tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Tuesday, August 10, 1999
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Bus carrying 60 swept away
CHHINDWARA (MP), Aug 9 (UNI) — A bus carrying at least 60 passengers was swept away by the currents of the Jam river while it was trying to cross a bridge on the Chhindwara-Nagpur road, 60 km from here, today. Official sources said the bus was on its way to Nagpur from Junardeo. The accident occurred when the driver tried to cross the overflowing bridge and the bus slipped into the river.

Major killed
COLOMBO, Aug 9 (PTI) — An LTTE suicide bomber struck again in Sri Lanka today killing an Army officer and injuring another in eastern Batticaloa district even as the Army claimed to have killed eight militants in the north and east of the island nation. A male suicide bomber, who was waiting outside the Army garrison at Vaharai, pounced on Major T.G.J.B. Karunanyake, Deputy Commandant of the country's Light Infantry, while he was supervising the distribution of food and relief supplies to civilians, official sources said here.

8 drowned, 6 missing
ALLAHABAD, Aug 9 (PTI) — At least eight persons drowned and six others were missing after a boat carrying 36 passengers capsized on the Tonse river at Dharwara, about 20 km from here, today, a senior official said. "So far eight bodies have been recovered and 22 persons rescued from the swollen river," Allahabad District Magistrate Alok Tandon said, adding the river police was searching for the remaining six. He announced a compensation of Rs 10,000 each to the next of the kin of those killed.

Gujarmal Modi award
NEW DELHI, Aug 9 (UNI) — Vice-President Krishan Kant today said the country should develop space surveillance systems that could confidently meet external security threats. He was conferring the coveted Gujarmal Modi Award, 1999 on the noted space scientist, Prof U.R. Rao. Professor Rao was described as a pioneer in space research and technology and he is said to have fulfilled many of the dreams of the father of the Indian space programme, Dr Vikram Sarabhai.

40 rebels killed
MOSCOW, Aug 9 (AFP) — Forty Islamic rebels were killed by the security forces at the border between Dagestan, where fighting flared up over the weekend, and the Chechan Republic, Itar-Tass said today quoting the Dagestan Interior Ministry. Fighting continued today between armed Islamic groups and Dagestan forces aided by Russian helicopters and Interior Ministry special troops. The missiles and bombs were launched at the Islamic insurgents' positions, the Dagestan Interior Ministry said.

UN clarification
FREETOWN, Aug 9 (AFP) — Sierra Leonean rebels have released 19 hostages and not all 30 held since last week as reported earlier, the United Nations said here today. The UN statement, which said the remaining captives were expected to be freed very soon contradicts reports by diplomats who yesterday said all hostages had been released. The hostages freed yesterday included seven members of the UN military observer team in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL).

CPI leader quits
HYDERABAD, Aug 9 (PTI) — Veteran CPI leader Rajeshwara Rao resigned from the party today. Mr Rao, CPI floor leader in Andhra Pradesh Assembly, announced his decision to quit the party at his home constituency Sircilla in Karimnagar district and it was confirmed by state CPI Assistant Secretary K. Narayana here.