Notre Dame Cathedral In Paris On Fire

(screen capture/NBC News)

UPDATE - USA Today reports that "nothing will remain" after the devastating fire. There is still an ongoing effort to save works of art.

The fire burned for hours, virtually unabated despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters. The flames continued to glow when darkness fell. “A special mission has been launched to try to save all works of art that can be saved,” Emmanuel Grégoire, first deputy to the mayor of Paris, said on French TV.

“Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame,” Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot told French media. The cause was not immediately known, but officials said it could be linked to renovation work. The cathedral is in the midst of a $6.8 million renovation project.

French historian Camille Pascal told French TV the fire was destroying “invaluable heritage.” “It’s been 800 years that the Cathedral watches over Paris,” Pascal said. “Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame.”

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From NBC News:

Flames were spotted shooting from the historic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday.

Smoke was billowing from the structure and could be seen from miles away in the French capital.

The flames appeared to be around scaffolding at the top of the famous church, where renovations were being done.

"A terrible fire is underway at Notre Dame Cathedral," Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted. She called on Parisians to stay away from the area to allow firefighters to do their work.

Witness image shows fire burning from the top of historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. https://t.co/kdrUxk2XiK pic.twitter.com/jz8GhX10Gq

— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 15, 2019

Witness says 300-foot spire on top of the Notre Dame Cathedral has just collapsed https://t.co/Q2Pt0kZcZB pic.twitter.com/KBcCztHVV8

— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 15, 2019

The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell pic.twitter.com/XUcr6Iob0b

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019

Paris Terrorist Attack Suspect Captured In Belgium

Salah Abdeslam, also known as "the most wanted man in the world" for organizing the devastating Paris terror attacks in November, has been shot and captured Friday in a raid by police on a Brussels suburb, according to French and Belgian officials.

USA Today has the details:

Abdeslam was wounded in the knee in the operation, according to the deputy mayor o Molenbeek where the raid took place. He said he had received confirmation of Abdeslam's capture from the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office.

Ahmed El Khannouss told The Associated Press that police were still searching for one person who was holed up in a house.

"Congratulations to the forces of order that allowed the arrest of Salah Abdeslam, during a police operation in Brussels," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said on Twitter.

In Paris, French president Francois Hollande confirmed that the operation underway in Belgian neighborhood was linked to the Paris attacks.

Abdeslam has been on the run since the massacre in Paris in November that left 130 people dead. Most of the Paris terrorists died that night, including Abdeslam’s brother Brahim, who blew himself up. French officials said Salah had discarded his suicide vest and fled the city.

Madonna Mini-Concert: "Imagine" At Impromptu Memorial In Streets Of Paris

Im singing some songs in place de la republique. Meet me there now #Paris . #rightnow #aftershow❤️ #rebelheartour pic.twitter.com/MJekIHtUTI

— Madonna (@Madonna) December 10, 2015

After her concert in Paris last night, Madonna headed over to at Place de la République, which has become a memorial for the victims of the November 13th terrorist attacks.

Via the tweet above, the Queen of Pop invited her Twitter followers to join her for the impromptu sing-along, which included John Lennon's "Imagine."

Suspected Ringleader Of Paris Attacks Killed In Police Raid

(image via AP)

The Belgian jihadi suspected of masterminding deadly attacks in Paris died along with his cousin in a police raid on a suburban apartment building, officials said Thursday.

Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins' office said 27-year-old Abdelhamid Abaaoud was identified based on skin samples, but authorities did not know how he died. His body was found in the apartment building targeted in the chaotic and bloody raid in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis on Wednesday.

Three police officials say a woman who died in the raid was Abaaoud's cousin. One said Hasna Aitboulahcen is believed to have detonated a suicide vest after a brief conversation with police officers.

More at Huffington Post.

Take A Moment And Open Your Mind To The Possibility

BLINDFOLD MUSLIM HUG

"Hug me if you trust me, I'm told I'm a terrorist", –Muslim man opens his arms to Parisians#Paris #PlacedelaRepublique #ParisAttacks #Islamophobia #MuslimsAreNotTerrorists

Posted by In the NOW on Monday, November 16, 2015

John Oliver On Terrorist Attacks In Paris: "F**k These A**holes Sideway"

John Oliver began last night's episode of HBO's "Last Week Tonight" by addressing the terrorist attacks in Paris this past Friday in a way you can only do on cable TV.

Warning: NSFW

Eiffel Tower Once Again Lit In Colors Of The French Flag

After nights of darkness following the horrific attacks in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated again tonight in the colors of the French flag.

Vive la France!

Madonna Calls For Powerful Moment Of Silence In Concert For Paris

Before launching into a touching rendition of her hit song "Like A Prayer" at her sold out concert in Stockholm last night, Madonna spoke passionately about the attacks in Paris, and then called for a moment of silence.

“This whole show is about celebrating life. And standing up for your rights. Fighting for what you believe in. It’s been very hard for me to get through this show and not forget about what happened last night. So I need to take this moment to acknowledge the tragedy. The tragic killings, assassinations and the senseless ending of precious life that occurred last night in Paris In many ways, I feel torn. Like why am I up here dancing and having fun when people are crying over the loss of their loved ones?

However, that is exactly what these people want to do. They want to shut us up. they want to silence us. And we won’t let them….As much [terrrorism] that does occur, there’s more goodness. We are here to claim it.

I was going to cancel my show tonight but then I thought to myself, why should I give that to them. Why should I allow them to stop me, to stop us, from enjoying freedom? All of the places that people were killed were places that people were having fun – were enjoying themselves, eating in restaurants, dancing, singing, watching a soccer match. These are freedoms that we take for granted of course, and we must not. But they are freedoms that we deserve!

There are people who have a respect for human life, and there are people that do atrocious, degrading, and unforgivable things to other human beings. But we will never ever ever change this world we live in, if we do not change ourselves, if we do not change the way we treat one another on a daily basis…in the simplest ways. We must start treating every human being with dignity and respect.”

Check the 9:15 mark.

The silence speaks volumes about the power of music.

The visceral connection between the Queen of Pop and the crowd is palpable during LAP.

SNL Cold Open - Bilingual Tribute To Paris

Last night's cold open for SNL by cast member Cecily Strong - a simple, poignant, bilingual salute to Paris.

First in English, then in French, Strong told the television audience, “Paris is the city of lights. And here in New York City, we know that light will never go out. Our love and support is with everyone there tonight. We stand with you.”

Paris Terrorist Attack Updates

French authorities unsure whether other attackers are still on the loose, official tells CNN. https://t.co/OUnheWfqK3

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) November 14, 2015

Paris attacks casualties: 129 killed, 352 injured -- at least 99 seriously -- prosecutor says. https://t.co/SAWsdqqNED

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) November 14, 2015

FBI offices told to boost surveillance of terror suspects in the wake of #ParisAttacks. https://t.co/1bttLdeA1U pic.twitter.com/QsTEVJy9sy

— ABC News (@ABC) November 14, 2015

Breaking: #ISIS claims responsibility for #Paris attacks in online statement. What we know: https://t.co/iHozaZ87TT pic.twitter.com/h24KJfNDA2

— CNN (@CNN) November 14, 2015

Islamic State claims responsibility for Paris attacks that left 127 dead https://t.co/ACcs7BfVQb pic.twitter.com/DvGKMh27P0

— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) November 14, 2015

Islamic State group claims Paris attacks, says France at "top of the list of targets": https://t.co/WGAgZB3LPC

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 14, 2015

Watch the full statement from @POTUS on the attacks in Paris. https://t.co/yQThOvrdxZ

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 13, 2015

Tributes to Paris and France around the world from Dallas, to San Francisco, to Rio de Janeiro and Sydney. pic.twitter.com/n0rTy0SO9x

— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 14, 2015

LATEST: Number of dead could exceed 120 in 6 attacks, Paris prosecutor says. https://t.co/77XmTk7BA5 pic.twitter.com/VOlCpRWE6Z

— ABC News (@ABC) November 14, 2015

NYC lit up for Paris. #Pray4Paris pic.twitter.com/5u8hlqXEQw

— Pray For Paris (@Jolexomelia) November 14, 2015

Paris: Pianist Davide Martello Pulls Piano To Concert Hall, Plays John Lennon's "Imagine"

(image via Twitter)

Today in Paris, musician Davide Martello pulled his piano via bike to right in front of The Bataclan, the concert hall where over 100 were murdered last night in terrorist attacks.

After situating himself, he quietly began playing John Lennon’s “Imagine." When he finished, overwhelmed by emotion, he left without speaking or identifying himself.

(source)

Westboro Baptist Church Praises "The Wondrous Work God Has Done In Paris"

French President Hollande Promises "Merciless" Response To Terrorist Attacks

From NBC News:

French President Francois Hollande vowed a “merciless” response to the deadliest attacks on the country’s soil since World War II as ISIS claimed responsibility Saturday for a coordinated assault on Paris.

A state of emergency was declared and France deployed 1,500 troops after a near-simultaneous series of explosions and shootings brought the city to a horrified standstill overnight. The death toll rose to 127 and 200 other people were wounded, officials said.

Speaking early Saturday, Hollande pointed the finger at ISIS for orchestrating the “cowardly” attacks which he described as an “act of war committed by a terrorist army” and organized from abroad. He said France remained “unbreakable,” calling for “unity and courage.”

Hollande added: “We will work alongside our allies to fight this terrorist menace … France is strong and even if she is wounded she will get up always and nothing will hold her down, even if we are feeling the grief now … We will defend ourselves.”

CNN Reports Around 100 Killed At Paris Concert Hall

According to AFP, around 100 people were killed at #Paris concert hall https://t.co/JvUrm43ygt pic.twitter.com/NeO2Zf31zZ

— CNN (@CNN) November 14, 2015

President Obama Condemns Terrorist Attacks In Paris

President Obama is calling the attacks on Paris "outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians" and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice.

French President Francois Hollande has declared a national state of emergency and has ordered all of France’s borders closed for an indefinite period.

Here is the latest report by the AP on the attacks:

CNN Reports 18 Dead In Paris Shooting

CNN affiliate reporting at least 18 dead in #Paris shooting: https://t.co/rtB3B4JGl6 https://t.co/yEftyUNgup

— CNN (@CNN) November 13, 2015

#JeSuisCharlie Covers The New Yorker

The cover of the Jan. 19, 2015, issue of The New Yorker.

(h/t kenneth in the 212)

NBC On Paris Terrorist Attack: One Dead, Two Others In Custody

BREAKING: One suspect in Paris terror attack killed, two in custody, U.S. officials say http://t.co/tOJVZu0Wwp
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 7, 2015

Paris: Terrorist Attack On French Magazine Charlie Hebdo - 12 Dead, 5 Injured

In what has been described as a terrorist act, 12 people are confirmed dead plus five more injured after three gunmen attacked the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

Four of the magazine's well-known cartoonists, including its editor-in-chief, were among those killed, as well as two police officers.

A major police operation is under way to find three gunmen who fled by car.

President Francois Hollande said there was no doubt it had been a terrorist attack "of exceptional barbarity".

The masked attackers opened fire with assault rifles in the office and exchanged shots with police in the street outside before escaping by car.

They later abandoned the car in Rue de Meaux, northern Paris. Witnesses said they heard the gunmen shouting "we have avenged the Prophet Muhammad".

President Obama issued this statement:

I strongly condemn the horrific shooting at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that has reportedly killed 12 people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack and the people of France at this difficult time.

France is America's oldest ally, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorists who threaten our shared security and the world.

Time and again, the French people have stood up for the universal values that generations of our people have defended. France, and the great city of Paris where this outrageous attack took place, offer the world a timeless example that will endure well beyond the hateful vision of these killers.

We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my Administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice.

Paris teen left brain dead after neo-nazi attack

Clément Méric, an 18-year-old student in Paris, was beaten by a group of three skinheads in Paris on Wednesday night and is now brain dead.

Méric was apparently a well-known progressive activist who advocated on behalf of the recent marriage equality legislation.

Read more at the Guardian.