News In Brief

A powerful car bomb exploded in a busy marketplace in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing at least 20 people and wounding as many as 100 others, police officials said. No one took responsibility for the blast, but police and the Interior Ministry blamed Afghanistan.

Palestinian policemen arrived in Bethlehem to take over the military headquarters from Israel. They were expected to formally take control of the historic city to Palestinians. And, after four days of talks, PLO leaders failed to get a clear-cut pledge from Hamas to halt attacks on Israelis and participate in Palestinian elections.

Russia's pro-reform forces must unite or risk losing democratic gains said Yegor Gaidar, a former prime minister and prominent reformist. Gaidar's warning followed a strong showing by the Communists in last week's parliamentary elections. And in Gudermes, Chechnya, Russian troops freed 150 military officers trapped in a military office by rebel fighters.

Prince Norodom Sirivudh left Cambodia for exile in France. Sirivudh, half-brother of Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk, earlier agreed to go into exile rather than face trial on charges of plotting to assassinate Co-Prime Minister Hun Sen and overthrow the government - accusations the prince denies. The charges were a pretext to silence a potential rival, critics say.

The UN is phasing out its food program in North Korea by mid-January because of a lack of funds, the UN said. Last summer, floods destroyed the harvest, and famine is reportedly affecting 500,000 people. The WFP needs $8.8 million to cover the operation.

Former South Korean presidents Chun Doo Hwan and Roh Tae Woo were formally indicted for their roles in a 1979 coup. Chun was charged with mutiny for masterminding the coup. Roh was charged with playing a "key role." Both were also charged with murder and attempted murder for attacks on superior officers. They face the death penalty if convicted.

Poland's two parties in the ruling coalition government clashed over what to do about allegations by government sources that Prime Minister Jozef Oleksy spied for Russia. Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Ministry denounced the allegations.

The Chernobyl nuclear power station will be shut down by 2000. Ukraine and the Group of Seven industrial countries signed an unbinding agreement in Canada. The deal involves $2.3 billion in aid to close the power plant and develop Ukraine's energy sector.

Argentina may pardon leaders of a failed 1990 coup, and also Marxist guerrillas who attacked an Army barracks in 1989, President Carlos Menem said.

ETCETERA

There's no point in temporarily opening the government up until we get the job done."

- GOP Rep. John Shadegg, balking on reopening partly closed Cabinet agencies while discussions on balancing the federal budget are under way.

A fossilized dinosaur found incubating its eggs has offered scientists the most graphic evidence yet of how dinosaurs may have been the precursors of the modern bird. The spectacular specimen, found buried under sand in Mongolia, is crouching on a nest of at least 15 eggs.

The shrimp is shucked, the pheasant plucked in hopes Yosemite's annual Bracebridge feast will be held Christmas weekend, even though the federal budget impasse has closed the park down. Plans for an eight-course meal at the Ahwahnee Hotel continue. Being prepared: 800 pounds of tenderloin, 5,000 pieces of shrimp, and Black Sea caviar.

Top 10 Role Models

Below are the National League of Junior Cotillions' picks for people with the best manners in 1995. The most ill-mannered person? Baseball team owner Art Modell for abandoning his hometown and moving the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore.

Actor Christopher Reeve for composure during adversity.

Assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin for pursuit of peace amid conflict.

"Good Morning America" cohost Joan Lunden for treating guests courteously.

Former Education Department head William Bennett for his "Book of Virtues" message.

Capt. Scott O'Grady for living up to the definition of hero after his plane went down in Bosnia.

Secretary of State Warren Christopher for poise under pressure.

Gen. Colin Powell for putting family above politics.

Tennis player Monica Seles for her perseverance and optimism.

Baseball's Cal Ripken Jr. for accepting success with humility.

TV newscaster Jane Pauley for respect and politeness.

- The National League of Junior Cotillions/Associated Press

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