Widespread praise and relief greeted the decision to extend the February 21 deadline set to regularise transfer of sponsorships by four months.
With the original deadline due to expire in the four days, the news of the extension came as great relief to thousands of Indians and Pakistanis who have been desperately trying to get their sponsorships straightened out in time. It was also welcome news to businessmen who had large immigrant workers employed under them.
Running gun battles rattle Turkish town
Outlawed leftists fought running gun battles with police in a slum district of this western port city as Turkish authorities moved in force to quell more than a week of unrest and rioting.
By mid-day, three policemen and one soldier were reported shot dead and four policemen and a civilian were seriously wounded. At least 10 anarchists were hospitalised with gunshot wounds. Izmir is the site of a major NATO base with some 4,000 US personnel and dependents.
Lebanon worsens
North Lebanon was ripped apart by fierce fighting between supporters of former Lebanese President Suleiman Franjieh, backed by Syrian artillery, and rightist militiamen in which scores of people were reported killed during the past five days, police sources said.
Nervous Castro cracks down on dissidents
Anticipating trouble as Cuba's economy runs into difficulties. President Fidel Castro is cracking down on political dissent, tightening communist party discipline, dismissing corrupt or inefficient government officials, and rounding up people with criminal records dismissed. The reshuffle removed more than half of Cuba's 34 ministers or chairmen of institutions with ministerial rank.
