Breaking News Update: April 04, 2008

1) Inflation Rate spurts to a 3-year high of 7 per cent, Sensex Down

Despite the government measures, there is no let up in rising inflation rate. In the week ended on March 22, the inflation rate reached a 3-year high of 7 per cent. Vegetable prices are up by 4.9 per cent, which is considered as huge. The market reacted to the rising inflation sharply, as the BSE Sensex went down by 300 points in the opening trade. Industry experts have urged the RBI to step in to check the inflation, as the government has been unsuccessful in curbing this.

2) Hogenkkal row: Tamil Filmstars observe one-day fast

The crisis over Hogenkkal Project deepens further, as filmstars and support staff Tamil Film Industry went on a day-long strike protesting the attack on Tamil theatres in Bangalore. Leading filmstars including Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan are on one-day fast to mark their protest. They are wearing badges to show their support to the project.

3) ICC to Probe allegations made by Shoaib on match-fixing

The ICC has decided to probe the match-fixing allegations made by Shoaib Akhtar. Earlier, Shoaib made a shocking revelation that he was offered money to underperform in India and South Africa. ICC's anti-corruption officials will talk to Shoaib on this issue.

4) Top Hizbul Leader arrested in Srinagar

Abdul Khalid Dar alias Junaid-ul-Islam, the Chief Spokesperson of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, has been arrested in Srinagar today. He had been active in militant activities for the past 15 years.

5) Madan Lal Khurana returns to BJP

Barely two years after he resigned from the party to launch a new forum, veteran BJP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister, Madan Lal Khurana returned to the party. He expressed "regret" for his remarks against L K Advani in 2006, which later resulted in his exit from the party. Khurana's return is crucial ahead of Assembly elections in Delhi.