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Modi Sworn in Gujarat Chief Minister

           AHMEDABAD: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party formally took power for a third successive term in troubled Gujarat on Sunday as firebrand leader Narendra Modi was sworn in as chief minister at a largely-attended ceremony at Sardar Patel Stadium here.

          Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, Deputy PM LK Advani, Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalitha and renowned film stars were among the dignitaries present. The Congress stayed away. Modi, accused of complicity in bloody Hindu-Muslim clashes this year in which more than 1,000 people were killed, took his oath in Gujarati language.

          Modi, who has been hailed by the BJP as a hero for reviving its fortunes after a series of State election losses, was garlanded by Hindu priests and showered with flower petals. Fifteen ministers were also sworn in. The BJP heads the ruling federal coalition at the Centre.

   SYDNEY: New Zealand completed a 2-0 series whitewash against India after winning the historic final Test by four wickets at Hamilton on Sunday. Resuming the penultimate day on 24 for none overnight, the hosts reached the target after some tense moments, making 160 for six in 56.2 overs in their second innings.

   Skipper Stephen Fleming was the top scorer with 32 runs. For the visitors, Ashish Nehra took three wickets. Kiwi paceman Daryl Tuffey, who took four wickets in each of India's innings for a match total of eight wickets, was named man-of-the-match.

Twenty passengers were killed when the engine and nine bogies of Bangalore-bound Kacheguda-Bangalore Express train coming from Hyderabad derailed at Ramlingayapalli near Pendegalli railway station in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh early Saturday.

US Screening Pakistani Nationals (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: Fear has gripped Pakistanis living in the United States as Washington is screening hundreds of thousands of Muslim immigrants looking for possible terrorists. Diplomatic sources in the American Capital say that as many as 200,000 Pakistanis may be affected by the new requirement to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

           Such registration is required under the law made after last year's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were added last week to a list of 18 mainly Muslim countries whose nationals are required to register. All non-permanent Pakistani residents in the United States must register with the INS between January 13 and February 21.

           The INS has already detained hundreds of Iranian and Arab Muslims when they came for registration. While talking to Dawn, INS spokesman Jorge Martinez acknowledged "about 400 arrests," mainly in southern California, which is home to more than 600,000 Iranians. Muslim advocacy groups, however, say the number is much higher.

           The arrests caused panic among Pakistanis who will also be appearing before INS officials soon. "We are receiving 200-300 calls a day from those who fear arrest," says Imran Ali, a consular officer at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington. The embassy stays open till late at night to deal with the new situation.

           The embassy is also trying to convince the US administration to reconsider its decision to include Pakistan in the list of "high terrorist risk states." They argue that since Pakistan is a close US ally in the war against terrorism, it does not belong to this list. Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi and his senior staff have already held several meetings with senior US officials, including Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, an adviser to the National Security Council, Steve Hadley, and a legal adviser to the US Justice Department, Harry Marshall.

            Although most of the non-resident Pakistanis in America are living in fear, New York is the worst affected. "Afraid of being arrested, many Pakistani workers are staying at home. Pakistani restaurants and grocery stores are empty and some people have even gone to Canada," said an official in the Pakistani Mission in the United Nations.

Hyderabad National Games Concludes (Go To Top)

           HYDERABAD: Curtains were drawn on the 32nd National Games in Hyderabad onn Sunday. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee declared the games closed at a glittering ceremony.

          Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, president of Indian Olympic Association Suresh Kalmadi, federal sports minister Vikram Verma and several film personalities were among those who participated in the function.

          About 9,000 players and officials from across the country participated in 32 disciplines to vie for 1,233 medals. Hosts Andhra Pradesh topped the medals tally with 93 golds, 86 silvers and 63 bronze. Punjab, country's traditional sports stronghold, had a disappointing run, bagging just 54 golds to come a distant second.

Militants Gun Down Three Children in J-K (Go To Top)

          JAMMU: Three children were killed and two injured when militants raided a village in Poonch district on Saturday night. Police said that the ultras barged into the house of one, Munshi Khan, in Kunthal village and opened fire killing Khan's three sons aged 4 to 12 years. Khan and a teacher, a tenant in the house, were wounded.

          In another incident a little earlier, militants fired rockets from a hilltop at a police station in Surankote, forcing security forces to retaliate. The exchange of fire continued for two hours, but no casualties were reported.

Three Killed in Karachi Building Blast (Go To Top)

          KARACHI: A three-storey building that stored chemicals collapsed on Saturday in Karachi following a blast, killing three people who were inside the building at the time.

          Relatives of Asif Ramzi, a Pakistani Islamic militant suspected of involvement in the murder of US reporter Daniel Pearl, identified Ramzi's body among the mutilated corpses found, police said. Police say they suspect Ramzi, who was also wanted in connection with a series of bomb attacks in Karachi, accidentally blew himself up while making bombs.

          Police found two fake identity cards bearing Ramzi's photograph in the rubble of the building as well as a motorcycle packed with five kg of explosives.

Indian Team Fined for Slow Bowling (Go To Top)

          SYDNEY: A fine of 35 per cent of match fee has been imposed on Indian cricket team for bowling slow in the first Test at Basin Reserve at Wellington last week.

          Match-referee Mike Procter told reporters after the second Test that the Indians had bowled six overs less than scheduled in the first game.  "Indian team has been fined 35 per cent for slow over rate during New Zealand's first innings in the first Test. They even bowled slow in the second Test during second innings".

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