Iraqis celebrate first Christmas near Mosul after Islamic State pushed out
BARTELLA, Iraq (Reuters) – Several hundred Iraqi Christians flocked on Saturday to a northern town recently retaken from Islamic State, celebrating Christmas for the first time since 2013, their joy tainted with sadness over the desecration of their ch…
Skiers blocked in cabins in Italy after lift breaks down
ROME (Reuters) – A ski lift in northern Italy broke down on Saturday, blocking more than 120 holiday skiers in gondola cabins about 30 meters (yards) off the ground and a rescue operation was underway, officials said.
Turkey-backed rebels kill 68 Islamic State fighters near Syria’s al-Bab: military
ANKARA (Reuters) – Syrian rebels backed by Turkish warplanes killed 68 Islamic State militants in northern Syria overnight, the Turkish military said on Saturday, as intense fighting around the town of al-Bab continued.
Sixteen hurt in Christmas eve blast at Catholic church in Philippines
MANILA (Reuters) – Sixteen people were wounded in a grenade explosion outside a Catholic church during a Christmas eve mass in the Philippines’ restive southern island of Mindanao, a priest and police said on Saturday.
Burundi lifts ban on NGOs accused of anti-government activity
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Burundi has halted legal action against 11 non-governmental organizations that were banned due to accusations they conspired with opponents of President Pierre Nkurunziza, the prosecutor general’s office said on Saturday.
Europe on Christmas high alert after truck attack in Berlin
ROME (Reuters) – Security was heightened for the Christmas weekend in Italy and at the Vatican on Saturday after Italian police killed the man believed to be responsible for the Berlin market truck attack while other European cities kept forces on high…
Campaign raises $170,000 for family of ‘heroic’ Polish truck driver
WARSAW (Reuters) – A crowdfunding campaign has raised over $170,000 for the family of Polish truck driver Lukasz Urban who was murdered as he apparently tried to seize back control of his vehicle as it was used in an attack on a Berlin Christmas market…
Firework blast hits China’s Tangshan, two reported dead
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Two people have been reported killed after a firework explosion on the outskirts of Tangshan in northern China’s Hebei province on Saturday.
Turkish authorities investigating 10,000 social media users: ministry
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish authorities are investigating some 10,000 people on suspicion of using social media to support terrorism, the interior ministry said on Saturday, part of a wide crackdown that has alarmed rights groups and some Western allies…
Congo talks near deal for Kabila to step down in 2017
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Political rivals in Democratic Republic of Congo neared a deal on Saturday for President Joseph Kabila to leave power in 2017 after dozens of people were killed during protests this week at the end of his mandate.
