News
Rural Acts of Sabotage Challenge Paris Olympics Opening
The grand opening of the Paris Olympics faced unexpected challenges as sabotage disrupted key transportation services. In the heart of Paris, streets were cordoned off, metro stations closed, and a significant security presence was established with thousands of police, soldiers, and guards deployed to ensure a smooth beginning to the Olympics. However, the saboteurs targeted rural areas outside the capital, striking at five crucial points.
France’s national rail company, SNCF, reported that saboteurs attacked or attempted to attack five signal boxes and electrical installations between 1:00 and 5:30 AM on Friday. One notable incident occurred at Courtalain, east of Le Mans and 150 km southwest of Paris. Local social media showcased an image of burned cables in a shallow ditch, highlighting the damage. Similar acts of arson and theft targeted cabling at Pagny-sur-Moselle, near Metz in the east, and Croisilles, close to Arras in the north. These were small sites but located at major junctions on the high-speed TGV network.
An additional attempt to sabotage a TGV junction southeast of Paris at Vergigny was thwarted by SNCF workers conducting maintenance during the early hours. This coordinated sabotage resulted in immediate impacts on one of France’s busiest days for its esteemed rail system. SNCF’s head, Jean-Pierre Farandou, described the attack as “premeditated, calculated, and coordinated,” necessitating extensive repairs.
Friday, July 26, marked both the start of the “grand départ” for holidaymakers leaving cities and the highly anticipated opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, planned meticulously over the years. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at major Paris rail hubs like Gare Du Nord and Gare Montparnasse, waiting for updates on delayed trains heading not just across France but also to London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. The celebrated high-speed TGV network connecting Paris to Lille, Le Mans, and Strasbourg faced significant disruptions.
To mitigate the situation, SNCF officials at Gare de L’Est planned to reroute high-speed TGV trains onto slower lines, causing delays but ensuring continued operation of the rail network. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete pointed to the deliberate nature of these fires, noting evidence like abandoned vans and incendiary materials found at the scenes.
Caretaker Prime Minister Gabriel Attal acknowledged the profound and serious repercussions for the rail network and confirmed that France’s intelligence services and law enforcement were mobilized to “find and punish those behind these criminal acts.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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