News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Jerusalem tense after shooting

Israel has closed the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, following clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian youths. The violence comes a day after an assassination attempt on a prominent right-wing Jewish activist, Yehuda Glick, who advocates greater Jewish access to the sensitive holy site known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. The Palestinian man suspected of shooting the American-born rabbi has been shot dead in a police operation this morning. Micky Rosenfeld is the Israeli police spokesman: "Shots were fired from inside the house at the officers outside, who immediately responded, shooting and killing the terrorist. And we have confirmed that the suspect that was shot carried out the attempted assassination last night on Yehunda Glick, who´s now still in hospital in serious condition."

UN critic over Israeli settlement building

Israel has faced strong criticism at the UN Security Council over plans to build 1,000 new settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem. The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, said that the settlements would raise "grave doubts" about Israel's plans for durable peace with Palestinians. Sweden´s new Social Democrat government today officially recognised the state of Palestine, becoming the first major European country to do so.

Peshmerga fighters enter Kobani

The first Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga fighters have reportedly entered the besieged Syrian town of Kobani through the border crossing with Turkey. Syrian Kurdish officials have said around 150 peshmerga are expected to aid their fellow Kurds in Kobani, which has been under attack by Islamic State jihadists for six weeks.

Teenage Austrian terror suspect detained

In Austria, a teenager from St. Pölten has been formally placed in investigative custody on suspicion of involvement in a terrorist organisation. The 14 year old Austrian citizen of Turkish background was allegedly planning to travel to Syria to fight with the Islamic State group. It´s understood he´d also been planning attacks on crowded areas in Austria, including the Vienna Westbahnhof railway station.

Secularists win Tunisia election

Official results from Sunday´s elections in Tunisia show the secularist Nidaa Tounes party winning the most seats in parliament, pushing the ruling Islamist Ennahda party into second place. The election is seen as a milestone in the country´s transition from dictatorship to democracy.

Ebola quarantine test case in the US

A nurse who cared for Ebola patients in Sierra Leone is fighting the US state of Maine over its right to quarantine her against her will. In a test case for returning US health workers, Kaci Hickox has vowed to leave her home in contravention of a three-week quarantine order if the state does not lift the restrictions.

The weather

Sunshine in the south, but overcast along the north of the Alps and in the east with some rain and light snowfall. Top temperatures from 5 to 14.

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