In the era of the forever wars, politicians are ill-advised to bandy ideas that their country is inevitably bound for all-out conflict. That was exactly the position of France as the baleful month of October drew to a close in a bout of blood letting.
There is a sense of a country besieged in itself. France views itself as first among the secular nations and its challenges are particularly acute, particularly because the tensions over its government’s policies are both domestic and foreign.
To provide context, French President Emmanuel Macron last week defended a French schoolteacher who was beheaded by a teenage extremist after showing his students offensive cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, which are considered blasphemous under Islam, during a class on freedom of expression. This led to widespread condemnation in many parts of the world and calls for a boycott of French products. Meanwhile, a man armed with knives killed three people at a church in Nice in the first of four terror attacks that unfolded in four hours on Thursday in Avignon, Lyon and Paris.
The timing of the spate of attacks is no coincidence. President Macron recently proposed an overhaul of the laws of laicite, which level to nothing any access or acknowledgement of a religious role in state-funded life. The law guaranteeing this dates back to 1905.
Why then is France often singled out? Indeed, it is shocking to read that 250 people have been killed there in the past five years. Moreover, the toll of killing that France has suffered over the past five years has been out of kilter with any other country outside the Middle East.
Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi and his wife Laura pay tribute to the victims of a deadly knife attack at the Notre Dame church in Nice. Reuters
People gather in front of the Notre Dame church. Reuters
A man sits near candles and flowers placed in tribute to the victims. Reuters
French soldiers patrol near the Notre Dame church. Reuters
Two nuns lay flowers in front of the church in Nice. AFP
A woman cries as she speaks to reporters. AP Photo
Tributes to one of the victims outside the church. AFP
The scene outside the Notre Dame church on Friday morning. AFP
Gamra, the mother of Brahim Aouissaoui, who is suspected of carrying out Thursday's attack in Nice, reacts at her home in Tunisia. Reuters
The Family home of Brahim Aouissaoui in Thina, a suburb of Sfax, Tunisia. Reuters
It is not just the number of deaths but their unrelenting regularity that has marked France out. The rhythm of this loss has come in a pattern of bursts of violence. From the first months of 2015 to the most recent set of outrages, the country has been on edge. It seems as if the next attack – one that justifies the armed patrols in the streets and other disconcerting controls – is just days or weeks away.
The particular choice of killing by beheading is worth dwelling on. It maximises the outrage over the terror attacks and resonates far and wide. It also underlines the fact that France is marked for punishment by the radicalised fighters of ISIS and Al Qaeda.
The immediate aftermath of the attacks is a time for heightened emotions but also essential truths.
As towns such as Nice fall victim to the surge of hatred pulsing through the country, the poignancy of local tragedy is spotlighted. The truck attack that mowed promenaders down in 2016 struck at the heart of the city's identity. It is a sun-blessed spot where the ideals of leisure and indulgence reign supreme. Troubles appear the antithesis of its ethos.
Yet behind the glitz, there is another Nice. It is also a trailblazer for a securitised response to terror. It has earned the moniker "surveillance city" following the installation of almost 4,000 cameras. Still, the algorithm-based network was not tight enough to stop a repeat attack.
Nice is just one facet of how France as a nation is on a difficult journey.
Britain and Germany have also suffered attacks, and extremism poses a challenge to those countries, too.
The French response to the attacks, however, has enveloped its politics in a uniquely overwhelming way. This has allowed the agitators, who nourish and promote the extremists, purchase within the country’s own political debate. It also means that leaders such as Mr Macron cannot acknowledge the depth of pain and anger that triggers demonstrations against their country.
The cost to the French standing around the world has been considerable.
Within Europe there has been an expression of solidarity by the leaders of other states. At a time of loss of life, and while the grips of terror are still being exercised, the need to express sorrow and sympathy is paramount. At the same time there is an acknowledgement that the issues in Paris run particularly deep.
People gather on Place de la Republique in Paris in homage to history teacher Samuel Paty two days after he was beheaded by an attacker who was shot dead by policemen. AFP
The murder has shocked France and politicians of all stripes attended the Paris rally. AFP
In Bordeaux, people gather on Place de la Bourse. AFP
A person holds a placard reading 'I am a teacher' as people gather on Place de la Bourse. AFP
Flags at city hall are at half-mast as people gather in Place du Capitole in Toulouse. AFP
People hold placards reading 'Islam = peace' and 'Muslims against terrorism' as they gather in Strasbourg. AFP
Samuel Paty, was killed in the Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. Reuters
People stand near flowers and placards reading 'I am Samuel' and 'Don't touch my teacher' at a rally in Strasbourg. AFP
A person wears a prtotective face mask with an inscription reading 'I am Samuel'. AFP
History teacher Samuel Paty was killed on Friday. AFP
People gather at the Place de la Republique in Paris. Reuters
A woman holds a placard reading 'History course for eveyone' and a man holds a French flag on Place de la Republique in Paris. AFP
As it is buffeted by grief and loss, the onus on France is to be mindful of the balancing act it performed once before. It sought to carve out the autonomy for French state in 1905 from the overwhelming dominance of the Catholic Church. More than a century ago, it acted explicitly not to repress beliefs held by individuals or the wider practice of religion.
Back then it was seeking to define clericalism as the force it wanted to ring fence. And it did not seek to tamp down the beliefs of its citizens. A new way emerged to insulate schools or the medical profession from the interference and strictures of the priests or other religious figures. Creating a code of rules and regulations brought modern bureaucratic rules to institutions while not impinging on the individuals.
The republican principles laid down then can be adapted by law as Mr Macron suggests, but his France has very little margin to manoeuvre.
Damien McElroy is the London bureau chief of The National
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Rankings
ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
Marriage Story – 1
Rocketman – 1
The Neighbors' Window – 1
Toy Story 4 – 1
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister. "We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know. “All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.” It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins. Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement. The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
Do not drive outside designated lanes
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
