Tanzania president warns against violence ahead of polls
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete dismissed opposition accusations on Wednesday that his CCM party planned to rig a presidential vote next week and warned against violence ahead of the Oct. 25 elections.
Serbia cries foul over Kosovo, Germany says complaints unfounded
BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbia accused Germany on Wednesday of trying to amend the terms of Belgrade’s European Union membership negotiations that would mean effective recognition of its former Kosovo province as independent, a claim Berlin’s envoy dismissed as “unfounded”.
Passos Coelho sees Portugal president naming him PM, scuppers talks
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal’s caretaker prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho said he expects the president to give the go-ahead to his center-right coalition to form a new government as talks broke off with the opposition Socialists, whom he accused of “…
Global panel seeks to investigate U.S. bombing of Afghan hospital
GENEVA (Reuters) – An international panel of experts is ready to investigate the U.S. bombing of a Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital in Afghanistan but awaits a green light from both governments, MSF and the Swiss foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Moroccan intellectual collapses after hunger strike over ban
RABAT (Reuters) – A prominent Moroccan intellectual who went on hunger strike a week ago, protesting against a travel ban and police harassment, has collapsed and is in hospital, members of his support committee said on Wednesday.
Guinea police fire teargas at protesters in capital
CONAKRY (Reuters) – Guinea’s government called for calm on Wednesday after police fired teargas at protesters in Conakry, the capital, before provisional election results are announced later this week.
South Africa’s Zuma suspends head of police pending probe
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African President Jacob Zuma has suspended National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega, pending an inquiry into allegations of misconduct, his office said on Wednesday.
Maldives leader fires defense minister amid explosion probe
MALE (Reuters) – The president of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen fired his defense minister with immediate effect, the president’s spokesman said on Wednesday, the latest move in a defense shake-up following an explosion targeting the leader.
Iran’s Guardian Council passes nuclear bill into law
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran’s Guardian Council ratified a bill on Wednesday approving the nuclear deal reached by Tehran and six world powers, state news agency IRNA and other agencies said, allowing the government to implement the agreement.
German refugee policy row raises political heat on Merkel
BERLIN (Reuters) – A fall in support and a government row over the refugee crisis raised the heat on German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, forcing allies to defend the integrity of her coalition.
