S P O T L I G H T

Indian beheaded for murder
Jiddah, July 11
An Indian man was beheaded today for murdering three Saudi women, the Saudi Interior Ministry said in a statement. Shahnaz Babu Mohammed Ali was convicted of strangling to death the women after entering their houses on three separate occasions to steal. He was beheaded in the Red Sea port city of Jiddah, said the statement, which gave no further details. At least 24 persons have been executed so far this year in Saudi Arabia, where at least 81 persons were beheaded last year. AP

Ceasefire extended
New Delhi, July 12
The ceasefire between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland — Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) has been extended for one more year, till July 31, 2003, an official spokesperson announced here today. UNI