Milestones: Dec. 6, 1968

Died. Yusif Bedas, 56, former president of Lebanon's Intra Bank, central figure in one of the Middle East's most spectacular financial scandals; after a long illness; in Lucerne, Switzerland. Bedas founded a money-changing business on a $4,000 stake in 1948, built it into a $350 million empire centered around Intra. But in 1966, as depositors' money suddenly flowed out of Beirut, Intra collapsed; Lebanese authorities held him responsible for "unorthodox banking practices," but Bedas maintained that "enemies" had conspired to break him.

Died. Enid Blyton, seventyish, prolific British author of calm, cozy children's...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!