Melbourne A gunman who took a woman hostage in a suspected terrorist attack at a block of flats has been shot dead by police (writes Bernard Lagan in Sydney). The man phoned the newsroom of Australia’s Channel 7 and said, “This is for IS [Islamic State]” and “this is for al-Qaeda”, while a woman screamed in the background.
When police arrived they found a body in the foyer, thought to be that of a worker at the flats. The gunman kept his hostage for two hours then emerged to shoot at police. Before he died in a hail of bullets three officers were wounded, two of whom were taken to hospital. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
Police ‘attack’ MPs
Caracas Venezuelan MPs claimed that they were pushed into a ditch by police breaking up an anti-government protest yesterday. “A guard struck my companion and threw me into that ditch,” Juan Requesens, of the centre-right Justice First party, said. Protesters want President Maduro replaced and fresh elections. (AFP)
Eiffel’s zip down
Paris A zipline has opened on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower enabling visitors to travel 115m to the ground at up to 56mph. Those who take the plunge land on a platform in the Champ de Mars about 800m from the monument. The ride, opened to celebrate the French Open tennis, is free of charge.
Students dropped
Cambridge At least ten prospective first-year Harvard students have had their offers revoked over offensive online messages and pictures, the student newspaper reported. The Harvard Crimson said the students had mocked sexual assault, the Holocaust and racial minorities in a private Facebook group.