tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Wednesday, December 9, 1998
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Clinton case
WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (AFP) — The US President, Mr Bill Clinton's lawyers today launched their two-day case against ousting him over the Monica Lewinsky affair in hearings by Congress impeachment panel. At the same time, the House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Mr Henry Hyde, said the body would begin debating the motion for Mr Clinton's impeachment on Thursday. The White House said 14 legal experts and historians would come before the House Judiciary Committee in just 30 hours of hearings today and tomorrow.

4 beheaded
GROZNY, Russia, Dec 8 (AFP) — Three britons and a New Zealander were found decapitated today, months after a gang of 20 gunmen snatched them from Chechen capital Grozny, senior Chechen officials said. "The three Britons and the New Zealander have been found decapitated in the region of Achkhoi Martin," southwest of the Chechen capital Grozny, Vakha Aigumov told AFP. The men were the first western hostages to be murdered in the breakaway republic.

Pinky case: father of accused held
AMBIKAPUR (MP), Dec 8 (PTI) — The police has arrested father of Samar Vijay Singh, main accused in the December 3 killing of a college girl, Pinky Shrivastava, on a charge of destroying evidence in the case. The police today said. R. Vijay Singh has been charged with trying to set ablaze the jeep, which was being driven by Samar when it had crushed Pinky to death under its wheel at a local girls’ college. Four college students, including Samar, were arrested on Friday in connection with the killing.

Identity cards
NEW DELHI, Dec 8 (PTI) — The government will issue multipurpose identity cards to all citizens above 14 years, the Lok Sabha was informed today. A scheme for the purpose is being worked out under which persons below 14 years would be registered separately under Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, Home Minister L.K. Advani said in a written reply. Separate coloured I-cards are proposed to be issued to non-citizens.

Agni missile
BANGALORE, Dec 8 (PTI) — The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, today said long-range Agni missile was getting ready. "You will hear about it (long-range Agni missile) in the near future", he told newsmen here. Asked if any time-frame had been set for the purpose, Mr Fernandes said, 'in the near future'.

Dual citizenship
NEW DELHI, Dec 8 (PTI) — The government is appointing a committee to examine the entire issue of dual nationality, Home Minister L.K. Advani said today. This committee would hold wide consultations, elicit public opinion, examine the pros and cons of different options and formulate recommendations on dual nationality or any suitable variant, he said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. It will give its report within three months.

B'desh clashes
DHAKA, Dec 8 (AP) — The police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to scatter Islamic extremists who attacked development workers for helping poor village women start businesses, officials said today. At least 150 persons were injured yesterday in Brahmmanbaria, 80 km east of here, as hundreds of women who receive loans from private development agencies marched in support of the programmes. The extremists say Muslim women should not leave their homes to work.

Indian film wins awards
CAIRO, Dec 8 (PTI) — Indian film ‘The Terrorist’ has won all top awards, including the Golden Pyramid award for the best film at the 23rd Cairo International Film Festival. Director of the film in Tamil, Santosh Sivan, got the award for best direction while its heroine Ayesha Dharkar bagged the best actress award. The movie also won the international jury panel award for artistic creativity. An international jury chaired by US actor John Malkovich gave away the prizes here late yesterday.