tribuneindia...Spotlight

			Wednesday, July 14, 1999
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Forest fires play havoc in Russia
MOSCOW, July 13 (DPA) — More than 5,30,000 hectares of Russian forest have been destroyed by fire so far this year, with ever more outbreaks reported, Itar-Tass news agency said today. A state of emergency had been declared in parts of the far east and also in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia. Government officials said 4,000 firefighters were at work nationwide. Fires were also destroying tracts of forest outside Moscow and St Petersburg, and around 400 new fires had been reported since the weekend as heat waves continued across large areas of the country.

Sharma ‘stable’
NEW DELHI, July 13 (UNI) — The condition of former President Shankar Dayal Sharma, who suffered a severe heart attack on Saturday night, was today described as "stable" by doctors attending on him. Dr Sharma, who was shifted to Escorts Hospital from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital last night, spent a "comfortable night", the doctors said. However, his condition could not yet be described as being out of danger, they added.

10 feared drowned
PATNA, July 13 (UNI) — At least 10 persons were feared drowned when a boat capsized midstream in Samohar river under Katra block in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. State Director-General of Police K.A. Jacob said today that senior officers were camping at the spot and rescue measures were being carried out.

Dilip meets President
NEW DELHI, July 13 (PTI) — Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar, who decided to keep the Pakistani award, "Nishan-e Imtiaz", following his recent meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, today called on the President and the Vice-President separately. He apprised the President of his discussions with the Prime Minister.

Jaya case
CHENNAI, July 13 (PTI) — A special judge trying corruption cases today directed former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha and five others to appear before him on July 19, to face framing of charges in the Sasi Enterprises case. The judge fixed July 19 for framing of charges following the dismissal yesterday of a petition by Ms Jayalalitha, seeking to be discharged from the case.

Turkey minister
ANKARA, July 13 (DPA) — A Turkish minister who attempted suicide last week was today released from an Ankara hospital. Looking frail and sporting plaster bandages on his nose and forehead, State Minister Hikmet Ulugbay thanked staff at the hospital during a brief speech to reporters.

Minister resigns
KOHIMA, July 13 (UNI) — Nagaland Roads and Bridges Minister I. Imkong today resigned taking moral responsibility for the murder of a youth by his security guards. In a statement made in the Assembly, he said he was pained at the "unfortunate" incident on May 29 in which a youth was killed and two others were injured by some of his security personnel.

J&K minister quits
SRINAGAR, July 13 (PTI) — Jammu and Kashmir Minister Togdan Rinpoche today resigned from the Farooq Abdullah government over the "continuing power crisis" in the Ladakh region, official sources said. Mr Rinpoche, Minister of State for Planning and Ladakh Affairs, cited "continued power crisis" as the reason for his action, they said.