In the World

SAN'A, Yemen - The bodies of nearly 50 Africans trying to immigrate washed up on Yemen's shores yesterday after their boat capsized in the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Aden.

The 35 survivors told authorities in Yemen that at least 135 people, all Somalis and Ethiopians, were crammed into the rickety boat, indicating that dozens more may have lost their lives. The search continued for more bodies along the beaches of Yemen's Abyan province.

The wave of refugees to the poorest country in the Arab world shows no sign of abating as violence continues to rock Somalia, despite Ethiopia's December 2006 intervention in the country to support the internationally recognized government.

- AP

BANGKOK, Thailand - A political party backed by Thailand's deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced yesterday that it would form a new government with a coalition of six parties, the latest blow to the military generals who staged last year's coup to oust Thaksin and his allies.

The broad coalition led by the pro-Thaksin People's Power Party will hold a comfortable majority of more than 300 of the 480 seats in the lower house of Parliament, said PPP leader Samak Sundaravej.

Samak, a veteran right-wing firebrand, is expected to become the next prime minister. The government will be officially installed after Parliament convenes tomorrow, returning Thailand to democracy 16 months after the September 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin.

- AP

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's president has approved laws easing restrictions on political rallies and the media ahead of presidential elections in March.

Under international pressure to give Zimbabwe's opposition a greater voice and help save the collapsing economy that has seen inflation rise exponentially, President Robert Mugabe approved the laws Jan. 11, state media reported yesterday.

It was unclear whether the autocratic president would follow through on the measures, which are part of ongoing talks between the ruling party and the opposition mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki. Although the opposition gave a muted welcome to the new measures, it says nothing short of a new constitution will guarantee that polling will be free and fair.

- AP

Swiss police

detained about 200 protesters who took part in an illegal demonstration in Bern yesterday against the World Economic Forum, which starts next week in eastern Switzerland.

The Jesuits,

a Roman Catholic order known for academic excellence and missionary work, chose a Spanish theologian to be their new leader. The Rev. Adolfo Nicolas is the 29th successor to St. Ignatius Loyola, who founded the Society of Jesus order in 1540.