WHAT HAPPENED ON 24th December 1996?

23th December 1996

HOPES OF HEBRON PULL-OUT BREAKTHROUGH

Reports from Jerusalem suggest there has been a breakthrough in the long- running Israeli-Palestinian talks on Israel's troop withdrawal from Hebron. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu joined the two negotiating teams this morning. Officials from both sides say progress was made & a possible meeting between Mr Netanyahu & Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has been suggested. Mr Netanyahu may meet Mr Arafat shortly

24th December 1996

MORE TALKS NEEDED TO SECURE HEBRON DEAL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu & Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat have ended their talks on the pull-out of Israeli troops from Hebron. Mr Arafat made no comment as he left the meeting with Mr Netanyahu at the Israel-Gaza border crossing at Erez. US envoy Dennis Ross said progress had been made but more talks were needed before a deal could be struck. Officials will hold more talks tomorrow and said a deal may be reached soon.

24th December 1996

CHINA An airliner on a domestic flight was forced to make an emergency landing after reportedly being hit at 30 000ft by an unidentified flying object. WEST BANKThree petrol bombs have been thrown at a group of Israeli soldiers and settlers but caused no injuries or damage Israeli sources said. RUSSIA President Yeltsin has criticised his tax collectors for not doing enough to bring in cash for the government. In a nationwide radio address he said the rich were getting away with too much.

23th December 1996

HOPES OF HEBRON PULL-OUT BREAKTHROUGH

Reports from Jerusalem suggest there has been a breakthrough in the long- running Israeli-Palestinian talks on Israel's troop withdrawal from Hebron. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu joined the two negotiating teams this morning. Officials from both sides say progress was made & a possible meeting between Mr Netanyahu & Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has been suggested. Mr Netanyahu may meet Mr Arafat shortly

24th December 1996

MORE TALKS NEEDED TO SECURE HEBRON DEAL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu & Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat have ended their talks on the pull-out of Israeli troops from Hebron. Mr Arafat made no comment as he left the meeting with Mr Netanyahu at the Israel-Gaza border crossing at Erez. US envoy Dennis Ross said progress had been made but more talks were needed before a deal could be struck. Officials will hold more talks tomorrow and said a deal may be reached soon.

24th December 1996

THOUSANDS JOIN BETHLEHEM CHRISTMAS MASS

Midnight Mass has been celebrated in Bethlehem ` the West Bank town where Jesus Christ was born. Thousands of Palestinians & Christian pilgrims heard Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah thank political leaders for their efforts on behalf of peace. But he also criticised what he described as the "political extremism" expressed by both sides. It was the second Christmas in Bethlehem under Palestinian rule.

23th December 1996

HOPES OF HEBRON PULL-OUT BREAKTHROUGH

Reports from Jerusalem suggest there has been a breakthrough in the long- running Israeli-Palestinian talks on Israel's troop withdrawal from Hebron. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu joined the two negotiating teams this morning. Officials from both sides say progress was made & a possible meeting between Mr Netanyahu & Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has been suggested. Mr Netanyahu may meet Mr Arafat shortly

24th December 1996

MORE TALKS NEEDED TO SECURE HEBRON DEAL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu & Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat have ended their talks on the pull-out of Israeli troops from Hebron. Mr Arafat made no comment as he left the meeting with Mr Netanyahu at the Israel-Gaza border crossing at Erez. US envoy Dennis Ross said progress had been made but more talks were needed before a deal could be struck. Officials will hold more talks tomorrow and said a deal may be reached soon.

24th December 1996

PERU HOSTAGES SET FOR XMAS CAPTIVITY

As the Lima hostage crisis approaches its second week the Japanese government says it does not expect the remaining hostages to be freed quickly. Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto said matters were at a "delicate stage" & rejected a "get-tough" attitude. About 140 Peruvians & Japanese remain in the hands of armed terrorists in the ambassador's residence in Peru. Peruvian police say a second group of guerrillas could be waiting to strike.

23th December 1996

NEW BID TO RESOLVE ISSUE OVER HEBRON

The US Middle East envoy has begun another attempt to revive talks between Israel & the Palestinians over the pullout of Israeli troops from Hebron. Dennis Ross held separate meetings with Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu & Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on the issue of the West Bank town. After the meetings Mr Ross said he hoped that his return to the region would help "energise the peace process" Talks are continuing today.

24th December 1996

MORE TALKS NEEDED TO SECURE HEBRON DEAL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu & Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat have ended their talks on the pull-out of Israeli troops from Hebron. Mr Arafat made no comment as he left the meeting with Mr Netanyahu at the Israel-Gaza border crossing at Erez. US envoy Dennis Ross said progress had been made but more talks were needed before a deal could be struck. Officials will hold more talks tomorrow and said a deal may be reached soon.

24th December 1996

INDIA

A soldier preparing for a military operation to flush out guerrillas in Jammu & Kashmir state turned his gun on colleagues at an army camp killing five. PHILIPPINES The military has reopened a renovated airstrip on the disputed Spratly Islands boosting its capability to send troops & equipment to the South China Sea area. USA man has been jailed for more than four years for attacking flight attendants after they refused to serve him drinks on a flight from Georgia.