People

8220;I am waiting to see whether or not the Kremlin chief8217;s position is closer to social-democratic ideas,8221; he said but hinted that he was ready to lend support to Yevgeni Primakov8217;s candidacy.

About his plans, Gorbachev disclosed that he would be busy forming a United Social-Democratic Party of Russia. 8220;I am ready to head it,8221; he said.

Gandhi8217; Kingsley to star as the Pope in TV series
ROME: Italian broadcaster Mediaset said on Friday it was planning a TV film on Pope John Paul II, with the pontiff played by Gandhi star Ben Kingsley.

The film would be part ofa series of biographies on key figures from the 1900s including Stalin and Bill Gates.

Matilde Bernabei, chief executive officer of production company Lux Vide, told Reuters yesterday discussions were under way with the oscar-winning actor and the British director of the award-winning epic movie that made him a star, Sir Richard Attenborough.

8220;Ben Kingsley is the actor we think would be ideal,8221; Bernabei said by telephone.

Bernabei said talks were in progress with both Kingsley and Attenborough on participation in the project, which is still at the planning stage. They had not yet confirmed participation.

She said the Vatican still had to give its approval but she foresaw no problems. 8220;We will reach an agreement,8221; she said.

Japanese PM gate-crashes Thai couple8217;s wedding
BANGKOK: One Thai couple8217;s wedding became truly unforgettable yesterday with the sudden appearance of Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.

Putting aside more weighty matters like bolstering Asia8217;seconomic recovery,which have been the main topics on a three-nation tour, Obuchi darted under an arch of pink and white roses to congratulate the newly-weds and present them with flowers and a digital camera.

8220;I hope you will use this to record all the happiness ofyour new life, such as the birth of your children,8221; Obuchi told Chanong Puttima and his smiling bride Trenuch Thaichia.

Officials said the couple had been forced to scale back their wedding celebrations due to Obuchi8217;s visit and that he wanted to put in an appearance to congratulate them as a result.

Letterman has bypass surgery
NEW YORK: David Letterman, late-night television8217;s 18-year veteran of wisecracks and after-dark celebrity interviews, was resting Friday evening after undergoing emergency quintuple bypass surgery.

8220;He8217;s fine in recovery,8221; said spokesman Steven Rubenstein. The decision to operate was made after Letterman underwent an angiogram because of what he said was high cholesterol and a history of heart disease in his family.The test, during which a flexible tube is inserted into an artery and dye is injected, found one artery seriously constricted.

8212; Agencies