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External Affairs Minister, S.M.Krishna, who is on a five day visit to Australia to obtain first hand, the information regarding the attacks on Indian students in Australia, had met PM Kevin Rudd and other officials at the highest levels.

The Indian delegation’s pressure on Australia is now yielding results. Australia, in dire need to protect its’ billion dollars education industry, has announced changes in the courses as well as the roles played by the immigration agents there.

His comments came as reports in Australia said a number of migration and education agents were “duping” foreign students, including Indians, in Australia and were also offering “fake” work experience certificates. (more…)

Umar Akmal slammed an unbeaten 102 off 72 balls and Pakistan won the fourth ODI  by 146 runs on Friday to record their first victory over Sri Lanka.

Umar’s maiden international century was ably supported by Younus Khan  (89) as  Pakistan scored 321-5 after they elected to bat in the day-night match at the Premadasa stadium.

Younus and Umar came together to the crease when Pakistan’s score was 130 for four and shared between them a match winning partnership of 176 runs. (more…)

On Thursday Australia assured India that “firm action” will be taken against those responsible for attacks on Indian students and  said that inputs from the Indian community will be incorporated in a safety plan for international students.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, the first cabinet level Indian minister to visit Australia since the recent spate of attacks on Indian students, met New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees on Thursday and discussed the attacks and difficulties faced by Indian students.

Rees assured India that “firm action” will be taken against those responsible for the recent wave of attacks on Indian students that had
created outrage in India. (more…)

At 1930 IST August 5th, the news that Bill Clinton had secured the release of two journalists kept in custody in North Korea, broke out  on all TV Channels across the country. It was Clinton’s sheer grit and determination that got their release.

Bill Clinton on Wednesday secured the release of two female American journalists held in North Korea for five months after the country’s top leader Kim Jong Il granted a “special pardon” to them following a surprise diplomatic mission by the former US President.  Clinton who spoke with the North  Korean Kim Jong II for three and a half hours.  North Korea  pardoned  Ling, 32, and Lee, 36, after Clinton helped secure their release during a  trip to Pyongyang. (more…)

Mahela Jayawardene hit his first one-day century in two years as Sri Lanka thumped Pakistan by six wickets on Monday to grab a winning 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

The former captain made 123 and shared an opening stand of 202 with Upul Tharanga (76)  Sri Lanka cruised past Pakistan’s huge total of 288-8 in the 47th over. They won the match by six wickets.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field. first.  Put into bat, Pakistan made good use of the pitch and Kamran Akmal made 45 during a 71-run stand for the second wicket with skipper Younus Khan (44) after opener Nasir Jamshed  was caught by Samaraveera off Thusara for 1 run in the second over. (more…)

Chamara Kapugedera scored 67 and shared an unbeaten 95-run partnership with Thilan Samaraweera to guide Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win in the second limited-over match against Pakistan at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Rangiri

Sri Lanka won the toss and had invited Pakistan to bat first.

Seam bowler Nuwan Kulasekera struck first ball of the match when he had opener Jamshed caught at slip by Jayawardene. (more…)

Sterling College, Sydney has been closed down, has also sacked 35 staff members teaching cookery, social welfare, IT and other courses. International students, whose number exceeds 550, have been left high and dry. Most of them had paid their fees a couple of weeks ago.

As per press reports, Pinky Manhas, a student said that she stands to loose 18,000 dollars and has spent 18 months in the commercial cookery diploma. The lives of thousands of Indian students in Australia are uncertain and complicated due to the racial attacks on them as well as closure of colleges. (more…)

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama issued a dramatic apology couple of days ago, saying he had been wrong to accuse Massachusetts police sergeant James Crowley of “acting stupidly” in arresting a black Harvard professor.

The incident at the centre of the storm happened a week ago, when Prof Gates arrived home from a trip abroad to find his door jammed. Trying to force it open he was seen by a neighbour, who called the police. A white police sergeant arrested a black Professor and it created a ‘tornado-type 5’. (more…)