1997 Dec 25, Richard Bliss, a field technician for Qualcomm Inc. accused of spying in Russia, arrived in San Diego after Russian authorities were persuaded to let him return home. 1997 Dec 25, In Algeria Interior Minister Mustapha Benmansour announced that the ruling National Democratic Rally won 80 of 96 contested seats. A gale hit Britain and Ireland with 100 mph winds and 4 people were killed. A French fishing vessel was feared to have sunk off Wales. 1997 Dec 25, From the Ivory Coast it was reported that early marriages in sub-Saharan Africa were still very common.
Islamic law allows the marriage of girls as soon as they can conceive.
Int'l. for Asia Satellite Telecom. 1997 Dec 25, In Sri Lanka fighting erupted in the north and at least 17 people were killed. In Zambia former president Kenneth Kaunda was confined to prison for 28 days on suspicion of being linked to the Oct 27 coup attempt. 1998 Dec 25, Seven days into their journey , American millionaire Steve Fossett, British mogul Richard Branson and Per Lindstrom of Sweden set down their ICO Global Challenger balloon in the Pacific near Honolulu. This ended their latest effort to circumnavigate the world.