Religious leaders seek calm in tense Central African Republic
BANGUI (Reuters) – Religious leaders sought reconciliation between Muslims and Christians in Central African Republic on Wednesday during a lull in violence that has killed hundreds of people and drawn in French troops seeking to stop the bloodshed.
Thousands of South Africans line up to see Mandela lie in state
PRETORIA (Reuters) – Thousands of people lined up on Wednesday to say goodbye to Nelson Mandela, whose body lay in state in Pretoria in the building where the anti-apartheid hero was inaugurated in 1994 as South Africa’s first black president.
Portugal considers asylum for 74 Syrians with fake passports
LISBON (Reuters) – Portugal is considering asylum requests from a group of 74 Syrians detained after flying in from Guinea-Bissau using fake Turkish passports, Portuguese officials said on Wednesday.
Opposition mounts to Israel’s Arab Bedouin transfer plan
BIR MSHASH, Israel (Reuters) – Israel is promoting a plan to transfer some 40,000 Arab Bedouin citizens from traditional villages into towns despite opposition by activists and senior government officials that threatens to derail it.
Daughter of Libya’s former spy chief calls for him to be tried in The Hague
THE HAGUE (Reuters) – Muammar Gaddafi’s former spy chief should be brought to The Hague to face trial, his daughter said on Wednesday, warning that he faced a show trial and death in Libya unless extradited.
Bachelet seen easily defeating childhood playmate in Chile election
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Red-hot favorite Michelle Bachelet is almost certain to cruise to victory in Chile’s presidential runoff election on Sunday, propelled by her warm style and vows to redress steep income inequality.
Mexico Senate passes energy bill, lower house OK pending
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexico’s Senate on Wednesday signed off on an energy bill that aims to lure private capital into the state-run oil and gas industry in the biggest shake-up since a 1938 nationalization, sending it to the lower house for debate a…
IAEA to seek progress on Iran nuclear probe in Tehran talks
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear watchdog signaled on Wednesday it would press Iran at talks in Tehran next month over concerns the Islamic Republic may have researched how to develop atomic bombs.
Uproar in Egyptian court halts Muslim Brotherhood leaders’ trial
CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian judge on Wednesday halted the trial of leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood after they shouted slogans and refused to cooperate with the court.
Russian rights activists say Putin amnesty far too narrow
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Human rights advisers to President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday criticized his proposal to free some prisoners on the 20th anniversary of Russia’s constitution, arguing it was far too limited to help ease social tensions.
