Matteo Renzi forms Italy’s latest coalition

Reuters

Rome: Democratic Party leader Matteo Renzi formed Italy’s new Government on Friday and said his broad coalition was aiming to give the economically-stagnant country some “hope”.

At 39, Renzi will become Italy’s youngest premier when he and his Cabinet are sworn in on Saturday. He will also be the third straight premier to come into the office without being elected. The last premier who stood for election was scandal-tainted Silvio Berlusconi in 2008.

Renzi had been serving as Florence mayor when he engineered a power grab last week to effectively force fellow Democrat Enrico Letta to reluctantly relinquish the premiership after 10 months at the helm of a fragile, often-squabbling coalition.

Renzi is depending on the same coalition partners. As well as his centre-left Democratic Party, which will remain the biggest party, his Government is being propped up by two smaller groupings, supporters of former premier Mario Monti and former loyalists of centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi.

Renzi told reporters at the presidential palace that he’s aiming to give a “strong message” to the international community that his Government will enact electoral and economic reforms quickly.

President Giorgio Napolitano urged the new Government to swiftly enact the reforms crucially needed to make Italy competitive”.

“We cannot afford the luxury of losing this occasion,” Napolitano said.

Renzi said he intended to keep his Government alive for four years, until the full term of Parliament expires in 2018.

However, with the same Government partners and Berlusconi eager to have his conservative Forza Italia party return to power, many observers are skeptical Renzi’s Government can go the distance.

China should shed ‘expansionist' mindset: Modi

Reuters

Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh): Wading into a foreign policy issue for the first time, Narendra Modi asked China to shed its "expansionist mindset", making it clear that no power on earth can snatch Arunachal Pradesh from India.

"China should shed its expansionist policy and forge bilateral ties with India for peace, progress and prosperity of both the nations," the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate said on Saturday, addressing a meeting in the state as part of his current election campaign.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and will always remain so. No power can snatch it from us. People of Arunachal Pradesh didn't come under pressure or fear of China," he said.

"I swear in the name of this soil that I will never allow the state to disappear...Breakdown and to bow down," Modi said to thunderous applause from people gathered near the mighty Siang River.

He said China should shed its expansionist mindset because the world of today does not accept it. The entire world is moving towards development, he said.

"China needs to change its stand. China should shed its expansionist mindset and adopt the plank of development. Focus is on the development all over the world," the Gujarat Chief Minister said.

Lauding the patriotic nature of the people, Modi said that because of the people who were guarding the state as well as the country as sentinels, Arunachal remained an integral part of the country.

"The people here are real patriots as they salute their counterparts with 'Jai Hind' and are zealously protecting the state's territory..... They gave a befitting reply to the advancing Chinese army during 1962 and the British and several army personnel from the state also fought with Pakistan during the Kargil war," he said.

While directly referring to the January 29 murder of Arunachal Pradesh youth Nido Tania in Delhi, Modi cautioned the UPA government against underestimating the people of the state and added that it was the duty of the entire nation to protect the people and the state's territorial integrity.

Yo Yo Honey Singh wants to pause Bollywood career

After churning out hit after Bollywood hit in 2013, rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh is all set to take a break from Hindi film songs to focus on his non-film career. He is also excited about breaking new ground and working with names like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.

"I need to now focus on other things before I carry on in Bollywood. I can't be doing what I've done in 'Lungi dance' and now the song 'Party with bhootnath' with Bachchan saab over and over again. I've to reinvent myself for Bollywood,"

"After I did 'Lungi dance' with Shah Rukh bhai, I felt I had achieved everything there is to achieve. But then I am getting to work with Amitabh Bachchan sahab now. And it's really the ultimate Bollywood experience for me. It really can't get any better for me," said Honey Singh.

He says he needs to take a break from Bollywood after working with Big B.

"I need to now focus on other things before I carry on in Bollywood. I can't be doing what I've done in 'Lungi dance' and now the song 'Party with bhootnath' with Bachchan saab over and over again. I've to reinvent myself for Bollywood," he said.

Honey Singh's proposed music video with the Big B featuring a team specially flown in from Canada, has been postponed by a fortnight.

The singer sees this as an opportunity to polish up his act.

"It isn't every day that someone like me gets to work with Bachchan saab. There is a lot of work to be done from now till the shooting of the song," he said.

Honey Singh has flown in the director Giftie and the choreographer Big Dance of his international hit song "Blue Eyes" for Big B's music video.

"My team and I have been working on the song with Bachchan saab. Believe me, Bachchan saab is the youngest member of our band...I am having the time of my life," said the performer, who believes that working with Big B and SRK has been a life changing experience.

"I thought I was passionate about my work. Then I saw Shah Rukh bhai and Bachchan saab at work. Their spirit was so infectious.I felt I had so far been just fooling around. It's time for some serious work now," he said.

"I have fulfilled all my dreams in Bollywood. Now I have to find new dreams for Bollywood before I strike again," he added

Rooney signs new Manchester United contract

The striker's new deal keeps him at Old Trafford until June 2019, while David Moyes insists the 28-year-old is a "vital" part of his plans

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Manchester United have confirmed Wayne Rooney has signed a new contract which keeps him at the club until June 2019.

Widespread reports on Sunday claimed that the striker had agreed to a deal worth £300,000 per week, and United have now announced he will stay at Old Trafford and will become a club ambassador when he retires.

"I am made up to be staying at United," Rooney told the club's official website. 

"In August I will have been at the club for 10 years and during that time I have played with some fantastic players and won everything that I hoped I would when I first signed. I now have the chance as one of the club's senior players to help the younger players coming through and to be a part of another great United team.

"The fans have always been a huge part of this club and the support they have given me since my debut against Fenerbahce has been amazing. I am very grateful to all United fans around the world for their continued support.

"I am really excited to be a part of the club's future and want to thank David Moyes and Ed Woodward for their belief and support in me. I am convinced that this is the start of another successful chapter in Manchester United's history."

Chelsea had two bids for Rooney rejected last summer but United, in particular manager David Moyes and new executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, were adamant that he would not be allowed to leave.

Goal had previously reported that Rooney had been uninterested in extending his stay as recently as December.

But reports have suggested that the club record £37.1 million purchase of Juan Mata, as well as the possibility of succeeding Nemanja Vidic as captain, have persuaded him to remain at the club he joined from Everton in 2004.

“Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003," said Moyes. 

"Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent. With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and I'm absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge.

"I said last July that Wayne has an outstanding chance to be a true legend of this club's long and rich history. He is just 42 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby our record goalscorer and becoming the first United player to hit 250 goals for the club. 

"These opportunities only come to special players and I'm confident Wayne will set a new record that will take decades to reach. These are really exciting.”

'In the next few days we will know if it will happen' - Inter expect quick Vidic decision

The Indonesian businessman has revealed he expects significant progress on the deal with the Manchester United captain to be made in the near future

Erick Thohir has revealed that Nemanja Vidic's summer move to the Serie A club could be announced in the next few days. 

Earlier this month Goal revealed the Serb had informed Manchester United of his intention to join the Nerazzurri, at the end of the season, and Thohir confirmed on Thursday that the deal was "90 per cent done".

And the Inter president has now revealed he expects significant progress to be made in the coming days.

Thohir said: "With Vidic we bring experience: he is after all Manchester United’s captain. In the next few days we will know if it will happen, it would be a great thing. 

"I won’t make announcements to ruin the relationship with the club, it will arrive when it’s done. 

"Vidic tied to marketing? All of the decisions are collective; when we think of building a team we think of the pitch but also marketing. 

"If we can have him it would be good since he is famous in Asia. The Premier League is the top in Indonesia, the player would add value to the club."

Vidic may not be the only veteran to depart Old Trafford as David Moyes continues his remodelling of the United squad, with fellow veterans Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs also out of contract this summer.

LUMS provides voluntary services to revitalise Railways

LAHORE - LUMS Faculty, Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) has voluntarily provided its services for the sake of revitalising Pakistan Railways for which Khawaja Saad Rafique, the Minister of the Railways visited the institution on Friday.
For this matter, 16 PhDs hailing from the background of Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Organisation Development and Operations are currently working on various projects with the PR. The objective is to support the public utility in providing quality service to the masses in a sustainable manner. This voluntary effort will also enhance the research activities at LUMS which would be beneficial for students as they will gain practical insights about public organisations. The work began on this project in late 2013 and is expected to continue until practical and feasible outcomes are reached considering the Pakistan’s socio-economic scenario.
Federal Minister was accompanied by Anjum Pervez, General Manager Operations, Javed Anwar, Additional General Manager, Zubair Shafi Ghaur, Chief Marketing Manager and Hanif Gul Director Vigilance while LUMS team was headed by Abdur Razaq Dawood Rector of SDSB, Dr. Sohail H Naqvi, Vice Chancellor and Dr Arif Nazir Butt, Dean of Business School and hosted by the SDSB External Relations Department.
This visit is a continuation of senior business faculty’s visit to Pakistan Railways Headquarters in which the Railways sought cooperation and concrete suggestions for revamping, restructuring and turn-around of Railways, which was met by a positive response from LUMS. Different delegations from both sides are regularly meeting at the level of working groups headed by team leaders working in the fields of Operations, Cost Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Strategy and Organisational Development.

IIFA NOMINATION 2014

Actors to fly off to Tampa Bay, Florida for the 15th IIFA awards weekend. PHOTO: FILE

Based on the life of former athlete Milkha Singh, the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,starring the talented Farhan Akhtar, has bagged the highest number of nominations (a whopping 10!) for the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, scheduled to be held later this year in Tampa Bay, Florida.

The nominations for the 15^th edition of the extravaganza, touted to be Indian cinema’s most spectacular awards ceremony outside the country, were announced Thursday.

Competing in close quarters with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag are Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leelaand the heart-wrenching Aashiqui 2, with seven nominations each. The Ranbir Kapoor starring Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani scored six nominations as well.

Other high-profile films of 2013, Krrish 3, Chennai Express, Kai Po Che and The Lunchbox, have also received nominations in a number of categories for the awards.

According to IANS, in the Leading Role (Male) category, the nominees are Shah Rukh Khan for Chennai Express, Hrithik Roshan for Krrish 3, Ranbir Kapoor for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Farhan Akhtar for Bhaag Milka Bhaag, Ranveer Singh for Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and newcomer Sushant Singh Rajput for Kai Po Che.

Deepika Padukone steals the thunder in the Leading Role (Female) category with three nominations for her role in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Chennai Express and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Other contenders for the category are Sonakshi Sinha for Lootera, Nimrat Kaur for The Lunchbox and Shraddha Kapoor for Aashiqui 2.

The Best Director nominees include filmmakers Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rakesh Roshan, Rohit Shetty, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Abhishek Kapoor.

The Best Film category nominees are 2013′s runway successes Dhoom 3, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Krrish 3, Kai Po Che, Chennai Express and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

The Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend, presented by Tata Motors, will be held at the Tampa Bay Raymond James Stadium from April 23 to April 26.

According to IBTimes, the four-day awards ceremony will include a variety of events: IIFA Rocks on April 24, IIFA Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards on April 25 and IIFA Awards April 26.

Several stars will be performing throughout the weekend, including Hrithik Roshan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Sonakshi Sinha and Bipasha Basu, among others. The main awards ceremony itself will be hosted by Farhan Akhtar and Shahid Kapoor.

A press conference announcing the 15^th IIFA Awards was held in Mumbai and was attended by Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena, Bipasha and music director Pritam.

Last year, the event was held in Macau and included memorable performances by Sreedevi, Madhuri, Deepika Padukone, Parineeti Chopra, Ayushmann Khurrana, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sophie Choudhry and Dia Mirza, among others. Ranbir Kapoor’s Barfi! took home top honours at the 14^th IIFA awards ceremony last year. It remains to be seen if Bhaag Milkha Bhaag can turn its nominations into wins and be the big winner this year.