I was a bit tempted: Cronje
Ex-skipper ‘clinically depressed’
CAPE TOWN, June 21 — Former South African Cricket captain Hansie Cronje, described earlier by his psychiatrist as clinically depressed, said today he bitterly regretted taking money from bookmakers.

• Mukesh ‘holidaying’

End to Fiji crisis imminent
SUVA, June 21 — A deal to end Fiji’s coup crisis is set to be signed tomorrow, clearing the way for the release of elected Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and other hostages who have been held in Parliament for 33 days, sources told AFP today.

India wins case against Pakistan
THE HAGUE, June 21 — India won a major legal victory today against Pakistan when the International Court of Justice rejected Islamabad’s case and ruled that it had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the dispute raised by Pakistan regarding shooting down of its naval aircraft in the Kutch region last August.

States for more Central aid
NEW DELHI, June 21 — In a show of solidarity cutting across political affiliations, Chief Ministers and Finance Ministers of nine states, including two allies of the ruling NDA, today urged the Prime Minister to intervene and sought remedial action to address their financial distress.

The Punjab Finance Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, MP Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and Rajasthan Chief Minister Mr Ashok Gehlot at the Chief Minister's conclave on State Finances organised in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Chautala questions sugar levy price
NEW DELHI, June 21 — The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today disagreed on the manner in which the Centre fixed the levy price for sugar which he termed fell short of expectations.

Steps to curb violence in Bihar
PATNA, June 21 — As measures to put an end to extremist and caste-related violence, the Bihar Government today accepted the proposals, mooted by the Coordination Committee of ruling RJD and its allies, for holding elections to the panchayats and local bodies by February next year and setting up several commissions to accelerate development of the state.

BRO may shift HQ to city
SHIMLA, June 21 — The Border Roads Organisation is planning to shift the headquarters of the prestigious Deepak Project to Chandigarh from here. It is reliably learnt that the proposal to shift the Deepak Project, which is constructing and maintaining vital roads in Himachal Pradesh, is under consideration of the Surface Transport Ministry.

Liquor mafia forces rate slash
HISAR, June 21 — The notorious liquor mafia that had ensured the failure of prohibition in Haryana is active once again forcing liquor contractors to slash rates and offer sops to Bacchus lovers to meet competition from liquor smuggled in from the neighbouring states.