Fear spreads across Europe after Paris attacks
What you need to know:
- The violence ascribed to Islamic State, Al Qaeda and other extremist groups seems to have shaken Europe more than any disaster of recent times.
- Should it be an attempt to enlist you on their loans roster, tell them you could certainly use some money because you just filed for bankruptcy, you haven’t paid your rent for three months and your wife’s solicitors are pressing you hard about maintenance arrears.
Without its Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and other faiths, Britain would not be Britain,” so said Home Secretary Theresa May as the ramifications of the Paris gun attacks that killed 17 people spread to Britain.
Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the Jews who died in France, she said: “I never thought I would see the day when Jews living in Britain would say they were afraid of living here. But I know many Jewish people are feeling vulnerable and fearful. We must redouble our efforts to wipe out anti-Semitism.”
The violence ascribed to Islamic State, Al Qaeda and other extremist groups seems to have shaken Europe more than any disaster of recent times.
One historian said 1914 marked the beginning of the First World War, 1939 the start of the second and 2001 (Al Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington) the onset of the third.
The European Union is urging a broad alliance, also involving Muslim nations, to tackle terror. Measures suggested include tighter border controls, a campaign against arms trafficking, improved cyber-communications and the co-operation of Muslim leaders in dissuading young people from joining radical organisations.
Most Britons are well aware of their own catastrophes, primarily the 2005 bombings of underground trains and a bus in London which killed 52 people, and the very public 2013 murder of British soldier Lee Rigby at Woolwich barracks.
It is unlikely, however, that they comprehend the truly international nature of the violence. On the very day that Ms May met with the Jewish community, more than 80 people, 50 of them children, were kidnapped by Nigerian Boko Haram Islamists in Cameroon.
Said Communications minister Issa Bakary: “We are dealing with barbaric, lawless people.”
Related violence has long plagued Somalia, Kenya, Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, while few nations in the Middle East remain untouched by the “third world war”.
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A few months ago, I wrote about a young fellow I passed most days, begging on the street. His name was Kieran, aged 19, who, with his brother, had spent most of his young life in care.
His last residence was a Salvation Army hostel but it closed and when I met him he was living rough. Kieran wanted to join the army but was having problems because he had no permanent address. It was not looking good.
Last week I bumped into Kieran again, on the street with his brother, but not begging this time. “I got in,” he said, smiling broadly. “I passed the tests and I report in Edinburgh on March 2.” I think I was as pleased as he was.
He now faces 12 weeks’ basic training in one of the world’s toughest regiments — the Royal Marine Commandos, the Green Berets. But after what Kieran has undergone in his short life, I’m sure he will come through with flying colours.
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High on everyone’s list of modern-day pests are cold callers, those telemarketers who telephone you and try to sell insurance, persuade you to take out a loan, ask you to donate to charity or whatever. Invariably, they call when you are taking a nap or cooking a meal.
One of my friends says the callers are paid very poor wages so she hasn’t the heart to cut them off, and though she declines their requests, she does so politely. Another friend says he bangs down the receiver as soon as he realises it’s a sales call.
But there are other ways. For instance, if they start with, “How are you today?” you say, “I’m so glad you asked because nobody seems to care these days and I have all these problems … my sciatica is acting up, I have a constant cough, I think that old hip problem is returning and, as for my bowels, well let me tell you …” By this time, you will almost certainly be listening to a dialling tone.
Should it be an attempt to enlist you on their loans roster, tell them you could certainly use some money because you just filed for bankruptcy, you haven’t paid your rent for three months and your wife’s solicitors are pressing you hard about maintenance arrears. Click.
Another ploy: Tell the caller you are very busy but if he gives you his number, you will call him back. If he says he is not allowed to give out his number, then say you will be happy to call him at home. Of course, he does not want to be called at home any more than you do and so the conversation ends.
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Harry was arguing with his wife. “We’ve been married for 35 years and we never agree on anything.”
She said, “Thirty six.”
