Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, October 2, 1994                   TAG: 9410030073
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

IN THE WORLD

BEIJING - In celebration of 45 years of communist rule, lavish fireworks lit the skies over Tiananmen Square on Saturday - five years after the army crushed pro-democracy demonstrations there.

Every five years, the People's Republic of China marks the anniversary of its birth with a special celebration. This year's festivities seemed designed to promote the Communist Party's message of economic well-being and patriotism.

The festive atmosphere was in stark contrast to five years ago, when the vast concrete-paved plaza was closed to all but carefully selected groups - and empty on the eve of National Day - following the violent suppression of pro-democracy celebrations several months earlier.

- Associated Press

`Great swindler' nabbed in Italy

TURIN, Italy - Wanted for more than 20 years by the FBI and other police worldwide, the ``great swindler'' of the gaming world has been arrested at an Italian casino.

Italian news agencies and RAI state TV reported Saturday that Turin police picked up Giuseppe Martorana, a 55-year-old Italian, as he was pulling a ``winning'' card out of his pocket during a game at a casino in St. Vincent.

News reports said Martorana, both a dealer and a player during his gaming career, was suspected of cheating for 24 years from Las Vegas to the French Riviera.

Eight Italians allegedly involved in the schemes also were arrested. There was no immediate estimate of how much money was involved in the alleged cheating.

- Associated Press