Italian populists reach last-ditch deal to take power

ROME - Italy's populist parties were scheduled to be sworn in to power on Friday in Rome after they reached a new coalition deal, narrowly avoiding snap elections and setting in motion an anti-austerity government in the eurozone's third largest economy.

On Thursday evening, President Sergio Mattarella gave a mandate for the second time to Giuseppe Conte - populists' pick for prime minister.

Italy has been in the throes of political uncertainty for almost three months after inconclusive March elections, rocking financial markets and spreading unease among its euro partners.