>> you are watching live from paris on "france 24." our top story. three terror attacks on three continents. a bloody day begins with shocking news of an explosion and a severed head left at the gates. 37 killed at a resort complex in tunisia after a gunman sprayed bullets at tourists relaxing at the beach and bullfight. -- poolside. a man in kuwait blew himself up in the capital killing 25

people. all the latest of elements and analysis on those terrible events. good evening. this friday has been a shocking day with terrorist attacks on three continents. the first of which happened in france. a vehicle slammed into the premises of a small gas company. the head of a man was found hanging at the entrance. all happened in the southeast of france. the interior minister named the attacker as 35-year-old -- shirley has a summary. shirley: there has never been this much police and violence.

on friday morning, two men targeted the small quiet town. the suspects rammed a car into gas contagions outside a gas factory, treating an explosion. neighbors who heard the noise said they imagined anything but a terror attack. >> we heard a big explosion. the windows shook. i thought one of the factories had exploded by accident. >> i thought someone was trying off fireworks. bastille day is almost here. this loud noises odd. ii-- is odd. shirley: police arrested the suspect and they discovered the body of a man who had been decapitated. according to a source close to the investigation, the victim was a 50-year-old boss of the suspect. the two were supposed to deliver mature to the gas company when the suspect killed his boss.

the victim's head covered with inscriptions in arabic found in the factory fence. police arrested the main suspect, and his wife. >> the identity of the criminal is still being investigated. but it appears his name is yasin saadi. he was in our files in 2006. this was not maintained in our files in 2008. shirley: police are investigating the flags the suspect left behind. authorities say security will be strengthened outside of sensitive sites. tom: we can listen now to what the french public prosecutor had to say about the attack. >> in an area that is not covered by security cameras, the victims head was found attached to the gate of the factory and flamed by two flags which featured an islamic declaration.

tom: the public prosecutor speaking. we are on the scene of where this morning's attack occurred. ben, clearly, a huge amount of shock there. what sort of things are you hearing local residents telling you about this event quite out of the blue happening in their backyard? ben: indeed, well, this is mainly an industrial area with factories, an air products factory where the attack was carried out as well as other large companies. and fedex as well. now there are a few residents nearby. i spoke to someone who was offering food to people and said complaining that weren't many customers because most people here were afraid after the attack and decided not to leave their houses, to stay inside and

stay away from the mere activity here. military police officers and tracks are blocking the area, calming the whole -- combing the whole of the factory for any elements that can contribute to the investigation to find out exactly what happened this friday morning. this is what we know, that a man who was working for a service provider of air products company got into the factory complex around 10:00 a.m. then planted the head of his employer on the fence. then detonated, or triggered an explosion here using some of the gas canisters. he was trying to create even more damage, trying to open more canisters, but he was stopped by brave firefighters who made it possible for this prime suspect to get arrested and being

quizzed by authorities here. tom: it's important, the fact that he was a service provider of that factory because that is what enabled him to pass through into the premises. he was personally known to the people on the gate. ben: absolutely. often we hear from attacks of people that the attack -- is stormed, house, a building or factory or hotel. in this case the attacker did not have to storm the location because he was known to employees. i'm right in front of this factory. we read in local media outlets that there were 43 employees at the time of the attack. that two of them were injured. but all of them are in shock and being heard by a psychologist.

the attacker used a car that belonged to the service provider a transport service provider that enabled him to get inside of the factory. that also means he probably knew what was inside, the air products factory. we know the air products belongs to an american group, one of the leader in the industrial gas industry. so the attacker probably was aware of the gas canisters inside the factory, making him even more dangerous. we also know about some of the elements that were gathered on location, including according to authorities, according to reports, two flags with the creed of the muslim faith. we know there were inscriptions in arabic on the victim's body. all of these are being analyst as we are talking by french authorities. tom: on the scene of that attack. tank you very much for the update. over the next three days the

security alert level in that southeastern area of france is going to be at its highest. level in response to those events with hollande president labeled as a terror attack. a high level security meeting this afternoon, he said authorities are taking no chances with public safety. >> we have put in place the highest possible security measures. in the region for the next three days. we're doing this because we need to make sure all verifications can take place at the site of the attack and int train stations and at industrial sites. tom: the french president speaking about the measures being put in place to keep the public safe. for more, we can speak to ricardo beretski, the president for european information policy

and security. he advises on counterterrorism. he joins us from antwerp. we just heard the french president speaking. there are various measures put in place to ramp up the alert level, but clearly, what this attack really shows being in su ch an probable places that they cannot be everywhere. ricardo: absolutely. one of the big dangerous is that we assume that one can contain this kind of viral attack in different places. however, it is important to understand that it is not possible for the police nor the government agencies to be in all places at the same time. what is important that we focus more on a coordination program -- as was mentioned in the previous interviews when attacks occurred. i have not seen any major improvement on it. tom: what is interesting as

well, looking at this latest case this morning in france, is that the attacker, the suspected attacker, was known to authorities but he dropped off their radar. and that has happened before. there were other similar cases of where the attacker was known and sell off their radar as well. and this goes to show that they have to try and prioritize, and they are not always going to get it right, are they? ricardo: absolutely. and what is more important is that more and more we see a trend towards what we call the inside trip, where by the attacker has information or is known to the people where he's targeting his attack. and i think, you know, the -- fact that one is not properly or the system is not properly educated and prepared, is raising new concerns.

tom: is there anything being done at a european level? are you coordinating, is europe coordinating amongst the various member states in terms of keeping on individuals? do you think enough is being done at a european level? ricardo: absolutely not. tere'shere's a huge problem with the perception and debate around the structures -- and funding which is one of the huge problems to coordinate the understanding and carrying of information. it is presently changing the concept of how we should pursue what we call the -- program. the implication of readiness for terrorist attacks against europe whoe clearly we are lacking -- sho we arewe lacking certain

things -- shows are lacking certain things. tom: thank you so much for joining us. let's move on because later on this friday after that attack in france, at least 37 people were then killed in tunisia when a gunman opened fire at a holiday resort, in a town 140 kilometers south of the capital. british, german, and belgian tourists were known to have been killed in the attack. many of them as the relaxed at the beach or the hotel swimming pool. officials are saying the gun man who conceal the kalashnikov inside his umbrella was shot dead on the scene. >> tourists thought they heard firecrackers, but the sound was gunshots. two gunmen opened fire on a beach in the resort town. >> i saw a man with a gun shooting at tourists. he started on the beach and then he moved towards the pool,

killing tourists along the way. then he entered the hotel following the people that were trying to flee, and he threw a grenade at them. >> hotel guests were told to lock themselves in the rooms. dozens were killed, including british, belgian, and german tourists. authorities killed one suspect and arrested the other. 150 kilometers from the capital it's a popular resort for tunisians and europeans. after the attack, tunisia said it would form an emergency counsel. the country has been battered by militant attacks recently. in march two tunisians returning from libya killed 22 people at the national museum. the attacks are blow to the small north african country's stability and economy. tunisia relies heavily on european tourism and has avoided major militant violence since its 2011 revolution. since then, though, several islamist militant groups have emerged in the country and

authorities estimate 3000 tunisians have also joined fighters in iraq ans d syria raising fears they could return home and more attacks could be on the way. tom: the first attack of its kind in kuwait -- a suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowded mosque during friday prayers killing 25 people. the islamic state says it was behind the attacks that left 250 people injured. shia muslims make up 15% to 30% of the population in a sunni state. earlier, the jihadist group called on its own to attack, targeting christians and those who oppose the group. so, three major attacks during the course of the day on three continents. let's go back to what the french

president has had to say because he was in brussels when he learned of the attack in southern france. he was alongside the german chancellor, and he has been called ever since then by lots of world leaders who suppress -- express their solidarity with friends. william hilderbrandt has more. william: it is officials topple saddam -- battle to fight against terrorism. in brussels, the response was one of solidarity. >> the attacks happened in the same day lead to the opposite effect of that terrorist want. instead of dividing us shows we have to be united. so the response will be more unity. william: on the sideline to the european summit in brussels, officials could do little more than offer sympathy. >> we've honestly express our condolences and solidarity to our french colleagues. in these hours our thoughts are with the families of the victims.

we hope the wounded will recover soon. william: britain said it would hold a meeting of its emergency council called cobra. the u.k. wants to make sure intelligence services corporate internationally to quell global terrorism. david cameron: this is a threat that faces all of us. these events have taken place today in tunisia and france, but they can happen anywhere. we all face this threat. william: the spanish prime minister also condemned the attack. spain has raised its terror alert level from medium to high. tom: it's been described as one of the worst massacres ever carried out by the islamic state organization and syria. 145 civilians are reported to have been killed during what has been two days of renewed violence in the kurdish town of kabanni, across the border from turkey.

-- in kobani. kurdish fighters are locked in battle with the jihadists. elsewhere in syria a separate assault on the northern area has forced tens of thousands of people to fleae their homes. now, militants in somalia have carried out an attack on the african union based in the country causing numerous casualties. that early morning attack in a state the adjoins the capital began with the suicide bomber that enabled gun men to enter the premises. al-shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. the group had been warning them is going to step up attacks during ramadan. u.s. president barack obama has been visiting the town of charleston today in south

carolina where he has been paying should do the nine victims of last week's gun attack on the emmanuel african methodist church. he's currently delivering the eulogy at the funeral of reverend clement ofa pinckney who was the pastor of that church. thousands of mourners are gathering to listen to what the president has to say at a time when racial tensions are mounting in the u.s. president obama: grief overflows every time they have to watch -- i cannot claim to have the good fortune to know reverend pin ckney well, but i did have the pleasure of knowing him. and beating him here -- meeting him here in south carolina back when we were both a little younger. back when i didn't have visible gray hair. what a good man.

sometimes, i think that's the best thing to hope for when you are eulogized. mm. after all the words and recitations and resumes are read, to just say somebody was a good man. >> yeah. [applause] tom: that was president barack obama paying tribute to the past or of that church. "what a good man." it is a landmark decision eagerly awaited. the top court in the united states has today ruled that same-sex marriage is a nationwide right. this decision by the supreme court means th u.s. constitution requirese all states to recognize such marriages. lgbt groups have reacted with jubilation to the news, calling

it a momentous victory for freedom and equality. president obama called it a big step in the march towards equality. he was speaking just before he headed to trust in. [cheering] for more, we can cross to nina. she's following events in washington. a very significant developer isn't it? nina: it is not just a major victory, but it's now final. it's done. there was an era finality at the supreme court this morning. president obama speaking shortly afterwards calling this a judicial thunderbolt. he and many republicans saying that this now signifies an end to the gay marriage debate. whether this signifies a personal legacy victory for president obama, it is worth saying he came to the gay marriage debate late. he only enough to support for gay marriage two years into his presidency. that said, this ruling does

signify a massive shift in american public thinking whereas even 10 years ago the gay rights debate was on the fringes and on the back burner of mainstream debate. it's cut to the heart of the american political arena. tom: just looking at the way that decision was reached, it looked like it was quite a close call amongst the judges who made that ruling. and obviously that indicates not everyone in the united states is going to be welcoming that ruling. nina: especially republicans are saying that are keen to prove their presidential credentials going into the election. like presidential hopeful scott walker who is the governor of wisconsin. he is still trying to find ways to ban gay marriage. he wants a constitutional amendment. then you have other republicans like lindsey graham, the senator from south carolina. he issued a statement saying he would accept the court ruling. in fact, his exact words were

"given the quickly changing tide of public opinion, he does not believe an attempt to amend the u.s. constitution could gain enough support." what this ruling does is make it very hard for republican presidential hopefuls to appeal to what is essentially a much less conservative american public than even say 10 years ago. tom: help us understand, clarify for us. does this now mean that there can be no appeal, either, of that ruling, which was announced today? you alluded to the fact this is the end of the gay marriage debate. is there no recourse? is there no way it can be appealed, supposing any group decided they wanted to? nina: there is a little bit of confusion. some states, especially in the south, moved very quickly after the ruling was announced. kentucky, which has a democratic governor said that he would be

implementing the dismantlement of these, the ban that anyone anywhere in kentucky can now apply for a marriage license. in fact, people started doing just that. the louisiana's governor, we heard from him saying that he will not move immediately to dismantle the legal provisions, the legal ban. mississippi is in a state of confusion with some state clerks reporting they try to process marriage licenses and shortly afterwards got a message from the attorney general saying these provisions are not yet legal and these marriage license applications effectively bounced back. but i think in most states, they move very quickly to dismantle the bans and the provisions. a little bit of confusion. tom: thank you so much for that update. nina potts in washington with the latest on that landmark decision. now, greece faces the very real

threat of defaulting on its debts and entering financial meltdown in just four days. that crisis is the top agenda item in a summit of you leaders in brussels. amidst heated negotiations, the creditors have offered athens a new lifeline but with strict conditions. the greek prime minister is: that offer blackmail. -- is calling that offer blackmail. reporter: these young women were given a receipt at this café but that is not always the case in greek shops which opens the door for businesses to skimp on taxes. >> it's -- a person offers me something for not taking receipt, then of course i do without a receipt. the only one that can solve the problem, the recipient of the problem. reporter: greeks are being asked to declare the income to the government but half of taxpayers have yet to file. >> there is fear.

and i understand that people are afraid of what tomorrow will bring. this is also why people have not declared their taxes on time. reporter: in negotiations with the eurozone creditors the greek government is offering to extract more money from middle and high income earners. >> it is a failure. these proposals will go nowhere. they will not work and tax evasion will grow. they mentioned in vague terms they will stamp out tax evasion. i have been hearing that since i was a child. reporter: greeks say they are having to make a difficult choice between saving the country's finances and having more money in their pockets. tom: we will be keeping a close eye on negotiations. taking place in brussels aimed at finding a solution to that impasse with greece over its series debt crisis -- serious debt crisis. i will be back at half past.

do stay tuned.

cracy now!] amy: from charleston, south carolina, this is democracy now! >> to me it is the 9/11 of the black church. it impacts all of us. and we pastors are profoundly affected so we couldn't not come. amy: we are broadcasting from outside the emanuel ame church mother emanuel, where last wednesday nine people were gunned down in the basement as they attended bible study.