In short

Today's others stories in brief

Today's others stories in brief

Canada halts transfer of detainees

OTTAWA - The Canadian government has halted the transfer of detainees to Afghan authorities because of torture fears, but is still fighting human rights groups who want to ban the practice, Amnesty International said yesterday.

The minority Conservative government, which ran into trouble last year when allegations of torture first appeared, signed a deal with Kabul in May allowing Canadian officials stationed there unlimited access to prisoners.

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Since then Ottawa has denied allegations of widespread detainee abuse inside Afghan jails.

A document released by Amnesty on Wednesday showed the government stopped the transfers on November 5th last year after receiving evidence a prisoner had been mistreated. - (Reuters)

Amy Winehouse admitted to rehab

LONDON - Troubled singer Amy Winehouse was admitted to rehab last night in her battle against drug addiction. A statement from her record company, Universal, said: "Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors." - (PA)

Mass stops, starts again as man dies

ROME - A priest who continued saying Mass while the body of a man who died of a heart attack during the service was still on the church floor defended himself yesterday, saying that is what the man would have wanted.

Pio Letta (86) suffered a heart attack during the Mass in Trento this week. When ambulance services arrived, Mr Letta, a regular at the daily Mass, was already dead and they covered his body with a white sheet.

The Mass was briefly suspended but the priest, Fr Mario Peron, completed the service while waiting for the undertakers. - (Reuters)

Smith plans 'risk alienating Muslims'

LONDON - British home secretary Jacqui Smith was accused of undermining the fight against terrorism last night after she published plans to extend the detention period for terror suspects. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats said her plans risked alienating Muslims and driving people to terrorism.

Ms Smith said she was still hopeful of getting cross- party agreement on the need to increase the pre-charge questioning limit from 28 days to 42. - (Reuters)