German police screen hundreds of North Africans at Cologne station
COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) – German police said they screened hundreds of North Africans on New Year’s Eve at the main railway station in the western city of Cologne, where hundreds of women were sexually assaulted and robbed during celebrations a year…
Congo rulng party, opposition sign deal for Kabila to step down
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Congo’s opposition leaders signed a deal with the party of President Joseph Kabila on Saturday that will require him to step down after elections that must take place before the end of 2017.
France’s Hollande warns against nationalism in New Year address
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande on Saturday warned against the risks of rising nationalism in his last New Year address ahead of the election of his successor next spring.
Canadian police charge impaired pilot passed out in cockpit
TORONTO (Reuters) – Police in Calgary, Alberta, charged a “severely impaired” airline pilot on Saturday after he allegedly passed out in the cockpit of an early morning flight bound for Mexico shortly before takeoff.
Italy president says electoral law needed before new vote
ROME (Reuters) – Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on Saturday that the country must adopt a new electoral law before a national vote can be called.
France’s Hollande says to visit Iraq Monday
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande on Saturday said he would visit Iraq on Monday to salute troops which are taking part in a U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State.
Syria rebels: ceasefire ‘void’ if government violations persist
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian rebel groups said on Saturday they would consider a ceasefire deal brokered by Russia and Turkey “null and void” if the Damascus government’s forces and their allies continued to violate it.
Indian coal mine death toll rises to 16, some still trapped
BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) – The death toll in an Indian coal mine collapse rose to 16 on Saturday and could rise further, officials said, as some people are still feared trapped at a coalfield run by state-owned Coal India Limited.
India’s PM Modi defends cash ban, announces incentives
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of incentives to the poor, farmers, women and small businesses on Saturday in a New Year’s address, and defended his recent decision to abolish high denomination bank notes.
Iranian airliner returns to airport after engine failure
BEIRUT (Reuters) – An Iranian passenger plane was forced to return to Tehran’s Mehrabad airport on Saturday after one of its two engines failed, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday, adding that all passengers were safe.
