Due to the security threats following last month's Mumbai attacks, authorities in India's south-western resort state of Goa have banned beach parties. On Saturday after the discussions, the state government decided to ban the most popular beach parties during Christmas and New Year's holidays.

M Digamber Kamat, Goa Chief Minister announced, "There will be no beach parties from December 23, 2008 to January 5, 2009 due to security reasons. But hotel and traditional parties will be allowed."

From Monday onwards, Over 120 Indian ambassadors will start a specially convened two-day meeting in the capital. The focus will be on the fallout of the Mumbai attacks and ties with Pakistan. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will speak to the envoys. Home Minister P Chidambaram is also likely to attend.

Many star struck men and boys visited the salons to get the perfect Ghajini cut. Two lucky fans got their hair buzzed by the Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan himself at a market in the capital. Aamir said, "Quite a lot of people are getting this Ghajini haircut from various places, so I thought I will give the cut to some of my fans myself. I felt very light when I got it done - there was no need to comb my hair after the bath."

A great hair cut was given by Aamir to Shamshir, a hairstylist, and Shivek, a grade five student, in the presence of a huge crowd.

Taj Mahal Pala

Giving a stern warning to Pakistan, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, "Let me make it clear to our neighbouring country (Pakistan) that we have all the competence and power to give a befitting reply to the use of its soil by terrorists, who mount assaults on India."

While speaking at an election rally in Suchetgarh, 30 km west of Jammu, she further said, "Our intention to settle issues through dialogue and mutual cooperation should not be misunderstood as our weakness."

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said that he is thinking of filing a defamation case against the former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda over the allegations made against him in the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) case. Yeddyurappa's legal advisers have opined that it is a fit case for defamation.

Gowda had alleged that Yeddyurappa favoured the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise who was the promoter of the Bangalore Mysore Expressway.