tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Monday, July 19, 1999
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Nelson Mandela turns 81
JOHANNESBURG, July 18 (Reuters) — Former South African President Nelson Mandela opted for low-key celebrations with his family to mark his 81st birthday and the first year of marriage to Graca Machel, his press secretary said on today. Dr Mandela had breakfast with his wife and the grandchildren staying with them in their Johannesburg home, the South African Press Association quoted Mr Mandela's press secretary as saying. "He's decided that this year he wants it quiet", the press secretary said.

Scribes ‘attacked’
COLOMBO, July 18 (AFP) — Sri Lanka's privately-run media today accused President Chandrika Kumaratunga's bodyguards of attacking journalists covering an opposition rally condemning her failure to deliver on election promises. More than 30 persons, including a large number of photographers, were attacked and their camera equipment smashed by men alleged to be from Kumaratunga's elite Presidential Security Division here on Thursday.

SI shot dead
MATHURA, July 18 (PTI) — A Sub-Inspector was shot dead in an encounter with a gang of fleeing dacoits near Parasauli crossing under Bajana police station in the city last night, the police said today. The incident occurred when the Sub-Inspector along with other cops challenged the dacoits, who were fleeing after committing a dacoity in Bajana town.

Fugitive trader
DUBAI, July 18 (AFP) — Seven banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have filed complaints against an Indian businessman who fled to London with at least $ 169 million in unpaid debts. A senior police officer, Brigadier General Sharafuddin Hussain, quoted in Gulf Today, said the complaints were lodged in the trading hub of Dubai by seven out of 12 banks affected by the fugitive trader.

CBI probe sought
BHUBANESWAR, July 18 (UNI) — Senior Biju Janata Dal leader Amar Prasad Satpathy today demanded a CBI inquiry into the disinvestment deal in the profit-making Orissa Power Generation Corporation (OPGC). Talking to reporters here, Mr Satpathy, MLA, said the ruling Congress government and some senior officials had conspired to sell out the IB thermal power plants owned by OPGC to the USA-based AES Transpower.

Four drowned
KASARAGOD, July 18 (UNI) — Four persons, including a four-year-old girl, were killed in rain-related incidents in Kasargod district of Kerala today. The police said the girl died when she slipped into a canal here. The three others, including two brothers were drowned in a canal, the police added.

10 feared drowned
DARBHANGA, July 18 (PTI) — At least 10 persons were feared drowned when a countryboat carrying 36 persons capsized in a rivulet near Bishnupur in Darbhanga district today, the police said. The state’s Director-General of Police, Mr K.A. Jacob, said the boat carrying 36 persons overturned while on the way to Patri Basat village. While 10 persons were feared drowned, others swam to safety.