CABLE BRIEFS

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32637, 19 June 1971, Page 17

CABLE BRIEFS

Fast work The first of its kind, a world exhibition devoted to telecommunications and electronic equipment opened in Geneva yesterday more than 200 exhibitors from 139 countries showing off their wares. One piece of equipment, shown by Intelsat, enables visitors to draw a picture and see it flashed around the world and back by way of land lines across Europe, Japan and the United States, relayed by three satellites over the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The picture travels 143,750 miles in half a minute.—Geneva, June 18. Aust, union demand The Australian Council of Trade Unions has renewed its demand for fares to and from work to be allowed for in-come-tax deduction. Its action arises from the rises of 50 per cent in bus and train fares in New South Wales, from July 1, announced on Wednesday by the State Premier (Mr Robin Askin).—Sydney, June 18. On course

Russia’s Mars 2 interplanetary spacecraft, which had its trajectory altered early today, is now more than 4.3 million miles away from the earth. Launched on May 28, eight days after Mars 2, Mars 3 is about 400,000 miles behind it. The two spacecraft, and America’s Mariner 9. are due to reach the area of Mars in November.—Moscow, June 18.

Amazon in flood

The River Amazon, swollen by melting snows in the Andes, has flooded its banks and forced more than 50,000 Brazilians to leave their riverside homes. In the worst Amazonian floods since 1953, losses of cattle and crops have reached record proportions. The Brazilian Red Cross is flying clothing and food into the area, where malaria and typhoid are said to be taking a heavy toll.— Manaus, June 18. U.K. butter quota The relaxation of the British butter quota system, which was introduced late in April in the face of a world butter shortage, will almost certainly be extended for at least three months. The New Zealand Government is not expected to object to the extension, because the butter market is still extremely Arm and there is no sign that any large quantities of butter are being held for sale by any outside countries.—London, June 18. Pledge by Ky

Vice-President Ky of South Vietnam said today that if he won the Presidential election in October, the first task of his new government would be to eliminate corruption. “I want to change this corrupted society that is the first priority," he declared at a press conference after attending a ceremony commemorating the forty-first anniversary of the death of the president of the Nationalist Party, Mr Nguyen Thai Hoc.—Saigon, June 18. Vatican document The Vatican today published the first organic document in its history on the teaching of the Roman Catholic religion. "A General Catechetical Directory” was prepared by the Congregation of the Clergy under the direction of Cardinal John Wright, of the United States, who believes that it may shape the religious formation of Roman Catholics throughout the world for generations to come. The directory is designed to be a clear state-,, ment of the basic doctrinal contents that should appear in all future catechisms.— I Vatican City. June 18. Bulge showed

Yvonne Covington, aged 28, will go on trial in the Buffalo City Court on July 8 on a shoplifting charge. She is accused of trying to conceal a 5U53.92 English-cut pot roast in her hot pants before leaving a food store. —Buffalo (New York), June 18. Over-zealous

Two private detectives who installed radio apparatus in bedrooms and tapped telephone lines to obtain evidence of adultery have been given suspended prison sentences of nine months and fined £3OO each at the Old Bailey. Mr Justice Roskill told lan and Stuart Withers, who are brothers: “You trespassed far across the line between what is lawful and unlawful.”—London, June 18. Piracy alleged

Seven Malaysian fishermen, clad only in towels, stumbled ashore and reported to the police that they had been robbed of two boats, fishinggear and their clothes by pirates in the Straits of Malacca. They said that six pirates armed with pistols and a Sten gun overpowered them on Tuesday evening, ordered them to strip, and then forced them to swim ashore.—Kuala Lumpur, June 18. 11l wind

A member of the cast of the Broadway hit, "Oh! Calcutta,” was arrested in front of the New York City Hall yesterday for practically nothing at alt. Unfortunately for Raina Barrett, the nothing at all was what she was wearing beneath a flowing gown while she and nine other members of the cast were picketing in protest against a proposed 3 per cent theatre tax. A sudden breeze fluttered Miss Barrett’s dress, giving a policeman a glimpse of the true situation. He arrested her on a charge of lewdness in public.—New York, June 18.