No threats ahead of New Zealand shooting

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — New Zealand’s international spy agency has confirmed it had not received any relevant information or intelligence ahead of last week’s deadly mass shooting on two mosques.

The Government Communications Security Bureau also said in a statement on Monday night that it welcomed an inquiry that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ordered into intelligence and security services that failed to detect the risk from the attacker or his plans.

There have been concerns intelligence agencies were overly focused on the Muslim community in detecting and preventing security risks.

On Friday, a white supremacist went on a shooting rampage in two mosques in Christchurch, killing 50 people. Australian Brenton Tarrant has been charged with murder in the attacks that also left 50 injured.

Meanwhile, Australia’s prime minister has urged world leaders to crack down on social media companies that broadcast terrorist attacks in the aftermath of the New Zealand mosque shootings.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has written to G-20 chairman Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling for agreement on “clear consequences” for companies whose platforms are used to facilitate and normalize horrific acts.

The attacks were live-streamed on Facebook.

Morrison says: “Social media companies are international businesses and it’s up to the international community to force them to act.”