'Chicago' bags 5 Oscars, Kidman Best Actress, Brody Best Actor

          Washington, Mar.24: Father and son duo, Kirk and Michael Douglas, presented the Oscar for Best Film to 'Chicago' directed by debutant Rob Marshall and produced by Martin Richards. The musical picked 5 Oscars including best supporting actress award for Catherine Zeta Jones. The Oscar for best actress went to Nicole Kidman for ... (Contd)

Militants gun down 24 Hindus in Kashmir village

          Madi Marg (Jammu and Kashmir), Mar 24: Suspected Muslim militants shot dead 24 Hindus in Kashmir's Pulwama region early on Monday, the worst post-poll carnage in the State. The terrorists stormed into the village of Nadi Marg, about 50 km south of Srinagar in the thickly forested mountain region of Pulwama, on Sunday night and fired indiscriminately.

           The authorities said 11 women and two children were killed in the attack. "In all 24 people have died, including 11 men, 11 women and two children. All bodies have bullet marks," said Doctor Abdul Ahmed Hamid, Registrar of Health Department, Pulwama. About 400,000 Kashmiri Hindus, known as Pandits, fled the Valley in 1990, many going to live in the Jammu region in the south of the State.

           The new government of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed, who promised after his election in October to bring a healing touch to the region, had been trying to persuade some of those Pandits to return.

            The Sunday night attack was the bloodiest since Syed was elected, sweeping away a family dynasty that had dominated Kashmiri politics for more than half a century and raising hopes for peace. The attack followed the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen's service commander Abdul Majid Dar on Sunday. Dar had been expelled last year by the militant group for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. Local media reports said he was ejected for turning "pro-India".

Four killed in Pak shelling (Go To Top)

          Jammu, Mar 24: At least four people were killed and four others injured in shelling by Pakistani troops on Monday. The shelling took place in Jangard belt along the line of control (LoC), official sources said. BSF (Border Security Force) sources said the Pakistani troops fired over 100 mortars at various places in Rajouri-Poonch sectors. It started Sunday night and continued till the wee hours of Monday. Security forces retaliated and the exchange of firing continued for hours together, the sources said.

Intense fighting raging at Karbala: TV report (Go To Top)

          Baghdad, Mar 24: Intense fighting between the Iraqi and US-led coalition forces was reported near Karbala, some 80 km from Baghdad, a press report said on Monday. Meanwhile, the US authorities have confirmed killing of 10 and missing of 12 US soldiers in the battle at Al-Nasriyya. Two British soldiers were also reported missing in southern Iraq. Two of the US missiles headed for Iraq exploded within the jurisdiction of Turkey. Since it was attributed to a technical fault, no fatality occurred.

           Allied forces have captured two Iraqi commanders in Iraq, British TV channel quoted the US Central Command as saying. No detailed information was made public about the detainees. Apprising the Congress with the war expenditures, US President Bush said this war would cost around 80 billion dollars. Russian weapons dealers have said they have provided Iraq with such electronic devices that Iraq can use to destroy US fighting planes and bombs including choking off their entire military system, sources disclosed.

62 Iraqis dead and over 400 injured, says Baghdad (Go To Top)

          Baghdad, Mar 24: Sixty-two Iraqis have been killed and over 400 injured in coaltion forces' attack in the last 24 hours. This was stated by Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf at a press conference here on Monday. The city-by-city data on it were, according to him, thus: in Baghdad, 194 wounded in bombing but none killed, 30 killed in Babel, south of Baghad, and 14 in Basra; and unspecified deaths and injuries in Najaf and Karbala, as well as in the provinces Qadisiya, Ninawa and Salah ad Din. Sahaf declared that the US-led forces insist on striking civilian areas in a criminal manner and those evil people believe that by expanding their war crimes, they can weaken us. They are not only criminals, but idiots, for believing that."

           Enemy trapped, declares Saddam; 2 Apache copters downed Baghdad, Mar 24: In his latest TV address to the nation, President Saddam Hussein praised Iraqi resistance that stalled forces trying to sweep north to the Iraqi Capital. "The enemy is trapped in the sacred land of Iraq ... brave fighters, hit your enemy with all your strength," he declared and lauded commanders fighting the war. "Be patient, victory is coming," he told the nation, and said "victory is very near" in Basra where US and British forces are still fighting for wresting control. But Britain believes that the latest TV appearance by Saddam was not a live broadcast. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told mediapersons in London here on Monday that "as far as the pictures this morning are concerned, obviously analysis continues. But what I can say straight away is that those pictures were not live."

           The Pentagon had no immediate comment on Saddam's address, which came after a day of military and propaganda setbacks for the allied troops facing a stiff Iraqi fightback. Soon after he spoke, Iraq announced it had shot down two US Apache helicopters. An American official confirmed that one had been lost. In Washington, President George W. Bush said the war was still young, although it has passed its 100-hour mark. "We're on course and we're making good progress," he said on Sunday. "This is just the beginning of a tough fight."

           Amrican warplanes again pummelled Baghdad. Several huge blasts rocked the city centre before dawn with no warning from air raid sirens and no anti-aircraft fire. In the north, more air strikes hit in or around Mosul. Jets also pounded Iraqi bunkers on hilltops overlooking the Kurdish-held town of Chamchamal.

           In Damascus, the official Syrian news agency said a missile fired by a US warplane had hit a bus carrying Syrians returning home from Iraq, killing five and wounding at least 10. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday night near al-Rutbeh, some 160 km (100 miles) from the Syrian border. Two US Marines were killed in separate accidents in Iraq, the Pentagon announced early on Monday.

Jamali arrives in Beijing (Go To Top)

          Beijing, Mar 24: Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali arrived here Monday at the start of a three-day visit to China, a press report said. Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior officials received Jamali and his entourage at the Beijing airport Prime Minister Jamali is the first head of government to visit China after the installation of new leadership in Beijing. Talking to mediamen before leaving for China at the PAF Base Chaklala, Jamali said the bilateral talks would focus on the prevailing international and regional situation. The visit, he said, would further improve and strengthen the existing strong ties between the two countries.

Naxals attack Coke, Pepsi godowns (Go To Top)

          Hyderabad, Mar 24: Naxalites belonging to the banned People's War Group (PWG) attacked godowns of Coca Cola and Pepsi here on Sunday in protest against the U.S.-led attack on Iraq. Office premises of the companies in Prakasham and Anantapur districts were damaged. The attackers included two women, the police said. The Naxalites also protested against the fake encounters in the State, they added. The ultras destroyed over six cases of Coca Cola bottles and raised slogans against the US and UK demanding immediate withdrawal of their forces from Iraq. After raiding the Coca Cola godown, the Naxals handed over a letter to a villager asking him to forward it to the media. The letter condemned the NDA Government's soft attitude towards the US.

30 Indian fishermen held in Pakistan (Go To Top)

           Karachi, Mar 24: Thirty Indian fishermen were arrested on Sunday by the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) for illegally entering Pakistani territorial waters some 67 nautical miles from here. According to police, the fishermen aboard five launches entered Pakistani territorial waters for fishing illegally. The fishermen were identified as Dileep Vinsa, Naraish, Raju, Mohan, Shiwta, Lalji, Samji, Bonaish, Ishore, Bakanj, Neelash, Chhatto, Maj, Dileep, Bangan, Kishan, Jito, Ijjo, Meeto, Jinam, Manoj, Parad, Jouto, Arjun, Rajesh, Arvin, Prabho, Bhako, Ramesh and Lasia. The police also impounded their five launches.

'Chicago' bags 5 Oscars, Kidman Best Actress, Brody Best Actor (Go To Top)

          ... (Contd) 'the Hours'. Renee Zellweger was top favourite for her sizzling performance in 'Chicago', but Nicole took the cake. Nicole was nominated last year for 'Moulin Rouge', but lost out to Halle Berry who got it for 'Monster's Ball.' She thanked her mother and said she wanted to make her daughter proud. Adrien Brody became the youngest actor to take Oscar for Leading role in 'the Pianist' The film also bagged the Oscar for Best Direction, by Roman Polanski. Catherine Zeta Jones won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Chicago'. She thanked everyone involved in the movie. "And to my son Dylan who is going to be watching at home. And to my husband, who I love and I share this award with you, along with this one, too", she said.

          Chris Cooper bagged Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He thanked Charlie Kaufmann, Spike Jonze, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep."Working with this woman was like making great jazz. You had a lot to do with this, so I thank you", he said in his acceptance speech.

           Roman Polanski picked the Oscar for Best Director for the film 'the Pianist'. The film also bagged the award for Best Actor Adrien Brody and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Paul McCartney denies 'daddy again' rumours (Go To Top)

          London, Mar 24: Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney has squashed reports that said his wife Heather was three-months pregnant. It was earlier claimed that he was to be a daddy again at 60. It was reported that the ex-model, 35, and McCartney were spotted leaving a North London childbirth clinic "smiling from ear to ear".

           "It's not true. Paul is not going to be a father again for the time being." Sir Paul's official spokesman Geoff Baker said, according to a report in the Sun. Heather has said she would love to have children - but her chances are slim because she has suffered cancer of the uterus and two ectopic pregnancies.

Missed 'Chicago' role gives Travolta heartburn (Go To Top)

           Washington, Mar 24: 'Chicago' walked away with 5 Oscars on Sunday night, and guess who must be kicking himself? Who else but John Travolta, as he rather stupidly turned down the Billy Flynn role (played by Oscar nominated Richard Gere). John was the producer's first choice for the all singing and dancing role. Although he had the musical credentials - who could forget Grease - Travolta did not have the stomach for a film musical he felt couldn't work on the screen.

           'I would have never thought Chicago could have worked, when I saw it on stage,' he was quoted as saying by PeopleNews. Quickly shifting the blame onto the producers he said that the film had not been explained to him properly and had they done so, scene by scene, he would have said yes.