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Gangsters pose as police to fleece foreign tourists (SEE TRAVEL NEWS)

US, Europe pressure for copter force along LOC

          London, Aug 4: The Group of Eight (G-8) nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) are seriously considering deploying an international helicopter force to check alleged infiltration on the Line of Control (LoC) dividing India and Pakistan, defence sources in Brussels were quoted as saying. According to the News, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is behind this proposal known as the 'Straw Formula'. The paper claimed that European diplomats to have told New Delhi and Islamabad that a workable mechanism to monitor infiltration is essential in view of Europe's increasing economic and defence ties with these two countries.

          The 'Straw Formula' reportedly insists that Europe should convince India that the proposed helicopter force would not affect New Delhi's position on Kashmir i.e. that the vexed issue be resolved bilaterally, a European diplomat, who requested anonymity, underlined. Diplomats on either side of the Atlantic say Indian and Pakistan allegations and denials must be checked through an independent mechanism as ambiguity on this account was creating difficulties for Western countries wanting to condition their respective aid packages for developing countries.

Jamali talks of Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus link

          Islamabad, Aug 4: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali says there is the possibility of a bus service from Muzaffarabad to Srinagar as between Pakistan and India. "Like Dosti Bus service between India and Pakistan, a similar service is also possible between the divided Kashmirs that may pave the way to resolve 55-year old Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir," Jamali said on Sunday in the BBC programme in Urdu and Hindi.

Vajpayee defends Ayodhya statement (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Aug 4: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Monday said that his government's stand on the issue of building Ram temple in Ayodhya has not and would not change. "I am hurt that my speech on Friday during the funeral ceremony of Mahant Paramhans Das has led to a political controversy. What is the big deal if I said that the dream of the dead saint would be fulfilled by constructing the temple," Vajpayee said while replying to an adjournment motion brought forward by the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. "Nowhere in my speech did I mention anything about where the temple should be built. I just said the Mahant's last wishes should be fulfilled," he said. "I have always been saying that there are only two possible solutions to the Ayodhya issue. It can be resolved either through a court decision, or by mutual agreement between the two communities (Hindus and Muslims). And, I have never changed my stand."

Bangladesh to prevent India's river basin inter-link plan (Go To Top)

          Dhaka, Aug 4: Bangladesh has said that it would prevent India from implementing a plan to inter-link its river basins (with Bangladesh), as it would affect the lives of people living in the lower stretches of Bangladesh. "We will lodge a protest with New Delhi against its proposed plan," the Daily Times quoted Bangladesh Water Resources Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed as saying. He said the plan would "affect the livelihood and environment of lower riparian Bangladesh." Ahmed claimed that the international law does not allow India to undertake any such project. "We will also ask donors not to fund New Delhi to inter-link its river systems," he added. Many environment groups have called for a massive campaign against the project "since it was also likely to cause an adverse impact in vast areas of India."

Flood claims eight lives in UP area (Go To Top)

        Kushinagar (UP), Aug. 4: Eight people have died and thousands have been marooned due to unprecedented floods in Kushinagar town and neighbouring Amavakhas village in Uttar Pradesh. The areas have been submerged due to the overflooding of Narayani river that flows from neighbouring Nepal. Villagers said flood waters have washed away their standing crops. District officials said that floods have caused severe damage to life and property in the region. With the growing population and deforestation in the hills the ensuing ecological imbalance subjects people living on the Indio-Nepal border to regular threats of floods, landslides and other natural disasters.

UK IT honchos angry over Indian adviser to work permit panel  (Go To Top)

          London, Aug 4: Information technology (IT) specialists in Britain are up in arms over a decision by the British Home Office to appoint an Indian trade body to a panel that advises officials on Britain's work permit policy. The specialists believe that appointing the India Business Group (TIBG) to represent Indian software suppliers on the government's IT sector skills panel will allow companies to take advantage of lax visa rules and bring in cheap labour from overseas, especially India. "We are not opposed to having a strong employer input to the panel, but it should be through organisations representing industry sectors in the UK," Peter Skyte, the national organiser of the Amicus Union, was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

Two militants killed in Baramulla encounter (Go To Top)

          Srinagar, Aug 4: Two militants were killed by security forces at Behak region in Baramulla district Sunday night, official sources said on Monday. The incident took place when a security force party was attacked by the militants hiding in Behak village. The security forces retaliated and in the ensuing encounter two militants were killed. Two AK rifles and 99 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the area.

Undefeated India 'A' given warm welcome (Go To Top)

          Mumbai, Aug 4: An undefeated India 'A' team returned home early on Monday morning to a warm welcome after completing its successful month-long tour to England. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials received the team, which also drew one match against the visiting South African team, at the Chhatrapati Shivaji international airport here. According to coach Sandeep Patil, the outstanding performers on the tour were openers Wasim Jaffer and Gautam Gambhir, captain and vice captain Shiv Sundar Das and Hemang Badani and bowlers Amit Bhandari and Aavishkar Salvi, and to some extent wicket- keeper-batsman Parthiv Patel. ''It has been a fruitful tour. We have managed to remain unbeaten and that is a positive sign,'' Patil said, adding that the various combinations applied in the matches had worked out well.

Bottomlines

 

Supreme Court clears 'Karishma' telecast (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Aug 4: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected US- based novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford's plea and allowed the telecast of Sahara TV serial 'Karishma - A Miracle of Destiny', vindicating the Calcutta High Court judgement. The court, however, waived the penalty imposed on her by the High Court. A Bench comprising Justices N Santosh Hegde and B P Singh put down the novelist's plea seeking stay on the telecast of the serial saying it would not interfere with the judgement of the High Court. However, the Bench felt that the High Court should not have imposed penalty upon Bradford as the order was passed at an interim stage. Bradford could still have taken the matter for trial. Bradford had alleged that the serial was an unauthorised copy of her famous novel 'A Woman of Substance' and sought a stay on its telecast. The Calcutta High Court had on July 21 dismissed her request and allowed the telecast of the controversial serial. It had also directed the novelist to pay damages for the delay in the serial's telecast as well as the litigation cost.

Britney to produce film on her life (Go To Top)

          London, Aug 4: She is only 21 years old but sizzling Britney Spears is set to make a film on her life titled 'Holly.' The pop star, however, will produce and not act in the movie, according to the Sun. The project is based on a book Britney co-wrote with her mum. It tells the story of a God-fearing wannabe who pursues her dream of becoming a famous singer. It is important for Britney that 'Holly' does better than her first movie, 'Crossroads' which bombed at the UK box office last year. Britney made her acting debut with Crossroads.

Timberlake - the world's sexiest man: Poll (Go To Top)

          Washington, Aug 4: 'Nsync' star Justin Timberlake, 22, has been rated as the world's sexiest man, according to a poll by British magazine Company. The 'Cry Me River' singer, who is currently dating actress Cameron Diaz, shot up 46 places to land the number one spot at this year's '100 Sexiest Men survey'. Timberlake has even ousted soccer hero David Beckham, who was second on the list, while Hollywood heart-throb Brad Pitt bagged the third place. "It takes a special bloke to knock David Beckham off his throne but Justin has done it," Rate the Music quoted 'Company' editor Sam Baker, as saying. 'Blue' singer Duncun James secured the fourth position while British pop star Robbie Williams was placed in fifth. Meanwhile, superstar Michael Jackson has taken top honours in a survey on the world's most unsexy men.

Once behind bars, never behind wheels for Farrell (Go To Top)

          Washington, Aug. 4: Irish movie star Colin Farrell says he will never drive a car again. Farrell was stripped off his licence six years ago when he was caught sitting in his car with a pint of beer between his knees. According to rate the music.com, the star was having an argument with his girlfriend in his car outside his favourite Irish pub, when the police caught him. "I had a pint in between my legs and it was like 1.30a.m. and the pub was closed and the police came up and said, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'I'm talking to my bird,'" explains Farrell. "He was like, 'Have you had a drink tonight?' and I said, 'Yes, I have had a drink officer but I'm not driving,' and he said, 'Well that doesn't matter. The keys are in the ignition,' he says. "I didn't know they can do you for intent, and I got two years. I got locked up and my mother had to come down in her dressing gown and bail me out at about five in the morning, God bless her." Since then the star lost all charm for driving. "Those days are long gone, because I can't drive anymore," he says.

Harry 'Lord of the Ladies' lusty lair (Go To Top)

          London, Aug 4: Prince Harry may be a long way from becoming King of England, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying the best of both worlds. He has all the fun - all the privilege and the pleasure - with none of the hassles, while his elder brother Williams is not so fortunate. Harry, 17, has appropriately been named 'Lord of the Ladies'. A New York Post article quotes Vanity Fair as saying that Harry has been plowing through legions of 'long-stemmed blondes' whom he entices with the pick-up line: "Do you want to come back to my palace for a drink?" If the lady accepts, Harry takes her back to 'Club H' - Harry's basement den of debauchery at dad Prince Charles' estate in Highgrove, Scotland. Harry has sealed many a romance in his lusty lair which is equipped with a sophisticated sound system and a well-stocked bar, the report says. Though 'Will Wales,' as he likes to be called, is under a more intense spotlight, the dashing, 6-foot-3, monarch-in-waiting has been linked to more than a dozen well-bred British beauties over the years. While he has reportedly conducted a series of e-mail exchanges with President Bush's stunning model niece Lauren Bush, William has actually been seeing another lovely young lady - Amanda Bush, who is no relation to the U.S. political dynasty, the report said.

Countryside upbringing for Crowes baby (Go To Top)

          London, Aug 4: Oscar-winning Australian actor Russell Crowe and his wife Danielle Spencer have decided to move into the countryside to raise their baby. Crowe and a very pregnant Danielle have moved out of their apartment in Sydney to their ranch 400 miles away. The farm, spread over 800 acres, is located in Nana Glen, New South Wales, Their 10-million-pound pad overlooking Sydney Harbour is currently empty, reports the Sun.

Wedding bells for Kylie, Olivier? (Go To Top)

          London, Aug 4: Wedding bells may be round the corner for Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue and her French actor beau Olivier Martinez. According to a report in the Mail, the two are planning to get engaged soon. Minogue, 35, recently flew out of Britain to the Canadian sets of her 37-year-old lover's new film 'Taking Lives' amid reports that Martinez was having an affair with his co-star, Oscar-winning U.S. actress Angelina Jolie. "Kylie has come back over the moon. She went out to see Olivier and was well aware of the rumours that were circulating, but he assured her that everything was fine, and she is the woman for him," the Advertiser quoted a friend as telling the Mail.

Farrell's 'two inches, hard as a rock' (Go To Top)

          London, Aug 4: Hollywood hunk Colon Farrell says he can't and would never be able to compete sexually with the likes of actress Pamela Anderson and her drummer boy ex-husband Lee. Commenting on the infamous Anderson-Lee porn video, the Minority Report star, 27, whose conquests include actress Demi Moore and pop babe Britney Spears, said "I'd follow that trend if I could, but it's physically impossible. "Tommy is hung like a donkey, man. Good for him! They call him T- Bone. Me; two inches. Hard as a rock", the Irish bad boy was quoted as saying by the Sun.