India Says US War on Iraq Lacks Justification

          NEW DELHI, Mar. 20: India said on Thursday the decision by the United States to unleash a war against Iraq "lacks justification" and could have been averted. Foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said the US blitzkrieg of Baghdad usurps the authority of the United Nations. "It is a matter of grave concern that continuing differences within the Security Council prevented a harmonisation of the positions of its members resulting in seriously impairing the authority of the UN system. The military action begun today thus lacks justification," Sarna told a news conference in New Delhi.

Missile Attack on Baghdad Begins; Bush Speaks of Decisive Force

           BAGHDAD, Mar 20: At least 40 Cruise missiles have been fired at Baghdad on Thursday ahead of a full-scale assault, after the 48-hour ultimatum served by the US on Saddam Hussein expired here at about 8 O'clock in the morning. These were directed at what has been described as "targets of opportunity" (i.e. the Iraqi leadership) after anti-aircraft sirens and sound of explosions were heard in the city about 90 minutes after the deadline ended.

           So far, it is reported, the land troops, massed in forward positions in Kuwait close to the Iraq border in the south, have not been given the go-ahead signal. The selective air strike from various sites in Persian Gulf, in which Stealth fighters also participated, represents the early stage of conflict . An Iraqi official supposedly stated that the stikes had hit military positions.

           The missiles have a range of 1,600 km. This means that Iraq can be attacked from long distances. But mass bombardment, signifying major action, is yet to begin.

           Meanwhile, at 8.45 am (IST) on Thursday, President George Bush, in a less-than-four-minute televised address to the nation from the White House, said that decisive force has to be applied to disarm Iraq as well as to limit the duration of fight. Stressing that the peace of a troubled world was at stake, he informed that coalition forces have started striking but underlined that every effort would be made to protect the civilians.

           It has also been reported that 17 Iraqi soldiers have surrendered to US forces after crossing over to Kuwait. However, several dozen rounds being fired by artillery near the Iraq-Kuwait border have been heard. Soldiers donned chemical suits at desert staging posts. The American military appeared to jam and then briefly take over the main frequency of Iraqi State radio, saying Saddam's administration was under attack. "This is the day we have been waiting for," it said in a brief message before going silent.

          A Baghdad radio station run by Saddam's elder son Uday played a military song and called on people to resist: "This is our day. Let us start the fight. We will be victorious. We will all die as faithful martyrs." Later, the Iraqi TV aired an address by Saddam Hussein. Police cars and ambulances with sirens wailing raced through otherwise deserted streets as a grey, dusty dawn broke. Some trucks sped around carrying militiamen. Air raid sirens began wailing out within a minute of the first strike.

          Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have massed 280,000 troops in the region to kill or capture Saddam, overthrow his Government and rid Iraq of chemical and biological weapons that the United States accuses it of stockpiling.

           In northern Iraq, where Kurds run their own affairs under the protection of a post-Gulf War no-fly zone, the de facto frontier with Saddam's forces was also quiet.

Nation-wide Protests Against US  (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI, Mar 20: Thousands of activists across India took to streets on Thursday protesting against the early morning US attack on Iraq. The attack, on Baghdad and its environs, was launched 90 minutes after the expiry of a 48-hour ultimatum Bush had given Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his two sons, Uday and Qusay, to flee the country.

           In Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of people marched through the thoroughfares of Srinagar protesting against the US-led attack on Iraq. At least 5,000 Musims gathered near Magam town, west of Srinagar, and shouted slogans: "Long live Islam, down with America". Similar protests were also held in Jammu. People wearing white face masks seeking 'Peace', walked down the streets against the air raids on Iraq. Demonstrations were also held in Bangalore, seeking an end to the war against the oil-rich nation. Protests have been staged in various cities across India, which has the world's second largest Muslim population after Indonesia.

           All political parties have opposed any unilateral action against Iraq outside the UN mandate. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition Government has refused to extend US forces logistical support in its war against Iraq. New Delhi had earlier provided US aircraft refuelling facilities and allowed US warships to berth at Indian ports during the 2001 war against Taliban and Al Qaeda and also during the 1991 Gulf War.

US Missions Shut in Pakistan (Go To Top)

          ISLAMABAD, Mar 20: The US embassy and its three consulates in Pakistan will be shut indefinitely from Friday because of security fears, the embassy said in a statement on Thursday. The missions - in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar - will continue to provide emergency services for Americans. Washington a day earler decided to cut its diplomatic staff in Pakistan.

Scud Missiles Hit Kuwait City, No Casualties (Go To Top)

          KUWAIT, Mar 20: Iraq on Thursday fired four Scud missiles at Kuwait, two of which hit the city and the other two were destroyed by Patriot anti-aircraft batteries, US and Kuwaiti military officials claimed. Emergency sirens sounded for a second time in Kuwait City shortly after the missiles were fired and hours after US-led forces began attack on Iraq.

           Residents and Kuwaiti television said that sirens wailed for a second time in early afternoon. The second alert lasted less than an hour. Kuwait State TV, however, reported that the two missiles which hit the Mutlaa Ridge area north of Jahra town were not carrying unconventional material, chemical or biological. There have been no reports of casualties and injuries.

           According to a Kuwaiti defence official, the missile looked like the China-made surface-to-surface missile, probably fired from (Iraq's) Al-Faw peninsula.

750 Indians Arrive in Mumbai from Gulf Region (Go To Top)

          MUMBAI, Mar 20: More than 750 Indian nationals working in the Gulf region arrived here on Thursday as the US-led war on Iraq began early in the morning. Most of the them, questioned at the airport, said their compatriots in the Gulf region were scared and wanted to come back as early as possible. "Indians who are living in Kuwait have all come to airports and want to get their first flight home," Nadeem Ahjmed Khan, who returned from the United Arab Emirates, said.

           India have sent four aircraft to Kuwait to fly home 1,250 of its nationals and said it was ready to evacuate 50,000 more. Abu Saheb, another expatriate Indian national from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah city, said more people were waiting to get back to India. India has about three million citizens living in the Gulf region.

           Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain has said that India has suspended commercial flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Damam on Saudi Arabia's eastern coast and was keeping the planes ready for evacuation. During the 1991 Gulf War, India staged what was billed as the biggest civilian airlift in history when it flew 100,000 of its nationals out of the region.

           Indian leaders have said they do not expect a similar evacuation this time as military action is likely to end quickly and not affect countries other than Iraq.

Saddam Heaps Scorn on Bush (Go To Top)

          BAGHDAD, Mar 20: "The criminal little Bush has committed a crime against humanity," said President Saddam Hussein as he appeared on State television on Thursday, three hours after the US launched a war to overthrow him and "liberate" the Iraqis. Dressed in military uniform and wearing black-framed glasses, he read from a prepared text, which is something unusual. iInformation minister Mohammed Saeed Al Sahaf introduced the broadcast, supposedly live, saying a jihad had begun.

           "We pledge to you in our name and in the name of our leadership and in the name of the Iraqi people and its heroic army, in the name of Iraq, its civilisation and history, that we will fight the invaders," Saddam told his countrymen. He added: "God willing, we will take them to the limit where they lose their patience and any hope to achieve what they have planned and what the Zionist criminals have pushed them to do. They will be defeated."

           Addressing those of Washington's allies who have spoken out against war, Saddam said: "Now that you have seen how the reckless Bush belittled your positions and views against the war and your calls for peace, he has committed his ugly crime." He concluded his seven-minute speech with the Islamic rallying cry "Allahu Akbar!" (God is great).

China, Russia, Germany Regret War on Iraq (Go To Top)

          BEIJING, Mar 20: China, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and an opponent of military action by the United States against Iraq without UN sanction, said it was seriously concerned by the outbreak of hostilities. "We urge relevant countries to stop their military action and return to the right path," said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.

           President Vladimir Putin also regretted the Iraqi crisis was being resolved through military means, and without a resolution from the UN Security Council, the system for ensuring international security.

           Meanwhile, in an official communique Germany has called for taking utmost steps for prevention of human tragedy and urged the UN to play a pivotal role for peace in the region.

Oil Stocks to Last Two Months, Says Naik (Go To Top)

          MUMBAI, Mar 20: Oil minister Ram Naik said on Thursday the country had stocks of petroleum products to last at least two months, as a war erupted in oil-rich Iraq. "We have presently crude oil, petrol, diesel stocks and correspondingly LPG, kerosene, which will last at least for 2 months, that is 60 days stocks we have," said Ram Naik. He added India's recent acquisition of 20 per cent oil equity in an oilfield in Sudan would also help meet any possible supply disruptions.

           India currently imports 1.7 million barrels per day of crude oil, with nearly 65 percent coming from the Middle East. Naik's statement comes after the United States, supported militarily by Britain and Australia, began early morning air- raids on Iraq.

Two Cops Among Three Wounded in Ahmedabad Clashes (Go To Top)

          GOMTI (Ahmedabad),  Mar. 20:   At least three people, including two policemen, were wounded in overnight clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat. The clashes, in two different parts of Ahmedabad, started after a spat between children of the two communities playing cricket late on Wednesday. Police used teargas to break up the clashes in which Hindus and Muslims pelted stones at each other in the Muslim-dominated old quarter of Ahmedabad, which bore the brunt of last year's communal riots.

           "A match was going on between the communities and a ball hit someone and tempers flared. Both of them started pelting stones at each other and the situation worsened. Thankfully police came at the right time and controlled the situation," said a local resident in Gomti locality on Thursday.

           More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in a wave of revenge killings in Gujarat last year after a suspected Muslim mob firebombed a train killing 59 Hindu activists. Ahmedabad was the worst affected city in those clashes and tensions have simmered since then.

Dawood Aide Dossa Deported from Dubai (Go To Top)

          MUMBAI, Mar 20:  Mustaffa Ahmed Umer Dossa, prime accused in the 1993 serial bomb blasts, was brought to Mumbai on Thursday after being deported from Dubai. Dossa alias Majnoom Sheth alias Ahmed Memon, a key associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was brought by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by a special flight en route New Delhi to face trial in a special anti-terrorism court.

           Dossa is accused of bringing explosives used in the serial blasts and arranging youth for training in Pakistan. Dossa is a brother of Mohammad Dosa, who is also a prime accused in the case and reportedly absconding since 1993 when serial explosions shattered Mumbai killing 257 people and injuring 713. The blasts, police say, were believed to be in retaliation of the religious riots triggered by the destruction of the 16th century Babri mosque in Ayodhya by Hindu zealots.

           CBI says Dossa arranged landing of arms and ammunition at Dighi coast in Maharashtra on January 9, 1993. From there, the weapons were transported in trucks to neighbouring Gujarat. Dossa is the third accused to be deported by the United Arab Emirates after the Dubai-based gangster Ejaz Pathan and Dawood's brother Anees Ibrahim were deported last month.

Nepal King Arrives on 10-day Visit (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI, Mar 20: Nepalese King Gyanendra and Queen Komal arrived here on Thursday on a 10-day visit to India. He was welcomed by minister of state for external affairs Vinod Khanna. King Gyanendra is expected to meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, President APJ Abdul Kalam and Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani during his stay in New Delhi.

           The King will also visit several religious centres in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal. Gyanendra will also inaugurate the golden jubilee celebrations of the installation of Jagatguru Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati in Chennai.

           This is Gyanendra's second visit to India since the June 2001 palace massacre of his brother, King Birendra, and most of the royal family by then crown prince Dipendra in a drug and alcohol induced shooting spree. The visit of the king is significant at a time when there is political instability in Nepal and talks are due to take place between the Government and Maoists. The Maoists are fighting to overthrow the monarchy and set up a one-party Communist republic in the impoverished nation. More than 4,700 people have been killed since the rebellion broke out in 1996. India has already provided Nepal with military support such as arms, helicopters, trucks and mine-resistant vehicles. It is also Nepal's biggest trade partner and a key donor to the landlocked nation.

IA Fares Raised by 15 pc (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI, Mar 20: Country's domestic carrier Indian Airlines (IA) on Thursday hiked its fares by 15 per cent. The new fares would be implemented with immediate effect, civil aviation minister Shahnawaz Hussain Khan said. The hike was attributed to a massive increase in the prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Talking about the hike, the minister told reporters it had nothing to do with the U.S.-Iraq war. "It is due to a 44 per cent rise in the international prices of ATF since last December," he said. He said the decision to hike the fares of Air India will be taken soon.

Biggest US Operation on to Nab Osama (Go To Top)

          KABUL, Mar 20: In the biggest operation in just over a year, about 1,000 US troops have launched raids on villages in southeastern Afghanistan, hunting for members of the Al Qaida terrorist network. Military officials said on Thursday that helicopters ferried troops from the army's 82nd airborne division to the remote, mountainous area as the hunt for terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden and his network intensified.

Malaysia Regrets Treatment of Indian IT Personnel, Probe Ordered (Go To Top)

          KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 20: Short of admitting the charge of physical abuse, the home ministry of Malaysia has expressed "deep regret" over the treatment of Indian IT professionals in a police raid to check on illegal workers 11 days ago. In a statement, the secretary-general Aseh Che Mat said that "the home ministry expresses deep regret over the inconvenience experienced by those detained. The operation was not carried out with a view to arresting Indian workers," according to the Straits Times.

           The ministry, in charge of police and immigration departments, also apologised to Indian diplomats who were thwarted by the police when they tried to intervene on behalf of the workers during the March 9 incident. It also admitted that some work passes were defaced and promised to get them replaced. Datuk Aseh vowed to take disciplinary action against officers who might have broken any rules during the operation.

          His statement followed an official protest and threats of retaliation from India, including denying Malaysia Airlines new landing rights and reviewing the country's palm oil imports. India also pulled out its team from the annual Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament this week.

          While the acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has ordered the police chief to probe the incident at the Palm Court condominium, foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar said he hoped the incident would not sour bilateral ties. Some of the Indian workers alleged that police slapped and kicked them. Dozens of the professionals have since left Malaysia, with more planning to follow suit.

MTV Host is the New Man in Britney's Life (Go To Top)

          LONDON, Mar 20: US pop singer Britney Spears is dating MTV host Mike Kasem, son of Casey Kasem, legendary US radio DJ who used to host America's Top Ten radio show during the 1980s. Although the two have known each other since last November, things only started getting serious in the past few weeks. In fact, the couple have been seen enjoying romantic dinner dates near Britney's home in Louisiana. They have also been spending nights watching TV rather than drinking and smoking until the early hours.

           "She (Britney) was going out night after night. Then Mike stepped into her life and he's been a positive influence on her. He's persuaded Britney to keep her partying to a minimum. He would like her to stop drinking entirely. Mike's strong and stable and doesn't do drink or drugs. He's fun and outgoing and showing Britney you don't have to party to the extreme to have a good time," one of Britney's friends was quoted as saying by the Sun.

Crack in Liz Tayor-Jacko Friendship (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON, Mar 20: The long-term friendship between King of Pop Michael Jackson and veteran actress Elizabeth Taylor appears to have come to an end. According to a report in People News, Liz celebrated her 71st birthday at the end of last month, but there was no invitation for the pop star. 'They've had a terrible falling out,' said a worried source. 'Michael had summoned Liz to Neverland, but when she arrived he wasn't there.'

          It seems Jackson was out shopping for a new home at the time. Reported to be in dire financial straits, the singer is said to be spending less time with friends and a lot more in the Palm Beach area of Florida, possibly because State law there will not allow real estate to be taken away by court judgement.

Beckhams Pose Nude for Portrait in Abstract Fashion(Go To Top)

          LONDON, Mar.20: David Beckham and wife Victoria are getting a portrait made of themselves cuddling in the nude and have already shelled out 5000 pounds. The saucy life-size picture will hang at their five million Hertfordshire mansion, says a report in the Sun. But guests will not be able to tell the couple are starkers - because the artwork is so abstract.

           Manchester United ace David, 27, and ex-'Posh' Spice, Victoria, 28, commissioned the bizarre piece from German artist Jochen Allardice-Grein. They sent him a Polaroid snap of them hugging naked which he altered with a computer to make a work of art. Edinburgh-based Jochen has already done a similar picture for Madonna and hubby Guy Ritchie. A friend said: "He has been inundated with requests from stars".

Geri Halliwell's Desire for Britney Spears (Go To Top)

          LONDON, Mar 20: Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, who admitted last week having enjoyed a lesbian fling, said during a US chat show that she would like to bed Britney Spears. According to a report in the Sun, Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, 31, who tried to charm Geri on the chat show, snuggled up to her, stroked her arm and declared: "You look hot". But former Spice Girl Geri, 30, pushed him away and laughed at his womanising antics. Geri scorned chat-up lines from randy rocker Durst, saying she would rather bed his ex-girl friend Britney. Geri said: "If I was a man, I'd want to do Britney." She even hinted that she, Durst and Britney, 21, might enjoy a threesome.

Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas Do PR for Celine Dion (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON, Mar 20: French-Canadian singer Celine Dion got a boost for her spate of shows at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas after the gorgeous couple Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas ran an advertisement in a magazine to praise Dion. The full-page ad in movie industry magazine 'Variety' set the couple back 11,500 pounds. 'Celine,' it reads, 'we can't wait to see your show! All our best wishes, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.'

           Ticket sales so far have been awful for Dion's spate of shows at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, which has been designed to look like a Roman arena (though sadly without lions), says a report in People News. Douglas had earlier posted a similar advertisement to his wife congratulating her on her hard work in musical Chicago.

Straight Out of Movies: Seagal Sends Mobsters to Jail (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON, Mar 20: A real-life drama straight out of a thriller emerged as action hero Steven Seagal testified against two members of the notorious Gambino family, saying that they tried to extort two million pounds from him. The case, which has been going on for two years, started when Seagal claimed that Anthony 'Sonny' Ciccone and Primo Cassarino, from the notorious Gambino family, demanded the cash at a meeting in a restaurant and that mafia associates (including one charming fellow nicknamed the Lump) turned up on film sets to intimidate him into paying, reports People News.

           Sensibly fearing for his life, Seagal has surrounded himself with bodyguards ever since and only appeared in court when police threatened him with jail if he didn't testify. He said of his dilemma, 'I didn't want to go to jail. I have six kids.' Anthony Ciccone and Cassarino were convicted of racketeering, extortion and money laundering and are awaiting sentencing.

Justin 'Cries a River' as 'Taxmen' Come Calling (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON, Mar 20: Singer Justin Timberlake was in a state of shock and almost broke into tears after 'United States Tax Enforcers' handed him a bill for 650,000 pounds. Fortunately for Timbers, the officers were enforcing for an MTV candid-camera style show, and so the astronomical debt to the taxman never materialised.

           Unfortunately for the 22-year-old singer of the popular number 'Cry Me A River', the cameras caught him struggling to hold back the tears. When told property from his Los Angeles mansion would have to be sold at public auction to cover the debt, Timbers went pale and had to sit down, reports People News.

           The NSync star sat in a state of shock as the 'Enforcers' inspected his paper work. But then his mother, who was party to the scam, rang to put him out of his misery. 'Justin, you silly sausage, it's just a joke!' screeched Mrs Timberlake delightedly, while her son waited for his heart palpitations to ease and rang his accountant to re-hire him.