Cable Briefs

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31761, 19 August 1968, Page 17

Cable Briefs

Fatal Explosion Three persons—two Libyan workers and an Italian mine detection expert—were killed and three were injured when a World War II mine exploded at Beni Walid, south-east of Tripoli, while a team was trying to clear the area of mines for the American Overseas Petroleum Company.—Tripoli, August 18. Blast In Gaza Three Arabs were killed when a car hit a landmine in the town of Gaza early today, according to an Israeli military spokesman, who said security forces had combed the area and detained two suspected saboteurs. Two of the dead were a father and his son, and the third a passerby. Two more sons of the dead Arab and a 12-year-old girl were wounded in the blast.—Tel Aviv, August 18. Tragic Blaze Seven children ranging in age from eight months to 13 years were killed in the early hours of yesterday when fire swept through their two-storey home near Hazleton, lowa. Two adults and four boys escaped from the blaze.— Hazleton, August 18. Report Denied The French Foreign Ministry has denied a report that France is giving Governmental aid to Biafra. A Ministry spokesman declined to comment on details of a press report that France was unofficially providing limited amounts of foreign currency to enable Biafra to buy arms, and that French pilots were flying DC3s through the Federal Nigerian blockade to Biafra. He reiterated that France had embargoed all arms shipments to both sides in the Nigerian conflict.—Paris, August 18. C.T.C. Move The Commonwealth Telecommunications Council has concluded arrangements in Montreal for the establishment in London of an office which will serve the council and “the over-all Commonwealth telecommunications on ganisation,” and has appointed Mr S. N. Kalra, former Director-General of overseas communications in India, to the post of general secretary —Montreal, August 18. Ban Ineffective

About 2000 delegates from 20 countries have begun a world congress on Scientology in London, in spite of official

British efforts to bar the entry of foreign “scientologists.” An entry ban on the cult’s followers came after the Minister of Health (Mr Kenneth Robinson) had described Scientology, a mixture of psychology and religious teachings, as “socially and mentally harmful.” Immigration officers at British airports during the past week questioned hundreds of overseas visitors, but most of the “scientologists” were already in the country.—London, August 18. New Policy The Philippines Commissioner of Immigration (Mr Edmundo Reyes) has announced a new policy, giving a twoyear visa to foreignn correspondents on “permanent” or “resident" assignments to the Philippines. He said this was in line with President Ferinand Marcos’s wish to give newspaper correspondents freedom of movement in their coverage of international news. Last March, visa requirements for visiting journalists not staying for more than 14 days were lifted altogether.—Manila, August 18. Remarkable Crab Christians in Zanzibar have been offering special prayers this week for a remarkable crab caught by a local fisherman. It has markings across its shell like a cross flanked by three figures, one kneeling and two standing. Moslems as well as Christians have queued to see it. In the past, several fish have been caught in the same waters with scale markings said to resemble Arab writings from the Koran —Dar Es Salaam, August 18. Tongan Beauty Tonga’s first beauty queen contest has raised S6OOO for the beautification of Nukualofa. Queen Mataaho received nine candidates sponsored by commercial firms. The winner, Miss Saane Tufii a 24-year-old teacher, will make guest appearances during the Suva Hibiscus Festival.— Nukualofa, August 18. Increased Flights Pan American World Airways will increase its service between Sydney and the United States from seven to 12 flights a week from September 6. The new services will pave the way for the introduction of the airline’s Boeing 747 Superjet flights to the South Pacific in 1970. The first non-stop service from Honolulu will be introduced at the same time.—Sydney, August 18.