Southern apathy could boost Italy PM Renzi in referendum
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says “loads of people” will vote in a Dec. 4 referendum on his wideranging constitutional reform, but he may be privately hoping that those in the poorer south stay at home.
Colombia postpones peace talks with ELN guerrillas
BOGOTA (Reuters) – The Colombian government said its peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) were postponed to Jan. 10 while the guerrilla force conducts internal consultations and is to free a kidnapped politician.
Iraq’s Shi’ite militias could prove bigger test than Mosul
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – In early June, two Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias under the nominal control of the Iraqi government stormed into an Iraqi military airbase north of Baghdad. Driving armored vehicles and wielding rocket launchers, they took over a b…
North Korea rejects U.N. resolution, vows stronger self-defense measures: KCNA
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s foreign ministry said on Thursday it rejects the latest U.N. Security Council resolution imposing fresh sanctions against the country for its September nuclear test, saying it denied its sovereignty and right to survival…
U.S. on watch for Islamic State dispersing in Libya: official
ALGIERS (Reuters) – The United States is “watching very carefully” for Islamic State militants operating outside Sirte as the jihadist group faces defeat in its former North African stronghold, a senior U.S. Department of State official told Reuters.
Kurdish traders gearing up to take over Mosul trade from Syrians
KALAK, Iraq (Reuters) – Iraqi Kurdish food retailer Nuri Barzan was considering closing his warehouse because of the lack of business when the launch of a military campaign to oust Islamic State from their stronghold of Mosul eased his worries.
Italy’s right-wing Salvini sees referendum as vote against Europe
ROME (Reuters) – A ‘No’ vote in Sunday’s referendum on constitutional reform would be a slap in the face to Europe, said the head of the rightist Northern League, pledging to pull Italy from the euro if he wins the next national elections.
Turkey may hold constitution referendum in early summer of 2017: PM
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey may hold referendum on constitutional change including a more powerful executive presidency at start of summer next year, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Thursday.
France, Ireland frustrated at Britain’s lack of Brexit clarity
PARIS (Reuters) – France and Ireland on Thursday vented their frustration at the British government’s slowness in outlining its plan to leave the European Union saying that they wanted some clarity in the next few weeks.
Austria’s Nazi past encroaches on election campaign
VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria’s most infamous son, Adolf Hitler, is rarely mentioned in his home country. So it came as a shock to many when presidential candidate Alexander Van der Bellen reached into a folder during a recent live TV debate and produced …
