Memorial hospital in Dawali: Indian authorities are to build a memorial hospital in Dawali. the northern Indian town where at least 396 people died in a school function fire, the chief minister of the region said Saturday. AFP reports from New Delhi.

The Press Trust of India (PTI) qiioted Haryana state Chief Minister Bhajan Lal as saying that the hospital would be build in memory of those who died on December 23 when a fire in a marquee killed nearly 400 people and injuring 94 others.

Ramos to free 21 prisoners: President

Fidel Ramos on Saturday approved the release of 21 people serving prison terms for crimes related to political activities. AP reports from Manila. Philippines.

One person on trial also was ordered released in what was seen as a government response to calls for an end to the vestiges of the late President Ferdinand Marcos’ strongman rule.

KL deports 472 Indonesians: Authorities on Saturday deported 472 Indonesians, including a 4-day-old baby girl, on charges of being in Malaysia illegally. AP reports from Kuala Lumpur.

The Indonesians had been held for one to three weeks at the Semenylh Temporary Detention Camp, and the baby was born in a nearby government hospital in Kajang. 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of Kuala Lumpur, said Senior Immigration Officer Abdul Rahim Endut.

Attack on Kurds continues: Government troops On Saturday kept up their attack on Kurdish rebels in the eastern mountains, said Turkish news reports, putting the death toll at 13 in three days of fighting. AP reports from Sivas. Turkey.

The clashes marked the first time the military has moved its fight to Sivas province, 450 kilometres (270 miles) from the capital Ankara

32 journalists killed in CIS: Thirty two journalists were killed in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1995 compared with 18 last year, a Russian press freedom watchdog group told Interfax news agency Saturday. AFP reports from Moscow.

Oleg Panfilov of the Glasnost Fund said 15 Journalists were killed In Russia and 10 in the breakaway Caucasus republic of Chechnya In 1995, where Russian troops have been battling separatist rebels for the past year

Sao Tome PM resigns: Sao Tome and Principe Prime Minister Carlos Da Graca resigned Saturday, opening the way for a government of national unity headed by his deputy Armindo Vaz d'Almeida, outgoing Information Minister Antonio Quintas said AFP reports from Sao Tome.

The new consensus government was to have taken office Friday but was delayed by last minute differences on the ministers from the Independent Democratic Alliance (ADI), one of the three parties that will share power.

13 more executed in China: China has executed 13 people. Including one from Taiwan, after sentencing them to death for drug dealing on Friday, the pro-Beijing newspaper Wen Wei Po reported. Reuter says from Hong Kong.

The executions took place In southern China's Guangzhou city.

600 get amnesty in Azerbaijan: Nearly 600 prisoners in Azerbaijan received amnesty Saturday as a holiday gift from President Geidar Aliev news reports said. AP reports from Baku. Azerbaijan.

Aliev tied the amnesties to Azerbaijan's Solidarity Day. marked December 31 by Azerbaijanis around the world since 1992.

Quake shakes Turkish town: a moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 3.8 shook this western town late Saturday night for a second time this week. AP reports from Emet. Turkey

There was no report of damage or casualties The epicenter was near Emet. some 400 kilometres (250 miles) west of the capital Ankara.