Alcohol is okay but after lunch

GENEVA : The United Nations told employees at its European headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday that they would not be allowed to drink alcohol before lunchtime after the new year, reports Reuter.

Administrators said in a circular to all staff that a "working party against alcoholism” had recommended restricting the sale of drink in the bars and restaurants of the UN's sprawling Palais Des Nations.

From January 1. 1992. no alcoholic drinks will be served before 11.30 am and between the hours of three and five pm.

Apology for five minutes late

NEW DELHI : The Minister of State for Power. Mr Kalpanath Rai. was forced to apologise in the Rajya Sabha during question hour today as he reached the House five minutes late, reports PTI.

The question hour started right at 1100 hours but the first four questions pertaining to the Ministries of Finance and Commerce were not taken up as the members who had put the questions were absent

As soon as the fifth question was put by Mr Santosh Kumar Sahu and the Minister was found absent there was a chorus of protests from the opposition benches who were heard remarking that ministers were ignoring the House despite cautions from the chair.

The Home Minister, Mr S B Chavan. who is the leader of the House, then hurriedly go the question and the written reply from the House Secretariat and got the permission from the chairman. Dr S D Sharma to reply. Even as Chavan stood up to answer. Kalpanath Rai walked into the House.

Immediately several members demanded that Rai apologise and the chairman concurred with them Rai stood up and said "I apologise to the House" and calm descended.

No kissing please

DAKAR : No kissing please. Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah sapped angrily as PLO chief Yasser Arafat rushed to embrace him — an Arab gesture of reconciliation, reports Reuter.

Saudi delegates said on Tuesday the Prince also turned his face away to avoid a handshake with Jordan's King Hussein.

Avoiding a reconciliation with both leaders is one of the reasons why King Fahd of Saudi Arabia has stayed away from the sixth summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) which opened In Dakar on Monday. Saudi and Arab delegates say.

Jordan and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) are keen to patch up their differences with Saudi Arabia, which until last year's Gulf crisis was their main source of financial support.

Old-fashion big hugs await for Terry

WIESBADEN, Germany : It was something Terry Anderson could only dream about after his kidnapping on March 16. 1985: spending Christmas at home with relatives and friends, reports AP.

After spending Christmas the six previous years chained Inside a dark cell tn Lebanon, Anderson files to the United States on Tuesday for a long-awaited holiday.

"I'm coming home." an excited Anderson blurted out In an early wakeup telephone call Monday to his cousin In Long Island. N Y.

"It was beautiful to hear his voice — no matter what time it was." said the cousin. Tom Anderson, a New York City police sergeant. "It felt so good to say 'see ya tomorrow, Terry.”'

"I'm just going to give him a big. old-fashion Anderson family hug and not let go." said Tom Anderson, speaking from his home in Valley Stream. N Y.