Cable briefs

Press, 4 December 1985, Page 8

Cable briefs

Zoo monkeys freeze Nine monkeys froze to death at a zoo which had its power cut off because it could not pay an electricity bill. A local government official said that he discovered the deaths during a visit to the zoo at Tomakomai, in northern Japan. The dead monkeys belonged to the crab-eating macaque breed. The breed’s natural home is in tropical south-east Asia. The zoo’s electricity was cut off on October 29 but the official said it might be restored soon out of compassion for other shivering animals. — Sapporo, Japan. Minister dies The East German Minister of Defence, General Heinz Hoffmann, has died of heart failure, but Warsaw Pact military leaders decided to go ahead with a planned meeting he was due to host. Hoffmann had played a big role in building up East Germany’s Armed Forces. — East Berlin. . , ..v Tremor felt An earth tremor shook areas of Mexico City, rattling buildings and the nerves of residents, but there were no reports of damage or injuries. The tremor measured 3.4 on the Richter scale with its epicentre south of the capital. — Mexico City. British poet dies Philip Larkin, one of the most admired and widely read British poets of his generation, died in hospital aged 63. — London.

Coin bill passed Congress passed and sent to President Reagan a bill allowing '■ the Treasury to mint its first gold bullion coins in more than 50 years, in competition with the South African Krugerrand. — Washington. ■” ’ Jumbo skids v An Air France Boeing 747. ; with 317 people aboard; skidded off the runway when its landing gear collapsed after touch down at Rio de Janeiro. None of the 300 passengers or 17 crew were hurt — Rio de Janeiro. Money needed The prestigious daily newspaper, “Le Monde,” is selling shares in an attempt to raise 15 million francs ($3.34 million) and breathe new life into its ailing finances. — Paris. ? ■ Musicals on market , Andrew Lloyd Webber, the master composeriof the: modem. British musical, has an- • nounced plans to offer investors a part in his glittering productions. — London. Follower free ; Sandra Good, a disciple of the convicted murderer, Charles Manson, has been released on parole after serving 10 years in Alderson prison , for women, in West Virginia. Good, now 41, had been sentenced to. 15 years for threatening to kill factory owners whom she accused of polluting the environment— < Alderson.