News In Brief

Nicaraguan opposition party given time to field candidates

Despite the expired Aug. 5 deadline, Nicaragua's electoral council has left the door open for parties opposed to the leftist government to field candidates in the November presidential elections. The council, which had the power to remove a party's legal status if it failed to meet the registration deadline, announced late Friday it would not move against three parties of the country's largest opposition group - the Democratic Coordinating Council.

The government's concession came after the three parties last week lifted their demand that the government hold talks with leaders of anti-Sandinista rebels.