Kola Venkat Krishnamohan is accused of persuading 40 individuals and several banks to part with 60 million rupees, about pounds 960,000. The commissioner of police in Vijayawada, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, told reporters that Mr Krishnamohan was a compulsive gambler with debts amounting to 30 million rupees (pounds 480,000). Mr Krishnamohan, 42, claimed two of his gambling cronies had cheated him. INDIA'S FIRST big-time cyber criminal is in custody awaiting trial this week, as his countrymen digest the simplicity with which he acquired a fortune. But the commercial ends with his warning that "it is important to be prepared for the worst", and people are urged to stockpile two to three days' worth of water and food and check the latest information when travelling abroad. Japan has been criticised for lagging behind in its millennium preparations, but its claim that it has now caught up with the rest of the world is not entirely convincing.A beaming Mr Obuchi reappears at the end of the advert: "For a safe year- end and New Year..." The voiceover takes over: "We urge you to prepare for the New Year a little differently than usual.". THE PRIME Minister of Japan, Keizo Obuchi, has seized the moment. In the first TV advertisement to feature a Japanese premier, he has decided to bolster his authority by reassuring the people their country is in a state of full millennial readiness.

But his attempt to show that everything is under control may have misfired rather badly. The commercial shows a mock press conference with camera flashes popping and Mr Obuchi looking calm and confident. "We don't think any big disruptions will take place," said Mr Obuchi in the 30-second spot, which was broadcast for the first time last night. Police officers who are overtly racist to the public could be sued under proposed changes to the race relations laws announced yesterday, . Black and Asian people who are repeatedly stopped and searched because of their colour, or who suffer racist abuse, will be able to take civil action in the county courts for the first time. Under the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill, published yesterday, the existing 1976 Race Relations Act will be extended to cover public authorities, such as the police, the prison service, and mental health carers. But the Commission for Racial Equality, the Government's race watchdog, attacked the proposals, arguing that they were greatly flawed and were likely to lead to only a very small number of successful civil actions.. Police officers who are overtly racist to the public could be sued under proposed changes to the race relations laws announced yesterday,.

But he stressed that any clued-up judge would know what the expected answers to the questions would be. His Honour Gerald Butler QC, a retired senior circuit judge, said he thought the most important quality for a judge was simply common sense. He said: "I suspect that it [the test] rather misses the point. You should probably do it three or four years after appointment as this is when weaknesses start to appear." Sir Leonard also recommended the use of self-appraisal forms for potential judges and those seeking promotion as well as an Ombudsman to address the concerns of disappointed candidates. Lord Irvine welcomed the broad sweep of Sir Leonard's report, saying he would now "consider the recommendations in detail." But the Law Society, which represents solicitors, said the report was a "wasted opportunity for real reform".. Judges would answer dozens of questions designed to test for these qualities. He said conservatism (prejudice, excessive punitiveness and ethnocentrism) was an example of a negative judicial personality trait.

He listed these as open-mindedness (willingness to consider new ideas), conscientiousness (careful attention to detail), agreeableness (being able to interact effectively with juries and counsel). Judges should be given personality tests to assess their suitability for the bench, a report commissioned by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, recommended yesterday. The tests, devised by psychologists, will help Lord Irvine identify lawyers with the right personalities to become judges or reach high judicial office. They would also be used to test against racism, rudeness and over-conservatism. The proposal forms part of Sir Leonard Peach's report on the judicial appointments process. Sir Leonard said that after trials the "psychometric tests" - a form of personality assessment - could first be included in the appointment process for assistant recorders (part-time junior judges). Sir Leonard recommends: "The test should be completed prior to interview in controlled surroundings and its result should be used by the panel during the course of the interview and certainly in the final evaluation of the candidate." Dr Colin Cooper, a psychologist and senior lecturer at Queen's University Belfast, said that any test on judicial suitability would have to test for set personality traits.