tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Tuesday, October 13, 1998
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Doubts about Yeltsin's health
TASHKENT, Oct 12 (Reuters) — Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed a series of cooperation agreements with Uzbekistan today, but his visit was overshadowed by doubts about his health after the Kremlin said he had caught a cold and cough. The 67-year-old leader suffered a prolonged boot of coughing while speaking at the signing ceremony with Uzbek President Islam Karimov. Later Mr Yeltsin, who struggled to smile told reporters that he felt "okay" but made no further comment. Yesterday, it briefly appeared that Mr Yeltsin would tumble during a ceremony here. Mr Karimov quickly took Mr Yeltsin's elbow to help him return inside as the ceremony was cut short. Ria news agency quoted chief Kremlin doctor Sergei Mironov is saying that there was nothing seriously wrong with his health.
Bandh in Tripura
AGARTALA, Oct 12 (PTI) — Normal life came to a halt in Tripura today in response to the 24-hour bandh called by the ruling Left Front, main Opposition Congress and the BJP in protest against the killing of eight people by militants at Trisabari in West Tripura and in support of their demands. Reports said shops and business establishments remained closed and vehicular traffic was off the roads. Government offices, banks and other financial institutions were also closed.
Rain death toll 15
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Oct 12 (UNI) — Fifteen persons have died and property and crops worth crores of rupees have been damaged so far in the torrential rain, which lashed Kerala for the fifth consecutive day today. Official sources here said water level in most of the rivers was increasing alarmingly following the opening of the shutters of dams. In Thiruvananthapuram district more than 2000 persons were shifted to 40 relief camps. Nine new camps were set up today.

Afghan fighting
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 (Reuters) — Afghanistan's Taliban Islamic militia captured a strategic district from the opposition forces overnight after heavy fighting, a Peshawar-based Afghan source said today. He said the Taliban seized control of Nijrab district in northeast Kapisa province after defeating forces loyal to Ahmed Shah Masood, military chief of the ousted Afghan government. There was no independent confirmation of the report.
Man kills wife, kids
PUNE, Oct 12 (PTI) — In a macabre incident, an autorickshaw driver crushed to death his wife and four children with a grinding stone before attempting suicide here last night, the police said. Raju Sakharam Patole (30), depressed over any incurable ailment afflicting him, committed the crime at his house in Bhavani Peth Zopadpatti area and was arrested, they said. He first smashed his wife's head with a grinding stone while she was asleep and then crushed to death her three-year-old daughter and three more kids — Kirti, Aarti and Ashwin — with the same blood-soaked stone.
Communist Party
BEIJING, Oct 12 (AFP) — Communist Party elite met today in Beijing to take stock of China's faltering growth rate and assess the progress of radical reforms launched in March. The gathering of the 300-strong central committee in the high security Jingki Guest House was the first since the new government of Premier Zhu Rongji took office in March.