Cos lure students with freebies

New Delhi, May 28 — If you are among the thousands trying to grab a seat at the Delhi University this year, your journey to the form centres from the metro stations could be smooth. Wondering how? Sample this, the moment you de-board at the Vishwavidyalaya station a voice greets you, “Ma’am our AC cab is waiting to take you to your form centre.

” With temperatures hovering around 45 degrees Celsius, it is definitely a relief to the students. And that’s how Grewal Academy of Accounting Professionals (GAAP), an educational institute is trying to catch the attention of the students.

Puzzled? Well that’s a new marketing gimmick that the companies are trying to advertise themselves. From giving free card rides to 100 per cent job assurance, it’s an advertising haven for various companies who are every attempt to lure students who went to collect the Delhi University admission forms on day one.

“Not all students get through to the university, so we are asking them to register with us. Once the admission process is over we call them to know if they are still interested in our offer,” said Anita Sharma (name changed) who is registering students for Kingfisher Airlines.

The airline is offering a nine-month training course for ground staff, retail and hospitality at Rs 1.45 lakh.

Karzai visits wounded Afghan troops at Bagram Air Force base

Bagram Air Force Base (Afghanistan), May 8 (ANI): Wounded Afghan troops received a surprise visitor on Saturday — their President, Hamid Karzai, at the Bagram Air Force base medical facility on the outskirts of Kabul.

Praising their courage, Karzai handed over envelopes of cash to them.

The Afghan President was accompanied by General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. and Nato forces in Afghanistan.

A foreign news agency quoted him, as saying: “Afghanistan and the United States have began a journey together now for almost eight years to bring security and stability to Afghanistan and to the United States and by extension to the rest of the world and in this undertaking you alongside the Afghan forces are doing all that you can to bring us success.” (ANI)

”Georgy Girl” Lynn Redgrave passes away at 67

London, May 4 (ANI): Actress Lynn Redgrave, who received Oscar nominations for ”Georgy Girl” and ”Gods and Monsters”, has died at the age of 67.

Speaking on behalf of her children, her publicist Rick Miramontez said Redgrave died on Sunday night.

She had been treated for breast cancer in 2003.

Lynn’s death comes a year after her niece Natasha Richardson died from head injuries sustained in a skiing accident, reports The Mirror.

Children Ben, Pema and Annabel said: “Our beloved mother Lynn Rachel passed away peacefully after a seven-year journey with breast cancer.

“She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before. The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives.

“Our entire family asks for privacy through this difficult time.” (ANI)

Pak to get 30-yr-old 65 mln dollar US warship ‘free of cost’

Islamabad, Apr.27 (ANI): The Pakistan Navy has rebuked reports that it is acquiring an over 30-year old guided missile frigate from the United States for a whopping 64.77 million dollars, saying Pakistan would be getting the warship free of cost.

A Pakistan Navy spokesman said that the transfer of USS McInerney, a Oliver Perry class frigate, is being done under the Foreign Military Funding, according to which Pakistan would ‘not have to pay a single dollar for the frigate.’

The naval frigate will be handed over to Pakistan on August 31 following which it would be refurbished according to the Pakistan Navy’s requirements under the US Navy’s supervision.

USS McInerney, which would be called PNS Alamgir after Pakistan’s acquisition, is likely to start its journey to Pakistan in January 2011 to join the Pakistan Navy.

It is worth mentioning here that Islamabad is negotiating with Washington for five more Oliver Perry class frigates.

Sources in the Pakistan Navy said that the frigate is actually a gift from the US and will fly the Pakistani flag as a cost-efficient “hot-transfer”.

However, the US Defence Security Department through a notification to the Congress had clarified that the frigate along with its equipments, parts and logistical support will be worth at least 78 millions dollars.

USS McInerney is equipped with anti-submarine missile defence system, surface-to-surface missiles, and with helicopter deck landing facilities. (ANI)

Pak to acquire US warship for 65-mln dollars

Washington, Apr.21 (ANI): Pakistan has signed a 65 million dollar deal with the United States for the acquisition of warship USS McInerney.

The naval frigate will be handed over to Pakistan on August 31 following which it would be refurbished according to the Pakistan Navy’s requirements under the US Navy’s supervision, The Daily Times reports.

USS McInerney, which would be called PNS Alamgir after Pakistan’s acquisition, is likely to start its journey to Pakistan in January 2011 to join the Pakistan Navy.

The defence deal was signed during a small function in Washington. Top officials from the navies of the both countries were present on the occasion.

Several Pakistan Embassy officials were also present during the signing of the deal, who described the contract as a ‘major milestone’ in strengthening the Pakistan-US relationship. (ANI)

Outback train traveller loses war service medals

A war veteran says his service medals have been stolen while he was travelling on the Indian Pacific train.

The man was on a journey from Perth to Adelaide this month when he lost five medals.

They were in his car that was being transported at the rear of the train.

Police say several vehicles were broken into, most likely when the train stopped at Port Augusta in the early hours of the morning.

They say the war medals have identification numbers and are inscribed with the name ‘Ward’.

‘Moody, homesick’ Watson nears Australia

Teen sailor Jessica Watson admits she has been struggling emotionally as her journey nears its end, with less than 400 nautical miles to go until she reaches Australia.

The 16-year-old from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is attempting to be the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

On Monday, Watson dealt with gale-force winds of up to 45 knots and extremely rough seas, dampening her mood for the next few days.

“Even though the conditions weren’t at all the worst we’ve been through, for some reason or another the uncomfortable motion and my damp bunk really got to me, making me pretty moody and a little homesick,” she wrote in her latest blog.

“Normally I can pull myself out of a bad mood in a few hours tops, but this time I didn’t have the energy and managed to be grouchy for a full few days, a voyage record!

“But it only took a proper meal and some good progress to get me back to my normal self and singing away [very badly] at the top of my voice to my current favourite song, Forever Young.”

Even Easter eggs could not help lift the teen’s spirits.

“Turns out that no-one remembered to pack any Easter eggs for me, but it wasn’t the end of the world because I’ve got more than enough chocolate,” she said.

In a recent video diary, recorded on March 20, Watson also confessed to feeling homesick.

“Australia’s sure creeping up on us now,” she said.

“I joke about wanting to do a second lap and wanting to do it all again straight away, but to be honest I think I am ready to come home now.

“Love it out here still but I think enough is enough.”

In just a few days Watson will reach Cape Leeuwin, the most south-westerly mainland point of Australia.

From there it is about 2,000 nautical miles to Tasmania and a further 500 nautical miles to Sydney.

If things continue going to plan, she will arrive in Sydney at the start of next month when swarms of supporters will be cheering her on.

Lehman ruling may help councils boost returns

A High Court ruling is seen to have implications for local councils caught up in the Lehman Brothers collapse.

Up to 56 councils, including the Port Macquarie Hastings, launched a class action to try and get better returns on failed investments with Lehman Brothers Australia.

Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott says the court has found the councils can now pursue associated parties, other than Lehmans, to recoup costs.

He says that could see them recover more than the 2.4 cents and 10 cents in the dollar currently on offer.

“The council was involved in picking up some of these Lehman Brothers products through a company called Grange Securities and were exposed and potentially in the process of losing $20 million,” he said.

“This High Court ruling changes the game a lot for us and other councils around Australia.”

The Port Macquarie Hastings Council says it is encouraged by the High Court Ruling but says it is a small step forward on a long legal journey.

The council’s chief financial officer, Shane Ryan, says it is not expecting to get much back from the Lehman investments.

“Only time will tell whether we get a materially better outcome, but it’s certainly a positive step forward for council,” he said.

“The court found that it was illegal for the creditors to vote in favour of a deed of company arrangement.

“That bound council to not be allowed to go after parties other than Lehmans Australia.”

Top Pop Catalog for the 4/10/2010 issue

Now Last Weeks Peak

1 1 6 1 See The Morning – Chris Tomlin (/Sparrow)

2 153 1 The Sickness – Disturbed (/Warner Bros.)

3 2 124 1 Number Ones – Michael Jackson (/Sony Music)

4 3 763 1 Journey’s Greatest Hits – Journey (/Sony Music)

5 30 17 5 Oracular Spectacular – MGMT (/Sony Music)

6 4 3 4 Taylor Swift – Taylor Swift ()

7 8 922 1 Legend: The Best Of Bob Marley And The Wailers – Bob Marley And The Wailers (/UMe)

8 6 675 1 Chronicle The 20 Greatest Hits – Creedence Clearwater Revival (/Concord)

9 7 47 1 The Essential Michael Jackson – Michael Jackson (/Sony Music)

10 9 172 1 Greatest Hits – Guns N’ Roses (/IGA)

‘Frugal’ Queen travels in budget easyJet flight

London, April 1 (ANI): The Queen certainly knows how to save money.

The monarch took a budget easyJet flight for her trip from Luton to Aberdeen – at a cost to the taxpayer of just 22.99 pounds.

She had minimal security for the trip.

The cut-price flight is cheaper than taking the royal train that costs an estimated 57,142 pounds per journey.

“There was no special treatment. She was one of the crowd,” the Daily Express quoted one passenger as saying.

This comes just weeks after she took a regular train to and from Sandringham in Norfolk for her Christmas break. (ANI)

Qantas plane forced to return to Sydney Airport

A Qantas passenger jet has landed safely at Sydney Airport after reporting engine problems about half an hour into a flight to Singapore.

The Boeing 747 encountered mechanical problems affecting one of the plane’s engines.

A pilot discovered the issue soon after the near-full QF5 jumbo left Sydney at 5.10pm (AEDT).

The aircraft, which was over the sea at the time, was turned back, dumping fuel on the way to meet landing requirements.

Qantas said there were more than 400 passengers on board but they were never in danger.

A Qantas spokeswoman said all the passengers were moved onto another jet which left Sydney about 9:00pm AEDT.

They will continue their journey to Singapore, then on to London.

She said the situation was not an emergency.

“The pilot identified there was an issue with the aircraft (and) we believe it has impacted one of the engines,” she said.

“I can’t speculate any further.”

Engineers are now working on the plane.

- ABC/AAP

How the Great Thar Desert trip changed Abbey Clancy’s life

London, March 30 (ANI): Abbey Clancy, fiance of England football star Peter Crouch, has admitted that her trip to Great Thar Desert in India gave her a much-needed wake-up call about her privileged existence.

For 10 days, Abbey and her mum Karen joined a gipsy family as they crossed the desert by camel to perform a dance at a fair.

And the extraordinary journey – part of a new three-part ITV2 series, The Parent Trip – changed her life.

“My holidays normally consist of lying by the pool in a nice bikini with a strawberry daiquiri,” the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

“All my family holidays have been in Spain and Europe. I’ve never ventured out that far and I certainly haven’t experienced anything like that in my life.

“I was just mortified. I was terrified of every little thing.

“I’ve been wrapped up in cotton wool my whole life, which is probably quite a bad thing. I was just so upset and shocked at things, like seeing starving dogs and cows. It really upset me.

“It was really, really intimidating because they can’t speak a word of English. I was traumatised and was crying.

“But as the days went on we started to get to know people. And I know it sounds like a cliche but we really did become part of their family and I ended up loving every second of it. I didn’t want to come home,” she added. (ANI)

Slow Aussie internet delays NASA mission

The launch of multi-million-dollar NASA-sponsored balloons from Alice Springs has been delayed, partly due to a slow internet connection.

The balloons are being released into the stratosphere where instruments will transmit information about the stars and the galaxy.

There were tentative plans to launch the first of three balloons this week but organisers say final work is still being completed to ready the instruments for the journey.

Balloon launching centre spokesman Ravi Sood says weather conditions have to be perfect and there has also been difficulty getting the fast broadband connection to monitor the balloons.

“We’re having ongoing problems with telecommunications here. Unfortunately that seems to be a part of life here in Central Australia,” he said.

Father on boat told to surrender for jail

A man who falsely reported his son missing has been ordered by the Supreme Court to surrender to South Australian police when a boat he is on finishes its journey.

Brett Anthony Taylor, 51, appealed against a three-month jail term he was given after he admitted faking his son’s disappearance in a custody dispute.

The case sparked a police search for the boy, 10, who was eventually found hidden under a blanket in a cupboard at a house at Sturt.

Taylor’s friends lived there.

Justice Kevin Duggan dismissed Taylor’s argument that his sentence was excessive.

The court heard Taylor would be working on the paddlesteamer Murray Princess until Good Friday.

Justice Duggan ordered that he surrender to authorites after Easter.

Landscape turns into giant artwork

Fifteen-hundred hectares of land has been transformed into a work of art, three kilometres north-east of Broken Hill.

About 120 architecture students from Denmark have worked on the desert project for the past week, using the local landscape and culture as their theme for the giant land art.

Associate Professor Anders Nielsen says the artwork depicts streams of water created from recent rain events and uses white stones to pave its journey.

“It’s more of an aesthetic project and it’s a way for us getting the feel of the desert. I think the first couple of days we were here all the desert looked the same and coming from Sydney and going out here you can see how the landscape changed,” he said.

Community service for drunk golf cart driver

A man has been sentenced for high-range drink driving in a golf cart in southern New South Wales.

Clinton Reynolds, 28, had been at Christmas drinks at a golf club last December and in the absence of taxis, his friends thought it would be funny if they drove home in a golf cart.

Today Wagga Wagga Local Court heard Reynolds had been driving the cart for two hours and was dropping a friend off when police caught him south of Junee.

The court heard it would have been a quicker journey if the four alcohol-affected friends had got out and walked.

Magistrate Tony Murray said Reynolds put his friends at considerable risk but gets some benefit from his honesty with police.

He must do 50 hours of community service and cannot drive until next February.

How to make relationships work, by Jennifer Aniston

London, Mar 20 (ANI): Former ‘Friends’ star Jennifer Aniston has doled out some advice on relationships, and why some are not easy to get along with.

In an interview on The Ticket, Aniston, 41, talks about how she feels better than she ever has, and doled out her take on what makes relationships so difficult these days.

“We’re all a lot more complicated. We’ve also become more wary and more demanding, maybe,” the Mirror quoted her as saying.

“Men and women are developing higher expectations and sometimes that creates too much pressure because your partner is not always going to be everything you want.

“We have to learn to appreciate our differences and enjoy the fact that we all evolve differently over time. So it’s only natural that couples have to adjust to those changes.

“If you’re open to that, it can be interesting and you can make that part of your journey together. Relationships are not static things. You have to keep communicating and trying to understand your partner,” she added. (ANI)

Reina warns ManU: It’s not so easy to beat Liverpool

London, Mar. 20 (ANI): Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina reckons that his club is capable of foiling Manchester United”s title bid even if the stats say otherwise.

The two arch-rivals clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It has been pretty much downhill journey for Liverpool, with United chasing a fourth crown on the bounce while Liverpool simply battle to stay in the hunt for fourth place.

“It is always a different class of game and you cannot trust statistics. At the end of the day it is one of the best games in the world. It is always tough to beat them, and for them to beat us,” The Sun quoted Reina, as saying.

“Anything can happen. At the moment they”re favourites as they are at home and fighting for the title but it won”t be easy for them. As long as the three points is the margin that helps us get fourth place, that will be okay,” he added.

Reina is ready to sign a new deal to keep him at Anfield for six more years.

“I committed because I am happy here. Whatever happens, whether we are in the Champions League or Europa League, it is still Liverpool,” he said.

“All of us want to win trophies, but sometimes it is not the case and because of that you cannot just throw in the towel and leave,” he added. (ANI)

Yunupingu to strike a chord in US

Indigenous singer-songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has scored a US release for his platinum-selling debut album.

The self-titled record by the blind singer from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory picked up a string of awards following its release in 2008, including an ARIA for best independent album.

It will be released in the US on the Dramatico label in June.

Yunupingu will also go on a promotional concert tour taking in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

“We’re very proud to partner with [Australian label] Skinnyfish and enthusiastically join the journey to make Gurrumul a global artist,” said Josh Zieman, Dramatico’s president of US operations.

A former Yothu Yindi and Saltwater Band member, Yunupingu sings almost exclusively in his Indigenous Yolngu language.

- AAP

Haitian children rescued from traffickers

Authorities in Bolivia have rescued 19 children and teenagers thought to have been kidnapped in Haiti by human trafficking gangs.

A state prosecutor says the children are now being looked after by the Bolivian government and a search is continuing for at least eight others.

The 19 children who are now being looked after in a safe house in Santa Cruz were in a party of 88 Haitians who entered Bolivia from Peru on tourist visas in January.

It is not clear when they left Haiti, but one report indicates they set off on their journey – which took them through the Dominican Republic, Panama and Peru – two days before the earthquake which devastated large parts of Haiti on January 12.

Prosecuting authorities in Bolivia suspect the children were being trafficked for sexual exploitation and three people have been arrested – two Haitians and a Bolivian.