BAGHDAD: As the US-led war on Iraq entered its 12th day, the country came under heavy bombardment with fresh sets of explosions hitting the information ministry and the Presidential palace used by Saddam Hussein's son, Quasy. The devastating attack which  came in one night raid hit the roof of the ministry smashing its glass panels and damaging its sattelite dishes after triggering a massive fire. The latest round of ferocious pounding also targetted Government sites and repeatedly blasted Republican Guard positions defending Baghdad. US Central Command war headquarters in Qatar has issued a statement saying the information ministry has been targetted with a Tomhawk missile "to reduce Hussein regime's command and control capabilities".

Supreme Court Rules Status Quo on Ayodhya Land

          NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by the Central Government to lift the ban on Hindu prayers near the site of demolished Babri mosque in Ayodhya. It said the ban must remain in place until the lower court looking into the dispute over the site ruled on the ownership, adding that its ruling was meant "to maintain communal harmony".

          "The Supreme Court has rejected Centre's appeal. It said to maintain communal harmony and to implement the purposes of Acquistion Act, status quo will be maintained on whole land. No worshipping will be allowed on both disputed and undisputed lands," said Ejaz Maqbool, lawyer of Muslim Personal Law Board. The NDA coalition Government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, had appealed to the court to reverse a decision made last year banning all religious activity at or near the site. The Allahabad High Court this month directed archaeologists to begin excavations to search for any remains of a Hindu temple.

John Wright's Contract Extended (Go To Top)

          KOLKATA: The Boarch for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to extend the contract of coach John Wright for two months, it was announced here on Monday. The contract was mainly extended on an ad hoc basis keeping in mind the upcoming tri-series in Bangladesh scheduled for next month. It would be formalised at the next working committee meeting of the board, according to sources.

           Wright, who is now at his home in Christchurch, confirmed the development. He said BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya telephoned him on Sunday and asked him to continue for two more months. "I am quite happy at the BCCI's decision", he said, adding, that he has very good rapport with the Indian players.

           The tri-series in Bangladesh including India, South Africa and the host country, is scheduled to begin on April 11 and go on till April 20. However, there has been doubts over the tournament following South Africa's pull-out from the Sharjah tournament in the first week of April in view of the war in Iraq.

Traders Down Shutters in Protest Against VAT (Go To Top)

          NEW DELHI: Traders across India went on a two-day strike on Monday in protest against the implementation of single Value Added Tax from Tuesday. Shops in major marketing areas in New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai did not open their shutters. Chemists and druggists had last week called for a one-day shutdown protesting the new uniform tax regime.

           Satish Sudra, vice- president of the traders' association, New Delhi, said the new tax would be difficult to administer and turn out to be an instrument of harrasment by corrupt bureaucrats.The value added tax is similar to national sales tax. However, instead of implementing one tax of a certain percentage at the time of retail sale, there is a smaller tax, added each time the product is resold or when value has been added. With VAT in force, the total tax is built into the cost of goods, exports are not taxed and all imports are taxed. It allows multiple rates and exemptions on goods from other countries.

           The new tax would remove multiple layers of sales tax that often lead to revenue losses and tax evasion. It would also end the "rate wars" among states seeking to lure investors with tax incentives. The government says VAT, seen as crucial to the country's economic reform programme, has many advantages over ordinary sales tax.

11 Killed in Train-Jeep Collision in UP (Go To Top)

          LUCKNOW: As many as 11 persons, including four children, were killed and eight injured when a passenger train rammed a jeep at an unmanned railway crossing near here on Sunday. The incident occurred when the Gorakhpur-bound Maurya Express rammed a jeep at a railway crossing near Nonapaar railway station. Carrying 19 people, the jeep was reportedly going to Tarauli in Bihar. It was hit by the train while crossing the unmanned level crossing under Deoria-Gorakhpur section of the North- East Railway.

India Ready to Fight Aggression: Air Force Chief (Go To Top)

          AGARTALA: The Indian Air Force chief said on Monday that the country was ready to "fight" aggression from any of its adversaries. "Talking about it, without having to spell out the names etc., you are already familiar. Whatever we call the adversaries we have, then we are very confident. We are just looking for an opportunity. If there is anything, we will fight," Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy told reporters here. Krishnaswamy did not name Pakistan. The two South Asian rivals, who have fought two wars over Kashmir, often exchange fire across their frontier and a ceasefire line that divides the Himalayan region between them.

Pakistani Woman in FBI List Arrested in Karachi (Go To Top)

          KARACHI: A Pakistani woman, an academic who figured in FBI's list of having suspected links to Al Qaeda network, has been arrested. She was picked up from the house of her relatives here on Friday, after being chased from the Quaid E Azam international airport by the personnel of the law-enforcement agency.

           Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Ph.D doctor, was taken to an undisclosed destination for questioning. On Saturday, the FBI agents were allowed to interrogate her. Some sources believe she worked with the "chemical wire group" of the Al Qaeda. Recently, the FBI had placed the photograph of a lady namely Dr Aafia Siddiqui at its website stating: "Although the FBI has no information indicating that this individual is connected to specific terrorist activities, the FBI would like to locate and question this individual." The website also contained such remarks: "Although Aafia Siddiqui's Current whereabouts are unknown, the FBI believes she is currently in Pakistan."

           According to reports, said The News, Aafia, who has a doctorate degree in neurological science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was living in Boston along with her spouse and three children. She is alleged to have provided logistical support to a man called Adnan G El Shukrijumah who is wanted in connection with possible threats against the US as mentioned on the FBI website.

Michael Douglas' Oscar Prank (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: Many wondered why Michael Douglas bizarrely opened the envelope and ripped it into two before announcing Catherine Zeta Jones-starrer 'Chicago' as the Best Picture at the Oscars recently. Well, he wanted to give Marty Richards, the producers of the film, a heart attack. He revealed to a friend later that he'd told Richards, if his film lost he would rip the envelope as a sign, says a report in People News. "Michael thought he'd try to give Marty a heart attack," said his friend. Not to mention risking bringing on the early labour for wifey Zeta Jones.

Actress Kirsten to Get Tennis Tips from Pat Cash (Go To Top)

          LONDON: Aussie tennis pro Pat Cash is all set to give some tips on the game to Kirsten Dunst who will play a US tennis player in her next film. In 'Wimbledon', Kirsten - the love interest in Spiderman - will play a US player competing at the tournament. Cash, who lifted the men's singles trophy in 1987, has been called in to make her look a natural, reports the Sun. 'Wimbledon' starts shooting in London in June, when the All England contest takes place. It also stars British actor Paul Bettany.

A 'Dark, Dancer Chapter' in Jude's Life  (Go To Top)

          LONDON: Troubled star couple Sadie Frost and Jude Law are in for some more trouble. A lap dancer has revealed that she has had an affair with the 'Road to Perdition' star and even was pregnant with his baby. Sadie's father David Vaughan spoke out in the Sun after Erica Coburn, a stunning lap dancer, told how she had an abortion following a fling with the movie hunk. David, 58 - who has split from Sadie's mum - said: "I always thought Jude was a bit of a Jack-the-lad, a real dark horse of the old school who loved boozing and seeing other women.

          Erica, 26, claimed in a Sunday newspaper that they started an affair in May 2001 in Chicago while Jude, 30, was filming 'Road to Perdition', adding, "He told me he and his wife had separated and he'd never had an affair before." She said she fell pregnant in June 2001 and he offered 65,000 pounds to "send her somewhere". Erica took an abortion pill only when Jude broke off contact. She added: "Jude doesn't know if I had the baby or not. He doesn't care."

           Sadie, 37, suffered depression following the birth of son Rudy seven months ago and later went into hospital after scratching at her arms. Jude left their North London home, demanding a divorce.

Thousands Flock for Role in Jackie Chan's Film (Go To Top)

         LONDON: Craze for movies and action-hero Jackie Chan's fan following were witnessed when thousands of people in Berlin came forward seeking role for extras in the actor's next film, a fantasy-adventure remake of 'Around the World in 80 Days'. The interested city residents formed hundreds of metres long lines at a suburban studio for the roles on Sunday. The clerks at the registration desk had registered 12,600 names by the afternoon, the second of two days for applicants to sign up, according to reports in Teen Hollywood.com

          "We've been mobbed. It's incredible. We've got far more than we ever expected," said Iris Mueller, head of the casting agency which put out a call last week for 6,000 ordinary-looking people. The wait to register - up to three hours - was so long that the impatient simply went home again, she admitted. Applicants ranged from sprightly retirees to kids too young to go to the movies yet. The crowd scenes require people of all ethnicities: the only requirement is that they do not have unnaturally dyed hair, as the movie is set in the 19th century.

          Shooting is to start April 16. The lucky 6,000 will have the chance to see Hong Kong action star Chan in person, albeit at a distance, as he scales a church steeple in the heart of Berlin.

Winslet All Out to be a 'Tiger Trainer' (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: 'Titanic' actress Kate Winslet is all out to prove herself in her role as a tiger trainer in a new movie. It seems she is on double duty in New York - filming by day and researching at night. The actress has been spotted taking family members to the Ringling Brothers circus in the city, where she's filming 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless' Mind with Jim Carrey, to study the role of a tiger trainer. She needs the know-how in order to play 1920s tiger trainer Mabel Stark in the movie, says a report in Teen Hollywood.com

           Winslet, her brother and daughter Mia have been spotted checking out the big top show and circus. Insiders have revealed that she has met with animal trainer Mark Oliver Gebel to talk about his job.