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Tuesday, October 17, 2000

World Briefs

   Fear of Ebola virus makes people avoid handshakes
   GULU, Uganda - An outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus has claimed at least 35 lives and spread fear in this northern Ugandan town, where officials tried Monday to educate a largely rural, illiterate population about its dangers.
   At least 38 other people were infected with the hemorrhagic fever, which kills 90 percent of its victims and has no known cure.
   Parts of Gulu, a small farming town 225 miles north of Kampala, were under quarantine Monday and residents avoided all contact, even handshakes, for fear of catching the virus.
   2 candidates claim victory in Mexican governor's race
   VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico - Both front-runners in the Tabasco state governor's race declared themselves winners Monday and pledged to defend their victories, although exit polls and preliminary results showed the candidates nearly tied.
   Before Sunday's election, many polls had given the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party's candidate, Manuel Andrade, a comfortable lead in the Mexican state election.
   But preliminary results showed Andrade had 44 percent and Raul Ojeda of the opposition Democratic Revolution Party had 43 percent. Only 7,000 votes separated the two candidates.
   Parties agree to share authority in Serbia
   BELGRADE, Yugoslavia - In an accord weakening the old guard, President Vojislav Kostunica won agreement Monday from Slobodan Milosevic's party to share power in Yugoslavia's biggest republic until Dec. 23 elections.
   Since his victory in the Sept. 24 presidential elections was confirmed by a revolt in the streets, Kostunica has been trying to assert his authority in Serbia, which with the smaller Montenegro republic makes up the Yugoslav federation.
   On Monday, Serbian legislative elections, which had been set for next autumn, were moved up to Dec. 23 - a gain for Kostunica's efforts to secure control of the Serb parliament, still dominated by the followers of Milosevic.
   Philippines president resists calls to resign
   MANILA, Philippines - Joseph Estrada, the embattled president of the Philippines, stood firm Monday in a widening scandal involving alleged kickbacks from illegal gambling rackets.
   But while Estrada talked tough - sounding for all the world like one of the action heroes he used to play when he acted in the movies here - support for the actor-turned-politician continued to crumble.
   On Tuesday, a coalition of business groups is expected to issue a statement calling for Estrada's removal from office, either through resignation or impeachment. That follows demands for his resignation from opposition leaders, as well as Cardinal Jaime Sin and the Catholic Bishops Conference.
  

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From Caller-Times wire services

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