India Storm Into Semis

          JOHANNESBURG: India stormed into the World Cup semi-finals by thrashing Sri Lanka by 183 runs in their second Super Six match at the Wanderers on Monday. Set 293 to win, Sri Lanka tumbled to 109 all out from only 23 overs after veteran paceman Javagal Srinath took four for 20 from his opening five overs. Left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra also finished with identical figures of four for 35. Srinath was declared man of the match. The remaining batsmen fell cheaply against the Indian pace bowlers in the 1996 champions' second lowest score ever in the World Cup. Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar fell three runs short of a record fifth World Cup century as India compiled 292 for six. Tendulkar, who broke his own tournament record of 523 runs set in 1996, was caught behind off de Silva for 97. In combination with Virender Sehwag (66) he put on 153 for the first wicket from 26.3 overs before Sehwag tried to hit Muttiah Muralitharan for his fourth six and was caught for 66.

SP, BSP Clash in Lok Sabha Again

          NEW DELHI: Once again the Lok Sabha witnessed the show of muscle power between the Samajwadi Party and the BSP. MPs of both the parties virtually came to blows after a BSP member passed a derogatory remark against SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. Taking strong exception, Yadav's son Akhilesh Singh charged at the BSP member. Other SP members followed him and heated exchanges took place between the two groups. Before the scene could turn uglier, Speaker Manohar Joshi intervened and abruptly adjourned the House for lunch. Former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, Congress leader PR Dasmunshi and Chandrakant Khaire of the Shiv Sena also intervened to prevent members from fighting.

           It all started when SP member Akhilesh Singh accused BSP leader and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati of having encouraged corruption by asking her party MPs to give a cut from their development fund. He also demanded a CBI probe into it. Singh, whose notice for an adjournment motion was disallowed by the Speaker, raised slogans against the UP chief minister. This was countered by BSP members with Chandel making allegations against the SP chief.

India Protests Malaysian Police Raid on IT Workers (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: India on Monday lodged a diplomatic protest after 270 of its nationals working as computer specialists in Malaysia were rounded up by police a day earlier on suspicion of being illegal workers. Kuala Lumpur police released almost all the men later on Sunday, but Indian diplomats expressed outrage over their treatment. "The (Indian) external affairs office has taken up the matter of the high-handed way in which Malaysian authorities had treated Indian nationals, strongly with their high commission. Such unacceptable action by Malaysian authorities cannot but adversely affect bilateral relations and would also badly dint Malaysia's image as a destination for IT (Information Technology) professionals and as a country which is keen to encourage foreign participation in this and other sectors," said Navtej Sarna, foreign office spokesperson in Delhi.

           Indian envoy to Malaysia Veena Sikri also registered a verbal protest with the Kuala Lumpur authorities, and had written asking for verbal explanation. The men were taken into custody after a dawn raid on an apartment block in a predominantly ethnic Indian neighbourhood, Brickfields, where a large number of information technology professionals from Andhra Pradesh were staying. Close to a hundred were immediately released, but the rest, some in their bed clothes, were taken to a nearby police station. There they were handcuffed and held in a vehicle shed for several hours despite holding valid passports and visas.

          Richer than most of its neighbours, and with a relatively small population of 24 million, Malaysia depends on imported labour in several sectors, but remains fearful that it could become overrun by immigrant workers. Last year, Malaysia threw out hundreds of thousands of illegal workers from Indonesia and Philippines, leading to labour shortages, notably in the construction sector.

Security Steps for Ayodhya Excavation (Go To Top)

          AYODHYA: : The authorities in Ayodhya are making preparations to ensure that excavation work on the disputed site of the mosque, which begins today (Monday), is carried on peacefully. Hardline Hindu groups affiliated to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, say Lord Ram was born at the site thousands of years ago and Muslim invaders had destroyed a temple to build the mosque.

          A local court on March 5 ordered the excavation of the site to find out whether a temple existed before Babri Masjid. RN Srivastava, Commissioner of Faizabad Division, said measures were being taken to ensure full security at the site. "Our first priority is to ensure that the devotees don't face any problems and can visit the temple with minimum fuss, just like they have always done. We are making arrangements so that they can visit the temple even while excavation work goes on. It is also being ensured that the idol of Ram is not damaged in the whole process and that no compromise is made on security. With these two points in mind, all necessary arrangements for smooth execution of the excavation work are being made," Srivastava said.

          The 1992 demolition had sparked some of the country's worst religious violence, in which more than 3,000 people were killed. Tensions are yet again running high as neither Hindu nor Muslim groups have shown much enthusiasm over the excavation. Some even doubt whether the people of both communities would actually abide by the findings. Hindu groups have refused to take archeological findings as final word and warned that no damage should be done to the makeshift temple, which stands at the site, during the digging process.

          "The legend of God King Ram and his birth along with faith of millions is attached to the history of his birthplace (in Ayodhya). Thousands of years of history and age-old traditions bear proof of this fact. In this situation, there is no need to have an excavation to prove the veracity of this historical fact. But if excavation is still done, it should be ensured that the idol of Ram (kept in the makeshift temple) is not damaged in any way," said Mahant Nityagopal, senior member of Ram janmabhoomi trust, overseeing the temple construction.

          Muslims, on the other hand, see the excavation as BJP's election gimmick to woo Hindu voters ahead of the 2004 general elections. "We have nothing to do with this. We are not criticising the court order but this is just a delaying process. All this is being done with an eye on the coming general election, the same way as Modi (Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat), engineered riots in Gujarat to come to power," said Mohammad Hashim, main petitioner in the mosque demolition case.

Two Communities Clash in Bareilly over Procession, 4 Hurt (Go To Top)

          BAREILLY: Angry mobs of Hindus and Muslims robbed shops and set fire to houses in this town in the State of Uttar Pradesh following clashes between members of the two communities over a Muslim religious procession. A fight between the harbingers, who led the procession, and a Hindu mob took place as the latter did not allow the procession to pass through a street next to the temple. Two people were injured in stone-pelting and firing from a crowd of 800 people.

          According to eyewitnesses, absence of enough security personnel worsened the situation. "There were just a couple of policemen and they could not control the mob. There was firing from the procession at the temple priest. Two crowds started pelting stones at each other, and there was chaos. Arson and loot followed. The mayhem continued for two hours. But no official of the administration came here though we kept calling them constantly." The mob ransacked shops and molested women. "There was some fight near the temple. Perhaps they did not let the procession pass through a street next to the temple. There was stone-pelting and some firing. They looted the shops. There were about 700 to 800 people in all. I somehow saved by life and ran leaving my shop and then they came and looted my shop," said Anil, another shop-owner.

           "Three-four people were injured when bullets scraped past them. All of them had superficial wounds. Three or four motor-cycles were burnt. One house was set on fire. Two or three shops were damaged. Cases have already been lodged. Nobody was killed in the incident", said Anand Swarup, senior police officer.

Let Pakistan First Dismantle Terror Camps: Advani (Go To Top)

          GHAZIABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani on Monday ruled out any immediate resumption of talks with Pakistan saying it must first dismantle the structure of terrorism. Addressing the 34th raising day celebrations of the paramilitary Central Industrial Security Force in Ghaziabad, near here, Advani said Islamabad will have to live up to its promises before dialogue resumes.

           Pakistan, which came close to war with India last year, has pledged to stop Muslim militants crossing into Jammu and Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority State, to join the insurgency there. But India says Pakistan continues to support the militants fighting its rule in Jammu and Kashmir, a charge Pakistan denies. "India will not be satisfied merely with statements and announcements that Pakistan has abandoned terrorism. Till we don't see evidence on ground, our decision not to hold dialogue with Pakistan stands. We think. ... and wait that Pakistan will bring a change in its stand and dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism which they have set up inside their country and not provide arms and financial support to terrorists," Advani said.

           Both sides have snapped rail, road and air links since the raid on Indian Parliament by Muslim guerrillas, who New Delhi said were Pakistanis, on December 13, 2001. Tensions peaked in June last year before hectic diplomatic parleys prevented the two sides from landing into their fourth war, the third over Kashmir where a 13-year revolt against New Delhi's rule has claimed more than 38,000 lives. The Central Government recently appointed a retired top bureacrat, NN Vohra, to hold talks with all sections of people, which could include separatists at a later stage, after the new provincial Government in Jammu and Kashmir adopted a conciliatory approach to deal with separatism. Kashmir's major separatist groups, including the leading conglomerate, the All-Party Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference (APHC), have boycotted talks insisting on tripartite dialogue involving Pakistan.

           Advani said the Central Government was holding talks with several separatist groups, including Bodoland Tigers Force (BTF) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), to end decades of insurgency in the north-eastern region. "The developments regarding Bodos (regional separatist groups) are very encouraging and our different planks to fight terrorism, all are working ... like forming world opinion and talking to those who are willing and remove their legitimate greviances," Advani said. India's north-east, comprising seven mountainous federal States, is home to about 200 ethnic groups and has been plagued by revolts since India won independence from Britain in 1947. Rebels accuse the Central Government of looting the region's rich mineral resources and neglecting its economy.

SGPC Condemns Conversions by Christian Missionaries (Go To Top)

          AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), which is the apex body of Sikhs in India, has reacted strongly to reported conversions by Christian missionaries in interior areas of Punjab. Several Sikhs and lower-caste Hindus have converted to Christianity recently. The SGPC said Christian missionaries were luring people in remote villages, where literacy levels are low.

           "We have heard from sources that people are being lured with money. But more than this we feel the problem lies in the extremely high levels of ignorance and superstition amongst people. They are made to look at Jesus Christ as a miracle man, it lures them towards other religions and there are different ways and means to convert them," said SGPC general secretary, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur. SGPC also expressed concern over increase in the number of churches, particularly in areas near Amritsar, recently. At least six churches have come up in the region in the past few months. Religious conversions by Christian missionaries is a major sore point with India's right wing Hindu groups, who question the motive behind converting poor and socially backward people. This is the first time a Sikh organisation has raised a voice against the conversions.

           Last year, Tamil Nadu banned religious conversions by "fraudulent means" or "forcible allurement". An ordinance issued by the Tamil Nadu Government said any person guilty of bringing about forceful conversion would be punished with a fine of Rs 50,000. India has seen sporadic attacks on Christian missionaries by Hindu hardline groups who accuse the missionaries of engineering conversions by incentives of jobs and education to the poor. Missionaries deny the charges saying they are working for the economic uplift of the poor and tribal people. Christianity constitutes 2.4 per cent of the secular but largely Hindu India.

Amarinder Expands Ministry (Go To Top)

          CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Monday expanded his ministry taking the total strength to 26. Singh inducted five new ministers into his Cabinet. This was the second Cabinet expansion in the one-year-old Punjab Government. Governor Lt Gen JFR Jacob administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at a simple ceremony on the premises of Raj Bhawan.

Tibetans in Delhi March to Mark 44th Uprising Day (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: Hundreds of Tibetans living-in-exile in India staged a peace march on Monday in the Capital to observe the 44th anniversary of a bloody uprising against Chinese Communist rule. Holding placards, "Let Peace Prevail in Tibet" and "Recognize Tibet as Zone of Peace", the protesters, demonstrating at the city's main square, chanted hymns with holy beads in their hands. Sonam Tsering, Welfare Officer of Tibetans in New Delhi, said the march was being held to honour martyrs.

           "Today is the day when we lost our country to the Communist Chinese Government in 1959, whereby ever since the Chinese occupation started in Tibet, (and) 1.2 million Tibetans have died. So to honour these martyrs and to remember them, we have organised this rally," he said. Thousands of Tibetans, including the Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, fled Tibet after an abortive uprising against the Chinese Government in 1959. The Chinese army had marched into Tibet and occupied it in 1950. The Nobel peace laureate has been campaigning for real autonomy for Tibet.

           In September last year, a historic visit to Beijing and Tibet by two senior envoys of the Tibetan spiritual head, culminated in a flurry of unusual activity between Beijing and the Tibetan exile movement based in Dharamsala, India. But the recent execution of Tibetan leaders Lobsang Dhondhup and the death sentence given to Tulku Tenzin Delek by the Chinese Government has halted conciliatory moves. China denies human rights abuses in Tibet claiming its rule has improved living standards. India is home to the largest number of exiled Tibetans spread across the world.

North Korea Fires Surface-to-ship Missile (Go To Top)

          TOKYO: North Korea fired a surface-to-ship missile towards the Sea of Japan on Monday, Japanese officials said, in an apparent move to step up pressure for US concessions in a nuclear stand-off, a media report said. North Korea declared the exclusion zone in the Sea of Japan from March 8-11, in what was seen as a strong sign it was planning its second missile test in two weeks.

Gooding Selling His Kylie Story for Cash (Go To Top)

          LONDON: Australian star Kylie Minogue is heart-broken after she came to know that her ex-boyfriend James Gooding has revealed private details about their stormy three-year affair to a newspaper for money. According to a report in the Sun, the sexy star told friends and family that she will never forgive Gooding for selling kiss-and-tell revelations about their relationship.

           One of her friends said: "Kylie is beside herself, absolutely furious. She said she is better off with James out of her life. I doubt she will speak to him again - as far as she is concerned he doesn't exist any more." "But she's not just angry, she's very upset. She loved James once, now he has stabbed her in the back," the friend added. Other friends remarked that "it will take her a long time to get over this. She is particularly angry and hurt about the detail concerning James' affair with Sophie Dahl. But at least now the whole world knows what a cheating cad he really is." Kylie's parents always had reservations about her relationship with Gooding, the report added.

'Diana Is Having Fun, and Is Watching Her Sons from the Other Side' (Go To Top)

          LONDON: For the admirers of late Princess Diana, the heartening news is that she is "having fun" in her afterlife. British mediums Craig and Jane Hamilton-Parker claim to have contacted the spirit of Diana, Princess of Wales for a TV show. According to them, she was also spending time with Mother Teresa. Diana was working with children while watching over her own sons from the "other side", the psychics were claimed as saying in the Age.

           The couple claim they communicated with the princess for the controversial programme Spirit of Diana, part of which will be screened in the UK on Monday night. The seance scenes have been cut because of British broadcasting regulations. The princess was not pregnant but she did plan to marry her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, the psychics claim she told them from beyond the grave. She was not bitter about her death in a 1997 car crash which was definitely an accident, they added. The mediums claim she sent a message that she liked the Queen, and said that deep down she still loved the Prince of Wales, though not in the same way that she loved Dodi. She was also against all wars, including the looming conflict with Iraq, they said.

           The couple held two seances to contact Diana's spirit at the Livery Hall of the Stationers Guild which overlooks London's St Paul's Cathedral, where she was married. Those present included Louise Carr-Reed, Diana's last personal assistant, and a selection of other royal staff, charity workers and journalists who knew the princess. The couple have donated the fee they received for the programme to one of Diana's charities, Craig Hamilton-Parker said.

Pregnant Catherine Will Have an Ambulance Standing by at Kodak That Day (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: As a precautionary measure, pregnant actress Catherine Zeta Jones will have an ambulance on standby during the Oscars ceremony, at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, in case she goes in labour. According to a report in the Sun, a medical team will also be on hand as the star - hot tip to be best supporting actress - sits through the four-hour ceremony. Catherine is determined to be at the glittering bash in a fortnight even though her baby is due less than two weeks later.

           Husband Michael Douglas, 58, fears the excitement could start her contractions - and he insists on doctors being there. Catherine, 33, who is expected to have her second baby at the famous Cedars Sinai hospital, has been given an aisle seat near an exit. And a doctor and nurse will keep an eye on her, the report added. They will also be able to rush to Catherine's aid if the shock of failing to win the award for her performance in hit musical Chicago proves too much. One medical expert said: "I'd be nervous about a patient in Ms Zeta Jones' condition attending such a ceremony. It is a long event and it will be hot in the theatre due to all the camera lights." But Catherine vowed: "They can roll me in on a stretcher if they have to."

Losers Blame It On Winner's Bottie (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: 'Dollar' duo David Van Day and Thereza Bazar claim foul play in the talent show, 'Reborn In The USA'. The duo have accused fellow-contestant Gina G secured first place on Saturday's opening night after exposing her bottom. Gina, who had a huge hit with 1996 Eurovision song 'Ooh Aah ... Just A Little Bit', flashed her bottom in a skimpy dress, according to the Sun. Thereza, who is up for the first eviction with David after failing to get picked by the American audience, blasted: "It's not about the dress and the bum - it's about the voice and performance. We are great performers." "I could have worn something like that but I know what's appropriate for my years," she added.

Blonde With an Eye on Younger Men (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: Kim Cattrall, star of the popular TV series 'Sex and the City' says she prefers younger men. The revelation came just weeks after splitting from her third husband. The 46-year-old blonde - man-eater Samantha in the Channel 4 series - was quoted by the Sun as saying: "I prefer younger men. They're more open to a woman being strong and independent than some men of my age." Liverpool-born Kim also told the US edition of FHM magazine that she never wears knickers. She and ex-hubby Mark Levinson penned a raunchy sex guide last year. But it failed to improve their own three-year marriage. Levinson, 56, is said to be "gutted" by the toyboy outburst.

Spielberg Will Give Away Gwyneth, And What Is Very Important to Her Is ... (Go To Top)

         LONDON: Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow has said "yes" to pop star Chris Martin's proposal, and walking down the aisle with her will be none other than legendary director Steven Spielberg. Shy "Coldplay" singer Chris popped the question in a trans- atlantic phone call on Friday night. Delighted Gwyneth agreed - and started making detailed wedding plans, according to the Sun. The ceremony is likely to be in Britain next year with producer Spielberg, whose blockbusters include 'ET' and 'Saving Private Ryan', carrying out the role of the bride's father. The engagement will be officially announced only after they have bought a ring.

           American Gwyneth's real dad Bruce died in Rome from pneumonia last October aged 58. Spielberg, 55, was a close friend of the TV producer and director - and is a friend of Gwyneth's mum Blythe Danner. He is Gwyneth's godfather and said he would be honoured to walk her down the aisle after seeing her grow from a little girl into one of Hollywood's leading ladies. Spielberg gave Gwyneth her first big break at 18 - when she played Wendy in 'Hook'. Chris, 25, is in Los Angeles on a US tour while Gwyneth, 30, is in London filming 'The World Of Tomorrow' with Jude Law. A friend said last night: "Gwyneth is over the moon. It's all very sudden but the truth is she has been planning her big wedding day for a long, long time now. This is what she's wanted since she started seeing Chris last year and now she can carry through her well-laid plans. "She is keen to have kids and sees Chris as the ideal partner to spend the rest of her life with. He is a very kind, gentle and caring man and he makes Gwyneth laugh, which is very important to her."

James Packer to Star in Cruise Film (Go To Top)

          SYDNEY: Heir to Australia's biggest fortune, James Packer, is expected to make his screen debut in Tom Cruise produced, 'The Last Samurai'. The film is being shot in New Zealand and Packer, 35, executive chairman of PBL, is said to have been cast as an extra to play one of a small army of Samurai in the film who become casualties of Japan's modernisation of its fighting force in the late 1800s, says a report in News.com.au.

           Cruise, who is a producer on the 150 million dollar movie, last week told crew members his "close friend" and media baron Packer would be playing one of the ancient warriors.