugely symbolic show to mark the first anniversary of France's bloodiest terror attacks. "We will not forget them," the British singer told the crowd in French after a minute's silence for the victims. "Tonight we have two tasks to achieve: first to remember those who lost their lives in the attack, and then to celebrate life and music in this historic place." He began the emotionally charged concert with his song "Fragile", singing: "Nothing comes from violence and nothing will." Many in the crowd at the popular rock venue -- where jihadists armed with guns and suicide bombs struck on November 13, 2015 -- wept during the first song. But Sting, appearing on stage with French-Lebanese trumpet star Ibrahim Maalouf, then got the place on its feet clapping and stamping with "Message In a Bottle". "I'll send an SOS to the world," he sang. "Only hope can keep us alive." (AFP)

Sting reopens Bataclan one year after Paris attacks

Rock star Sting will on Saturday reopen the Bataclan, the revered Paris concert hall where jihadists massacred 90 people, with a hugely symbolic show to mark the first anniversary of France&#39;s bloodiest terror attacks.

Scores of survivors of the Bataclan assault, the worst in the gun and suicide attacks across the city that night which left 130 dead, will attend the concert, the dominant event in a weekend of otherwise low-key commemorations.

On Friday, November 13, 2015, a night of horror began with three suicide bombers who blew themselves up outside the Stade de France.&nbsp;

Other Islamic State gangs opened fire on defenceless people on cafe terraces, but the worst nightmare was in the Bataclan, where cowering or wounded concert goers were coldly shot dead one by one.

On Sunday, President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo will unveil plaques to the victims outside the stadium, the Bataclan and bars and restaurants targeted that night.

A year later, nine people out of the around 400 injured in the rampage are still in hospital.

Instant sellout

Reflecting the desire by music lovers to revive the scarred Bataclan, Sting&#39;s hour-long concert sold out within minutes of going on sale Tuesday.

&quot;The whole world is going to see the Bataclan live again,&quot; said Jerome Langlet, of the venue&#39;s owners Lagardere Live Entertainment.

Hundreds of places have been kept for those who survived the attack, which unfolded during a concert by the US group Eagles of Death Metal. Families, psychologists, and counselors will be on hand to support them.

While reopening the doors will mean reliving painful memories for many, Jules Frutos, who has co-run the venue for the last 12 years, told AFP, &quot;We had to go on after such horror and not leave a mausoleum, a tomb.&quot;

Frutos said he was determined to put on a fully-fledged concert before the November 13 anniversary, an event high in emotion and music, worthy of the rock fans who died.

&quot;Reopening the Bataclan with a ceremony and then a bit of music didn&#39;t cut the mustard for me at all,&quot; he said.

Frutos said he rang Sting himself to ask him to play after the British singer told a journalist he was keen to help, having last appeared at the Bataclan with The Police in 1979.

&quot;His coming here is what we needed,&quot; said Frutos, admitting the weight of the occasion had been too much for many top French acts.

Sting, 65, said he wanted to &quot;celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents&quot; and promised to donate proceeds to two charities set up to help survivors.

Famed venue

The Bataclan is one of the revered names in the Paris concert scene. The building dates to 1864, originally designed to look like a Chinese pagoda, and derives its name from &quot;Ba-ta-clan,&quot; an operetta by Jacques Offenbach -- the composer of &quot;can-can&quot; fame.

It has been a temple of rock music since the 1970s, drawing stars such as Lou Reed, Genesis, The Clash, The Cure, Blur, Jeff Buckley and Prince and a springboard for French performers such as Telephone, Alain Bashung and Indochine.&nbsp;

Since the attacks, the hall&#39;s devastated and blood-stained interior has been completely replaced, from the seats to the floorboards, with identical fittings.

&quot;We wanted to change everything so nothing would remain of that terrible night,&quot; said Langlet, who told reporters &quot;several million euros&quot; has been spent on refurbishing the building in identical style without losing the venue&#39;s intimate atmosphere.

&quot;We decide to change everything so nothing would change,&quot; he added.

Survivors, including members of Eagles of Death Metal, will gather outside the venue again on Sunday morning when Hollande and Paris Mayor Hidalgo unveil a plaque inscribed with the names of the victims. No speeches are expected.

Victims&#39; groups have asked that politicians refrain from trying to put their stamp on the anniversary, which comes six months before presidential elections in which terrorism and the place of Islam in France have emerged as key themes following a string of attacks.

&quot;For the victims, it&#39;s their day of mourning, their day to come together,&quot; Caroline Langlade, president of the Life for Paris association said.

Several small-scale gatherings and tributes are planned across the French capital to mark the anniversary.&nbsp;

The Bataclan will remain dark on the anniversary itself, before opening again on Wednesday for a series of concerts by British singer Pete Doherty, Senegalese star Youssou N&#39;Dour&nbsp;and British Sixties legend Marianne Faithfull.

(AFP)

Scores of survivors of the Bataclan assault will attend the concert, the dominant event in a weekend of otherwise low-key commemorations

Rock star Sting will on Saturday reopen the Bataclan, the revered Paris concert hall where jihadists massacred 90 people, with a hugely symbolic show to mark the first anniversary of France's bloodiest terror attacks. Scores of survivors of the Bataclan assault, the worst in the gun and suicide attacks across the city that night which left 130 dead, will attend the concert, the dominant event in a weekend of otherwise low-key commemorations. On Friday, November 13, 2015, a night of horror began with three suicide bombers who blew themselves up outside the Stade de France. Other Islamic State gangs opened fire on defenceless people on cafe terraces, but the worst nightmare was in the Bataclan, where cowering or wounded concert goers were coldly shot dead one by one. On Sunday, President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo will unveil plaques to the victims outside the stadium, the Bataclan and bars and restaurants targeted that night. A year later, nine people out of the around 400 injured in the rampage are still in hospital. Instant sellout Reflecting the desire by music lovers to revive the scarred Bataclan, Sting's hour-long concert sold out within minutes of going on sale Tuesday. "The whole world is going to see the Bataclan live again," said Jerome Langlet, of the venue's owners Lagardere Live Entertainment. Hundreds of places have been kept for those who survived the attack, which unfolded during a concert by the US group Eagles of Death Metal. Families, psychologists, and counselors will be on hand to support them. While reopening the doors will mean reliving painful memories for many, Jules Frutos, who has co-run the venue for the last 12 years, told AFP, "We had to go on after such horror and not leave a mausoleum, a tomb." Frutos said he was determined to put on a fully-fledged concert before the November 13 anniversary, an event high in emotion and music, worthy of the rock fans who died. "Reopening the Bataclan with a ceremony and then a bit of music didn't cut the mustard for me at all," he said. Frutos said he rang Sting himself to ask him to play after the British singer told a journalist he was keen to help, having last appeared at the Bataclan with The Police in 1979. "His coming here is what we needed," said Frutos, admitting the weight of the occasion had been too much for many top French acts. Sting, 65, said he wanted to "celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents" and promised to donate proceeds to two charities set up to help survivors. Famed venue The Bataclan is one of the revered names in the Paris concert scene. The building dates to 1864, originally designed to look like a Chinese pagoda, and derives its name from "Ba-ta-clan," an operetta by Jacques Offenbach -- the composer of "can-can" fame. It has been a temple of rock music since the 1970s, drawing stars such as Lou Reed, Genesis, The Clash, The Cure, Blur, Jeff Buckley and Prince and a springboard for French performers such as Telephone, Alain Bashung and Indochine. Since the attacks, the hall's devastated and blood-stained interior has been completely replaced, from the seats to the floorboards, with identical fittings. "We wanted to change everything so nothing would remain of that terrible night," said Langlet, who told reporters "several million euros" has been spent on refurbishing the building in identical style without losing the venue's intimate atmosphere. "We decide to change everything so nothing would change," he added. Survivors, including members of Eagles of Death Metal, will gather outside the venue again on Sunday morning when Hollande and Paris Mayor Hidalgo unveil a plaque inscribed with the names of the victims. No speeches are expected. Victims' groups have asked that politicians refrain from trying to put their stamp on the anniversary, which comes six months before presidential elections in which terrorism and the place of Islam in France have emerged as key themes following a string of attacks. "For the victims, it's their day of mourning, their day to come together," Caroline Langlade, president of the Life for Paris association said. Several small-scale gatherings and tributes are planned across the French capital to mark the anniversary. The Bataclan will remain dark on the anniversary itself, before opening again on Wednesday for a series of concerts by British singer Pete Doherty, Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour and British Sixties legend Marianne Faithfull. (AFP)

Rock star Sting reopens Bataclan a year after Paris attacks

A year after jihadists sowed terror in Paris, killing 130 people, the City of Light is struggling to restore its lustre as fearful tourists stay away in droves.

In the Paris area alone, tourism revenue is expected to plunge by 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) this year.

&quot;We haven&#39;t recovered,&quot; the tourism chief for the Paris region, Frederic Valletoux, told AFP. &quot;The impact is lasting and completely unprecedented.... Many small businesses are on their knees.&quot;

France&#39;s Socialist government on Monday unveiled a 42-million-euro plan to boost security in tourist areas, on top of 10 million already earmarked for promotional efforts.

&quot;We must say it clearly,&quot; Prime Minister Manuel Valls said. &quot;Tourism in France is going through a difficult period.&quot;

The new measures will tighten security at prime tourist magnets such as the Louvre, the world&#39;s most visited museum, which saw a 20 per cent drop in visitors in the past year.

Tourist arrivals to France were down 8.1 per cent in the 10 months from January to October.

The government has set a goal of attracting 100 million foreign visitors in 2020, compared with 85 million last year.

Nice attack deepened fears

Officials had hoped the stay away trend would reverse after the successful hosting of the Euro football championship in July.

But just days after the end of the competition, the tourism sector took a massive new blow with the Bastille Day truck rampage in the Riviera resort city of Nice that claimed a further 86 lives.

&quot;People are afraid because it&#39;s not just one thing but a series&quot; of attacks in France, said Serbian tourist Vladimir Mitrasinovic, a London-based tech executive who was visiting Paris for a reunion.

Restaurants &quot;are getting hit hard, both in Paris and the Riviera&quot;, said Roland Heguy, head of the hotel industry association UMIH.

The summer months, normally the peak tourist season, &quot;were very bad for this sector&quot;, he said.

The terror attacks were significant, but not alone, in discouraging tourism over the past year, which has also seen massive street protests over labour reforms that frequently turned violent.

Among other deterrents, the Paris region has seen a series of thefts targeting Asian visitors.

&quot;Asian tourists -- all tourists -- must know that they are safe in France,&quot; Valls&#39; office said.

January to October saw a 39 percent decrease in Japanese tourists and 23 per cent fewer Chinese visitors.

On a recent afternoon, shoppers entering Paris&#39;s venerable Printemps department store gamely submitted to metal detector wands.

Yan Liu, one of the store&#39;s dozens of Chinese sales assistants to cater for Chinese shoppers, said the wands were introduced about a year ago -- corresponding to the November attacks.

&quot;I&#39;m afraid it doesn&#39;t look like (shopping tourism) is coming back,&quot; said Liu, 37, who has worked at Printemps for four years.

&#39;Paris is Paris&#39;&nbsp;

She said the rash of robberies targeting Chinese was one factor keeping Asian tourists away.

&quot;But the sense that France isn&#39;t safe is especially because of the attacks,&quot; Liu said.

In the Pigalle district, home to the Moulin Rouge, Danish tourist Jens Peter Frahm-Hansen said the jihadist attacks did not deter him.

&quot;You shouldn&#39;t be afraid of these types of people, that&#39;s what they want,&quot; the 64-year-old retired Kodak executive said.

His friend Mitrasinovic, who lived through the July 7, 2005, London bombings, was equally sanguine about the threat.

&quot;Most of us think it won&#39;t stop, so we won&#39;t change our plans,&quot; he chimed in.

Frahm-Hansen said the group of former work colleagues had ruled out meeting up in places like Turkey or Tunisia because of security fears.

&quot;We could have gone anywhere else, but we chose Paris,&quot; he said. &quot;The sun is the same everywhere, but Paris is Paris. It&#39;s unique and you have to see it.&quot;

(AFP)

In the Paris area alone, tourism revenue is expected to plunge by 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) this year

A year after jihadists sowed terror in Paris, killing 130 people, the City of Light is struggling to restore its lustre as fearful tourists stay away in droves. In the Paris area alone, tourism revenue is expected to plunge by 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) this year. "We haven't recovered," the tourism chief for the Paris region, Frederic Valletoux, told AFP. "The impact is lasting and completely unprecedented.... Many small businesses are on their knees." France's Socialist government on Monday unveiled a 42-million-euro plan to boost security in tourist areas, on top of 10 million already earmarked for promotional efforts. "We must say it clearly," Prime Minister Manuel Valls said. "Tourism in France is going through a difficult period." The new measures will tighten security at prime tourist magnets such as the Louvre, the world's most visited museum, which saw a 20 per cent drop in visitors in the past year. Tourist arrivals to France were down 8.1 per cent in the 10 months from January to October. The government has set a goal of attracting 100 million foreign visitors in 2020, compared with 85 million last year. Nice attack deepened fears Officials had hoped the stay away trend would reverse after the successful hosting of the Euro football championship in July. But just days after the end of the competition, the tourism sector took a massive new blow with the Bastille Day truck rampage in the Riviera resort city of Nice that claimed a further 86 lives. "People are afraid because it's not just one thing but a series" of attacks in France, said Serbian tourist Vladimir Mitrasinovic, a London-based tech executive who was visiting Paris for a reunion. Restaurants "are getting hit hard, both in Paris and the Riviera", said Roland Heguy, head of the hotel industry association UMIH. The summer months, normally the peak tourist season, "were very bad for this sector", he said. The terror attacks were significant, but not alone, in discouraging tourism over the past year, which has also seen massive street protests over labour reforms that frequently turned violent. Among other deterrents, the Paris region has seen a series of thefts targeting Asian visitors. "Asian tourists -- all tourists -- must know that they are safe in France," Valls' office said. January to October saw a 39 percent decrease in Japanese tourists and 23 per cent fewer Chinese visitors. On a recent afternoon, shoppers entering Paris's venerable Printemps department store gamely submitted to metal detector wands. Yan Liu, one of the store's dozens of Chinese sales assistants to cater for Chinese shoppers, said the wands were introduced about a year ago -- corresponding to the November attacks. "I'm afraid it doesn't look like (shopping tourism) is coming back," said Liu, 37, who has worked at Printemps for four years. 'Paris is Paris' She said the rash of robberies targeting Chinese was one factor keeping Asian tourists away. "But the sense that France isn't safe is especially because of the attacks," Liu said. In the Pigalle district, home to the Moulin Rouge, Danish tourist Jens Peter Frahm-Hansen said the jihadist attacks did not deter him. "You shouldn't be afraid of these types of people, that's what they want," the 64-year-old retired Kodak executive said. His friend Mitrasinovic, who lived through the July 7, 2005, London bombings, was equally sanguine about the threat. "Most of us think it won't stop, so we won't change our plans," he chimed in. Frahm-Hansen said the group of former work colleagues had ruled out meeting up in places like Turkey or Tunisia because of security fears. "We could have gone anywhere else, but we chose Paris," he said. "The sun is the same everywhere, but Paris is Paris. It's unique and you have to see it." (AFP)

One year after Paris attacks, city still fighting to woo back tourists

Lawyers for the lone surviving suspect of 2015 Paris attacks, in which 138 people were killed and over 368 others injured, said they will not defend him anymore, Reuters reported today.

Lawyers&nbsp;Frank Berton and Sven Mary, in a television interview, announced they had decided to drop Salah Abdeslam&#39;s defence over his silence and refusal to answer questions.

&quot;We don&#39;t think that he will speak and he will use the right to remain silent,&quot; said lawyer Frank Berton.

Berton said Abdeslam had chosen to remain quiet to mark his protest against the constant surveillance in his high-security prison cell.

&quot;We have seen him slide away. Being watched all the time, with infrared at night, that drives one crazy, and that is a consequence of a political decision (to put Abdeslam on continuous monitoring,&quot; Reuters quoted Berton as saying.???

&quot;When you have the feeling of being there to make social visits to the prison, that is the moment when a decision has to be made,&quot; added Sven Mary.

Abdeslam was transferred to France to face charges for the coordinated assaults on Paris bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the national stadium&nbsp;on&nbsp;April 27.&nbsp;

He has been accused of supplying logistical support to the assailants, driving them to target locations and helping them manufacture explosives used in the attack.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Salah Abdeslam has remained quiet to mark his protest against the 24-hours-a-day camera monitoring in his jail, one of his lawyers said

Lawyers for the lone surviving suspect of 2015 Paris attacks, in which 138 people were killed and over 368 others injured, said they will not defend him anymore, Reuters reported today. Lawyers Frank Berton and Sven Mary, in a television interview, announced they had decided to drop Salah Abdeslam's defence over his silence and refusal to answer questions. "We don't think that he will speak and he will use the right to remain silent," said lawyer Frank Berton. Berton said Abdeslam had chosen to remain quiet to mark his protest against the constant surveillance in his high-security prison cell. "We have seen him slide away. Being watched all the time, with infrared at night, that drives one crazy, and that is a consequence of a political decision (to put Abdeslam on continuous monitoring," Reuters quoted Berton as saying.??? "When you have the feeling of being there to make social visits to the prison, that is the moment when a decision has to be made," added Sven Mary. Abdeslam was transferred to France to face charges for the coordinated assaults on Paris bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the national stadium on April 27. He has been accused of supplying logistical support to the assailants, driving them to target locations and helping them manufacture explosives used in the attack. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Lawyers 'will not defend' main Paris attacks suspect

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in Paris on suspicion of planning an attack, two judicial sources said on Saturday.&nbsp; 
This is the second alleged plot with links to the terror group Islamic State this weekend.&nbsp; 
 
Last Sunday, seven people including two women were arrested when a car loaded with gas cylinders was found near Notre Dame cathedral.&nbsp; 
 
France has been under a state of emergency since the IS attacks on Paris in November killed 130 people.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Three suicide bombers had struck outside the Stade de France in Saint-Denis during a football match on November 13, 2015. This was followed by several mass shootings, and a suicide bombing, at caf?s and restaurants. Gunmen carried out another mass shooting and took hostages at a concert in the Bataclan theatre, leading to a stand-off with police. 
 
The boy had been under house arrest since the attacks but was arrested on Saturday after he was suspected of planning an attack, two sources said on condition of anonymity. They did not say why he was under house arrest. 
 
The second source said the boy had been in contact with suspected French Islamist militant Rashid Kassim. Kassim had also guided one of the women arrested last week in the plot to attack a train station in Paris, the source added.&nbsp; 
 
One of the sources said Kassim, 29, had also led two men to carry out an attack in a French church.&nbsp; 
 
An 84-year-old priest was killed and four other people were&nbsp;taken hostage by two armed men during the attack.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The boy had been house arrest since the 2015 November terrorist attack, sources said

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in Paris on suspicion of planning an attack, two judicial sources said on Saturday. This is the second alleged plot with links to the terror group Islamic State this weekend. Last Sunday, seven people including two women were arrested when a car loaded with gas cylinders was found near Notre Dame cathedral. France has been under a state of emergency since the IS attacks on Paris in November killed 130 people. Three suicide bombers had struck outside the Stade de France in Saint-Denis during a football match on November 13, 2015. This was followed by several mass shootings, and a suicide bombing, at caf?s and restaurants. Gunmen carried out another mass shooting and took hostages at a concert in the Bataclan theatre, leading to a stand-off with police. The boy had been under house arrest since the attacks but was arrested on Saturday after he was suspected of planning an attack, two sources said on condition of anonymity. They did not say why he was under house arrest. The second source said the boy had been in contact with suspected French Islamist militant Rashid Kassim. Kassim had also guided one of the women arrested last week in the plot to attack a train station in Paris, the source added. One of the sources said Kassim, 29, had also led two men to carry out an attack in a French church. An 84-year-old priest was killed and four other people were taken hostage by two armed men during the attack. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

15-year-old boy arrested in France on suspicion of planning attack

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