President Robert Mugabe poses with General Constantino Chiwenga at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 16, 2017. ZIMPAPERS/Joseph Nyadzayo/Handout via REUTERS
Reuters: Zimbabwe's Mugabe, coup chief meet with smiles and handshakes
HARARE (Reuters) - A smiling President Robert Mugabe was pictured shaking hands with Zimbabwe’s military chief a day after the army seized power, throwing confusion over predictions that the 93-year-old’s nearly four-decade rule had come to an end.
Mugabe unexpectedly drove from his lavish “Blue Roof” Harare compound in Harare, where he had been confined since troops took to the streets, to State House, where official media pictured him meeting military chief Constantino Chiwenga and South African ministers sent to mediate the crisis.
The official Herald newspaper carried no reports of the outcome of the meeting, leaving Zimbabwe’s 13 million people in the dark as to what was happening as night fell on Thursday.
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MIDDLE EAST
Lebanon's Hariri to fly to Paris within 48 hours: source close to Hariri.
Russia casts 10th U.N. veto on Syria action, blocking inquiry renewal.
Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri accepts Macron's invitation to France. Saad Hariri: Lebanon PM 'can go to France when he wants'. Saudi Arabia says Hariri 'free to leave'.
Syria army renews assault on last IS-held town: monitor.
French military says coalition opposed IS withdrawal from Raqqa.
Iran factions use earthquake relief effort to pursue power struggle.
Saudi foreign minister says message to Iran is: 'enough is enough'.
Hamas alleges Israeli spies used Bosnian passports for assassination.
Lift Yemen blockade or thousands will die, UN agencies tell Saudis.
ASIA
China says 'dual suspension' proposal still best for North Korea.
Trump: Chinese envoy going to North Korea a ‘big move’.
Singapore suspends trade ties with North Korea.
U.N. states call for end to Myanmar military operations.
Rohingya were raped systematically by Myanmar's military, report says. Rohingya crisis: Rights group accuses Myanmar military of widespread rape.
Suicide bomber kills nine near Afghan political meeting.
Opium production up 87 percent in Afghanistan.
Cambodian opposition party dissolved by Supreme Court amid calls for Australia to act. 'Death of democracy' in Cambodia as court dissolves opposition.
Pakistani police clash with protesters at anti-blasphemy sit-in.
Alibaba's Jack Ma slips to third in China rich list.
AFRICA
Sudan's Bashir says would support state governor in 2020 president vote.
Zimbabwe's Mugabe meets South African envoys at state house: state newspaper.
Zimbabwe latest: Mugabe in crunch talks over his future. Mugabe meets with army commander as crisis solution sought.
Libyans swap jewelry for medical treatment as crisis bites.
Egypt says captured fighter involved in deadly desert attack is Libyan.
Egypt tries to avoid a fight as allies escalate against Iran.
U.N. official: One-third of Darfur's population still displaced.
US joins calls for Liberia to hold presidential run-off.
US to lift ban on elephant hunting trophy imports.
Police disperse evicted Lagos shanty dwellers protest.
EUROPE
EU to press May at summit, UK dismisses Brexit offer talk.
Scotland may give Labour another chance at British power.
Angela Merkel and German parties reach showdown in Jamaica coalition talks. Merkel, facing long night, says German coalition talks can work.
German Greens want last nuclear weapons withdrawn: document.
Spain: 'Misinformation' on Catalonia referendum came from Russia.
WADA: Russia still 'non-compliant' with anti-doping code. Winter Olympics 2018: Russian boycott would damage athletes - Wada.
Russia warns US media of 'foreign agents' designation.
Norway's $1tn wealth fund proposes ditching oil and gas investments.
Greece searches for the missing after deadly floods.
Malta: Paradise Papers leave locals polarized.
AMERICAS
Chile's presidential hopefuls wrap up campaigning ahead of Sunday vote.
House Republicans pass tax reform bill.
U.S. House of Representatives approves tax overhaul, fight shifts to Senate.
Trump presses Congress on tax cuts, skepticism persists.
GOP pushes tax bill toward House OK, Senate faces problems.
Trump tells UCLA players 'you're welcome,' credits Xi.
Venezuela's ex-prosecutor wants Maduro tried at the Hague.
Ecuador's vice president to be tried on bribery charges. Peru: President Kuczynski denies Odebrecht bribe allegations.
Russia and Venezuela agree debt deal.
NAFTA unlikely to hurt Mexico-U.S. security ties, but election might.
Australian diplomat dies in New York building fall.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
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Asked to stay, top US counterterrorism chief steps down.
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ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall Street rallies powered by Cisco, Walmart; House tax vote supports.
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Far-right accounts lose Twitter verified tick.
Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi will see Princes Harry and William cameo as stormtroopers.
Leonardo da Vinci painting smashes auction record at $450 million.
