PHILIPPINES

Group Urges Halt to Nuclear Plant Payments: The Anti-Graft League of the Philippines told the Filipino Supreme Court that the payments on loans from several foreign banks, including the U.S. Export-Import Bank, should be discontinued because the construction contract with Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse is invalid. The $2.2-billion nuclear power plant, which has never been used, was completed in 1985 after many delays and cost overruns under the late President Ferdinand Marcos, who was accused of taking bribes from the builders, Westinghouse Electric Corp. and Oradell, N.J.-based Burns & Roe. The government is paying $300,000 a day in interest on the loans.