Three more deaths as govt sketches strategy
Pvt labs can conduct tests; airports to have thermal scanners
New Delhi, August 10
With three more persons succumbing to swine flu today, taking the nationwide death toll to seven, the government reviewed the level of pandemic preparedness in the country, asking states to take charge of the situation instead of depending solely on the Centre for direction and help.

Persons with chronic disorders at highest risk
New Delhi, August 10
Public health experts say that though swine flu symptoms resemble those of seasonal flu, there are some warning signs typical to H1N1, which include vomiting, diarrhoea and breathlessness.

‘Tamiflu not for kids with seasonal flu’

Pune into safe mode; schools, malls closed
Mumbai, August 10
The Maharashtra government, which is grappling with the rising swine flu cases, today announced closure of schools, colleges, movie theatres and shopping malls in Pune --- the worst affected city in the state --- and the neighbouring townships of Pimpri and Chinchwad as part of measures to halt the spread of virus.

47 confirmed cases in Pune   STUDIED MEASURE: Children in a classroom in Mumbai on Monday. — AFP

AP on alert, to set up 5 more nodal centres
Hyderabad, August 10
Andhra Pradesh, which is among the worst affected states in terms of swine flu infection, has stepped up efforts to meet any eventuality. “We are on alert to check the spread of H1N1 virus.

Dubious Oz colleges ruining careers: Krishna
Melbourne, August 10
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has said some ‘dubious’ educational institutions in Australia were ruining the lives of young Indians and asked Canberra to come out with new regulations to cover private colleges to undo the damage.

Book Mush, orders court
A session court on Monday directed the capital's police to register a criminal case against former President Pervez Musharraf on charge of illegally keeping the Chief Justice and other senior judges of the Supreme Court under house arrest along with their children after imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007.

Punjab Lokpal largely defunct Chandigarh, August 10 The Punjab Lokpal’s office here could do with some work on its hands. This constitutional post of an ombudsman, set up under the Punjab Lokpal Act, 1995, to deal with complaints against functioning of politicians and public servants, now has virtually nothing to busy itself with.