23-09-2009

WORLD

• The top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan has warned President Barack Obama in a confidential report that the war against the Taliban could be lost within a year without more troops.The report was presented to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on August 30 and is being reviewed by the White House, with McChrystal widely expected to make a formal request to increase the 62,000-strong US force.
• The British prime minister, Gordon Brown, will announce an extra $1bn to pay for more vaccines and immunisation for children in the developing world and boost healthcare systems.The money — nearly half of which will come from the UK — will be channelled through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), which already funds major programmes to protect children from diseases including measles and diphtheria. But in a move away from its original remit, Gavi will distribute the money not only to support vaccination but also to improve health systems in the 72 poorest countries in the world.
• India, Brazil, S. Africa want U.N. Council to be expanded. At a meeting, the ministers reiterated the urgent need for the expansion of the Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent seats to increase the participation of developing countries.
• Irina Bokova of Bulgaria is elected Director-General of UNESCO, the first woman and first Eastern European to fill the role.
  

INDIA

• Venu Srinivasan, president of the Confederation of Indian Industry, on Monday said his “biggest concern today” is where India will derive future competitiveness from in world markets, especially vis-À-vis competitors such as China and Indonesia.
• The Union government is firmed up a proposal to set up a 4,000 MW thermal power plant in Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh.Officials in the Power Ministry said the Commission had formulated a proposal to set up such a power plant in the public sector and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is likely to be entrusted with the job.The plant is likely to be located in Lalitpur.The officials said an investment of around Rs. 18,000 crore would be required for the plant.
• Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C14) is all set to lift off from Sriharikota. It will put India’s Oceansat-2 and six foreign nano satellites in orbit.
• The World Bank has approved four projects worth $4.3 billion to India to bolster its economic stimulus programme and support the infrastructure sector.Of this $2 billion is Banking Sector Support Loan, which will provide budgetary support to India, helping it maintain its broad economic stimulus programme by enhancing the capital of select public sector banks.
  

OTHERS

• 30 Rock and Mad Men win the two biggest awards on Sunday night at the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards. 30 Rock, which led all shows with 22 nominations, was named best comedy for the third straight year.AMC’s Mad Men, which garnered 16 nominations, won best drama for the second straight year.
• Spain and Czech Republic head the seedings for the Davis Cup World Group draw to be made in Geneva.The U.S., Russia, Argentina, Croatia, Israel and Germany are the other seeded teams.The seeded teams will be drawn against Belgium, Chile, Ecuador, France, India, Serbia, Sweden and Switzerland.
• The Renault F1 racing team is given a two-year suspended ban by the FIA, after accepting a charge of conspiring to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
• The drama film Precious, directed by Lee Daniels, wins the People's Choice Award at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.