Paris: Two dead in kosher supermarket hostage situation

Two people have died in a hostage situation in Paris, a policeman at the scene has confirmed.

At least five people were taken hostage in a Jewish supermarket after a shootout in which several people were injured. The BBC reports that a police officer at the scene has now confirmed that two people have been killed.

The gunman is thought to be the same man who fatally shot a female police officer on Thursday morning. The incident is unfolding at a kosher grocery store at Porte de Vincennes in the south east of Paris.

Police are evacuating the area, and heavily-armed police units are at the scene. Helicopters are hovering above, and emergency services are standing by.

There have been reports of shots fired, making it the third shooting in Paris in three days. Jewish restaurants are reportedly closing across Paris, and schools in the area are on lockdown.

Twelve people were killed in a shooting at the offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on Wednesday. Two men who carried out that attack, brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi, are believed to be hiding in a factory near Charles de Gaulle airport in another hostage situation.

It is unclear whether the two hostage situations are related. However, according to French media, police sources have said that the gunman in Porte de Vincennes has demanded the release of the Kouachis.

More to follow.

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.