Mozambique's parties trade accusations on eve of election

Frelimo backers voice support for President Chissano

In this story: Mozambique's parties trade accusations on eve of election Bahamians turn to faith to overcome storm aftermath Treasure of Orthodox Church impresses visitors to Georgia Sand artists create small-scale monuments on Chinese beach Pumping iron pays off for New Zealand muscleman About CNN World Report RELATED STORIES, SITES

The southern African nation of Mozambique is working to establish a democratic tradition in a country that has seen years of civil war since becoming independent from Portugal in 1975.

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Mozambique held its first multiparty elections in 1994, and a new round of national elections follows in early December. But that short tradition of democracy is being tested in the period leading up to the elections: The air is filled with charges of violence and intimidation by supporters of both the ruling Frelimo party and the main opposition group, Renamo.

South Africa's SABC previewed Mozambique's upcoming election for CNN World Report viewers, revealing some of the accusations and counter-accusations flying between the different parties in recent weeks. SABC correspondent James Barkhuizen says the Renamo party of former rebel leader Afonso Dhlakama has issued complaints of unfair election procedure and has questioned the autonomy of the country's election commission.

SABC reports that Renamo has charged the governing Frelimo party of "disruption of free political activity." But Frelimo officials on the campaign trail with President Joaquim Chissano in Maputo province defended themselves to SABC, denying the claims of improper actions.

Storm victims search for strength to start anew in the Bahamas

The 1999 Atlantic Ocean hurricane season has come to a close after an active period of storms, including an unusually late threat from Hurricane Lenny, which raked the islands of the eastern Caribbean. The Bahamas were left unscathed by Lenny, but earlier this year, Hurricane Floyd devastated parts of that island country.

The Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas told CNN World Report viewers how three months after Floyd flattened homes and shattered lives on Abaco Island, residents are still struggling to get back on their feet. Storm victims are being helped by the millions of dollars raised by a hurricane relief fund.

But rebuilding remains difficult, especially since a significant number of affected residents on Abaco have no insurance. Bahamas Broadcasting introduced one woman who was fortunate in that the storm left her house standing, providing a roof over her head, but the dwelling was so badly damaged that it will need to be torn down to make way for a new home.

Reporter Jerome Sawyer spoke with homeless Abaco Island residents who are finding the willpower to continue through their Christian faith. Rosa May Sand has been living with her family in the upstairs space of a church near her destroyed home. "I don't have the means right now to build another home. But I say, 'Lord, I'm dependent upon you to provide a home for me,'" she says.

Monastery visitor pauses for moment of reflection

The Orthodox Church of the Caucasus nation of Georgia has a long history ... a history that by many accounts dates back to the third century. The Church's heritage includes a number of architectural relics, among them the Davidgaredga Monastery, originally built in the sixth century.

Georgia's MIR Television took viewers on a tour of the Davidgaredga Monastery, located in eastern Georgia on the semi-arid slopes of Mount Garedga. The monastery was constructed on the spot near a natural cave where a Syrian monk named David once settled.

MIR Television reporter Eka Burjanadze says that over the centuries the monastery suffered frequent attacks by invaders who swept through Georgia. But despite this turbulent history, the edifice still stands, ready to amaze and educate those who enter its chambers. "Throughout its history, Davidgaredga tolerated many severe blows, but it always rose from the ashes. Everything that remains today still captures the admiration of visitors," Burjanadze says.

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Shanghai TV explains how sand castles have become a form of art in China Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

Castles, famous faces, even the ill-fated luxury ship "Titanic" recently took shape on the Chinese island of Zhou Shan. They may sound like leftovers from a Hollywood movie production, but the sculptures were actually created by mixing thousands of grains of sand with some creative imaginations. China's Shanghai TV showed CNN World Report viewers the fruits of the sand-sculptors' efforts.

Thousands filled Nevsky Square in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, as Bill Clinton became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Eastern European country. Contributor station BNT covered the visit, which coincided with celebrations marking ten years since the end of Communist rule in Bulgaria.

BNT's Risida Dimitrova reported that Clinton encouraged Bulgarians to continue in their embrace of democracy, and that he pledged the support of the United States in the development of a free market economy in Bulgaria. The U.S. president also praised Bulgaria for its assistance of NATO during the Kosovo conflict.

Awareness of health issues is growing among older Singaporean men

The United Nations has designated 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons, in recognition of the world's rapidly expanding elderly population. The number of senior citizens in the world is expected to double in the next 20 years. Medical advances are helping us live longer lives, but age- related health problems are increasing too.

Physicians gathered recently in Singapore to focus on problems facing men as they grow older. Singapore's TCS was there and learned that the physiological and emotional changes brought about by menopause affect not only women, but men as well. The first-ever Singapore National Congress on the Aging Male hoped to raise awareness of the fact that men also have special health concerns as they reach older age.

While doctors attending the congress urged greater individual responsibility for good health, they told TCS correspondent Sharon Tong that the popularity of anti-aging therapies and drugs such as Viagra are raising concerns of their own. Many doctors say they discourage reliance on medications when health can be maintained through natural means.

Levi Vaoga shows why he's New Zealand's strongest man

It's a powerful tale that leads from humble beginnings to worldwide fame: Levi Vaoga, a 28-year-old New Zealand man, has been lifting homemade weights such as sand-filled drums because he hasn't been able to afford expensive sports equipment. But now he's distinguished himself with the honor of being the 11th strongest man in the world, as he made his mark in a recent world strongman competition.

New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ caught up with Vaoga during one of his training sessions at his home in Waiouru, New Zealand. The muscleman demonstrated his technique for TVNZ cameras, hoisting a water-filled cylinder in each hand, each weighing a hundred kilograms. He also made flipping a 300-kilogram forklift tire look almost effortless.

TVNZ reported that Vaoga now works with a trainer, but he got his start in the sport by teaching himself how to lift weights. It was as much necessity as athletic passion that launched the strongman's push to the top of the muscle world: "I got laid off and I had no income, so I started competing to get the money," Vaoga said.