S P O T L I G H T

21 killed in Lankan landmine blast
COLOMBO, Sept 1 (UNI) — Fourteen Sri Lankan air force personnel and seven others were killed in Wanni when a landmine blast ripped through the tractor carrying them early today. A defence press note said the blast took place at Vellankulam in Puvarassankulam area. The airmen were proceeding on leave.

US missile defence
WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (AP) — US President Bill Clinton has decided to leave to his successor the tough decision on beginning deployment of a national defence against ballistic missile attack, two senior administration officials said.

150 feared drowned
DHAKA, Sept 1 (ANI) — As many as 150 fishermen in Bangladesh were feared drowned after they were caught at sea in heavy storms, officials said today. The police said three bodies had so far been recovered near Teknaf town.

Shootout
BULANDSHAHAR, Sept 1 (UNI) — Six persons were killed and four injured in firing between two groups at Aligarh bus stand in Anupshahar, 42 km from here, this morning. A street vendor and a passerby from the village were killed in the cross firing.

NWFP ex-CM jailed
ATTOCK, Sept 1 (ANI) — Former NWFP Chief Minister, Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan, has been sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and a fine of Rs 20 million has been imposed on him in the wheat import case, court officials said yesterday. The court also sentenced former Food Secretary Javed Alam and contractor Talha Ahmed to 14-year and seven-year RI, respectively.

Korean talks fail
SEOUL, Sept 1 (Reuters) — Warmer relations between North and South Korea showed cold war limitations today as negotiators failed to agree on a proposed military hotline and meetings between their defence leaders. Negotiators concluded three days of talks in Pyongyang by agreeing to hold more family reunions.