US speaker Pelosi lights 85-foot Christmas tree

Wednesday, December 09, 2009 WASHINGTON: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, joined by the acting architect of the Capitol, members of the Arizona congressional delegation, the governor of Arizona, and 12-year-old Kaitlyn Ferencik of Surprise, Ariz., lit the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree during a ceremony this evening. This year's tree, a 85-foot blue spruce, came from Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. As part of the Capitol's continuing commitment to save energy, strands of energy-efficient LED lights were used to decorate the tree. Below are the Speaker's remarks: "Thank you very much, Architect Ayers. The bad news for me is I don't have much of a voice. The good news for you is I am going to speak very briefly. But that is not any indication of the enthusiasm that I have this evening to welcome this beautiful tree from Arizona. "Senator McCain, Governor Brewer, Congresswoman Kirkpatrick, it is my honor to join you in receiving and welcoming Arizona's gift to the Capitol. I take special pride in it because two of my grandchildren live in Arizona and they will be watching for all of this. "I also want to acknowledge the Marine Corps Band who is here and thank them for making such a special evening for us.

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India's swine flu death rate is increasing

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...

Tennis: Clijsters wins US Open, second time

NEW YORK: Kim Clijsters of Belgium won the US Open on Sunday by defeating Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 7-5, 6-3 in the final.She is the first mother to win a Grand Slam title since Evonne Goolagong in 1980, the victory coming just five weeks after she returned to the sport following a 27-month retirement. She was the first wildcard, man or woman, to win a US Open title in the history of the tournament.

42 killed in wave of Iraq bombings

BAGHDAD: At least 42 people were killed and nearly 100 wounded in a spate of bomb attacks near the restive northern Iraqi city of Mosul and in the capital Baghdad on Monday, police said. In the deadliest single attack, two booby-trapped lorries exploded before dawn in the village of Khaznah, east of Mosul, leaving 25 people dead and 70 others wounded. Thirty-five houses were destroyed in the village, which is home to members of the tiny Shabak community, a sect of Kurdish origin. In Baghdad, two car bombs went off as day labourers were gathering in the early morning hours looking for jobs.The first bomb exploded at Hay al-Amel, in the west of the capital, killing nine people and injuring 46. The second bomb attack in Shurta Arbaa in the north of the city killed seven people and wounded 35 others.

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