How did FB allow livestream of New Zealand attack? PM Ardern seeks answers

A horrific video shot by the gunmen who carried out the mosque massacre was livestreamed on Facebook before being removed by the company

International News: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Sunday said she would be looking for answers from Facebook and other social media firms about how an attack that killed 50 mosque-goers was livestreamed on their platforms.

Saying there were “further questions to be answered” by the tech giants, Ardern said Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg had been in contact and “acknowledged what has occurred here in New Zealand”. A horrific video shot by the gunmen who carried out the mosque massacre was livestreamed on Facebook before being removed by the company.

But the stream, lasting 17 minutes, was shared repeatedly on YouTube and Twitter, and internet platforms were scrambling to remove videos being reposted of the gruesome scenes. “We did as much as we could to remove, or seek to have removed, some of the footage that was being circulated in the aftermath of this terrorist attack,” Ardern said.

“But ultimately it has been up to those platforms to facilitate their removal.” “I do think that there are further questions to be answered.” In a statement on Sunday, Mia Garlick of Facebook New Zealand vowed to “work around the clock to remove violating content”.

“In the first 24 hours we removed 1.5 million videos of the attack globally, of which over 1.2 million were blocked at upload,” the company said. Ardern was joined by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in expressing doubts that current rules go far enough.

Morrison said that social media companies had “co-operated” since the attack. “But I sadly have to say that the capacity to actually assist fully is very limited on the technology side.” He said “assurances were given” that once such content was pulled down, a regime would make sure it did not go back up…

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Christchurch mosque shooting updates: 49 killed, 20 injured in New Zealand

All Christchurch schools and council buildings have been placed into lockdown. All mosques to remain closed across New Zealand today

Forty-nine people were killed and mAt least one gunman killed 49 people and wounded more than 20 during Friday prayers at two New Zealand mosques in the country’s worst ever mass shooting, which Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned as terrorism.

A gunman broadcast live footage on Facebook of the attack on one mosque in the city of Christchurch, mirroring the carnage played out in video games, after publishing a “manifesto” in which he denounced immigrants, calling them “invaders”. New Zealand was placed on its highest security threat level, Ardern said, adding that four people taken into custody held extremist views but had not been on any police watchlists…(Read more)

DARKEST DAY

It was not immediately clear if the attacks at the two mosques were carried out by the same man. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said one of the men in custody was Australian.All mosques in New Zealand had been asked to shut their doors and armed guards posted at them, police said, adding they were not actively looking for any other “identified suspects”.Political and Islamic leaders across Asia and the Middle East condemned the killings..(Read more)

‘FIRING WENT ON AND ON’

The online footage, which appeared to have been captured on a camera strapped to a gunman’s head, showed him driving as music played in his vehicle. After parking, he took two guns and walked a short distance to the mosque where he opened fire. Over the course of five minutes, he repeatedly shot worshippers, leaving more than a dozen bodies in one room alone. He returned to the car during that period to change guns, and went back to the mosque to shoot anyone showing signs of life.(Read more)

Bangladesh team escapes Christchurch attack, New Zealand tour called off

Bangladesh team, which was about to enter the mosque to offer prayers, were left unscathed

International News: Bangladesh team, which was about to enter the mosque to offer prayers, were left unscathed but the prevailing situation led to the authorities calling off the third and final Test match at the Hagley Oval starting Saturday.

According to a report in Cricinfo: “The team was en route to the mosque for Friday prayers at the time of the attack but escaped to the nearby Hagley Oval. They are currently in lockdown at their team hotel.”Senior opener Tamim Iqbal has tweeted: “Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden termed the shooting as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”.Arden issued a strong statement condemning the attack. “There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence, which it is clear “There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence, which it is clear this act was. This is significant and I can tell you now this is and will be one of New Zealand’s darkest days. I would describe it as an unprecedented act of violence, an act that has absolutely no place in New Zealand. This is not who we are.”

“Certainly it has occurred at a place where people should have been expressing their religious freedom, where they should have been in a safe environment, and they have not been today. There is no place in New Zealand for such extreme acts of unprecedented violence…

New Zealand mosque shooting updates: Many dead, shooter still active

All Christchurch schools and council buildings have been placed into lockdown. All mosques to remain closed across New Zealand today

International News: Multiple fatalities were inflicted at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday when at least one gunman opened fire on worshippers, police said. Witnesses told media that a man dressed in a military-style, camouflage outfit, and carrying an automatic rifle had started randomly shooting people in the Al Noor mosque.

The Bangladesh cricket team was arriving for prayers at the mosque when the shooting occurred but all members were safe, a team coach told Reuters. Police said they had one person in custody but they were not sure if others were involved. Police advised people to stay away from mosques.

“As far as we know,” the fatalities occurred at two mosques, New Zealand’s Police Commissioner Mike Bush said. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there was no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme violence. Police said earlier they were hunting “an active shooter” in the centre of Christchurch city. “A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter,” New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.

“Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high.” Media reported that a gunman opened fire inside mosque in Christchurch’s Hagley Park district. There were reports of armed police at a second mosque in the suburb of Linwood…