News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Gunmen storm hotel in Mali

A group of gunmen have stormed the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Bamako. Around 170 people were originally reported to have been taken hostage. It's thought at least 3 people have been killed. There've also been reports that some hostages, who were able to recite verses of the Koran, have been freed whilst others have been able to escape. Police say Malian special forces have entered the building and operations are underway. Eyewitness Michael Skapoullis was in the gym of the hotel when the shooting started. He managed to get out and explains what he saw: "I opened the door a little bit and I saw bullets on the floor. And from the back door of the gym - which was on the side of the hotel - I walked out where it was full of police and special forces and they took me to a safe place." The hotel is frequently used by foreigners. French, Turkish and Chinese are among those who had been staying there. The President of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who had been attending a regional summit in Chad, is returning to Bamako.

EU ministers discuss external borders

EU interior ministers are discussing tightening the external borders of the EU's passport-free Schengen area in response to the Paris attacks. France wants EU citizens to be subject to the same stringent border checks as non-EU travellers. It also wants to make it easier to share airline passenger data. The meeting follows the news that the Belgian ringleader of the attacks who was killed during the police raid in the Paris suburb of St Denis managed to travel from Syria to France undetected. In another development, French officials say a third body was found in the flat that was raided by police.

US House votes to restrict refugees

The US House of Representatives has passed a controversial bill that calls for tighter controls over Syrian and Iraqi refugees entering the country. Dozens of Democrats joined Republicans to pass the measure. President Barack Obama, who strongly opposes the plan, says he will veto the legislation. The US Secretary of State John Kerry: "it's inappropriate for America to panic and to somehow turn our backs on our fundamental values."

Aid agencies raise concerns over border controls

Aid agencies are warning that new border restrictions in the Western Balkans are creating tensions at border crossings and leaving some families stranded. A joint statement from the UN's refugee agency, UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration say there's an urgent need to put in place more reception facilities for refugees and migrants.

North and South Korea to hold talks

North and South Korea have agreed to hold talks aimed at easing tensions after a military stand-off in August. The meeting will take place next week at the border village of Panmunjom.

The weather

Rainy on the northern side of the Alps and some occasional rain in the east. The region between eastern Tyrol and Burgenland should see some sunny periods. Highs ranging between 8 und 15 degrees.

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