A round-up to today's other stories in brief
Concern asked to halt efforts in Eritrea
DUBLIN - The Dublin- based international humanitarian agency Concern Worldwide has received a letter from the Eritrean government asking it to cease operations in the country, writes Deaglán de Bréadún.
"Concern Worldwide are seeking clarification on the matter and are seeking meetings with the relevant Government officials," said a statement from the organisation. Concern sources pointed out that while it has been asked to cease operations, the organisation has not been asked to leave Eritrea.
Vatican talks on Islam relations
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict gathered top advisers yesterday to debate major issues facing the church, including relations with Islam and how to bring breakaway traditionalist Catholics back into the fold.
Cardinals emerging from the day-long meeting said several fellow "princes of the church" expressed concern about Islam and the state of human rights in Muslim countries.
The meeting took place a day before the Pope was due to elevate 15 new cardinals to the elite group that will one day choose his successor. - (Reuters)
127 drowned off Cameroon coast
YAOUNDE - At least 127 people were feared drowned after a wooden boat travelling from Nigeria to Gabon sank off Cameroon's Atlantic port of Kribi, a local official and aid workers said yesterday. - (Reuters)
Couple feared lost after ferry sinks
VANCOUVER - Mystery surrounded the fate of two people yesterday who went missing and are now feared dead after an ocean-going ferry sank when it strayed on to the rocks on Canada's Pacific coast. - (Reuters)
Opposition leader detained in Nepal
KATHMANDU - Nepal's royalist government put a key opposition leader - Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal-UML - under police detention yesterday, after confining him for more than two months in his house, an official said. - (Reuters)