‘The Wild Wild West’ actor Robert Conrad dies at 84

Los Angeles: Veteran actor Robert Conrad, best known for playing Secret Service agent James West in 1960s’ CBS series “The Wild Wild West”, has died at 84 due to heart failure in California. “He lived a wonderfully long life and while the family is saddened by his passing, he will live forever in their hearts,” family spokesman Jeff Ballard told People magazine. PTI

Switzerland votes on new law against homophobia

Geneva: Switzerland votes in a referendum on Sunday on a new law against homophobia that is opposed by the populist rightwing Swiss People’s Party (SVP). The new law would widen existing legislation against discrimination or incitement to hatred on ethnic or religious grounds to include sexual orientation. Campaigner Jean-Pierre Sigrist, founder of an association of gay teachers, said it might have stopped him getting beaten up outside a bar in Geneva four decades ago. “And maybe I would not have been laughed at when I went to the police,” said the 71-year-old. AFP