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French detention for alleged involvement in the Olympic torch relay

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A man has been apprehended on suspicion of plotting an attack on the Olympic torch relay in Bordeaux, as announced by French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. While details remain limited, Darmanin commended the police for ensuring security during Thursday’s relay event.

Authorities disclosed that the suspect had written a troubling message that potentially glorified criminal acts, including a reference to a past mass shooting in the US. The Olympic flame, having recently arrived in Marseille, is en route to Paris for the Games scheduled to commence on July 26th. Paris 2024 organizers have underscored an extensive security operation, notably for the opening ceremony involving over 10,000 athletes transported along the River Seine.

Upon detecting an online message referencing a decade-old mass killing in Isla Vista, California, an investigation was launched by Bordeaux prosecutor Frédérique Porterie. The post connected to the suspect’s profile alluded to Elliot Rodger, the perpetrator of the Isla Vista attack, who harbored animosity towards women and became a figure of inspiration for some online communities, notably those identifying as “involuntarily celibate” or incels.

The suspect, identified as Alex G, was subsequently arrested, with authorities finding a rubber pellet revolver, multiple mobile phones, and a computer during a search of his residence. Although he lacked a criminal record, initial inquiries revealed his interest in the Incel movement. While in custody, he admitted to contemplating an unspecified act, without mentioning targeting the Olympic flame relay. Described as psychologically fragile, the suspect’s intentions appeared undefined.

The Olympic flame embarks on a lengthy journey spanning 12,000km (7,500 miles) across mainland France and its overseas territories. Given security concerns, anti-drone experts are collaborating with law enforcement to monitor its progress. However, recent unrest in New Caledonia has led organizers to cancel the flame’s scheduled visit to the Pacific territory.

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Man shot dead after French synagogue set on fire

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French police have killed a man after a synagogue was set on fire in Rouen, a city in north-western France. The man, armed with a knife and a metallic tool, was shot after he threatened officers, as confirmed by the Rouen prosecutor.

Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol expressed that the attack not only affected the Jewish community but left the entire city “battered and in shock.” French reports identified the suspect as an Algerian who was appealing against an expulsion order from France.

The incident occurred around 06:45 (04:45 GMT) when smoke was seen rising from the synagogue. The attacker used a petrol bomb to ignite the synagogue. Police officers quickly arrived on the scene after the suspect was spotted on security cameras. The suspect, who was on the roof of the synagogue, threatened the officers and threw a chisel at them before descending and brandishing a knife. One officer then fired five shots, hitting the suspect four times, according to Rouen public prosecutor Frédéric Teillet.

Firefighters managed to control the fire, but significant damage was reported inside the synagogue. Natacha Benhaïm, head of Rouen’s Jewish community, described the damage as catastrophic, though the Torah books remained unharmed.

Investigations are underway into the arson attack and the use of a police weapon. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin commended the police for their prompt and brave response. The suspect, a 29-year-old Algerian, carried no identification at the time of the attack.

This incident follows a rise in antisemitism in France since Hamas’ attack on southern Israel in October, leading to the current war in Gaza. Recent antisemitic acts include defacing a Paris memorial honoring those who rescued Jews during World War Two. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the defacement, emphasizing the importance of remembering France’s heroes and Holocaust victims.

France, home to the third largest Jewish community globally, has seen various attacks on places of worship, including the fatal stabbing of a priest during a church service eight years ago. The recent violence in Rouen also comes shortly after an ambush that resulted in the deaths of two prison officers south of the city.

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McCann suspect raped woman at knifepoint, trial told

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Hazel Behan, a woman who claims to have been raped by the man suspected of Madeleine McCann’s murder, gave chilling testimony in court. She recounted feeling an indescribable fear when awakened by a masked intruder. Christian Brückner, the prime suspect, denies involvement in both cases. The trial in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, focuses on unrelated sex offense charges against Brückner, alleged to have occurred in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.

Behan, a former holiday rep in Praia de Rocha, vividly described the night of the assault in June 2004. She walked home alone after an argument with her boyfriend and was attacked in her apartment. The assailant, dressed entirely in black and armed with a knife, subjected her to a prolonged ordeal, including rape and filming parts of the assault. Behan endured physical and emotional trauma, and despite years passing, she still suffers from panic attacks and requires medication.

The trial also highlighted Behan’s disappointment with the Portuguese police’s handling of her case. She recalled feeling neglected and mistreated during the investigation. Years later, upon seeing Brückner’s photo in a news article, Behan recognized him and decided to come forward, linking her assault to his previous convictions.

Behan emphasized the profound impact the attack had on her life, stating that she no longer feels like the carefree person she was before. Brückner’s defense team maintains skepticism about the case’s foundation and is challenging the charges.

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Five dead in new Italian workplace tragedy

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Five workers tragically lost their lives in an accident at a sewage treatment plant near Palermo in Sicily. Another worker was found unconscious and rushed to the hospital. This incident adds to a concerning trend of workplace fatalities across Italy, sparking outrage among workers and trade unions.

The workers were discovered unconscious and without masks, raising serious questions about safety protocols at the Casteldaccia facility. It’s believed they succumbed to toxic gas poisoning, with one worker narrowly escaping to raise the alarm.

Giovanni D’Aleo, one of the workers, recounted hearing his colleagues’ cries for help but being unable to save them. The men were working in an underground tank accessible only by a small hatch at street level. The toxic gas concentration at the time of the accident was reportedly ten times higher than the danger limit.

Firefighters arrived at the scene to find seven workers inside. They retrieved the bodies of the deceased and rescued one worker in critical condition, while another was found unharmed.

As of now, there has been no official statement from AMAP, the regional group responsible for wastewater treatment in the area.

This tragedy comes shortly after an explosion at a hydroelectric plant near Bologna claimed the lives of seven workers during maintenance work.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident, while President Sergio Mattarella stressed the importance of clarity regarding the accident’s circumstances. The incident underscores the urgent necessity for a collective effort among all stakeholders—entrepreneurs, institutions, and society—to ensure workplace safety.

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Skeletons without hands and feet found at Hermann Göring’s house

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Archaeologists recently made a significant discovery at the Wolf’s Lair, a former Nazi military base located in Gierloz, northeastern Poland. During a dig prompted by the unearthing of a fragment of human skull on February 24, they uncovered five human skeletons missing hands and feet.

The Latebra Foundation, a historical organization based in Gdansk, confirmed that the remains belonged to three adults, a teenager, and a newborn. These bodies were found near a house once occupied by Nazi commander Hermann Göring, a prominent figure in World War II history.

The skeletons were arranged in close proximity to each other, facing the same direction, amidst remnants of burned boards and sewage infrastructure. Despite the absence of clothing, authorities found no evident signs of trauma on the remains.

Initially mistaking the site for an old bathroom, the excavation team was surprised when they discovered ashes and a burnt key. Polish police have since launched an investigation into the discovery, with many questions still unanswered.

Further investigation, including carbon dating to determine the age of the remains, is deemed necessary by experts. The Wolf’s Lair, Hitler’s Eastern Front headquarters, holds immense historical significance, having been strategically situated in the forests of northeastern Poland.

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‘Lost’ Gustav Klimt painting to be auctioned

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An Austrian auction house in Vienna is preparing to auction off a long-lost painting by Gustav Klimt, called “Portrait of Fraulein Lieser,” which he began in 1917, just a year before his death. There’s considerable mystery surrounding the artwork, including the identity of the woman depicted and its whereabouts during the Nazi era.

Art historians suggest the painting might portray Margarethe Constance Lieser, daughter of a wealthy Jewish industrialist, Adolf Lieser. However, the auction house proposes it could also be one of the daughters of Justus Lieser and his wife Henriette, who tragically died in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. The exact history of the painting after 1925 remains unclear, but it resurfaced in the 1960s and has since changed hands through inheritances.

The auction is being conducted in accordance with the Washington Principles, an international agreement to return Nazi-looted art to its rightful descendants. However, there are calls for an independent investigation into the case by Erika Jakubovits, the executive director of the Presidency of the Austrian Jewish Community. She emphasizes the importance of thorough and transparent research in art restitution cases.

Klimt’s artworks have previously fetched significant sums at auctions, with “Lady with a Fan” setting a European record when it sold for £85.3m in 2023 at Sotheby’s.

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Germany spying: Far-right party aide held in China spy probe

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Prosecutors in Germany have apprehended an individual suspected of spying for China, who was identified as Jian G, 43, allegedly working as an assistant to AfD MEP Maximilian Krah. Jian G is accused of passing information about the European Parliament to Chinese intelligence and monitoring Chinese opposition figures in Germany. The timing of these allegations, just before the European Parliament elections, is sensitive for the AfD.

Maximilian Krah stated that he learned of his aide’s arrest through the media and emphasized that if the accusations were proven, the employment would be terminated immediately. The AfD expressed concern over the reports and awaited further investigations.

German officials, including Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, deemed the allegations gravely serious, emphasizing the necessity of severe consequences if proven true.

China’s foreign affairs ministry dismissed the arrest as unfounded speculation aimed at defaming China. Prosecutors indicated that Jian G was scheduled to appear before an investigating judge soon.

Meanwhile, another separate incident involved the arrest of two men and a woman suspected of spying for China, unrelated to Jian G’s case. This group allegedly obtained military technology information in Germany for China.

These developments occurred shortly after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent visit to Beijing, where discussions with President Xi Jinping touched upon various issues, including the conflict in Ukraine.

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Man arrested in Poland over alleged Russia plot to kill Zelensky

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A Polish man has been detained and accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence to potentially target Volodymyr Zelensky, according to authorities. The individual, identified as Pawel K, allegedly aimed to gather intelligence on an airport in Poland frequently used by the Ukrainian president. The arrest was prompted by Ukrainian intelligence information, though it’s unclear if any information was actually transmitted. If convicted, Pawel K could face a sentence of up to eight years. He remains in custody while investigations continue.

Polish prosecutors stated that Pawel K had offered his services to Russian military intelligence and had direct contact with individuals involved in the conflict in Ukraine. His assignment reportedly involved gathering details about security measures at Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland.

Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, previously a small regional facility, has become crucial for supplying Western military aid to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. It serves as a significant transit point for military and cargo aircraft from the US and Europe, facilitating the delivery of supplies to Ukraine via trucks.

The airport is frequently used by leaders traveling to and from Ukraine, including President Zelensky, who has utilized it for foreign trips. Notably, other dignitaries like US President Joe Biden have also transited through this airport on their visits to Ukraine.

This incident follows previous arrests related to espionage suspicions, including the apprehension of foreign nationals accused of spying for Russia. They were reportedly involved in installing surveillance cameras, some of which were positioned around Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport.

Additionally, neighboring Germany recently detained two alleged Russian spies suspected of planning to disrupt German military aid intended for Ukraine.

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Swiss Alps: Irish man among three killed in helicopter crash

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An Irish man was among the three individuals who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in the Swiss Alps. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning on Petit Combin mountain, with two other individuals being airlifted for medical treatment, and another rescued later.

The helicopter was en route to a drop-off point for skiers, carrying a guide and visitors, when the crash transpired at approximately 09:25 local time. The Department of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged the event and stands prepared to offer consular assistance.

According to local police, the helicopter crashed at the mountain’s airfield and slid down the northern slope. Onboard were the pilot, a mountain guide, and four clients. Seven rescue helicopters responded to the scene.

The Swiss Safety Investigation Service has initiated an inquiry into the crash’s cause. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, overseeing aviation accidents, is collaborating with Fedpol and the Valais Cantonal Police for the criminal investigation.

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Finland shooting: Child held after pupil aged 12 shot dead at school in Vantaa

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A tragic incident unfolded in Finland where a child lost their life and two others were gravely injured in a school shooting, with all victims and the suspect being just 12 years old. The shooting occurred in a classroom at Viertola school in Vantaa, near Helsinki. Prompt police response led to the suspect’s detention shortly after the incident.

Following the shooting, authorities initiated an investigation into murder and attempted murder. Notably, Finnish law exempts children under 15 from criminal liability, so the suspect will be placed in the care of social services pending further questioning.

The incident has sparked national mourning and renewed discussions about gun control and mental health support for young people. The shooting has evoked memories of past tragedies, prompting calls for additional measures to safeguard schools.

As Finland grapples with this tragedy, there is a collective sense of shock and sadness, with parents rushing to the school to reunite with their children. Vantaa, the city where the shooting occurred, is now in mourning as it tries to come to terms with the devastating event.

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