Renzi makes final appeal to Italians ahead of referendum
ROME (Reuters) – With his career on the line, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi made a final appeal to Italians on Friday to support a crucial referendum to change the constitution, saying Italy could become Europe’s strongest nation if it wins.
Gambians celebrate after voting out ‘billion year’ leader
BANJUL (Reuters) – Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh, who once vowed to rule the tiny West African nation for “a billion years”, said he had accepted his shock election defeat on Friday, 22 years after seizing power in a coup.
Saudi Arabia appoints new labor minister, reshuffles religious and Shura councils
RIYADH (Reuters) – King Salman bin Abdulaziz has replaced Saudi Arabia’s labor minister, state media reported on Friday, after recent statistics showed a rise in unemployment in the world’s top oil exporter.
Russia not serious in talks with Syrian rebels: opposition official
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A senior Syrian opposition official accused Russia on Friday of procrastinating in talks with rebels over Aleppo, signaling no progress in diplomacy which rebels hoped would ease dire conditions in the city where they are in danger o…
On final trip, Carter looks to reassure Asia allies
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter makes his last scheduled trip to Asia next week, and he will try to sooth anxieties caused by Donald Trump’s election, U.S. officials said.
Women bombers emerge from Islamic State redoubt to attack Libyan forces
SIRTE, Libya (Reuters) – Several women blew themselves up on Friday in suicide attacks that killed four Libyan soldiers who had granted them safe passage to leave buildings under the control of Islamic State militants, a spokesman for government forces…
Residents alarmed as Iraqi soldiers spray Shi’ite graffiti in Mosul
The traditional battle cry of Shi’ite Muslims, expressing loyalty to the 7th century martyred hero of their sect, has been spraypainted across buildings in Mosul by soldiers as they push out the hardline Sunni fighters of Islamic State.
Europe must brace for new, varied IS attacks: security chief
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Islamic State will attack Europe again, security chiefs warned on Friday, and may add car bombs, cyber and chemical warfare to its local arsenal as European militants drift home after reverses in Syria and Iraq.
Residents alarmed as Iraqi soldiers spray Shi’ite graffiti in Mosul
The traditional battle cry of Shi’ite Muslims, expressing loyalty to the 7th century martyred hero of their sect, has been spraypainted across buildings in Mosul by soldiers as they push out the hardline Sunni fighters of Islamic State.
Castro’s death reminds aging Cuba of generation gap
SANTA CLARA/HAVANA (Reuters) – Fidel Castro’s death has highlighted a yawning generational gap between older Cubans who remember grim poverty before his 1959 revolution, and youngsters who appreciate free health care and education but fear the 21st cen…
