The New York Times: A City Scarred By Terrorism Prepares An Olympic Opening Without Walls
“A terrorist attack of 2015 that left her city angry and heartbroken persuaded Paris’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, to campaign for the Olympic Games. “I said to myself, ‘We need to do something that is unifying,’” she said in an interview this month, remembering the horrifying afternoon when masked gunmen charged into the offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and opened fire that January, killing 12. “Something that is very powerful, very peaceful and allows us to move forward. So, I threw myself into it.” Nine years later, the Summer Olympics are set to open in Paris in July with France at its highest level of terrorism alert, after the attack on the Moscow concert hall last month. Yet for the first time, the opening ceremony will not be held inside the barricaded confines of a stadium. Instead, athletes will float in boats down the Seine River through the heart of the dense, ancient city before half a million spectators packed into stands and leaning out of windows.”
“Hamas said Saturday it was reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, as Egypt intensified efforts to broker a deal to end the months-long war and stave off a planned Israeli ground offensive into the southern city of Rafah. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya gave no details of Israel’s offer, but said it was in response to a Hamas proposal two weeks ago. Negotiations earlier this month centered on a six-week cease-fire proposal and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages in exchange for freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. A separate Hamas statement said leaders from the three main militant groups active in Gaza discussed attempts to end the war. It didn’t mention the Israeli proposal. The statements came hours after an Egyptian delegation ended a visit to Israel where it discussed a “new vision” for a prolonged cease-fire in Gaza, according to an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the developments.”
“... Ian Acheson, a former prison governor, suggested a lack of prison officers to carry out the tests could be to blame. 'I have my strong suspicion this is because in many prisons, crippled by staff shortages, officers deployed to test for drugs were instead used to maintain safe unlocking ratios on the landings,' he said. 'But what it means is that we have no visibility on the national scale of the problem, which is likely to be hellish and therefore convenient to ministers and officials alike.' A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'The overwhelming majority of our prison staff are hardworking and honest but thanks to our action – including bolstering our Counter-Corruption Unit – we are rooting out more of the small minority who are not.”
The Washington Post: Paris Olympics May Face Security Contractor Shortage
“... Hans-Jakob Schindler, senior director of the Counter Extremism Project, said such agreements have been in place during major events in the past, and they are likely to be useful in boosting French police forces’ “capacity with individuals who speak the language of participating teams.” But coordinating security for this high-risk Olympic Games will remain a challenge, even with international help. “I really wouldn’t want to be the person responsible for the Olympics in France this year,” Schindler said.”
Reuters: Oil Prices Fall 1% On Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks, U.S. Inflation Concerns
“Oil prices were down 1% on Monday, erasing gains from Friday as Israel-Hamas peace talks in Cairo eased fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East and U.S. inflation data further dimmed the prospects of interest rate cuts anytime soon. Brent crude futures fell by as much as 98 cents, or 1.09%, to $88.52 a barrel by 0644 GMT. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were down 83 cents, or 0.99%, at $83.02 a barrel. Stepped-up efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas moderated geopolitical tensions and contributed to the weak opening on Monday, IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said. A Hamas delegation will visit Cairo on Monday for peace talks, a Hamas official told Reuters. Israel's foreign minister said on Saturday a planned incursion into Rafah, where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering, could be put off in the event of a deal that involves the release of Israeli hostages.”
Associated Press: Blinken Says Israel Must Still Do More To Boost Humanitarian Aid To Gaza
“U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that Israel must still do more to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip and that he would use his current Middle East trip — his seventh to the region since the Israel-Hamas war started in October — to press that case with Israeli leaders. Speaking to Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in Riyadh, Blinken said best way to ease the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza would be to conclude an elusive cease-fire agreement that would release hostages held by Hamas. But, in the meantime, he said it was critical to improve conditions now. “The most effective way to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of children, women and men, and to create space for a more just and durable solution is to get a cease-fire and the hostages out,” he said.”
Associated Press: Ships From Turkey Planning To Deliver Aid To Gaza Were Denied Right To Sail
“A three-ship flotilla planning to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid from Turkey was prevented from sailing by Guinea-Bissau authorities, which took down their country’s flags from two ships, organizers said. Just before the flotilla was set to sail from Turkey to Gaza on Friday with 5,000 tons of aid, a surprise inspection by the Guinea-Bissau International Ships Registry resulted in the removal of the flags from two of the Freedom Flotilla ships. A press release by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition described the cancellation of the vessels’ registry as a “blatantly political move,” adding: “Without a flag, we cannot sail.” The organizers blamed Israel for applying pressure to prevent the flotilla. “It is obvious, and I think it is publicly known, that there has been close contact between Israel and the president of Guinea-Bissau,” organizer and steering committee member Torstein Dahle told The Associated Press, without elaborating.”
The Times Of India: 'You Should Have Left': Why 'Butcher Of Kabul' Is Rankling Taliban Rulers
“In Afghanistan, where the voice of dissent is seldom heard, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, an ex-warlord and former prime minister, has emerged as an outspoken critic of the Taliban regime. Despite the harsh crackdown on opposition, Hekmatyar has been vocal about the need for elections and education for girls—topics considered off-limits by the current government. Hekmatyar, aged 76 and leader of the Hezb-e-Islami party, has experienced significant pushback for his defiance. The Taliban authorities have banned him from public speaking at his mosque, evicted him from his home, and shut down his party's television channel, Barya TV. This response underscores the tension between Hekmatyar's calls for reform and the Taliban's stringent policies.”
The Voice Of America: Hostage Video Shows Pakistani Judge Pleading For His Release
“Militants in Pakistan released a video Sunday showing a senior judge pleading for his freedom, a day after he was taken captive in a volatile northwestern district. In the minute-long video clip sent to journalists, Judge Shakirullah Marwat appears alone, sitting in front of a dark fabric and stating that he was taken hostage by the Pakistani Taliban on Saturday. He pleaded with the chief justice of Pakistan to urgently meet the demands of the militants holding him “to make my release possible.” He did not elaborate further. The Pakistani Taliban did not claim responsibility for the kidnapping, nor did they release a statement on the video. There was no immediate response from the authorities to the purported hostage video. VOA has not been able to independently verify the video.”
“Ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels caused “minor damage” to a Panama-flagged oil tanker traveling through the Red Sea on Friday, authorities said. The attack follows an uptick in assaults launched by the Houthis in recent days after a relative lull in their monthslong campaign over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The rebels fired three missiles in the attack, one of which damaged the Panama-flagged, Seychelles-registered Andromeda Star, the U.S. military’s Central Command said. The private security firm Ambrey described the tanker as being “engaged in Russia-linked trade.” The vessel was traveling from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India, Ambrey said. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree later claimed the attack early Saturday in a prerecorded statement aired by the rebels. He described the tanker as being “directly hit.””
“A suspected missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a container ship in the Red Sea on Monday, authorities said, the latest assault in their campaign against international shipping in the crucial maritime route. The attack happened off the coast of Mokha, Yemen, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said, without offering any other immediate details. It urged vessels to exercise caution in the area. The private security firm Ambrey said a salvo of three missiles targeted a Malta-flagged container ship traveling from Djibouti onward to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. “The vessel was targeted due to its listed operator’s ongoing trade with Israel,” Ambrey said. Shipping manifests and vessel-tracking data suggested the vessel targeted was the CMA CGM Manta Ray, which had been due to sail from Djibouti on Monday. The Marseille, France-based shipper, which calls on Israeli ports, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.”
Jordan News: Israeli Military Kills Two Militants In Lebanon’s Beqaa Area
“An Israeli strike in Lebanon’s Beqaa region has killed two members of a Lebanese militant group that has fired rockets across the southern border at Israel, the group said on Friday. Israel’s military said in a statement on Friday that its air force “struck and eliminated Mosab Khalaf in the area of Meidoun in Lebanon,” saying he was a member of the Jama’a Islamiya group and had carried out attacks against Israel. In a statement, the Jama’a Islamiya said two of its field commanders - Khalaf and relative of his - were killed in the strike. “The Jamaa Islamiya terrorist organization recently planned and promoted a large number of terror attacks from Lebanese territory against Israel in the area of Har Dov, as well as additional areas in northern Israel,” the Israeli army said in a statement.”
“Israeli officials on Monday appeared to be increasingly concerned that the International Criminal Court may issue arrest warrants against the country’s leaders, as international pressure mounts over its war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight and into Monday killed at least 22 people, including six women and five children, one of whom was just 5 days old, according to hospital records and an Associated Press reporter. The ICC launched a probe three years ago into possible war crimes committed by Israel and Palestinian militants going back to the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, but it has given no indication such warrants are imminent. There was no comment from the court on Monday. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said late Sunday that it had informed Israeli missions of “rumors” that warrants might be issued against senior political and military officials. It was not clear what sparked the Israeli concerns.”
“The White House on Sunday said U.S. President Joe Biden had again spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as pressure builds on Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a cease-fire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza. The White House said that Biden reiterated his “clear position” as Israel plans to invade Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah despite global concern for more than 1 million Palestinians sheltering there. The U.S. opposes the invasion on humanitarian grounds, straining relations between the allies. Israel is among the countries U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit as he returns to the Middle East on Monday.”
Reuters: Somalia Detains U.S.-Trained Commandos Over Theft Of Rations
“Somalia's government said it had suspended and detained several members of an elite, U.S.-trained commando unit for stealing rations donated by the United States, adding that it was taking over responsibility for provisioning the force. The Danab unit has been a key pillar of U.S.-backed efforts to combat the al Qaeda-linked militant group al Shabaab. The United States agreed in February to spend more than $100 million to build up to five military bases for Danab. Somalia's defence ministry said in a statement late on Thursday that it had notified international partners of the theft and would share the outcome of its investigation. A U.S. official said in a statement to Reuters that Washington takes seriously all accusations of corruption. "We look forward to engaging with the Danab on creating the necessary safeguards and accountability measures to prevent future incidents that could affect future assistance," the official said, without directly addressing whether any U.S. support had already been suspended.”
Garowe Online: Kenya Arrests Most Wanted Al-Shabaab Operative
“Kenya's multi-agency security team has arrested one of the most wanted Al-Shabaab operatives, sources within the security sector have confirmed, in what has been described as an 'enormous' progress in the fight against violent extremism. Security reports indicate that Mustakima Mohammed Ali alias Abu Mahir was arrested along the Lamu-Malindi Highway, where he had been coordinating terror activities, leading to the loss of lives and properties in the East African nation. Before his arrest, security teams had placed him on the list of Al-Shabaab militants wanted "dead or alive" for the killings of a police officer and two chiefs in Lamu County in 2019. He has been operating in unknown locations throughout the search. He was arrested by hawk-eyed security personnel while traveling via bus from Lamu to Malindi. Mustakima was among the terrorists hiding in Boni Forest before running away to Somalia following enhanced operations by Kenyan security agencies.”
The Cable: ‘Boko Haram Fighter Surrenders’ To Troops In Borno
“A Boko Haram fighter identified as Sajeh Yaga has reportedly surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno state. Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reports that the insurgent surrendered to troops of 112 taskforce battalion on Sunday. He was said to have surrendered to the soldiers after he “sneaked out” from the terrorists’ camp in Sambisa forest. The suspect reportedly relinquished weapons, including an Ak47 rifle, four Ak47 magazines, six 7.62 MM special ammunition, and three mobile phones to the troops. The insurgent is said to be undergoing profiling in military custody. Last week, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) killed seven suspected terrorists in Madachi, Isa LGA of Sokoto state. The suspects were killed after the troops and DSS operatives responded to a distress call.”
BBC: Neo-Nazi, 19, Planned Attack On Synagogue In Hove
“A teenager described by police as holding neo-Nazi beliefs has been convicted for having plans to attack a synagogue in Sussex. Mason Reynolds, 19, from Brighton, faced one charge of possession of an article connected with the preparation of an act of terrorism. Police searched Reynolds' address where they found bomb instruction manuals and a note detailing his plans to attack a synagogue in Hove. Reynolds was found guilty of the charge at Winchester Crown Court on Friday. He will be sentenced on 14 June. Police said Reynolds shared extreme right-wing videos and praised attacks by far-right terrorists. They said he was also the administrator of a Telegram channel which shared far-right extremist, antisemitic and racist views, as well as manuals on bomb building and how to 3D print firearms.”
Associated Press: British Troops May Be Tasked With Delivering Gaza Aid, BBC Report Says
“British troops may be tasked with delivering aid to Gaza from an offshore pier now under construction by the U.S. military, the BBC reported Saturday. U.K. government officials declined to comment on the report. According to the BBC, the British government is considering deploying troops to drive the trucks that will carry aid from the pier along a floating causeway to the shore. No decision has been made and the proposal hasn’t yet reached Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the BBC reported, citing unidentified government sources. The report comes after a senior U.S. military official said on Thursday that there would be no American “boots on the ground” and another nation would provide the personnel to drive the delivery trucks to the shore. The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public, declined to identify the third party.”
“France's foreign minister will push proposals to prevent further escalation and a potential war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah during a visit to Lebanon on Sunday as Paris seeks to refine a roadmap that both sides could accept to ease tensions. France has historical ties with Lebanon and earlier this year Stephane Sejourne delivered an initiative that proposed Hezbollah's elite unit pull back 10 km (6 miles) from the Israeli border, while Israel would halt strikes in southern Lebanon. The two have exchanged tit for tat strikes in recent months, but the exchanges have increased since Iran launched a barrage of missiles on Israel in response to a suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus that killed members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps' overseas Quds Force.”
The Telegraph: Watch: Protesters Call For Islamic State In Germany
“More than 1,000 people marched through Hamburg on Saturday calling for a caliphate in Germany. Protesters gathered in the northern city for a mostly peaceful demonstration against Islamophobia, but among the masses were calls for an Islamic state. Joe Adade Boateng, leader of Muslim Interaktiv which organised the march, said in a speech at the march that Germany needed a “righteous caliphate” to remedy the misrepresentation Muslim groups have faced in the media.”
Bloomberg: German Minister Vows To Dismantle Group Accused Of Coup Plot
“Germany’s interior minister vowed to forge ahead with the dismantling of the nation’s militant “Reichsbürger” movement, a day before members of the group go to trial accused of planning to violently overthrow the government. More than 3,000 law-enforcement officers, including hundreds of special forces personnel, conducted raids across Germany in December 2022 targeting the group, which adheres to a far-right ideology that rejects the legitimacy of Germany’s democratic order.”
“A far-right extremist and an ex-Muslim atheist are planning to publicly burn a copy of the Koran in the city hosting the Eurovision Song Contest a day before the event starts, the Mail can reveal. Swedish police have received an application to burn the Muslim holy book at the centre of Malmo before the glare of the world's media. Jade Sandberg, 48, a Far-Right Christian extremist who campaigns to ban Islam from Sweden, and Salwan Najem, 48, an Iraqi refugee who has become a Swedish national, have applied for permission to conduct the burning. There have been fears this year's Eurovision will be a prominent target for Islamic extremists because of the inclusion of Israeli contestant Eden Golan. Earlier this month, the Mail on Sunday revealed how two Israeli undercover reporters posing as British tourists inside a mosque in Malmo were warned by security guards not to attend the contest.”
“Muslim groups in Australia on Friday criticized the disparity in the police response to two stabbing attacks in Sydney this month, saying it had created a perception of a double standard and further alienated the country’s minority Muslim community. The Australian National Imams Council said an attack at a Bondi Junction shopping center was “quickly deemed a mental health issue” while the stabbing of a Christian bishop at a Sydney church two days later was “classified as a terrorist act almost immediately.” “The differing treatments of two recent violent incidents are stark,” the council’s spokesperson, Ramia Abdo Sultan, said in a statement with the Alliance of Australian Muslims and the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network. “Such disparities in response create a perception of a double standard in law enforcement and judicial processes,” she said.”
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.
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