Italians began voting over two days yesterday in referendums that would make it easier for children born in Italy to foreigners to obtain citizenship, and on providing more job protections.

Iran has acquired thousands of secret Israeli nuclear and defence documents, according to its state TV broadcaster.

Russian officials said yesterday that Moscow is still awaiting official confirmation from Ukraine that a planned exchange of 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action will take place, reiterating allegations that Kyiv had postponed the swap.

Colombian senator Miguel Uribe, a ­potential presidential contender, survived an initial operation for his injuries after being shot in Bogota on Saturday, according to his wife and the hospital treating him, although he remains in intensive care.