Carson's White House bid takes another hit

WASHINGTON • United States presidential hopeful Ben Carson saw his faltering campaign take another big hit after three top aides quit, although the retired neurosurgeon called the staffing changes "enhancements".

Mr Carson, a conservative Christian, once rivalled front runner Donald Trump in the quest for the Republican White House nomination, but has been struggling in the polls in recent weeks.

First to go were campaign manager Barry Bennett and communications director Doug Watts on Thursday. Deputy campaign manager Lisa Cohen quit later in the day.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Erdogan cites Hitler's Germany in power quest

ISTANBUL • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is pushing for executive powers, cites Hitler's Germany as an example of an effective presidential system, in comments broadcast by Turkish media yesterday.

Mr Erdogan wants to change the Turkish Constitution to turn the ceremonial role of president into that of a chief executive, a Turkish version of the system in the United States, France or Russia.

Asked, on his return from a visit to Saudi Arabia late on Thursday, whether an executive presidential system was possible while maintaining the unitary structure of the state, he said: "There are already examples in the world. You can see it when you look at Hitler's Germany. There are later examples in various other countries."

REUTERS

Cuba appoints student to powerful govt body

HAVANA • Cuba has named a 23-year-old student to be a member of the Council of State, one of the communist island's most powerful bodies, official media said on Thursday, the latest sign of a generational shift.

Student union president Jennifer Bello, who is studying to become a teacher, takes over the post vacated by General Abelardo Colome, 76, a founder of Cuba's powerful intelligence services, who stepped down last October because of poor health.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE