6,878 civilians killed in Iraq violence in 2016
AP, Baghdad
The United Nations says violence claimed the lives of at least 6,878 civilian Iraqis last year.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, known as UNAMI, said in a statement late Monday that 12,388 other civilians were wounded in 2016. UNAMI added that the figurers didn’t include casualties among civilians in Iraq’s western Anbar province for the months of May, July, August and December.
Germany plans security overhaul after Berlin attack
AFP, Berlin
Germany’s interior minister Tuesday outlined plans for an overhaul of the country’s security apparatus, seeking greater federal powers on domestic intelligence and the enforcement of migrant expulsions in the wake of the Berlin truck attack.
The minister, Thomas de Maiziere, also called for wider oversight for federal police as well as for a crisis management centre to be set up.
Man shot dead by UK police
Reuters, London
A man has died after being shot by police during an operation in northern England, West Yorkshire Police said on Tuesday, later confirming the incident was not a terrorism-linked.
Police said the shooting occurred during a “pre-planned policing operation” near the M62 motorway in Huddersfield at about 1800 GMT on Monday. “A police firearm was discharged and a man has died,” police said.
Huge wildfire burns homes in Chile
AFP, Valparaíso
A wildfire ravaged woods and burned 100 homes in the hilly Chilean port city of Valparaiso on Monday, forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of people.
At least 19 people were reported hurt after the fire broke out on the outskirts of the historic city, the government said. Television pictures showed thick grey smoke filling the streets in the Laguna Verde district, where the blaze struck, and flames devouring green hillsides.
