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No parliamentary probe into Judeo scandal: Vajpayee (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Dec 11: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Thursday rejected the demand for parliamentary committee probe into the bribery scandal involving former Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Dilip Singh Judeo, saying it amounted to denigrating the role of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Judeo was accused of accepting money from an Australian company for obtaining mining rights in Chhattisgarh.

          Strongly defending the CBI probe into the case, Vajpayee regretted the Opposition's attack on the agency. "Even the joint parilamentary committee will have to collect evidence. How will it do that? What will it do? Where will it go? For that, it will have to take the support of the CBI only," he said. "There is no need for a committee, what we need is to find the truth," he added.

Patna HC raps Bihar Govt over engineer's murder (Go To Top)

         Patna, Dec 11: The Patna High Court on Thursday rapped the Government of Bihar, and directed it to file a detailed report explaining how Satyendra Dubey, a government engineer, was murdered and why he was not provided adequate security. The court also asked the state government to present a time-bound roadmap for the the Golden Quadrangle highway project.

          "Tomorrow the court will hear the case. The Bihar Government will have to clarify before the court as why honest engineers are scared of working in the state. The message, that honest engineers cannot work in Bihar, has gone across the country. The government will have to give a roadmap of the highway project and complete it within a time frame providing full safety and security to the workers," M.P. Gupta, the petitioner, said.

          Dubey, a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), was killed after he complained about irregularities in the massive project. He had written to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee informing him about the irregularities and had urged secrecy. But media reports say his name was leaked, leading to his murder.

Assam CM wants troops to stay (Go To Top)

         New Delhi, Dec 11: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday said he wanted additional troops deployed in the state because of the violence against Behari settlers to stay on. Gogoi, who met Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, said that though the situation was under complete control, he did not want to take any chances. Fifty-nine immigrant Bihari settlers were killed in the violence in November. "I (Gogoi) apprised him (Advani) of the law and order situation and I told him that everything is fully under control and I have got the additional forces. We were given the forces till the 15th of this month, but I have said that we want to continue keeping the forces," Gogoi said.

          The violence broke out after Assamese students feared that Biharis would grab prized government jobs in the state of about 26 million people. Officials said that what started as a clash between Assamese and Bihari students had been hijacked by ULFA separatists to revive their flagging morale. One of India's richest states, Assam complains that jobs often go to outsiders. They also accuse New Delhi of exploiting the state's wealth and neglecting its development.

Air India launches inaugural flight to Shanghai (Go To Top)

         New Delhi, Dec 11: Air India on Thursday launched its inaugural flight to Shanghai. The bi-weekly flight left Mumbai at 6.10 a.m., stopped at New Delhi at 9 a.m., before embarking on its nine-hour flight with 201 passengers to Shanghai. (See Travel News for Details)

India opens airways for 10 S.E. Asian nations  (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Dec 11: The Union Cabinet has approved the operation of daily flights connecting 10 South East Asian nations with four Indian metros on a reciprocal basis. The flights will operate to and from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. (See Travel News)

US army specialist Uday Singh cremated (Go To Top)

          Chandigarh, Dec 11: The body of Seargent Uday Singh, a US Army Specialist, was cremated with full military honours in Chandigarh on Thursday. He became the first Indian casualty in the Iraq war, losing his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom on December 1. Singh, a gunner, was killed in an ambush in Hannaniyah. US Army personnel paid homage to Singh by laying the US flag on his coffin. A US Army General flew in to India to pay homage to Uday. Singh's father, grandmother, mother and sister were there when his remains were consigned to flames.

          Uday Singh, 21, had enlisted in th U.S. Army in 2001 after he had completed his schooling from St.Stephen's School here. After undergoing training for 16 weeks at Fort Knox in Kentucky, Uday was assigned to the 1st Batallion, 34th Armour Regiment, Ist Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas. Uday's unit was deployed in Iraq in September this year. Uday had even received appreciation certificates from the US Army for his meritorious service.

New electoral reforms; ban on tobacco promotion (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Dec 11: India announced major electoral reforms on Thursday to control the defection of lawmakers and limit the size of the Council of Ministers. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the government proposed to table a legislation to fix the size of the Cabinet at 15 percent of the Lok Sabha. "There have been some new recommendations. They have said that instead of 10 percent in both houses, 15 percent of the Lower House only will be the strength of the Council of Ministers. This will lead to uniformity in the country", Swaraj said. The government has accepted the parliamentary committee's recommendation to fix the size of the Council of Ministers to 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha to ensure uniformity of the law in the country.

          Swaraj also said that the Cabinet has also approved plans to draft a legislation to ban tobacco advertising and agreed to ratify an international anti-smoking convention, becoming the seventh nation to do so. India is a signatory to the FCTC resolution. The convention prohibits advertising the promotion of tobacco products and the sponsorship by tobacco companies of sporting and other events.

Pak not to import Indian wheat (Go To Top)

          Islamabad, Dec 11: Pakistan's Ministry of Food and Agriculture has dropped plans of importing wheat from India. "The Indian wheat is infected with kernel brunt disease and the ministry has decided against its import. The ministry can recommend wheat from other countries to fill the gap between its production and consumption in Pakistan," a senior official of the ministry told the Daily Times. He also said that earlier the ministry had disallowed the transit of Indian wheat to Afghanistan through the Wagah border a couple of years ago and also asked the World Food Programme not to provide Indian flour to anywhere in Pakistan.

New York's Freedom Tower to be world's tallest building: US daily (Go To Top)

          New York, Dec 11: Design plans for the Freedom Tower in New York envision the huge structure reclaiming the title of the world's tallest building with its tip stretching some 2,000 feet into the sky, a New York based daily reported on Thursday. Final plans for the massive tower are due to be unveiled by New York governor George Pataki next week, the newspaper reported. Freedom Tower, as Pataki has dubbed it, is due to replace the twin towers at the World Trade Centre site in southern New York that were destroyed by terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The design is largely the work of David Childs, the architect for the tower's developer, Larry Silverstein.

India beat Iran by 27 to 1 1/2 goals in Polo World Cup (Go To Top)

          Lahore, Dec 11: India beat Iran in a match of the Polo World Cup Zone 'D' playoff matches by 27 to 11/2 goals on Thursday at Lahore's Aibak Stadium. Iran was also beaten by hosts Pakistan with 11/2 to 20 goals and the tournament favorite Australia by 3 1/2 to 19 goals in earlier playoff matches of the Polo World Cup Zone 'D'. India has played three matches and won two of them. It lost one of its crucial matches against Australia after a tough contest, the News reported.

Shaharyar favours Latif's comeback (Go To Top)

          Karachi, Dec 11: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) new chairman Shaharyar Khan has indicated that former captain Rashid Latif might return to the side as a player or hold a key position in the Board. Quoting sources, the News reported that Khan had contacted Latif and had a long meeting with the latter here. Latif was removed from the team earlier this year. His dropping reportedly came up for discussion and the new chairman indicated that he was aware of the reasons that prompted Rashid to step down as captain. The paper said that Shaharyar has a lot of regard for the former captain as both of them were together in the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.

Hype over on-field incidents unhealthy, warns Waugh (Go To Top)

          Sydney, Dec 11: Giving a new twist to the controversy surrounding his running out of Damien Martyn in the Brisbane Test against India, Australian skipper Steve Waugh warned that the excessive media hype over the incident could result in difficulties in opening out to the media in the future. "It's going to be difficult. We had an example of that the other day, with once again going back to the run-out. If people are made to pay for their mistakes so heavily, it's going to be difficult to be open talking to the media," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Waugh as saying during the team's interaction with the press ahead of the second Test at Adelaide.

          Asked if he was still upset by the fallout, a chagrined Waugh said: "It's still in the papers a week later. Are you going to blame fielders for dropping easy catches in the future? Where does it stop? A mix-up, a run-out, and still seven days later we're still talking about it." "I can't come to terms with that, no. It's not right. If you create issues like that, guys are going to be scared if they make a mistake out in the field, they're going to be thinking what are the consequences of that?" he added. Accepting that he would be very closely watched during this series - an undesirable side effect of his decision to retire from international cricket, the veteran Australian skipper said that his announcement two weeks ago was partly motivated by a wish to reduce the attention on himself.

           "Scrutiny's going to be there. No doubt about that. Particularly on myself in my last series. But I made the decision in the belief it was the right decision - to get all the information out there and let's get on with the cricket," he said. Known throughout his career for being outspoken on numerous controversies, Waugh has often confronted journalists when their views clashed with his, but then usually moved on. This time too, Waugh has said that he could not accept the amount or the nature of publicity generated by the Martyn run-out incident. He categorically said that the Brisbane Test contained unwanted distractions of a kind he would try to avoid at the Adelaide Oval.

          One abnormality was the fact Waugh - and no other batsman - was accompanied by a Channel Nine camera when he walked out to bat last Friday, and for an inordinately long time. Waugh said the channel representative had apologized later. "It went a bit longer than I thought, so I was a little bit put off by that. If that sort of thing happens next time I'll be a little bit better prepared for it," he said. He said his preparation for Adelaide would be "probably a bit more low key." "I'll just relax a bit, just go out and try and enjoy the cricket as much as you can and focus on the team, which we always do," he added.

Kartik rushed to Adelaide, Harbhajan unfit (Go To Top)

          Kolkata, Dec 11: Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik has been rushed to Australia ahead of India's second Test starting in Adelaide on Friday. Defending the BCCI's decision to send Kartik, BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said he was being sent as a reinforcement to the team as off spinner Harbhajan Singh looked unfit. "Murali Kartik has been sent as a reinforcment. He is neither a replacement or an addition. He is a reinforcement because in the last game Harbajan did not look fit enough to me," he said.

          Kartik, 27, last played for India against Zimbabwe in New Delhi over three years ago. His call-up follows a lacklustre performance by Harbhajan Singh in the Brisbane Test, where he managed just one wicket at a cost of 169 runs. Harbhajan said this week that he had not fully recovered from a finger injury sustained earlier this year. Kartik impressed in a one-day triangular series against Australia and New Zealand last month and just missed out selection for the Australian tour behind Harbhajan and leg spinner Anil Kumble.

          Meanwhile, the BCCI has said that it would issue a notice to batsman Abhijit Kale over allegations that he tried to bribe his way into the Indian team. "We had today gone through the report submitted by Subba Rao and decided to issue a notice to frame charges against Abhijit Kale," Dalmiya told reporters. The 30-year-old Kale, a prolific batsman for Maharashtra, was suspended last month after two selectors, Kiran More and Pranab Roy, both former players, alleged that he had offered them a bribe of Rs. 10 lakh each. Kale has denied any wrong-doing and challenged his suspension in court.

Bottomlines

Urmila overwhelmed by Lahori love! (Go To Top)

          Lahore, Dec 11: Bollywood star Urmila Matondkar doesn't want to go back to India too soon, saying that she is delighted with the reception she has received here. In the city to shoot a music video - Moving Closer for Pakistani band Fuzon - to promote greater interaction between India and Pakistan, an excited Matondkar said: "I have been all over the world, but the reception I have got here in Lahore is something else." "I have heard a lot about Lahore and its rich cultural heritage. The city really lives up to its reputation," the Daily Times quoted the actress as saying further. "I have been asking these people to let me taste the local dishes," she said, pointing to Pakistani actress Resham and her sister Shamim. "You will soon taste some Lahori daal chawal," Shamim responded with a smile.

          Asked how she felt about being in Pakistan, Urmila said: "I can say that I am here to support greater interaction between India and Pakistan. It was a great feeling to cross the border. When I got to Wagah I was so happy. It's a feeling I can't really put into words." She said she had come here with a message of peace. She also said that she hoped to attend a Pakistan-India peace forum in Karachi from December 12, but hadn't received her visa for Karachi as yet.

          Turning to Lahore's other great cultural tradition, kite flying, Urmila said she was not sure if she would be able to come here again for Basant. She also said she was very keen on seeing the Sikh temple near the Badshahi Mosque. Urmila, who is famous both in India and Pakistan for her steamy dances, visited the Cuckoo's Cafi on Wednesday for the shooting of a documentary-cum-music video. Word spread quickly and it seemed everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the Indian actress. Several locals stood on their rooftops to watch the video shoot. Lollywood star Resham, clad in a fine turquoise shalwar kameez, and young actor Shamil Khan were also present at the sets.

Rumours of Kylie's pregnancy intensify! (Go To Top)

          Sydney, Dec 11: Kylie Minogue pregnant? If Internet rumours are to be believed, the Aussie singer rated to have one of the most sensational bodies, is opting for motherhood. A Sydney Morning Herald report says that she was spotted "holding her stomach protectively" in Paris. Kylie, 35, has recently also started dressing demurely and scaled down her work commitments after saying she needs to take life a lot easier. She has been with her French actor boyfriend Olivier Martinez since last year. "Kylie and Olivier love each other very much and they have always said they would be delighted if Kylie becomes pregnant," said a friend of the couple. "I'm sure she will make a great mother and if the kid has the looks of its parents, it is going to be a stunner - with a great bum." A spokesman for Kylie played down her pregnancy, but wouldn't deny the story. "It's just a rumour," he said. Kylie has written a ballad, Loving Days, for Oliver, which appears on her new album Body Language. The song describes how she's fallen for the rising Hollywood star and treasures the time they spend together.

Luhrmann's 'Alexander the Great' on the move (Go To Top)

          Washington, Dec 11: Baz Luhrmann will go ahead with the film version of "Alexander the Great" contrary to reports in Britain. Heat magazine reported last week that the project was likely to be shelved because of foreign investment problems in the wake of Oliver Stone's rival project, starring Colin Farrell. The film's producer, Dino De Laurenti, however, is said to have told the New York Daily News, "It's absolutely not true. Baz Luhrmann is finalizing the script." According to TeenHollywood, Laurentiis also said that the shooting for the epic film would begin in 2005 with Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicole Kidman in lead roles.

Vuitton dumps J.Lo for stuffing her bags! (Go To Top)

          London, Dec 11: Jennifer Lopez's fashion bosses were left stunned when she walked away with goodies worth thousands of pounds. According to the Sun, the stroppy star has been dropped as the face of every girl's favourite label Louis Vuitton, after she pocketed bags full of shoes, handbags and dresses. And to add insult to injury, one of her aides returned just minutes later to grab a pair of socks. The haul totalled over 5,000 pounds. A source on the Paris set said: "There is an unwritten understanding that whenever someone does one of our shoots they can help themselves to a few things. "These are pieces they have worn and really taken a shine to. But Jennifer totally went to town and pretty much emptied the studio. "She got her entourage to bag up items worth thousands. An assistant went down the row of tables and loaded up duffle bags. J Lo, engaged to Hollywood star Ben Affleck, has already been replaced by a string of glamorous girls including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell for future TV and poster campaigns.

'Potter' fetches gold for Rowling's dad (Go To Top)

          London, Dec 11: A daughter's fortunes seem to be reaping dividends for pappa darling. Children's author J.K.Rowling has made her dad richer by 50,000 pounds when he sold signed copies of her books. According to the Sun, Peter Rowling put seven of Rowling's books under the hammer in New York. Four of the books sold at Sotheby's included "The Prisoner of Azkaban", "The Chamber of Secrets" and "The Philosopher's Stone". The 58-year-old retired engineer had been hoping to make around 120,000 pounds. Incidentally, her father denied having a fall-out with Rowling when he married his secretary Janet, soon after her mum Alison died of multiple sclerosis in 1990.

Liv Tyler wore no panties on 'Rings' sets! (Go To Top)

          London, Dec 11: Lord of the Rings' stunning character Liv Tyler reveals that she was not wearing pants underneath on the sets of the film! She said, "The elves are naked under there. I was only wearing knee-length socks and Converse All Star trainers under my robes," as quoted by the Sun. The ethereal beauty, plays an immortal elf named Arwen who was said to be the most beautiful living being in Middle Earth in the film and who unfortunately had to choose to forsake her everlasting existence for the love of a mortal man.

Vatican praise Mel Gibson's "Passion"! (Go To Top)

          New York, Dec 11: The highly controversial film, 'The Passion of the Christ', has been showered with praises by Vatican officials. According to a report in IMDb, three highly-influential congregations were invited to special screenings of Mel Gibson's religious epic. Sources in Rome informed that the Vatican secretariat of state, the pontifical council of social communications and the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, were all invited to watch the eagerly-anticipated movie last weekend. And a report by American news source Zenit, which tracks Vatican news, suggested the Catholic audiences exhibited "unanimous appreciation and approval" of the James Caviezel-starring film.

-ANI

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