Saudi Arabia names businessman as labor minister, boosts culture and environment
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia on Saturday named a prominent businessman as labor minister in a move welcomed by the private sector, as the kingdom seeks to diversify the economy away from oil and create jobs for an overwhelmingly young population.
Vietnam’s party accuses senior officials of violations at Mobifone, BIDV
HANOI (Reuters) – Vietnam’s current and former information ministers and several other senior officials have been accused of “very serious” violations linked to state telecoms firm Mobifone and BIDV bank, part of a widening crackdown on corruption.
Dissident former general Vivas among freed Venezuelan prisoners
CARACAS (Reuters) – A former Venezuelan army general famous for taking to the roof of his home with an assault rifle in defiance of President Nicolas Maduro’s government has been freed from jail, supporters said.
Sisi sworn in for second Egyptian presidential term amid crackdown on critics
CAIRO (Reuters) – Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was sworn in for a second term as Egyptian president on Saturday amid a crackdown on his opponents, after a landslide victory in a March election in which all serious opponents had withdrawn.
Catalan nationalists back in power, target secession in challenge to Sanchez
MADRID (Reuters) – Nationalists regained control of Catalonia’s government on Saturday and immediately pledged to seek independence for the wealthy region, posing a swift challenge to new Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez who took office on the same…
Syrian government seeks to recapture southwest: foreign minister
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian government wants to recapture insurgent territory in the southwest through a settlement in which fighters accept state rule or leave, the foreign minister said on Saturday.
Al Shabaab fighters seize town in central Somalia: residents
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s militant Islamist group al Shabaab has retaken a small town in the center of the country after it was abandoned by government troops, residents said on Saturday.
Nationalists back in power in Catalonia, say target independence
MADRID (Reuters) – Nationalists regained control of Catalonia’s government on Saturday and immediately pledged to seek independence for the wealthy region, in a major challenge for new Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Israeli military says to probe killing of Gaza nurse
JERUSALEM/GAZA (Reuters) – The Israeli military said on Saturday it was investigating the apparent killing by its troops of a Palestinian nurse on Friday during protests along the Gaza border.
Cuba set to launch constitutional rewrite to reflect reforms
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba’s national assembly is set on Saturday to begin the long-awaited reform of its constitution to give legal backing to the Communist-run island’s economic and social opening while upholding the “irrevocable nature of socialism”.
