Gas explosion rocks central Paris shopping district, 9 injured
A massive explosion probably caused by a gas leak gutted a the ground floor of a building in central Paris’s shopping district on Saturday, seriously injuring at least nine people, French police said.
Gabon’s Bongo names new prime minister after thwarted coup attempt
Gabon’s President Ali Bongo, who has been out of the country for two months recovering from a stroke, named a new prime minister on Saturday in an apparent effort to shore up his political base days after a failed coup attempt.
Rivals unite in Indian state in bid to beat Modi in elections
Two political rivals in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh will form an alliance in a bid to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in national election scheduled for May, leaders of the parties said.
Mexico City pipeline hit by ‘sabotage’ amid crackdown on fuel theft
A major fuel pipeline that supplies Mexico City remained closed after two ruptures in a single day, the president said on Friday, as the government works to stem shortages that have frustrated motorists and triggered economic risks.
Three killed as Ottawa bus crashes into bus shelter
Three people were killed and nearly two dozen were injured on Friday when a double-decker bus struck a bus shelter in the Canadian capital of Ottawa during rush hour, city officials said.
Syria says Israel fired missiles toward Damascus, hit airport warehouse
The Syrian state news agency said Israeli warplanes fired a number of missiles toward the Damascus area on Friday, triggering Syrian air defense that shot down most of them.
Leader of Venezuela Congress says he is prepared to assume presidency
The leader of Venezuela’s opposition-led congress said on Friday he was prepared to assume the country’s presidency on an interim basis and call elections, just one day after leftist President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for a disputed second term.
Syrian air defense fires on enemy targets above Damascus: state news agency
Syrian air defense units fired on enemy targets above Damascus and destroyed several, state news agency SANA said late on Friday.
Venezuela opposition plans incentives for officers who disavow Maduro
Venezuela’s opposition-led congress is considering offering legal incentives to military officers who disavow President Nicolas Maduro and help lead a transition to a new government, according to four legislators and a draft document seen by Reuters.
Ministers urge May to seek help from Corbyn if Brexit deal voted down: Bloomberg
Senior British ministers have urged Prime Minister Theresa May to invite opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn for talks with a view to agreeing a joint Brexit plan if parliament votes down her deal next week, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
