News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

126 killed in Taliban attack on school

Taliban gunmen in Pakistan have attacked an army-run school in the city of Peshawar killing 126 people, mostly children according to the provincial authorities. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the massacre. Military officials at the scene said at least six armed men entered the building earlier today. Journalist Ahmed Rashid: "they've attacked something which is very sensitive to the army. Many of the soldiers and officers who are fighting the Taliban have their children in this school. So this is an attempt to try and demoralise the military." Pakistani troops have been exchanging fire with the attackers. According to reports five of the gunmen have now been killed.

Investigations after Sydney siege

Police in Australia have launched an inquiry into yesterday's operation that ended a siege at a cafe in central Sydney. Two hostages and the gunman were killed as police commandos stormed the building. Police say they're investigating whether the two hostages were killed by the gunman or died in the crossfire. The hostage-taker, Man Haron Monis, was an Iranian immigrant with a history of criminal charges and extremist behaviour. Officials are also looking into why he had been granted bail. Mike Baird is the Premier of New South Wales: "we're all outraged that this guy was on the street. And we need to understand why he was. We also need to understand why he wasn't picked up. And we'll be working closely with the federal authorities together with our own agencies to ensure what we can do better. We need to understand the circumstances here."

Russia raises interest rate

Russia's Central Bank has raised its key interest rate from 10.5% to 17% in response to the rouble's recent fall in value. The currency has lost 50% against the US dollar this year as falling oil prices and Western sanctions continue to weigh on the country's economy.

180 killed in battle for Syria base

Around 100 Syrian soldiers and 80 jihadist fighters are reported to have been killed during a two-day battle for a military base. The monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says al Qaeda's Syria wing, the Nusra Front, has taken over the base in the province of Idlib together with two other Sunni militant groups.

Anti-immigration march in Germany

In Germany, around 15,000 people have taken part in a demonstration by a movement calling itself "Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West". The march took place in the city of Dresden. Chancellor Angela Merkel said she defended people's right to protest, but added that there was no place for incitement and lies about immigrants. A counter-demonstration of more than 5,000 people was also held.

The weather

It'll be overcast with more rain forecast for the West and Carinthia and that rain will spread to much of the rest of the country. Highs are ranging between 1 and 8 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English