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Xiamen
China executed a senior parliamentary official convicted of taking $5 million in bribes in the country's biggest corruption trials in 50 years. National legislature vice chairman Cheng Kejie was one of up to 200 government officials said to have been involved in a multibillion-dollar smuggling scandal. Trials now under way in four cities of Fujian province have been shrouded in secrecy, but the proceedings are seen as a test of the government's promise that no official, however senior, is above the law.
Jolo
Government troops launched ground, sea and air attacks against Abu Sayyaf rebel bases on this southern Philippine island, causing heavy casualties. Since April the Muslim rebels have been on a kidnapping spree that has resulted in scores of people being taken captive and often held for months. The Abu Sayyaf group has reportedly netted millions of dollars in ransom paid by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. But just as one group of hostages was released, another would be snatched. The latest raid, in which three Malaysians were taken from an island off Borneo, may have been the last straw. President Joseph Estrada said in a televised national address, "Enough is enough."
Melbourne
Thousands of demonstrators besieged the city's Crown Casino to demonstrate against the World Economic Forum's Asia Pacific Economic Summit. The three-day gathering attracted 800 local and international participants, many of whom were prevented by protester blockades from attending the summit's opening day. The largely peaceful demonstration against globalization was marred by 19 arrests and several violent clashes, in which 51 police, 40 protesters and two casino staff members were injured. Some delegates were ferried by helicopter or police boat to the riverside casino, which estimated its losses over the three days at more than $5 million.
Selma
Residents of this Alabama city, a key site during the U.S. civil rights movement, celebrated the election of its first black mayor, businessman James Perkins. Voters turned out in record numbers to elect Perkins to replace Joe Smitherman. A one-time segregationist, Smitherman had served as mayor of the city, which has a population of 24,000, for 36 years. "It's time to put the Civil War and civil rights history into a museum," Perkins told cheering supporters. "I will be a mayor for all of Selma."
Washington
The U.S. government banned Japan from fishing in American waters and threatened economic sanctions if Tokyo resumed hunting two endangered species of whale. The announcement followed Japan's decision to hunt Bryde's and Sperm whales, protected by U.S. law. Japan called the U.S. move "deplorable" and said it would take action under international law if the recommendation was carried through. President Clinton has 60 days to consider whether to impose trade sanctions.
Lima
Opposition parties called for President Alberto Fujimori's resignation after a video showed presidential adviser Vladimiro Montesinos attempting to bribe a Congressman by handing him a wad of dollar bills. Montesinos was said to have handed over $15,000 to the politician to persuade him to switch support to the ruling party.