S P O T L I G H T

44 die in fighting
Manila, October 1
At least 44 persons have been killed in fighting between the military and Muslim separatist guerrillas on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, an army spokesman said today. Lieut-Col Jose Mabanta said eight soldiers and 36 members of the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed in fighting in Maguindanao province on September 27 and 28. AFP

BNP surges ahead; 5 die in poll violence
Dhaka, October 1
Riding a strong anti-incumbency wave, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, tonight appeared set for a resounding victory in the General Election held amidst sporadic violence that left five persons dead and nearly 1,000 injured. As hand counting of ballots rolled past midnight, the BNP led in 61 of the 110 constituencies where partial trend was available. PTI