tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Thursday, December 23, 1999
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Kochi area is highly toxic
KOCHI, Dec 22 (PTI) — The highly-polluted Eloor industrial belt in Kochi was today declared as a global toxic hotspot by Greenpeace International. The Greenpeace, which is here as part of its “Toxics free Asia tour” also declared Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) at nearby Udyogmandal as a toxic hotspot for releasing persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment, including DDT.
Naxal violence
HYDERABAD, Dec 22 (PTI) — Naxalites of the outlawed People’s War Group attacked three houses, including one belonging to a local BJP leader, in separate incidents in Naxal-infested Karimnagar since yesterday even as a Naxalite couple surrendered before the police. The police said ultras of Huzurabad Dalam went to the house of M. Raji Reddy, a former sarpanch of Raikal village belonging to the BJP, and set it afire after asking the inmates to vacate it. A house of an advocate, at Raginidu village in the district was blasted by ultras of Pedapally Dalam. In another incident in adjoining Apanapet village, a group of ultras set ablaze a house owned by a landlord.

Satellite launched
PARIS, Dec 22 (AFP) — An Ariane rocket was launched from Europe’s Spaceport at Kourou in French Guiana placing into orbit the biggest civilian telecom satellite ever built, officials of the European Space Agency (ESA) said here today. The 4.5-tonne Galaxy XI, built for the US operator Panamsat by the Hughes Space and Communications, is a high-powered satellite designed to transmit digital TV and data.
NCP decision
PATNA, Dec 22 (UNI) — The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today announced that the party would contest at least 100 seats in the coming assembly poll in Bihar in alliance with other like-minded parties. Talking to newsmen here, party state chief and MLA Satish Kumar said talks were in progress with the Samajwadi Party (SP), the CPI and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (Soren) for an understanding regarding seat adjustments.
US arrears
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 22 (PTI) — The USA has paid enough of its arrears to keep its vote in the UN General Assembly for the next year, but still owes about $ 1.2 billion, a top UN official has said. Of the outstanding dues, about $ 1 billion are on account of peacekeeping operations.
NDA meeting
NEW DELHI, Dec 22 (PTI) — The meeting of the parliamentary party of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) scheduled for tomorrow has been called off, a BJP release said here. The release did not specify the reasons for the meeting being called off.