SOLINGEN, Germany: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday the government would tighten weapons controls and speed up deportations after a suspected Islamist knife attack in the western city of Solingen.
Friday night’s deadly stabbing at a street festival has reignited a debate over immigration in the country and put extra pressure on Scholz ahead of key regional elections set for Sunday.
“This was terrorism, terrorism against us all,” Scholz said on a visit to Solingen, where he laid flowers at a memorial to the victims.
A 26-year-old Syrian with suspected links to the Daesh group is alleged to have carried out the attack, which left three people dead and eight more wounded.
Scholz said he was “angry... at the Islamists who threaten our peaceful coexistence.”
“We will now have to tighten up the weapons regulations... in particular with regard to the use of knives,” Scholz said.
Stronger weapons controls would come “very quickly,” Scholz said.
Germany would also have to “do everything we can to ensure that those who cannot and must not stay here in Germany are repatriated and deported,” Scholz said.
The suspect, named as Issa Al H., was able to evade the police after the attack before reportedly handing himself in to law enforcement on Saturday evening.
The Syrian was detained on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and belonging to a “terrorist group.”
The Daesh group on Saturday said one of its members had carried out the attack in an act of “revenge.”
The group subsequently published a video via the jihadists’ Amaq news agency purporting to show the Solingen attack, in which the veiled man said he intended to carry out reprisals for “massacres” in the Middle East and beyond.
The claim could not be immediately verified.
The suspected attacker has raised concerns in Germany for the seeming ease with which he avoided authorities attempts to remove him.
According to the Bild and Spiegel news outlets, the suspect arrived in Germany in December 2022 and had a protected immigration status often given to those fleeing war-torn Syria.
He was meant to have been deported to Bulgaria, where he had first arrived in the European Union, but he went missing.
The suspect was not known to German security services as a dangerous extremist, according to officials.
According to federal police figures, almost 52,976 people were supposed to be deported or expelled from Germany last year.
Successful deportations however only took place in 21,206 instances — less than half of the total planned — often because the individuals concerned were “not handed over” to police.
The attack spurred a new debate around immigration in the EU’s most populous country ahead of regional elections next weekend in Saxony and Thuringia, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is set to make gains.
The attack would strengthen the perception that the government was “overwhelmed,” Ursula Muench, the director of the Academy for Political Education, told AFP.
The AfD has accused successive governments of contributing to “chaos” by allowing in too many immigrants, and called for a stop to new entries.
Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU, Germany’s main opposition party, meanwhile urged the government to stop taking in refugees from Syria and Afghanistan.
The government — a fraught coalition between Scholz’s Social Democrats, the Greens and the pro-business FDP — had already announced moves to toughen immigration rules.
Following an attack by a 25-year-old Afghan at an anti-Islam rally in Mannheim in May, the government said it would look to restart deportations directly to Afghanistan and Syria after years in which they were halted.
German security services have been on high alert for Islamist attacks since the Gaza war erupted on October 7 with the Hamas attacks on Israel.
Germany has been hit by several such attacks in recent years, with the most deadly being a truck rampage at a Berlin Christmas market in 2016 that killed 12 people.
Scholz promises new weapons controls after Germany knife attack
https://arab.news/6v8be
Scholz promises new weapons controls after Germany knife attack
- A 26-year-old Syrian with suspected links to the Daesh group is alleged to have carried out the attack, which left three people dead and eight more wounded
- Germany has been hit by several such attacks in recent years, with the most deadly being a truck rampage at a Berlin Christmas market in 2016 that killed 12 people
Two-state solution ‘the only answer,’ Pakistan’s deputy prime minister says ahead of landmark conference in New York
NEW YORK: As the world watches in horror at the unfolding tragedy in Gaza, international efforts to revive the long-stalled two-state solution for Palestine and Israel are intensifying.
From July 28-30, a high-profile conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia will take place in New York City, aiming to chart a path toward peace and the realization of a sovereign Palestinian state. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to Arab News about Pakistan’s unwavering support for the initiative and the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The upcoming conference seeks to reinvigorate the stalled peace process by focusing on concrete steps toward establishing two independent states, Israel and Palestine.
Delegates from key nations and international bodies will converge in New York City at the UN headquarters to discuss ceasefire arrangements, humanitarian access, reconstruction efforts and political recognition of Palestine.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding position on the Palestinian issue.
“You see, this issue has become already too late in handling,” he said. “The attempt by France and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is very appreciable. These two countries have taken this initiative. Pakistan has a clear foreign policy for decades, that the two-state solution is the only answer to the Palestine problem.”
Dar laid out Pakistan’s hopes for the summit: “I hope that serious efforts are made during this event; first, to secure an immediate ceasefire; and second, to ensure the unhindered flow of food, humanitarian aid and medical assistance — alongside progress toward the recognition of Palestine as an independent state.”
The event comes amid escalating violence and mounting international concern over Gaza, with many legal experts and humanitarian organizations increasingly describing the situation in the enclave as a a genocide.
The humanitarian situation there continues to worsen. Gaza has for almost two years now suffered relentless airstrikes and ground incursions, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties, widespread destruction of infrastructure and critical shortages of food, water and medical supplies, with international organizations now warning of a looming full-scale famine.
Acknowledging the devastating conditions in Gaza, Dar described the conference’s potential success: “If we are able to achieve all these objectives, it will be a great success and a highly commendable contribution by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France.”
At least 11 people were stabbed at a Walmart in Michigan, and a suspect is in custody
- Michigan State Police said the attack happened in Traverse City, a popular vacation spot on the coast of Lake Michigan
TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan: At least 11 people were stabbed at a Walmart in Traverse City on Saturday — with six in critical condition — in what the sheriff said appeared to be a random act. A suspect was in custody, authorities said.
“Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more,” Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters.
Emergency vehicles and uniformed first responders were seen outside the store following the incident.
Tiffany DeFell, 36, who lives in Honor, about 25 miles from Traverse City, said she was in the parking lot when she saw chaos erupt around her.
“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies. It’s not what you expect to see where you’re living.”
Munson Healthcare said via social media that 11 people were being treated at the region’s largest hospital in northern Michigan. Spokesperson Megan Brown said all were stabbing victims. Six were critical and five were in serious condition late Saturday, she said.
Shea said the weapon involved appeared to be a folding-style knife. Earlier in the day, the Michigan State Police said the suspect had been taken into custody. Shea said the suspect is believed to be a Michigan resident but declined to share further details.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”
Walmart said in a statement that it would continue to work closely with law enforcement in the investigation.
“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” the statement said.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a social media post that bureau officials were responding to “provide any necessary support.”
Traverse City is a popular vacation spot on the coast of Lake Michigan. It is known for its cherry festival, wineries and lighthouses and is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Wildfire burns through northern suburb of Greece’s capital Athens and residents are told to evacuate
Wildfire burns through northern suburb of Greece’s capital Athens and residents are told to evacuate
- Greece has asked for six firefighting planes from the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism
- Four ambulances are treating at least five residents, most of them elderly with respiratory problems
ATHENS: A wildfire burned through a northern suburb of the Greek capital of Athens on Saturday and some residents were ordered to evacuate, the country’s Fire Service reported.
Residents of the town of Kryoneri, 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) northeast of Athens received 3 SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas, Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyannis told reporters.
Greek media have shown houses on fire. The spokesman said “there have been reports of damages. We will take stock when the fires have been put out.”
“The real difficulties are ahead of us,” Vathrakoyannis said, adding that Greece has asked for six firefighting planes from the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism.
On site, 145 firefighters and 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes and seven helicopters are attempting to put out the fire, whose origin is unknown. Four ambulances are treating at least five residents, most of them elderly with respiratory problems.
Temperatures reaching, or exceeding, 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), dry conditions and high winds are fanning the flames.
Under such conditions wildfires “expand very quickly and become dangerous. These conditions are expected to prevail over the coming days,” Vathrakoyannis said.
The fire service is also dealing with three other major fires in the southwest on Greece’s two largest islands — Crete in the south and Evia north of Athens — and also on the island of Kythera, northwest of Crete. At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight. In total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, the spokesman said.
Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. Several have broken out in the past month.
Pope Leo discusses war in Ukraine with Russian Orthodox Church official
- Since assuming the papacy in May, Leo has repeatedly appealed for peace in global conflicts
- Russian officials, however, have said they do not view the Vatican as a serious venue for talks
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo discussed the war in Ukraine on Saturday with Metropolitan Anthony, a senior cleric in the Russian Orthodox Church, in a possible effort to ease ties between the churches strained by Russia’s invasion.
Leo saw Anthony, chairman of the department of external church relations, and five other high-profile clerics during an audience in the morning, the Vatican said.
“During the conversation, numerous issues were raised concerning the state of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, as well as the ongoing conflicts in the world, including in Ukraine and the Middle East,” the Russian Orthodox Church said in a statement.
Since assuming the papacy in May, Leo has repeatedly appealed for peace in global conflicts and this month told visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the Vatican was willing to host Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
Russian officials, however, have said they do not view the Vatican as a serious venue for talks because it is surrounded by NATO member Italy which has supported Ukraine.
The head of Russia’s Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has been an enthusiastic backer of the
invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian church statement said that Kirill’s congratulations were conveyed to Leo for his election as pope.
“Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to his holiness patriarch Kirill for his good wishes and noted the importance of developing relations with the Russian Orthodox Church,” it added.
David Nabarro, British physician who led UN response to Ebola and COVID-19, dies
- “David was a great champion of global health and health equity,” Tedros wrote
- “His work touched and impacted so many lives across the world”
GENEVA: Dr. David Nabarro, a British physician who led the UN response to some of the biggest health crises in recent years, including bird flu, Ebola and the coronavirus pandemic, has died.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, confirmed Nabarro’s death on social media platform X.
“David was a great champion of global health and health equity, and a wise, generous mentor to countless individuals,” Tedros wrote Saturday. “His work touched and impacted so many lives across the world.”
King Charles knighted Nabarro in 2023 for his contributions to global health after he served as one of six special envoys to the WHO on COVID-19. He won the 2018 World Food Prize for his work on health and hunger issues.
He also was a candidate for the top job at the WHO in 2017 but lost out to Tedros in the final round of voting. Nabarro left the UN later that year.
The 4SD Foundation, a social enterprise in Switzerland focused on mentoring the next generation of leaders in global sustainable development, said its strategic director died at his home Friday in a “sudden passing.” Other details were not immediately available.
“David’s generosity and unwavering commitment to improve the lives of others will be sorely missed,” the foundation wrote on its website Saturday.
Survivors include his wife, Flo, as well as his five children and seven grandchildren.
