French police arrest ‘incel' suspected of planning knife attack on women
The arrest on Wednesday was part of PNAT's first case linked to the 'incel' (involuntary celibate) movement, an online network of men motivated to engage in violence against women whom they believe unjustly reject their sexual or romantic advances.
PNAT confirmed on Tuesday that it had opened a judicial investigation 'against a young man, aged 18, claiming to be a member of the incel movement', adding that he was being investigated for allegedly 'associating with terrorist criminals to prepare one or more crimes against people'.
A source close to the investigation confirmed French media reports that the suspect was arrested near a school in the Saint-Étienne region in central France, and that the man, who was carrying two knives, was suspected of planning to attack women.
Ideologies based on distrust and hatred towards women have been gaining mainstream interest worldwide over the past decade through online channels, especially social media platforms.
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
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O'Keefe says he has once and for all been able to give up the drugs that fuelled his appalling conduct and even White Ribbon, which he once chaired, wishes him well. White Ribbon has also learned from its mistake using O'Keefe to push its message and has completely abandoned using celebrities as ambassadors, according to its CEO. 'White Ribbon Australia is no longer reliant on public figures or ambassadors,' Merinda March said. 'That model failed us, and more importantly, it failed the cause. Real change doesn't come from celebrity endorsement.' The notion that all publicity is good publicity clearly doesn't apply when you're trying to stop men being violent towards women. Among the entries on his rap sheet, O'Keefe was found guilty in January last year of a 'violent and degrading' assault on a woman he had called a 'lying dog' and a 'c***'. 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In 2015, psychiatrist and White Ribbon ambassador Tanveer Ahmed wrote a column for The Australian newspaper in which he blamed violence against women in part on 'male disempowerment'. By the time O'Keefe was first accused of assaulting a woman in 2021, he and White Ribbon had parted ways. He is pictured at the 2006 Logies with singer and actor Natalie Bassingthwaighte Ahmed, who wrote that discussion about domestic violence debate focused on 'male villainy… and a cult of victimhood', was not asked to stand down from his White Ribbon role but resigned voluntarily. Seven months later, NRL great and former White Ribbon Day ambassador Hazem El Masri was charged with assaulting his wife, but a year later was completely cleared. In 2018, former NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery resigned as chair of the White Ribbon board after he made comments about baby killer Keli Lane's sex life on the ABC. 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White Ribbon Australia was established in 2007, went into voluntary liquidation in 2019 with debts of $840,000 and was resurrected under the stewardship of community services provider Communicare the following year. CEO Merinda March said White Ribbon's past association with O'Keefe and 'other former ambassadors whose actions have come under public scrutiny' had prompted a 'fundamental shift' in its approach to ending violence against women. 'Andrew O'Keefe's actions are deeply distressing to Australians who support our organisation's aims to end violence against women,' Ms March said. 'Mr O'Keefe was White Ribbon Australia's former chair, and a founding ambassador, and his appointment to these positions has been harmful to the values and reputation of our organisation.' Ms March said 'real change' had to come from 'everyday men - dads, brothers, mates, co-workers and the women who support and influence them'. 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Times
2 hours ago
- Times
US values must not trump valid concerns about social media
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Close to four years after first mooting the legislation, and with a general election looming, McEntee dropped her plan, claiming the incitement to hatred element of the criminal justice bill did not have a consensus. It would be dealt with, in that classic Irish tradition, at a later time. The hate speech element had caused unease within her Fine Gael party and coalition partner Fianna Fail, and was criticised by various backbenchers, opposition parties and independents, free speech groups and even the world's richest man, Elon Musk. • Ireland's 'vague' anti-hate law threatens flood of court challenges Six weeks later, Donald Trump won the United States presidential election — and on free speech, like much else, the world turned. 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Those who come to lobby on its behalf should be told that Ireland and the EU follow their own path.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
'Irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce stolen in hotel heist is returned after schoolboy spotted it and told his father - who then tipped off police
An 'irreplaceable' 100-year-old Rolls-Royce worth £300,000 has been miraculously recovered after being stolen during a brazen hotel heist in Essex. The rare Silver Ghost - which has travelled across Europe and even survived World War II - was snatched in the early hours of June 26 from outside the Orsett Hall near Grays while its owner, 82-year-old Brian Fitton, was asleep inside. The vintage car, which had been due to depart for a tour of Helsinki and the Baltic states, vanished along with its trailer, leaving the retired scrapyard owner's 'heartbroken'. But in a remarkable twist, the treasured motor was discovered in a ramshackle shed thanks to a schoolboy's eagle eye. Mr Fitton, who had offered a £2,000 reward for the car's safe return, shared his relief following its recovery. The vehicle's owner said: 'It was thanks to the power of the press that the car has been recovered. 'A schoolboy spotted it and told his father he had seen a lovely vintage car. His dad had seen the publicity around the theft and got in touch to help with the recovery. The veteran vehicle enthusiast, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, added: 'Essex Police went to the area it was spotted in and recovered it intact on the trailer from a dirty old shed. 'The vehicle has survived Hitler and World War Two, and now it has survived a trip to Essex. 'I am delighted it has been recovered. I am hoping the reward is a small fortune for the young lad, and hope that shows him that doing the right thing in life pays off. 'To have the vehicle stolen ahead of dropping it off at Tilbury Docks for the ferry to Helsinki was absolutely heartbreaking, but this is a happy ending.' The century-old Silver Ghost, fitted with original parts and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament, was bought from a British Petroleum collection in Denmark through a Bonhams auction. Mr Fitton spent years restoring its engine and has toured it around Europe, from Portugal to Poland and everywhere in between. 'The car is full of irreplaceable parts, it's an original and has even got the original Lady on the grill,' he said. 'The car has been all over the world and is an advert for British motors. It's been everywhere and it was just appalling that it got stolen in Essex'. Development of the Silver Ghost goes back to the start of the 20th century, before development was suspended during World War 1. During the conflict, the chassis and engine were used for armoured cars - while a blue 1909 model known as Blue Mist was used by legendary officer Laurence of Arabia. A total of 7874 Silver Ghosts were produced between 1907 and 1926, with former owners of the luxury vehicle including American President Woodrow Wilson. It was named the 'best car in the world' by Autocar in 1907. The theft - and joyful recovery - comes as Essex Police announced a drop in vehicle crime, with 573 fewer offences recorded in the country over the past year, representing a ten per cent decrease. Shaun Kane, Essex Police's Detective Superintendent, said: 'Vehicle theft is not a victimless crime - it causes real distress to owners and disruption to their everyday lives and their businesses. 'We're proud to have made such significant progress in reducing this type of crime, and it will be welcomed by everyone in Essex.' For now, Mr Fitton says he is delighted to be reunited with his beloved Rolls – and he hopes its next stop will be Helsinki, as originally planned.
