In the news…

Paris attacks – 13/11/2015 On Friday 13, from around 9pm onwards, Paris has suffered a night of deadly attacks, described by President Francois Hollande as "unprecedented". Shootings, bomb blasts and a hostage siege have left at least 127 people dead and some 180 wounded. At least 80 are in critical condition. Six places were targeted, almost simultaneously.

Paris attacks – 13/11/2015 France has declared a state of emergency and closed its borders after the series of apparently co-ordinated attacks in Paris. Describing the events as an unprecedented terrorist attack, French President Mr Hollande shut down the country's borders and kick-started emergency measures. According to French law, such measures can be imposed in the event of "imminent danger following serious breaches of law and order." The law will allow the authorities to stop people and vehicles from moving at specific times and in specific areas, and define safety zones. Police are also enabled with the power to search homes day and night, instead of only in daylight. This is the 4 th time this law is used in France since its creation in Paris officials said that all of the city's amenities, including schools, museums, libraries, gyms, swimming pools and markets would be closed on Saturday.

Paris attacks – 13/11/2015 The near-simultaneous attacks were an "act of war" organised by the Islamic State (IS) militant group, French President Francois Hollande says. He said the attacks, carried out by eight gunmen and suicide bombers, were "organised and planned from outside". IS claimed the attacks in an online video: “Eight brothers carrying explosive belts and guns targeted areas in the heart of the French capital that were specifically chosen in advance. (…) France and those who follow its path must know they will remain on top of Islamic State targets, and the scent of death will not leave their noses. So-called Islamic State burst on to the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq. It has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings. The group though has attracted support elsewhere in the Muslim world - and a US-led coalition has vowed to destroy it. More…More… What is IS?

World leaders react to Paris attacks

Social media: the good…

Can you spot the problem with the following ‘news’ stories? …and the made-up. When events such as the Paris attacks happen, it is important to know fact from fiction online. FICTION: This was taken in Dublin on a previous gig. FICTION…ish: A genuine tweet from Trump, but dated January 7, after the previous attacks in Paris. It went viral again overnight, prompting worldwide reactions, including the French Ambassador to the U.S FICTION: Whilst the tower will remain dark during National Mourning, it wasn’t even equipped with lights until And they are turned off at 1am every night. FICTION…ish: The Empire State building was not lit up with the Tricolore colours over the weekend, this is an old picture. However, other buildings around the world were. Spotting a Hoax Check the source (Is the website a reliable and respected source? Have you even heard of it before? Believe it or not, there are actual internet hoax websites devoted entirely to spreading false information). Is it being reported by multiple, reliable sources? Is the date current? How well is the post or article written? (Legitimate sources often have professional writers and editors working for them). Look at the surrounding advertisements (if they appear to be largely spam, the info may not be legitimate) Are you being asked to “share this post” to receive further information and/or gain some other reward? (Don’t do this. It’s most likely a hoax).

Look for the helpers…

#PeaceForParis