Hostages held in northern French town of Roubaix

bbcc ^

[traumer]

A group of armed men are said to have taken hostages in the northern French town of Roubaix near the border with Belgium, reports say. A police operation is under way and an area of the town has been cordoned off.

Local media said the incident took place at around 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT).

The incident does not appear to be related to the ongoing security situation in France following the 13 November attacks in Paris. Gunshots were fired, according to reports and local residents. The armed men may have been planning a robbery, reports say.

[jpl]

The incident does not appear to be related to the ongoing security situation in France following the 13 November attacks in Paris.

It's a group of rogue Quakers this time!

[DUMBGRUNT]

IMO Roubaix is the finish point for the best bicycle race ever!

Even if you don’t give a crap about bicycle racing, take a look at some of the youtube clips!

The American television channel CBS covered Paris–Roubaix in the 1980s. Theo de Rooij, a Dutchman, had been in a promising position to win the 1985 race but had then crashed, losing his chance of winning. Covered in mud, he offered his thoughts on the race to CBS’ John Tesh after the race:
“It’s a bollocks, this race!” said de Rooij. “You’re working like an animal, you don’t have time to piss, you wet your pants. You’re riding in mud like this, you’re slipping ... it’s a pile of shit.”
When then asked if he would start the race again, de Rooij replied:
“Sure, it’s the most beautiful race in the world!”