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8. April 2017, 21:58

Orlando gunman pledged allegiance to IS

The FBI says the man responsible for the worst mass shooting in modern US history - at a gay nightclub in Florida - had pledged allegiance to Islamic State militants. At least 50 people died and 53 were wounded at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando when Omar Mateen opened fire on Sunday. The FBI said it had interviewed Mateen three times since 2013, after he made inflammatory comments at work and was linked to a Syrian suicide bomber - but agents concluded he wasn't a threat. President Obama said the attack was an act of terror and an act of hate: "The FBI is appropriately investigating this as an act of terrorism, and I've directed that we must spare no effort to determine what, if any, inspiration or association this killer may have had with terrorist groups. What is clear is that he was a person filled with hatred."

Pistorius sentencing hearing begins

A psychologist has told a court in South Africa that the athlete Oscar Pistorius is suffering from depression and anxiety, and is not able to testify at his sentencing hearing. Pistorius faces a jail term of at least 15 years for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. He was originally found guilty of manslaughter, but was later convicted of murder after the prosecution appealed.

Russian hooligans escape arrest in France

The authorities in France say about 150 suspected Russian football hooligans escaped arrest after violent clashes with England fans in the French city of Marseille. Ten fans, from Britain, France and Austria, will appear in court today. Two Russians are being expelled. The French government says it wants a ban on alcohol near venues and fan zones hosting the Euro 2016 football tournament, following the violence between rival supporters. But Kevin Miles, from the Football Supporters Federation which represents fans in England and Wales, claims an alcohol ban is irrelevant: "The Russians and the locals here who have been attacking football fans have been stone cold sober. They don't drink, they are consciously focussed. They train for six months, preparing for acts of hooliganism and violence like this. They're not drunk, that's not what caused the violence here."

Qatar convicts Dutch woman after rape report

A court in Qatar has given a Dutch woman a one year suspended prison sentence after she told police she had been raped whilst on holiday in the country. She was convicted of having sex outside marriage, and will be deported. Her alleged attacker was sentenced to a hundred lashes.

The Weather

Some sunshine and occasional rain showers in the east and south-east. Cloudy conditions for the rest of the country with some heavy rain and thundershowers. Highs ranging from 14 to 25 degrees.

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