India, Pak troops exchange fire in Noushera sector; Ramchandra Paramhans Das dies; 7 killed in second Mumbai blast; Ayodhya case hearing on Aug 8; Stop cross-border terrorism, US tells Pak; Iraq polls within a year: Bremer; Indo-Pak air links dialogue on Aug 27-28; Gegong Apang disputes Mithi claim in Arunachal Pradesh; Pilot killed in IAF chopper crash; NHRC demands fresh trial in Best Bakery case; A hale and hearty Noor ready to go back home; Seven killed in Karnataka steel plant blast; 'Superman curse' looms large over Warner Bros; Yo-Yo for JLo on her million-dollar b'day; David Beckham speaks in Chinese and Spanish; Emma Thompson weds long-time lover; Robbie Williams says Rachel Hunter was 'dynamite in bed'; Robbie Williams' record breaking concert in Knebworth Park; News from India; News for Tourists and Travellers; India Travel Times; India News; India News Times; Indian News; Travel News; Travel; Tourism;

New Delhi, July 31: Heavy exchange of fire was reported between Indian and Pakistani troops in the Noushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Thursday. Official sources said the firing between the two sides on the Line of Control (LoC) took place between 3 am and 7 am. They said that Indian troops retaliated after their Pakistani counterparts allegedly targeted at Jhanghar, Kalal, Rumlidhara and Kalsian areas. Sporadic incidents of firing were also reported from Jabowal and Chambliyal areas.

Ayodhya, July 31: The Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (RJN) president Ramchandra Paramhans Das died here on Thursday morning after a protracted illness. He was 90. The Hindu religious leader breathed his last at 4.45 am. He was suffering from liver cancer and had also suffered three major heart attacks during the last two months. The funeral is likely to take place here on Friday at 11 a.m.

A forefront leader of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Mahant Paramhans was rushed to a leading hospital in Lucknow last week after he suffered a heart attack. Since then his condition went on deteriorating and showed no signs of improvement. On Tuesday he was shifted to Ayodhya as per his wishes. Among those who reached Ayodhya to pay homage to him were VHP leader Ashok Singhal, Mahant Avaidyanath, besides a host of other VHP and BJP leaders. The mahant was one of the main plaintiffs in the Ayodhya title suits pending before the three-member special full bench of Allahabad High Court. He was also the chairman of the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, which has been spearheading the movement for the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site.

Mumbai, July 31: Seven people were killed and 26 injured when explosives used in film stunts went off accidentally early on Thursday. The explosion took place at around 3:10 am at the Raj Mahal Yadav chawl on Bandivali Road in Jogeshwari. The blast's impact was so severe that the roof of the house in which it occurred blew off. Neighbouring houses were also damaged, police and witnesses said. Of the injured, nine were immediately admitted to a local hospital. Four were said to be in serious condition and admitted to the ICU. The remaining 17 were discharged after giving first aid. Thursday's blast was the second to have taken place in the city within a week. On Sunday night, a powerful bomb exploded on a public transport bus in Mumbai's suburban Ghatkopar area, killing five and injuring 39.

Rae Bareli, July 31: The special CBI court here on Thursday posted the Babri masjid demolition case hearing to August 8 following an application by the defence counsel. The CBI was represented by senior public prosecutor R K Saini and its SSP N Narayanan. Defence counsel Mahipal Ahluwalia later told newsmen that the CBI contention that Deputy Prime Minster L K Advani, Union Human Resource Development Minister M M Joshi and other accused made provocative speeches was not "supported by video and audio cassettes screened at the chamber of the magistrate on Wednesday."

Washington, July 31: The US has supported India's demand for erecting fences along the Indo-Pak border and the Line of Control to stop infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir. At a regular briefing, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, the US view of Indian fence along the Indo-Pak border was not the same as that of the Israeli fence on the West Bank, which it considered "bad". " These are two different fences. The fence, which Israel is putting up, involves seizing land and may prejudice the outcome of future discussions," he said, adding that because the US considered Israeli fence a problem does not mean that all fences are wrong. Saying that cross-border terrorism was a grave issue, Boucher said: " We think it is important to stop terrorism and dismantle terrorist camps in the area. Nobody's territory should be used as a place to sponsor terrorism against its neighbours."

Baghdad, July 31: U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer said on Thursday that general elections could be held in Iraq within a year to replace a U.S.-appointed Governing Council whose legitimacy has been questioned by the international community, the News reported. Bremer, a former diplomat and counter-terrorism expert, said the elections would be held once a new constitution has been written and accepted by the Iraqi people in a referendum. When a sovereign government is installed, the coalition authority will cede authority to the government, Bremer said.

New Delhi, July 31: As proposed by Pakistan, India has agreed to discuss revival of air links on Aug 27-28 in Islamabad. Of the two dates proposed by Pakistan on Wednesday - August 27-28 and September 3-4 - India chose the former to resolve the bilateral issues at the earliest, an external affairs ministry spokesman said. Altough there was delay in talks, as India wanted complete restoration of air links including overflights on each other's territories, Pakistan stuck to its stand of restoring point-to- point air services first. It has expressed its reservations on the overflight issue. Official sources pointed out that Pakistan aims to impede Indian air links with Afghanistan, thus forcing a detour of all West- bound Indian flights. Though Ariana is maintaining links with the help of three aircraft gifted by New Delhi, India's efforts to supply food, medicines and other essentials to Kabul would be impeded by the detour.

Itanagar, July 31: Former chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh Gegong Apang on Wednesday denied charges of embattled chief minister Mukut Mithi that he was being backed by rebels. Mithi's Congress party has been reduced to minority after 42 legislators walked away to join hands with Apang. The Congress had 59 legislators in the 60-member house with Apang as the only opposition member. Apang, who has been chosen leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF), was the longest serving chief minister of the state before he parted ways with the Congress party in 1996. "I heard that there is a presence of NSCN(K) (Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland - Khaplang group) in Changlang side and NSCN(I-M) (Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah group) in Tirap. In Tirap, we have got seven MLAs. Even if seven MLAs will desert us, MLAs from Tawang, Bomdila (have) come here," said Apang.

Ranga Reddy (Andhra Pradesh), July 31: An Indian Air Force helicopter crashed in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday killing a trainee pilot and injuring another crew. The incident occurred in the afternoon at Ranga Reddy district, 45 km from Hyderabad. The helicopter crashed into a paddy field minutes after it left Air Force Station at Dundigal. While the trainee pilot died on the spot, his colleague was severely injured and has been admitted to a nearby hospital.

A civilian helicopter had crashed on July 27 at Bagalkot in Karnataka when the pilot lost control. Nobody died in that crash though industrialist Vijay Mallya and film actor-producer Sanjay Khan were among those aboard who suffered minor injuries.

New Delhi, July 31: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a fresh trial in the Best Bakery case outside Gujarat. In a Special Leave Petition filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday, the NHRC requested for the retrial of the case that took place in Vadodara in the post-Godhra violence. The commission also filed a separate application in the court seeking transfer of four other 'serious' cases - Godhra incident, Chamanpura (Gulbarga society) incident, Naroda party incident and Sadarpura case in Mehsana district - pertaining to the Gujarat riots.

New Delhi, July 31: Noor Fatima, the two-year-old Pakistani girl who had a successful open heart surgery in Bangaore, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and is ready to go back home. Noor Fatima came to India on July 11 with her parents on a Lahore-Delhi bus. The same bus will take her back home from Delhi on Friday. Wearing a frilly purple frock and a huge straw hat, Noor Fatima arrived in New Delhi and her smiling father told reporters he was overwhelmed by the love he got in India.

"The secularism that I have seen here, I liked it the most. It is the beauty of India and I hope that when we come here again, this country will be even more beautiful. I hope there is more brotherhood between the two nations then," Sajjad said. Noor Fatima was operated on July 15 to mend holes in her heart, and her surgery received wide media attention. Prayers for her recovery and offers of help poured in from friendly Indians.

The Indian government later offered to pick up the bills to treat 20 Pakistani children in a gesture towards resuming peace talks. New Delhi and Islamabad severed road, rail and air links and downgraded diplomatic ties after a bloody attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001 which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants fighting its rule in Kashmir.

Bangalore, July 31: An explosion in a steel plant in Bhadravati in Karnataka on Wednesday night left seven people dead and nine injured. The injured were taken to hospital, police sources said.

Bottomlines

'Superman curse' looms large over Warner Bros (Go To Top)

Washington, July 31: The 'Superman curse' is plaguing Warner Bros again with sources claiming that no leading man had been found to play the fifth Superman movie, according to a report in the Courier Mail. Legend has it that anyone wearing the red and blue costume will be hit by misfortune, which is warding off actors from donning the cape and tights and play the flying man. The first victim was Kirk Alyn, who played Superman in TV serials from 1948-50 and had 40 other movies to his credit. But he never got a job after playing 'Superman.' Studios in Sydney and Los Angeles have seen a string of actors pulling out because of the curse or due to script problems. Caped-crusader candidate Ashton Kutcher also says the curse influenced his decision not to accept the role.

Yo-Yo for JLo on her million-dollar b'day (Go To Top)

Washington, July 31: This Latino diva has everything one could dream of - fame, money and a hunk of a fianci. So what would you gift her on her 33rd birthday? Maybe a yo-yo! JLo turned 33 on the 24th of this month. Fiance Ben Affleck threw a surprise party for her and gifted her a yo-yo with lights inside it, says a report in People News. "I pulled the surprise party off effectively. After all, I am an actor. I bought Jen a yo-yo," chortled Affleck. "It has lights inside that go on when it goes up and down." According to the report, the actor also delivered a 250,000-pound silver Rolls-Royce Phantom at her Hollywood pad. Next up was a 300,000-pound diamond and topaz ring, the perfect complement to the 25-carat 700,000-pound pink diamond and platinum engagement ring he got her last year. Lunching at an exclusive Malibu Beach restaurant, Jen was spotted giggling as she tried in vain to see what her fiance would surprise her with next. The whole Lopez clan had flown in specially for the 150,000-pound party Affleck had arranged on the sly. And what was the b'day girl's reaction? "The highlight of the party was having everyone there that I love," she said.

'Gracias Senor Becks, Muchas Gracias' (Go To Top)

London, July 31: "I love you" - that's what David Beckham thrilled fans with, as he said the words in Mandarin to a schoolchildren audience in Kunming. The soccer superstar said "Wo Ai Li" as he was handed a special Real Madrid shirt bearing his name and number 23 in Chinese characters. According to a report in the Sun, he showed off his new linguistic skills - speaking in Chinese and Spanish to a delighted audience. Real's 25-million-pound capture from Man United had earlier spoken his first words of Spanish in public as he talked to reporters from Madrid. He had a Spanish lesson while he and new team-mate Raul were getting a massage. "Raul was speaking English and I was trying to speak a bit of Spanish. I've learnt a few words - Hola (Hello), Gracias (Thanks), Muchas Gracias (Thanks very much), Si (Yes), Solo (Only) and Cuidado (Watch out!)", said Becks. Brazilian ace Roberto Carlos has been teaching Becks Spanish swear-words. Becks added: "Roberto Carlos has been teaching me a few things that I can't say here, but overall it's going well. It's important for me to learn Spanish as quickly as possible. It's a challenge and something I'm looking forward to. The players are helping me and I'm helping them speak a bit of English."

Emma Thompson weds long-time lover (Go To Top)

London, July 31: Two-time Oscar-winning British actress Emma Thompson has tied the knot with her long-time lover Greg Wise. The wedding took place at their home in Argyll, Scotland, and was followed by a reception at the local Coylett Inn hotel. Guests included Emma's actress sister Sophie Thompson and Derek Jacobi. Notable absentees were Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes and his newly-pregnant wife, actress Kate Winslet. Greg wore a traditional kilt and Emma a white dress for the occasion. "This for me is heaven. It's been a wonderful day. We'll need to get inside, Greg has got no knickers on. His manhood has been murdered," People News quoted Emma, 44, as saying while posing for pictures in the rain. The couple, who have a three-year-old daughter Gaia, met while working on the 1995 film "Sense and Sensibility." It's the second marriage for Emma and the first for Greg, 37. She was previously married to actor Kenneth Branagh. The couple got divorced in 1994. Branagh recently wed art director, Lindsay Brunnock, in a secret ceremony.

Robbie says Rachel Hunter was 'dynamite in bed' (Go To Top)

Washington, July 31: Singer Robbie Williams has called his ex-girlfriend, stunning kiwi model, Rachel Hunter, " a dynamite in bed." According to the Sun, the singer discussed the model's sexual prowess in a radio interview with DJ Sara Cox for a Radio 1 chat show, but later insisted that it be edited out before going on air. "Robbie was talking about sex and referred to Rachel, saying how great she was. But he had second thoughts and asked for anything about Rachel to be cut. I think he's a bit worried about upsetting her," says a source close to the singer. "He still really likes her and I think given half the chance he'd love to go back out with her," he says. Robbie, who was battling drink and drugs, started dating Rod Stewart's ex for around a year, until she dumped him saying that he needed to "sort his head out". Robbie had never spoken publicly about Rachel and has not dated anyone since. "I'd rather get into bed and read a book now, which is what I do in LA. There's loads of sex in LA, but there are not loads of wives," says Robbie. "I'm getting to that point where I've got my dogs and that's it. It's difficult pulling somebody, getting them up to the house and conversation and all that business," he continues. "I'm just holding out, I've got this feeling if you're splodging she's not going to walk into your life. Plus, I'm getting a bit older and stuff gets boring after a while," he adds. He further explains, "The conversation is always the same, 'I'm not a groupie, I don't normally do one night stands." Robbie, who is performing at Knebworth over the weekend, says that the girls who aren't groupies refuse sex. "They don't want to be like all the others," he says.

3,75,000 fans to witness Robbie's record breaking concert (Go To Top)

Washington, July 31: Singer Robbie Williams will create history by doing the biggest ever music show at Britain's world famous rock music venue, Knebworth Park tomorrow. According to the Sun, the singer is expected to break the records set there by legends like Pink Floyd, Queen, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones, confirming himself as the number one star in the U.K. "Robbie has said that these gigs will be the pinnacle of his career. It's every act's dream to perform here and this is the biggest event in British music history. At this moment, I don't think there are any artists in Britain who could sell out three nights here," says Henry Lytton Cobbold, owner of the stunning Knebworth , which has been in existence for 500 years. Robbie, who is performing a hat-trick of concerts here, in front of 375,000 fans, sees this as an opportunity to beat the rival band, which created a record of a two-night performance in front of 250,000 fans, according to reports. It will also act as a redressal for EMI Records which had signed Robbie in an unsuccessful 80 million pound deal last year. Robbie is being supported by the likes of Moby, Ash and Kelly Osbourne. The concert will be broadcast live on Channel 4 and Radio 1.