News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

Lorry attack kills at least 84 in Nice

President Francois Hollande has said France is in tears following what is believed to be a terror attack in Nice which killed at least 84 people, including several children. A lorry ploughed at high speed into a large crowd which had gathered to watch a fireworks display, marking the end of the French national holiday Bastille Day. The driver also had a gun, and fired shots at the crowd, before being killed by police. Eric Drittel was in the crowd when the attack happened: “People were throwing themselves off the promenade, onto the beach and onto the corrugated metal roof of the restaurant. We went into an area in the restaurant that had toilets, and people were sheltering in the toilet stalls.”

“We are in a war with terrorists”

The French Interior Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, called for a strong response: “We are in a war with terrorists, who want to strike us at any price, and in a very violent way that demands a strong mobilisation by the interior ministry and the security services – such as the one I have seen in Nice.” France will hold three days of national mourning for the victims of the Nice attack, starting on Saturday. The Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, said the country would not allow itself to be destabilised by the violence. French police have identified the driver of the lorry as a 31-year-old French Tunisian who lived in Nice. Police sources have told French media he was known to them for petty crime, but was not on a watch-list of radicalised Muslims. It's not clear if he had accomplices.

Further US Russia talks on Syria

In other news: The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, is holding further talks in Moscow today with Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, to explore possible peace initiatives in Syria. Media reports say the US is proposing increased military cooperation with Russia, against Islamist militants in Syria.

Obama urges unity amid racial tensions

President Obama has appeared at a special town hall meeting, broadcast on national television, to discuss policing and racial discrimination in the United States. Speaking from his own experience, he said there's often a presumption that black men are dangerous: “Over time you start learning, as you’re crossing the street, suddenly the locks start going on doors.” He added that data showing disparities in their treatment by police should be addressed honestly.

UN describes FGM as child abuse

The head of the United Nations Population Fund has described female genital mutilation as child abuse. It's the first time the UN has used that description - it normally refers to the practise as a human rights violation.

The weather

Mostly cloudy in regions north of the Alps, with a few rain showers. Some longer sunny periods in the south and east. Highs ranging from 12 to 23 degrees.

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