Firemen die in California inferno
August 31, 2009
Two firefighters have died in California as they battled intense wildfires to the north of Los Angeles.
The fires, fuelled by record temperatures, are now threatening over 12,000 buildings, officials say.
Residents of 10,000 homes have been told to evacuate. State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger described the blazes as “still totally out of control”.
Japan’s Hatoyama sweeps to power
August 31, 2009
Japan’s next leader, Yukio Hatoyama, is beginning a transition to power after winning a landmark general election.
Exit polls show his Democratic Party of Japan overwhelmingly defeated the Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed almost unbroken since 1955.
PM Taro Aso has conceded defeat and said he would resign as LDP head.
US Afghan strategy ‘not working’
August 31, 2009
A report by the top US general in Afghanistan is expected to say that the current military strategy is not working, the BBC understands.
General Stanley McChrystal will liken the US military to a bull charging at a matador [the Taliban] - slightly weakened with each “cut” it receives.
His review is also expected to say that protecting the Afghan people against the Taliban must be the top priority.
Fisichella closes on Ferrari move
August 31, 2009
Could Raikkonen (top) and Fisichella be team-mates at the next race?
Giancarlo Fisichella is poised to make a temporary switch to Ferrari ahead of next month’s Italian Grand Prix.
Confirmation of the Force India driver’s move could come on Tuesday, a source close to Ferrari told BBC Sport.
Force India commercial director Ian Phillips told Radio 5 live on Monday: “We do expect a move will probably be made in the next 24 hours or so.”
Fisichella would replace Luca Badoer, who has struggled as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa.
Wenger fury at ‘repeated fouls’
August 31, 2009
Wenger has reopened hostilities with Manchester United
Manager Arsene Wenger has accused Manchester United of adopting “anti-football” tactics during Saturday’s 2-1 victory over his Arsenal side.
Wenger also claimed referee Mike Dean allowed the champions to “repeatedly foul” Arsenal players during the match.
He said: “I have seen a player make 20 fouls without getting a yellow card.
Space shuttle reaches space station for 9-day stay
August 31, 2009
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - U.S. space shuttle Discovery arrived at the International Space Station Sunday with food, equipment and new lab gear for the orbital outpost.
After nearly two days of traveling following its launch late Friday night, Discovery reached the Space Station at 8:54 p.m. EDT (0054 GMT Monday) as it sailed 225 miles over the Atlantic.
“The entire rendezvous and docking was smooth as silk,” said NASA mission commentator Rob Navias.
Flixster’s “Movies” aims to connect film fans
August 31, 2009
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Film website Flixster launched a new version of its iPhone application “Movies” this week, highlighting how technology and the Web are bringing Hollywood directly to fans and bypassing traditional information outlets like newspapers.
In healthcare debate, both sides cite Kennedy
August 31, 2009
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The day after U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy’s burial, leading Democratic and Republican senators on Sunday seized on his reputation for compromise to call for cooperation in the healthcare debate but showed little give in their own positions.
The Democratic-led Congress returns in September to work on a U.S. healthcare overhaul plan criticized by Republicans as too costly and as promoting government-run healthcare.
Imran proposes, Avantika accepts
August 31, 2009
It’s official! Bollywood’s young heartthrob Imran Khan is engaged to his sweetheart and longtime girlfriend, Avantika Malik.
And although the actor is keen on making the formal announcement only in January, the industry has already raised a toast to the couple.
Is your dream love dating your money?
August 31, 2009
If you think that the only “gold rush” that can be witnessed now is via Charlie Chaplin’s movie, think again.
For a different kind of gold-diggers are all around us and their number is increasing at cosmic pace. Yes, we are talking about men and women who would get into relationships for the sake of a fat wallet, rather than love or compatibility. It seems that the world of Becky Sharps and Wickhams is widening fast and people are falling for false charms that may hide a wily, mercenary face.