The papers were filed on Monday, with Strauss-Kahn calling the accusations malicious, as it resulted in his imprisonment at Riker’s Island in New York. It also resulted in his house arrest and the loss of his role in the IMF and other professional positions. He had to resign from his head role of the IMF soon after being arrested by New York police in May of last year, when they charged him with criminally assaulting Diallo. At the time of the arrest, he was taken off an Air France flight preparing to depart John F. Kennedy Airport and then jailed until his arraignment in criminal court.

Later, investigators found forensic evidence of a sexual encounter between Strauss-Kahn and Diallo, which his attorney’s said was consensual. They have continued to insist that there was no force involved in the sexual encounter. In August, the case was dismissed after prosecutors became doubtful of Diallo’s credibility. After that, Diallo filed a civil suit against Strauss-Kahn, and a judge has recently rejected the 63-year-old’s claim that it should be dismissed because he had been protected by diplomatic immunity at the time of the incident.

This brings us to the current countersuit, which has been filed on the one-year anniversary of the initial encounter at the Sofitel hotel. Strauss-Kahn denies all wrongdoing and accuses Diallo of intentionally and knowingly making false accusations to law enforcement officials. Anything that happened between them was consensual, and no violence was involved. It’s doubtful that Strauss-Kahn is trying to recover the money that he spent during the weeks he was under house arrest from Diallo, who is said to have little money. Instead, this countersuit could help him revive his reputation in France, where nationals are more accepting of the extramarital activities of top officials as long as they are consensual.

Douglas H. Wigdor, the attorney representing Diallo, says that he considers the countersuit just a public relations move. This is Strauss-Kahn’s way of making what he believes to be good press, Wigdor added. Kenneth W. Thompson, Diallo’s other lawyer, has also called the countersuit a “desperate ploy”.

All of this came the day before Francois Hollande was sworn in as the president of France. He ran at the top of the Socialist ticket, which many believe would have been held by Strauss-Kahn if he hadn’t been arrested and accused of sexual assault last year. It also comes amid the former politician’s other legal troubles, which have continued since his return to France after the New York criminal case was dismissed. In March, the country’s authorities announced that he is under formal investigation for being connected with a prostitution ring in Lille. His French lawyers say authorities are harassing him for his lewd ways and deny that he committed any acts of criminality.

There are 19 categories in the survey, and ten US-based car hire firms were compared by Zagat’s registered users. Aside from being voted the best overall, Hertz was also voted the best in 14 other categories – leading them all but three. The categories it won include:

• #1 Top Rated Most Popular
• #1 Top Rated – Vehicles
• #1 Top Rated – Reliability
• #1 Top Rated – Service
• Best for Business Travel
• Best for Leisure Travel
• Best Counter Staff
• Best (Self-Service) Kiosk
• Best Loyalty Program
• Best Green Options
• Best Airport Rentals
• Best Car Return Experience
• Best Shuttle Service
• Best Website

Hertz Corporation chairman and chief executive Mark P. Frissora says it’s an honour to achieve top ranking in 15 categories – including Best Overall Car Rental Company – in the car rental survey by Zagat. The consumer survey-based information provider is compatible with top quality. Being recognised as the best in several categories by savvy surveyors – including reliability and service – is a proud accomplishment. This is also a testament to their intense focus of providing the best customer service and value with innovative, high-touch, high-tech rental services and products, he added.

Zagat Survey was started in 1979, and its reviews and ratings are based on a worldwide network of surveyors. It has become the most trusted source in the world for helping consumers make informed decisions about nightspots, restaurants, hotels, attractions and other activities. The surveyors are knowledgeable and frequent consumers in every category they rate.

For the Car Rental Survey, the surveyors hired cars an average 11.4 times in the last year. Predominantly men, they rented vehicles an average 4.7 times for leisure and 6.7 times for business purposes. Since Hertz didn’t lead every category in the Car Rental Survey, that means the other four categories had different leaders. National Car Rental was awarded the Best Bang for the Buck, while Enterprise Rent-A-Car was voted Best for Neighbourhood Rentals, Best for Deals and Promotions, and Best for Car Pick-Up Experience.

However, National Car Rental and Avis Rent A Car System held top rankings in a few categories as well. National placed second in the categories: Best for Vehicles, Best for Reliability, Best for Service and Best Overall. Avis was voted third in the categories: Best for Vehicles, Best for Reliability and Best Overall. Enterprise also won Second Most Popular, second Best Bang for the Buck and third Best for Service. Hertz was rated third Best Bang for the Buck.

Zagat co-chairman Tim Zagat says that it comes as no surprise that Hertz, National and Avis took leading honours in the survey, as he has closely followed the car hire industry for the last 20 years. However, the degree of victory Hertz has achieved is most impressive, he added.

Police have described Steel as a ‘maniac’, driving at speeds of up to 200kmph. The car chase started when officers pursued the stolen car on Saturday morning near Benalla. Authorities say they called the pursuit off after only three minutes due to safety concerns. They officers decided to halt traffic in an attempt to block the road near Epping and slow the speeding motorist down in his apparent route to Melbourne.

In regard to the incident on Saturday, Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana says officers were in a tough position. He says they had to halt the vehicle before it got too close to the city for fear of someone being killed. Steel ‘was driving like a maniac’ – at speeds of up to 200kmph on the freeway. The officers believed he would kill someone and himself if they didn’t stop him.

Fontana has now ordered that the incident undergo a review, but he has defended the tactic of a roadblock. Steel slowed right down, he said, and the tactic was working. However, he was a little concerned about the vehicles in the emergency lane, which is something they are looking at, he added. Motorists whose cars were damaged in the roadblock will be compensated and offered counselling if they need it.

Witness David Rendina and his girlfriend were in their car with their two children when police told them to stop in an emergency lane. He was stopped at the end of a line of three vehicles when he saw the speeding vehicle closing in from behind. He says he knew he was a ‘sitting duck’. There wasn’t anywhere for the speeding motorist to go but in the emergency lanes.

Rendina says he just remembers seeing that and the driver speeding towards him, believing there was nothing he could do. The motorist squeezed in between the lanes and bounced between the cars before stopping. Police put him and his family in danger, though they were lucky not to be injured. While his car has been damaged, his eight-year-old daughter has nightmares now, he added.

Other witnesses have contacted media sources to confirm this account. Natalie Grimmer says she was caught in the roadblock and thinks police made the wrong decision. She believes it was suicidal and that someone would get killed. There was nowhere for the speeding car to go, she added.

This incident follows Victoria chief traffic policeman Kieran Walshe writing in The Age in January that the first duty of an officer is protecting life and property – even before apprehending offenders. This opinion piece followed the death of a young passenger after police were in a car chase in Dandenong. Walshe says that they are reviewing their pursuit policy.

During the strike, East Midlands Trains was operating a skeleton service on its route between Sheffield and London, while its Liverpool-Norwich service through Sheffield wasn’t running. The drivers are also planning to strike again tomorrow for the sixth time this month. The company says it plans to run more services during the walkout.

East Midlands Trains has slammed the negotiating team from the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Fishermen (ASLEF) for rejecting its proposals to end the dispute during a meeting last week without consulting the drivers first. Human resources director Clare McCartney says train drivers are asking them why the union is denying them the right to decide on the proposals to resolve the row. They have never understood why the drivers were being encouraged by the union to strike for less pay.

McCartney added that the drivers are being misled by Aslef into losing another £200 every day they walk off the job. Their proposals would increase the pay their employees take home and increase their pension benefits. Rather than keep its members in the dark, the union needs to be honest about the proposals and let the workers decide.

A spokesman for Aslef said that their pensions are their retirement security. They have paid for them since they started working, and they can’t sit around while they are devalued. East Midlands Trains says that they are being kind by saving staff £500 per year in money they don’t have to contribute to the fund, but this is very misleading. They don’t want to cheapen the fund. The company doesn’t mention that it saves £750 per year per driver in the shared cost, which means £1,250 less will be contributed to the pension fund. Total, they estimate the company will save £2.1 million. This means the pension scheme will be worth less, and everyone’s pensions will be worth less.

Meanwhile, Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union representatives say they have made it clear to East Midlands Trains management that reducing the pensions contributions is irresponsible during a time when the scheme investments and economic environment are volatile. General secretary Bob Crow says it’s clear the biggest winner will be the train operator, even though its members will receive a small financial gain from the decision. They believe that the company’s savings will be around £750,000 a year.

Crow added that the short-term measure may have serious long-term implications on the pension fund’s health due to volatile financial markets being on their way down amid the Eurozone crisis. Although the union has opposed the contribution reductions, East Midlands Trains management continue to go ahead with the decision despite these concerns. It’s their opinion that the refusal to withdraw is irresponsible and only serves to fill shareholders’ pockets.

East Midlands Trains managing director David Horne says the announcement from RMT, that it will ballot its members, is very unhelpful and will cause more uncertainty among passengers. The fact is that the pension fund is in good health and the new contributions have been recommended by independent experts.

Horne added that it doesn’t make sense that RMT is asking its members to join their Aslef colleagues in the strike for less pay and the loss of hundreds of pounds. If the union really has its members’ interests at heart, it will work with them to ensure they benefit from more take-home pay and pensions benefits. They urge RMT’s members to vote against the industrial action and press the union to get back to the negotiating table.

This is part of Europcar’s belief that leisure and business customers will discover that, by hiring electric vehicles (EV), the new generation of vehicles offer a really environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to get around Scotland. In turn, they believe this could help convince more drivers to buy electric cars in the future. Motorists in Glasgow, therefore, are being encouraged to try before they buy through a hire from the Glasgow Central branch launched by Europcar. The location has been opened across from Central Station.

Every customer that hires a Peugeot iOn EV from Europcar will be given a face-to-face handover by a representative that has been fully trained on the workings of the car. Additionally, the car rental firm will recharge the car for free, waiving the standard service charge usually imposed for refuelling a vehicle.

Europcar UK Group managing director Ken McCall says figures suggest the UK has been slow to adopt electric cars so far. However, EVs could be the ideal option for drivers who want to reduce their petrol bills and avoid congestion charges. With the launch of Glasgow Central, which features six charging car park spaces and the Peugeot iOn for hire, they are giving drivers the opportunity to find out more about electric cars themselves. They think this is a great time for drivers to test out the new technology, and they are thrilled to be part of the city’s effort to promote greener technology, which is a perfect fit for their own philosophy of pioneering sustainable mobility solutions.

McCall added that purchasing an EV is a big step, but hiring an electric car allows a motorist to check out the new technology to ensure it will meet their expectations without taking the risk. Europcar continues investing in the quality of their fleet, which includes electric vehicles, to ensure they offer the widest choice of cars possible. Customers in Glasgow can try before they buy or enjoy the cost savings on short trips around the city with access to the new generation of electric cars.

Europcar, a subsidiary of French firm Eurazeo, provides its services to six million customers around the world through its franchisees and partners in more than 140 countries. The company has a workforce of 6,600 dedicated staff and has a long-standing local presence that assists the mobile lives of its customers through innovative and customised mobility solutions. The company was honoured with the first World Travel Award, which recognises the Leading Green Transport Solutions Company in the world. The firm also won the award in 2010, the second time the honour was presented.

The warning from DialAFlight was made in a blog post on its website, but it has already been removed. It had advised British holidaymakers to check the origin of their euro notes and said that Greece could use them as an interim currency while it prints new ones. For an example, the website said Czechoslovakia rubber-stamped all notes overnight when it devalued its currency 20 years ago so they could be used while a new currency was being printed.

DialAFlight also questioned if other countries in Europe would still accept Greek euros if the nation isn’t officially part of the currency anymore. If Greek euros aren’t accepted anymore, it noted that those still in possession of them could be out of pocket. It said the notes can be easily identified by their serial number. This is because euro notes are specific to every country in which they were issued, though they can be used in any European nation that officially uses that currency. They can be identified by country-specific serial numbers, which starts with the letter ‘Y’ for Greece.

The ABTA, The Travel Association (formerly the Association of British Travel Agents) has dismissed this warning. A spokesperson says a euro is a euro no matter where it’s printed. If Greece leaves the euro, no-one can be 100% accurate in predicting the effects this could have. However, it’s safe to say there would be a transition period when consumers will still be able to pay with euros, which is common in several nations where currencies like the euro or dollar are accepted in parallel to the local currency.

The spokesperson added that it’s important consumers remember that it’s only speculation Greece may leave the euro and the possible impact it will have. It’s still perfectly safe to visit the country. Most British holidaymakers fly directly to the Greek islands, where there hasn’t been any apparent unrest. The nationals are very hospitable, and travellers will find them even more welcoming due to their desperation for people to visit. Business is clearly suffering from the economic environment and insecurity, as well as negative speculation.

The claims by DialAFlight have also been dismissed by the British Bankers’ Association. The organisation says there’s no difference between euros that are printed in different countries. They are worth the same across the Eurozone, no matter where they were issued. The euro is a single currency and Greek, French, Spanish and German notes are all worth the same, it added.

Directline Holidays managing director Maria Whiteman also reassured holidaymakers that none of its partners based in Greece have reported concerns. It’s possible that visitors could be put off by holiday security or demonstrations, but since the islands continue to be vastly unaffected and travel hasn’t slowed, they aren’t expecting a decline. All schedules and programmes from their tour operators are still the same for next year, while capacity hasn’t reduced, which is an early indication that the destination remains unaffected in the near term. The debt problem and derestriction of the currency may make prices more competitive, so now could be a good time to find a bargain, she added.

The vehicles provided will initially be charged using decentralized generation of electricity on the IBM campus. The EV charging stations will be operated with smart IBM software that optimises the usage of generated power with renewable energy. Additionally, the software balances availability and demand for electricity to prevent load peaks.

This programme is being used by Hertz On Demand and IBM to field test gauge acceptance and practicability of the electric cars and the smart recharging infrastructure usage. The company’s staff have been given discounted rates since last October as part of the special car sharing deal. From April, the company’s frequent flyers have had one electric vehicle to use, and more and more staff have been taking advantage of this as the year has progressed. The vehicles can be quickly and simply booked through the Hertz On Demand website using the company’s account. If the trial scheme is a success, the companies plan to add more electric cars to the campus and extend the project to more of the technology and consulting firm’s sites.

Hertz International president and Hertz Corporation executive vice president Michel Taride says that they and IBM see their EV mobility alliance as a way to reinforce their pioneering roles in the fields within their respective businesses. They also see it as means of helping to increase the acceptance of car sharing as a new form of transportation, he added.

Hertz is the first car hire firm to deploy plug-in hybrid and electric cars on three continents – the US in North America, the UK in Europe and China in Asia. As the biggest airport general use car hire brand in the world with more than 8,500 locations across 150 countries, the company is introducing many groups of consumers to plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles – including university students, urban drivers, corporations and travellers.

Because of this, Hertz is forming partnerships with corporations, municipalities, non-governmental organisation, automakers and charging station providers like GE to make electric cars accessible to all consumers. They are planning to increase their global presence of electric vehicles by deploying cars in other countries over the coming months. Hertz Global EV will keep leveraging the brand’s hire and car sharing locations as bases for these vehicles and their charging stations. It will also continue to tap into the technology to help form an electric vehicle grid – including sophisticated consumer-facing GPS systems (like NeverLost in the US) and fleet management tools.

Hertz On Demand has over 800 vehicles available to hire from over 250 locations around the world. It offers cars equipped with keyless entry, and hourly rates for rentals include insurance, 24-hour in-car Member Care Center communication, 24/7 roadside assistance and fuel.

Heathrow Airport is at maximum capacity and can’t accept new routes because of that. At the same time, rivals across Europe are seeing a rise in passenger numbers – like Frankfurt and Paris. Matthews is urging the government to make a move before the aviation consultation this summer, or London could be reduced to a ‘branch line’ on international travel networks. He claims they only have about 15 years left and something needs to be done now. The frequency of flights and number of destinations served at the hub will gradually decline if no action is taken, Matthews warns. There will come a time when that decline is so much that the hub won’t be sustainable anymore. They can do nothing, but that will mean business that should be taken to the UK is instead taken to Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris.

The government is preparing for another aviation consultation this summer for a new policy that’s due to be announced next spring. So far, it’s ruled out building a third runway at Heathrow Airport and not given full backing to proposals from London Mayor Boris Johnson for a new airport in the Thames estuary. Business leaders are also saying that the status of London as the premier trading city in the world is under more threat than ever.

Johnson says the capital’s position as an international economic powerhouse is under severe threat. Competitors in Europe who have built huge four-runway, or more, airports are snatching up British passengers. That’s why they have to act now to invest in a modern, four-runway, 24-hour hub airport to stand a chance of staying competitive. Not doing anything will mean tens of thousands of good jobs that should stay in London are exported to other countries.

International Airlines Group (IAG), the holding company for British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia, chief executive Willie Walsh says he’s seen no evidence the government appreciates the importance of aviation to the UK. The rest of the world is securing infrastructure to make sure their economies can grow, while Britain has done the opposite. The government has yet to show any semblance of policy in two years, and he’s afraid of their future. Clearly Johnson is a very smart man. Although he doesn’t agree with the Mayor’s position on Heathrow Airport, he admires his bravery to firmly put proposals for a hub airport on the agenda.

London First director of strategy and policy John Dickie says the capital has been the number one trading city against all the odds. However, they aren’t going to keep that position if they don’t have connections to countries like China. Cities like Amsterdam and Paris that shouldn’t be competitive with London will be, as they have better connections, he added.

This project was launched with television channel Gold, who commissioned a survey that discovered seven in ten British workers say their commute can be one of the most stressful periods of the day for them. The comedy lines were written by Preddy, who then teamed up with Robinson to teach the new material to the staff and how to deliver it.

Preddy said in an interview that everyone has waited for a train or bus to work as the rain comes down and people rush to their seats. He thinks comedy can help alleviate the stress of commuting. All the staff they met were so enthusiastic and the feedback has been great so far. It’s important to mention that they aren’t trying to turn everybody into a comedian. Instead, they are hoping to bring a little more of the humour and personality of the staff to their day-to-day announcements and help cheer the commuters up in the process. Preddy added that one of the notes Robinson gave to the drivers was to perform the announcements like they are the same announcements they’ve made time and time again.

There are definitely plenty of funny little announcements that Preddy and Robinson have worked to teach the staff. On some trains, the driver will encourage passengers to play an interactive game where they have to say ‘horse’ each time they see a horse through the window. Then every once-in-a-while the manager of the train will announce ‘horse’. Here is a list of some others:

• Welcome to London Marylebone. Would any passengers hoping to sell their cow for a handful of magic beans please make their way to Jack and the Beanstalk immediately.
• Welcome to Marylebone. If you’ve travelled to London for a business meeting later, today’s recommended meaningless phrases are “blue sky thinking,” “moving forward,” and “low-hanging fruit.
• I’d like to welcome passengers boarding this 7.33 from Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone. If you’ve just bumped into someone who you barely know, you now have one hour and 30 minutes of awkward small talk. Good luck.
• Next stop: Banbury, which is famous for its canals. It’s a little known fact that Banbury actually has fewer canals than Venice!
• Our next station stop is Bicester, which is the second most wrongly pronounced station on this line, above Haddenham and Thame, but behind London Marlbon. Marlybon. Mary Lee Bone. You know what I mean.
• For any passengers who’ve not visited London before, do please prepare yourselves for the capital’s overwhelmingly calm and relaxing pace of life.
• You are advised that listening to loud music can annoy other passengers. Other ways to annoy them are to block the exits, push onto the train, or call everyone you meet “Denise”.
• Will any passengers listening to noisy iPods please get a better taste in music? Thank you.
• If there is a Mr Mowgli on the station, Mr Mowgli you have the following message. “Ooh, oobee doo. I wanna be like you. I wanna walk like you. Talk like you, too.” That was a message for Mr Mowgli, thank you.
• Soon we will be passing Warwick Parkway’s famous herd of alpacas. There are rumours that one of them is actually Gareth Gates in a costume. Can you spot him?
• We will shortly be passing through West Ruislip where we will be racing the Underground trains. Do please feel free to cheer for our driver.

Tommy had put together a week-long trip to Malta for he and his girlfriend about ten months ago, and they broke up just a few weeks ago. Now the heartbroken music technology and production student has been left with an extra ticket and accommodation. Rather than cancel the £1,000 holiday, go with someone else or go by himself, he decided to try to sell it on eBay. However, the sale of airline tickets and such is banned on the site unless the seller has a licence to do so. Then he came up with the idea of posting the offer in a YouTube video and giving the holiday to the most deserving person. He says in the clip that he just went crazy and decided to do something nice.

The ‘Tom Goes Crazy and Gives His Holiday Away’ video starts with Tommy showing the viewer a drawing of his ex-girlfriend, which says she didn’t want to be filmed. He explains that he’s going to give a holiday away for nothing, because “we live in a broken world, a place where people get hurt, where war happens, where equality doesn’t exist, and he wants to fix this”. He admits not being able to fix everything, but he believes he can just a little and hopes the video inspires his viewers to do the same – like buying a sandwich for a homeless person or sitting with the lonely kid in school. He believes everything counts, and this place can be made better to live in if everyone works together.

Tommy continues that he was horrified when he and his girlfriend called it quits, and having this holiday is just salt in a wound. He “didn’t know what to do with it”. He considered going alone and didn’t have anyone he would like to go with. He knew going would be much fun.

The holiday includes two return flights with bmibaby between East Midlands Airport and Malta for July 3 to 10, and whoever receives the holiday will need to be prepared to pay the £35 fee per person to change the tickets. However, he has offered to contribute to the charge, while the airport has contacted him about the possibility of helping and offering bonus features at the airport. Accommodation is for the 4-star Hotel Fortina in Sliema for a twin or double bed, with breakfast included. He also hired a Kia Picanto, or something similar, which he notes needs a licenced driver to be able to use. Additionally, in the description for his video he notes that many tourist attractions have contacted him and are willing to give away added extras to help his cause.

There have been scores of people getting in touch with Tommy to request the trip since he posted the video. Talking about the video, he says he was worried people would think the free holiday is a scam. Most people that have contacted him aren’t saying they want it for themselves but for people who deserve it. He’s gotten some really sad emails about people fighting cancer and deserving a break, while there have been funny responses as well. With the responses he has received, he knows someone out there will really appreciate the holiday. This has been a huge release, and he’s been able to let go and feel that the trip won’t go to waste.

Tommy believes his generous spirit was inherited from Roger, his late grandfather. He describes him as a big supporter of the Fight for Sight charity and always gave all he could back to the world. He guesses he’s been inspired by his grandfather, he added.