Tsunami to reach Hawaii on Sunday

Tsunami to reach Hawaii on Sunday

An earthquake off the Canadian province of British Columbia at 3:04 UTC on Sunday. A tsunami warning has been issued for Hawaii.
 
Quake had an estimated magnitude of 7.7 and was centered at a depth of 17.5 kilometers near the Queen Charlotte Islands, about 600 kilometers northwest of Vancouver.

Canadian officials say slight changes in sea levels occurred near the epicenter, but they have not received any reports of damage.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says the first wave of the tsunami is expected to reach Hawaii at 8:28 UTC on Sunday, or 22:28 on Saturday, local time

Protest at Monti meet in Italy

Protest at Monti meet in Italy

The anti-austerity policy protests in Italy Italian people took to the streets on Saturday to protest austerity measures.

Police and demonstrators clashed heavily in the northern town of Riva del Garda, where Prime Minister Mario Monti was at a meeting. Police used tear gas to bring the situation under control.

Rome, protestors marched carrying a banner that compares German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the Nazis. Italians are angered at German pressure for indebted countries, including Italy, to carry out a strict financial overhaul.

A woman demonstrator stressed the need for a new politics that is not for rich people, saying that there is no democracy in Italy.

Prime Minister Monti has pushed for austerity measures and structural reform to pull the country out of a credit crisis since he took office last November.

Italy's on-going efforts are welcomed worldwide. But the continuing tax increase and pension cuts are seriously affecting Italian people's lives. The unemployment rate has topped 10 percent.

IGHR release reports of houses burnt in Burma

IGHR release reports of houses burnt in Burma

Satellite images show massive destruction in western Myanmar where violent clashes continue between Buddhists and ethnic Muslim Rohingyas.

The state government of Rakhine says at least 67 people have been killed and nearly 3,000 houses burned to the ground during a week of sectarian violence between majority Buddhist and minority Muslims.

The international group Human Rights Watch released on Friday satellite images of Muslim communities in the state.

Compared with images of the same areas taken in March, the new photos from Thursday reveal that many houses have been destroyed.

Based on eyewitness accounts, the group estimates that the death toll from the recent wave of violence could be much higher than the number announced by the state government.

Ethnic strife in Rakhine has escalated since May when a Buddhist woman was assaulted by a group of people believed to be Muslims.

Attention is now focused on how soon Myanmar's reformist government can contain the unrest as part of efforts to promote democracy and reconciliation.

Saina Nehwal storms into French Open final

India's shuttle queen Saina Nehwal has stormed into the Women's Singles finals of the French Open Super Series Badminton tournament in Paris. In a semi-final match last night, top seeded and London Olympics Bronze medalist Saina defeated Juliane Schenk of Germany in straight games, 21-19, 21-8. Saina will clash with Minatsu Mitani of Japan in the final today. Our correspondent reports, a win will give Saina her second consecutive Super Series title, after the recent Denmark Open victory. Besides, it will also be Saina's fifth title of the season

Cabinet reshuffle: 22 ministers sworn in

A total 22 ministers have been inducted into the Union Council of Ministers. They include seven Cabinet ministers, two Ministers of State with independent charge and 13 Ministers of State. Of the total, 16 are new faces. President Pranab Mukherjee administed the oath of office and secrecy at a function in the Ashoka Hall of the Rashtrpati Bhavan. Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari, UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, several Cabinet Ministers, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj were among several dignitaries present in the swearing-in ceremony. The Cabinet rank ministers who have been sworn-in are K Rehman Khan, former Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dinsha Patel, Ajay Maken, M M Pallam Raju, Ashwani Kumar, Harish Rawat, and Chandresh Kumari Katoch. Mr Rehman Khan and Chandresh Kumari Katoch are the new faces while for others it is an upgradation. Congress spokesman Manish Tewari and K.Chiranjeevi have been inducted as Ministers of State with independence charge. Sashi Tharoor, Kodikunnil Suresh, Tariq Anwar of NCP, K Jayasurya Prakash Reddy, Mrs Rani Nara, Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, A H Khan Choudhary, S. Satyanarayana, Nionong Ering, Mrs Deepa Das Munshi, Porika Balaram Naik, Mrs Krupa Rani Killi and Lalchand Kataria, have taken oath as Ministers of State.

India and Spain sign five agreements

India and Spain signed five agreements in the field of Defence, Trade, Culture, Road Transport and Railways on Friday in New Delhi.  The visiting King of Spain, Juan Carlos 1, accompanied by a high level ministerial and business held talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The two countries signed five agreements in field of Defence, Trade, Culture, Road Transport and Railways. Both India and Spain are exploring possibilities of sharing their experience and expertise in various fields to benefit the people of both countries. The King of Spain also held meeting with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna. During his State visit the visiting dignitary will hold talks with President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj.