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SARS killer pneumonia whips up panic

          New Delhi, Apr 3: Hospital authorities in New Delhi said on Thursday there was no cause for panic about the killer pneumonia epidemic currently sweeping through 17 countries. The epidemic known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has claimed nearly 80 lives worldwide. India has not reported a single case of the pneumonia so far but the disease has caused widespread fear, particularly in east Asia, where most of the deaths occurred, and forced Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada to impose strict quarantine measures. (Details)

Aishwarya under good care in Mumbai hospital

          Mumbai, Apr 3: Indian film actress Aishwarya Rai was flown to Mumbai on Thursday after she got injured in an accident during the rehearsal of the film 'Khaki' at a location not far from Nasik. Doctors treating Aishwarya at Hinduja hospital for fractured leg and bruises said there was no cause for worry. "There are some injuries in the leg which have already been treated upon in Nasik and now the doctors are taking care in this hospital. There is nothing to be anxious about and she is absolutely fine," said Dr Sanjay Aggawral, chief surgeon at the hospital.

          Aishwarya's father Krishna Raj Rai, however, appeared quite worried about her health. "She is all right. She is in good hands. The doctor told us not to worry. But we as parents are anxious that she should get well soon. We want to be on her side and take care of her emotional health", he said. Rai was knocked down into a throny bush by a car which was to be used in a scene. The driver apparently lost control, thus causing the mishap on Wednesday.

Landmine blast kills BBC cameraman in Iraq (Go To Top)

          London, Apr. 3: A BBC journalist was killed after he stepped on a landmine in northern Iraq on Wednesday. Kaveh Golestan, 52, an Iranian freelance cameraman for BBC, died instantly when a mine on which he had stepped after climbing out of his car exploded. The incident took place in Kifri.

           Producer Stuart Hughes, 31, injured his foot in the explosion, while correspondent Jim Muir and their translator were unhurt, the BBC said. Hughes was being treated in a nearby American military hospital.

Iraqis shoot down US copter, bomber; seven killed (Go To Top)

          Baghdad, Apr. 3: A US helicopter and a bomber have been shot down by Iraqi forces. Of the 11 soldiers on board the copter, seven were killed and four injured. Pentagon officials said a US Army Black Hawk helicopter was downed in southern Iraq on Wednesday. This is the second US helicopter lost in the war.

          Two American television channels reported that the F/A-18 Hornet fighter-bomber was shot down by a missile. The jet was based on the US aircraft-carrier Kitty Hawk. The helicopter was downed by small-arms fire near Karbala, the site of fierce fighting between the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and Iraqi troops, including Republican Guard forces. The other four soldiers on board the Black Hawk were wounded and rescued, officials said.

           Meanwhile, the coalition troops pushed to within 10 km of the southern edge of the Iraqi Capital on Thursday, and were preparing to fight for control of the city's airport, according to US officials. In the south, British forces continued the coalition campaign to try to take Basra. In Najaf, according to the US Central Command coalition, the troops faced firing by Iraqi forces from inside a mosque, one of the world's most important Shiite Muslim shrines.

           Troops with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine entered the so-called "red zone" within at least 50 miles of Baghdad and perhaps closer. Units advancing up the Tigris encountered artillery and mortar fire, but killed about 100 Iraqis and captured 50, passing an abandoned airfield and barracks along the way. The US forces repelled two heavy Iraqi counter-attacks early Thursday against the key Mussayib bridge they captured on Wednesday over the Euphrates river.

Hizbul's second-in-command killed in gunbattle (Go To Top)

           Srinagar, Apr 3: Indian security forces shot dead a senior leader of Kashmir's main guerrilla group, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, on Wednesday. Saif-ul-Islam, chief commander of operations of the Pakistan- based Hizb, was killed in a gunbattle. Money, a satellite phone and guns were recovered from his hideout.

           Saif-ul-Islam was the deputy of the group's Pakistan-based supreme commander Syed Salahuddin. He had taken over the reins of the outfit from Abdul Majid Dar, a moderate separatist shot dead by gunmen last month.

NC chief insists on talks with Pakistan (Go To Top)

          Srinagar, Apr 3: The National Conference party of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday said New Delhi had no other option but to talk to Islamabad to resolve the dispute. Omar Abdullah, president of the National Conference, which is an ally of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's ruling coalition, said the steps taken by New Delhi to curb militancy in the State had not been very effective.

          The two nuclear rivals came close to the brink of a war last year after a raid on Parliament which New Delhi said was carried by Pakistan-based militant outfits. Around a million troops were massed along their border in the Kashmir region. "We are of the opinion that till now the federal Government tried using force. After December 13, India massed troops along the border but nothing happened. Infiltration has not stopped. So there is no option but to talk", he said

Aamir, Naseeruddin receive Padma awards (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Apr 3: Cine stars Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Danny Dengzongpa and Rakhee Gulzar received Padma awards here on Thursday. Famous folk singer Teejan Bai was also honoured with Padma Bhushan award for her invincible style of singing. President APJ Abdul Kalam gave away the awards at a simple function at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

          While Naseerudin Shah and Teejan Bai received Padma Bhushan, Aamir Khan, Rakhee and Danny were awarded Padma Shri. After receiving the awards, Khan, whose latest endeavour 'Lagaan' was a superhit, said, "this award is important to me. I will keep working and hope to continue to do a good job". Recipient of Padma Bhushan, 53-year old Naseerudin Shah, who is more known as a theatre personality, said "I am proud to receive this award. I am grateful to the Government to have thought it fit to consider me for it. It has happened at the right time." Reacting to her Padma Shri award, Rakhee simply said, "it's very nice". Actor-turned- politician and Minister of State for External Affairs Vinod Khanna was among others present on the occasion.