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Dilip Singh Judeo's supporters shout slogans at swearing-in of new ministers

          Raipur, Dec 12: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Friday expanded his Cabinet inducting 17 new ministers, including nine of Cabinet rank and eight junior members. The BJP swept to power by trouncing the ruling Congress government in the recently held elections. The party had won 51 seats in the 90-member Assembly. The swearing-in ceremony was marred by slogan-shouting by supporters of tainted Dilip Singh Judeo, a prominent BJP leader in the state. Judeo was forced to resign as junior minister in Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's Cabinet after he was shown taking bribe in a videotape on the eve of the election. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the case.

Open borders in South Asia, promote single currency: Vajpayee

          New Delhi, Dec 12: Appealing to countries in the South Asian region to cast aside their suspicions and their mistrust, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said there is some advantage to be gained from opening up borders and promoting a single currency on the lines of the Euro in Europe. Delivering the keynote address at a seminar organised by local daily newspaper Hindustan Times on 'Peace Dividend: Progress for India and South Asia' in New Delhi on Friday, Vajpayee said: "If we can put aside mistrust and dispel unwarranted suspicions" and develop "mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns," these two initiatives are achievable.

          The seminar, held at the Maurya Sheraton hotel, was organised to provide a platform for intellectuals to air their views on the recent thaw in Indo-Pak relations. The speakers included former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Sri Lankan foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The business community was represented by Deputy Chairman of Reliance Inc Anil Ambani and Managing Director of Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) MS Banga. Noted policy planners and intellectuals Richard Haass and Dr Francis Fukuyama were also scheduled to address the gathering.

          Vajpayee said, "Our people, businesses and organizations are waiting to interact more closely with each other. This includes producers and consumers, investors and markets, doctors and patients, artists and audiences, students and universities. They are all part of the supply and demand dynamics of a vast sub-continent. They see the unexploited potential in their own neighbourhood. They have waited for over a half-century for its fulfilment and are now impatient to move ahead. We can sense this impatience in the outpouring of popular sentiment after our initiatives. We have to respond to this desire by seeking every possible way to banish hostility and promote peace," he added.

          Welcoming the HT initiative, he said: "Our search for pragmatism, maturity and wisdom will have to involve both governments and civil society. It will also require a widespread understanding that, in today's context, collective regional interest is an expression of enlightened self-interest. If we provide legitimate avenues of free commercial interaction, we can eradicate the black market and underground trade. We could jointly tackle smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering and other trans-national crimes, which today flourish in our region because of mutual rivalries and inadequate coordination," he said.

          "Once we reach that stage, we would not be far from mutual security cooperation and open borders and even a single currency. If this seems unrealistic and utopian, perhaps we are being unnecessarily cynical. Let us remember that the world did not anticipate the sudden end to the Cold War or the collapse of the Berlin Wall. No one thought apartheid South Africa could be transformed bloodlessly into Mandela's rainbow country," he added. Stating that "our most important common war today is against poverty, disease, hunger and underdevelopment," Vajpayee said: "If we in South Asia look back objectively at the experiences of our freedom struggles and of our nation-building, the one stark lesson that stands out is the imperative of forging unity based on our commonalities. Whenever we have dissipated our energies in internal squabbling, external forces have come in to sort out our differences and stayed on to exploit our resources. We should never create the possibility of reliving these historical experiences in new forms and on different fronts," he warned.

          Hindustan Times Vice-Chairperson Shobhana Bhartia said Prime Minister Vajpayee has demonstrated that he understands the importance of peace and recognizes the dividends that accrue from following that path. She said Hindustan Times launched the seminar called Leadership Initiative because "we believe a serious newspaper must do more than just mere reportage or carrying interesting articles. A great newspaper is one that defines its role in terms of contributing to intellectual debate and shaping the future".

Badal demands probe in corruption charges against Amarinder (Go To Top)

          Chandigarh, Dec 12: Former Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal on Friday demanded an inquiry into the corruption allegations against the present incumbent Capt. Amarinder Singh levelled by his own minister. State Agriculture Minister and former CM Rajinder Kaul Bhattal had alleged that Singh was misusing state property and had inappropriately amassed huge wealth. "Now the charges are being made against him (Amarinder Singh) directly, there should be a Central inquiry. Everything should come out in the open. The charges are direct," said Badal. Badal, who is facing trial on charges of amassing huge wealth worth over one billion dollars when he was the state chief minister from 1997 to 2002, is out on bail. Badal says charges against him are baseless and accuses Amarinder Singh of political vendetta. Badal's Shiromani Akali Dal and the Amarinder Singh's ruling Congress party are bitter rivals in Punjab. Since he took over from Badal in February last year, Singh had vowed to crack down on corruption.

Modern security gadgets to guard Parliament House (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Dec 12: Parliament has been fortified a day ahead of the second anniversary of the terrorist attack that left 11 people dead. On December 13, 2001, five extremists burst into the Parliament House complex by opening fire and throwing grenades. But they were prevented from entering the House by the alert security force personnel. Seven male and a lone female security personnel died instantly and two more people, including a cameraman of Asian News International succumbed to injuries later. All the attackers were shot dead in the encounter that followed.

          As part of reinforcements, new electronic sensors, state of the art hi-tech remote-controlled gates and a high-voltage electric fence have been installed across the massive complex. Additional forces have also been called in to counter the high terrorist threat. Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi said full-proof arrangements have been made. "The arrangement made are enough but we are working towards fortifying it further. Thirteenth December is the day we can never forget. The soldiers, the martyrs who have laid down their lives during the attack, I pay my tributes to them," Joshi said. Security has been tightened at all important government buildings as well.

Five JeM terrorists nabbed in Ahmedabad (Go To Top)

          Ahmedabad, Dec 12: At least five terrorists belonging to the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were apprehended here on Friday. They were allegedly conspiring to kill a Hindu leader. Three Italy-made revolvers and 12 cartridges of ammunition were recovered from the apprehended men. Police said the accused were plotting against Jaydeep Patel, a senior member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), to take revenge for last year's religious riots in which over 1000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed. City Police Commissioner Chittranjan Das said the men were linked to the UAE-based Hizbul commandor Abu Talla, the brain behind many terrorist strikes in the country. "An Abdul Rehman Khalid alias Abul Tala who originally belongs to Hyderabad but now lives in Riyadh, Jeddah, is the main operator. He is the main chap of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, who is constantly motivating people to take revenge for the Godhra riots and the aftermath," Das told reporters.

Opposition walks out in Upper House (Go To Top)

          New Delhi, Dec12: Opposition members walked out of the Rajya Sabha on Friday in protest against ''obnoxious remarks'' made by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad against Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the bribery case involving former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi. Soon after Question Hour ended, leader of the Opposition Manmohan Singh stood up to say that the entire Congress party was exercised over ''baseless charges'' against Gandhi in connection with the bribery case. He also said that the Congress had taken up the matter with Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat this morning.

Krishna expands Karnataka Cabinet (Go To Top)

          Bangalore, Dec12: Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna on Friday inducted two ministers and elevated two ministers of state to Cabinet rank. The expansion of the 50-month-old ministry was effected with less than a year to go for Assembly elections. Former chief secretary and first time MLA J. Alexander is the only new face in the cabinet. The other inductee - T.B. Jayachandra - returns to the state Cabinet after a gap of nearly a year. Information Technology and Tourism Minister D.B. Inamdar and Prisons Minister Raja Amareshwara Naik were conferred Cabinet rank. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by the state Governor T.N. Chaturvedi. The strength of the ministry now stands at 48, including 16 Ministers of State.

Mulford's nomination as envoy in India cleared (Go To Top)

          Washington, Dec 12: The US Senate has approved the nomination of David Campbell Mulford as the country's next envoy to India. Reports said that the former treasury and banking official would soon be taking his oath of office at the State Department. Earlier, during his confirmation hearing, he made it clear that it will be realism to accept India as a nuclear weapon power.

Benazir said 'No' to Musharraf's offer: former US diplomat (Go To Top)

          Washington, Dec 12: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's offer to former premier Benazir Bhutto to place senior PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim in the prime minister's chair and let the party rule in Sindh was rejected by her, claims a former American diplomat. According to the Daily Times, the deal would have also helped to get Benazir's jailed husband, Asif Ali Zardari, out of prison after seven years. The diplomat, said to be one of the most well informed people on Pakistan, did not wish to be identified. He claimed that Benazir backtracked on the offer because she was simultaneously asked by Musharraf to announce her retirement from politics for a period of five years. He, however, said that the former premier had spent some time thinking about the offer before saying no. Within the PPP hierarchy, opinions were divided. While some thought the chance to get back into power without the chairperson should be accepted, others felt strongly that such a compromise would destroy the party's grassroots support.

K Adhikari next Nepalese envoy to India (Go To Top)

          Kathmandu, Dec12: Karnadhoj Adhikari will be Nepal's next Ambassador to India, an announcement issued by the royal palace said here on Friday. A former bureaucrat, Adhikari was the chief secretary before the restoration of multi-party democracy in 1990. ''The relations between Nepal and India is broad and my effort will be to further strengthen ties between the two countries,'' Adhikari was quoted as saying by Radio Nepal after his appointment was announced. The post of ambassador was vacant since the completion of tenure of Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa six months ago.

Bhajji to undergo surgery next week (Go To Top)

          Sydney, Dec12: Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will undergo surgery next week on his finger, and has been ruled out of the remaining matches in Australia. Quoting Indian team manager Shivlal Yadav, a foreign news agency said on Friday that Harbhajan would visit a specialist in Melbourne while the tourists were playing Australia A in Hobart next week. He said Harbhajan would undergo an operation after consulting the specialist. "He is out of the rest of the tour," Yadav said. After the World Cup earlier this year, on the advice of Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, Harbhajan had visited the Melbourne specialist who had operated on Warne's finger a few years ago. However, Harbhajan opted against surgery and had steroid injections instead and was given exercises but has continued to struggle with the injury.

Bottomlines

After MF Hussain, comes Pappu Sardar in Madhuri fan club (Go To Top)

          Jamshedpur, Dec 12: Pappu Sardar, a die-hard fan of Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, has started a charity in her name in Jamshedpur. Known for his flamboyant celebrations of Dixit's birthdays, he has created a park in the city for the mentally challenged children. Named after the screen diva, the Madhuri Garden is meant exclusively for the 170 children of Cheshire Home. It has been financed entirely by Sardar and, surprisingly, the humble restaurant owner has managed a rather lavish dedication to his diva. Besides having the usual garden fare, swings and two full-time caretakers, it has a fantastic display of some great Madhuri posters. "I like Madhuri and I think there was no park in the name of any other artist therefore I made this park in her name and the entire park is dedicated to her," said Pappu Sardar. For the children, who have absolutely no idea of who is Madhuri Dixit, the lovely lady has come as a blessing. There is more coming the children's way. Sardar is also distributing blankets and other clothing for the children.

Webber to spin 'Woman in White' in musical yarns (Go To Top)

          Washington, Dec 12: Theatre thespian Andrew Lloyd Webber is all set to transform classic novel "The Woman in White" into a new stage musical. According to a report in ratethemusic.com, the "Phantom of the Opera" composer will premiere the new production, based on Wilkie Collins' chiller at London's Palace Theatre in September next year. Trevor Nunn, former 'Cats' and 'Starlight Express' collaborator will handle the directorial duties. The tickets for the musical will be available in early February with a cast announced next year.

David resembles Christ: Victoria Beckham (Go To Top)

          London, Dec 12: Comparing David Beckham to Jesus, wife Victoria has claimed that the England soccer skipper's latest hairstyle made him look like Christ. According to a report in the Sun, her comment came as she posed for a sexy photoshoot to relaunch her pop career. Posh told a magazine, "I was talking to my mum and she said, 'You know the only person who's had that haircut other than David?' I said, 'Who?' and she said, 'Jesus'." The singer also said that pop music was "just not the same as it was when the Spice Girls were around". "I do think that pop music has deteriorated since that time," she sneered.

I want a man to have more kids: Nicole Kidman (Go To Top)

          London, Dec 12: Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman is desperate to have a baby, but she claims she would be "incredibly picky" about a dad. According to a report in the Sun, Nicole, 36, said rock star lover Lenny Kravitz is not the right man to be the tot's dad and has ditched plans to wed Kravitz, 39, after he two-timed her. "I haven't found the man to love yet," the "Moulin Rouge" star admitted. Nicole, who has two adopted kids, said she often lies awake thinking about another child. "I'd love to have another child. I love the sound of children. But I can't make a mistake. So I'd rather not have anyone than settle for the wrong person," added "The Hours" beauty.

One in four women marrying `toyboys' in Britain! (Go To Top)

          London, Dec 12: Toyboy husbands are getting popular day by day. Official figures have revealed that one in four brides are walking down the aisle with a toyboy. According to a report in the Sun, the number of women taking younger husbands has almost doubled in Britain in the past 40 years. In 1963 one in seven women were older than their husbands. Showbiz partnerships gave a clear example. "EastEnders" star Barbara Windsor, 66, is married to Scott Mitchell, 39. Bruce Willis's ex-wife Demi Moore, 41, dates toyboy lover Ashton Kutcher, 25, while "Coldplay" frontman Chris Martin, 26, has just wed Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, 31. Superstar Madonna, 45, is ten years older than her film director hubby Guy Ritchie, 35, and TV stars Judy Finnegan and husband Richard Madeley are 55 and 47, respectively.

          The statistics show that in 1963 just over a third of marriages had an age gap between bride and groom of more than five years, n matter which of the couple was older. Today, more than half of marriages involve age gaps bigger than five years. In 1963, the average age of a woman getting married for the first time was 22 and for the man it was 23. But latest figures show that the average age for a woman now is 27 and for a man it is 28. The report from the National Statistics office said, "Biological age has become less of a factor in social identity and therefore larger age gaps may be more acceptable to the partners themselves and to society."

Urmila, Resham to launch music video in India next year (Go To Top)

          Lahore, Dec 12: Keen to take their desire for enhancing levels of friendship between India and Pakistan, Indian actress Umila Matondkar and Pakistani film star Resham have decided to launch a promotional music video in 2004. Disclosing this to the Daily Times, Resham's sister Shamim said that since Urmila and her sister had become very good friends, Urmila had invited her to visit India. "They plan to launch a music video aimed at a larger interaction between the people of the two countries," she said from the Gulberg Hospital, where Resham has been admitted after suffering an attack of pneumonia. "Resham and Urmila worked day and night on the 'Moving Closer' project because the production crew had to complete the shooting in a limited time. That was why Resham suffered lung problems and had to be admitted to the hospital. Urmila also has a fever," she said.

Eminem saved ex-wife from harakiri! (Go To Top)

          Washington, Dec 12: Eminem recently did the good Samaritan bit, when he saved his ex-wife Kim Mathers from committing suicide in Mexico in November. A report in ratethemusic.com quoted Eminem's uncle, Todd Marshall, as saying that Mathers had escaped to Cancun during the two weeks she had disappeared. She also had to miss court appearances on drug charges in her home state of Michigan. "I heard she had planned to kill herself down in Cancun, a place she's always loved, and where she wanted to die," Nelson, a Michigan-based paralegal, said in a report in America's 'Star' magazine. After Kim failed to appear in court on November 4, Eminem was granted full temporary custody of the couple's seven-year-old daughter Hailie. Nelson says that Eminem persuaded Kim to turn herself in and posted her 50,000 dollars bail. He also claims Kim is upset about having to receive in-house drug treatment in January.

Farrell accidentally injures Gary Stretch on 'Alexander' set (Go To Top)

          Washington, Dec 12: Film star Colin Farrell left co-star Gary Stretch dripping with blood after accidentally stabbing him during a fight scene in Oliver Stretch's historical epic "Alexander". According to imdb.com, the "Hellraiser" actor penetrated Gary Stretch's protective padding and slashed his stomach as the pair was shooting for a violent scene in the war movie. Fortunately, Stretch was not seriously injured and doctors allowed him to return to work on the movie the following day. Stretch said, "It was a very minor wound. It's one of those movies where these kind of things happen. We've all had a few bangs and scratches." The potentially dangerous incident occurred during filming in south England on Friday. Stretch, however, struggled through the pain to complete the scene but was subsequently rushed to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.

-ANI

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