Weekly Buggles

The three-day death toll rose to 315, including seven children under the age of 15 who were killed in two separate strikes late on Sunday and Monday, medics said. Israel launched the deadliest against Palestinians in decades on Saturday in retaliation for rocket fire aimed at civilians in southern Israeli towns. The strikes appear to have gravely damaged Hamas’ ability to launch rockets but a medium-range rocket fired at the Israeli city of Ashkhabad killed a man there on Monday and wounded several others. It was the second fatality in Israel since the beginning of the offensive and the first person ever to be killed by a rocket in Ashkelon, a city of 120,000.

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar spearheaded the India leg of next year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games torch relay.’Flame of Hope’, the Special Olympics torch for next year’s World Winter Games in Idaho, US arrived in Delhi on Sunday morning and was escorted to the historic Red Fort, from where the relay was flagged off by Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit.

“I feel people should come forward and encourage these millions of special children and inspire them to lead a normal life like you and me because they have the right to have such a life,” said Akshay, who is the brand ambassador of the Games. The Flame of Hope began its journey on November 12 this year with a lighting ceremony in Athens, Greece. The torch was lit by the sun rays near Olympia, Greece and will remain lit until the end of the Games on February 13.

It will travel more than 60,000 kilometers to 10 cities across five continents before ending its global journey on January 27 at Idaho.

“We are fortunate to be able to deliver the Flame and everything it stands for Hope, Courage, Opportunity, Inspiration and Equality,” said Craig Grossgart, Country Manager, DHL Express India.

The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, to be held from February 7-13, will host almost 3,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from more than 100 countries.