tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Tuesday September 1, 1998
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14 dead in China hospital fire
BEIJING, Aug 31 (AFP) — A fire in a hospital in the eastern Chinese city of Changzhou has left 14 dead and 10 injured as doctors and patients alike leapt out of windows in an attempt to escape the blaze, an official said today. The fire started in the hospital at Changzhou, in Jiangsu province after workers carried out unauthorised welding, a Changzhou official said by telephone. Eighteen patients and a doctor were trapped on an upper storey as the blaze quickly spread and jumped out of the window. Ten were killed in the fall and two seriously injured. Four others were burned to death in their rooms.
Bomb blast kills 10
ALGIERS, Aug 31 (Reuters) — A bomb exploded near a public market in Algiers today, killing 10 persons and injuring 15 others, the Algerian Government security forces said. The official APS news agency quoted the security forces as saying that the home-made bomb exploded at 9.25 a.m. GMT near a market in Bab el Oued in the Algerian capital.

6 feared drowned
NAGPUR, Aug 31 (PTI) — At least six persons were feared drowned when a boat ferrying coalmen of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) capsized in the Wardha river around midnight last night the police said today. According to a WCL spokesman, the boat, carrying 18 coalmen from Ballarshah to Sasti colliery, who had finished their night shift, capsized in the river at a spot about 200 km from here. Twelve coalmen were rescued, while four of them and two boatmen were among those missing.
Air crash toll rises
QUITO, Aug 31 (DPA) — The death toll in the crash of a Cuban airliner in Quito yesterday has risen to 90, according to media reports today. The Soviet-built Tupolev jet exploded on take-off and hurtled into a Quito neighbourhood yesterday, killing 90 persons among passengers and residents on the ground, according to reports today. Fourteen persons were said to have survived the crash. The twin-engine Tupolev 124 aircraft failed to lift off and careened off a runway before it burst through an airport fence, crossed a highway and came to a standstill in a football field before breaking into two and burning.
Case against Khaleda
DHAKA, Aug 31 (PTI) — A day after she got bail from a Dhaka court, yet another corruption case has been filed against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia along with five others by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the police said today. It added the bureau had filed a case of corruption yesterday with the city's Motijheel police station against Begum Zia, former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman, former Minister of State for Civil Aviation Maj A. Mannan (retd) and three former top officials of state-run airlines — Biman.
Eateries in Pak
KARACHI, Aug 31 (AFP) — Armed police today guarded US-style fast food restaurants in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, following attacks by Muslim youths protesting against the US Cruise missile strikes in Afghanistan, officials said. The centres had previously been protected by private security guards. As many as 60 youths armed with sticks attacked a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet on Saturday. On Thursday stones were hurled at a Pizza Hut centre.
Service for Diana
BALMORAL, Scotland, Aug 31 (AFP) — The Royal family, including Prince William and Prince Harry, marked the anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, today with a low-key church service. The sons of the Princess of Wales attended the service at a little church on the royal estate in Scotland with their father, the Prince of Wales, the Queen and other members of the Royal family. Princes William and Harry, aged 16 and 13, looked serious and subdued as they arrived at the church for the special private prayers.
1 dead in Delhi blast
NEW DELHI, Aug 31 (PTI) — One person was killed and 17 injured, one of them seriously, when a "low-intensity" bomb exploded just in front of Turkman Gate in the walled city area of central Delhi tonight the police said. The injured were immediately rushed to the nearby LNJP hospital and the police cordoned off the area after the explosion that occurred at 9.10 p.m. hours.Although the middle-aged man killed in the incident could not be identified so far, the seriously injured person was identified as Assimuddin.
US Embassy
ACCRA, Aug 31 (AFP) — The US Embassy in Ghana has been closed down in the face of repeated bomb threats following the devastating attacks on US Embassies in East Africa on August 7, an Embassy spokesperson said today. The Embassy would remain closed until further notice. He indicated that an announcement was forthcoming asking residents to stay away from US Embassy facilities. Bomb drills were being conducted in the vicinity.
Bal Thackeray
NEW DELHI, Aug 31 (PTI) — The Election Commission will hear tomorrow a reference against Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray in connection with an appeal made by him on religious ground during an election campaign over a decade ago. The reference follows the dismissal of a special leave petition moved by Mr Thackeray and MLA Y. Prabhu by the Supreme Court against a Mumbai High Court verdict holding them guilty of electoral malpractice.
Three killed as 3 MIGs collide
CALCUTTA, Aug 31 (PTI) — Three persons were killed when a MIG aircraft crashed and collided with two stationary MIGs at the Kalaikunda air base in Midnapore district today. All three aircraft were completely destroyed. Two of those killed were identified as Flt-Lt P.S. Rana and Airman Anil Kumar. The third victim was yet to be identified.
Ex-Minister's son quits HVP
Tribune News Service
CHANDIGARH, Aug 31 — Mr Randeep Mann, son of a former Haryana Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Mann, and grandson of the late Mrs Janaki Mann, former HVP MLA from Indri, has quit the ruling Haryana Vikas Party along with his supporters. Mr Mann has joined the Congress.