Edward Kennedy dies at 77; 'liberal lion of the Senate'

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the Massachusetts Democrat and icon of American liberal politics who was the last surviving brother of a legendary political family, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., his family announced. He was 77.
Kennedy had been in declining health since having a seizure in May 2008. Subsequent tests determined that he had a malignant brain tumor.
Kennedy had not been to the Capitol since April, missing the passage in June of his groundbreaking measure to regulate tobacco. In July, he could not participate in the drafting of healthcare legislation in his role as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
He did not attend the funeral for his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died Aug. 11, or a White House ceremony during which he was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," his family said in a statement.
A popular figure on both sides of the aisle in the Senate, Kennedy electrified his colleagues in July 2008 when he appeared briefly to vote on a measure to stave off a cut in Medicare fees to doctors who treat seniors, military personnel and their families and others. The measure passed on a 69-30 vote.
Kennedy was greeted with a wild reception from the party faithful in August 2008 on the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. He addressed the gathering in a strong, steady voice, predicting that "this November, the torch will be passed to a new generation of Americans," a reference to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who was elected president three months later. Kennedy's endorsement of Obama in January 2008 was credited as an important validation of the senator's bid to win the nomination against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.
"The Kennedy family and the Senate family have together lost our patriarch," Harry Reid, the Senate's Democratic leader, said in a statement.
Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, also expressed her sorrow in a statement. "Senator Kennedy had a grand vision for America, and an unparalleled ability to effect change," she said.
As the standard-bearer for the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, the square-jawed "Ted" or "Teddy" Kennedy believed in government's ability to help solve people's problems, and over the decades he learned how to wield power in the Senate to move the government in that direction. He found numerous ways to work with Republican administrations and senators to fashion significant legislation on issues he cared deeply about.

Swine Flu Death Toll Rises To 60 In India

India confirmed seven more deaths from the deadly influenza A (H1N1) virus on Sunday, bringing the total number of swine flu deaths in the South Asian country to 60, the health ministry said.

Five of the deaths were reported in Maharashtra while one each were identified in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

A ministry statement also revealed that 36 died in Maharashtra, 12 in Karnataka, six in Gujarat, three in Tamil Nadu, two in New Delhi and one in Kerala. India reported its first swine flu death on August 3 after a 14-year-old girl in Pune died from the disease. A 53-year-old woman was the second victim in Mumbai dying on August 8th.

Don't fish for account details: Swiss to India

Swiss banks may have turned over client details to the US, but they have said India is not welcome there on a name-fishing expedition. "Swiss law and even OECD's Model Tax Convention do not permit fishing expeditions, in other words, the indiscriminate trawling through bank accounts in the hope of finding something interesting. This means that India cannot simply throw its telephone book at Switzerland and ask if any of these people have a bank account here," a top official at Swiss Bankers Association said.

The secrecy shield provided by Swiss banks have always been a big issue in India, including during the campaign for this year's general elections, and the government recently said that it has approached Switzerland seeking details about bank accounts held by Indians there. Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee recently informed Parliament that the government was committed to unearthing black money within and outside the country. "Swiss authorities, I am told, have agreed for negotiations (on the issue)... We have already taken it (the issue of black money) not only with Swiss authorities but other nations as well," Mukherjee said.

Last week, the US reached an agreement with Switzerland, under which top Swiss bank UBS AG turned over details of 4,450 secret accounts to the Internal Revenue Service. Asked how would India's request be handled, especially in the backdrop of the UBS settlement, SBA's Head of International Communications James Nason said that "the key for the exchange of information in tax matters is the Double Taxation Agreement between Switzerland and India."

Miss Venezuela wins 2009 Miss Universe crown

Nassau (Bahamas) Miss Venezuela has been named winner of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas. Stefania Fernandez was crowned Sunday night. Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de la Cruz, was the runner up. The televised event included musical performances by Flo Rida, Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland. Hosts were Billy Bush, co-anchor of "Access Hollywood," and Claudia Jordan, former Miss Rhode Island USA who has appeared on several TV shows. Judges include actor Dean Cain and supermodel Valeria Mazza. Miss China, Wang Jingyao, was named Miss Congeniality and Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej, won Miss Photogenic.

Desi man from Highlands Ranch killed in accident

A desi guy identified as Angshuman Chakraborty (age 34) was killed in an accident while driving on highway 285 on Sunday. His daughter Chandrayi (age 5) was airlifted from the accident and his wife Prathima suffered minor injuries from the crash, as reported by 7News. Read the story at http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/20422869/detail.html.