News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Minute's silence held across France

A minute's silence has been held across France for the victims of yesterday's gun attack on the Paris offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in which 12 people were killed. French police say they've made seven arrests as they continue to hunt for two main suspects. Photos have been released of two brothers suspected of involvement in the attack. According to media reports, they've been spotted in a car north of Paris. Police say the seven people who were detained are connected to the main suspects, who've been named as Cherif and Said Kouachi. Cherif Kouachi has a previous conviction for sending jihadist fighters to Iraq. Prime Minister Manuel Valls says the two suspects were known to the authorities: "these individuals were known to the intelligence services and because they were known they would have been followed. I said when I was Minister of the Interior, I say now as Prime Minister, we are facing an unprecedented terrorist threat – both within France and overseas."

Policewoman dies in shooting in Paris

Meanwhile, there's been another deadly shooting in Paris. Officials say a police officer died of her injuries after being shot at the scene of a road accident in the south of the city. A second person was wounded. The attacker remains at large. It's not known whether the incident is linked to the attack on the magazine. Carrie Nooten is a journalist with Radio France and spoke to eye witnesses at the scene: "there was actually early this morning an accident scene. So a policewoman came to record the accident and just suddenly from a little street the shooter appeared and shot twice."

Sri Lanka presidential election

Voters in Sri Lanka are choosing their next president in an election which is expected to be close. The incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa, who's been in office for nearly 10 years, is facing a challenge from former Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena. Rajapaksa has campaigned on a platform of economic growth and stability, whilst his challenger has put fighting corruption and constitutional reforms at the top of his agenda.

Merkel says Greece should stay in Eurozone

With just over two weeks to go before Greece's general election, the German chancellor Angela Merkel has played down the chances of the country leaving the Eurozone. She says she expects Athens to stick to the terms of its international bailout package.

The Weather

It’ll be cloudy in much of Austria with just occasional sunny periods. A bit of rain or snow in the region between Upper Austria and Burgenland. A strong wind in the mountains and very stormy winds forecast for tonight. Highs are ranging between minus 2 and plus 8 degrees.

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