P143 CEEFAX 2 143 Fri 26 Dec 01:12/01 . :. The following pages feature . news stories from BBC . Monitoring, based in Cavjrsham near Reading. BBC Monitoring selects and translates reports from TV, radio, news agencies and Press from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. . . .: For more information on one :. . of the world's largest media monitoring bodies, look at our internet site: http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk 1/6 Extra: More world news coverage 142 Headlines 101 Index 102 Sport 300 Politics Index News Xtra Main menuP143 CEEFAX 2 143 Fri 26 Dec 01:12/16 RUSSIAN POLICE UNIT BAPTJSED EN MASSE A police unit in the Russian Far East city of Vladivostock has undergone a mass baptism into the Orthodox church, Russian MTV reported. The company's commander said he thought of the idea two years ago and was surprised at the unanimity of his min's agreement to the baptism. The force also djcidjd to have their police station blessed bz a priest, and to hang an icon in the recreation room. The unit will from now on attend an Orthodox church service every month. 2/6 Headlines 101 Extra 140 Ticker 151 News Index 102 Flash 150 Newsreel 152 Politics Index News Xtra Main menuP143 CEEFAX 2 143 Fri 26 Dec 01:11/35 KHATBMI DELIVERS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has delivered a Christmas mjssagj calling on all bjliivjrs to place more emphasis on fraternity and sincerity. In the message, which was read out on Iranian TV by a presenter, Khatami conttatulated Christians on the occasion of the birth of Jesus. He described Jesus as "a symbol of divine mercy and kindness and God's spirit and teaching". The mjssagj sttessjd the importance of spirituality based on divjnj teachings. 3/6 Headlines 101 Extra 140 Ticker 151 News Index 102 Flash 150 Newsreel 152 Politics Index News Xtra Main menuP143 CJEFAX 2 143 Fri 26 Dec 01:18/44 HEZBOLLAH DISMISSES ISRAELI REPORT The Ljbanjsj-based militant group Hezbollah has denied any link with a German national arrested in Israel on charges of planning a suicide attack. Israeli claims that the German had connections with the organization wire part of a morale-boosting exercise, a Hezbollah statement said. The arrested man, Joseph Smirak, told interrogators hj had been trained by Hezbollah in the use of explosives. The Hezbollah denial was reported bz Monte Carlo radio. 4/6 Headlines 101 Extra 140 Ticket 151 News Index 102 Flash 150 Newsreel 154 Politics Index News Xtra Main menuP143 CEEFAX 2 143 Fri 26 Dec 01:18/22 SLOVAK TRAMPS FEAST ON SAUERKRAUT SOUP Homeless Slovaks are discovering that Christmas is indeed the season of goodwill - at least as far as sauerkraut (cabbage) soup is concerned. The Slovak news agency TARS quoted one homeless man in Bratislava as saying that hj had had 12 bowls of the soup in the three days before Christmas. Various restaurants, pubs and charities are treating the homeless people of the city to this nourishing dish. The same man said that hr also hoped to have a few biers on Christmas Day. 5/6 Headlines 101 Extra 140 Ticker 151 News Index 102 Flash 150 Newsreel 154 Politics Index News Xtta Main menuP143 CEEFAX 2 143 Fri 26 Dec 01:18/37 GORBY CONSIDERS SHOWBIZ CAREER Formjt Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev is thinking of entering the world of show business, Moscow Echo radio reported. It quoted the senior executive of the Vid television company as saying the former leader could become a talk-show host. The executive said "Gorbz" could interview top personalities like Steven Spielberg, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is currently starring in a Russian Pizza Hut advert. 6/6 Headlines 101 Extra 140 Ticker 151 News Index 102 Flash 150 Newsreel 152 Politics Index News Xtra Main menu