NEW DELHI: As the US-Iraq crisis deepened on Monday, the Indian Government decided to set up a crisis management group and a control room in the ministry of external affairs. While the former will be looking at all aspects of the situation as it evolves in the coming days, the latter would respond to queries of the countrymen about their kith and kin in the Gulf. The group, which had its first meeting on Monday, is headed by RM Abhyankar, a secretary ... (Contd)

Britain Asks Commonwealth Citizens to Leave Kuwait

          KUWAIT CITY: Britain on Monday urged all citizens of the Commonwealth to leave Kuwait, citing what it called the increased threat of chemical or biological attack by Iraq or terrorists, said a press report. The British embassy was talking with British Airways about expanded flights, and arranging other chartered aircraft, a British embassy spokesman said. The warning was based on a general assessment of risks as US and British forces poise for a possible attack within days on Iraq, the spokesman said.

           Meanwhile, UN observers ceased all operations on the Iraq-Kuwait border, moving to a heightened state of alert as the United States posed a one-day deadline for diplomacy to avert war. UN employees on the Iraqi side of the 25-km-wide demilitarized zone were moving over to Kuwait, UN workers said. The roughly 800 UN border monitors and other workers were awaiting expected word later in the day from UN headquarters on whether to pull out entirely, said a spokesman for the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission.

Japan Backs US Ultimatum on Iraq (Go To Top)

          TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said on Monday Japan was backing the 24-hour deadline set by US President George W Bush, said a press report. Koizumi said Tokyo would take into account the views of the international community before deciding whether to back an actual war.

           Meanwhile, Indonesian Vice-President Hamzah Haz has called on the United States to reconsider its plan to attack Iraq, saying any war would cause world-wide suffering. A Paris report said that President Jacques Chirac reaffirmed that France is ready to use its veto in the UN Security Council to block a resolution that would pave the way for US-led war on Iraq.

Americans in Dubai Told to Avoid Night Clubs (Go To Top)

          DUBAI: Americans in Dubai were warned on Sunday to avoid night clubs because they could be targeted by terrorists, a report said. "The US mission has received indications of a possible terrorist attack on night clubs in Dubai. Americans are advised to avoid such locations," a statement from the US embassy in Abu Dhabi said.

Four Dawood, Shakeel Men Held in Delhi (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: In a major breakthrough, the Delhi police claimed to have arrested four associates of underworld dons Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel on Saturday night from south-west Delhi. Police said that led by one Mohammad Tariq, the gang members had arrived in the Capital to kill a senior Bajrang Dal leader. The police arrested them following a tip-off.. The four, who belong to Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, were produced in a court later in the day. The court sent them to 14 days judicial custody.

VHP Calls for Strike in Madhya Pradesh (Go To Top)

          BHOPAL: The radical Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday called for a shutdown in Madhya Pradesh to protest against the arrest of its senior leader, Acharya Dharmendra. Dharmendra was arrested by police late on Sunday for making an inflammatory speech against the Muslims during a rally at Dewas. The arrest came as VHP intensified a nation-wide drive to build a disputed temple on the ruins of a 16th century mosque in Ayodhya.

           In Bhopal, VHP protestors shouted slogans and burnt effigies accusing State chief minister Digvijay Singh of trying to appease minority Muslims. "The Digvijay Singh Government licks the feet of Muslims. He also works against (his own party, Congress' leader) Sonia Gandhi. This shutdown has been organised against the alleged arrest of Acharya Dharmendra," said a VHP activist. VHP leaders also said they would submit a memorandum in this regard to the State Governor after staging protests in cities of Dewas, Indore, Bhopal, Khargone and Ujjain. Dharmendra had left Dewas before the police could arrest him. Later, acting on a tip-off, police arrested the VHP leader before he could board a train at Ujjain station and brought him back to Dewas.

           Meanwhile, police in Andhra Pradesh arrested Praveen Togadia, general secretary of the VHP, on Monday after he entered the State to address a public meeting despite a ban by the police. The arrest came as the hardline VHP organisation prepared to launch a campaign on March 27 to gather grassroots support to build a temple to Lord Ram on the site of the razed Babri mosque in Ayodhya. The VHP is an ideological ally of Prime Minster Atal Behari Vajpayee's Bharatiya Janata Party.

Huge Cache of Arms in Avantipura (Go To Top)

          JAMMU: Security forces on Sunday recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir. Acting on an intelligence tip-off, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel busted terrorists' hideouts in Srinagar and Avantipura district. Two militants were also shot dead during simultaneous operations at four different places. "This battalion of CRPF has conducted four operations along with the RR (Rashtriya Rifles) and the local police and recovered this cache. There were four different operations, out of which two were in Sugam and Bandipura area as well and two militants were also killed. Had this recovery not been made, the terrorists could have caused widespread destruction," RK Sharma, inspector-general, CRPF, said in Avantipura on Monday. The seizure includes 50 to 60 grenades, two-and-a-half kg of RDX, electronic detonators and AK-47 and AK-56 rifles.

Crisis Management Group to Deal With Iraq Crisis (Go To Top)

          (Contd) ... in the ministry of external affairs.  "Today the Group discussed the situation regarding the Indian embassy in Baghdad," MEA spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here on Monday. Sarna said that the Indian ambassador alongwith his staff has moved to Amman "but the Indian embassy in Baghdad remains open." Local staff in Iraq is taking care of the embassy premises, he added. "The ambassdor and his staff will be in constant touch with Baghdad over the issue," Sarna said. He said, "the group will be taking notes of all the updates and taking action as and when required." Besides the MEA officials, the group also comprises officials from the ministry of civil aviation and the defence ministry. Members from the oil and petroleum ministry and labour ministry would be soon included in the group, the spokesman added.

           About the control room being set up in the MEA, the MEA spokesman said its phone numbers and e-mail would be soon made available. Responding to a question regarding the Indians in Iraq, he said, "the MEA had been asking the 50 odd Indians in Iraq to come back; but a few of them have decided to stay there on their own volition." He said, "three Christian nuns have decided to stay in Baghdad. Eight charity workers are staying in Karbala, four students in Najaf, and 14 businessmen and two correspondents have also decided to continue staying in Iraq."

Eminem Has a Double to Throw Assassins off His Scent (Go To Top)

          LONDON: Rapster Eminem has joined a long list of worried movie and pop stars who are employing body doubles to keep off assassins. The 8-Mile star pays a look-alike named Particles to act as the fake Slim Shady. Porn star Gina Lynn spilled the hip-hop hero's secret after starring in the raunchy video for his new single Superman, reports the Sun.

           She was quoted as saying: "It's funny, but everybody thinks Particles is actually Eminem." Gina claims she filmed the start of the video with Particles before the real Slim Shady turned up for the close-ups. Sources say Eminem lives in fear of being hit by jealous rival rappers or a stalker. So Particles stands in for him, travelling in a black limousine exactly like Eminem's to throw people off the star's scent. Three high-profile rappers have been gunned down and killed since 1996 and many more have been attacked.

British Daily Apologises to Kidman for Untrue Reports (Go To Top)

          SYDNEY: The case between the Sunday Telegraph and Nicole Kidman has been finally settled after the newspaper apologised to the Oscar-nominated actress for an article which stated that the Aussie star had an affair with Jude Law, her Cold Mountain co-star. "The newspaper acted quickly in publishing a prompt and prominent apology to avert legal proceedings only a week after the article had appeared," her lawyers said in a statement here.

           The London daily published the apology on page 17 of its latest edition, according to a report in the Age. "In the article 'It'll be alright on the night' last Sunday at page 23 of Focus, we referred to media reports stating that Ms Kidman had an adulterous affair with Jude Law and was a home wrecker," the apology said. "Following a complaint from Kidman, we fully accept that these reports were untrue. We apologise for any distress or embarrassment to Ms Kidman by our article," the paper said.

          Meanwhile, the actress said she was delighted that the false allegations linking her to actor Jude Law had been fully withdrawn by the newspaper and that they had accepted the allegations they had published were untrue. Her lawyers said a prominent apology and retraction was always her main priority.

Is Renee Still Brooding Over the Misfortune? (Go To Top)

          LONDON: 'Chicago' star Renee Zellweger may be basking in the glory of the success of her film, but her happiness is overshadowed by the suicide of her teenage sweetheart. Renee met Sims Ellison when she was 18 and working as a waitress Sugar's, a topless bar in Austin, Texas. The budding star - who never went topless herself - was making ends meet while studying English and acting at the University of Texas. Sims played bass with a band, 'Pariah', who did a gig at the bar. They started dating and moved in together within a month, reports the Sun. One friend of those days was quoted as saying that they were perfect together, like a married couple.

           But the tide turned when Renee was 23 and started getting Hollywood roles. As her life took off, his disintegrated. Sims began to suffer from depression and the couple split in 1992 after five years together. The final straw came when 'Pariah' were dumped by their record company. In June 1995 Sims shot himself in the head in his flat. Heartbroken Renee rushed back to their home town of Katy, Texas, to mourn. She is still in close contact with his mum Bonnie and sends her little gifts and souvenirs from all over the world.

           Since her one-year relationship with Jim Carrey three years ago, she has not had a steady boyfriend. Renee recently admitted feeling lonely. "I guess that deep down I'm a Texas girl looking for that big romance that every girl dreams about, " she said.

At 37, Hurley Is 'Barely', and Delicious for Ad World! (Go To Top)

          LONDON:  She may be approaching forty, but her's is still the most sought after face and body in the beauty business. This is proved when Liz Hurley bares all in a new ad campaign after signing a new deal for Estee Lauder, said to be worth more than five million dollars. The photo is said to demonstrate why Hurley remains a firm favourite with the company despite being 37 - an age at which most models have long since retired, reports the Sun. Estee Lauder announced that it had renewed Hurley's contract and the picture is from her new ad campaign for the fragrance Intuition.

          Eighteen months ago Hurley was replaced as the main face of the brand by US model Carolyn Murphy, who is 10 years her junior. Many thought it spelt the beginning of the end for the British beauty but the new contract marks the start of her ninth year with Estee Lauder. It is rumoured to be worth 5.34 million dollars a year and spans three years, taking her past her 40th birthday - although the company refused to confirm any details.

Girl Friends Used as Trophies by Thai Bikers: Report  (Go To Top)

          BANGKOK: Money no longer lures Thai youths involved in motorcycle races. According to a health ministry report, the use of female pillion riders as human trophies is the latest craze among Thai youngsters racing on Bangkok's deserted expressways at the weekends. The winner gets to take home his rival's girlfriend for a night as well, the report added.

           The girls, mostly teenagers, would be taken to nearby motels after the races where they were expected to stay the night, reports the Straits Times. 'Most of these people are just teenagers, and they're treating sex as fun. I find their behaviour strange and dangerous,' ministry spokesman Nittaya Junruengmakaphol was quoted as saying by the paper. While illegal motorbike races have been around for some time, the offer of sex in place of cash as the prize is a recent practice.

           The races are held usually on Fridays and Saturdays from midnight till 2 am. And since they are illegal, the venue and time are passed on by word of mouth. About 200 people, including supporters and punters, turn up for the event, which are usually held on quiet roads away from the city. There are no official referees, scorecards or bulky props. This way, the crowd can disperse quickly in the event of a police raid. Some of the girls who take part in the races are believed to be casual acquaintances whom the racers befriend at bars and discotheques.

           Meanwhile, the police said they were aware of the illegal races and added that they have managed to crack down on a few of them.