Gibraltar's stars and national identity: John Galliano

Gibraltar's stars and national identity: John Galliano and Albert Hammond: "Gibraltar is a small community, some 30,000 souls all told. That includes Gibraltarians, Britons and other nationalities that have made the Rock their home. So on the international stage, it is not surprising to find there are only two Gibraltarians who have found fame and fortune. One is the singer Albert Hammond and the other the fashion designer John Galliano.
Now Hammond was born in London, but his parents are Gibraltarian, having been evacuated during World War II. So Hammond is technically English, but was brought up in Gibraltar. His hit records include: 'It Never Rains in Southern California,' 'The Free Electric Band,' 'I Don't Wanna Die in an Air Disaster,' 'I'm a Train” and 'Down by the River.'

Both Hammond and Galliano are claimed by the British media as British. Hence Galliano is a British fashion designer, although he was born in Gibraltar, has a Gibraltarian father and Spanish mother. However, he was raised in England."

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another incursion by the Guardia Civil

"another incursion by the Guardia Civil, Gibraltar has got to know about it. The RGP, which chased them in our waters, has remained silent.

Down-playing such a serious and important matter is not in the interests of Gibraltar.

It is patently obvious that the Spanish are sending their vessels so close to Gibraltar to try and prove that our waters are theirs.

By not challenging the Spanish incursions, all that we do is to give credence to the Spanish sovereignty claim of our British territorial waters.

And when the local enforcement agencies challenge the Spanish vessels out of our waters, they ought to make a public statement about it - because that in itself helps create an awareness that the Spaniards are acting wrongly and in an unneighbourly manner, which can only help bolster rejection of their absurd claim."

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Qorvis Loses Another Partner; McCormick to Gibraltar Associates - FishbowlDC

Qorvis Loses Another Partner; McCormick to Gibraltar Associates - FishbowlDC: "Five partners who have left Qorvis Communications in the past four months. The latest partner to exit the firm is Kelley McCormick. It was announced today that she has been named partner and chief operating officer of Gibraltar Associates.

“I am thrilled to join the GA team. It is a fresh, nimble agency that is entering into a period of intense growth and success,” said McCormick in a press release. “I look forward to applying all that I have learned in my 20 years of agency life and putting it towards the continued success of GA.”"

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Legalize Gambling – Help Save America | Fast Line Sports

Legalize Gambling – Help Save America | Fast Line Sports: "Uncle Sam and offshore companies need to form a committee and look at how they can communicate and build a business model that the Feds are OK with in order to open up online betting. Nice thing about online gaming is no one shows up at your door Tuesday morning to bust your kneecaps when it is time to pay up, you can only wager what is in your account, not bet over your head, if anything it is a form of self reregulation upon people who may in fact want to gamble past their means. THEY ARE DOING IT NOW WITH Illegal bookies all over the country and Uncle Sam is missing the tax gravy train. Same goes with poker and online casinos."

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Only four runners left in the Tote Stakes after Gala Coral drop out

Only four runners left in the Tote Stakes after Gala Coral drop out - Telegraph: "Perhaps after the runners were known they didn’t like the make-up of the field or the conditions of this ‘race’.
The runners and riders make interesting reading. Fred Done, with his expanding empire, is favourite in betting on the event. Also in the field are the Reuben Brothers, former BHB chairman Sir Martin Broughton’s group and the Racing Foundation.
Make no mistake, the Racing Foundation bid, in which Tote executives Mike Smith and Trevor Beaumont are involved, looks attractive for the sport itself. It is structured as an independent foundation with three trustees, who own the shares, and has the advantage of charitable status.
There was much celebration when ‘Racing’ was reassured that it would share the proceeds of the sale with the Government. Of course, nobody has ever given a satisfactory answer on who actually owns the Tote nor who ‘Racing’ is."

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Only four runners left in the Tote Stakes after Gala Coral drop out - Telegraph

Only four runners left in the Tote Stakes after Gala Coral drop out - Telegraph: "Perhaps after the runners were known they didn’t like the make-up of the field or the conditions of this ‘race’.
The runners and riders make interesting reading. Fred Done, with his expanding empire, is favourite in betting on the event. Also in the field are the Reuben Brothers, former BHB chairman Sir Martin Broughton’s group and the Racing Foundation.
Make no mistake, the Racing Foundation bid, in which Tote executives Mike Smith and Trevor Beaumont are involved, looks attractive for the sport itself. It is structured as an independent foundation with three trustees, who own the shares, and has the advantage of charitable status.
There was much celebration when ‘Racing’ was reassured that it would share the proceeds of the sale with the Government. Of course, nobody has ever given a satisfactory answer on who actually owns the Tote nor who ‘Racing’ is."

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Government ruling will see horse racing receive £80m Levy settlement

Government ruling will see horse racing receive £80m Levy settlement - Telegraph: "Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt will back the recommendation of the government-appointed independent directors of the Levy board and say racing should receive £75m-£80m from the 2011-12 settlement.
Hunt is expected to announce changes to the way the Levy - currently a 10 per cent tax on bookmakers’ gross profits - is determined.
A threshold that exempts shops with gross profits of less than £50,000 from Levy contributions is expected to be dropped, with an exemption retained only for the smallest shops.
Racing is also hopeful that overseas racing attracting bets in UK shops will once more be subject to Levy payments.
Should overseas racing be added - and there is concern in government that could be subject to legal challenge - Hunt may also reduce the Levy take to nine per cent to offset the upside to racing."

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Gibraltar prides itself on the firm’s “availability to our clients,” Orphans Get Fleeced, Rich Widows Should Be Next

Orphans Get Fleeced, Rich Widows Should Be Next: Susan Antilla - Bloomberg: "It’s hard to imagine why anyone would fleece a widow or an orphan when there are so many inexperienced municipalities and dumb sports team owners to hoodwink.

Rich widows, I suppose, will always be tempting marks for con artists. But orphans? If the allegations in a recent lawsuit are true, I’d say we’ve sunk to a new low in financial roguery.

Hillcrest Children’s Center, formerly the Washington City Orphan Asylum, claims a money manager stole $8 million of the group’s $17 million endowment, according to a complaint filed last month in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Hillcrest, founded in Washington as an orphanage in 1815 to help children left homeless by the War of 1812, in its more recent history has tended to the mental-health needs of local children and families. In 2008, its board of directors retained Gibraltar Asset Management Group Inc., which represented itself as a prominent Washington wealth adviser, according to the complaint.

If the allegations are true, Hillcrest would have been better off stashing its money in a safe and leaving the door open.

Gibraltar prides itself on the firm’s “availability to our clients,” according to the company website. Rallying anyone these days at Gibraltar is not so easy."

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Lydian Private Bank flips to profit, Gibraltar Private Bank loss deepens

Lydian Private Bank flips to profit, Gibraltar Private Bank loss deepens | South Florida Business Journal: "South Florida’s two big thrift banks focusing on wealth management took different turns in the fourth quarter, with Lydian Private Bank regaining profitability and Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust falling further into the red.
Both banks are under pressure from federal regulators after being hit with enforcement actions in 2010. Laura Craker recently left her post as Gibraltar CFO to become a senior VP at Lydian. Gibraltar then hired banking veteran Adolfo Henriques as its vice chairman, president and COO.
Palm Beach-based Lydian earned $318,000 in the fourth quarter, improved from a $7 million third quarter loss"

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EU urged to follow Italy’s anti-mafia laws

EU urged to follow Italy’s anti-mafia laws - Times LIVE: "After a series of high-profile murders of policemen and magistrates in the 1980s and 1980, Italy adopted trailblazing legislation to combat organized crime syndicates originating from its Southern regions.

It includes measures criminalizing the act of “mafia-like association,” allowing the state-seizure of mafia-linked assets, introducing protection schemes for turncoats and incommunicado prison regimes to stop bosses communicating with accomplices.

“Italy has the most thorough legislation against organized crime, even if this is unfortunately the result of the blood spilled by all of our martyrs,” National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor Piero Grasso said during a visit to the European Parliament in Brussels.

“We need laws that reproduce the global strategy that has been launched in Italy,” Grasso stressed, as he singled out practices in some EU countries which hinder investigative efforts.

“In Luxembourg, bank contracts include a clause which allows clients to be notified immediately if a country seeks information on them — allowing them to flee with all their assets even before a reply is given,” he protested."

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Spanish police helped Britain win Falklands War

Euro Weekly News | Spanish police helped Britain win Falklands War | Spain | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain: "Spanish police probably altered the course of the Falklands War after stumbling on Argentinean plans to blow up British warships in Gibraltar harbour. A recently reissued documentary, directed by Jesus Mora, refutes Sunday Times claims that the French intelligence service alerted Britain to the plot.

“It was sheer coincidence.  We were looking for a gang of Argentineans, common criminals who stole the La Paz hospital payroll,” explained a now-retired chief inspector from Malaga.

The chief inspector and his officers had been after the gang for weeks and were tipped off by a hire-car firm about some Argentineans who paid in dollars and renewed their contract each week.

They were asked to bring in their cars for servicing but the two men who turned up on May 11 were not the payroll robbers."

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Gibraltar attracting wealth property buyers

Gibraltar attracting wealth property buyers: "Gibraltar is proving to be a magnet for wealthy property buyers who can benefit from fiscal advantages as well as a plethora of new gaming, financial services and entertainment businesses, it is claimed.

In the closing stages of 2010 a handful of high floor apartments in Gibraltar’s award winning Ocean Village marina development were released back to the market for sale. Seven sold within the first week to ‘waiting list’ buyers meanwhile, across a three week period in 2011, a further three properties priced between £280,000 and £470,000 have been snapped up.

‘It’s most reassuring that even amidst an enduring global recession, most notable across the border in neighbouring Spain, properties within our multi award winning residential towers will still sell at high speed. We expected a rush at re-release in November, but to have continued strong sales here in 2011 is very encouraging. The reason for this is a perfect location on both a macro and micro scale,’ said Brian Stevendale, sales and marketing director for Ocean Village."

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Egypt protesters clash with Mubarak supporters

 Egypt protesters clash with Mubarak supporters: "Clashes have erupted in the Egyptian capital between supporters of President Hosni Mubarak and demonstrators calling on him to step down immediately.

Rival groups of protesters are fighting pitched battles in and around Cairo's Tahrir Square. Many people have been wounded and shots have been heard.

The BBC's John Simpson said Mubarak supporters were trying to force the protesters out of the square."

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Egypt unrest puts US military ties to the test

 Egypt unrest puts US military ties to the test: "Upheaval in Egypt has raised fresh questions about the role of US military aid in promoting American interests, as Washington struggles to distance itself from President Hosni Mubarak's autocratic rule.
For Egyptian protesters, F-16 fighters buzzing overhead and Abrams tanks rumbling through the streets symbolize Washington's long-running ties to the Egyptian regime, even as President Barack Obama presses Mubarak to relinquish power.
But for Washington, supplying weapons and training to Egypt and other countries is touted as a wise investment, extending American influence and safeguarding the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
US military aid to Cairo, amounting to $1.3 billion a year, represents one of the most prominent and costly examples of how Washington conducts diplomacy through its vast military and defense industry.
But the approach carries risks, as the aid does not ensure Washington's word will be followed while linking the United States to repressive regimes and human rights abuses, from Saudi Arabia to Uzbekistan."

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Gibraltar has been plunged into darkness by the latest power crisis

"Gibraltar has been plunged into darkness by the latest power crisis, highlighting the state of electricity supply and the need for urgent action.

The new power station should have been completed this year, but ironically work on it has not yet even started, so it is difficult to fathom out when it will be in service.

Although the MOD power station also had problems, nothing can be regarded as an excuse for the situation Gibraltar has been going through as a permanent solution should have been in place by now.

The Gibraltar Electricity Authority says it regrets any inconvenience caused to the public as a result of the power cuts, which are affecting various districts."

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Property shares fraudsters jailed transfer money to the gang's front company, Almena Properties in Gibraltar

Gang faces jail for 2012 Games property fraud | News: "Fraudsters who used the lure of the London Olympics to con pensioners into handing over their life savings were facing jail today.


The gang cold-called elderly people at home offering what they claimed was a lucrative property portfolio in Stratford, near the 2012 site.


Fraud squad officers who smashed the racket believe the gang got away with at least £300,000 between 2006 and 2007. Detectives traced up to 90 victims who each lost between £2,500 and £30,000.


Adrian Davison, 42, of south-east London, masterminded the scam, recruiting four accomplices - Andrew Bingham, 72, of East Sussex; Patrick Golding, 29, of Ashford, Kent; Kenneth Mullen, 42, of Lanarkshire, and Derrick Voysey, 63, of Buckinghamshire.


Victims were telephoned from a 'boiler room' office in Barcelona, and urged to invest in bogus property schemes. Once hooked, they were sent glossy brochures and told to transfer money to the gang's front company, Almena Properties in Gibraltar, or to an address owned by Bingham in London."Southwark Crown Court heard the gang sent their victims brochures and told them to transfer money to a Gibraltar-based front company, Almena Properties, or to a London address owned by another member of the crew, 71-year-old Andrew Bingham. A total of £286,000 was swindled from unsuspecting victims between August 2006 and March 2007.

Davison, of Ingleby Way, Chislehurst, Kent, who earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to defraud was given a total sentence of seven years.

Derek Voysey, 64, of Magnolia Dene, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, who was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud following a trial last September, was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Patrick Golding, 40, of Kilburn Park Road, north west London, was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Kenneth Mullen, 42, of Kenshaw Avenue, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Bingham of The Mint, Rye, East Sussex is due to be sentenced separately.

Golding, Mullen and Bingham all earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud.

Another man, Christopher Fay, 64, of Holburne Road, Blackheath, south east London, who earlier pleaded guilty to one count of entering into an arrangement - money laundering - was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

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Egypt standoff continues as protesters defy curfew

BBC News - Egypt standoff continues as protesters defy curfew: "Police have been ordered back on to the streets of Cairo, as tens of thousands of people gather in central Cairo for a seventh day of protest.

The demonstrators have called for a general strike on Monday, and are holding prayers in honour of those killed in the unrest.

Protesters want President Hosni Mubarak to step down after 30 years in power.

The president has ordered his new Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq to push through political reforms.

Egyptian state television read out a letter he had sent to Mr Shafiq, in which the president speaks of the need to make progress towards constitutional and legislative reform through a dialogue with political parties.

He also calls for economic policies that give the highest concern to people's suffering and bring down unemployment by creating new jobs.

Correspondents say all the signs continue to suggest that the only change the protesters will settle for is Mr Mubarak's removal from office."

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Britons returning from Cairo speak of their relief

BBC News - Britons returning from Cairo speak of their relief: "Britons arriving back from Cairo have spoken of their 'frightening' experiences and relief to be home from the protest-hit Egyptian capital.

David Lewis, of Manchester, said there had been 'chaos' at Cairo airport.

The Foreign Office said no formal evacuation was under way but advised UK nationals in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez to leave if it was safe to do so.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron has called for an 'orderly transition' to a democratic government in Egypt.

In a joint call with US President Barack Obama, Mr Cameron said a 'comprehensive process of political reform' was needed in the north African country.

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'The prime minister and President Obama were united in their view that Egypt now needed a comprehensive process of political reform, with an orderly, Egyptian-led transition leading to a government that responded to the grievances of the Egyptian people and to their aspirations for a democratic future.'"

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Morocco could be next - the kingdom's greatest growth and employment sector could soon be strongly impacted

Discontent is ample in Morocco, the poorest, least developed North African nation, and many are inspired by developments in Egypt. Meanwhile, Morocco's King Mohammed VI rests in his French luxury chalet.

Morocco so far has been spared from larger protesting groups as those in Tunisia and Egypt, much thanks to the King's quick reversal of boosting prices for basic foods. The same move proved a good assurance for authorities in neighbouring Algeria.

But discontent is very widespread in Morocco. Despite an economic boom over the last years and some careful reforms ordered by King Mohammed VI - most prominently regarding gender equality and education - Morocco remains the poorest country in North Africa, with least employment opportunities and the lowest literacy rate.

The King, claiming to descend from the Prophet Mohammed, has an almost divine role in Morocco. Very few dare to criticise him, even in the mildest form.

Among the Arab majority, loyalty to the King is great, while the government - appointed by the King - and age-old ruling "Makhzen" class - controlling the administration, police, army and much of business - are the popular focus of hatred. In the streets of Casablanca, it is often said that the King is honest and wants to rule the country well, but the Makhzen is corrupting everything.

Minorities, however, to a wider degree dare to blame the King for their mischief. This includes large parts of the indigenous and disadvantaged Berber people. Estimates of the Berber population wary from 20 to 60 percent of the Moroccan total, with official estimates being the lowest. Unemployment is highest among Berber youths, of which many view the Arab King as a foreign imposer.

A growing Islamist movement in Morocco, which faces the same repression as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, also is loosening its loyalty to the King, which they see as a marionette of US and Israeli interests. Moroccan Islamists however are split in their view of the monarchy.

Moroccan youths are still struggling with poor education and employment possibilities. Official unemployment figures are only set at between 9 and 10 percent - although believed to be much higher - while the youth unemployment rate is set as closer to 20 percent, officially. Great masses, now mostly barred from migrating to Europe, are building up a similar rage as youths in Tunisia and Egypt.

As the tourist market in all North Africa now is crumbling - many travellers fear Morocco could be next - the kingdom's greatest growth and employment sector could soon be strongly impacted. A sudden growth in unemployment due to falling tourist arrivals could spark revolt.

The most united resistance to the King is found in occupied W

Property and palace of Morocco's King Mohammed VI in Betz, France

© Google Earth/IGN-France
estern Sahara, where the indigenous Saharawis are denied most basic human rights. Rebellion is almost continuous in Western Sahara, with the population only waiting for a situation when troops must be pulled out of the territory to fight a rebellion in Morocco-proper.

A revolution attempt in Morocco therefore could catch the kingdom's extensive police and military forces fighting at very many fronts at the same time. Unlike Egypt and Tunisia, urban protests would probably be quickly followed by rural Berber uprisings and a Saharawi attempt to oust the Moroccan occupiers.

Moroccans are following the developments in Tunisia and Egypt with great interest. The human rights, democracy and social conditions in the country are not very different from the revolutionising countries.

Some few events have already occurred. At least four Moroccans have so far set themselves on fire in an attempt to spark unrests similar to Tunisia. Minor protest marches have been held.

But the population majority is watching what is happening in Egypt, which due to its large armed forces is more comparable to Morocco than Tunisia. If the people succeed in Egypt, many will be encouraged to try the same in Morocco.

King in his chalet in France
Meanwhile, the 47-year-old King seems assured that the situation in Morocco is in firm control. There are confirmed reports that Mohammed VI on Friday arrived at the private Paris airport Le Bourget in his luxury jet.

From Le Bourget, he was driven to his extensive private property in Betz, 70 kilometres north-east of Paris. The luxury chalet, often referred to as a palace, on a 70 hectares property, was bought by his father, King Hassan II, in the 1970s and is only one among a large list of luxury palaces owned privately by the Moroccan King.

The King's luxury spending is not reported by the Moroccan press, which is heavily censored on all issues regarding the King and his family.

According to reports from the Moroccan newspaper 'Hespress' and Spanish Morocco specialist Ignacio Cembrero, Mohammed VI was accompanied on his trip to France by "a delegation of high officials from the security and military forces." Mr Cembrero says he has information that "the situation in the Maghreb since the fall of [Tunisian Dictator Zine] Ben Ali" was to be discussed together with officials from the King's allied French government.

News from King Mohammed VI's stay at his luxury chalet in Betz has still not reached Moroccans and could cause further indignation.

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£250,000 cash found in the back of a lorry

£250,000 cash found in the back of a lorry - East Hampshire - The News: "A LORRY driver was found with more than £250,000 in used banknotes after a raid at Portsmouth international ferry port.

Officials swooped on an articulated lorry where they discovered the cash stashed inside.

It’s suspected the money may be linked to crime and was being taken abroad to be hidden in overseas bank accounts.

A 53-year-old man from Merseyside was arrested on suspicion of concealing criminal property. He was later released on bail pending further inquiries.

The money has been confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act and can only be released by a court if proof can be provided that the money was legitimate.

The UK Border Agency, which carried out the raid, said the lorry had been due to travel from Portsmouth to Santander in Spain when it was stopped."

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Police call for global laws on dirty cash

Police call for global laws on dirty cash - Scotland on Sunday: "POLICE in Scotland want other countries to change their laws to help them tackle money laundering by 'Mr Bigs'.
The introduction of the Proceeds of Crime Act in the UK has made it easier to strip criminals of their profits. But the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) believes the rest of the world has failed to keep up.

Prosecutors in Scotland can strip criminals of profits based on 'irresistible inference' - circumstantial evidence - such as a suspicious audit trail or if they are unable to prove their wealth came from legitimate earnings. However, other justice systems require a 'predicate offence', which means they have to prove a crime in court.

The SCDEA says this has hampered Scotland's own efforts as money laundering is 'inherently international'."

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Child porn racket smashed and 12 arrested

Child porn racket smashed and 12 arrested: "NATIONAL Police have arrested 12 people in connection with a child pornography racket and taken a further eight in for questioning.

Raids on 20 houses across Spain, from north to south, produced almost 150 CDs and DVDs featuring pornographic material involving minors.

In a police operation led by Valencia National Police's Technology Crime Investigation Group, which started in June 2009, officers have confiscated at least 25 computer hard drives and three terminals.

Most of the arrests have taken place in Valencia, Murcia, Barcelona, Málaga and Madrid.

In the past 18 months up until last week, officers have also arrested suspects in Asturias, Tenerife, Castellón, Almería, Sevilla, and in the Spanish-owned enclave of northern Morocco, Ceuta.

The suspects have been charged with 24 offences relating to distribution of child pornography."

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XpressBet to spin off rebate shop for high-end players - Thoroughbred Times

XpressBet to spin off rebate shop for high-end players - Thoroughbred Times: "Already an owner of racetracks, a tote company, and the XpressBet.com advance-deposit-wagering platform, Frank Stronach will launch a rebate shop for high-end horseplayers on Monday.

The new rebate shop, Player Management Group (PMG), will cater to high-end horseplayers when it opens for operations. The Oregon Racing Commission will serve as the website’s hub, which will include wagering through phone accounts and an Internet platform.

XpressBet Inc. President Ron Luniewski said the website will cater to bettors who wager more than $1-million a year. Rebate shops typically reduce the percentage of takeout (the amount of money retained for the ADW website, tracks, horsemen, and taxes) by 10% to 15%.

“We don’t plan to recruit players from other sites or tracks. We plan to target players who are currently wagering at offshore sites, whether they’re betting through licensed operations or book-making operations,” Luniewski said.

Some offshore sites send wagers into the pari-mutuel pools “licensed operations” while others book the wagers on their own and return nothing to the industry."

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At Spanish border, a toll threatens Gibraltar's harmony

At Spanish border, a toll threatens Gibraltar's harmony: "It seemed for a while that this British territory with its famous rock was settling in for a period of detente with its Spanish neighbors to the north.

In the summer of 2009, the Spanish foreign minister visited Gibraltar, the first time such a high-ranking official had made the trip since Spain ceded the territory to Britain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

Of course, Spain has not given up its claim to the minuscule territory -- less than three square miles, much of it the rock -- on the tip of the Iberian Peninsula. But several old disputes have been hashed out in recent years, and a deal signed giving Spain access to the Gibraltar airport, which still allows traffic to cross the runways when planes are not landing.

Lately, however, things have not been going so well.

It seems that Alejandro Sanchez, the mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion, the financially troubled town on the Spanish side of the border, has been kicking up a fuss on several fronts.

He is not happy with the airport deal because he says La Linea has not been paid by the Spanish government for the land required to build Spanish access to the airport terminal."

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EPPING FOREST: MP given Gibraltar post

EPPING FOREST: MP given Gibraltar post (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series): "EPPING Forest MP Eleanor Laing has been given a new government role as special representative to Gibraltar for defence.

Mrs Laing's new job will see her liaising between Whitehall and officials in the British territory, which is located off the coast of southern Spain, on a range of security issues.

Announcing the appointment in the House of Commons, Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey said: 'The strategic defence and security review reaffirmed the importance of the permanent joint operating base in Gibraltar, which provides the armed forces with the ability to deploy force around the world and respond to changing strategic circumstances.

'Mrs Laing's role as special representative will be to work with the Government of Gibraltar, the Ministry of Defence and the Commander British Forces Gibraltar on a range of issues connected with the continued presence of the permanent joint operating base.

'She will also work closely with the Governor of Gibraltar, whose constitutional responsibilities include defence and internal security and external affairs.'"

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Offshore companies that holed HMV below the waterline | Business | The Guardian

Offshore companies that holed HMV below the waterline | Business | The Guardian: "Play.com, the UK market leader in online DVD sales, was founded by Jersey residents Richard Goulding, Simon Perrée and Peter de Bourcier in 1998 when all three were 28. It began life as a sideline, run out of the stockroom above a branch of sportswear chain Athlete's Foot, for which Goulding and Perrée operated a Jersey franchise.

The scale of the business is kept secret as its parent, Zuma Investments, is incorporated in Jersey and not required to publish financial statements. The company has refused to comment on trading for more than two years, but is known to be one of Europe's most successful online retailers.

Past disclosures in a Jersey court case, however, revealed that by 2004 Play was shipping 15.2m items a year, generating turnover of £190m. For 2005 the business was budgeting for 25m shipments and a turnover of close to £250m. In interview with the Guardian in 2009, Play's managing director, Stuart Rowe, predicted that year's turnover would be £400m. Asked what proportion of Play's sales were VAT-free, he was not forthcoming. 'It's really a little bit of a red herring … Off the top of my head I don't know. We are not really concerned because [the VAT relief] has less of an effect on the company than it did in times gone by.'"

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King Abdullah goes shopping in New York

King Abdullah goes shopping in New York | The Australian: "AFTER two months in Manhattan, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia faced a problem that frequently troubles travellers leaving the Big Apple.

Like many before him, who promise themselves one nice pair of socks in a little brown bag from Bloomingdales and leave with suitcases bulging, the King seemed to have more luggage than he had arrived with.

Reports from JFK airport in New York last week suggest that at least 12 luggage buggies were required to transport his cases onto three aircraft.

In the mountain of bags there were signs of several heroic shopping expeditions, most likely undertaken by his enormous retinue - two wives and their respective staffs and a film crew.

The King was in New York for an operation to treat a slipped disc which was complicated by a blood clot. He had arrived in a wheelchair, clearly in pain, and he had needed some time to recuperate afterwards, booking entire floors at the Plaza and Waldorf Astoria to recover, according to reports."

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Gibraltar and a massive life settlement bonding fraud

Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801 - Gibraltar News Headlines: "The Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States has publicly thanked the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission regarding assistance provided in helping it bring charges against a number of persons allegedly involved in “a massive life settlement bonding fraud”."

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Tourists flocked around these monkeys on Main Street yesterday, ignoring warnings that they were wild animals with a vicious bite

Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801 - Gibraltar News Headlines: "Tourists flocked around these monkeys on Main Street yesterday, ignoring warnings that they were wild animals with a vicious bite. At one point a man pushing a small child in a pram reached down to feed a large male ape, disregarding locals who were urging him to stay away. Around him, Spanish teenagers on a school visit tossed crisps and screamed with delight as the primates rushed in to snatch them up. Feeding monkeys is not just dangerous, it is also a criminal offence punishable with a fine. Not only that, but it is bad for the primates. There is a general misconception that the monkeys roam into town because they are hungry. In fact, they are fed a diet of fruits, vegetables and grain twice a day. They also forage on natural plants and insects. But unauthorised feeding encourages them to seek out sugary foods, with the same detrimental effect as overindulgence has in humans."

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The European Commission will announce in a month's time whether the UK could have until June this year to reduce quantity of PM10 in the air in London and Gibraltar.

eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform | Promoting Better Governance: "The UK could be taken to court by the European Commission if it does not comply with EU regulations and bring down air pollutions levels, the EU environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said today in London.

He told reporters that UK is now at stage two of the six stage infringment process. The European Commission will announce in a month's time whether the UK could have until June this year to reduce quantity of PM10 in the air in London and Gibraltar.

A study commissioned by Boris Johnson, the London Mayor showed that long term exposure to the air pollution in London has 4,267 early deaths. Central London has the worst air pollution but the early deaths due to pollution came from outer boroughs due to higher levels of population,

If the UK fails to comply with the EU standards by June the Commission would take legal action, the Environment Commissioner said.  He pointed out two other countries Slovenia and Sweden have already been referred to the European Courts of Justice regarding PM10 and infringement proceedings have been initiated against 20 among the EU27 member states."

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The network was based in Holland and had been in operation since 2002, providing supplies from a grow shop

Police swoops across Europe on marijuana network which laundered money on the Costa Brava: "The network was based in Holland and had been in operation since 2002, providing supplies from a grow shop in Wijchen to set up marijuana plantations, not only in the Netherlands, but also in other countries in Europe.

They invested some of their funds in luxury properties on the Costa Brava, and it’s understood that two properties belonging to the group’s leaders in Calonge, Girona province, were searched early on Tuesday morning. Others in the area have also been sealed off.

Twenty five searches, co-ordinated by Dutch police, took place in total in Spain, Holland, Belgium, Germany, the UK, the Czech Republic and on the Caribbean island of Aruba.

In a separate case, Spain’s Civil Guard released details on Tuesday of ‘Operation Pizzo’, a drugs operation which has seen the arrest of 18 suspects in Cádiz, Barcelona, Pontevedra, Sevilla, Málaga and the Canary Islands.

Officers seized 1.4 tons of cannabis, 5 vehicles and 16,000 € in forged notes.

The network, led by two Spaniards, smuggled drugs over from Morocco to the coast of Cádiz province,"

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70 percent of European countries claimed that Morocco was their prime source of cannabis (either directly, or via Spain or the Netherlands)

Morocco — Early January, in Taounate, a little village in the Moroccan mountains of the Rif region, almost eight tons of cannabis were seized in three farmers’ homes.

Last June, right after the Bab Berred revolt, three helicopters dropped pesticides on plantations in the region to burn the fields. As the political will to eradicate the production of the illegal crops grows, observers say there are few measures to help the region’s inhabitants as they lose their main source of income.

“Eradication should not precede economic development or even accompany it,” said Pierre-Arnaud Chouvy, a research fellow at the French National Center for Scientific Research in Paris, and author of several books on the geopolitics of illicit drugs. “It should come afterward and only in case of necessity. Alternative development never had the expected success. It lacked political will, financial resources, persistence and it was flawly designed.”

Morocco, the world’s leading producer and exporter of kif (the dried bud of the female marijuana plant), according to the United Nations, has for decades tolerated the illegal production of cannabis that allows an entire region to survive.

More than 70 percent of European countries in 2008 claimed that Morocco was their prime source of cannabis (either directly, or via Spain or the Netherlands), according to the most recent figures from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. These countries have pressured Morocco to take action to significantly reduce its production of the drug.


In the past few years, the country has started to crack down on production of the crop and has invested millions in not only burning the fields but also helping farmers cultivate other kinds of crops. Since 2003, Morocco has received €28 million ($38 million) from the European Union to eradicate the cultivation of cannabis and signed several treaties pledging to do so. In addition, the United States donated $43 million to help farmers find new crops to replace hashish.

In theory, such a plan should work. In reality, though, it has faced many challenges and experts say it is likely to fail in the long run.

The Rif region suffers from extremely difficult climatic conditions and offers very little earning opportunities for its people. During the reign of King Hassan II, which ended with his death in 1999, the country lacked an economic development program. Since Mohammed VI became king, he has launched several projects to develop the Rif region, left neglected for decades: A port was built in Tangier and another one is in construction in the eastern city of Nador to make the north of the country more economically attractive.

But more needs to be done, says Chouvy. He says the solution centers on an effective regional and national development strategy that would promote the almost complete eradication of the production of cannabis over the next three decades.

“The eradication of cannabis production should not be the goal of development programs: It must be an indicator of their success,” said Chouvy. “The farmers who make a living from it will eventually decide themselves to abandon an economic activity that isn’t profitable.”

Farmers in Bab Berred who survive solely on the cultivation of the crop told GlobalPost in May how dire the situation is for them.

"This is everything I own: I use it to buy grains, wheat, oil, soap, school books, pay for electricity,” said Abdelouaret El Bohidi, a farmer, pointing to a bag of marijuana. “If they take this from me, I will lose my mind. I won’t have anything left to feed my children.”

The farmers said that so far, they haven’t found another way to survive.

“We will cultivate something else if they give us the means to do it,” said Mohamed Amaghir, another farmer. “All we are asking for is a piece of bread and nothing else."

There is an urgent need for new sources of survival, says Chouvy.

“Eradication will only aggravate the underlying factors that lead farmers to produce such crops: poverty and hunger,” he said.

The attempts to wipe out production have also affected the lives of others, namely consumers. The price of hashish has doubled even tripled over the past few years depending on quality.

“Five years ago, the best quality hashish was from Ketama — it was $30 for 12.5 grams — and now the price has doubled and it’s hard to find it,” explained Salim, a regular hashish buyer. “Even bad quality hash has become expensive. ‘Farkhacha,’ a mixed product used to be only 10 dirhams [$1.50] and is now 60 or 70 dirhams [$7 0r 8.50.]”

As a result, many drugs dealers have stopped selling hashish and have turned to more profitable sources of income: harder drugs.

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Betting tax extended to online operators - The Irish Times - Fri, Jan 21, 2011

Betting tax extended to online operators - The Irish Times - Fri, Jan 21, 2011: "A plan to apply betting tax to online bookmakers is among the provisions included in the Finance Bill, which has been published today.

Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan announced in the Budget last December that the Government intended to extend the existing 1 per cent levy on betting turnover in bookmakers to online operators such as Irish-owned Paddy Power and Boylesports, who have previously been exempt from the charge.

The measure is expected to raise about €20 million extra in a full year.

Betting exchanges such as Betfair, which allow people to make bets with other customers online, are to be made liable to a 'betting intermediary duty' at the rate of 15 per cent of the commission they receive from punters in Ireland.

A number of commercial lawyers had previously warned that the move to apply betting tax to online operators could force bookmakers to move offshore if they did not also apply to those who offer online betting but are based outside of Ireland."

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closing its UK telephone business in February, in order to establish a new telephone betting operation offshore in the tax haven of Gibraltar.

Online betting surge gives William Hill a boost | Business | The First Post: "A surge in online business has provided strong revenue growth for bookmaker William Hill. Despite bad weather affecting sport matches and fixtures, retail revenue in the last three months of 2010 was up eight per cent on the previous year, whilst online revenue was up 25 per cent.

William Hill's operating profits are expected to be around £275m, up from £258.6m for 2009.

'This is strong performance and I am delighted that, in particular, our online business and the gaming machines in our shops continue to see encouraging revenue growth,' said chief executive Ralph Topping.

'Our continual technological developments in what is a fast-changing industry have underpinned growth.'

The group also said it will be closing its UK telephone business in February, in order to establish a new telephone betting operation offshore in the tax haven of Gibraltar."

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Paddy Power to revise odds on offshore move

FT.com / Companies / Travel & Leisure - Paddy Power to revise odds on offshore move: "why Paddy Power, unlike its UK rivals, has not moved offshore. After all, a base in Gibraltar from where both Ladbrokes and William Hill operate, would sharply reduce its tax bill despite Ireland's low corporate tax rates of 12.5 per cent. The Paddy Power board has looked at the issue, but until now it has decided to expand in its home base.

But the question of where it should be for tax purposes looks certain to resurface with the Irish government set to publish details in the next few weeks of its annual finance bill, which will contain provisions for changes in offshore betting tax. Currently a bet placed in a betting shop in Ireland incurs a 1 per cent levy – bets at the racetrack are taxed at 0.5 per cent. Online or phone-based betting is tax free."

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Tote to avoid tax with offshore betting plan | Business | The First Post

Tote to avoid tax with offshore betting plan | Business | The First Post: "Government-owned bookmaker the Tote has revealed plans to move some of its business offshore and reduce its tax liabilities in the process.

Fully state-owned since its foundation in 1928, the Tote has now said it wants to sidestep income tax by filtering bets placed with offshore bookmakers through its Guernsey outpost.

The Tote operates on a pool-based betting system which allows customers of other bookmakers to bet into Tote markets. Tote's plans would see many of those bookmakers directing bets through the Guernsey hub.

The horse racing industry, which is partially funded by a tax on bookmakers, said Tote's intentions were proof that the UK gambling regulations needed to be reined in.

'This is further evidence of Britain's gambling regulations being in need of urgent attention,' said the British Horseracing Authority's head of external affairs, Will Lambe."

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BBC World Service will close five overseas services to save money | Herald Sun

BBC World Service will close five overseas services to save money | Herald Sun: "THE BBC World Service will shed around 500 jobs after announcing plans Tuesday to close five language services in a bid to save money.

The shake-up will also see the British national broadcaster scale back its operations in Russia and China, The Financial Times reported.

The five language services to close are Albanian; Macedonian; Serbian; Portuguese output for Africa; and an English-language service tailored to the Caribbean.

The move has triggered an angry response from unions but officials believe the service, which receives millions in funding from the Foreign Office, must tighten its belt in line with the wider budget."

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Silvio Berlusconi calls TV show and rants at presenter who spoke about the sex allegations against him - mirror.co.uk

Silvio Berlusconi calls TV show and rants at presenter who spoke about the sex allegations against him - mirror.co.uk: "THE strain is getting to sleaze-hit Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after he called a late night TV news show and traded insults with its presenter.

Berlusconi, 74, is at the centre of a sex probe involving an underage escort and an ­extortion investigation following claims he asked police to free her after she was arrested.

He has denied hosting “bunga bunga” parties – a crude reference to a sex game."

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Gaddafi fears foreign meddling in Tunisia turmoil | Top News | Reuters

Gaddafi fears foreign meddling in Tunisia turmoil | Top News | Reuters: "Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said on Tuesday he feared the change of power in Tunisia was being exploited by foreign intervention.

Speaking in an interview broadcast on the private Tunisian Nessma television station, he denied that he had invited deposed President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to neighbouring Libya.

'I fear for the Tunisian revolution because I see foreign intervention ... It serves foreign interests,' Gaddafi said.

He went on: 'Who said I invited Ben Ali (to Libya)? I did not invite him, I did not suggest that, that is not why I called him.

'This is nonsense ... I do not go against the interests of the Tunisian people.'

Ben Ali, who ruled Tunisia for more than 23 years, fled to Saudi Arabia earlier this month after weeks of protests. His departure resonated in other Arab states with restless populations and long-standing rulers.

In a speech soon after Ben Ali's departure, Gaddafi said he was 'pained' by the violent events in Tunisia, that people there had been too hasty to push out Ben Ali and that blood might have been shed unnecessarily.

Gaddafi, Libya's leader since 1969, regularly attacks what he describes as Western imperialism in Africa and the Arab world. Some media reports said he had offered to give Ben Ali refuge when he was fleeing from Tunisia."

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The British fund Libra Capital Ltd. real estate investment through a fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Sultanate of Oman will launch a huge real estate project in southern Morocco on the coast of Tan Tan

France Middle East: The French middle east business resource: "The British fund Libra Capital Ltd. real estate investment through a fund of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Sultanate of Oman will launch a huge real estate project in southern Morocco on the coast of Tan Tan, opposite the Canary Islands, with key construction over 3600 villas, 24,000 apartments and three nursing homes targeting older Europeans.
5 billion euros of investment over 15 years

The project Morroco Rivieara spread over a surface area of 200 hectares and will be built in three phases over fifteen years, ultimately came from the 270,000 pensioners in Europe.
'We chose to install the project in front of the archipelago to make connections to develop between the Canaries and the Moroccan coast,' said Rachid Laâouimir, CEO of Libra Capital.

Work should begin in 2013. According to the sponsor, the building complex will include nursing homes with a social and environmental sustainability, 3,000 hotel beds on the beach with a marina with 700 moorings, a deepwater port and eight golf courses. The project will generate over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute to the development of tourism in the region of Tan-Tan."

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Morocco targets one million Spanish tourists

Morocco targets one million Spanish tourists: "Morroco strives to attract one million Spanish toursist in 2013, Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) chief Abdelhamid Addou said Wednesday (January 19th) at an international tourism fair in Madrid. The kingdom hosted nearly 750,000 Spanish tourists last year, marking an increase of 11% over 2009."

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Property investment 'in decline'

The Press Association: Property investment 'in decline': "House price falls and the mortgage drought have led to a steep drop in the number of people who think property is the most reliable long-term investment, research has indicated.
The proportion of people who think bricks and mortar is the best home for their cash fell by nearly a third during the final quarter of 2010, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Only 34% of people now rate property as the best long-term investment, down from 49% in September and the lowest level since the ABI first began collecting the figures in September 2008.
People are increasingly putting their faith in savings and investment products, although property still remains the most popular place to invest money overall.
The number of people who favoured savings accounts rose from 11% to 18% during the period, while the popularity of equity investments and Isas increased from 9% to 14%.
Around 7% of people said they thought the Government-backed National Savings and Investments was the best long-term home for their money while 3% of people said they would opt for wine, art, antiques or other alternative investments. But 24% of those questioned admitted they did not know what would be the best long-term investment."

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La Línea, a town of 65,000 people, the signs of hardship are almost everywhere. One of every six residents is unemployed. Swept into the excesses of Spain’s construction boom, it is more than $135 million in debt

At Border Town in Spain, a Toll Imperils Rapprochement - NYTimes.com: "La Línea, a town of 65,000 people, the signs of hardship are almost everywhere. One of every six residents is unemployed. Swept into the excesses of Spain’s construction boom, it is more than $135 million in debt and began falling behind on paying its workers last summer.

Mr. Sánchez inherited the mess when his predecessor was forced to step down last year.

At first, Mr. Sánchez championed the airport deal, which the Spanish government and Gibraltar signed in 2006, as a boon to the local economy. But these days he just wants to see the town get paid for its land.

“This is one of our most valuable assets,” Mr. Sánchez said. “And we have other possibilities for the use of that land.” He is waiting for Spain to make him a reasonable offer.

His demands are not making him any friends in Madrid. Mr. Sánchez, who belongs to Spain’s opposition People’s Party, received a tongue-lashing recently from Salvador de la Encina, a member of Parliament from Cádiz with an interest in infrastructure issues. He has said that Spain will deliver on its agreement “with or without Mr. Sánchez.”"

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Alejandro Sánchez, the mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, the financially troubled town on the Spanish side of the border, has been kicking up a fuss

At Border Town in Spain, a Toll Imperils Rapprochement - NYTimes.com: "Alejandro Sánchez, the mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, the financially troubled town on the Spanish side of the border, has been kicking up a fuss on several fronts.

He is not happy with the airport deal because he says La Línea has not been paid by the Spanish government for the land required to build Spanish access to the airport terminal.

And in pursuit of even more cash, he is threatening to charge a toll in La Línea, looking for revenue from the owners of the 10 million vehicles that cross through his town each year, mostly with people going to shop in the dense streets of Gibraltar.

Mr. Sánchez says the income would begin to make up for the environmental impact of all that car exhaust — and for the ugliness of the long lines of vehicles waiting to get into Gibraltar, where shoppers can get deals on cigarettes, alcohol, perfume and chocolates.

“We have the most polluted village in all of Andalusia,” said Mr. Sánchez. “The shoreline is lost for tourism because of all those cars going into Gibraltar. They are always backed up on our side. The waterline is gone because there is a huge clogged road there. So we are developing a congestion charge."

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Dorie Iraoui facing surgery with husband in Morroco waiting for State Department OK | KansasCity.com Press Release Central

Dorie Iraoui facing surgery with husband in Morroco waiting for State Department OK | KansasCity.com Press Release Central: "For the past two years, Dorie Iraoui, a U.S. citizen, wife and mother, has been desperately trying to reunite with Stof, her Moroccan husband. Now, with Dorie just days away from undergoing a major surgery on January 27, 2011, the U.S. Department of State continues to tie up her husband’s case in red tape despite Stof’s eligibility and prior approval for a U.S. visa. Facing her life-changing surgery alone is just another frustrating result of Dorie and Stof’s efforts to follow the laws and comply with the federal government officials’ requests, which have led to a bureaucratic nightmare for the couple.
Dorie and Stof will celebrate their second wedding anniversary in March, but their first two years together have been anything but newlywed bliss. Forced to live worlds apart for nearly 23 months, Dorie has endured health problems, her mother’s death, raising a child and continued employment to support her family in spite of her doctor’s bed rest order – without Stof by her side."

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Million pound MOT scam on Costas broken up

Million pound MOT scam on Costas broken up: "Seamus and Paula Montgomery, a retired UK expat couple, are reported in the UK national press to have been arrested for operating a vehicle MOT certificate scam for the last up to five years that has been estimated to have netted them a million Pounds Sterling in payments made by resident expats in Spain who were avoiding their having to take their UK registered motor vehicles to the UK for the MOT test.  

Motor vehicles can only be MOT'd in the UK if they are physically present there and the owners are resident in the UK. However, many thousands of expats were duped by false adverts in the expat press that encouraged them to pay up to 200 GBP in exchange for a fraudulent MOT.

The crime now means that there must be many UK-registered vehicles operating in Spain that could be mechanically faulty. Police warn that driving abroad without an MOT will invalidate your insurance and could be criminal offense in some EU countries.

The arrested couple had been operating in Spain under the advertised name of “J G O’Connor”, and Essex police warn the couple have been regularlarly advertising their services in Spain over the last few years in a free weekly national English-language newspaper, the 'Euro Weekly News' and in Portugal in 'The Portugal News', amongst others."

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Kate Middleton prepares for Royal housewife life by leaving parents' business | Mail Online

Kate Middleton prepares for Royal housewife life by leaving parents' business | Mail Online: "Mrs Windsor-to-be Kate Middleton has left her job at her family's online party supplies firm to prepare for her wedding to Prince William, a royal aide has confirmed.
The future princess quit as Party Pieces' project manager to 'concentrate full-time on preparing to become a member of the royal family,' the spokesman said.

She worked as a website designer and photographer for her parents' Party Pieces website."

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A Call for Calm in Tunis

A Call for Calm in Tunis - NYTimes.com: "After days of antigovernment protests, dozens of Tunisians marched in the capital on Tuesday to demonstrate their patience with the interim government that replaced the ousted dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, pleading with their fellow citizens to give the temporary leadership time to hold elections.But the pro-government demonstrators remained vastly outnumbered by more than a thousand others who were demanding the dissolution of the government, angry at its continued domination by former members of Mr. Ben Ali’s ruling party. The two groups scuffled briefly. The state news agency also reported that another Tunisian had attempted to set himself on fire in the impoverished interior city of Gefsa. It was the first instance of an attempt at self-immolation since a peddler burned himself to death, setting off the country’s revolt. More than a dozen people in North Africa and the Middle East have set themselves on fire since the Tunisian revolution started"

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Robert Vasquez, a senior partner of the law firm Triay & Triay has resigned from the Financial Services Commission

Gibraltar Chronicle - The Independent Daily First Published 1801: "In an unexpected move Robert Vasquez, a senior partner of the law firm Triay & Triay has resigned from the Financial Services Commission, the Chronicle can reveal. Mr Vasquez tonight declined to enter into detail but the Chronicle understands that the move follows the FSC raising with him the question of his political independence as a result of his llanitoworld internet blog.

Mr Vasquez, a cousin and former legal partner of the Chief Minister Peter Caruana, has long been critical of the governing GSD. Marcus Killick is the CEO of the FSC and Mr Vasquez was a member of its board and is expected to make a robust public defence of his position."

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Bank of England chief Mervyn King: standard of living to plunge at fastest rate since 1920s

Bank of England chief Mervyn King: standard of living to plunge at fastest rate since 1920s
Households face the most dramatic squeeze in living standards since the 1920s, the Governor of the Bank of England warned, as he reacted to the shock disclosure that the economy was shrinking again.

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Morocco says nabbed cell plotting foreign attacks | News by Country | Reuters

Morocco says nabbed cell plotting foreign attacks | News by Country | Reuters: "Security forces have arrested six Moroccans suspected of planning attacks in Morroco and overseas, the interior ministry said on Monday.

The ministry did not say when or where they were arrested.

The six were experts in making explosives and planned to use them in attacks in unspecified countries. They also planned attacks using car bombs against foreign interests in Morocco and against Moroccan institutions and security facilities, it said."

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Death toll in plane explosion in Siberia reaches three (Update 5) | Russia | RIA Novosti

Death toll in plane explosion in Siberia reaches three (Update 5) | Russia | RIA Novosti: "At least three people have died and over forty were injured after an ensuing explosion and fire of a Russian Tu-154M passenger jet that made an emergency landing in the Siberian city of Surgut on Saturday due to an engine flaming out on takeoff, a spokesman for the local branch of the Russia's Emergencies Ministry said.
The Emergencies Ministry said that 44 people were injured in the fire, while the Health Ministry said 43 were injured. So far, the Health Ministry has not confirmed information about the number of those killed in the explosion. Three children have been hospitalized.
There were 116 passengers and nine crew members on board the plane from Kogalymavia Airlines which was to land at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, the Emergencies Ministry said."

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Death toll in plane explosion in Siberia reaches three (Update 5) | Russia | RIA Novosti

Death toll in plane explosion in Siberia reaches three (Update 5) | Russia | RIA Novosti: "At least three people have died and over forty were injured after an ensuing explosion and fire of a Russian Tu-154M passenger jet that made an emergency landing in the Siberian city of Surgut on Saturday due to an engine flaming out on takeoff, a spokesman for the local branch of the Russia's Emergencies Ministry said.
The Emergencies Ministry said that 44 people were injured in the fire, while the Health Ministry said 43 were injured. So far, the Health Ministry has not confirmed information about the number of those killed in the explosion. Three children have been hospitalized.
There were 116 passengers and nine crew members on board the plane from Kogalymavia Airlines which was to land at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, the Emergencies Ministry said."

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Immigrant gives birth during crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar

The immigrants stopped on the Isle of Alborán so the woman could give birth on the beach

A new patera small boat has been intercepted by the Spanish authorities in Motril, found to be carrying 37 Sub-Saharan immigrants, one of which gave birth during the crossing of the Strait.

The small boat had landed on the Isle of Alborán for the birth to take place on Sunday afternoon, as it was there it was intercepted by the Maritime Guardia Civil and Coastguard after an anonymous phone call from Morocco at 3pm.

The small inflatable craft was carrying 19 men, 13 women, seven of which were pregnant, and 6 young children. All were taken to Motril port on board the customs ship ‘Hamal’ with one of the Guardia, Carlos Puche, holding the baby close to his body as the mother was not in conditions to do so. He told the press afterwards that every time he heard the baby cry he was happy as it was a sign it was alive.

Mother and child were attended to in Motril first by the Red Cross and then taken to the Santa Ana Hospital where they were admitted and said to be doing well.

Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_28277.shtml#ixzz180WSxSik

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6 million € in deposits in the years 2005 and 2006 for 350 apartments in the Estepona Beach and Country Club, via the British real estate company, Ocean View Properties

The case relates to deposits and monies paid for 350 apartments in the Estepona Beach and Country Club

El Mundo reports today on the case of a hundred or so purchasers from Northern Ireland who between them paid 6 million € in deposits in the years 2005 and 2006 for 350 apartments in the Estepona Beach and Country Club, via the British real estate company, Ocean View Properties.

The newspaper brought some 70 families of those affected to a meeting in Belfast where the Marbella lawyer, Antonio Flores, from the company lawbird.com explained that the urbanisation was promoted by the Spanish company Sun Golf Desarrollos Inmobiliarios S.L.

The lawyer explained that there was a ‘commercialisation agreement’ between Sun Golf and Ocean View, under which the latter was to pay commissions to the former for the collection of deposits. Ocean View also found lawyers in both Spain and the U.K. to represent them and recommend the promotion.

Lawbird now has the idea of starting legal action in the Estepona courts, although they have not ruled out starting proceedings in the National Court because the single administrator of Sun Golf, Ricardo Miranda Miret, has his headquarters in Madrid, and the Ocean View representatives are based in Britain.

Similar frauds to the Estepona development are alleged to have been carried out in Morocco and the Dominican Republic.

The Northern Ireland victims have called for a meeting with the N.I Prime Minister, Peter Robinson, over the matter, and have also lamented the lack of coverage of the case in the Ulster media.

El Mundo prints statements from many of those defrauded, who say they were told the LTA British Tennis Federation were to invest, and that they were told that Disney World was going to Estepona.

Read more: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_28281.shtml#ixzz180TZeBaX

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Drugs And Kidnaping Finance Terrorist Groups In The Sahel Region

Drugs And Kidnaping Finance Terrorist Groups In The Sahel Region: "Suspicion of several western intelligence agencies of links between AQIM, the Western Sahara Separatist Polisario sympathizers, and networks of guns and drugs trafficking in the Sahel region are being confirmed with the latest incident.
The arrest, on December 9, by the Malian security forces of six major drug traffickers, all 'drawn from the ranks of the Western sahara Separatist Polisario Group, has confirmed the apprehensions of intelligence services.
A Malian security source confirmed to (AFP) the presence among the six captured smugglers of an individual by the name of Sultan Ould Bady. He is a “Sahrawi”, affiliated with western Sahara Separatists, “a very big drug dealer who is wanted by several law enforcement agencies in the sub-region,' the source added. Besides drug trafficking, Sultan Ould Bady had 'kidnapped and ransomed several European hostages in the Sahara before joining the ranks of AQIM'.
Pending the outcome of investigations into the enigmatic Sultan Ould Bady, the Malian security forces are closely collaborating with their counterparts in neighboring Mauritania.
The services of the two countries who are at war against the terrorist group AQIM said that the six traffickers recently arrested by the Malian belonged to the same network of those that were arrested by the Mauritanian police, two days earlier.

"

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Royal Air Maroc: Flying with Cockroaches

Royal Air Maroc: Flying with Cockroaches: "Royal Air Maroc deteriorating customer service has resulted in some unexpected types of passengers on board lately, cockroaches.
These critters do intermingle with passengers in search for food, as shown in this video, and customers were forced to play exterminators.
Customers have complained for some time that unless Royal Air Maroc recruits its personnel based on merit and not on nepotism, and works to instill work ethics in its work force, where good work is rewarded and mediocrity is punished, it will not realize its potential and become a trusted international airline with Casablanca as a major hub.
An analyst, M. Zakaria, said 'Royal Air Maroc prices keep going up while its service continues to go down. on the topic of high fares, Royal Air Maroc management's Mistakes are causing the high fares and accentuating bad service.
RAM made four major mistakes. The labor agreement with their pilots, the bad investment especially when they purchased Air Senegal and also starting low budget airline, Air Atlas (A flagship airline should not be in low cost business) and lastly the high price of Fuel (RAM pre-payed for the fuel back when the barrel was almost $100), , So the customers are paying for RAM mistakes.
RAM pilots are amongst the highest paid pilots in the industry. They average is about $100K/Yr where as EasyJet, Jet4U and Air Arabia pilots make less than $40K/Yr. It's not just the pilots that are burdening Royal Air Maroc overall payroll, their higher Managers are also getting paid higher than average. So RAM need to charge more to pay the high salaries/benefits. Shipping with Royal Air Maroc is also problematic, their Cargo business has been in the red for many years."

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Reluctance by banks to lend to households and businesses could dampen the recovery, according to a new report by the Bank of England

ShareCast - News you can use: "Reluctance by banks to lend to households and businesses could dampen the recovery, according to a new report by the Bank of England (BoE).

The report found that banks have cut their lending to a level that does not reflect waning demand for loans in the wake of the economic crisis.

Banks have also been able to increase the profits they make by raising the ‘mark-up’ that they charge customers, exploiting the credit shortage, the BoE says.

‘Overall, the evidence suggests that the cost of credit rose sharply during the financial crisis, and that there was a reduction in the availability of credit, both for households and companies,’ the bank’s report says.

‘It is likely that tight credit supply played a role in driving up the cost of credit"

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Spain reopens airspace after controllers' strike | Reuters

Spain reopens airspace after controllers' strike Reuters: "Spanish airspace reopened on Saturday after a wildcat strike by air traffic controllers paralyzed airports for a second day and the government declared its first state of emergency in the post-Franco era.
Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba vowed there would be no repeat of the strike, which stranded passengers, hurt companies and damaged Spain's image.
The government is pushing through tough reforms and spending cuts to rein in a deficit and ward off market fears it may need a bailout similar to that of Ireland.
'We will not allow a repeat of a situation like this. There will not be any problems over the Christmas holidays or after the Christmas holidays. That is the government's promise,' Rubalcaba told a press conference.
More than 90 percent of the controllers had returned to work by Saturday evening, but it could still take up to 48 hours for air traffic to return to normal after Spanish airspace was reopened during the afternoon, he added."

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Airport staff fight the snow - Local News - News - Gazette Live

Airport staff fight the snow - Local News - News - Gazette Live: "FOUR industrial runway sweepers, two snow ploughs, two huge de-icing rigs, one snow blower and an entire crew dedicated to clearing up around the clock.
And still the snow continues to play havoc with flight schedules at Durham Tees Valley Airport which was still closed earlier today!
“It’s frustrating for everybody,” said Shaun Woods, airport manager and deputy airport director. “We try not to say the weather will beat us but you can’t have any contamination of a runway. It’s not like a road, it needs to be in 100% condition.”
Contingency plans were being made for snowfall as far back - as it now seems - as the summer."

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Get offline and grab some sleep

Cambridge News Latest News From In & Around Cambridge City Latest Sports, Jobs & Business News in Cambridge Newspaper Get offline and grab some sleep: "More and more people are losing valuable sleep each night because they are addicted to social networking, new research shows.

A study commissioned by hotel giant Travelodge shows that enjoying a mug of cocoa or a good book before they nod off is a thing of the past for most adults.

Many people are logging onto social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter instead.

Out of the 6,000 adults surveyed, a staggering 72 per cent admitted they spend their time in bed either updating or checking their friends’ status updates on Facebook before falling asleep."

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JP Morgan revealed as mystery trader that bought £1bn-worth of copper on LME - Telegraph

JP Morgan revealed as mystery trader that bought £1bn-worth of copper on LME - Telegraph: "The $1.5bn (£1bn) trade was described in the LME's daily update as 'between 50pc and 80pc' of the 350,000 tonnes in reserves. This pushed up the price for the immediate delivery of copper to $8,700 – its highest level since the financial crisis in October 2008.
A high premium on the spot copper price normally reflects fear of a shortage of the metal, which is in hot demand across the world as a vital component in a mass of products from electrical gadgets to wiring.
A source close to the situation said that JP Morgan had bought the copper contracts, adding that amount is closer to the 'lower portion of the range' disclosed by the LME."

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Spain unveils new round of budget cuts - latimes.com

Spain Europe budget austerity: Spain unveils new round of budget cuts - latimes.com: "Spain unveiled a new round of austerity measures Friday to help bring its massive budget deficit under control and to convince nervous investors that it is not in need of an international bailout.

The government announced that it would sell off part of its popular national lottery, partially privatize several of the country's biggest airports and raise the tobacco tax to bring in billions of dollars to the state's coffers.

A monthly subsidy for the long-term unemployed is also to be scrapped, and taxes for small and medium-sized businesses will be eased in a bid to stimulate economic activity."

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Spain threatens 'state of alert' over walk-out | Reuters

Spain threatens 'state of alert' over walk-out | Reuters: "Spain's government said on Saturday it considered declaring a 'state of alert' if air traffic controllers did not return to their posts following a mass walk-out.
'If the situation doesn't normalise, the government will declare a state of alert,' Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Rubalcaba told an emergency cabinet meeting.
'The controllers will be mobilised and if they don't get back to work, their cases will be passed immediately to the judiciary and they will be accused of a crime which could mean a prison sentence.'
The Spanish army took over air control towers on Friday after unofficial strike action by controllers grounded planes and disrupted travel for around 250,000 people on one of Spain's busiest holiday weekends."

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Investors 'outraged' by FSA's refusal to release RBS report - Telegraph

Investors 'outraged' by FSA's refusal to release RBS report - Telegraph: "Shareholders voiced their dismay at the Financial Service Authority's (FSA) decision not to publish the report, which exonerated senior RBS executives of any wrongdoing.
'The FSA's decision raises a number of serious questions. If you compare this case with Equitable Life it is clear that the amount of transparency being afforded is dramatically different,' said one of the top 10 shareholders in RBS.
The shareholders' anger came a day after Lord Oakeshott, a Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, filed a parliamentary question demanding the FSA make the report available to Parliament."

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British sailor dies in stormy seas off Morocco - Telegraph

British sailor dies in stormy seas off Morocco - Telegraph: "Jonathan Farrar, 64, from Harleston in Norfolk, perished before rescuers could haul him aboard a Norwegian tanker after answering the mayday call of his stricken yacht, 75 nautical miles off the north African coast.
His companion, Timothy Hall, 43, survived but was under medical supervision aboard the Tordis Knutsen and would be transferred to a hospital in the Canary Islands when the ship docked on Tuesday evening.
The pair had set sail from Lisbon bound for the island of Lanzarote last Thursday. It is understood they were to stop in the Canary Islands on route to the Caribbean."

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Algeria Arrests Citizens for Converting to Christianity

Algeria Arrests Citizens for Converting to Christianity: "Unlike Morocco who expelled foreign christian fundamentalists that were accused of proselytizing, Algeria is going beyond that and is arresting algerian citizens who have converted to christianity.
In the latest incident, Algerian prosecutors have asked a court, last Sunday, to sentence four Algerian converts to Christianity to one year in jail each for opening a church without permission, their lawyer said. The defendants, aged between 35 and 45 years, are accused of opening a Protestant church 90 miles east of the capital Algiers.
One of them has also been charged with accommodating a French pastor who had travelled to Algeria to address a Christian community, the defense lawyer said.
The practice of religion in Algeria, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, requires authorities to authorize the place of worship.
Over the past months, several trials have opened in Algeria, where Islam is the state religion, for violation of Islamic precepts and converting to Christianity."

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Wikileaks Cable on Morocco's Military Released

Wikileaks Cable on Morocco's Military Released: "MOROCCO'S MILITARY: ADEQUATE, MODERNIZING, BUT 
FACING BIG CHALLENGES'.
'The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (FAR) are modernizing but remain weighed down by long-standing problems. King Mohammed VI, who in 1999 inherited a military in need of professionalization, has implemented some needed reforms, but much remains to be done. Civilian control, if ascribed to the person of the King, is complete, but there is no real Defense Ministry. Outside the FAR, there is only a small administration. The military remains plagued by corruption,
an inefficient bureaucracy, low levels of education in the ranks, periodic threats of radicalization of some of its soldiers, political
Marginalization, and the deployment of most of its forces in the Western Sahara.
There have been some indications of pending changes in the leadership. In general, the U.S. and Morocco share a robust military relationship with prospects for even closer ties in the future. The health of the relationship is evident by increased U.S.-Moroccan military training exercises and Morocco's purchase of sophisticated weapons from the U.S. to include 24 F-16s this year. We anticipate that the U.S.-Moroccan military relationship will continue to flourish but Morocco's ability to absorb its new high-end military purchases and restrictions on high quality Moroccan
information sharing with our attaches represent two challenges ahead. This mission-coordinated report draws heavily on valuable reporting and analysis from the embassy's military components, the Defense Attache Office and the Office of Security Cooperation'"

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Morocco's lower house calls for review of Morocco-Spain relations

Home: Morocco's lower house calls for review of Morocco-Spain relations: "Rabat - Morocco's House of Representatives (lower house) on Friday called on the government to make a thorough reassessment and review of relations with Spain.
The house deemed, in a statement issued at the end of a plenary session to examine the Spanish house of deputies' position over Morocco's territorial integrity, that the motion of the Spanish house of deputies is part of pointless manoeuvres and plots targeting Morocco.
The house noted that the motion 'is biased and hostile to Morocco' and its legitimate sovereign and historical rights to the recovered southern provinces and runs counter to the Moroccan nation’s best interests.
It added that the motion seriously undermines the Kingdom's national cause and hurts the feelings of all the Moroccan people, as expressed through the Casablanca march.
The statement deplored the fact that the motion “did not only request
the Spanish government to reinforce relations with polisario, but went as far as to consider it the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi populations.”"

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Eva Mendes brings some Hollywood magic to Morocco in backless gown | Mail Online

Eva Mendes brings some Hollywood magic to Morocco in backless gown | Mail Online: "Eva Mendes brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to Morocco last night as she attended the opening night of the Marrakech film festival.Dressed in a backless violet satin dress, embellished with beads and diamanté, the actress dazzled on the red carpet.The 36-year-old took advantage of the warm night in a strapless gown, which highlighted her slender shoulders."

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Spanish military has taken control of the nation's airspace after mass absentations by traffic controllers

Staff no-show hits Spain air travel - Europe - Al Jazeera English: "Spanish military has taken control of the nation's airspace after mass absentations by traffic controllers grounded planes and disrupted travel for around 250,000 people.

The controllers gave no warning before the walkout and started claiming sick leave and leaving their posts en masse around 1600 GMT on Friday, effectively closing the whole of Spanish airspace, except for Andalucia, the airport authority said.
About six hours after the nation descended into total travel chaos, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, the deputy prime minister, announced that the defence ministry had 'taken control of air traffic in all the national territory'. He said the army would make all decisions on air traffic control, organisation, planning and supervision."

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Staff no-show hits Spain air travel - Europe - Al Jazeera English

Staff no-show hits Spain air travel - Europe - Al Jazeera English: "Spanish military has taken control of the nation's airspace after mass absentations by traffic controllers grounded planes and disrupted travel for around 250,000 people.

The controllers gave no warning before the walkout and started claiming sick leave and leaving their posts en masse around 1600 GMT on Friday, effectively closing the whole of Spanish airspace, except for Andalucia, the airport authority said.
About six hours after the nation descended into total travel chaos, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, the deputy prime minister, announced that the defence ministry had 'taken control of air traffic in all the national territory'. He said the army would make all decisions on air traffic control, organisation, planning and supervision.
If enough controllers do not show up for work on Saturday to restore normal flight operations, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero plans to declare a national emergency that would force them to do so, Rubalcaba said.

Camilo Cela, head of the USCA air traffic controllers' union, told Reuters news agency that the workers were not on strike, but that they had had enough.

'This is a popular revolt,' he said."

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