tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Tuesday, November 2, 1999
weather today's calendar

PDS levy sugar supply to continue
NEW DELHI, Nov 1 (UNI) — Levy sugar will continue to be supplied in public distribution system. Denying press reports that the government would discontinue the supply of levy sugar in PDS from next month, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution on Monday clarified that there was no such proposal before the government. In fact, the Central Government has already made allocations of levy sugar for November and December to various state governments and Union Territory administrations, an official release said here today.

Arms purchase
TAIPEI, Nov 1 (AFP) — Taiwan's army plans to buy 1,700 missiles from the USA to boost its anti-tank capability, it was reported today. The army and Raytheon Co are to sign a letter of offer and acceptance before the year's end over the deal involving 1,700 TOW-2Bs, which the United Daily News said is the updated version of the TOW tank killer.

22 killed
BAGUIO (Philippines), Nov 1 (AFP) — At least 22 passengers were killed and 12 others injured when a minibus fell from a mountain road in the northern Philippine province of Benguet, the police said today. The bus lost control while negotiating a sharp curve yesterday in the town of Itogon and plunged 250 feet, a police report said.

"Jinnah" screening
ISLAMABAD, Nov 1 (ANI) — The much-awaited film "Jinnah" has been unanimously approved as fit for public screening by a special committee nominated by Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday of the Lahore High Court, before whom a writ petition against the screening of the film is pending. In the writ petition Barrister Syed Ali Zafar and Haider Zaman Qureshi are representing Akabar S. Ahmed (the executive producer and co-script writer) and Mandviwalla Entertainment (the distributors of the film Jinnah). The Lahore High Court had constituted a special committee of renowned persons to view the film and confirm its approval for public exhibition.

Russian Dy PM's visit
MOSCOW, Nov 1 (PTI) — A Russian Defence-Industry delegation will visit India from November 4 to 7 for negotiations on major defence contracts including sale of T-90s battle tanks and leasing of six TU-22M3 long-range bombers to the IAF. The delegation led by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Iliya Klebanov will be visiting at the invitation of Defence Minister George Fernandes, official sources told PTI.

5 judges hurt
MOSCOW, Nov 1 (Reuters) — A man detonated a bomb and threw two hand grenades at a courthouse in Russia's far east today, injuring six persons, including five judges, ITAR-Tass news agency reported quoting police and court officials. Tass said the man initially placed a bomb in an empty office of the municipal court in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. He then tossed two grenades into offices used by regional court officials, injuring the judges and a secretary. The assailant himself was hurled through a third floor window by the force of the blast and was seriously injured.

Amnesty to Suharto
JAKARTA, Nov 1 (AFP) — Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid today said the government would grant amnesty to former President Suharto if he was found guilty of corruption during his 32-year rule, the country's chief corruption watchdog said. "According to Gus Dur, there will be a political amnesty for Suharto," Teten Masduki, of Indonesian Corruption Watch, told journalists after a meeting between Mr Wahid and 16 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the state guest house, Gus Dur is Wahid's nickname.

Pak envoy
ISLAMABAD, Nov 1 (AFP) — Pakistan's military government has nominated Maleeha Lodhi, a newspaper Editor, as country's new Ambassador to the USA, official sources said today. She earlier served as Ambassador in Washington during the rule of former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto from 1993 to 1996. Ms Lodhi is expected to take up the assignment after her nomination is agreed by Washington.

Newspaper for kids
BANGALORE, Nov 1 (ANI) — For the first time in the country, an eight-page tabloid newspaper, News N Stuff, exclusively for children has been commercially launched here. The fortnightly newspaper, for the target group of 5 to 12 years, will deal with many issues and news. In a colourful function, all dominated by the kids, the newspaper was launched on Sunday, with the aim of disseminating news and views meant exclusively for them. For Lubina Tyebji, Editor of News N Stuff, commitment to the students cause is the key word.

Bus fares hike
NEW DELHI, Nov 1 (UNI) — The Delhi High Court today dismissed a petition seeking the immediate rollback of 100 per cent hike in the DTC bus fares, affected to meet accumulated losses running into crores of rupees and 35 per cent hike in diesel prices. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice S.N. Variava and Mr Justice S.K. Mahajan said the court could not interfere in the matter.