Petrol price on Monday was hiked by 30 paise a litre and diesel by 35 paise, taking the total increase in rates in the last one week to Rs. 4-4.10 per litre. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement that employees of the Chandigarh Union Territory administration will the same benefits as Central government employees has had the political parties in Punjab -- the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the opposition Akali Dal and Congress -- up in arms. A 48-hour Bharat Bandh or a nationwide strike called by various trade unions to protest government policies began in several states on Monday, affecting normal life in some areas. After Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith went on stage and slapped him in the face.
