World Vignettes

France says no to Euros with Pope on themPARIS: France is refusing to recognise Euro coins the Vatican is stamping with Pope John Paul II...

France says no to Euros with Pope on them

PARIS: France is refusing to recognise Euro coins the Vatican is stamping with Pope John Paul II on them, on the grounds of separation between church and state, a French newspaper reported on Wednesday. The coins, with the face of the Pope surrounded by stars representing the European Union, will be accepted throughout Italy when the single currency replaces 11 European moneys in 2002, the Leftist daily Liberation said.

Bad omen?

JERUSALEM: It could be a bad omen for the Wye Summit. A plane chartered by a prominent rabbi to encircle Israel seven times and deliver prayers for the successful conclusion of the West Asia peace talks was forced to make an emergency landing. A little more that an hour into Monday8217;s flight, the small plane8217;s electrical system malfunctioned.

No safety for him

WEST PALM BEACH: A 69-year-old man who spent years trying to make local roads safer for bicycles was struck and killed by a motorist while sitting on hisbike. Ray Howland was riding in the 40 km leg of the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival when he stopped on the side of the road to wait for his frie-nds. A sport utility vehicle made a wide turn into the road, crossing over the shoulder and striking Howland, authorities said.

AIDS scare

STOCKHOLM: Swedish police on Tuesday hunted for an American man suspected of assault for allegedly having unprotected sex with women he picked up at Stockholm nightspots, despite knowing he was HIV-positive. The search was the top story on national radio and in afternoon newspapers, prompting calls from 100 women to the authorities. The suspect was identified as James Patric Kimball, 40, originally from California.

Harvard changes

AMBRIDGE: Three suicides by graduate students in the last two years have prompted Harva-rd University to take steps to cut the stress the students face, one change was actually suggested in a young man8217;s suicide note. Too many of the school8217;s 3,400 graduate students felt they wereoverworked and isolated and had few places to turn to for support.

Gambling wins

CALGARY Alberta: The gambling industry has scored a major victory in local elections across Alberta, beating back an unprecedented grassroots challenge by citizens who wanted to ban lucrative but addictive video lottery terminals. Petition drives had succeeded in placing the issue on ballots in three communities across Alberta for provincewide municipal elections Monday.