A review of events and their interpretation.
| Saturday, 31 October A Spanish court gives the green light for Augusto Pinochet to be prosecuted in Spain. Pinochet is currently detained in London on a Spanish warrant seeking his extradition on charges of murder, torture, and kidnapping during his 17 years in power. The ruling would enable Pinochet to be extradited from Britain. League leaders Aston Villa have their game at Chelsea called off by the severe weather. Man United seize the day and beat Everton 4-1 to cut the gap at the top to 3 points. Leicester come away from Anfield with a 1-0 win over Liverpool, West Ham down Newcastle 3-1. |
| Friday, 30 October Former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies explains to his constituency supporters why he's quit the race to become leader of the Welsh assembly. He says the past few days have been "torture, not helped by lurid and inaccurate media reports." He denies that the unknown silly act he did was related to sex or drugs. That means it must have been to do with rock&roll, and we've posted spies at Dire Straits Anonymous. General Pinochet is granted bail by the High Court, so long as he stays under police guard in hospital. Had he not been under arrest he would still have been confined to hospital, and given his notoriety as a former head of state, there was a guard at the hospital. Plus ca change. |
| Thursday, 29 October South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission releases its 3500 page report into South Africa's ugly past. The release was delayed by some hours while the Cape Town High Court considered a petition filed by the African National Congress to block the release. The court rejected the ANC's argument that it had not had time to respond to the commission's findings that the party participated in human rights abuses during its fight against apartheid. Bonavista is looking to join Gros Morne National Park, and Lansing Meadows as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in order to boost its tourist trade. The town has most of its historical reputation and centre intact, and would be able to survive as a self-sufficient community. Two representatives from Cuba Perosa Bargon and "a colleague" visit the Federation of Labour and Prince of Wales Collegiate School to speak against the Helms-Burton Act. The American law continues the 35-year economic boycott of the island, and has sent the technology down to ox-drawn carts. The school will pay a visit to the island in February. |
| Poet Laureate Ted Hughes, 68, dies at his home in Devon after a 18-month battle with cancer. His stormy marriage to American poet Sylvia Plath dogged his reputation after her 1963 suicide. Hughes, Poet Laureate since 1984, consistently refused to be interviewed about his poems, which span 25 years from the late 1960s. |
| Wednesday, 28 October Welsh Secretary Ron Davies resigns, citing a gross lapse of judgement after his car was stolen and a knife was pulled on him. Before this, he'd gone with a stranger on Clapham Common. Davies claims that there's no sexual motive - the Common being one of the main meeting places for gay men. Given that he's been ostracised by the rest of the Labour hierachy, the spectacle of a Cabinet Minister dealing in drugs hasn't been ruled out. The High Court quashes Pinochet's arrest, ruling that as a former head of state, he's entitled to immunity from prosecution. An attorney representing Spanish magistrates who asked for his arrest says that murder and torture are not "something that is in furtherance of his function as head of state". It looks as if the judiciary has found a way out of the mess that both preserves the close British relationship with Chile and the veneer of an ethical foreign policy that the Government's been sprouting on about. The last apartheid president of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, is not implicated in rights abuses, says a panel investigating apartheid-era atrocities. De Klerk said he would sue to block the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Following this lead, the ruling ANC has also threatened to resort to law to have criticism of its members and organisation excised from the document. |
| Tuesday, 27 October Social Democrat Gerhard Schroeder is formally elected as Germany's new chancellor, heading the country's first left-wing government of Social Democrats and Greens. Schroeder clearly savours the moment, smiling slowly, then standing to embrace Social Democratic party leader Oskar Lafontaine as the parliamentary vote was announced: 351-287 with 27 abstentions. Russian President Boris Yeltsin checks into a sanatorium, a day after doctors order him to cancel a trip to Austria due to high blood pressure and extreme fatigue. The 67-year-old Russian leader is in the Barvikha sanatorium, a well-equipped medical centre near Moscow where Yeltsin recovered from multiple heart bypass surgery in 1996.
Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis overpowers Kansas City, running the Chiefs for 119 yards to lead the Steelers to a crucial 20-13 win. The win leaves Pittsburgh (5-2) level with Jacksonville for first place in the AFC Central, while Kansas City (4-3) is three games behind Denver and a game behind Oakland in the AFC West.
Center Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the NHL
Player of the Week. In three games, the Toronto captain recorded
seven points on two goals and five assists as the Maple Leafs posted a 2-0-1 record to move
into first place in the Northeast Division and the Eastern Conference.
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| Monday, 26 October Opponents of Benjamin Netanyahu's peace deal with the Palestinians fail to bring down the government with a no-confidence vote in the Knesset. The tiny, extreme right-wing Moledet party submitted the no-confidence motion. There are other signs in Israel that the prime minister is facing political uncertainty within his own ranks. Hoteliers in St John's are unhappy about the 3% tax to be imposed for the new Civic Centre. Owners of small hotels say they weren't consulted, won't see the benefits but will have to pay the bills.
DC United coach Bruce Arena, accustomed to winning, is definitely not a happy man after DC are beaten 2-0 in the MLS Cup by the Chicago Fire, coached by his former assistant, Bob Bradley. The United coach, who guided his team to the title in the MLS' first two years, bleated about the officiating and that his team had to play three games in eight days with just three days between the final playoff game and title match.
Jason Elam kicks a
63-yarder at Mile High Stadium, tying
Tom Dempsey's 28-year-old NFL record for longest field goal. Elam was on the field at
the half for a 58-yarder, but a penalty
pushed the ball back 5 yards. Elam matches the record Dempsey set for the New
Orleans Saints against Detroit on Nov 8, 1970. Denver go on to win the game against Jacksonville 27-10, and wrap up the AFC title (well, almost).
Karachi: Pakistan 262/5 (Ejaz Ahmed 120*, Moin Khan 75). Match drawn; Australia win the series 1-0
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| Sunday, 25 October A play satirising the life and death of Princess Diana opens at San Jose State University. Screenwriting professor Scott Sublett wrote the musical comedy, and says it's time for the public to stop lamenting the loss of Dead. Sublett has avoided turning the car crash scene into something funny, and took calls from reporters in London, New Zealand and Toronto, all of whom are questioning his sense of humor. Meanwhile, an unauthorised biography of Prince Chuck reports Di made death threats against Chuck's mistress, Camilla Parker-Horse. If this isn't the subject for a satire, people wonder what is.
All-Star catcher Mike Piazza and the New York Mets reach agreement on a $91 million, seven-year contract. Piazza hit .329 with 32 home runs and 111 RBIs for New York, Los Angeles and one and half innings on the staff of Florida this year. He carried the Mets in the final month in their bid for the NL wild-card spot.
Karachi, day 4. Australia 390 (Waugh 117, Taylor 68). Pakistan need 419 to win in exactly one day.
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| Saturday, 24 October After nine days of intense negotiations at a secluded Maryland resort, the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority sign a deal to bring peace to their lands half a world away. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat sign the interim peace accord in the White House as Bill Clinton and Jordan's King Hussein look on. An upstate New York doctor who performed abortions and had been the target of anti-abortion protesters is shot and killed Friday at his home by a sniper. Dr Barnett Slepian, 51, dies of a single gunshot from a high-powered rifle. The gunman is on the loose. Police believe the gunman was hiding behind a swimming pool in the back yard of the doctor's house when the shot was fired. Heavy storms bring destruction to southern and western Britain, with many roads impassable. There's agreement on the civic centre for St John's. The $12 million shortfall will be made up equally by federal, provincial and city leaders. The new centre should be ready for autumn 2000.
Draws for Premier League leaders Aston Villa (1-1 against Leicester) and second placed Manchester United (1-1 at Derby). Liverpool thrash Notts Forest 5-1, with four goals for Michael Owen, making his first start of the season owing to injury. Charlton and Southampton both take useful wins - for the Saints, it's the first of the season.
Karachi, day 3: Pakistan 252 (Sohail 133, Shakeel 1 from 36 balls) Australia 130/1 (Taylor 64*). Australia lead by 158.
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| Friday, 23 October A Mid-East peace settlement is within sight, but is being held up by haggling over the release of an Israeli spy held in the US. The captain of a US fishing boat faces a murder one charge after last night's shooting in Tresspassy. The victim, Gary Janer, was killed aboard the White Water, after a row over the captain's landing to buy beer. Karachi, Day 2. Australia 280 all out, Afridi 5/52, Arshad Khan 3/73. Pakistan 170/6 - Sohail 83. Pakistan trail by 110. |
| Thursday, 22 October Advertising researchers say some animated beer commercials -- particularly the Budweiser frogs -- have so much appeal to young people that the ads may encourage teens to try alcohol. "What we found is the more kids like the ads, and as a result pay attention to them, the more likely they are to be drinkers and the more often they drink," - Joel Grube, an alcohol advertising researcher. The beer industry denies it is marketing products to teens, or behind fake computer viruses. Two youngsters are safe after getting trapped half way up Signal Hill. The 19 year olds got stuck in strong rain after leaving the trail. A man is shot dead on a Trespassy fishing boat. More information is not being made available by the RCMP. The groundfish license buyback scheme proposed by the Canadian government won't work, claims the national fish harversters council. It's just a re-hash of last time's plans, they say.
There's simply no other way for it to end. A World Series sweep is clearly the only possible finish for a New York Yankees team that's utterly dominated the season. Andy Pettitte, MVP Scott Brosius and the Yankees make a case for being the best team in modern baseball history, beating the San Diego Padres 3-0 Wednesday night for a record 24th championship.
Karachi, 3rd Test of 3. Australia 207/6 -v- Pakistan.
Sarah Michelle Gellar doesn't want to be called a feminist. "It makes you think of women that don't shave their legs," the 21-year-old star of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" says in USA Weekend. "I hate the word. Do I consider myself a strong female individual? Uh-huh. Can I take care of myself? Yeah, sure." Gellar doesn't want to be reminded of the fact that she made People magazine's list of the "50 Most Beautiful People." She isn't just another "cute little blond actress."
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| Wednesday, 21 October Rover Group announce that they'll be shedding 2500 jobs from their group. It's rumoured that the Longbridge plant, the major employer in southern Birmingham, may close with staff transferring to Cowley, Oxon. With two days to salvage the St John's Civic Centre, the provincial government re-affirms its committment to the project. Another $15m must be pledged by Friday to keep the project running. Exploit Valley High in Grand Falls/Windsor bars its staff from wearing strong perfume, after a parent complains it was aggravating her daughter's asthma. School officials will monitor the situation before making a final decision.
The All Conquering Yankees have one hand on the World Series, after beating San Diego 5-4. Scott Brosious is the star of the night, hitting two homers for the Yankees.
Detroit's left wing Brendan Shanahan is the NHL's first player of the week after
scoring five goals in three games. Shanahan went +5 as
the Wings won three straight games to top the Western Conference.
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| Tuesday, 20 October President Scalfaro officially asks former Communist Massimo D'Alema to form Italy's 56th government since World War II. D'Alema hopes to finish the task before the end of the week. Scalfaro's request came after D'Alema assembled a parliamentary majority, including centrists and moderate Marxists, following days of hard bargaining. It's the first of the 56 governments to feature the Communist party, Italy's permanent opposition since the US rigged the 1946 election. The High Court throws out a challenge to the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. Although it accepts that the contract terms regarding cancellation penalties should have been in the public inquiry, and that the road will do nothing to alleviate the congestion on the M6, these are not grounds to stop the project. Campaigners against the road have 28 days to lodge an appeal; police are already submitting eviction notices in possible contempt of court. A British Airways plane, en route from Washington to London, makes an emergency landing at St John's after smoke is smelt in the cockpit. The plane lands without incident at 2:40 in the morning. All the passengers are safe, and will finish their journey on Wednesday in a spare plane. The Nevada Athletic Commission votes 4-1 to restore Mike Tyson's boxing licence, revoked 15 months ago after the fighter bit Evander Holyfield's ear during their championship bout. Tyson told the commission that he had suffered enough for the misdeed and deserves another chance. |
| Monday, 19 October A Palestinian throws two hand grenades at a crowded bus station in the desert town of Beersheba, Israel, wounding at least 60 people. The attack coincides with a crucial Middle East peace summit outside Washington. Israeli negotiators say the blasts strengthen Israel's determination not to compromise on demands that the Palestinians do more to prevent terror attacks.
The New York Yankees are getting serious about this best-team-in-baseball-history business. They won an American League-record 114 regular season games. They lost just two of nine AL playoff games. And now they're threatening to make double-quick work of the San Diego Padres in the World Series. The Yanks pound 16 hits - including two homers - and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez strikes out seven in seven innings to crush the Padres 9-3 and grab a 2-0 lead in the '98 Fall Classic.
Buffalo upset Jacksonville by just one point to inflict the Jags' first defeat of the season. San Francisco sneak by Indianapolis
34-31 after trailing 21-0 after the first quarter. Minnesota score 41 straight in a 41-7 win over Washington. The 6-0 Vikes are off to their best
start since 1975; they join idle Denver (also 6-0) as the NFL's only
unbeatens. The 0-7 Redskins continue their worst start since the
'61 team lost its first nine. Tennessee routs Cincinnati 44-14, and San Diego
downs Philadelphia 13-10.
Pakistan and Australia draw as the Aussies make 289/5. Slater is out for 21, Taylor 92
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| Sunday, 18 October Taiwan's chief envoy flatly rejects Beijing's "one country, two systems" policy for reunification. Envoy Koo Chen-fu tells Chinese premier Qian Qichen that Taiwan is a sovereign state and will accept no lesser status. China will not budge on its position, and urges Taiwan to reconsider.
The New York Yankees explode for seven runs in the seventh inning to rally a 9-6 win over the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the World Series. After cruising through six innings, Padres ace Kevin Brown gives a single and walk with one out in the seventh, before being pulled with a 5-2 lead. Things crumbled straight away. Chuck Knoblauch hits a 3-run homer to tie the game, and a Tino Martinez grand slam follows before the end of the inning.
Peshawar, day 4. Pakistan declare at 580/9; Ijaz Ahmed hits a personal best 155, Inzamam 97, to trail by 19 on first innings. Australia 21/0 - Taylor 13*. Australia lead by 40.
Blue Peter, the 40 year old BBC children's show, is rocked by the departure of presenter Richard Bacon. He's given the boot after he confirms newspaper revalations of a drink and drugs binge at celebrations of the show's ruby anniversary last week.
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| Saturday, 17 October Augusto Pinochet is arrested in London. The former Chilean dictator, 82, is nicked over crimes committed during his reign of power between 1973 and 1990. The arrest happened after Spanish police investigated deaths of Spaniards in Chile. As Pinochet's travelling on a diplomatic passport, it's unclear whether he could be legally extradited. The first monitors arrive in Kosovo to observe the Serb pullout. NATO has extended its deadline for progress until the 27th.
Aston Villa still head the Premier League despite a 0-0 draw at West Ham; Man U beat Wimbledon 5-0 with Middlesborough 3rd and champions Arsenal drawing 1-1 at bottom club Southampton.
Peshawar: Australia declare at their overnight 599/4, leaving Taylor and Bradman the joint national top scorers with 334*. Pakistan make 329/2 by the close: Saeed Anwar 126, Ijaz Ahmed 125*. Pakistan trail by 270 with 8 first innings wickets left
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