Indian Govt to help students hit by UK visa freeze

This comes after British High Commission temporarily suspended acceptance of student visa applications from New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jalandhar.

Speaking to reporters, Minister of state for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur said, "I would want to tell the Indian students that they (UK) have said that it will take some time (to resolve the matter) as a lot of applications have been sent. So, be slightly patient."

Kaur said, "We will try to see that the students have some chance to take forward (their visa applications)."

Britain had also warned of tough action against those indulging in illegal way of getting student visas. The decision is expected to be reviewed at the end of Feb.

According to reports, British officials feared that unscrupulous agents are preparing to push thousands of south Asian students into bogus colleges in the UK.

Source : http://news.oneindia.in/2010/02/01/indian-govt-to-help-students-hit-by-uk-visa-freeze.html

Stonehill Shoots Past Saint Rose

Stonehill College, among teams receiving votes in this week's National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II poll, shot nearly 60-percent from the field and remained in a first place tie atop the Conference standings in claiming a 76-64 victory over The College of Saint Rose in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action at Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium this afternoon.

Junior Mike Kernan (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) led the way for Stonehill with his third double-double of the season, totaling game-highs of 19 points and ten rebounds to go with four assists. Sophomore Ivan Almeida (Praia, Cape Verde) added 14 points, on 6-of-9 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Freshman Brian Hamor (Guilderland, N.Y./Bishop Gibbons) added 11 points, shooting 4-for-8 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, while senior A.J. Rudowitz (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) chipped in nine points, six assists and four steals.

Sophomore Brian Hanuschak (Cumberland, R.I./St. Andrews) led Saint Rose with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field and four rebounds. Freshman Andre Pope (White Plains, N.Y./Iona Prep) added 12 points, six assists and five steals, while sophomore Rob Gutierrez (Brooklyn, N.Y./John Adams) contributed ten points, three assists and three steals. Sophomore Shea Bromirski (Cambridge, N.Y./Cambridge Central) also chipped in ten points and two steals.

Stonehill finished shooting 59.6-percent (28-for-47) from the field after hitting at a torrid 68.2-percent (15-for-22) in building a 14-pioint (41-27) halftime lead. The Skyhawks were a blistering 6-for-10 (60%) from three-point range and out-rebounded Saint Rose 31-21 for the contest, holding the Golden Knights to just five offensive rebounds to outscore the hosts 11-0 in second chance points. Saint Rose shot 52-percent (26-for-50) from the field, including 55.6% (15-27) in the second half.

With the game tied at 17-17 with 9:44 left in the first half, Stonehill began to take control with a 13-2 run over the next five-plus minutes to open an 11-point (40-19) lead after a three-pointer from freshman Sam Markle (Bethany, Conn./Saint Thomas More) with 4:37 left before halftime.

Stonehill built its lead to 14-points (41-27) when Rudowitz capped the first half with a three-pointer heading into the intermission. The Skyhawks opened the second half with an 11-4 burst to push their lead to 21-points (54-33) after an Almeida layup with 15:05 to play. Saint Rose drew back within 13 (54-41) after a Bromirski three with 12:13 remaining, but Stonehill recovered with an 8-2 push to open a 23-point lead (66-43) after a free-throw by Almeida with 7:25 to go. Hamor buried a three-pointer to give Stonehill a game-high 25-point (74-49) lead with 4:14 to play to ice the victory despite a late Saint Rose push that drew the Golden Knights within 12 points at the final buzzer.

source : http://www.stonehillskyhawks.com/sports/mbkb/2009/Releases/mbkbSTR013010

Mill Park man charged over death

Victoria Police have charged 31-year-old Mill Park man Robert Stefanovski over a hit and run accident at Lalor on Saturday which led to the death of a 45-year-old woman.

Police arrested Stefanovski at Mill Park around 9am on Sunday in relation to his involvement in the crash, which occurred around 2am on Saturday morning.

The man was charged with dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop after an accident and failing to render assistance.

Stefanovski appeared before a bail justice in an out of sessions hearing at Mill Park police station and was remanded in custody to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Source : http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-generic-blog/mill-park-man-charged-over-death/20100131-n6c7.html