How to get over a break-up

Melbourne, June 11 (ANI): With hotels offering packages that can help one beat the blues of a break-up, a psychologist has offered some tips on how one can get over the pain without spending a penny.

John Aiken, psychologist and author of Accidentally Single, has given ten tips on how one can get over a break-up, reports News.com.au.

The first tip is to avoid all contact with one’s ex-boyfriend or girlfriend.

The second is to begin a healthy lifestyle, by keeping fit, dieting and getting a good sleep.

The third step is to understand what went wrong in the relationship, and to analyse problems of both sides.

The fourth would be to identify what one would like in their next partner.

The fifth is to be aware of any problem patterns, such as communication, style, intimacy, or work hours, one had in the relationship and to change them.

The sixth point is to move on positively and not keep bring up the past.

The seventh tip is to avoid contact with social networks and places that one used to hang out with one’s partner.

The eighth suggestion is to spend more time with friends and family.

The ninth is to pursue independent interests previously put on hold like yoga, travel, and cooking.

And tenth, one needs to get some counselling if break-up problems/issues carry on for more than three months. (ANI)

Erin Andrews” stalker ‘virtually penniless’: Report

New York, June 4 (ANI): ESPN reporter Erin Andrews’ convicted stalker has claimed that he is ‘virtually penniless’ and cannot pay the more than 300,000 dollars in restitution that was part of his sentence, according to reports.

Michael David Barrett, a 48-year-old insurance executive from Chicago, pleaded guilty to an ‘interstate stalking’ charge after he spied on Andrews at three different hotels as she showered and dressed for work.

He was sentenced in March to serve 27 months at a Los Angeles prison, according to a sentencing document.

As part of his sentence, Barrett was ordered to pay the out-of-pocket costs, Andrews, 31, had to accrue because of the violation.

According to TMZ, Barrett”s lawyer filed legal papers contesting the 327,442.27 dollars that ESPN claimed it had to spend in relation to the matter, reports the New York Post.

His lawyer said that ESPN is just a third party that has nothing to do with the prosecution and is just trying to cash in. (ANI)

Bangkok blasts kill one, injure 75 – Thai media

A series of grenade blasts that rocked Bangkok’s business district on Friday killed at least one person and wounded 75, hospitals and the Thai media said.

Five M-79 grenades hit an area packed with heavily armed troops and studded with banks, office towers and hotels. Four of the wounded had serious injuries, including two foreigners, according to witnesses, hospital officials and an army spokesman.

(Additional reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Bill Tarrant)

Outback GPs new HQ

NSW Outback Division of General Practice will move into new premises in Bourke’s main street from today.

The town’s historic Post Office Hotel will be the organisation’s new head office.

The Chief Executive, Stuart Gordon, says the division has outgrown its current offices.

He says the new building will become the base for health promotions and will also offer a space for community groups to meet.

“We’re really excited about the move, it places the division right in the main street of town,” he said.

“It’s a lovely big old building which will give us loads of time to repair over the next few years.

“From day one it gives us a shop front with great access to people in the main street for a lot of opportunistic health interventions and also plenty of room for our offices.”

Mr Gordon says the building will provide more space for staff and local groups.

“We run a regional program across western NSW so it’s nice to have a dedicated head office,” he said.

“But also in these old hotels downstairs there’s some terrific health promotion space as well so it’s going to be exciting to be there and we’re looking forward to moving in.”

Egypt’s Palm Hills rights issue 95 pct subscribed -paper

CAIRO, April 11 (Reuters) – Egyptian developer Palm Hills Developments (PHDC.CA) shareholders bought 95 percent of the shares on offer in a 699 million Egyptian pound ($127 million) rights issue, a newspaper said on Sunday.

Financials

Palm Hills plans to use the issue’s proceeds to speed up construction and expand into hotels and other sectors, shielding it from home sales volatility, it said.

The firm is expected to reopen the rights issue to cover the unsubscribed portion, Egyptian daily al-Mal reported, quoting unnamed sources close to the issue.

Palm Hills executives were not immediately available for comment.

Under the rights issue, which closed on April 6, each shareholder is entitled to one share at 2 pounds each for every two shares held, Palm Hills has said.

Palm Hills shares traded at 6.70 pounds, up 0.6 percent, at 0846 GMT. (Writing by Alexander Dziadosz)

Taliban wants ‘normal’ relations with India when back in power in Afghanistan

New Delhi, Mar.27 (ANI): Defending the February 26 attack on a couple of hotels in Kabul, in which seven Indians were killed, the Taliban has said that it favours neither Pakistan nor India, but would like to maintain a ‘normal’ relation with India.

In an interview with the Outlook magazine, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his outfit does not want India out of Afghanistan, but also criticised New Delhi for supporting the western forces in the war tattered country.

“If the Taliban returns to power, we would like to maintain normal relations with countries, including India. It’s possible for the Taliban and India to reconcile with each other,” Mujahid told the magazine in the interview, which can be described as self-contradictory.

“India’s role is different from those countries that sent troops to occupy Afghanistan,” he added.

The Taliban spokesman pointed out that both Kabul and New Delhi have had good relations in the past, and that it was difficult to ask India to leave Afghanistan.

“We are not saying that India should be out of Afghanistan. Nor can India be completely expelled from Afghanistan. The Taliban aren’t in any direct conflict with India. India troops aren’t part of NATO forces, they haven’t occupied Afghanistan,” Mujahid said.

Responding to a question regarding last month’s Kabul attack, which was believed to have been primarily targeted at Indians, Mujahid claimed that the Taliban had attacked the two hotels, as there was information that some agents of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were holding a meeting there.

He, however, criticised India for backing international forces fighting against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in the country and the Karzai government.

“India backed anti-Taliban forces of the Northern Alliance (NA) and refused to do business with our government. Our complaint is India backed the NA (Northern Alliance), and is now supporting the Karzai government,” Mujahid said.

When reminded that India has undertaken several developmental works in Afghanistan worth millions of rupees, Mujahid said : “If India were so fond of the Afghan people, why did it not undertake development projects under Taliban rule?” (ANI)

Tourists book early to see Lake Eyre transformation

Tourists are expected to flock to South Australia’s far north in the next few months to see floods transform Lake Eyre for the second consecutive year.

One of the only hotels in the area, at Marree, is being renovated to increase capacity in response to the bumper tourism season last year.

The hotel owner, Laurie Kalms, says he recently flew over the river system leading to the lake.

“Picture all these sandhills, around 40 to 50 feet high, and because we’ve had 12.5 inches of rain through that area … everything’s is green, so you’ve got all these green sand rises with a little white top on them up out of the water and it’s an amazing sight to see,” he said.

Mr Kalms says the hotel was not prepared for the number of people who visited last year, but this year it will be able to accommodate more people.

“We’re going to be a lot, lot busier this year – you just know by the bookings and the phone calls,” he said.

“Usually the tourist season doesn’t fire up until the end of April and this year she’s on already.

“The phone doesn’t stop here – ‘is there water in the lake?’ … ‘is the Cooper running over the Birdsville Track yet?’ and all this – never ever ending.”

AHA sees positives in licensed venues plan

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) says a Victorian Opposition proposal would help tackle antisocial behaviour around licensed venues in regional Victoria.

The Coalition wants to give police the power to charge people who remain near a licensed premises after they have been refused entry or been ejected.

It would also be an offence to re-enter a licensed premises within 24 hours of being ejected or refused entry.

The AHA’s Paddy O’Sullivan says that would help police make streets safer in regional Victoria.

“You’ll see police … have a greater range of options available in prosecuting those people who are quite intent on trying to compromise the safety of others,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Government says it plans to give police the power to ban troublemakers from entertainment precincts for up to 72 hours.

Hotels shrug off Obama no-show

The hospitality industry says the cancellation of US president Barack Obama’s visit to Canberra will not have a negative effect on hotel operators.

Stephen Fanner from the Australian Hotels Association says accommodation has been so tight in Canberra recently the hotels will have no problem filling those rooms.

He says it will make space available for people wanting to visit the National Gallery’s Masterpieces from Paris exhibition.

“The hotels that would have been accommodating the president’s delegation will probably get paid anyway, and in any case they’ll probably welcome those people again when the visit occurs in June,” he said.

“What it will do is open up some of those hotel rooms that were blocked out for people that want to come to Canberra on that weekend and see the National Gallery, which is a good thing.”

22 killed, 60 injured in NWFP suicide blast

Islamabad, Sep.18 (ANI): At least 22 people were killed and more than 60 wounded in a suicide attack in Kohat on Friday.

According to eye witnesses, the attack took place near a bus stop where the attacker blew himself up inside a vehicle loaded with powerful explosives.

The blast was so powerful that it destroyed several hotels and small shops located near the bus stop on the Hangu Road in Kacchapakka.

Relief and rescue teams rushed to the spot immediately after the incident, while the injured persons have been shifted to the Liaquat Memorial and Division Hospitals.

Traffic on the Hangu road has been suspended completely after people started pelting stones on passing vehicles following the blast, The News reported. (ANI)

Nagpur man celebrates birthday in crematorium

Nagpur, Sep. 16 (ANI): In a bizarre incident, a Nagpur-based man celebrated his 40th birthday in a crematorium.

Surrounded with close friends and relatives, Pramod Vanker cut his birthday cake at Gangabai Ghat on Wednesday.

“Everyone gave me strength and told me it is a good thing and you are setting a good example for the society. People celebrate birthday in hotels, homes and at religious places like temple. I thought why shouldn’t I celebrate my birthday at a place where one is to face sorrow in future,” said Vanker.

Initially, Vanker’s wife was averse to his wacky idea, but his philosophical reasoning cleared her doubts.

“I was surprised when he told me that he wants to celebrate his birthday in a crematorium. Till now we have celebrated birthdays at hotels. But then I felt that one day everyone has to depart from this world then why not see that heavenly abode where everyone has to come and celebrate the birthday too,” said Usha, wife of Pramod Vanker.

Perhaps, it is for the first time that someone in Nagpur has celebrated his birthday at a crematorium. (ANI)

Mick Jagger’s success mantra

Washington, September 14 (ANI): Sir Mick Jagger, who was famous for his hellraiser behavior in his youth, has admitted that just partying doesn’t make one successful in life.

“You can’t give into temptation all your life, otherwise you’d have no through line; you’d never get anything finished,” Contactmusic quoted him as telling Britain’s Vogue magazine.

“But it’s absolutely no fun at all unless you give into temptation some of your life. If you never do, you’re really boring and dull,” he added.

Also, the Rolling Stones frontman said that staying in hotels often has inspired him to make his home colourful and exciting.

“Hotel life has influenced my decorative tastes quite negatively. Because you say, ‘Right, I don’t want any brown or beige.’ Because most hotels go in for neutral colours – they don’t want to offend anybody,” he said. (ANI)

Lonesome Winehouse has outstayed St Lucia’s welcome

London, Jul 13 (ANI): ‘Rehab’ singer Amy Winehouse is said to have outstayed her welcome in St Lucia, and is feeling so lonely that she is contemplating returning to the UK.

Winehouse, 25, has been in the Caribbean since December last year as she battles her drink and drug addictions, with her record company reportedly spending big bucks for her to stay on and finish recording of her new album.

But, so far, she has failed to stay focused, and has been regularly snapped drunken and disorderly.

Now, the island’s locals, who had at first welcomed her, are said to be tired of her bad behaviour.

“It seems she is starting to overstay her welcome. She’s been banned from hotels, the bars don’t want her there and locals see her as a nuisance when she’s drunk,” the Daily Star quoted a source as saying.

The source also added that even though the ‘Back to Black’ singer’s family and friends have visited her on the island, they too are getting tired of her of her drunken antics.

“She’s lonely and wants to get back to what she knows. But she has to knuckle down. She’s on a very fine line with the label and has pushed them almost as far as they will go,” the source added. (ANI)

New York women ‘terrify’ Robert Pattinson

New York, July 6 (ANI): British actor Robert Pattinson, who is shooting for his new film “Remember Me” in New York, is said to be scared of the city’s women.

On-set sources have revealed that the actor is homesick for London.

“Robert is dying to get back home. He’s so over everything. He’s overwhelmed by all the girls – they terrify him,” the New York Daily News quoted an insider as saying.

“He says girls grab his neck and clothing all of the time, and he’s not used to that. Fans don’t do that to him in London. Everyone there is a little cooler about the fame thing, which is what he’s used to,” the insider added.

Clearly Pattinson, who shot to fame as teenage vampire Edward Cullen in “Twilight,” isn’t enjoying his heartthrob status or the female attention.

“Robert doesn’t understand why everyone is going so crazy over him,” the insider said.

“He’s embarrassed by the way girls throw themselves at him. The girls here are stalking him. He stayed in two different hotels over the course of four days just to try to escape the fans who were following him. He’s afraid that if he gives a hand, they’ll take the whole arm. He’s being advised by security not to encourage the crowd, so he doesn’t even look up anymore,” the insider added. (ANI)

Scorching heat affects tourism in Khajuraho

Heat wave conditions affect the inflow of tourists adversely in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. The Khajuraho temples, a UNESCO world heritage site is known for its Hindu and Jain temples and the bold artistic statements in its sculptures, depicting eroticism. The hotel industry and other tourism related industries are suffering in the face of these conditions. Hotels are almost empty leading to distress amongst owners.

Summers bring large number of tourists to Shimla

Shimla, May 29 (ANI): Summers have brought a large number of tourists to hill resort Shimla, as the sweltering atmosphere and rising mercury in the northern States is making life difficult for people.

Domestic and foreign tourists are thronging Shimla

Ashish, a tourist from New Delhi described his experience in Shimla as a perfect escape from the national capital’s scorching heat.

“It was very hot in Delhi. Currently, the temperature is over 40 degree Celsius. And when we arrived here, it was a pleasant temperature so, we are feeling very comfortable and very good. Would suggest more people to come here now and enjoy the cool climate over here,” said Ashish Gupta.

Situated at 2,130 metres above sea-level with temperatures rarely crossing 25 degrees during summers, Shimla is a favourite tourist spot for people from warmer parts of the country.

There has been an increase of 25 per cent in arrival of tourists in Shimla this year. Most of the hotels in the hill town are experiencing full occupancy.

“It is almost full occupancy in Shimla. A large number of tourists are visiting Shimla. Almost every hotel in Shimla is experiencing full occupancy,” said Naren Shahi, a travel agent from Shimla.

Shimla holds a variety of options in shopping, sports and entertainment and the local shops are doing brisk business due to tourist rush.

Shimla also is a convenient base for variety of adventure sports such as skiing, trekking, horse riding and rafting. By Hemanth Chauhan (ANI)

24 tourists stranded at 15,000 feet following landslides

Gangtok, May 28 (IANS) Two dozen tourists have been stranded for two days at a height of 15,000 feet in north Sikkim following road blocks due to landslides in the tiny Himalayan state.

The tourists, several of whom have fallen sick due to the high altitude, were returning from a trip to Gurudongmar Lake when an entire stretch of the road gave way two kilometres below Thangu at Thamchung Wednesday.

The situation has worsened due to several smaller landslides at four places along the route following heavy rains triggered by cyclone Aila which ravaged West Bengal earlier this week.

Officials said the stranded tourists have been temporarily housed in small hotels at Thangu. Three of those stranded, including a middle-aged diabetic woman reported to be sick for want of insulin, have been kept at the military base hospital in Thangu.

The officials said it might take as many as ten days to re-open the road.

Tourism secretary S.B.S. Bhaduria has asked the central agencies to allow a helicopter to fly the sick tourists to safety, but so far no official permission has been received.

Eric Clapton claims his frequent retirement talk is just tour frustration

Washington, May 28 (ANI): Eric Clapton has asked his fans to ignore his frequent retirement talk, claiming that it is nothing more than his frustration of suffering lack of sleep while on tour.

The legendary guitarist insists that he can never run away from recording and performing, despite the fact that he hates the strenuous routines during concert tours.

“I retire at the end of every tour. When I’m on the road, I’m gritting my teeth and putting up with hotels and sleep deprivation and upset tummy,” Contactmusic quoted Clapton as telling Rolling Stone magazine.

He added: “But when I’m off the road, the road suddenly seems like a magical idea again.”

The English rocker has also admitted that he still has a lot to achieve as a musician.

“I still haven’t made what I consider to be my best album,” he said. (ANI)

Mubadala to invest $1.8bn in Malaysian property project

Mubadala to invest $1.8bn in Malaysian property projectMubadala Development Co, the investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government, will invest about $1.8bn in a property development project in Malaysia, a local newspaper reported on Saturday.

The project involves the construction of hotels and villas on a 1,200-hectare site in Terengganu state on the east coast of the Southeast Asian country, the Edge Weekly reported, citing Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, CEO of the Terengganu Investment Authority.

Mubadala will invest the amount over seven years while TIA will buy the land from the state government and inject it into the joint venture, said Shahrol.

Global recession fails to affect Kashmir’s tourism industry

Srinagar, May 20 (ANI): Global recession has failed to affect Kashmir’s tourism industry as more and more tourists continue to throng the valley.

According to the players in the tourism industry, many domestic tourists have already cancelled their tours to European countries and are coming to Kashmir valley. This has helped to increase the number of footfalls in Kashmir.

Even Farooq Shah, director of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir agrees that recession has failed to affect tourism industry in the valley.

“Till now, we have received good response and recession doesn’t have a major impact on tourism. Recession has an affect throughout the world and high spending people naturally, they don’t move out. But, we are receiving a good response. This good response will continue in future too with no affect of recession on our state,” saidarooq Shah.

In a situation when global recession has forced many tourists to cancel their trips, affordable hotels and transportation in Kashmir compared to other destination have increased the number of tourists visiting the valley.

“There is a lot of global recession which is going in other countries. But Jammu and Kashmir as such is very economical. We have been able to find out good economical hotels with good service in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Shashank Kumar, a tourist.

Kashmir tourism had received a severe blow last year with the Amarnath land agitation bringing down the number of tourists. By Parvez Butt (ANI)