Khamosh! Nobody messes with Sonakshi

Mumbai, February 28: One-film-old Sonakshi Sinha seems to be having a gala time while shooting for Shirish Kunder’s “Joker” in Chandigarh with co-star Akshay Kumar.

Recently, when the cast and crew had some free time on hand they decided to play paintball.

“When the cast and crew had some free time on hand they all decided to have some fun and so they went to play paintball, ” said a source.

“Before starting the game, Akshay was heard telling everyone that well all know whose daughter Sonakshi is and so to make sure no one troubles her or else they would get a lot of ‘Khamosh’.

Holiday in LA with Ash, saved Abhi from NZ earthquake

Mumbai, February 28: Abhishek Bachchan (with wife Aishwarya Rai) is in Los Angeles holidaying after a strenuous shooting schedule of Abbas Mustan’s Players in New Zealand.

The timing for his holiday couldn’t be better as a devastating earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand recently.

Says a source close to him, “Fortunately, Abhishek was in LA when the earthquake hit NZ but his sympathies are with the victims and their families.”

Ashu too…

Farm, services sector push economic growth to 8.2% in Q3

New Delhi, February 28: Driven by good performance of agriculture and services sector, the Indian economy grew by 8.2 per cent in the third quarter of the current fiscal, up from 7.3 per cent in the corresponding period a year ago.

According to the data released by the government today, farm sector during the third quarter ending December, recorded a growth rate of 8.9 per cent, up from a decline of 1.6 per cent in the corresponding period a year ago.

GST Constitution Amendment Bill in this session: FM

New Delhi, February 28: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the Government proposes to introduce the Constitution Amendment Bill in the current session to pave the way for introduction of the long-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.

“I propose to introduce the constitution amendment bill in this session of Parliament,” Mukherjee said in his Budget speech 2011-12.

Six killed, 5 wounded in Oman clashes

Muscat, February 28: Security forces have clashed with anti-government demonstrators in northern Oman, killing six people and injuring five others.

The six were killed after being shot with rubber bullets, local medics said about the Sunday clashes in the industrial city of Sohar northwest of the capital, Muscat.

Witnesses said the forces targeted a sit-in, which had been joined by hundreds of people.

A security official said the confrontation had taken place in response to the protesters’ attempt “to storm a police station.”

Telangana issue continues to paralyse AP House

Hyderabad, February 28: The contentious Telangana issue continued to push the Andhra Pradesh Assembly into turmoil for the eighth day forcing its adjournment twice Monday morning.

No business could be transacted as the Telugu Desam Party MLAs from the region rushed into the Well of the House demanding that a Bill for creation of a separate Telangana state be immediately tabled in Parliament.

The ruling Congress legislators from Telangana too joined the issue, holding placards and raising slogans. The CPI MLAs as well raised the issue, disrupting proceedings of the House.

Gas pipeline blown up in SW Pakistan

Islamabad, February 28: Unknown militants have exploded a gas pipeline in the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan, suspending gas supply to parts of the area.

According to local officials, unidentified gunmen detonated the gas pipeline with explosives near Muhammad Bux Malook village in Tehsil Thul of Jacobabad later on Sunday, a Media correspondent reported.

Police and security forces closed in on the scene in the aftermath of the attack and extinguished the fire.

Budget 2011: Remarkable year but food inflation a concern

New Delhi, February 28: Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee is presenting Union Budget 2011 in Parliament.

The finance minister opened his speech with reference to inflation saying that food inflation came down from 20.2% last year to 9.3% in January 2011 but it was still a matter of concern. “Government’s principle concern is high food prices… food prices were high for cereals, there was a spurt in prices of onions and milk,” he said. ( Inflation remains principal concern, to fall next year )

Saudi Arabia gears up to employ more nationals

Riyadh, February 28: Saudi Arabia’s concerned departments have begun a process of opening the door for employing more national cadres, particularly in the public sector.

According to figures contain in a report from the Ministry of Civil Service, the body responsible for employing employees for the governments sectors, there are more than 75,000 posts filled by expatriates who can be replaced with Saudis.

The Ministry of Civil Service classifies any job occupied by non-Saudis as ‘vacant’ till they was filled by a Saudi.

India’s Sensex climbs 1.3% on budget announcement

Mumbai, February 28: Indian stocks saw gains accelerate in later morning trade Monday, as Finance Minister Mukherjee began to unveil budget spending measures including lower duties for oil imports and tax breaks on interests for home loans.

The Sensex was up 1.3% at 17,930.86, with the gains led by a 3% jump in shares of both Oil & Natural Gas and Housing Development Finance Corp. On the Bombay Stock Exchange, gains were led by the realty sector, up 2.4% and the oil and gas sector, up 2.3%.

‘Revolutions rattle region’s structure’

Tehran, February 28: A senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has compared recent revolutions across Islamic countries to a “tremor” that has shaken the political structures of the region.

The latest developments in North Africa and the Middle East would also revolutionize the social, cultural and economic structures of the region down the line, Gholamali Haddad Adel was quoted by IRNA as saying on Sunday.

Hindu kanyadaan of Muslim girls on Godhra anniversary

Vadodhara, February 28: Hindus and Muslims jointly funded the mass wedding of 25 Muslim couples in Godhra, coinciding with the anniversary of the 2002 Godhra carnage.

The fast track court is still to pronounce the quantum of sentences for the 31 convicted in the Sabarmati Express fire, but organisers said that events as these will promote communal harmony in the town.

Muslim couples from the Panchmahals district and even Madhya Pradesh participated in the mass weddings.

Telangana State Forming Without Hyderabad

Hyderabad, February 28: The time has come when the land of Telugus might become the victim of pure political greed and lose its identity. Well, we are talking about our Andhra Pradesh and looking at the way the political situation is right now, the chances are that the Telangana state is likely in the cards.

Sources say that the UPA government is now considering the option of granting a separate Telangana state but with few conditions. First and mandatory norm is that Hyderabad will not be a part of it, the capital city is being looked at as a Union Territory.

Set up local committees to tackle pollution

Hyderabad, February 28: Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), who reached the city on Sunday called upon her devotees to form committees to work for preventing pollution in the country.

India is advancing scientifically and economically and is poised to be the third largest power in the world by 2025, but we are still taking baby steps in terms of cleanliness, she said.

Amma spoke to thousands of people who flocked to see her at the math in Secunderabad and stirred their souls with bhajans and satsangs here today.

US ready to help Libya’s insurgents

Washington, February 28: The United States said on Sunday it was prepared to offer “any kind of assistance” to Libyans seeking to overthrow the regime of strongman Muammar Gaddafi as they set up a transitional body.

As forces opposed to the longest-serving Arab leader took control of several western Libyan towns, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed the calls of world leaders, including President Barack Obama, for him to quit.

“We are just at the beginning of what will follow Gaddafi,” she said.

Taibu, Ervine lead Zimbabwe’s recovery

Nagpur, February 28: Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine helped Zimbabwe recover from a horror start against Canada at Nagpur, adding an unbeaten 140 for the third wicket to take their team to 147 for 2 at the halfway mark after they had lost both openers within the first four overs. Canada’s new-ball bowlers made a determined start and there was a real buzz in the field after the early strikes, but as the shine went from the new ball and the sun baked all life from the wicket the batsmen settled in and a large total looms.

Australia to tour Bangladesh after World Cup

Dhaka, February 28: Australia will play three one-day internationals in Bangladesh soon after the World Cup, but the brief tour does not include any Test matches, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said.

Australia will arrive in Dhaka on April 4, just two days after the World Cup final in Mumbai, and will play the one-dayers on April 9, 11 and 13 at the Sher-e-Bangladesh stadium.

The first two matches will be played during the day, but the third game will be a day-night affair, a BCB release said on Monday.

The series will be preceded by a practice match in Fatullah on April 7.

Tamim Iqbal living his World Cup dream

Dhaka, February 28: Think World Cup openers and the names flow easily – Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Strauss, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chris Gayle.

Add to the elite list Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, who is just as explosive at the top of the order and as integral to the team’s cause as any of his contemporary superstars.

If Bangladesh are to progress far in the showpiece event, much will depend how the left-hander, one of the most exciting prospects in world cricket, fares.

Cup force with us now, says ton-up Strauss

Bangalore, February 28: England captain Andrew Strauss said his side’s sensational tie with India proved they were a World Cup force to be reckoned with after his superb century so nearly saw the visitors to victory.

England, chasing what would have been a new World Cup winning total batting second of 339, finished on 338 for eight in reply to co-hosts India’s 338 all out at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, with Strauss making 158.

India captain Dhoni ‘rages against the machine’

Bangalore, February 28: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit out at the controversial Umpire Decision Review System (URDS) after a key decision went against his side in their dramatic World Cup tie with England.

England, replying to India’s 338 all out after Sachin Tendulkar’s record-breaking fifth hundred in World Cup cricket, finished on 338 for eight following a magnificent career-best 158 from captain Andrew Strauss.

Left-handed opener Strauss shared a vital third-wicket partnership of 170 with Ian Bell (69).

Pope accepts Patriarch Sfeir’s resignation

Beirut, February 28: The election of a new Maronite patriarch would take place “very soon,” Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir told reporters at the airport Sunday upon his return from the Vatican, where Pope Benedict XVI approved his resignation over the weekend.

Sfeir, 91, the oldest among 39 bishops who would gather to elect a new patriarch is expected to announce in March the starting date of a spiritual conclave to be held at Bkirki to elect a new patriarch.

Aarushi case: Hearing on Monday

Allahabad, February 28: The Allahabad High Court on Monday will be hearing a writ petition by Aarushi Talwar’s parents challenging the summons issued to them by a special CBI court in Ghaziabad in the murder of their teenage daughter and domestic help Hemraj.

The petitioners challenged the summons by the special CBI court on the plea that it had been issued to them despite the fact that they had not been named as accused by the investigating agency in its closure report.

US calls for talks in Bahrain

Manama, February 28: The US president has called for talks between the Bahraini government and the opposition as pro-democracy demonstrators continue their campaign for change in the Persian Gulf country.

“The United States supports the national dialogue initiative led by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, and encourages a process that is meaningful, inclusive, non-sectarian, and responsive to the people of Bahrain,” Barack Obama said in a statement on Sunday. Obama says the dialogue is an “opportunity for meaningful reform.”

US-led soldier killed in S Afghanistan

Kabul, February 28: A US-led soldier has been reportedly killed in a bomb explosion in a southern part of war-weary Afghanistan, a report indicates.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) says the soldier, whose nationality has not been disclosed, was killed in the conflict-riddled south where foreign soldiers face fierce militants’ resistence.

Last year was the deadliest of the nearly decade-long war for US-led troops in the Asian country, with more than 700 foreign soldiers killed, compared to just more than 500 in 2009.

March 14 shuns Mikati Cabinet, vows to confront ‘coup’

Beirut, February 28: The March 14 coalition announced Sunday it would boycott the government to be formed by Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati and vowed to confront what it called the Hezbollah-orchestrated “coup” that led to the ouster of Saad Hariri.

In a strongly worded statement issued after a special meeting held at the Bristol Hotel and attended by caretaker Prime Minister Hariri, who is also an MP, and 54 of the coalition’s 60 lawmakers, the March 14 groups said they will move to “a peaceful opposition” to defend the Lebanese Republic and protect the Constitution.