Friday, December 25, 2009 WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have offered Christmas wishes to the US, including a special thanks to the military.They urged Americans to help support military families this holiday season.In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama said, serving as commander in chief, has been his greatest honour as president.He saluted the "selfless spirit" of those who serve and said he has been "humbled, profoundly" by those who made the ultimate sacrifice."So to all our men and women in uniform spending the holidays far from home - whether it's at a base here in the states, a mess hall in Iraq or a remote outpost in Afghanistan - know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers," the president said in a message released two days early because of Christmas. "And this holiday season - and every holiday season - know that we are doing everything in our power to make sure you can succeed in your missions and come home safe to your families."Mrs Obama recalled her visits with "military spouses doing the parenting of two" to keep their households together."But even these strong military families can use a hand, especially during the holidays," she said, her first time-sharing the president's weekly address. "If you live near a military base, you can reach out through your workplaces, your schools, your churches."There are so many ways to help - with child care, with errands, or by just bringing over a home-cooked meal," Mrs Obama said.For service members serving around the world, the president added that children can send greeting cards and adults can send "care" packages or prepaid phone cards.He directed listeners to the White House website "for more ways to let our troops know you care".
Friday, August 14, 2009 MUMBAI: A 26-year-old woman died Thursday of H1N1 swine flu in the southern city of Bangalore, raising India's death toll from the virus to 20, authorities said.The death was the first reported in India's information technology capital, the Press Trust of India reported.Meanwhile in Pune, the worst-affected in India, two more victims of the virus died Thursday, raising the death toll in that western city near Mumbai to 12, the report said. The victims were an 11-month-old boy and a 75-year-old old woman.US media reported movie halls, schools and colleges were ordered closed Thursday for three days to a week in Mumbai, the commercial and financial capital of the country, as fear of the pandemic spread.Prajakata Lavangare, a spokeswoman for the government of Maharashtra state of which Mumbai is the capital, said similar orders were issued in Pune, which is also located in the state.The woman who died in Bangalore was identified only as Roopa, a teacher in...
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