News stories by IPS Correspondents, page 86

BANDA (NORTHERN INDIA), Nov 09 (IPS) - TRIBAL SACHILAL KOL WAS OVERJOYED WHEN HE LEARNT A SMALL DAM WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN CHERIYA KHURD VILLAGE IN BANDA DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH STATE WHERE HIS EXTENDED FAMILY OWNED 7.5 HECTARES ACRES OF LAND.

COLOMBO, Nov 09 (IPS) - CASTING OF BALLOTS FOR SRI LANKA'S FOURTH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CONCLUDED HERE WEDNESDAY WITH SPORADIC INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE REPORTED FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

MEXICO CITY, Nov 09 (IPS) - The Mexican Parliament must either ratify or disqualify the results of the Aug. 21 general election, a decision that falls to the full majority held by the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 09 (IPS) - ECONOMIC REFORMS APPEAR TO HAVE PAID DIVIDENDS IN ETHIOPIA, BUT DROUGHT THREATENS TO ERODE GAINS MADE BY ITS EXPORTERS.

BRUSSELS, Nov 09 (IPS) - The European Union (EU) does not believe the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will develop into the sort of "coherent" grouping like for example the EU, a spokesperson of the German EU presidency said here Wednesday.

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 09 (IPS) - VICTIMS OF FORCED REMOVALS IN SOUTH AFRICA CAN NOW RECLAIM THEIR LAND UNDER A HISTORIC BILL PASSED BY PARLIAMENT IN CAPE TOWN.

ISTANBUL, Nov 08 (IPS) - Turkey this week celebrates the completion of the twin Urfa tunnels, a major component in a key irrigation project -- the Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP) -- which is expected to play a key role in national and regional development.

LISBON, Nov 08 (IPS) - UNITA HAS BEEN RESISTING AN ANGOLAN ARMED FORCES (FAA) OFFENSIVE IN ITS STRONGHOLD OF HUAMBO, ACCORDING TO A REBEL GENERAL, WHO HINTED THAT THE FIGHTING WOULD DERAIL A PEACE PACT SCHEDULED TO BE SIGNED IN LUSAKA NEXT WEEK.

KINGSTON, Nov 08 (IPS) - Prison authorities say they are going ahead with preparations for the flogging of convicted felons, but human rights advocates and some attorneys continue to denounce recent decisions by judges who have ordered a return to the tamarind switch.

WASHINGTON, Nov 08 (IPS) - The World Bank Tuesday cleared its first- ever environment loan to Russia -- for 110 million dollars to help fund an Environmental Management Project.