Coming soon: a horror story on American Fritzl’s victim?

London, Sept 20 (ANI): Publishers and Hollywood studios have begun a multi-million dollar bidding war for the rights to sex slave Jaycee Dugard’s horrifying life story.

Fresh details of the American Fritzl’s victim have emerged, including that in the early days of her captivity, the terrified schoolgirl was so hungry she ate bugs and worms in the rambling back garden where she was held in tents and lock-up sheds, reports The Daily Express.

She had to use a garden hose to shower outside, even in winters, say detectives guarding her and her two daughters, fathered by kidnapper Phillip Garrido.

However, the public apparently is desperate for the full story of how Jaycee, now 29, survived after being snatched on her way to a school bus stop when she was only 11.

A New York literary agent, who estimates the book and film rights to be worth up to 12million dollars, said: “You couldn’t dream up a script like this. Americans can’t wait to hear the story from the girl who lived it.”

A Hollywood studio producer said: “Everyone is in the market for this story. Poor Jaycee’s life may have been hell for 18 years but she’ll never want for anything for the rest of it.”

Garrido, a registered sex offender, has been linked to six child abductions and murders stretching back years within a 400-mile radius of the ramshackle home in Antioch, California, where Jaycee was held. (ANI)

‘Monty Python’ pals John Cleese and Michael Palin may work together again

London, September 20 (ANI): Former ‘Monty Python’ stars John Cleese, 69, and Michael Palin, 66, may soon be working together again.

They are said to have been discussing reuniting for the first time in more than a decade.

The pair met last month while Cleese, who lives in California, was in London after his 12million-pound divorce from third wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger.

Palin revealed on Michael Ball’s Radio 2 show that they were chatting about old times then Cleese, 69, said: “Wouldn’t it be good to act again?”

The Daily Express quoted Palin as saying: “I saw John the other night and we were saying it would be nice to do some acting again, so you never know.”

Palin’s agent, however, said that there were no definite plans yet for the pair to work together.

The pair starred together in the hit movie ‘A Fish Called Wanda’ in 1988, and its sequel ‘Fierce Creatures’ in 1997. (ANI)

Flintoff to coach UAE cricket team for six months

London, Sep 18(ANI): England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be coaching the United Arab Emirates national team during the period that he recovers from knee surgery.

“A partnership has been agreed with Dubai Sports City to use their gym and facilities as a base for his rehabilitation. In return he will be carrying out some coaching for the UAE national team over the next six months,” The Independent quoted Andrew Chandler, Flintoff’s agent, as saying.

Consistently rated amongst the top international all-rounders in both ODI and Test cricket, Flintoff had announced his retirement from Test cricket at the conclusion of the 2009 Ashes series, but made himself available for future commitments in One Day International and Twenty20 International matches.

Flintoff’s career has also been marred with injuries due to his heavy frame and bowling action. He recently had surgery on his knee, which had been troubling him for long, and last week he had moved to Dubai, where he hopes to open a cricket academy.

“His partnership with Sports City will also help raise the profile of his Dubai academy,” Chandler added. (ANI)

Flintoff’s England contract won’t hinder his IPL windfall

London, Sep 14(ANI): The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have admitted that despite the incremental contract, they would not be able to stop star cricketer Andrew Flintoff from hawking his cricketing talents around the world.

Flintoff had announced his retirement from Test cricket at the conclusion of the 2009 Ashes series, and under the terms and conditions of the new contract, he must only make himself available for all short-form matches. Outside that, England team director Andy Flower can no longer demand where and when he plays, but only make requests to the all-rounder, The Mirror reports.

It means that once Flintoff recovers from his knee injury he would be free to sign lucrative contracts with Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings, Lancashire and England.

The new contract is also an encouraging sign for Flintoff’s agent Andrew Chandler, who has been in negotiations with local teams from Australia, South Africa and the West Indies for the all-rounder’s services. (ANI)

Vitamin C can help protect DNA damage of skin cells

Washington, Sept 10 (ANI): Researchers at the University of Leicester and Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal have found that vitamin C can help protect DNA damage of skin cells and lead to better skin regeneration.

Previous research has shown that DNA repair is upregulated in people consuming vitamin C supplements.

In the new study, the researchers have provided some mechanistic evidence.

The researchers used affymetrix microarray, for looking at gene expression, and the ‘Comet’ assay to study DNA damage

“The exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation increases in summer, often resulting in a higher incidence of skin lesions. Ultraviolet radiation is also a genotoxic agent responsible for skin cancer, through the formation of free radicals and DNA damage,” said lead researcher Tiago Duarte, formerly of the University of Leicester, and now at the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal.

“Our study analysed the effect of sustained exposure to a vitamin C derivative, ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P), in human dermal fibroblasts.

“We investigated which genes are activated by vitamin C in these cells, which are responsible for skin regeneration.

“The results demonstrated that vitamin C may improve wound healing by stimulating quiescent fibroblasts to divide and by promoting their migration into the wounded area. Vitamin C could also protect the skin by increasing the capacity of fibroblasts to repair potentially mutagenic DNA lesions,” Duarte added.

The researchers hope that the results will be of great relevance to the cosmetics industry.

“The study indicates a mechanism by which vitamin C could contribute to the maintenance of a healthy skin by promoting wound healing and by protecting cellular DNA against damage caused by oxidation,” said Dr Marcus S. Cooke from the Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine and Department of Genetics, at the University of Leicester.

“These findings are particular importance to our photobiology interests, and we will certainly be looking into this further,” Cooke added.

The findings have been published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine. (ANI)

Marriage breakdown helped Hilary Swank find new love

Washington, September 9 (ANI): Actress Hilary Swank has accorded finding love again to the breakdown of her marriage.

The ‘Million Dollar Baby’ star, who announced her split with Chad Lowe in 2006, had turned to her agent John Campisi for comfort.

The Oscar-winner revealed their working relationship came to an end when they started dating.

“There was no spark. What’s interesting is, there was never anything. It wasn’t until we were well into the dissipation of our respective relationships,” Contactmusic quoted her as telling Britain’s Hello magazine.

“Going through something so difficult at the same time, we became very good friends. We became closer and closer.

“It was so unexpected. We both recognised that if we were going to take the relationship to the next step, we could no longer work together,” she added. (ANI)

Turning off oncogene may inhibit lung cancer stem cells’ growth

Washington, Sep 9 (ANI): A lung cancer oncogene, called PKCiota, is necessary for the proliferation of lung cancer stem cells, and turning it off could act as a key for the treatment of this deadly disease, according to scientists at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida.

These stem cells are rare and powerful master cells that manufacture the other cells that make up lung tumours, and are resistant to chemotherapy treatment.

The study also shows that an agent, aurothiomalate, being tested at Mayo Clinic in a phase I clinical trial substantially inhibits growth of these cancer stem cells.

“Our data indicate that PKCiota is required for the earliest steps in the development of lung cancer, which is the expansion of tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem cells,” said the study’s senior author, Dr. Alan Fields.

“Lung cancer stem cells appear to be the major drivers in many common lung cancers, and in order for a therapeutic treatment to be effective, it has to disrupt these cancer stem cells. We show that aurothiomalate, the agent now being tested in lung cancer patients, can, in fact, target these cells,” he added.

While aurothiomalate was once used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, the researchers have now discovered that it can also target PKCiota.

Currently, the agent is being tested in patients at Mayo Clinic’s sites in Minnesota and Arizona and, based on this phase I trial, a phase II human clinical trial is planned to combine aurothiomalate with agents targeted at other molecules involved in cancer growth.

“We had previously shown that PKCiota is required to maintain tumor growth, but what this study sought to determine is whether PKCiota is involved in the initial steps of lung cancer development,” said Fields.

Fields said that, in mice, an oncogene known as Kras is thought to transform normal lung stem cells into cancer stem cells, thereby initiating lung cancer.

In the present study, the researchers established a strain of mice in which Kras can be activated at the same time that the PKCiota gene is inactivated.

They found that when the PKCiota gene is inactivated, Kras was unable to cause errant growth and expansion of lung stem cells in mice, the process that initiates tumour formation.

“What this told us is that Kras requires PKCiota to transform the lung stem cells and make them proliferate. In other words, PKCiota is downstream from Kras, and is necessary for Kras to initiate lung tumor formation,” said Fields.

After discovering that aurothiomalate disables PKCiota, the researchers tested whether this agent is effective against lung cancer that develops due to Kras mutation.

“The drug showed potent inhibitory effects on the Kras-dependent proliferation of lung cancer stem cells both in cell culture and in animals,” said Fields.

“That further suggests that a drug like aurothiomalate could have an effect on tumors that are dependent on either Kras or PKCiota for growth and survival, and that is potentially a lot of cancers.

Aurothiomalate appears to be one of the few drugs available that can effectively target these critical cancer stem cells. In the clinic, however, it is likely that aurothiomalate will be most effective when combined with other agents designed to target other tumor survival pathways,” he added.

The study has been published in Cancer Research. (ANI)

Indian job seekers cheated in Malaysia return home

Chennai, Sep.6 (ANI): A group of technicians managed to return home here after suffering a raw deal by an unscrupulous labour agent in Malaysia.

The members of the group say they were cheated by an agent, who took them to Malaysia with a promise to get them good jobs and high salaries, but it was only after some time they realised that they he had duped them.

“We demanded our agreement papers from the agent at Chennai Airport. The agent told us that he has already faxed the papers and we would receive them at the Kuala Lumpur Airport. We asked for our papers at the Kuala Lumpur Airport, we were told us that we would get them only when we cleared the qualifying exam of the company…we have already cleared the test, they are cheating us. They hired us for the post of welders but they want us to work on the post of a helper,” said Savanth Kumar Singh, one of the victims.

A social worker proved a major help to the victimised group, as he ensured food and other things of necessities for them.

“We were left with a little money to meet our daily expenses…they (Indian Embassy Officials) made our temporary arrangement at a temple, they provide us with food for two days but the other days we were left unattended…A social worker named Kamal Nathan provide us food, whenever Indian embassy failed to provide the food, then he feed us, he helped us immensely,” said Mahendra Deshmukh, another victim.

Thousands of unemployed Indians are duped by manpower sourcing agents who promise a well-paid job in Malaysia and Gulf countries.

Another batch of 11 technicians was expected to arrive on Sunday (September 06). (ANI)

Tribals attend RBI’s financial outreach camp in Tripura

Agartala, Sep. 6 (ANI): Thousands of tribal families turned out to participate in a financial outreach camp organized by the Reserve Bank of India in Pitra village of Tripura.

The camp was organised with the objective of bringing awareness among villagers about banking norms.

“Bank wants to lend for projects which would generate economic activity will lead to development of north east.

So we have to be able to work together. The state government, the banks, the non-governmental organisations, the locals, Panchayati Raj institutions and the Reserve Bank will act like a catalyst to make people come together and work together for economic development,” said Usha Thorat, deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India.

Organised on the occasion of Platinum Year celebration of Reserve Bank, the camp witnessed hundreds of villagers gathered at the stalls of different banks for opening of new bank accounts.

The villagers were also informed and familiarized with various banking facilities, security features of currency notes, exchange their soiled and mutilated currency notes, exchange currency notes for coins and also look into their complains with regards to banking facilities.

“In the village there is no banking system and this camp will be of great benefit to us. The villagers had no means of saving but now we think we can save something for our future,” Bubantala Jamatia, a villager

Under the model, post offices, cooperatives, NGOs, financial institutions, self-help groups, retired employees of state or central government may act as an agent of the banks and provide services to people. (ANI)

Senior FBI agent says Gaddafi may have sanctioned Lockerbie bombing

Jerusalem, Sep. 4 (ANI): A senior FBI agent has claimed that Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi must have personally okayed the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people.

Richard Marquise, an FBI veteran who led the US task force probing the December 1988 blast, said it is unthinkable that such a major terrorist attack in a regime like Libya could have been authorized without Gaddafi’s approval.

“If you were a senior minister, would you do this without telling the boss? I doubt it. I have to think [Gaddafi] knew something was going to happen, something that the US would be pissed about, and he said OK,” The Jerusalem Post quoted Marquise, as saying.

He said investigators had tried to pursue the chain of responsibility up through the Libyan hierarchy, but had been unable to muster the necessary evidence.

“We couldn’t make the connections… A lot of names came up… We had names of people in the Libyan hierarchy, buying radios, making inquiries about putting bombs in radios,” Marquise said.

The bomb that destroyed Pan Am 103 was hidden in a Toshiba radio cassette player.

“But there was no real overt act [that could serve as the basis for an indictment. It would have been nice to indict the entire Libyan regime, but our system wouldn’t allow for it. It would have been a real struggle to show Gaddafi and others in the chain,” he said.

Marquise said he was also convinced that Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the former Libyan intelligence officer who is the only man ever convicted in the attack, was no “rogue” agent.

“It had been hoped that Megrahi would give us the whole story, and go up the chain. That didn’t happen. And Megrahi never talked. He did everything for his leader,” he said. (ANI)

Duffy dating British Lions rugby star Mike Phillips

London, Sep 3 (ANI): Welsh singer Duffy, real name Aimee Ann Duffy, is said to be dating British Lions rugby star Mike Phillips.

Sources say that Phillips, 27, dumped his girlfriend last week so that he could start dating Duffy, 25, who had a No1 hit with Mercy.

“Mike and Duffy went for their second date this week and they have fallen for each other,” the Sun quoted a source as saying.

“Mike got her number from his agent a couple of weeks ago and texted her.

“It’s like Gavin and Charlotte – he wants to raise his profile and fancied Duffy so he thought he’d try his luck.

“As soon as Duffy agreed to a date he dumped his poor girlfriend Claire. He makes no secret that he wants to be the new Gavin and Charlotte. Claire is gutted.

“He had set his sights on opera singer Katherine Jenkins a while back, but she wasn’t interested,” the source added.

Gavin Henson, 27, and Charlotte Church, 23, were christened the Posh and Becks of Wales when they started dating in 2005. (ANI)

Indian-origin scientists find novel therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases

London, Sept 2 (ANI): A research team led by Indian-origin scientists from University of Michigan have discovered a new mechanism that would help in future therapies for conditions ranging from autoimmune diseases to organ transplants to cancer.

U-M biochemistry professor Ruma Banerjee and her colleagues have identified a mechanism that keeps a check on aggressive immune cells that can attack the body’s own cells.

They found that immune system’s regulatory T cells influence aggressive immune cells by regulating the chemical environment between cells.

“Now we know that the redox environment outside the cell is a very important dynamic. It regulates cell function,” Nature quoted Banerjee as saying.

The processes known as redox chemistry are fundamental to the way cells derive and consume energy.

She said that regulatory T cells appear to alter the chemical environment around their aggressive cousins, known as autoreactive T cells, which either curb them or cause them to proliferate.

This mechanism is likely to be involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and ulcerative colitis.

The study conducted over live mouse immune cells showed that important redox communication occurs between dendritic cells, which are the first immune cells to detect a foreign agent, and autoreactive T cells.

Dr Sanjay Garg, a research investigator in the U-M Department of Biological Chemistry, said that the dendritic cells alter the chemical environment outside cells in a way that promotes activation of the T cells.

But then T regulatory cells “intervene in the redox chatter” and suppress that effect.

Banerjee insists that she needs to conduct more study to fully understand the process before they can use their insights to block or encourage T regulatory cell activity in animal studies of IBD or another autoimmune disease.

The study appears in Nature Chemical Biology. (ANI)

UNICEF celebrates 200 episodes of Kyunki… Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai.

New Delhi, Aug.28 (ANI): UNICEF recently celebrated the telecast of the 200th episode of its entertainment education serial Kyunki… Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai on Doordarshan National.

A serial with all the emotional and dramatic twists and turns that make soaps so popular, Kyunki… has emerged as an innovative and effective agent for behavior change communication amongst Indian television viewers.

Watched by over 125 million viewers across India, the gripping social drama promotes life-enhancing, life-saving messages, critical to the welfare and survival of children and mothers everywhere.

From safe motherhood to HIV prevention, infant feeding to girls’ education, Kyunki promotes prosocial attitudes, behaviours, and practices that contribute directly to the reduction of infant and maternal mortality rates

Naysan Sahba, Programme Communication Specialist at UNICEF India Country Office, who conceptualized the serial says “When we began to work on the show’s concept about four years ago, at the height of the popularity of the saas-bahu sagas, everybody said impossible, there’s no audience for this. Well, we went ahead, carefully if courageously, and you can imagine our delight in that not only is our show doing well but a new wave of socially conscious TV serials, serials tackling hard-hitting issues effecting women and children, have followed suit and are taking the country by storm” .

Kyunki… has a rather unique viewership including unexpected regulars in the form of youngsters and men. A favorite of many across India, the serial is one of the top rankers in its primetime spot of 8:30 PM to 9 PM and is the leading daily soap on DD National.

Not shying away from taking up socially sensitive issues such as the ill effects of child marriage and early pregnancy, gender equality, proper use of contraceptives and prevention of HIV/AIDS, Kyunki… has been a catalyst in encouraging dialogues amongst young girls and families in rural India about things that they earlier had next to no say about.

Concurrent audience research shows that there has been a consistent increase in the number of viewers who say they intend to take action as a direct result of watching Kyunki…, including informing others about the importance of education, motivating children to join school, immunizing one’s own children and regularly washing hands with soap .

The serial has also become a helpful tool and an excellent reference point for frontline workers who promote positive changes in social and health behaviors through interpersonal communication. In depth interviews with health workers, teachers and other influencers has shown that Kyunki… in fact reinforces many of the same ideas they work with and introduces contemporary issues in an interesting, entertaining and practical manner. (ANI)

Photo exhibition showcasing 128-year-old past of heritage railway in Darjeeling

Siliguri, Aug 26 (ANI): To create awareness regarding the history and evolution of the heritage railway especially amongst schoolchildren, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in collaboration with the Siliguri Science Centre has organised a week-long photo exhibition showcasing its glorious past of 128 years, in Siliguri.

The exhibition, which will conclude on August 30, depicts the evolution of the DHR from its inception to the modern times.

The DHR is an important landmark on the Indian tourism map especially after UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1999.

The DHR’s 82 kilometres of journey from Siliguri junction to Darjeeling is an enchanting journey offering a majestic view of the Darjeeling Himalayas.

The organisers believe that the exhibition will make young generation aware of the history of the DHR, an important part of their heritage.

“We have tried to display through photographs, through charts and through maps, the evolution of the DHR and also the different milestones and important events of the DHR. For example, when the Tindharia workshop (the workshop that undertakes major servicing of steam locomotives and coaches of DHR) was formed, how the monsoon disaster took place, and even the cyclone AILA has been put in,” said Subrata Nath, Director, Darjeeling Himalayan Railways.

Children, from various schools of the region, are thronging the exhibition and have been enthusiastic about it.

“It is an awesome feeling, because I have never experienced such a thing .I came here and saw the railways and the natural beauty of Darjeeling Himalayas. It was a fantastic experience,” said Rahul Sharma, a student.

The DHR toy train was the brainchild of Franklin Prestage, an agent of the then Eastern Bengal Railway, who foresaw the utility of a rail link between the hills of Darjeeling and the plains.

It was started in 1896 by the then British Lieutenant Governor Ashley Eden, offering riders an opportunity to enjoy the majestic beauty of nature along the Darjeeling hills. At the beginning, this railway was named as the Darjeeling steam Tramway Co. Later when India gained independence in 1947, the railway was renamed as the DHR.

The DHR was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO on December 5 at its 23rd session. By Taruk Sarkar (ANI)

Ronaldo may soon crush Becks in battle of brands

London, August 21 (ANI): Football ace Cristiano Ronaldo, 24, may soon outstrip ageing England hero David Beckham, 34, for the number of commercial deals to his name, says a report.

The suggestion came after LA Galaxy fans heckled Beckham and his wife Victoria at the weekend.

“Beckham, because of his age and the stage of his career, has lost it. And Ronaldo is ideally placed to ass-ume the mantle of ‘brand Beckham’, especially among young kids and teenagers,” the Daily Star quoted sports branding expert Prof Simon Chadwick, from Coventry University, as saying.

Ronaldo has already bared his chest in ads for Pepe Jeans. He has also campaigned for Nike, Coca-Cola, video game FIFA Street 2, and energy drink Extra Joss.

The news report further reveals that Ronaldo raked in 12million pounds a year at Manchester United from product endorsements, compared with Becks’ 25.5million pounds in his heyday.

He has also been snapped up as a “global ambassador” for engine oil firm Castrol.

However, how much money goes into his banks will eventually depend on his performance on the pitch, says the report.

Veteran football agent Jon Holms said: “Ronaldo is probably a better player than Beckham. Beckham is a workhorse of a player, while Ronaldo seems to be more natural.” (ANI)

Tiger Woods suffers back injury scare ahead of USPGA

Washington, Aug 13(ANI): American golfer Tiger Woods’ pursuit to win his third consecutive tournament and his first major of 2009 was hit by an injury scare while practicing at Hazeltine.

Woods, a four-time US PGA Championships winner, is 13-8 favourite with bookmakers to equal the record held jointly by Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen, who have won five US PGA Championships.

The world No.1 has won five tournaments since returning from major knee surgery in February, but a back injury could hit his chances of securing a 15th major on Sunday, as he was seen wincing and holding his body after playing a shot with his driver.

According to reports, Woods left the range and went straight to the PGA Tour’s fitness and rehab trailer. Later, he came out with his agent Mark Steinberg and insisted that there were no issues.

“I’ve had four knee surgeries, so I guess that’s significant, but as far as other parts of my body are concerned I’ve always had a pretty healthy body,” The Mirror quoted Woods, as saying.

The 33 year-old further insisted that he has been lucky that he never had to face any issue regarding his back or neck, which many professionals like him face in their career.

“The only area I’ve had a problem with is in my knee when I first had those tumours. That’s what started the whole thing, culminating in surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament last year,” Woods added.

Woods will begin his first round on Thursday alongside defending champion Padraig Harrington and 2002 winner Rich Beem. (ANI)

Hiring of Raphel to coordinate non-military Pak aid against Obama’s lobbying rules

Washington, Aug. 8 (ANI): The US State Department has hired a former Pakistan lobbyist to coordinate the non-military aid to Islamabad, highlighting loopholes in the Obama administration’s tough new lobbying rules.

Soon after taking office, Obama had issued an executive order designed to prevent federal agencies from hiring individuals who had lobbied the agencies within the past two years.

Robin Raphel, who held top foreign posts during the Clinton administration, has been a senior vice president for Cassidy and Associates, one of K Street’s largest firms, The Hill reports.

The records indicate that Raphel’s appointment could conflict with the order since she lobbied State and also was a foreign agent for Pakistan, albeit briefly.

She, however, might be exempted from the ban already. The order specifically exempts “any person appointed as a member of the Senior Foreign Service or solely as a uniformed service commissioned officer,” according to the order.

Raphel’s position could also not be a political appointment, which likewise would exempt her from the ban.

If Raphel is not exempted already from the ban, she could earn a waiver from the president.

Obama has already issued waivers from the lobbyist-hiring ban for several appointees, such as Bill Lynn, the deputy secretary for the Defense Department.

The exemptions have however, been criticized by lawmakers and watchdog groups.

The Cassidy and Associates, which had finalized its 696,000 dollars contract with the Pakistan Embassy in Washington to “engage in efforts to improve Pakistan-U.S. relations, issued a statement congratulating Raphel.

“While we hate to lose Robin as part of our team, we wish her all the best in her new position and we’re confident of her success as she works to strengthen and improve America’s reputation around the world,” said Gerry Cassidy, executive chairman stated. (ANI)

Orgy takes place during masked ball at 17th century hall

London, July 15 (ANI): A group of partygoers reportedly held an orgy at a masked ball inside an upmarket 17th century hall.

A company hired the picturesque Halswell House, in Goathurst, for 9,000 pounds for the swingers’ romp involving 350 well-off guests.omen wore corsets and suspenders and everyone was in masks and capes for the sexy get-together at the Somerset pile.

Owner Grahame Bond, an ex-estate agent, who has spent 2million pounds doing up the house, said that the well-heeled guests swept up the drive to the house in a succession of Porsches, BMWs and Aston Martins.

But at midnight, Bond said that one of the organisers announced: “The moment has come. The spell has begun”.

“Within minutes, the entire assembly began kissing and shortly afterwards having sex,” the Sun quoted him as saying.

“To say I was shocked was an understatement. It was as if a switch had been flicked on.

“One of my staff came up to me and said, ‘you have to see this’, and I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“I realised it was a swingers party. Everywhere there were couples having sex. Over the banisters alone I counted four couples at it.

“I was very worried for my staff and told them they could go home if they wanted, and two of them, who were only 19-years-old, did so.

“The guests were all public-school types and I jokingly said to one: ‘I suppose you are a High Court judge’. He replied: ‘You’re not far off the mark’.

“Afterwards, I called the police, but they said that as it was a private party, there was nothing illegal about it,” Bond added.

On its website, Halswell House is billed as a “glorious grade 1-listed house”, and says it hosts parties, weddings and corporate events. (ANI)

Megan Fox ‘looking for multi-million dollar house in Hollywood Hills’

New York, July 15 (ANI): Megan Fox is reportedly looking for a multi-million dollars house in the Hollywood Hills.

According to the Daily Mail, the ‘Transformers’ star and a real estate agent were spotted looking for homes in the 2 to 3-million-dollar price range, reports the New York Daily News.

The 23-year-old is presently sharing a home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Austin Green.

The couple is said to have ended their engagement in February and Fox’s hunt for a new pad may confirm their relationship is over. (ANI)

Oz rules force foreign students to become economic slaves

Sydney, July 15 (ANI): Businesses across Australia are exploiting thousands of international students by making them work free or even to pay to get work, as the current immigration and education laws in the country require students to gain 900 hours’ of work experience.

Termed by experts as economic slavery, the vast pool of unpaid labour was created in 2005 when vocational students were required to work even if they were not paid.

Overseas students remained bound to the system as completion of such courses became a near-guaranteed pathway to permanent residency, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Since then, the number of foreign students enrolled in the vocational training sector has leapt from 65,120 to 173,432 last year – about half of all our overseas students.

One university-educated overseas student said that she spent 22,000 dollars and two years doing a hairdressing course she will never use, to secure her residency.

Many colleges charge students thousands of dollars in “placement fees” only to advertise their supply of free labour to local business. A black market has sprung up in fraudulent letters of completion.

“You’ve got the agents and the proprietors realising there is a flood of free labour, but of course the demand for placements outstrips the supply – so even if they wanted to take all that free labour, they can’t use it all,” said immigration agent, Karl Konrad.

A trade in fraudulent documents had evolved with employers and agents selling students verification that they had completed their 900 hours. They charge between 15,000-20,000 dollars for such paperwork.

“They are slaves. They work for free from 11 o’clock to 11 o’clock – no breaks, no nothing. They have to pay the owner for the paperwork. They want to stay here. They will do anything. They work with no workers’ compensation, no insurance. If they are injured at work, bad luck,” one agent said.

Konrad said many students had taken out loans or mortgages at home to pay the fees.

“If you have taken a loan in Indian dollars of 20,000 dollars to study here, that is going to take you nearly 20 years to pay off in India. Parents can be kicked out of their homes,” he said. (ANI)