On Friday, more than five years after a catastrophic fire destroyed large parts of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, the bells of the historic church rang once more.
Eight of the cathedral’s bells tolled for the first time since April 2019, according to Alexandre Gougeon, who managed their installation. The ringing of bells was a part of a technical test before Notre-Dame’s official reopening, which is slated for next month. Gougeon said the project to install the bells had taken a year and a half and added, “Hearing the bells ring this morning was very moving.” He described the ringing as “the culmination of a big project.”
Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, though they believe it was accidental. Possible theories include that it could have been caused by a burning cigarette or an electrical malfunction, according to French prosecutors.
Beatroot > International
International
Notre Dame bells ring out in Paris for first time since 2019 fire
Today | Search on Google News | Link
FBI thwarts plot to assassinate Trump; three individuals charged
The FBI thwarted an Iranian plot to assassinate Donald Trump, the Department of Justice said on Friday as it charged an Iranian national and arrested two American citizens for involvement in a plot to murder the Republican president-elect.
The FBI charged Farhad Shakeri, 51, an asset of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who is believed to reside in Iran. Two other individuals, Carlisle Rivera, 49, and Jonathon Loadholt, 36, were arrested from Brooklyn and Staten Island in New York on Thursday. According to statements made by Shakeri in recorded interviews, he was tasked by the Iranian regime on October 7 to devise a plan to kill Trump, who was re-elected as the president of the US earlier this week.
However, Shakeri claimed he did not intend to carry out the plan within the deadline set by the IRGC. The charges expose Iran's continued brazen attempts to target US citizens, including Trump, other government leaders and dissidents who criticise the regime in Tehran, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Trump avoided two assassination attempts during his recent bid for president. Neither has been linked to Iran, but the US Secret Service ramped up security around Trump in July, weeks prior to the first assassination attempt after finding out about an Iranian plot
The FBI charged Farhad Shakeri, 51, an asset of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who is believed to reside in Iran. Two other individuals, Carlisle Rivera, 49, and Jonathon Loadholt, 36, were arrested from Brooklyn and Staten Island in New York on Thursday. According to statements made by Shakeri in recorded interviews, he was tasked by the Iranian regime on October 7 to devise a plan to kill Trump, who was re-elected as the president of the US earlier this week.
However, Shakeri claimed he did not intend to carry out the plan within the deadline set by the IRGC. The charges expose Iran's continued brazen attempts to target US citizens, including Trump, other government leaders and dissidents who criticise the regime in Tehran, said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Trump avoided two assassination attempts during his recent bid for president. Neither has been linked to Iran, but the US Secret Service ramped up security around Trump in July, weeks prior to the first assassination attempt after finding out about an Iranian plot
Today | Search on Google News | Link
UK imposes package of 56 new sanctions to strike at Russia 'war machine'
The UK has imposed a wave of 56 new sanctions against Russia’s military-industrial complex to restrict the supply of vital military equipment for its war with Ukraine.
This is being dubbed as the largest package targeted at President Vladimir Putin’s "war machine" since May last year. New targets include suppliers supporting Russia’s military production, Russian-backed mercenary groups operating in Sub-Saharan Africa and a GRU Russian spy agent involved in the use of a Novichok nerve agent in the UK city of Salisbury.
Entities based in China, Turkiye and Central Asia are among those covered in the package for their involvement in the supply and production of goods, including machine tools, microelectronics and components for drones needed by Russia.
The package also targets three private mercenary groups with links to the Kremlin, including Africa Corps, and 11 individuals associated with Russian proxies. These targets have direct links to the Kremlin, have threatened peace and security in Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic, and have committed widespread human rights abuses across the continent, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said.
The announcement coincided with the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Budapest this week, where the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be among the items on the agenda for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reaffirm the UK’s "unwavering" support for Ukraine.
This is being dubbed as the largest package targeted at President Vladimir Putin’s "war machine" since May last year. New targets include suppliers supporting Russia’s military production, Russian-backed mercenary groups operating in Sub-Saharan Africa and a GRU Russian spy agent involved in the use of a Novichok nerve agent in the UK city of Salisbury.
Entities based in China, Turkiye and Central Asia are among those covered in the package for their involvement in the supply and production of goods, including machine tools, microelectronics and components for drones needed by Russia.
The package also targets three private mercenary groups with links to the Kremlin, including Africa Corps, and 11 individuals associated with Russian proxies. These targets have direct links to the Kremlin, have threatened peace and security in Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic, and have committed widespread human rights abuses across the continent, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said.
The announcement coincided with the European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Budapest this week, where the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be among the items on the agenda for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reaffirm the UK’s "unwavering" support for Ukraine.
Yesterday | Search on Google News | Link
Trump appoints Susan Wiles as White House chief of staff, first woman to hold position
US president-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named his campaign manager Susan Wiles as his White House chief of staff, making her the first woman ever to hold this powerful position in any administration.
“Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well-deserved honour to have Susie as the first-ever female chief of staff in the United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud,” Trump said. Wiles was the campaign manager for Trump’s highly successful 2024 Campaign for President.
“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said.
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” said the president-elect.
“Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again. It is a well-deserved honour to have Susie as the first-ever female chief of staff in the United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud,” Trump said. Wiles was the campaign manager for Trump’s highly successful 2024 Campaign for President.
“Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said.
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” said the president-elect.
Yesterday | Search on Google News | Link
US President Biden assures peaceful transfer of power in January
Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee. Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House. "That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee. Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House. "That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Yesterday | Search on Google News | Link
Canada blocks Australia news outlet airing Jaishankar press conference, India says shows ‘hypocrisy towards free speech’
India on Thursday said Canada blocked an Australian media outlet hours after it broadcast the press conference of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Canadian action of blocking the social media handles and certain pages of Australia Today smacked of "hypocrisy" towards freedom of speech. "We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which are important diaspora outlets, have been blocked and are not available for viewers in Canada. This happened just an hour or few hours after this particular handle carried the press conference of EAM Dr S Jaishankar with Penny Wong," Jaiswal said in response to a question at the weekly media briefing.
"We were surprised. It looks strange to us. But nonetheless, what I say is that these are actions which yet again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech," the external affairs ministry spokesman said. Jaishankar is visiting Australia from November 3-7 during which he and Wong held a joint press briefing in Canberra, and the Indian external affairs minister also fielded questions on the Brampton temple incident and the overall escalation in diplomatic row between India and Canada.
Describing the Hindu temple incident in Brampton as "deeply concerning", Jaishankar on Tuesday had said it told in a way the "political space" which is being given to "extremist forces" in Canada. Responding to a query during his joint press briefing with Wong, he had also accused Ottawa of developing a "pattern of making allegations without providing specifics".
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Canadian action of blocking the social media handles and certain pages of Australia Today smacked of "hypocrisy" towards freedom of speech. "We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which are important diaspora outlets, have been blocked and are not available for viewers in Canada. This happened just an hour or few hours after this particular handle carried the press conference of EAM Dr S Jaishankar with Penny Wong," Jaiswal said in response to a question at the weekly media briefing.
"We were surprised. It looks strange to us. But nonetheless, what I say is that these are actions which yet again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech," the external affairs ministry spokesman said. Jaishankar is visiting Australia from November 3-7 during which he and Wong held a joint press briefing in Canberra, and the Indian external affairs minister also fielded questions on the Brampton temple incident and the overall escalation in diplomatic row between India and Canada.
Describing the Hindu temple incident in Brampton as "deeply concerning", Jaishankar on Tuesday had said it told in a way the "political space" which is being given to "extremist forces" in Canada. Responding to a query during his joint press briefing with Wong, he had also accused Ottawa of developing a "pattern of making allegations without providing specifics".
Yesterday | Search on Google News | Link
India urges Bangladesh to take strong measures to ensure safety of Hindus
Amid reports of tension in Bangladesh's Chittagong following provocative social media posts, India on Thursday urged Dhaka to take action against "extremist" elements and ensure the safety of the country's Hindu community.
During a weekly media briefing in Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the alleged attack on the members of the Hindu community in Chittagong. The MEA spokesperson underlined that it is Dhaka's "special responsibility" that the minorities be given security.
"In Chittagong, incendiary posts were made on social media. Those provocative things were related to the Hindu community. A disturbance happened and some members of the Hindu community were threatened and many properties were looted," he said. He also said, "It is our request to the government there to control and take action against these elements and take strong measures to ensure the safety of people of the Hindu and other minority communities."
India on October 12 said it had noted with "serious concern" the reported attack on a Puja mandap and theft at a revered Kali temple in Bangladesh and urged Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship.
During a weekly media briefing in Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the alleged attack on the members of the Hindu community in Chittagong. The MEA spokesperson underlined that it is Dhaka's "special responsibility" that the minorities be given security.
"In Chittagong, incendiary posts were made on social media. Those provocative things were related to the Hindu community. A disturbance happened and some members of the Hindu community were threatened and many properties were looted," he said. He also said, "It is our request to the government there to control and take action against these elements and take strong measures to ensure the safety of people of the Hindu and other minority communities."
India on October 12 said it had noted with "serious concern" the reported attack on a Puja mandap and theft at a revered Kali temple in Bangladesh and urged Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship.
Yesterday | Search on Google News | Link
Israel passes law to deport relatives of attackers, including citizens
Israel’s parliament has passed a law that allows it to deport family members of people convicted of terrorism offences, including the country’s own citizens.
The new controversial law applies to first-degree relatives, meaning the parents, siblings or children of those found guilty of committing or supporting terrorism. The law would apply to Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of annexed east Jerusalem who knew about their family members’ attacks beforehand or who “express support or identification with the act of terrorism.”
They would be sent to Gaza or other destinations for between 7-15 years for citizens and 10-20 years for legal residents.
The new controversial law applies to first-degree relatives, meaning the parents, siblings or children of those found guilty of committing or supporting terrorism. The law would apply to Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of annexed east Jerusalem who knew about their family members’ attacks beforehand or who “express support or identification with the act of terrorism.”
They would be sent to Gaza or other destinations for between 7-15 years for citizens and 10-20 years for legal residents.
Yesterday | Search on Google News | Link
Three charged in connection with Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in connection with One Direction star Liam Payne;s death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month , Argentinian authorities said on Thursday.
One person who accompanied Payne has been charged with the abandonment of a person followed by death and the supply and facilitation of drugs, according to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office. A hotel employee and a third person have also been charged with supplying drugs. None of those arrested have been named.
An autopsy had revealed the former boy band member had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he died, a prosecutor's office said in a statement on Thursday.
One person who accompanied Payne has been charged with the abandonment of a person followed by death and the supply and facilitation of drugs, according to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office. A hotel employee and a third person have also been charged with supplying drugs. None of those arrested have been named.
An autopsy had revealed the former boy band member had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he died, a prosecutor's office said in a statement on Thursday.
Yesterday | Search on Google News | Link