BAGHDAD: US commanders have ordered a pause of four to six days in a push towards Baghdad because of supply shortages and stiff Iraqi resistance, a Western news agency reported on Saturday. The pause ordered on Friday meant that advances would be put on hold while the military sorted out logistics problems with long supply lines from Kuwait.

Baghdad Rocked by Fresh Wave of Bombing

          BAGHDAD:  Baghdad was rocked by a fresh wave of explosions on Saturday, a day after dozens of people were reported killed in a blast at a crowded market place in the city. US-led forces fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iraq's information ministry in Baghdad, US Central Command in Qatar said. The top floors of the building, which is a base for many foreign journalists, were badly damaged. Aerials were broken and reporters' equipment strewn over the floor.

           Iraqi information minister Mohammed Saeed Al Sahaf said the strike was aimed at stopping the world seeing television pictures of the effects of coalition bomb attacks.

           Washington said it would stop firing cruise missiles over parts of Saudi Arabia after the desert kingdom complained that some missiles landed on its territory.

New Terror Threat to Americans in Pakistan (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: Terrorists disguised as street vendors and beggars could target Americans and other Westerners in Pakistan, US diplomats said on Friday, warning of possible retaliation for the US-led war in Iraq. The warning, contained in a message to Americans from the US embassy in Islamabad, came nine days after the State Department authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency staff and diplomats posted in Pakistan, fearing a backlash to the war.

DMK Activists Protest Against Vaiko's Detention (Go To Top)

         CHENNAI: Hundreds of activists of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam gathered here on Saturday to protest against the continued detention of Vaiko Gopalasamy, leader of Marumalarchi DMK, under a tough anti-terrorism law.

          Former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi and his politician son, MK Stalin, who led the protestors, accused chief minister Jayaram Jayalalitha of harassing political rivals by invoking the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against them. DMK and MDMK are both allies of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's National Democratic Alliance and were instrumental in facilitating the passage of the POTA Bill when it faced hurdles in Parliament.

           POTA, sets strict new rules for arrest, interrogation and investigation and allows suspects to be detained for 30 days without producing them before a court. The Government had said it needed the law to fight insurgents in Jammu and Kashmir and revolts in the country's north-east.

VHP Temple Agitation Ends with a Peaceful March (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: The three-day agitation of Vishwa Hindu Parishad concluded peacefully with a march by seers and activists here. Ashok Singhal, VHP's president, urged the Central Government to facilitate construction of a temple in Ayodhya. The Parishad is spearheading the demand that it be handed over a portion of the land at Ayodhya, acquired by the Government, for building a temple dedicated to Lord Ram.

Delhi Rally Demands Ban on Cow Slaughter (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: A massive rally was held in the national Capital on Saturday by religious leaders from all over the country, demanding an immediate ban on cow slaughter. Addressing a large gathering, Swami Hansdas appealed to all fellow citizens to support the cause of cow slaughter throughout the country.

           "The saints and cow worshippers from all over the country have gathered here today to raise their voice against cow slaughter. We appeal to the Government, politicians, parliamentarians, and public in general to be with us as we demand a complete ban on cow slaughter. We also demand that the law should be implemented throughout the country", said Swami Hansdas Mahamantri, Akhil Bhartiya Sangh Samiti. Hansdas claimed that peace will return to the country if cow slaughter is stopped.

Russell Crowe's Wedding Will Last Three Days  (Go To Top)

          LONDON: When Oscar-winning Australian actor Russell Crowe ties the knot with long-time girl friend Danielle Spencer on April 7, it will be a three-day extravaganza of "food, wine, music and literature." According to glossy invitations sent to family and celebrity guests for the wedding at Crowe's ranch near Sydney, activities include lavish banquets and poetry readings.

           Aside from the nuptials, the main event will be a cricket match starring his cousins Martin and Jeff Crowe, who played for Russell's native New Zealand, and his close friend Shane Warne, who has been banned from playing any form of cricket for a year for taking banned diuretics.

           "What started off as a low-key affair has gradually evolved into a weekend-long celebration. Weather permitting, most of the ceremony will take place outside. Rumour has it that Russell has written his own love poem to Danielle," a source close to the actor was quoted as saying by the Sun.

Brando Says He Is 'Broke' after Being Sued by Former Lover (Go To Top)

          LONDON: In what will surprise many, two-time Oscar- winning legendary US actor Marlon Brando of 'Godfather' fame has revealed that he is virtually broke. Brando, 78, now bedridden with heart and lung problems, made the claim after being sued for 41 million pounds by Maria Ruiz, a 46- year old former maid with whom the actor has three children.

           Ruiz recently filed court papers saying that when they split last year, he promised to look after her financially. "Brando is paying for the children but Maria is receiving no financial support from him whatsoever. She devoted her life to this man after they became lovers in 1988. He promised to secure her future financially for all time. But he has reneged on that commitment. Maria is suing for breach of contract," Donald Woldman, Ruiz's lawyer, was quoted as saying by the Sun.

           Brando replied claiming he is broke - and that he has even been forced to draw 1,187 pounds a month social security. He is said to have spent a fortune in legal fees after son Christian, from one of his three marriages, was arrested and convicted for manslaughter.

Springsteen Concert in Manchester Looks a Non-starter (Go To Top)

          LONDON: Grammy-winning US rock singer Bruce Springsteen's concert at the Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester on May 29 may not go ahead even though all 50,000 tickets have been sold out. The reason is that the 53-year-old, widely known as 'The Boss,' has been refused a stage licence by Trafford borough council, reports the Telegraph.

           According to officials, the residents had "had enough" of the noise and crowd problems associated with rock performers. Moreover, this time around, the impact on residents was likely to be greater than ever as the concert was to follow the Uefa Champions League final at footballing giant Manchester United's Old Trafford ground, which is close by. Springsteen, whose three-and-a-quarter hours of "uplifting celebratory rock `n' roll" was to be part of his world tour, and the promoters now have three weeks to appeal against the decision. He is also due to perform at London's Crystal Palace.

J. Lo, Bono Duet to Hit the Market (Go To Top)

          LONDON: US singer-actress Jennifer Lopez, or J. Lo, has recorded a duet with Bono, the frontman of Grammy-winning Irish band U2. "We were waiting for the right timing to release it, and haven't released it yet, so it would be great if that saw the light of day one day," Lopez was quoted as saying by People News. When asked to reveal details of the collaboration, Lopez refused to say what exactly the song is about, or why the duet came about. Said an insider: "No one can quite understand how the pair of them were introduced and why they thought it a good idea to record a track together. But they have."