Australia drop down to fourth in ICC Test Ranking


DUBAI: Australia have been knocked off its long-held perch as the number-one team in the ICC Test Ranking.England won the final Test at the Oval by 197 runs and regained the Ashes sparking joyful scenes across sunny south London. But for the visitors, the picture was far more bleak.Ricky Ponting’s side has now slipped to fourth position in the rankings with South Africa assuming top spot due to Australia’s demise. Such is the competitive nature o .... Full Story Link...

Dhoni enjoy ride in Indian National car rally

BANGLORE: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni tried his hand at speed racing when he went for a ride with Arjun Balu during the 'Speed Indian National Rally Championship' at the Manyata Tech Park here.

The 34-year-old Arjun Balu, who won his maiden IMG-K1000 rally driving a 200+ hp Mitbushi Lancet Cedia, showed his class in the super special stage where he gave a joyride to Dhoni, brand ambassador of Speed.

The duo had a brief round around the racing tracks. Arjun, the champion driver from Coimbatore, later said the Indian captain enjoyed his ride and was interested in more.

PM sees no link between Musharraf trial, NRO

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Monday said NRO and trial of former president Pervez Musharraf are two separate issues and cannot be compared.

Talking to media after offering condolences on the demise of Chaudhry Nisar’s brother at his residence, the Prime Minister said Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N are two different parties having their own manifestos and commitments.

“We have to play our role ... Full Story Link....

Oil prices gain to around $74 on recovery hopes

Oil Prices increased slightly to edge above $74 a barrel Monday amid rising stock markets and spreading optimism about a global economic recovery.

Expectations that demand for energy will grow were spurred by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who said Friday that the U.S. economy is reviving. Full Story Link....

Miss Universe 2009 crowned


Out of 84 hopefuls, one woman is crowned Miss Universe 2009 in the Bahamas. Full Story Link...

Swine flu roundup: Vaccine testing on track

Testing of the vaccine against the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus is on track and there have been "no red flags" for adverse effects, said Dr. Antonhy Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at a news conference today. The only observed problems have been some redness, swelling and soreness at the injection site -- the same as observed with seasonal flu and other vaccines. The first data on the immunogenicity of a single dose of the vaccine should be available by the middle of the September and data from two doses should be available a month later, he said.
Full Story Link.....

Six more swine flu deaths take toll to 60

New Delhi: Six more swine flu deaths were reported in India, taking the number of deaths from influenza A (H1N1) to 60, the health ministry said here on Sunday.

While five deaths were reported from Maharashtra, one death was reported from Gujarat. With these deaths, Maharashtra tops with 36 casualties.

"The cumulative laboratory confirmed deaths reported by the states as on August 23, 2009, are 60 - Maharashtra (36), Karnataka (12), Gujarat (6), Tamil Nadu (3), Delhi (2) and Kerala (1).

Full Story Link...