G7 leaders pressure tech firms on terror
TAORMINA, Sicily — Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies on Friday put pressure on internet companies and social media sites to do more to stop the spread of “hateful ideology,” appealing to their sense of social responsibility to more swiftly identify and remove terror propaganda.
The measure signed by the seven nations’ leaders was a show of solidarity with Britain following Monday’s suicide bombing in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people at a concert. The Islamic State group claimed the attack, although authorities are working to establish the bombing suspect’s ties to extremist organizations.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said the leaders agreed that the threat posed by the Islamic State group “is evolving rather than disappearing.”
“As they lose ground in Iraq and Syria, foreign fighters are returning, and the group’s hateful ideology is spreading online,” Ms. May said. “Make no mistake, the fight is moving from the battlefield to the internet.”
She said terror propaganda is “warping young minds” and that she thinks technology companies both could do more and have the responsibility to act.
In their declaration, the leaders said they were targeting “propaganda supporting terrorism and violent extremism, online recruitment by extremists, radicalization and incitement to violence.”
Israeli goodwill efforts
JERUSALEM— Israel has announced a series of goodwill gestures for Palestinians ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan a day after it warned Gaza’s already meager electricity supply could be further reduced following a spat between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Islamic militant group Hamas that rules the territory.
Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai of the Israeli defense body COGAT said in a statement Friday the goodwill measures include access for 100 Gaza residents to attend prayers at AlAqsa Mosque in Jerusalem each Friday throughout Ramadan, expected to begin Saturday.
West Bank crossings will open longer it also said.
Gen. Mordechai had warned on Thursday that Israel could reduce Gaza’s power supply because of the ongoing feud over tax collections between Gaza’s Hamas rulers and political rivals Ramallah-based Fatah.
Dozens die in flood
BELLANA, Sri Lanka — Floods and torrents of mud unleashed by heavy rains in Sri Lanka killed 91 people and left 110 others missing Friday. Authorities appealed for international help for rescue and relief operations.
The Disaster Management Center said 2,040 people were evacuated to safer locations and more than 61,000 were affected by the rain that started early Friday.
The foreign ministry appealed for assistance from the United Nations and from other countries.
The government advised people living near swollen rivers and hilly slopes prone to landslides to evacuate, as heavy rains were expected to continue. Navy boats and air force helicopters were deployed to rescue marooned victims and provide emergency relief.