Monday, 14 March 2011

Bahrain travel warning for Britons

Bahrain 5' x 3' FlagThe Foreign Office has advised Britons against all travel to Bahrain after confrontations between anti-government protesters and police intensified over the weekend.
Officials warned that all UK nationals should remain at home until further notice, amid reports that Saudi National Guard soldiers are about to enter the Gulf state.
The FCO said in a statement: 'Following an increase in protests over recent days, confrontations between protesters and police, reports of protesters establishing roadblocks, and reports that the Saudi National Guard will enter Bahrain, we advise British nationals currently in Bahrain to remain at home until further notice."

Saturday, 12 March 2011

SHOCKWAVES from the Japanese quake were felt on global financial markets around the world.



Airlines were also forced to cancel flights after the closure of Tokyo’s main Narita airport, while electronics giant Sony said it had halted production at all six factories in northeast Japan.

PM Naoto Kan and MPs stayed seated as the quake swayed ­chandeliers and shook desks at a parliamentary session.
SHOCKWAVES from the Japanese quake were felt on global financial markets around the world.Airlines were also forced to cancel flights after the closure of Tokyo’s main Narita airport, while electronics giant Sony said it had halted production at all six factories in northeast Japan.PM Naoto Kan and MPs stayed seated as the quake swayed ­chandeliers and shook desks at a parliamentary session.And although the disaster struck just minutes before Tokyo trading closed, the Nikkei index of leading shares fell 1.7%.The cost of repairing the damage will be a big financial blow to an already weak economy and futures markets were pointing to further falls in share prices next week.
And although the disaster struck just minutes before Tokyo trading closed, the Nikkei index of leading shares fell 1.7%.

The cost of repairing the damage will be a big financial blow to an already weak economy and futures markets were pointing to further falls in share prices next week.

Friday, 11 March 2011

court decision made today will allow the large quantity of PlayStation 3 systems that had been seized upon their arrival in Europe

A court decision made today will allow the large quantity of PlayStation 3 systems that had been seized upon their arrival in Europe to be freed. Sony will be allowed to continue their distribution to retailers. This latest court order follows February's move that blocked the importation of PS3s into the Netherlands (where all European PS3 imports come through), leading to the seizure of what's said to be around 300,000 systems.
LG alleged that Sony had violated certain LG-owned Blu-ray patents, so a court granted the temporary block. Today's decision doesn't mean Sony is necessarily in the right. According to blog FOSS Patents, lifting the seizure order was done because "this kind of measure didn't seem fair given the history of negotiations between the parties."

Sony's potential guilt will be decided at a later date. For now, PS3s will stop being seized in Europe (good news for any Europeans planning to pick up a PS3 in a few weeks' time) and LG will be forced to pay a little more than $179,000 to cover legal fees. An additional fine of more than $275,000 will be levied for each day that it fails to comply.

The roughly 300,000 systems that have been seized are valued at more than $59 million. That figure would have increased greatly had the seizure not been lifted, as nearly 180,000 additional systems are currently en route to the Netherlands.

Regarding the potential royalties Sony would be forced to pay if it is ultimately found guilty of violating patents, LG reportedly wants between $2.50 and $2.55 for each device sold. By those figures, $150-180 million would be owed for devices sold in the past, and with future payments, LG would look to receive in excess of $350 million. Whether it will ever see a penny is a matter that remains to be seen.

Monday, 21 February 2011

Bahrain Grand Prix postponed race after protests

2008 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIXBahrain Grand Prix postponed race after protests - Telegraph: "Violent anti-government protests in the island kingdom had placed the race in grave doubt. And with teams, sponsors and drivers all privately expressing deep concerns about the image it would send out to go racing in a country still burying its dead, the sport's power brokers had little option but to cancel.
A statement from the race organisers confirmed the decision, stating somewhat ambiguously that “no decision has been made on a new date for the rescheduling of the race, which was due to take place from March 11th to 13th.”
Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said: 'We felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula One race to a later date,' the prince said in a statement.
'After the events of the past week, our nation's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united.'"

: British FM says there are indications Gadhafi may be on his way to Venezuela

Gadhafi: Webster's Timeline History, 1970 - 2007The Canadian Press: British FM says there are indications Gadhafi may be on his way to Venezuela: "Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague says there are indications that Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi has left the country and is on his way to Venezuela.
Hague says he has seen 'some information to suggest (Gadhafi) is on his way there at the moment.'
He was speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, in which they sharply condemned the Libyan authorities for their crackdown against pro-democracy protesters.
But EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton dismissed Hague's claim, saying she knew nothing about it.
EU officials who attended the ministerial meeting also described the report as 'unfounded rumours.'"

Egypt Requests Freeze On Mubarak Assets Abroad - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2011

Hosni Mubarak: A WikiFocus Book (WikiFocus Book Series)Egypt Requests Freeze On Mubarak Assets Abroad - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2011: "Egypt's prosecutor general today requested a freeze on the foreign assets of Hosni Mubarak and his family, 10 days after the longtime president resigned in the face of a popular uprising.

Abdel Magid Mahmud instructed Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit to contact foreign countries to seek a freeze on assets held by Mubarak, as well as his wife, sons, and their wives.

Separately, British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Egypt, the first world leader to visit the country since Mubarak was forced out of office.

Speaking en route to Cairo, Cameron said his visit was a 'great opportunity' to push for democracy to be established in the country, which is now under temporary military rule.

He is expected to hold talks with top Egyptian officials and the anti-Mubarak opposition, but not members of the pro-Islamist Muslim Brotherhood."

Is this the end for Angela Merkel?

Angela MerkelIs this the end for Angela Merkel? | Jakob Augstein | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk: "Hamburg is Germany's most English city. The wind blows from the North Sea, its buildings look like London townhouses and moments of extreme joy and despair are usually handled with a stiff upper lip. Sunday's celebrations among the city's social democrats, however, were atypical of its famously reserved citizens. Winning 48% of the vote in a key regional election, the SPD reached an absolute majority, something it hadn't managed in nearly a quarter of a century. In the Berlin headquarters of Angela Merkel's CDU the news was received with pale faces. A loss in Hamburg had appeared inevitable for some time, but the crushing nature of the defeat was a blow nonetheless.

The conclusion is inevitable: Angela Merkel's best days are behind her. The most powerful woman in Europe finds herself facing the beginning of the end."

Italy’s Eni and Other Oil Firms to Evacuate Libya

Libya: From Colony to Independence (Oneworld Short Histories)Italy’s Eni and Other Oil Firms to Evacuate Libya - NYTimes.com: "Global oil companies said Monday that they were making plans to evacuate employees in Libya after some operations there were disrupted by political unrest. Libya holds the largest crude oil reserves in Africa, and the moves drove some stock prices down and a crucial oil benchmark to a three-year high.

The largest and most established foreign energy producer in Libya, Eni of Italy, said in a statement that it had begun repatriating “nonessential personnel” and the families of its employees."

Wednesday, 9 February 2011

Raids on British history prompt calls for special 'heritage police'

Heritage PoliceRaids on British history prompt calls for special 'heritage police' - Crime, UK - The Independent: "Heritage chiefs will this week launch a national crackdown on thieves and vandals targeting Britain's national treasures. Growing numbers of attacks are being recorded on heritage sites ranging from the vandalism of prehistoric burial mounds to thefts from churches. Experts warn that it is resulting in the disappearance of priceless historical artefacts as well as multimillion-pound repair bills.

More than 40 organisations in Britain, including the National Trust, National Parks, British Waterways and other heritage bodies, have joined with police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in a bid to curb the mounting threat"

Merkel and Sarkozy: their plans to turn Europe into a Greater Germany - Mail Online - Euroseptic: Mary Ellen Synon in Brussels

Statue in Front of Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral), Berlin, Greater Berlin, Germany Photographic Poster Print by Jon Davison, 30x40Merkel and Sarkozy: their plans to turn Europe into a Greater Germany - Mail Online - Euroseptic: Mary Ellen Synon in Brussels: "I'm at the European Council meeting, and just out from a press briefing by Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy. It was meant to be an explanation of the 'grand bargain' the two are right now presenting over lunch to the other 25 heads of state and government. The 'bargain' is a deal all about how the eurozone is going to make itself competitive by means of a centralised European economic government.

Pause for a moment and think about how ludicrous that idea is. The individual eurozone countries have all either blasted apart their banking systems or destroyed their countries with debt, or both. Yet it is from these same economically-idiotic countries that the new centralised economic government will be drawn: somehow the 'magic' of 'more Europe' is meant to turn the politicans and bureaucrats of these nations, all of them proven incompetents, into round-eyed versions of Hong Kong dynamos.

The German chancellor assured us all that in her plan the role of the other eurozone states was to decided which member states had best practice in economic matters and then agree to impose that same 'best practice' across the eurozone."

Europe plans to spend one trillion euros by 2020 for energy grid upgrades and nuclear included as a core part of the plan

Wealth Building Strategies in Energy, Metals and Other MarketsEurope plans to spend one trillion euros by 2020 for energy grid upgrades and nuclear included as a core part of the plan: "The EU is the world's largest regional energy market -- 500 million people and 20 million companies. Governments committed to a broad sweep of market reforms, linking national and regional electricity grids and gas pipelines by 2014 to allow power to circulate freely and cheaply, from those who produce it and have surpluses to those who don't and need it.

Alongside investment in renewable energy technologies, EU states will also promote 'safe and sustainable low-carbon technologies' -- this including nuclear -- under climate action goals. France and the UK have gotten agreement to reposition domestically-produced nuclear energy at the heart of the bloc's long-term supplies.

The political mood now, amid greater questioning of scientific evidence, is for a more substantial use of the nuclear alternative.

'Nuclear is not a renewable source,' said a senior official under commission head Jose Manuel Barroso of post-2050 guidelines, but 'the make-up of national energy mixes is a matter of national choice.'"

Olympics will be magnet for sex trafficking gangs, warns Yvette Cooper | News

Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern SlaveryOlympics will be magnet for sex trafficking gangs, warns Yvette Cooper | News: "THE OLYMPICS will make London a 'magnet' for human trafficking unless ministers launch an urgent crackdown, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper warned today.

Criminal gangs will use next year's Games to force women and girls into the sex trade and push men into forced labour, Ms Cooper said.

She called on the Government to learn the lessons of the Athens Games in 2004, saying the number of human trafficking victims doubled due to poor prevention efforts.

In a speech to the Stopping Traffick conference, she said: 'There are fears that the London 2012 Olympics could increase the trafficking of vulnerable people into the UK."

British tourist dies after buttocks implant surgery in Philadelphia

British tourist dies after buttocks implant surgery in Philadelphia | Herald Sun: "POLICE in Philadelphia are investigating the death of a British tourist after she had silicone injections in her buttocks at a hotel.

Claudia Adusei, 20, who traveled from England to have the risky cosmetic procedure, died suddenly early on Tuesday at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, in Darby.

Adusei, from London, was taken to the hospital at 1:30am local time on Tuesday after complaining of chest pains following two injections of silicone into her buttocks by suspected unlicensed practitioners at a Hampton Inn hotel room, Philadelphia Daily News reported.

A preliminary medical examination revealed that the silicone went into her central vascular system, ultimately stopping her heart, WCAU-TV reported.

Philadelphia police were looking for two woman who gave Adusei and one of her friends the injections."

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

Berlusconi sex allegations widen | 24 World News

Berlusconi sex allegations widen | 24 World News: "Silvio Berlusconi has denied having sex with Karima El Mahroug
Italian prosecutors have alleged that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had sex with a “significant number” of young prostitutes.
In a request to search some of Mr Berlusconi’s properties, they cited allegations that he had paid the women or given them free use of apartments.
The prosecutors are investigating whether Mr Berlusconi paid to have sex with a 17-year-old nightclub dancer.
Mr Berlusconi says he has never paid for sex.
The document that emerged on Monday was published on the website of Italy’s lower house of parliament.
It was announced on Friday that Mr Berlusconi was under investigation.
Prosecutors have to make a request to a parliamentary committee if they want to search the property of a member of parliament.
The document includes allegations that Nicole Minetti, a former dental hygienist of Mr Berlusconi’s who is now a regional official, was involved with several others in procuring the young prostitutes for the prime minister."

private invesigations: Another Sex Scandal For Berlusconi

private invesigations: Another Sex Scandal For Berlusconi: "Scandals before, but now Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could be facing possible jail time. The prime minister is accused of paying for sex with an underage Moroccan belly dancer--known by her stage name Ruby. It's an offense that carries a three year sentence in Italy.

We’re investigating the scandal with coverage from France 24, RIA Novosti, Technorati, and BBC News.

Mr. Berlusconi says the allegations are nothing more than mudslinging, and Ruby has denied ever having sex with him, despite reports that he gave her 7,000 euros when they first met on Valentine’s Day in 2010. France 24 reports the prime minister probably won’t cooperate with prosecutors.

“Now this is very serious because the prosecutors are asking the prime minister to appear before their inquiry and respond to these allegations. That’s unlikely to happen, but it’s very, very damaging at this time.”

The investigation comes a week after Italy’s highest court partially struck down a law giving the prime minister immunity from prosecution in several non-related trials. An opinion piece in the Russian news agency RIA Novosti says Mr. Berlusconi might be leaving the political stage sooner than expected."

Berlusconi Sex Scandals Tag - Politics Daily - Politics News, Elections Coverage, Political Analysis and Opinion


Berlusconi Sex Scandals Tag - Politics Daily - Politics News, Elections Coverage, Political Analysis and Opinion: "He's always been the politician with the proverbial nine lives, surviving scandal after scandal around his personal and business affairs. But as Silvio Berlusconi faces an investigation into a new wave of criminal charges, many wonder whether the jig is finally up for the Italian prime minister. On Friday, Berlusconi was formally placed under investigation by Italian prosecutors on suspicion of having sex with an underage prostitute. The matter involves claims that Berlusconi paid Moroccan dancer Karima el-Mahroug (whose stage name is Ruby Rubacuori or 'Ruby the Heart Stealer')"

EU bureaucrats win power to probe UK crime

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: EU bureaucrats win power to probe UK crime: "MEDDLING Brussels bureaucrats will carry out criminal investigations in Britain under a new EU power grab, it emerged yesterday.
The European Commission plans to extend the role of its judicial body so it can probe offences ranging from fraud to murder and recommend prosecutions.
A loophole in the new European Union Bill going through the UK Parliament means there will be no referendum on the plan."

Malmö: Police targeted in new outbreak of riots (UPDATE: Video)

Islam in Europe: Malmö: Police targeted in new outbreak of riots : "New riots broke out in the Rosengård district of Malmo over the past few days.

Nobody was injured in Monday's disturbances, but Oscar Persson, photographer for newspaper Kvällsposten, reported that there were a lot of explosions and firecrackers, and that several cars were almost hit. It was chaotic and people fled into building entrance and cross-streets.

Calle Persson, spokesperson for the Skane police says that these can no longer be dismissed as juvenile antics, and that adults are behind the attacks. Around fifteen youth gathered for the third night this week in order to confront the police. Police say that attacks - throwing stones, firecrackers and Molotov cocktails, and setting fire to cars - are aimed at the police.

The police showed up with force. A dozen patrols with dogs were called in and managed to deal with the riots. Some of the gang retreated and disappeared into the streets and buildings, but some remained and the police sent the night searching about a dozen of them. Most were men aged 25-30, none were younger than 17."

Europe goes slow on rescue fund, stress tests | Reuters

Europe goes slow on rescue fund, stress tests | Reuters: "European finance ministers agreed on Tuesday to take their time over beefing up the euro zone's rescue fund and to publish new stress tests on the region's shaky banks in the second half of the year.

The go-slow approach could test the patience of investors, spooked by the euro zone debt crisis, who sold off peripheral countries' bonds this month until the European Central Bank intervened to steady markets."

Sunday, 21 February 2010

Officers of the Azerbaijan State Customs Committee prevented drug trafficking and smuggling of alcohol to Azerbaijan,

As a result of joint operation conducted by police and customs officers in Bilasuvar region of Azerbaijan, 2 011 g of heroin and 14 895.1 g of hashish were confiscated from residents of Barda region of Azerbaijan Ruslan Ibrahimov and Jalil Jabbarov.

Customs office of Astara region of Azerbaijan discovered 251.566 g of heroin in the luggage of Iranian citizens Turkambur Golamreza Ahmadi and Ismayil Mahmoud Amirturani, who traveled from Iran to Azerbaijan by passenger bus.

Officials of the Khacmaz Customs office confiscated 54 bottles of Russian vodka without excise duty stamp from the Russian citizen Svetlana Gamidovna Adilova. The customs officials also detained Russia citizen Sirajudin Saypulaev, who tried to smuggle 9 950 boxes of Marlboro Gold and 1500 boxes of Kent Nanotech cigarettes to Azerbaijan.

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