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                   France Considers Longer State of Emergency

   by VOA News

   The French government is considering extending once again the state of
   emergency imposed after the November 13 terrorist attacks, this time to
   cover the European Championship soccer tournament and the Tour de
   France cycling race.

   Prime Minister Manuel Valls suggested the extension on Wednesday,
   saying it would "allow a better response against the terrorist threat"
   during the Euro 2016 tournament, from June 10 through July 10.

   The state of emergency, scheduled at present to end on May 26, expands
   police powers to carry out arrests and searches. The measure is
   expected to be presented to the French cabinet later Wednesday and
   would then need approval from lawmakers.

   The Paris attacks, which killed 130 people, are believed to have been
   carried out by a terrorist cell based in Brussels.

   On Tuesday, Belgian authorities said they have evidence to suggest more
   Islamic State recruits are looking to return to Europe to carry out an
   attack. Belgium, which was the target of attacks on March 22, maintains
   its terror alert at the second-highest level a month after the attacks
   on its airport and a subway station that killed 32 people.
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   gency/3293531.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/france-considers-longer-state-of-emergency/3293531.html