Thursday, April 20, 2017

Paris gunman 'was on police radar' • Plan to raise death fees ditched • Farage rules out another run for Parliament

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By Justin Parkinson

Paris gunman 'was on police radar'

A policeman has been shot dead in an attack in the centre of Paris. A lone gunman - said already to have been the focus of an anti-terror investigation - opened fire on a police van, injuring two other officers. He was killed as he fled the scene and the Champs-Elysee was sealed off.

So-called Islamic State has named the attacker as Abu-Yusuf al-Baljiki, although France's interior minister refused to confirm his identity. Extra police were on duty in Paris's tourist areas following recent terror attacks.

"People were crying and everyone was running around," one witness to the attack told French TV. Several candidates for this weekend's presidential election have ended their campaigns early as a mark of respect for the dead police officer.

Other top stories

Critics called it the "stealth death tax", with some even questioning whether it was legal. The government said it wanted to raise probate fees from flat rates of £155 or £215 up to as much as £20,000 for the largest estates. But ministers have scrapped the idea in the run-up to the election. A Conservative source declined to say whether the plans would be brought back if the party wins on 8 June.

They're supposed to be where people go to get well, but NHS England has ruled that too many sugary drinks are being bought in hospitals. WHSmith, Marks & Spencer, Subway and Greggs have agreed to limit sales. Fruit juices with added sugar and syrupy coffee are included in targets for retailers. "A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down but spoonfuls of added sugar day in, day out mean serious health problems," says NHS England boss Simon Stevens.

He's a friend of Donald Trump and one of the UK's best-known politicians. But UKIP's Nigel Farage hasn't managed to become an MP, despite standing several times. He's ruling out trying once more at the general election, despite saying he could have had an "easy win" in the Clacton seat vacated by former UKIP MP Douglas Carswell. A long-serving Member of the European Parliament, he told the Daily Telegraph he'd "fight for Brexit in Europe" instead.

Will Google move to block adverts?

Google will have the backing of many - even in the advertising industry - when it argues that bad ads are not doing anybody any favours, either those who have to suffer them as they browse or the companies hoping to reach consumers without antagonising them.

Read full analysis >

Rory Cellan-Jones

Technology correspondent

What the papers say

Several of the papers manage to get news of the Paris attack on their front pages, showing sombre scenes with the city's Arc de Triomphe in the background. "Shootout in Paris," says Metro, while the Telegraph describes "Terror on the Champs-Elysee".

In other news, the Daily Express reports that diet drinks could increase the risk of a stroke or dementia. And the Times focuses on Brexit, saying Brussels is demanding "lifelong rights" for EU citizens before a deal can be reached.

Daily digest

Gun in luggage - LA airport security failed to spot firearm

Amputee driver - Fund for teenager injured in Formula 4 crash reaches £600,000

'Stop deceiving' - YouTube teaches teenagers how to avoid fake news

Why the tilt? - Your doubts about circular runways answered

Seven days quiz - Where did an iceberg get stuck?

If you watch one thing today

The man who looks at volcanoes

If you listen to one thing today

Why did Trump go to Studio 54?

If you read one thing today

Can Emmanuel Macron transform France?

Friday lookahead

Today The Queen celebrates her 91st birthday.

Today It's the 10th annual Record Store Day, celebrating independent music shops.

09:30 UK retail sales figures for March are released.

11:00 EU ambassadors and high commissioners commemorate Keith Palmer, the police officer killed in last month's Westminster attack, in a service at the Palace of Westminster.

On this day

1955 National newspapers are published for the first time in almost a month, as a strike by engineers and electricians ends.

1956 Elvis Presley's first hit record, Heartbreak Hotel, becomes the US Number One.

1983 The one pound coin is introduced in the UK.

2016 US President Barack Obama begins a three-day visit to the UK, during which he plays golf with Prime Minister David Cameron and meets Prince William's children.

Best of the rest

Should California panic about North Korea?
(Guardian)

Paddle under the stars, but watch out for sharks
(New York Times)

Drawings and protests: the connections
(Creative Review)

The spirit of Sweden in 15 films
(The Local)

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