Channels supportive of IS celebrate Nice killings

Nice, July 15  Shortly after a trucker mowed down at least 84 people in this French city, news channels supportive of the Islamic State cheered the carnage, The New York Times reported on Friday.

On one channel created on Thursday and called the United Cyber Caliphate, a message included a single word - France - followed by a smiley face.

The United Cyber Caliphate is run by a group that has previously tried to carry out cyber attacks in the Islamic State's name, the Times said.

Another suspected pro-IS channel showed an image of the Eiffel Tower going up in flames.

There was, however, no word of claim to the Nice attack from the Islamic State, the Times said.

"It typically takes the Islamic State several hours, and sometimes up to one and even two days, to assert responsibility for attacks in Western countries," the daily said.

"It typically does so through its Amaq channel on the encrypted telephone app Telegram, which serves as the group's news wire."