US Senate endorses new envoy to China, Japan

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Washington, August 08: The US Senate on Friday confirmed Utah Governor Jon Huntsman as new US Ambassador to China.

The confirmation came after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee endorsed Huntsman’s nomination on Tuesday.

The Senate on Friday also confirmed John Roos as new US Ambassador to Japan.

Huntsman, 49, was appointed by President Barack Obama as top US diplomat to China in May. He is a member of the Republican Party who was elected the governor of Utah in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.

Fresh swine flu cases in Gujarat, Chandigarh; Pune girl critical

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New Delhi, August 08: Even as the Union Health Ministry is asking the public not to panic over the spread of swine flu in India, especially after the death of a girl in Pune, the situation, it seems, suggests otherwise.

Several new cases of the H1N1 influenza A virus were reported from different parts of the country on Saturday, a day after hospitals across India received 96 cases – the maximum in a single day so far.

US asks Myanmar to begin reconciliation process

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Washington, August 08: The United States on Saturday asked the Myanmar’s military junta to begin the process of national reconciliation and a genuine transition to democracy.

“As the world honours the long struggle of the Burmese people for a better future, we renew our call on the Burmese authorities to begin a process of national reconciliation and a genuine transition to democracy,” State Department spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement.

The statement came on the occasion on anniversary of the 1988 popular Democratic uprising in Myanmar.

Dalai Lama to receive International Freedom Award

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Washington, August 08: Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama would receive the prestigious International Freedom Award of the National Civil Rights Museum on September 23.

Announcing the award, the National Civil Rights Movement board Chairman Benjamin L Hooks described the Dalai Lama as “a living example of Martin Luther King and (Mahatma) Gandhi’s non-violence in the face of political oppression and suffering.”

The Dalai Lama fled to India 50 years ago as China crushed an abortive uprising in Tibet.

–Agencies

Abhishek Bachchan to star in Ashutosh Gowariker’s ‘Khele Hum Ji Jaan Se’

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Mumbai, August 08: As Aishwarya and Hrithik gear up to star in Ashutosh Gowariker’s period romance, Ash’s hubby Abhishek is set to unravel the Indian history with yet another epic by Ashutosh called ‘Khele Hum Ji Jaan Se’.

According to latest Bollywood news, Gowariker is yet again ready with the idea of a period film and this time he wants Abhishek to take the centre stage. Ashutosh is reportedly working over the menace created in Chittagong during the British period which is portrayed in a book by author Manini Chatterjee.

Madagascar crisis deal possible on Saturday: Mediator

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Maputo, August 08: An accord on ending the political crisis in Madagascar leading to fresh Presidential Elections in the island nation could be signed on Saturday, a mediator said.

“We’re not far from an end to the crisis,” African Union mediator Ablasse Ouedraogo said following talks late Friday in the Mozambican capital on a political transition charter.

The island nation has become increasingly isolated since Marc Ravalomanana was ousted in March following demonstrations in which more than 100 people were killed.

Iran trial of protesters resumes: Reports

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Tehran, August 08: The second hearing in the trial of protesters, including top reformists, who opposed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election resumed in Tehran on Saturday, local news agencies reported.

The session was to be held on Thursday but was pushed back to Saturday as some of the lawyers of the defendants had asked for more time to study the charges against their clients.

Those in the dock in a revolutionary court included some reformist politicians and journalists, the ISNA news agency said.

Venezuela’s President returns envoy to Colombia

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Caracas, August 08: Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez on Saturday ordered his Ambassador back to Colombia a few days after withdrawing him amid a crisis over plans to increase the number of US troops in the neighbouring country.

Consistent US critic Chavez pulled his Ambassador from Bogota on July 28 to protest Colombian plans to accept more US troops at seven military bases and in anger at accusations he had supplied arms to Marxist rebels across the border.

It is called home advantage, says Botham

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London, August 08: Legendary England all rounder Ian Botham took a strong exception to the Board’s idea of stifling Barmy Army’s expression against the Australian team and said it was like telling Indian fans not to exult on Sachin Tendulkar’s shots or boundaries.

Botham said fans’ support or banter was what exactly called the home advantage sans which the stadiums would have a “sterile atmosphere”.

“There’s been a lot of chat about fans getting stuck into the Aussies in the Test matches – it’s called home advantage,” Botham wrote in his column in ‘Daily Mirror’.

Eight killed in cloud burst, 24 trapped in debris

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Pithoragarh, August 08: At least eight people were killed and 24 others trapped in debris after a cloud burst washed away eight houses in Mushiyari block in the district early on Saturday.

The cloud burst followed heavy rains in Lar and Jhegla villages situated on the hill tops, official sources said.

While eight bodies have been recovered, chances of survival of the 24 people trapped in the debris were remote as they have been under the rubble for more than six hours, they said.

Market retreat on monsoon worries, Sensex down 3%

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Mumbai, August 08: Below the normal rainfall so far this year has halted a strong bull run on the bourses pulling down the key indices Sensex and Nifty by more than three percent amid a sudden pullout by foreign institutional investors.

The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer ended the week at 15,160.24, at a net a fall of 510.07 points or 3.26 percent from its last weekend’s close.

The sensex crossed 16,000 level for the first time in 14 months to touch a trading high of 16,002.46 on August 4.

Six-year-old swine flu patient in ICU

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Pune, August 08: A six-year-old girl suffering from swine flu has been admitted to the ICU ward of a government hospital here even as two more patients hit by the virus— a doctor and a pharmacist— continued to battle for their life.

The girl, who was transported from a private clinic to the hospital last night, was “stable” and did not need ventilator support, hospital officials said today.

The hospital also admitted two suspected cases of H1N1 infection and test results were awaited, they added.

Close contacts of the critical two cases had been quarantined.

Hockey WC rescheduled to avoid IPL clash

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New Delhi, August 08: International Hockey Federation Once again Indian cricket has caused hockey to suffer as International Hockey Federation (IHF) has been forced to advance the 2010 World Cup by a week from its original schedule to avert its clash with the cash rich Indian Premier League in next year.

IHF spokesperson stated that IHF has decided to start the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 in New Delhi one week earlier than the original schedule. He added that this rescheduling of 2010 Hockey World Cup would help them to get better worldwide promotion of this mega event.

Trial of Iranian dissidents resumes

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Tehran, August 08: The second trial of Iranian dissidents resumed Saturday in Tehan, ISNA news agency reported.

More than 100 activists, including several former officials, are charged with fomenting a revolution against the country’s Islamic system, following the disputed June 12 presidential elections.

The poll led to the re-election of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Nadal fears may not be fully fit for US Open

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Montreal, August 08: Spain’s Rafael Nadal fears he won’t be fully fit for the US Open despite making his return to action in next week’s Montreal Masters.

Nadal has been out of action for two months with knee problems during which time he lost his French Open and Wimbledon titles and world number one ranking to Swiss rival Roger Federer.

“I can’t tell you if I’ll be 100 percent for the US Open,” Nadal said in an exclusive interview on Friday.

India thumps Belgium 2-0 to win series

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Belgium, August 08: Indian hockey team has won the three-match hockey series against Belgium as they crushed Belgium 2-0 in the third and final match of the series at Braxgata, Belgium on Friday.

Arjun Halappa and Dhananjay Mahadik scored one goal each to lead India to clinch the series 2-1 against Belgium.

Indian team had won the second match 4-3 after going down in the opening match of the series on Tuesday. Halappa and Mahadik scored one goal each in 31st and 60th minutes respectively to ensure series win for the India team.

PM to address chief secretaries on monsoon

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New Delhi, August 08: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, along with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, will address chief secretaries of states on Saturday to discuss measures to prop up farm production in view of the poor monsoon.

“The Prime Minister will be interacting with the chief secretaries on the drought-like situation in the country.

Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra watch “Love Aaj Kal”

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Mumbai, August 08: Bollywood’s alleged hot couple Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor spotted watching Saif Ali Khan’s “Love Aaj Kal” together at a night show.

The choice of movie was the best for the duo, who have kept the media guessing these days about their relationship. Once again they provided spicy gossip to the entire media.

The duo booked four seats in the last row for the movie at a suburban multiplex. They watched movie together leaving a seat vacant on the either side so one can disturb them.

According to the media reports, duo loved the movie.

Australia would happily celebrate a drawn series: Ponting

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Leeds, August 08: Austrlian skipper Ricky Ponting has conceded he would gleefully take a series draw to cling on to the Ashes.

With Aussies 0-1 down headed into fourth Test at Headingley yesterday, only a major turnaround in form will sweep Ponting’s new-look team to victory in the final two Tests.

President to launch Armed Forces Tribunal

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New Delhi, August 08: President Pratibha Patil will on Saturday inaugurate the Armed Forces Tribunal, providing a judicial forum to about 2.5 million armed forces personnel and ex-servicemen to redress their grievances, thus lessening the burden on various courts.

“The President will inaugurate the tribunal on Saturday. Aggrieved armed forces personnel will now be able to appeal against sentences handed down by the court-martial. The tribunal will also have powers to grant bail to any person in military custody,” a Defence Ministry official here said.

Pritam Scrapped and Re-did the Entire Love Aaj Kal Score

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Mumbai, August 08: We’ve heard bits and pieces, and even entire songs from films being scrapped. But Love Aaj Kal (LAK) takes the cake.

While the recession and the multiplex strike proved a curse for the rest of the industry, it proved a blessing for Pritam. He was able to scrap and re-do the entire score.

Sonia Gandhi to attend Kerala’s snake boat race

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Alappuzha, August 08: Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be the chief guest at the 57th edition of Kerala’s famed snake boat race here on Saturday, an event that is named after India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

District Collector Minnie Antony said the Nehru Trophy Boat Race this year would see the presence of many VIPs, including Gandhi, apart from thousands of tourists.

Rita Joshi arson case: Cops’ call records to be checked

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Lucknow, August 08: As part of the probe into the arson attack on Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s house, the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) will collect call details of several senior policemen, officials here said Saturday.

“By analysing the call records we will be able to assess the locations of the policemen at the time of the arson incident,” a senior CB-CID official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Sonia Gandhi to attend Kerala’s snake boat race

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Alappuzha, August 08: Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be the chief guest at the 57th edition of Kerala’s famed snake boat race here on Saturday, an event that is named after India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

District Collector Minnie Antony said the Nehru Trophy Boat Race this year would see the presence of many VIPs, including Gandhi, apart from thousands of tourists.