News stories by IPS Correspondents, page 24

LONDON, Dic 29 (IPS) - Britain's independent Police Complaints Authority has been forced to launch an investigation into the death of a Nigerian man in police custody following concerted pressure from anti-racist campaigners and the dead man's relatives.

MOSCOW, Dic 29 (IPS) - Her fists clenched tight in anger, middle- aged Lena Andreyeva does little to conceal her fury against the Chechens. "We should finish this problem once and for all. Why should our army hold back from hitting civilians when they are all against us?"

MAPUTO, Dic 29 (IPS) - MOZAMBIQUE HAS BEEN BRACING ITSELF FOR ANOTHER DROUGHT AS LATE AND INADEQUATE RAINS PROMISE POOR HARVESTS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN SUB-REGION.

BONN, Dic 29 (IPS) - Alternative news and feature agencies could help Africa overcome its marginalisation by the international media, according to a report just published.

LUSAKA, Dic 29 (IPS) - RIOT POLICE HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED IN THE STREETS OF TWO MAJOR TOWNS IN NORTHERN ZAMBIA, WHERE A SEVERE GRAIN SHORTAGE HAS CAUSED PANIC AMONG RESIDENTS.

ABU DHABI, Dic 28 (IPS) - GULF ARAB STATES ARE SET TO TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS FOR ANOTHER FISCAL YEAR TO KEEP BUDGET DEFICITS UNDER CONTROL AS OIL OUTPUT REMAINS UNCHANGED AND A MAJOR INCREASE IN THE CURRENT LOW PRICES APPEARS UNLIKELY.

KINGSTON, Dic 28 (IPS) - Just days before the beginning of 1995, business leaders here are predicting that next year will be one of growth and an appreciation of the local currency.

BUENOS AIRES, Dic 28 (IPS) - The Argentine government took steps to calm investors' nervousness and fears of devaluation in the face of a steady decline in the stock market early this week.

MEXICO CITY, Dic 28 (IPS) - The Zapatista insurgents who took up arms in early January in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas agreed on Wednesday to engage once again in peace talks with the government, and the army immediately began to fall back in the conflict zone.

HINIGARAN, Philippines, Dic 28 (IPS) - The past few months have been busy times here in this sleepy town, which happens to be the hub of the pyrotechnics industry in central Philippines.