About: terrorism
Under Dutch and Danish pressure, EU hits Iran with sanctions after murder plots
The EU hit Iran’s intelligence services with sanctions on Tuesday (8 January) after accusing Tehran of being behind plots to assassinate regime opponents on Dutch, Danish and French soil. The move by the 28-nation bloc was announced as the Dutch government said it...
Main suspect in Strasbourg attack killed in gun battle with police
The suspected gunman who killed three people at a Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg was shot dead on Thursday (13 December) in a brief gun battle with police after being on the run for 48 hours, police sources said.
EU counter-terrorism chief: Europe ‘may see something like Daesh 2.0’
The level of terrorist threat remains "pretty serious" in several EU countries, Gilles de Kerchove, the EU's counter-terrorism coordinator, told EURACTIV.com in an interview hours before the latest attack in Strasbourg on Tuesday night (12 December).
Ministers clamp down on online terrorist content despite wave of opposition
Ministers sitting on the EU Home Affairs Council adopted their negotiating position on the European Commission's proposed regulation against the spread of online terrorist content on Thursday (6 December), as those in the industry reacted with frustration to the plans.
EU should support Iranian freedom fighters instead of investing in a fading theocracy
The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini’s response to the series of Iranian terror plots on European soil has been a total silence, writes Jaromír Štětina.
Afghan president names team for Taliban peace talks, EU to act as ‘guarantor’
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday (28 November) announced in Geneva a 12-person team for prospective peace talks with the Taliban, as his government pledged unwavering commitment to resolve the conflict despite persistent bloodshed.
May’s government warns hard Brexit would jeopardise security
A no-deal Brexit would jeopardise security cooperation with the European Union, Britain's security minister Ben Wallace will say on Thursday (29 November).
EU to consider sanctions on Iran for failed attack plots
EU foreign ministers on Monday (19 November) agreed to examine possible sanctions against Iran over two foiled attacks in Europe blamed on Iranian intelligence, as demands grow for tough action against Tehran.
The ‘Orthodox Four’ aim at hosting FIFA world cup in 2030
Bulgaria will take part in a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced on Friday (2 November), together with Serbia, Greece and Romania, a format dubbed by diplomats and journalists “the Orthodox Four”.
Iranian spy service suspected of assassination plot in Denmark
Denmark said on Tuesday (30 October) it suspected an Iranian government intelligence service had tried to carry out a plot to assassinate an Iranian Arab opposition figure on its soil.
Russia, Germany, France and Turkey call for lasting ceasefire, constitutional meeting for Syria
The leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Turkey stressed the importance on Saturday (27 October) of a lasting ceasefire in Syria, and said a committee to create a new constitution should meet by the end of the year.
France expels Iranian diplomat over planned terrorist attack
France has expelled an Iranian diplomat in response to a failed plot to carry out a bomb attack at a rally near Paris organised by an exiled Iranian opposition group, diplomatic and security sources say.
Obama, Clinton, CNN among targets of suspected bombs ahead of US election
Former US President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were among the targets of suspected package bombs delivered to several high-profile Democrats and CNN, which the FBI said it was investigating as an act of terrorism.
Religious leaders raise their flags at Astana gathering
Kazakhstan got praise today (10 October) for hosting for the sixth time the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which traditionally issues messages of peace, mutual respect and tolerance. A few religious leaders however defended their countries controversial policies.
Religion should not be used to sow divisions
In recent years, many thousands have died and millions more had to flee their homes due to conflicts in which religion has been used to justify discrimination and violence. Countering these dangerous distortions is one of the challenges that religious leaders will address in Astana on 10 and 11 October, writes Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
‘This is not censorship’ says King, amid online terrorist content crackdown
Security commissioner Julian King assured EU citizens on Thursday (13 September) that plans to tackle the spread of terrorist content online do not amount to "anywhere near censorship."
Juncker goes to war against disinformation and online terrorist content
The European Commission is set to pursue a crackdown on the spread of online terrorist content and disinformation, its president Jean-Claude Junker announced in his State of the Union address on Wednesday (12 September).
Russia says Turkey has key job of separating out militants in Syria’s Idlib
Russia hopes for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Syria's rebel-held province of Idlib but believes it is up to Turkey to separate Islamist militants from the moderate opposition, Russia's Syria envoy said on Tuesday (11 September).
EU states rap UN mission in Nigeria for failing to secure aid access
European states warned the United Nations that more than 800,000 people are cut off from aid and may be starving in northeast Nigeria, contradicting government assertions that a crisis has abated and rebuking the world body for failing to secure access.
Merkel begins West African tour in Senegal
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Senegal Wednesday (29 August), at the start of a West African tour, with Berlin hoping that development of the continent will help stem migration and boost the fight against jihadism.
Europe should counter Iran’s cyber espionage, infiltration, terrorism
The more discord persists in the West over the means of responding to Iranian covert operations, the more impact these operations will have, writes Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
Tajikistan attack reminds of Islamist terror threat in Central Asia
Islamic State sought to bolster its claim of responsibility for an attack which killed four Western tourists in Tajikistan, releasing a video on Tuesday (31 August) purportedly showing attackers pledging allegiance to the militant group.
Tobacco smuggling: Marseille’s illicit secret
Like most big ports, Marseille has seen its fair share of crime and smuggling. The latest trend, seen almost everywhere in the bustling Mediterranean city, is the sale of cigarettes smuggled from North Africa. In the endless cat-and-mouse game with the police, smugglers seem to be winning, for now.