France seeking new security powers
PARIS – French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called Monday for emergency government surveillance powers in case of an exceptional threat, a move prompted by the deadly Paris attacks earlier this year.
In a speech in Parliament, Valls urged a new intelligence bill for extraordinary measures that would be used only “in case of major crisis affecting the citizens’ security.” The law would allow intelligence services to use surveillance powers without submitting a request to an independent nine-person panel, as normally required.
Lawmakers on Monday started debating a bill aimed at legalizing broad surveillance of terrorism suspects.
Monitors report fighting in Ukraine
DONETSK, Ukraine – Fighting has picked up in eastern Ukraine, after more than a month of relative calm, as diplomats gathered in Berlin Monday to discuss the Ukraine crisis.
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Sunday that its mission observed an intense clash with the use of tanks and heavy artillery as well as grenade launchers and mortars in the north of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk. On Sunday alone, the OSCE recorded at least 1,166 explosions, caused mainly by artillery and mortar shell strikes in northern Donetsk as well as on its outskirts including the airport, now obliterated by fighting.
The OSCE also reported intense mortar fire outside the village of Shyrokyne by the Azov Sea but said its representatives were repeatedly barred from accessing the village on Sunday.
Mortar fire was also heard at night and in the morning on Monday in central Donetsk.
Associated Press
