A roundup of today's other stories in brief.
Lithuania's coalition faces collapse
VILNIUS - Lithuania's coalition government faces collapse as the country holds sensitive talks with former Russian oil giant Yukos and seeks to convince the EU it is fit to adopt the euro.
The crisis was sparked yesterday after the parliament's speaker, whose party is one of the four coalition partners, lost a vote of no confidence and was unseated. He then led his party out of the coalition, formed in 2004.
The decision leaves the three remaining parties without a clear majority in the 141-seat parliament. - (Reuters)
5.6 earthquake in western Greece
ATHENS - An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale rattled western Greece late yesterday but caused no injuries or damage, said the Athens News Agency.
A tremor of about the same magnitude hit the same region, south of the Ionian island of Zakynthos, earlier in the day, followed by several small jolts. - (Reuters)
Protests after goods fair fire deaths
MEERUT - Hundreds of protesters clashed with police yesterday, accusing officials of negligence after a fire at a consumer goods fair in northern India killed at least 35 people and injured dozens.
Residents of Meerut, where the incident occurred on Monday, chanted slogans against the police and civic authorities, saying they had failed to prevent the disaster and deal with its aftermath. - (Reuters)
Proposal to extend presidential term
ABUJA - An amendment to Nigeria's constitution that could extend President Olusegun Obasanjo's hold on power was presented to lawmakers yesterday amid signs it lacks the support needed to pass into law.
The proposal has fuelled violence in Africa's top oil exporter ahead of elections next year. - (Reuters)
Nepali troops fire on protesters
KATHMANDU - Nepali troops opened fire on protesters yesterday, wounding many, after they burned tyres, chanted slogans and clashed with police in defiance of a curfew in the sixth day of mass protests against the king. - (Reuters)
Russian students protests at killings
ST PETERSBURG - Thousands of students marched through Russia's second largest city yesterday to protest against a series of racially motivated killings, appealing to President Vladimir Putin for help in his home town. - (Reuters)