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.
Russian, Iranian presidents agree to work closely on Syria: Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani agreed in a telephone conversation on Saturday to continue their close coordination in trying to end the Syria crisis, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Italy to seek to track down and deport migrants with no right to stay
ROME (Reuters) – Italy will seek to deport more migrants who have no right to be in the country and will open new detention centers to hold them before their expulsion, according to a written directive and a ministry source.
Nigeria’s Buhari says will pursue peace in restive Niger Delta in 2017
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s government will seek a lasting peace settlement with militants in the oil-producing southern Niger Delta region in 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari said in a New Year’s message on Saturday.
Baghdad blasts kill 29 as Mosul fighting intensifies
BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Three bombs killed 29 people in Baghdad on Saturday as fighting intensified in the northern city of Mosul, where Iraqi government forces are trying to rout Islamic State militants from their last major stronghold in the …
Venezuela ex-opposition governor says released from house arrest
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan authorities on Saturday released former opposition governor and presidential candidate Manuel Rosales from house arrest and freed five lesser-known anti-government activists from prison, Rosales said via Twitter.
Egypt court backs government in Red Sea islands dispute
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian appeals court on Saturday upheld an agreement to give control of two islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, providing a boost for the government in a case that has prompted rare street protests.
