World in Focus: Sputnik’s Daily Current Affairs Program | 05/12/16

Monday: Italian PM resigns following devastating referendum results; is Europe prepared for the changing threat of Daesh? British foreign secretary denies Saudi Arabia in breach of international humanitarian law; and Donald Trump’s billionaire administration.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has announced his resignation following a devastating lose in nationwide referendum over constitutional changes. But, as parties from all sides of the political spectrum claim the vote as a victory, we ask what this really means for Italy and the EU.  We speak to James Newell, Professor of Italian Politics at the University of Salford, and Anna Bull, Professor of Italian History and Politics at the University of Bath.
 
Are European countries ready to deal with a new and changing threat from Daesh,  after Europol, the European Police Office, warned of a “near future” wave of attacks by Jihadists and their followers? As Daesh continue to be rolled back by major military offensives against their self-styled Caliphate the Jihadists are allegedly preparing to step up attacks across Europe. So how should counter-terrorism agencies respond?  We speak to Chris Phillips, former head of the UK’s National Counter Terrorism Security Office.
 
British foreign secretary Boris Johnson has denied that the Saudi led coalition has shown a clear risk of breach of international humanitarian law in its bombing campaign in Yemen. The comments came as Prime Minister Theresa May prepared for her tour of Gulf nations, seeking a “New Chapter” in gulf relations and pushing for post-Brexit trade deals.
 
Britain has doubled its fleet of armed drones after agreeing a deal worth nearly $130million for a new generation of US-made aircraft. Defense secretary Michael Fallon announced that the government intends to arm the new drones with missiles and laser-guided bombs. 
 
US President-elect Donald Trump is in the process of putting together the wealthiest administration in modern history. An assortment of billionaires and Wall Street bankers are forming a presidency that Trump himself promised would erase elitism from the system.
 
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