News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

State memorial for Paris attack victims

The French president Francois Hollande has pledged to destroy what he called the 'army of fanatics' responsible for the attacks in Paris two weeks ago. Speaking at a national memorial service for the 130 people who died, he said France would not respond with hate or fear: "It will operate relentlessly to protect its children. I also promise you that France will stay France, the same - the same France that those who have been taken away from us loved." Some 1,000 people, including survivors and victims' families, were present at the solemn ceremony. A minute's silence was observed and the names of all the victims read out.

France and Russia join forces against IS

President Francois Hollande and Russia´s Vladimir Putin have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fight against the so-called Islamic State group. IS has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks and for bringing down a Russian passenger plane in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, killing all 224 people on board. Meanwhile, Germany has announced plans to step up its fight against Islamic State militants following a direct appeal from France. In a significant shift for Berlin, it´s set to deploy reconnaissance jets, refuelling aircraft and a frigate to the region.

Turkey seeks to calm Russian plane row

It is being reported that the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has requested a meeting with Vladimir Putin and they may hold talks at next week's climate summit in Paris. Earlier the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey would work with Russia and its allies to calm tensions after a Russian jet was shot down near the Turkish-Syrian border on Tuesday.

Chinese journalist Gao Yu freed from prison

The Chinese journalist and Deutsche Welle correspondent Gao Yu has reportedly been released from prison on medical grounds. The 71-year-old was jailed for seven years for leaking a document to a foreign website, outlining plans by the ruling Communist party to clamp down on human rights.

Big increase in Amazon deforestation

The Brazilian environment ministry says the destruction of the Amazon forest, the world's largest intact rainforest, increased by 16 percent in 2015. Satellite data shows that almost 6,000 square km of forest was cleared in the past year.

Pope Francis visits Nairobi slum

Pope Francis has visited a slum in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, calling such areas "wounds inflicted" by a wealthy and powerful elite. He urged African governments to do more to lift their people out of poverty.

The weather

Sunny in the west and south, elsewhere overcast with some rain or snow. Top temperatures from minus 1 to plus 6.

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