A round-up of today's other stories.
Russia will not tell Nato about troop locations
MOSCOW -Russia says it will no longer inform Nato states about movements of troops on its territory, confirming a decision to freeze its commitments under the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty.
"We have announced a moratorium and will not inform anyone any longer about movements of troops on our own territory," Russian news agencies quoted first deputy prime minister Sergei Ivanov as saying yesterday on a visit to Russia's central Bryansk region. - (Reuters)
Germany, France back new treaty
BERLIN -Germany and France's main leftist parties are backing a new social- oriented EU treaty and are urging the European Central Bank to promote growth and jobs in a new joint paper on Europe.
In the 11-page document from Kurt Beck, chairman of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD), and François Hollande, leader of France's Socialists, the parties want a new treaty in place by European Parliament elections in 2009. - (Reuters)
Canada strikes deal on detainees
OTTAWA -Canada has signed an agreement with the Afghan government allowing it unfettered access to any prisoners handed over by Canadian troops, a move that responds to allegations that Afghan authorities were abusing detainees.
The detainee issue has dominated parliament for the last two weeks as opposition politicians accused the minority Conservative government of ignoring evidence of possible torture by Afghan police. - (Reuters)
Smoking ban for Portugal passed
LISBON -Portugal's parliament approved a law yesterday banning smoking in almost all indoor public places, joining other European countries in an attempt to cut down on tobacco-related deaths.
The ban will carry hefty fines for those who smoke in offices, shopping centres and most restaurants. - (Reuters)
Vultures swoop on northern Spain
MADRID -Huge flocks of starving vultures have started attacking live animals in northern Spain, officials in the city of Burgos said yesterday.
In one incident, about 100 vultures killed a cow and her newborn calf, said a rancher from the Mena Valley. - (Reuters)
Three-year block on Vatican library
ROME -Scholars accustomed to poring over the Vatican's priceless collection of 72,000 ancient manuscripts are to be denied access for three years, following a surprise announcement that the library will close its doors for urgent refurbishment work.
The collection includes a fourth-century Bible, the world's oldest, as well as copies of St Peter's letters and third-century gospels of Luke and John written in Greek on papyrus. - (Guardian service)