session for 1997 wrapped up on a sentimental note, and it was just as bizarre as last week's protest in the House. ---- Page 2 POLICE TO NEGOTIATE DEALS POL Police to negotiate deals New powers to allow Police to negotiate their own pay deals passed through the Senate yesterday. The 11 members of the Upper House also backed new laws to punish modern-day pirates and terrorists on the high seas. ---- Page 2 POLICE INVESTIGATE ATTACKS CRM Police investigate attacks Police are investigating two separate incidents in which men were attacked by gangs of youths. The first attack happened on Friswell's Road, Pembroke, on Tuesday night. The second attack happened at the Roosters restaurant in Hamilton in the early hours of Wednesday morning. ---- Page 5 STORY WINNERS OF ANNOUNCED CPN Story winners of announced The Royal Gazette's popular Christmas Short Story Contest received more than 400 entries this year in both the adult category and the under 18 division. Winner of the adult category was Gillian Hazledine whose short story told the tale of a modern day Scrooge who, with the help of Santa Claus and the Internet, becomes a true believer in the spirit of Christmas. ---- Page 5 PAYNE TOLD `YOU'RE TOO OLD!' CYC Payne told `You're too old!' Veteran Bermudian cyclist Jeff Payne endured a two-day journey to get to Malaysia for the World B cycling championships -- only to be told he was too old to compete. Officials at the race site at Ipoh, 100 miles north of Kuala Lumpur, were concerned when they saw 58-year-old Payne's documentation, claiming there must have been an error over his date of birth. ---- Sport, Page 15 BISHOP EXPRESSES DISPLEASURE CHU Bishop expresses displeasure Anglican Bishop Ewen Ratteray has voiced dissatisfaction with the announcement in the media of American Canon John Diehl's appointment to residentiary Canon at the Anglican Cathedral. ---- Religion, Page 18