Ahmedinejad rejects US bid to end nuclear standoff

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rejected a renewed call from the United States to engage diplomatically to overcome the nuclear standoff, saying he saw no change in Washington's hostile policy. Ahmadinejad said a message by President Barack Obama to mark the Iranian New Year last month contained ‘three or four beautiful words’ but nothing new of substance. ‘They say that 'we have extended our hands to the people of Iran but the government of Iran and the people of Iran pushed it back'. What hand did you extend toward us?’ Ahmadinejad said. ‘What changed? Your sanctions were lifted? The adverse propaganda was stopped? The pressure was alleviated? Did you change your attitude in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine?’ Iran would easily cope with any new sanctions on petroleum imports, Ahmadinejad said, adding that such measures would only serve to strengthen his people's resolve.

Pakistan never respected their stars By Wasim Akram

Pakistan cricket continues to intrigue me. Quite a few things are making headlines and unfortunately, almost all for the wrong reasons! First up, many congratulations to Shoaib Malik, although the juicy news about his previous relationship will do him no good. Whatever the facts are, I will like to wish Sania Mirza and Shoaib a good life together. Marriage is sacred. I can imagine the dilemma two former Pakistan captains are going through at this moment. While Mohammad Yousuf has announced his retirement from international cricket, Younis Khan is planning to challenge his suspension. Having been part of IPL, I now realize the margin for error in T20 cricket is very little. Afridi has to choose his best combination every time he goes out in the middle. If Pakistan can shun politics in team selection, we should be able to defend the world title. Class and capability have never been in short supply in Pakistan cricket.(Wasim Akram is a former Pakistan Test captain and currently the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders)

Sania to play for India after wedding: Shoaib

Shoaib reached Sania's house after the family of Ayesha Siddiqui who claims to be Shoaib's first wife, sent a legal notice to him and his brother-in-law Imran Zafar, accusing them of harassment, fraud and character assassination. Fareeda Siddiqui, Ayesha's mother, said on Shoaib: "He's a cheat. We just want a divorce. I want my daughter to be happy and come out. Not because of this bad man." Meanwhile preparations of the wedding are on in full swing at the Mirza house here. The family has denied reports of a possible change in venue to Dubai and they have given all indications they are right behind Shoaib in this latest controversy. In fact Sania tweeted: "Thanks for ur support and love. Me and my family know what the truth is. We've known it all along and we have confidence in God's justice." Shoaib would need all that support for now as Ayesha's lawyer in Pakistan Farooq Hassan has issued a fresh threat. Hassan says he's the evidence to prove the marriage had taken place and if Shoaib marries again without Ayesha's consent, he can be punished under Pakistan laws. Although the wedding is scheduled for the 15th of April, the controversy is still not showing any signs of dying down by then.

S African far-right leader killed

Eugene Terreblanche, the South African white far-right leader, who fought to preserve apartheid in the early 1990s, has been beaten and hacked to death at his farm. Police said Terreblanche was attacked at his farm outside of Ventersdorp, on Saturday, allegedly in a dispute over unpaid wages, theJohannesburg Star newspaper has reported. Two workers, a 21-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, were arrested and charged with murder, the Star reported.

Baghdad hit by three massive blasts

Three massive explosions in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have killed at least 21 people and wounded 65 others, police sources . Smoke could be seen rising into the sky above Baghdad on Sunday, as helicopters circled overhead. Gunfire could also be heard echoing across the city. There was no word yet on the cause of the explosions, one of which went off near the Iranian embassy.

Shahrukh, Aamir to feature in Cameron’s new flick

Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan would star in a film together, a Hollywood project at that the duo have been signed on for Avatar director James Cameron's new film 'Deception'. 'Deception' is slated to be a sequel to Cameron's 'True Lies' which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. However this time around the story will be set 20 years into the future, in India. According to Cameron, Schwarzenegger's character is sent on a special ops covert mission to India, and to hide his identity the NSA uses face morphing technology to alter his appearance. Cameron has confirmed that Shahrukh would play the transformed Arnold. Aamir plays the film's antagonist, a rouge ISI agent cum CIA informant posing as a college student in IIT Mumbai. In order to prepare for the role of a frightening terrorist, Aamir will interact with Ajmal Kasab to perfect finer nuances such as accent, hair, eating habits and gunplay. 'Deception' also stars Irfan Khan in a supporting role as a RAW agent.

Shoaib-Sania dance at her Hyderabad house

Shoaib-Sania wedding preparations are in full swing. Camera's eye has caught both stars dancing at Sania’s house in Hyderabad. In another development, she has invited Indian cricketers to her weddings and has sent wedding cards to several cricketers including captain Dhoni, Yuvraj, Harbajan Singh and Ganguly. Earlier, the family of Sania Mirza have dismissed reports that the venue of marriage between the Indian tennis ace and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has been shifted out of India, and has clarified that the marriage, as planned, will happen in Hyderabad on Apr 15. 

Apple's iPad goes on sale in US

Apple's iPad tablet computer has gone on sale in the US, allowing customers to get their hands on the much anticipated device after months of hype. Customers queued outside Apple's flagship stores in major US cities on Saturday, although crowds were much smaller than the thousands that gathered for the lauch of the iPhone in 2007. The iPad has been available to pre-order since the middle of March, giving would-be owners little reason to queue outside stores. Pre-orders are rumoured to run into the hundreds of thousands, with analysts predicting sales of between 4 and 7 million within a year.