Swiss government will draft law on immigration curbs by year-end
BERN (Reuters) – The Swiss government said on Wednesday it will draw up a draft law to limit immigration by the end of the year, after Swiss voters narrowly backed proposals to curtail the number of migrants from the European Union.
Kenya charges 70 with being members of al Shabaab
MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) – A Kenyan court on Wednesday charged 70 people with being members of Somali militant group al Shabaab, after they were arrested during a police raid on a mosque that sparked days of rioting in Mombasa.
Afghanistan halts suspected reconstruction of ancient Buddhas
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan has halted conservation work at a site once occupied by ancient Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban because the team involved is suspected of secretly trying to rebuild one of the statue’s feet, the United Nations said…
Pakistan government ordered to bring anti-drone activist to court
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – A court in Pakistan on Wednesday ordered authorities to produce an anti-drone activist abducted just days before he was due to travel to Europe to meet lawmakers, in a case that spotlights citizens’ distrust of the unmanned aircra…
North and South Korea seek better ties at rare high-level talks
SEOUL (Reuters) – North and South Korea held their first high-level talks in seven years on their fortified border on Wednesday, exploring ways to improve ties while the South and the United States geared up for military exercises that have angered the…
Libyan TV station hit with grenades: journalists
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Gunmen fired rocket-propelled grenades at a Libyan television channel in Tripoli early on Wednesday after storming the building, forcing out workers and damaging equipment, journalists at the channel said.
Colombian president seen poised for re-election: poll
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos would be re-elected during a second round of voting in presidential elections this year, according to pollster Gallup, leading with a wide margin against his closest rival.
South Africa police clash with ANC supporters at opposition march
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African police fired rubber bullets on Wednesday at stone throwing supporters of the ruling ANC who tried to confront members of the opposition Democratic Alliance party as they marched in central Johannesburg.
Ethnic power-sharing under threat in Burundi, says party
BUJUMBURA (Reuters) – Burundi’s junior coalition party has accused the president of undermining a delicate power-sharing deal, a constitutional requirement that has kept ethnic tensions in check since a 12-year civil war in the east African nation ende…
Syrian forces press assault near Lebanon border: activists
BEIRUT (Reuters) – President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and fighters from Lebanese ally Hezbollah stepped up attacks on Syria’s strategic border town of Yabroud on Wednesday, activists said, in apparent preparation for a new offensive to flush out rebels…
