At least 12 dead in Paris newspaper headquarters attack - Xinhua

Firefighters carry an injured man on a stretcher in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, 2015. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

PARIS, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The office of Paris Prosecutor of the Republic confirmed at least 12 people were killed on Wednesday in a shooting at the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper, adding four others were seriously wounded in the "terror attack."

France has raised anti-terrorism alert in the greater Paris area to the highest level after the shooting amid fears of eventual attacks in the region, because the perpetrators have fled away, raising risks of eventual shooting in the French capital.

"Without doubt, it's a terrorist attack against an office that has been threatened several times, which is why it was protected," French president Francois Hollande said visiting the shooting scene.

"They will be hunted down and brought to justice," the president stressed.

France, the target of Islamist fighters in reprisal for its military strikes against Islamist strongholds in Iraq and the Sahel region, has aborted several terror attacks in recent weeks, Hollande said.

An emergency government meeting was due in the Elysee to evaluate the situation and take the adequate measures to avoid further attacks.

In November 2011, the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo was fire bombed after it put an image of the Prophet Mohammed on its cover.

PARIS, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- French president Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that the shooting at the headquarters of a Paris newspaper is "a terrorist attack".

And an emergency cabinet meeting is to be held at 14: 00 local time in Elysee this afternoon. Full story

France declares "reinforced protection" for public places

PARIS, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Press offices, department stores, public transportation and places of worship in France will be placed under "reinforced protection", French Prime Minister's office announced on Wednesday.

The announcement was made shortly after a shooting spree in the headquarters of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo which killed at least 12 people. Full story

British PM condemns attack on Paris magazine office

LONDON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday condemned the attack on the office of a Paris magazine, pledging solidarity with the French people against "all forms of terrorism."

At least 12 people were killed in a shooting at the headquarters of French newspaper Charlie Hebdo Wednesday morning, French media reported. Full story