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On this day in 1980, the Oktoberfest terrorist attack happened in Munich.
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What was the Oktoberfest terrorist attack?
The Oktoberfest terror attack was a deadly bombing that occurred during the opening ceremony of the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, Germany. The attack was carried out by Gundolf Köhler, a German far-right extremist. He planted a bomb in a trash can near the main entrance of the festival grounds. His motive was believed to be driven by his extremist ideology and opposition to the government's immigration policies and perceived leftist influences.
How many people were killed and injured in the Oktoberfest attack?
The attack killed 13 people, including Köhler himself, and injured more than 200 others. Many of the injured suffered severe burns and shrapnel wounds due to the force of the explosion.
What impact did the attack have on Germany?
The attack highlighted the presence of right-wing extremism in West Germany and raised concerns about the potential threat posed by such groups. It also led to increased scrutiny of security measures and efforts to counter domestic terrorism. Memorials and commemorations are held to honor the victims and raise awareness about the dangers of extremism.
Western governments will not be oblivious to the growing right-wing activism among the diaspora and the efforts of the BJP and Narendra Modi's government to harness that energy for political support and stave off criticism of India.
-Analysis-
NEW DELHI — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has brought Narendra Modi’s exuberant post-G20 atmospherics to a halt by alleging in parliament that agents of the Indian government were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian national, in June this year.
“Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” Trudeau said. The Canadian foreign ministry subsequently expelled an Indian diplomat, who was identified as the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s foreign intelligence agency, in Canada. [On Thursday, India retaliated through its visa processing center in Canada, which suspended services until further notice over “operational reasons.”]
Trudeau’s announcement was immediately picked up by the international media and generated quite a ripple across social media. This is big because the Canadians have accused the Indian government – not any private vigilante group or organisation – of murder in a foreign land.
Trudeau and Canadian state services seem to have taken this as seriously as the UK did when the Russian émigré Alexander Litvinenko was killed, allegedly on orders of the Kremlin. It is extraordinarily rare for a Western democracy to expel a diplomat from another democracy on these grounds.
Expect Modi to be hailed
In theory, this ought to be a major embarrassment for Modi. Western media headlines will not be flattering for a few days but he is bound to weather this. In fact, the altercation with Canada is likely to serve him politically well at home.
This is because Nijjar, the Sikh leader who was killed, is accused of being a terrorist by India. New Delhi claims that he was the mastermind of the separatist militant group, Khalistan Tiger Force. Nijjar was an accused in several terrorist cases and named in an Interpol notice as a “key conspirator” in a 2007 bombing of a cinema in Punjab.
Modi gains from this because his base has a tendency to celebrate aggressive initiatives against adversaries. Modi’s fans were jubilant when the Indian Air Force conducted airstrikes in the Pakistani territory after the terrorist attack in Pulwama in 2019. The alleged act of organising a terrorist’s assassination in a foreign land would seem quite redolent of Mossad’s ways, which Modi’s fans adore. Expect Modi to be hailed, those involved to become heroes, and perhaps a movie script may follow.
The Indian media will explain this away as Trudeau pandering to the Sikh vote in Canada. Trudeau’s move may not be bereft of political calculation; he may also be caught between the findings of the Canadian law enforcement – that he would have to act on – and the official need to maintain ties with India.
The U.S. and Australia expressed “deep concern” about the allegation.
From Canada’s point of view, the Modi government did transgress established norms between political elites. There are processes about dealing with terrorists residing in other countries. Trudeau’s view would be that you just don’t take out people if those processes do not work for you. There are rules to follow and colleagues in the governing class do not create domestic political situations and problems for each other.
That said this controversy should make no difference to the West’s public affirmation of Modi, however indignant they may be in private. Its leaders have been perfectly happy to deal with him and consume his platitudes about democracy, so long as he buys their weapons and provides market access. And this is reflected in their reaction to Trudeau’s move. The U.S. and Australia expressed “deep concern” about the allegation, while the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly did not name India in his tweet on the matter.
TheWashington Postreported that Canada’s allies refused to join Ottawa in publicly condemning the murder.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple in Etobicoke, Toronto
However, this controversy will not be without its costs and consequences for Indian immigrants more broadly. Around 18 million Indians currently live abroad; over 210,000 of them tookpermanent residency in Canada in 2021 and 2022.
This kind of a story brings unwanted attention on Indians living abroad – as any scrutiny into the activities of a foreign government on home soil is bound to bring along a measure of focus on the diaspora, as Chinese nationals living in Western countries know very well.
Trudeau noted in his statement that his country “was working closely and coordinating with [its] allies on this very serious matter.” Canada is a signatory to the Five Eyes intelligence sharing agreement along with the U.S., the UK, Australia and New Zealand – and it is not inconceivable that law enforcement authorities in these countries will be together keeping an eye on organised diaspora activity and its links to Indian parties and government in the light of dramatic developments like these.
Western governments will not be oblivious to the growing right-wing activism among the diaspora and the efforts of the BJP and the Modi government to harness that energy for political support and to stave off criticism of India.
There have been several unsavory incidents in recent times involving Indian-origin immigrants.
The West can arguably live with a measure of diaspora mobilization but not entirely look away when it is disrupting civil peace and the social climate in their own countries.
There have been, to be sure, several unsavory incidents in recent times involving Indian-origin immigrants. There were bulldozers at a parade in New Jersey that symbolically supported the demolition of Muslim homes in India by the BJP government. There were violent communal clashes in Leicester, the UK, last year. There were Sikh-Hindu clashes in Sydney this year. And reports have emerged of findings by police in Queensland about the defacement of Hindu temples in Australia.
Foreign governments will be keen to assess if such incidents develop organically or were provoked by foreign actors.
Intensified Sikh-Hindu schism
Trudeau’s statement is likely to intensify the divide among various Indian-origin diaspora groups. Sikh and other minority groups will organise against Hindu nationalist organisations and pressure foreign governments to act against them – the Hindu Right will counter-mobilise and lobby. All concerned will be in the crosshairs of Western bureaucratic interest and regulation. If Indians were to bring their domestic politics and divisions into other countries, it is only natural that governments of those lands would be more engaged in their surveillance of diaspora communities.
The Indian middle class can scarcely afford to be drawn into unhelpful transnational political projects, especially when just about every Western country is seeing anti-immigrant opinion on the rise.
Indians are largely known abroad for quietly getting on with their migrant lives. Importing illiberal norms and methods and reshaping the political cultures of host countries in undesirable ways is bound to provoke anti-immigrant sentiment that Indians have managed to avoid so far.
On this day in 2013, armed militants from the Islamist extremist group Al-Shabaab stormed the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, targeting shoppers and employees in a violent siege. The siege took place from September 21 to September 24.
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Who carried out the attack on the Westgate Mall?
The attack was carried out by Al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based militant group with links to Al-Qaeda. The group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was in retaliation for Kenyan military involvement in Somalia against Al-Shabaab.
What happened during the Westgate Mall attack?
A group of armed militants stormed the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, throwing grenades and opening fire on shoppers and staff. The attackers took hostages and engaged in a standoff with Kenyan security forces. The siege lasted for several days and resulted in intense gun battles. At least 67 people were killed, including shoppers, employees, and security personnel, as well as attackser. More than 175 people were injured.
How did the Kenyan government respond to the Westgate Mall attack?
The Kenyan government responded by deploying security forces to the mall to confront the attackers and rescue hostages. The operation was met with challenges due to the complex layout of the mall and the well-armed militants. The standoff lasted for several days before security forces managed to neutralize the attackers.
On this day in 1920, a horse-drawn wagon filled with explosives was detonated in front of the J.P. Morgan bank building, killing 38 people and injuring hundreds.
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Who was responsible for the Wall Street bombing?
The responsible party for the Wall Street bombing remains unclear to this day. Despite extensive investigations, no individual or group definitively claimed responsibility, and no suspects were conclusively identified. The motives and identities of those behind the attack remain a subject of speculation and debate.
What were the motives behind the Wall Street bombing?
The motives behind the Wall Street bombing are still uncertain. Some theories suggest that it might have been carried out by radical anarchists or leftist groups protesting against financial institutions, capitalism, or the government. Others propose that the attack could have been related to labor disputes or international political tensions of the time.
How did the Wall Street bombing impact society and government response?
The Wall Street bombing shocked the nation and raised concerns about domestic terrorism and public safety. It prompted increased security measures in New York City's financial district and led to a broader national conversation about the potential threats posed by radical elements. The bombing also led to discussions about immigration policies, as there were concerns about anarchists and radicals entering the country.
The signing of the Oslo Accords 30 years ago was followed by a failure that set back the very idea of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. A look back at this historic episode and the lessons we can learn from it today.
-Analysis-
PARIS — Thirty years ago to the day, I was standing in Jerusalem's Old City, near the Jaffa Gate. Two young Palestinians were putting up a poster of Yasser Arafat when an Israeli guard appeared.
Everyone froze in fear, thinking a confrontation was about to happen. But the soldiers went on their way without a care in the world for the young Palestinians. Arafat's face appeared on a wall in Jerusalem.
A few hours later, thousands of miles away, on the White House lawn, the famous handshake took place between the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israeli leaders Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, overseen by U.S. President Bill Clinton.
They had just signed the Oslo Accords, which they hoped would put an end to a century of conflict — just like the scene of détente I had witnessed in Jerusalem.
A simple principle
The Oslo Accords were based on a simple principle: mutual recognition, Palestinian autonomy for five years, with the most complex issues — the permanent borders of the two future states, the fate of refugees and the status of Jerusalem — to be settled at the end of this period.
As a correspondent for the French daily Libération in Jerusalem at the time, I can testify to the fact that a majority of both sides believed that the time for peace had arrived. So many obstacles were underestimated.
Yossi Beilin, one of the Israeli negotiators, admits that the core mistake was undoubtedly to leave the difficult issues to the end, when at the beginning it might have been possible to make bolder leaps. Yet once the shock effect had worn off, the opposition to this historic compromise was reawakened.
This opposition occurred on both sides. On the Palestinian side, the Islamists of Hamas embarked on a bloody terrorist campaign, ruining confidence in the peace process. On the Israeli side, an extreme religious right wanted to kill an agreement providing for the return of the occupied territories.
In 1994, there was the Hebron massacre committed by a Jewish settler that killed 29 Muslim worshipers; then on November 4, 1995, the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin by a young Jewish religious fanatic. This double terrorist attack destroyed a process already undermined by a lack of trust.
How to find the path to a peace that cannot be found?
The failure of Oslo has set back the very idea of peace between Israelis and Palestinians for years. The colonization of the territories continued, as did the rampant violence.
A new formula
Paradoxically, the arrival in power of an ideological right-wing — led by Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies, linked to those who had sabotaged the Oslo Accords — has put the spotlight back on the Palestinian question. Yet it arrives now with a transformed equation, since the two-state option has become impossible.
In the midst of the bitter political battle taking place in Israel, one part of the population is wondering how to find the path to a peace that cannot be found, while the other part is dreaming of apocalypse and annexation.
Is there room for a reinvented process, and actors for such a scenario? The memory of September 13, 1993 remains, proving one thing: conflict is not inevitable.
History happened instantly before our eyes 22 years ago on September 11, 2001 — and the global press was there to offer a first view on a day that continues to live in infamy. Here are 31 newspaper front pages and magazine covers.
Updated Sep. 11, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
By the time United Airlines Flight 175 sliced into the second tower, news reporters and editors around the world knew they were facing the most monumental story of their lifetime. The Sep. 11 attacks forever changed the world, and put the powers of modern journalism, from real-time video coverage to deep news analysis (on deadline), to the test like never before.
With events unfolding on that Tuesday morning in New York and Washington, newspapers around the world could go to print that evening with special editions for Sep. 12 that offered the proverbial "first draft of history" on their respective front pages. News magazines followed suit with tragically iconic covers.
TIME magazine's lead writer Nancy Gibbs
recently recalled the unique pressure of producing a special issue in 24 hours.
"It was a test of speed as much as anything else," Gibbs recalled. "It was a complete all-hands. Normally we would have a formal system whereby people sent files into a central information management system; everyone just emailed me. I probably had a thousand emails. It was the writing equivalent of putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Everyone had a different piece of the puzzle."
In France,
Le Monde's top editor Jean-Marie Colombani penned a front-page editorial echoing JFK at the Berlin Wall, which declared that in the face of such a heinous attack: Nous sommes tous américains. ("We are all Americans.")
For a left-leaning, U.S.-skeptic French daily, it captured the spirit connecting the whole world that fateful day.
Below are images of front pages and magazine covers around the world that carries us back to that collective moment of horror turned to grief, newfound wells of courage mixed with a deep and sudden vulnerability:
U.S. - The New York Times
The New York Times - 12/09/2001
The Washington Post
The Washington Post - 12/09/2001
USA Today
USA Today - 09/12/2011
The San Francisco Examiner
San Francisco The Examiner - 09/12/2001
The Post-Crescent
The Post-Crescent - 09/12/2001
TIME Magazine
TIME - 09/14/2001
The New Yorker
The New Yorker - 09/24/2001
France - Le Monde
"America struck, the world terrified" Le Monde - 09/13/2001
The September 11 attacks, also known as 9/11, happened on this day in 2001. They targeted the United States, with the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., being the primary targets.
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How many planes were involved in the 9/11 attacks?
Four planes were hijacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001. Two of these planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, causing both towers to collapse. Another plane, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control from the hijackers.
How many people died in the September 11 attacks?
Nearly 3,000 people were killed as a result of the attacks. This includes the passengers and crew members on the hijacked planes, first responders, and civilians in the buildings and surrounding areas. The attacks were one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in history.
Who was responsible for the September 11 attacks?
The attacks were orchestrated by the extremist group al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden. The group's members hijacked the planes and carried out the coordinated attacks. Bin Laden initially claimed responsibility for the attacks, and U.S. intelligence agencies later confirmed his involvement. He was killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in Pakistan in 2011.
What was the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks?
The aftermath of the attacks had profound political, social, and economic impacts. The U.S. initiated the War on Terror, leading to military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Security measures were heightened globally, and the Department of Homeland Security was established in the U.S. The attacks also led to significant changes in air travel security procedures and a heightened focus on counterterrorism efforts.
The Munich Olympics terrorist attack happened on this day in in 1972.
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What was the Munich Olympics terrorist attack?
The Munich Olympics terrorist attack was a tragic event that began in the early morning hours of September 5, 1972, when eight Palestinian militants entered the Olympic Village in Munich, West Germany. Palestinian militants from the group known as Black September took 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage, leading to a standoff with German authorities and a subsequent rescue attempt.
What were the motives behind the Munich Olympic attack?
The primary motivation of Black September was to demand the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and to draw international attention to the Palestinian cause.
How did the Munich Olympic attack end?
Negotiations between the German authorities and the terrorists reached a deadlock. The militants demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners and threatened to kill the hostages if their demands were not met. On September 6, a rescue attempt known as "Operation Wrath of God" was launched by German authorities. However, the operation ended in tragedy at a nearby military airfield, where a firefight broke out between the terrorists and the German police. In the ensuing chaos, all nine remaining hostages were killed, along with one German police officer and five of the terrorists.
Al-Qaeda was formed on this day in 1988 by Osama bin Laden, Abdullah Azzam, and other key individuals.
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What was the purpose or ideology of Al-Qaeda?
Al-Qaeda's main objective was to establish a global jihadist movement based on its extremist interpretation of Sunni Islam. It aimed to resist what it perceived as Western imperialism and influence in Muslim-majority countries, and sought to unite Muslims worldwide under a strict form of Islamic governance.
How did Al-Qaeda operate and spread its influence?
Al-Qaeda operated through a decentralized network of cells and affiliates, utilizing clandestine tactics and engaging in acts of terrorism. It sought to recruit individuals globally, disseminate its ideology, and conduct attacks against its perceived enemies. Al-Qaeda gained notoriety with its involvement in significant terrorist attacks, including the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings and the September 11 attacks in 2001.
How has Al-Qaeda evolved over time?
Al-Qaeda has undergone significant changes and transformations since its formation. Following the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011, the organization faced leadership changes and internal divisions. It also faced competition from other extremist groups, such as ISIS. While Al-Qaeda remains a threat, its prominence has somewhat diminished, and its focus has shifted to local and regional conflicts, particularly in countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen.
On this day in 2011, Anders Behring Breivik, a right-wing extremist from Norway, first detonated a car in Oslo before attacking the Norwegian Labour Party's youth camp on the island of Utøya.
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How many people were killed in the Norway terrorist attacks?
By the end of the day, a total of 77 people, mostly teenagers and young adults, were killed in the Utøya terrorist attack.
What was the motive behind the Norway attacks?
Anders Behring Breivik's motive for the attack was rooted in his extreme right-wing ideologies and his opposition to multiculturalism and immigration. He aimed to target the Norwegian Labour Party's youth camp on Utøya, which he perceived as promoting policies he disagreed with.
What were the measures taken in response to the attacks in Norway?
Following the attacks, Norway reviewed and strengthened its security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident prompted discussions on counterterrorism strategies, hate speech regulations, and the importance of early detection and intervention in extremist ideologies. The attack also led to increased emphasis on support for the victims and their families, as well as efforts to promote tolerance and solidarity within Norwegian society.
On this day in 2016, an attacker drove a truck into a crowd gathered to celebrate Bastille Day on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, killing 86 people and injuring hundreds more.
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Who was responsible for the Nice attack?
The attack in Nice was carried out by Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a Tunisian-born French resident. He drove a truck into the crowd, targeting innocent civilians gathered to watch the Bastille Day fireworks display and was shot dead by the police. The attack was later claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS), although the extent of their direct involvement and coordination with the attacker remains a subject of investigation.
What were the motives behind the Nice attack?
The motives behind the Nice attack were primarily rooted in extremist ideology and a desire to inflict harm on civilians. Investigations revealed that Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel had become radicalized and expressed support for ISIS prior to the attack. Reports suggest that he was motivated by a combination of personal grievances, religious extremism, and a desire for martyrdom.
How did security change after the Nice attack?
The Nice attack had significant consequences in terms of security and counterterrorism efforts in France and Europe. The incident further highlighted the challenges posed by individuals who carry out attacks using simple methods and vehicles as weapons. The attack prompted increased scrutiny of counterterrorism strategies and led to further discussions on border security, intelligence sharing, and efforts to combat radicalization.
A total of four bombs were detonated in London on this day in 2005. Three of them targeted crowded subway trains, while the fourth targeted a double-decker bus.
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Who was responsible for the London subway bombings?
The bombings were carried out by four suicide bombers who were later identified as British nationals. The attackers were associated with extremist Islamic terrorist groups.
What was the impact of the London subway and bus bombings?
There were 52 people killed, including the four suicide bombers, and more than 700 people injured. The attacks caused widespread panic and disruption to the transportation system in London, though many remarked on the relative calm of the British residents.
How did the London subway bombings affect security measures and public sentiment?
The bombings had a significant impact on security measures and public sentiment in the UK and globally. There was an increased focus on counterterrorism efforts, the strengthening of security protocols, and heightened public awareness of potential threats.
