News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Anti-terror raids in Belgium

Belgian security forces are on high alert after police carried out a series of anti-terror raids in which two suspected Islamist militants were killed. The suspects were shot dead in the eastern town of Verviers after they opened fire on police with automatic weapons yesterday evening. Officials say they had returned from Syria and were planning imminent attacks on police targets. Guns, explosives and police uniforms were found in one of the apartments. Searches were also carried out in the Brussels area. 15 people have been detained. Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel: "the decision was taken at a meeting to raise the threat level of our country to 3 out of a maximum of 4, so that we can be more vigilant and implement extra security measures."

Several held over Paris attacks

Officials in France say police have arrested at least 8 people in connection with last week's attacks in which 17 people were killed. Sources quoted in French media say those being held may have provided logistical support for the gunmen in the form of weapons or vehicles. Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State John Kerry is paying a visit to Paris to show support for the government. He's laid wreaths at the kosher supermarket which was attacked and at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Police raids in Germany

In Germany, hundreds of police raided 11 residences at dawn in Berlin today. They took two men into custody on suspicion of recruiting fighters and procuring equipment and funding for the Islamic State militant group in Syria.

Saudi Arabia flogging reportedly postponed

It’s being reported that in Saudi Arabia the public flogging of the blogger Raif Badawi has been postponed. According to sources, the decision was made on medical grounds. There've been international calls to stop the punishment. Badawi had been sentenced to 10 years in jail and 1,000 lashes over an extended period. He had already received 50 lashes last Friday.

US-Cuba measures come into force

New US measures to ease travel and trade restrictions on Cuba come into effect today. They are the next step in President Barack Obama's plan to re-establish normal relations with the island. White House spokesman Josh Earnest: "today's announcement about the regulations are indicative of that policy change that the President wants to pursue. That essentially normalising relations with Cuba would allow for greater commerce and greater travel from the US to that country."

6 soldiers killed in Ukraine

Military officials in Ukraine say six soldiers have been killed in attacks by pro-Russia separatists over the past 24 hours. The development comes amid reports of intense fighting at the airport in the eastern city of Donetsk.

The weather

It’ll be partly sunny, partly overcast with most of the sunshine in Styria. There’ll be some persistent fog about in Upper Austria and the northeast and thick cloud with isolated rain showers in the west and southwest. A föhn wind at times and highs ranging between 2 and 14 degrees.

Übersicht

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