French Shooting Suspect Dead; Jumps Out of a Window After a 32-Hour Police Stand-off
Image: HandoutOn Thursday, the Islamic extremist who claimed ownership in killing seven people in an effort to “bring France to its knees” died after jumping out of his window, while still shooting, during a 32-hour stand off with police, a French minister said.
Mohamed Merah, a self-proclaimed Al Qaeda militant, was holed up in his bathroom when French police besieged his flat in the southern city Tolouse, Interior Minister Claude Gueant said. During the stand-off, Merah wounded two police officers. Officials planned to capture Merah alive.
Merah took responsibility for Monday’s opened fire assault on a Jewish school, which killed four, including a father and his two sons, before fleeing on a motorized scooter. Just days earlier, three soldiers of ethnic origin were also shot, and killed, by Merah on the same scooter, not too far away. It was this unusual vehicle that led authorities to the suspect.
Earlier this week, Merah said he planned to kill another soldier on Wednesday, but thankfully, he was unable to do so.
Rob Ford Postpones the LRT vs Subway Transit Debate
Image: Flickr
After almost 12 hours of debate, Mayor Rob Ford shut down the Sheppard Ave. council meeting Wednesday night, postponing the council vote on light rail transit. This sudden meeting stoppage became even more abrupt when Ford reportedly fled into an elevator in an effort to avoid reporters.
A press aide ensured Ford’s safe, separate exit from the reporters.
Read More: Oh, Hell. What if Ford’s right about the LRT?
Read More: A Sheppard Panel Votes Overwhelmingly in Favour of the LRT; Sorry, Scarborough
An unusual scene by any stretch of the imagination, Ford’s candour left council both unimpressed and irate. Ford’s foes, including centrist councillor Josh Colle said the scene was “scattered and desperate,” while councillor Joe Mihevc dubbed it a “shameless” exit.
The council meeting will resume on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
The Hunger Games is ‘Pure Profit’ For its Studio, Lions Gate Entertainment
Yup, the Hunger Games is very much a thing. In fact, it is raking in ‘pure profit’ for its studio, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.
Analysts who underestimated the appeal of the brutal, but highly engaging Battle Royale-esque teen novel adaptation, are seeing the studio’s stock skyrocket as a result of recent box office market predictions and the strength of advanced ticket sales.
Read More: $100-Million, The Hunger Games, and What Box Office Numbers Really Mean
Read More: The Hunger Games Outsells Any Non-Sequel in Advanced Ticket Sales
Since September, shares of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp have posted gains of 100 per cent, gains that will only increase once the $78-Million budgeted film is released.
At Boxoffice.com, Phil Contrino predicts The Hunger Games will break $115-Million this weekend; a number that shatters Spider-man‘s 2002 record.
If The Hunger Games does indeed rake in over $115-Million, or $140-Million, as The Hollywood Reporter is saying, it would put it up there with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two, The Dark Knight and all of the Twilight sequels, save for Eclipse – making it one of the top-five biggest opening weekends of all time.
For those of you counting down, like myself, midnight screenings are only around 16 hours away!
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Joanna Adams writes the Morning Cable, and lots more, for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at †@nowstarringTO.
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