Syria bloodshed is outrageous, says Obama

 

President Obama has accused Syrian government forces of responsibility for "outrageous" bloodshed and called again for Bashar al-Assad to step down as troops sealed off of a rebel stronghold in the city of Homs and bombarded it using tanks, helicopters and artillery. Speaking after a White House meeting with the Italian prime minister, Mario Monti, Obama spoke briefly on Syria. He said: "We both have a great interest in ending the outrageous bloodshed that we've seen and see a transition from the current government that has been assaulting its people." His comments come as the international community struggles to find a common voice with which to confront President Assad. Eyewitnesses said roads in and out of Baba Amr, in the south-east of Homs, were blocked, preventing the evacuation of children or the wounded, and food, water and medicine were running out fast in the besieged suburb. The international community appeared to flounder over a coherent response. The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, condemned the Russian and Chinese veto of a security council resolution on the crisis over the weekend as "disastrous for the Syrian people". He said the failure to agree on collective action "has encouraged the Syrian government to step up its war on its own people". The UN and the Arab League proposed a joint observer mission, and talks continued over the formation of an ad hoc "friends of the Syrian people" group to put pressure on the Assad regime without help from Moscow and Beijing. Speaking at an international gathering in Sweden, David Cameron said: "It is quite clear that this is a regime hell-bent on killing, murdering and maiming its own citizens … we need to take the toughest possible response we can." But the options the prime minister listed reflected a cautious, incremental approach the UK and other western governments have pursued after the security council debacle. "We also need to work with the [Syrian] opposition to try and help shape their future and assist them in whatever way we can. We also need to put together the strongest possible contact group of like-minded nations," Cameron said. Foreign secretary William Hague said there were no plans to arm Syrian rebels. He would not guarantee that Britain would not become involved in military action, but stressed: "We are clearly not planning military intervention." Amid speculation that the UK could assist the rebels with weapons or other equipment, Hague told Sky News: "Britain is not engaged in that and we haven't done that in any of the conflicts or we certainly don't have any plans to do such. "We are intensifying our contacts with opposition groups, opposition groups mainly outside Syria. "We're also increasing our support for organisations that get food and medical supplies in to people so badly affected by this situation." In the absence of international consensus, there was no sign of any decisive action that might stop the worsening bloodshed in Syria. More than 100 people were reported dead in Homs on Thursday during heavy bombardment by government forces, but the figure could not be independently confirmed in the absence of observers or humanitarian organisations. A local resident, Basil Abu Fouad, said it was impossible to estimate casualties accurately. "We can't count the number of the dead in the rubble. When we pull someone from the rubble, we don't know if they were killed today, yesterday or before," Abu Fouad said by phone from a basement in Baba Amr. "They are using helicopters and mortars and tanks, T-72 [former Soviet] tanks. Hundreds of homes have been demolished and they have come down on the heads of their owners. "Communications have been completely cut off between neighbourhoods. The army have blocked access to the city. Some people tried to escape but they found all the roads were closed. There is no food left in the city. We don't have milk. All the water tanks have been targeted. We don't have medicines. If you go to the shops and try to get in, the snipers up on the roofs will shoot you," he said. "The children will die here. All the people want is to escape. They can smash this place if they want. We just want to get out of there. But they won't allow us."

Barclays caps bonuses at £65,000

 

Barclays announced on Friday that it was capping cash bonuses at £65,000 as it reported a 3% fall in profits to £5.9bn. The bank also admitted it may miss the targets it had set itself for making returns to shareholders. Providing more detail about bonuses than usual, the bank said that the value of bonus per group employee was down 21% year on year to £15,200, while the average value of bonus per employee at Barclays Capital, its investment banking arm, was down 30% to £64,000 - just below the value of the cap. The bank said that annual bonuses for executives and its eight highest paid employees were down 48%. Chief executive Bob Diamond received a bonus in shares of £1.8m in 2010 so, if he is in line with the average, this might indicate that his bonus would be around £900,000. Barclays shares were down 3% at 225.9p in early trading. But the bank admitted that its return on equity was just 6.6% in 2011 - down from 8.8% the year before and well below the target of 13% set by Diamond. "Since setting the target the worse than predicted macro economic conditions, in addition to new regulatory constraints, mean that we may not be able to deliver 13% returns by 2013," the bank said. "We are not satisfied with the return on equity we delivered in 2011 and are committed to delivering steady improvement moving forwards. Our rock solid capital, liquidity and funding positions provide us with the flexibility and confidence to meet the economic and regulatory challenges ahead," Diamond added.

THE lawyer of a trumpeter claims the body of a Spanish nobleman exhumed for DNA testing which ruled out his client being a heir to his wealthy dynasty may not have belonged to him at all.

Marbella trumpeter Jose Collado, 62, claims to be the son of Jose Antonio Larios Franco the fourth Marquis de Larios, whose father founded the famous Larios gin brand in the 20s.

There are now suspicions, according to the lawyer, that the remains of the fourth Marques who died in 1954, aged 53, may have been transferred for a chapel in Malaga in 1999 from their location on a property in Albacete, meaning that the DNA tests, which ruled out Collado being a descendant of Larios, are worhtless.

Collado’s lawyer explained that a man who worked on property in Albacete since 1974 was witness to the remains being moved.

He also said that a crime may have been committed if the nobleman’s heir were aware that the analysed remains did not belong to the Marquis, something which they deny, and insist that they were never moved.

Collado’s mother, Emilia, told him that in the 40s, when she worked as a cook for the Larios family, she had an illicit relationship with the marquis, who had no other children.

She was in love with the marquis, but had to flee to Jaen because of his wife’s jealousy. Emilia left her son at a Malaga orphanage nine months after his birth on July 31, 1948.

She died in 2002, having signed her confession before a notary in Jaen at the request of her son.

The trumpeter says that although he might be entitled to a share in the family gin company and the vast Dehesa de los Llanos estate, he is not after money or titles, but the truth about who his father is.

He says if he did inherit anything he would use it to provide care for orphans and abandoned children.

15 unique hotels from all over the world where you can relax in an unforgettable holiday you’ve always dreamed of.

Whenever you feel the need to get out and have a glimpse of the wild, or just to relax by a nice fireplace or even to spend a few days trapped inside icy rooms or jungle canopies, there is a place awaiting you.

 

With prices ranging from too low too exorbitant, we invite you to take a tour into what we call “the most interesting places you can spend a few days at”, 15 unique hotels from all over the world where you can relax in an unforgettable holiday you’ve always dreamed of.

The Balancing Barn, England

Built by Living Architecture of an idea belonging to the Swiss writer Alain de Botton – the author of “The architecture of happiness” –, the purpose of this spot is to accommodate people and allow them to live in harmony with the environment, using modern architecture and high-quality materials. It’s situated in Suffolk, it may accommodate up to 8 people and it’s situated by the edge of a natural reserve.

With an odd shape and design, it has previously won a few rewards. Built with silver tiles and comprising huge windows, one can enjoy great landscapes while chilling inside any of the rooms.

Cost: $38 / person / night, depending on the occupancy.

The Mountain Retreat Inn, China

 
Situated in the Guanxi province, near Yungshuo, over viewing the Yulong River, this resort is renowned among the exotic seekers, being already recommended by The Telegraph and Trip Advisor.

It comprises simple rooms, but it uses the natural landscape surrounding it to emphasize every little piece of the beautiful design it has. Comfort is at high standards, the mountains offer one the possibility of totally getting away from day-to-day city life, and the nearby Li River is beautifully decorated with karst peaks.

Cost: $62 / single room.

Wild Brown Bear Hotel, Finland

This place is truly depicted out of fairy tales and novels. The beautiful scenery includes moss carpets, birch and pine forests, blueberries and forest fruits all over the place. It’s situated in the Karelia region, offering a rare chance to commune with nature itself.

One can reserve a night just to spend some time into the hides located here, watching wolverines and brown bears, or even make documentaries and photo-shooting from inside the photographer’s hide. You can also do some kayak-sailing on the silent lakes around the hotel, or even grab a bike to catch some wild air.

Cost: $213 / night / person.

Hotel Saratoga, Cuba

If you decide to visit Cuba, you probably want to have a cigar in Havana, or relax into a luxurious hotel; the chance to miss this hotel = 0. Far away from day-rush and noise, it’s the perfect place to be.

With a nice positioning, away from the great chaos from Paseo del Prado, the Guardian has put it among the top 10 Cuban hotels. With a not-so-good food reputation, it’s considered to be one of the best accommodations; the rooftop pool offers a great view over the town and it’s this hotel’s greatest card to play.

Cost: starting from $238 / night / Deluxe patio room.

Hoshi Ryokan, Japan

This resort has been built for everyone that wants to taste the uniqueness of the Japanese culture. Traditional tatami-matted rooms with futons, communal spas and the best Japanese food one can find are the reasons you should get here. The reputable business, lasting for 1300 years now, is located Hokuriku, Ishikawa. Considered to be one of the first Japanese ryokans, it has seen 46 generations.

The spring near the resort is believed to have curative powers; the rooms are decorated in pure sukiya style, while the kitchen offers traditional meals at breakfast and dinner.

Cost: $91 / guest room / night and going up.

Akköy Evleri Cave Hotel, Turkey

Situated in Cappadocia, this hotel is built near the historical village Akköy near Ürgüp. It’s owned by the AkköyEvleri family, comprising five bootique rooms, designed as caves and built in ex-cave houses.

Among the other similar locations around the spot, this one has the upper hand, because of the irreproachable services and great food it has to offer. One can visit the surrounding Byzantine caves or the underground cities Kaymakli and Derinkuyu.

Cost: $106-284 / room.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania

This is one of the most desirable places to be on Earth. Located on the edge of the Ngorongoro volcano, it offers absolutely superb views over the surrounding savannah. The Ngorongoro is a conservation area protected by UNESCO, and there are around 40,000 Maasai semi-nomadic pastoralists that go on with their living.

Wild animals, from herbivores to carnivorous beasts live here, and this spot is located right on the path of the migrating wildebeests, zebras and gazelles. The local design based on the Maasaimanyattai culture gives the guests a true African experience at a colonial comfort level. Marvelous safaris await you.

Cost: $720 / person / night.

La Résidence Phou Vao, Laos

UNESCO has reached even this spot, protecting the old Laos capital city of Luang Prabang. A mini-forest of palm trees, a large white colonial mansion and mountains as far as the eye can see is what makes this place unique.

Living in harmony with nature there are Buddhist monks around this resort. Observing them and the stupas is a great activity for the tourists that decide to come and visit this place, being accommodated by simple dark-wood rooms with cotton-wafting around doorways. There’s a Zen-like spirit at hand here.

Cost: $260 / double room.

Adrère Amellal eco lodge, Egypt

One of the few places left unspoiled is the Sahara desert. This resort is closely situated near it, providing easy access to the vast sands and great surroundings. One may check out the old Siwa culture, and taking benefit of the non-existent Internet services, no phone signal and no electricity, they can rest in peace without any speck of bother from the big city hustle.

The restaurant offers local meals, both vegetarian and meat, the Roman springs await everybody and the complex was built using only traditional methods, rock-hewn and kershef. It’s approximately 750 km away from the Egyptian capital of Cairo, but the ride is compensated by this particular spot.

Cost: $500 / night.

Palacio de Sal, Bolivia

White rock salt is everything here. Everything is made out of it. The spot offers some great night views over the stars, beautiful light shows on the salt lake and a mountain-like atmosphere, due to the location: 3,650 meters above sea level, on the eastern shore of the Great Salar de Uyuni. It comprises a golf course and a relaxing spa.

One can try to get the perfect shot here, playing with all the lights, decorations and landscapes. There’s always the need to get out alone and wonder alone. This place is ideal.

Cost: from $100 / single room.

Albergo ll Monastero, Italy

The surrounding Capri and Amalfi may capture tourists’ attention, but this tiny island is surely a subject to returning to Italy. The Albergol Monastero Hotel offers a great view over the Neapolitan gulf. The Mediterranean atmosphere is enhanced by the location; being a part of the Aragonese Castle, built during the 16th century, it’s located on a beautiful rock outcrop.

Thermal hot springs, volcanic mud treatments and wellness massage packages for the tourists spending at least two nights here are some of the few amenities one can try here.

Cost: prices oscillate, starting at $142 / room.

Alila Ubud, Indonesia

Rice terraces, a huge pool that looks like a mirror painted on the ground that doesn’t seem to end and the Bali hill-side – great location for this particular resort. It’s been recommended by Green Globe.

Totally eco-friendly, the hotel offers four-star services, traditional foods in the local restaurant, designed in a contemporary way. Come and see!

Cost: $148 and going up.

Great Orme Lighthouse, Wales

Comprising a beautiful history and a one-hundred-and-eighty degree view over the Irish Sea and North Wales, this former lighthouse was built in 1862 and was used for sailing purposes until 1985.

The hostess, Fiona, presents a modest accommodation, but promises to share the story of the lighthouse with you.

Cost: $129 / person / night.

Riad L’Ayel d’Essaouira, Morocco

Located in the middle of Essaouira’s old quarter, this particular hotel comprises four rooms, designed in Barber-style. Pleasing every eye, the level of detail this place was built with is astonishing: silky fabrics, carved-wood furnishings, tadlakt-coated walls and colored ceramic all over the place.

Offering a decent range of prices, check out the Travel Intelligence website and you’ll notice this location is marked there.

Cost: Starting at $71 / room.

The Oberoi Udaivilas, India

Located in Udaipur, this is your chance to spend one night as a Mughal Emperor. The traditional gold-leaf domes and sand-colored walls are easily noticed reflecting in the local clear-water pools. With Lake Pichola right near it, this location was voted as the highest level hotel Asia by Travel + Leisure’s 2011 after a poll they did.

Decorated with plenty of marble and frescoes manually painted by enthusiasts, this resort makes on feel like a Rajah. And, considering that the hotel is located in the middle of the ancient Mewar kingdom, the historical value of the place is unmatchable. The Aravalli Hills and the local lakes make this spot a desired destination for every human being, not mentioning that the feel it gives you is unique.

Cost: From $760.

the top 10 most expensive classic cars of all time

 the top 10 most expensive classic cars of all time, cars with an amazing history and looks that are worth every single penny.

10 – 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza -> $2.5 million

During the ‘50s, car racing was dominated by three big names – Maserati, Aston Martin and Jaguar. Ferrari needed to get back between them, and they did it using this 4-cylinder beast, the most powerful 4-cyl engine ever produced by Ferrari. Its driver was the reputable Juan Manuel Fangio, at Sebring, winning the race. Given the fact that three cars model 0604M were ever produced, this particular one was auctioned in August 2003.

9 – 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza Spider Corsa -> $2.53 million

One of the greatest models ever produced, the 8C 2300 was even being driven by the drivers from competing factories. The Italian manufacturers were extremely proud of their creation, which came out extraordinary both on the outside and inside, even the engine being worked out for power and beauty.

A powerful model by the standards back then, it was powered by a 2.6-liter motor. Driven by Captain George Eyston, it placed third at the French Grand Prix in 1933, belonging to no team. The successes of the model didn’t end there. It has also won the Long Island race, at Bridgehampton, in 1949. The car was last sold by Terry Cohn in March 2002, for the upper-mentioned sum.

8 – 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster -> $3.63 million

In a time when controlling a car was a challenge, Mercedes were succeeding in more than great control; they could also add a lot of power to their cars. This Mercedes Benz 540K Special Roadster was bought by Jack Warner after the Berlin Motor Show in 1937 and brought to America. Only 26 models were ever produced, and from these, only 6 featured the original spare tire. This is one of the 6. The convertible was bought by a veterinarian in 1949, while in 1984 it featured only 11,000 miles onboard. Its latest price was established in January 2002.

7 – 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 -> $4.07 million

Triumphant in 1935, this 2.9-liter 8-cylinder engine was a result of the collaboration between Enzo Ferrari and Vittorio Jano. It got placed third in the Pontedecimo-Giovi climb in 1938, drove by Piero Dusio, and just a little bit later it won the Stalvio. After a long history which included California in 1989, the 412012 model got completely restored in 1992 and was auctioned in Monterey, at Christie’s.

6 – 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe -> $4.4 million

This is a car that needed some time to show its true potential. It was built in 1963 on a Cobra Roadster that has been given better aerodynamics and a new Ford V8 289 ci engine. It first got into the world of racing at Daytona, but eventually, three weeks later, it won at Sebring, ending the Ferrari 250 domination in the United States Road Racing Championship.

Designed and built by Carol Shelby, in 6 units, they have helped American Racing to achieve the 1965 brand title. The Cobras were then retired, and Ford hired Shelby to race GT40s. Phil Spector was one of the owners of the CXS2287 Cobra, while also going through a long list of ownership disputes. Finally, Dr. Frederick Simeone bought it in 2001.

5 – 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B -> $5.6 million

Made on the principle of more torque at low revs, the formerly known as Monoposto or P3 Alfa Romeo Tipo B was crafted for the 1932 Grand Prix. It was the only car with one seat on the tour, powered by a 2.6-liter 8-cylinder motor. Alfa won 5 important races during that year, and, after building another 5 cars of the same model, Ferrari took over the racing part. This car was recently purchased for the upper-mentioned amount.

4 – 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM -> $6.5 million

The Testarossa series dominated the 1950s racing with their front-engine masterpieces. In addition, the Le Mans officials limited the racing cars engines to 4 cylinders. Therefore, this 330 TRI/LM Ferrari became the most powerful and last of the Testarossas.

They’ve won the 1962 Les Mans with the 0808 model, afterwards being sold by Ferrari. Furthermore, it was damaged during a race and acquired by Hisashi Okada, restoring it and driving it through New York for around 10 years. The car resurfaced in 2002, after a 100% restoration and stood in a French collection, and then auctioned.

3 – 1931 Type 41 Bugatti Royale -> $8.7 million

Weighing at around an incredible 3.5 tons and measuring almost 14 feet, this car was purely meant for the rich. Bugatti weren’t thinking of power and speed at that time, only on using the finest materials, like woods, rare leathers and precious metals to give their cars a stunning appeal, and price.

With 6 models ever built, the car used to cost even up to 100 times the cost of common vehicles in 1931, an incredible $42,000. This specific model was sold out at an auction at Christie’s in London, in 1981.

2 – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO -> $16.6 million

The fittest word that can be attributed to this car is “sexy”. With a beautiful shape and great performance, the 250 GTO was the perfect combination between pleasure to drive, and pleasure to look nice. Winning a lot of races for Ferrari, the 300HP engine needs constant refurbishing, simply because reliability wasn’t the name of the game for it.

With poor endowments, the car was produced in 40 exemplaries, making it the one of the rarest Ferrari models on the market. This particular model was purchased by a Japanese in 1990 from a small British company.

1 – 1954 Mercedes W 196 -> $24 million

This car used to dominate the racing championships back in 1954 and 1955. It was first introduced to public at the 1954 Grand Prix at Reims. The main feature of this model was its innovative valve system that didn’t use springs.

Before being exposed in a museum in 1980s, the car used to be driven by Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio. The renovation of the respective museum was paid from the money they acquired from selling the car in 1990 to a French industrialist. For less than $10 million it was lately sold to a German businessman. Now, the value of the car rises up to $24,000,000.

Amy Winehouse coroner 'not qualified'

 

The family of singer Amy Winehouse have said they are "taking advice" following news that the coroner who oversaw her inquest has resigned. Camden Council has confirmed that Suzanne Greenaway had stood down because she had not been a lawyer in the UK for the required five years. The council said she had been appointed "in error" by her husband Andrew Reid, the coroner for inner north London. Ms Greenaway ruled that Winehouse, 27, died from accidental alcohol poisoning. She returned a verdict of misadventure. The Office for Judicial Complaints has begun an inquiry into Dr Reid's conduct. Letter of apology In a statement, Winehouse's relatives said: "The Winehouse family is taking advice on the implications of this and will decide if any further discussion with the authorities is needed." Ms Greenaway qualified in Australia in 1999 in September and was a member of the Supreme Court there but she had not worked as a lawyer for the required time in the UK, a Camden Council spokesman said. The spokesman added that the Winehouse inquest verdict remained legal and would only be judged illegal if it was challenged and subsequently overturned by the High Court. Amy Winehouse's father leaves St Pancras Coroners Court Dr Reid said he was writing to all of the families affected to apologise. He said: "While I am confident that all of the inquests handled were done so correctly, I apologise if this matter causes distress to the families and friends of the deceased." He has offered to hold the inquests over again if the families of the deceased request it. During her time as deputy assistant coroner, Ms Greenaway conducted 12 inquests in Camden, but mainly worked from Poplar Coroner's Court. Coroners are appointed by the Ministry of Justice who then interview and appoint their own staff, including in the case of Dr Reid, his assistant deputy coroner. Under the Coroners Act, he must then notify the local authority although it has no power of scrutiny over appointments, a Camden Council spokesman said. The inquest into Winehouse's death heard she was more than five times the drink-drive limit when she died on 23 July. Ms Greenway had said the "unintended consequence" of Winehouse drinking so much alcohol was her "sudden and unexpected death". Three empty vodka bottles, two large and one small, were found at her flat, St Pancras Coroner's Court heard.

The great Asian gold theft crisis

 

Two small faces pull the curtain back in a side room and peer round to see who is at the door. After they run back inside, their mother, Mrs Rashid, unlocks the front door. Five weeks ago, she came home one evening to find the door ajar. The downstairs floor of her house was relatively untouched but upstairs the bedrooms had been ransacked – drawers opened, wardrobes emptied, clothes and belongings scattered everywhere. "It was such a huge shock," she says, sitting on the sofa, her voice breaking slightly. Her husband, Mr Rashid (neither want to give their full names), a big man sitting across the room, shakes his head. "They took it all," he says. The thieves who broke into this semi-detached house in Earley, near Reading, stole around £70,000-worth of gold jewellery. To those who are not from a south Asian family, it might seem remarkable to own so much valuable jewellery, but families such as the Rashids (Mr Rashid runs a small business) live in ordinary houses and are not particularly wealthy. Their gold collection – elaborate necklaces, rings, earrings and bangles – is treasure that has been handed down from generations of their families in Pakistan or bought as wedding gifts. It's our savings, our security, says Mrs Rashid, visibly upset. If, in future, the family needed money, they would have sold some pieces. "It's like paying a mortgage for 20 years and then having a house worth thousands of pounds afterwards – it's the same thing with gold," she says. "Our parents gave it to us, we would have given it to our children, they would have given it to their children," says her husband. They tried to put their gold in the bank, but "there were no lockers available. Everyone is looking for one." With other investments looking distinctly shaky in the economic crisis, last year gold prices reached record levels. In the autumn, an ounce reached a peak price of £1,194; today it is worth around £1,100 and analysts predict it could reach a new peak later this year or early next, as people seek safer investments, and demand for gold jewellery rises with the growing middle-classes in India. Asian gold (sometimes called Indian gold) is a broad term that covers jewellery bought and held by south Asian families, and often passed down through the generations. It tends to be the highest quality – often 24 carats, the purest gold – and it has vastly increased in value, sometimes to the point where a family can't afford to insure it. Thieves know that some south Asian families may have a large collection of gold at home, and it is these houses they target. There are no figures for the number of gold thefts, let alone the theft of Asian gold, but everyone I speak to believes the number of robberies is increasing. Last year, several police forces in areas where there is a large Asian community, such as Leicester and Slough, ran awareness campaigns after a spate of opportunistic robberies – there have been several reports of women who have had their gold jewellery snatched in the street – and burglaries. For a while, an attempted gold theft was a line of inquiry in the murders of Carole and Avtar Kolar in Birmingham in January, though the police later ruled this out. Mr Rashid shows me the window in the downstairs bathroom that was broken, and where the thieves must have got in. He thinks the house was being watched, because he noticed a silver car outside the front some days before. "My family is so frightened," he says. "My kids won't go upstairs on their own, it's a completely different life since it happened." They feel the police have not been very supportive, and they have little hope the perpetrators will be caught. "I was already upset, and a policeman said: 'Your gold must have been melted down by now,'" says Mrs Rashid. "I was even more upset when he said that." The Rashids know of several other families in the area who have been burgled. "A few watches and a BlackBerry were taken, but they were looking for gold," says Vikas Tandon, whose house in the area was broken into in September. "They seemed to know where to look – I am confident they used metal detectors. There were bowls of jewellery in one of the rooms, with real gold and artificial jewellery mixed in together. They only took the gold, so they knew what they were looking for." Tandon has now installed CCTV cameras "to give the family more confidence. The loss of the gold itself is bad, but the psychological after-effects of being burgled are worse. Everyone is scared." A local councillor, Tahir Maher, says: "A lot of residents have been very badly affected. It started in the summer. It is very much Asian families who are being targeted." In one day, he says, five homes in the area were burgled and gold stolen. He went door-to-door warning families to keep their gold in safes, or put it in the bank, "although banks have started to stop giving people safe deposit boxes, so people are keeping their gold at home". It isn't just homes that are targeted. This month, in Bradford, two men wearing balaclavas stole bagfuls of gold worth up to £100,000 – a third man had driven a 4x4 into the back of a jewellers as it was closing up. The terrified staff fled. In areas of Birmingham where there are a large number of Asian jewellers, several shops have been robbed. In the Handsworth area, where many south Asian people come to buy jewellery, there are numerous jewellers. Wedding sets – an elaborate necklace and earrings in 22-carat gold – can cost upwards of £5,000 for a fairly basic design, though the sets I see on display in many of the shops are much cheaper, lesser quality versions. Most of the jewellers have CCTV cameras and metal shutters. One of the jewellers I go into is protected by cameras, a metal grille, bulletproof glass and two time-lock doors. Another jewellers across the road was robbed last year during the day by three armed men. "There were customers in the shop," says the owner, who does not want to be named and is reluctant to go into details. He says there is an increased level of fear among jewellers specialising in Asian gold. "There is a fear daily. This is what we are living with now." Nigel Blackburn is chairman of Lois Jewellery, one of the biggest gold buyers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. The staff behind the counters are busy dealing with a steady stream of customers bringing everything from random old bits of broken chains and odd earrings, to cases full of gold jewellery. It is weighed, the quality gauged, and cash is handed over. I watch some people leave with bundles of notes – one man, who has brought in several kilos of gold, walks out on to the street with nearly £75,000 in £50 notes stuffed into a plastic carrier bag. Blackburn's company buys £4-5m worth of gold every week, and about £500,000 of that is Asian gold. Much of it comes from jewellers wanting to get rid of stock, from owners selling pieces and from smaller dealers selling it on. He shows me a tub of bangles ready for smelting (once molten, they are poured into a mould and come out as gold bars). The prices have rocketed. Six years ago a kilo of Asian gold jewellery would have fetched £6,000; now it is worth £30,000. How much of it is stolen? Hopefully none of it, he says. His staff do what they can – sellers fill out a form before their gold can be bought – but he says: "ID means nothing these days – criminals can forge anything." Mainly his staff rely on judgment. "If someone brings in a gold chain that has been snapped, it could have been pulled off someone's neck," he says. "If someone is out there" – he points to the timelock door where people can be seen before they are admitted – "and they look nervous or they just don't look 'right', that will raise alarm bells. We will not buy from anybody we're not sure of. There are unscrupulous [dealers] round here. They buy it, they melt it and then you can't prove anything." Many of the dealers have smelting equipment, and it can be done in a matter of minutes. Inevitably, sometimes stolen gold "slips through the net. But we've got the CCTV to give the police. We have cameras trained on the scales, so we film everything we buy, and the people who sell it." He works closely with the police and they are called any time he is suspicious of somebody; he was responsible for 14 arrests one week. If there's a robbery, especially in the Midlands, he will be alerted, "so we know what to look out for". Another jeweller in the area who buys gold says she knows of dealers who don't care if they buy stolen gold. She thinks she has been offered stolen Asian gold in the past, "but I refused to buy it. I don't want to make my money in a dishonest way." But there are numerous ways to easily sell gold with few questions asked. "There are places in shopping centres that will buy gold and pay good prices. Even Tesco now buys it," says one jeweller. There is also a wealth of online scrap gold dealers who will pay upwards of £800 an ounce for the finest quality (usually Asian) gold – simply send the jewellery off in an envelope and wait for money to be sent back. "One of the issues is that gold jewellery is often not traceable," says Paul Uppal, MP for Wolverhampton South West, who has taken an interest in the issue of gold theft. "Constituents had spoken about it, and also coming from an Asian family it was word-of-mouth as well. At the moment, it's easy to smelt the gold down and sell it off." Gold sales aren't covered under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, which requires dealers to keep detailed records of metal received; many think the act is inadequate. It could be updated later this year if a current six-month pilot scheme is a success, but it isn't clear if precious metals will be included. "Anyone can walk into a jewellers and the gold can be smelted down within 20 minutes," says Uppal. "There needs to be some sort of audit trail. I've mentioned it to ministers whenever I can but the problem is, it seems to be viewed in the grand scheme of metal theft. This is quite nuanced, and very specific to the Asian community as well." In Earley, councillor Maher has helped set up a neighbourhood watch-style group aimed at the Asian community worried about gold burglaries. It is still a new scheme, but he says it is growing. "People are looking out for each other," he says. He is working with the police closely because he says his big fear is that "people may take matters into their own hands in a bad way". The way he talks makes it sound like a community under attack – Maher knows of families who have lost tens of thousands of pounds' worth of gold, including elderly people, a single mother and another woman who miscarried after discovering her house had been broken into. "People are living in fear. Mothers were scared to be at home with their children in the day, and older people were frightened of being attacked in the street or followed home," he says. "There is a lot of mistrust. This has cost the community a lot."

Malaya case hears dramatic statement from Fidel San Román

 

The constructor, Fidel San Román, who is now 72, on Monday ratified, one by one, all the payments which the prosecutor considers he made to Juan Antonio Roca, the man who was the Municipal Real Estate Assessor in Marbella Town Hall. As the Malaya case continues in Málaga, the amounts paid by San Román totalled 3.08 million € and were given in exchange for first occupancy licences for the properties he had built in the town. It was a dramatic statement to the court. ‘When the homes were ready to be handed over to the purchasers, the Town Hall told us that the money was needed, and if not paid, things could not move forward’, he said talking about a development of 800 apartments. He told the court that in 2005 alone he paid Roca more than three million € in ‘white physical cash taken out of the accounts of his companies’, and that the payments were normally made in Roca office in Marbella, but sometimes in Madrid. It’s a direct contradiction of claims made by Roca in the case so far. Roca has admitted receiving payments from Fidel San Román, as well as Aifos and Construcciones Salamanca, but said the payments were not made for favours but for ‘advisory work’. Román dismissed this saying his family business had never paid for advisors. The developer is presenting himself now as a victim of blackmail. Not paying would have been ‘business suicide’ and added that he knew that he doing something bad, but that he did not have any other option. The prosecutor is asking for a nine year prison sentence and 48 million € fine for San Román on charges of bribery and money laundering.

Five Britons in court in UK for Mallorca pyramid fraud

 

Five British citizens are in court in the United Kingdom shortly for having allegedly set up a pyramid selling fraud which resulted in 70 residents of Calvià on Mallorca being defrauded out of 12 million €. They are alleged to have captured 150 investors in several countries, promising enormous profits on the stock market from a company called Gilher Inc. The accused are charged with massive fraud, money laundering in Panama and the Seychelles, although they are all claiming innocence. The Serious Fraud Office says the operation started in 2001 and has named the main accused as 60 year old John Hirst, from Brighouse, and Richard John Pollet from Poole, both of whom had luxury villas in Calvià with an active social life. They were members of Mallorca Cricket Club and the Rotary Club, and they offered interest of up to 18%. It was 1.5% return per month, making 18% per annum, and a 2% bonus was paid if invested for a year. Police say that they managed to capture as many as 70 British residents of Mallorca, mostly retired people who often handed over their life savings and sums of between 11,000 and 223,000 €. Similar numbers of victims were seen in France and the United States, who paid over some 12 million € in total under the promise of large profits. Problems started at the end of 2009 when the first complaints about fraud were seen. Hirst and Pollet have both denied the charges when they appeared at Bradford Crown Court in a plea and case-management hearing. Hirst pleaded not guilty to money laundering linked to a 33,000 pound transfer from the Bank of Cyprus to Gilher Inc, and a 428,000 pound investment in Last Second Tickets Limited. His wife Linda, pleaded not guilty to various money laundering charges including one related to the purchase of a 552,000 pound house with her daughter Zoe in Send, Surrey in 2008. All five defendants were granted bail until the pre-trial hearing which is expected on April 20, and Judge Durham Hall has confirmed the trial date has been set for June 18. It’s expected to last eight weeks.

Prostitute in French footballer sex scandal launches own underwear range

The prostitute at the centre of the French footballer sex scandal has transformed from call girl to cover girl with a new underwear range. Zahia Dehar made headlines last year when she alleged that top France stars Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Sidney Govou had paid thousands of pounds for sex with her when she was just 17. Now 19, she has launched a new line of lingerie at Paris couture week with none other than designer Karl Lagerfeld shooting her lookbook. Advertisement >> Following the scandal, which ruined the reputations of the three stars involved, demand for Zahia soared and she became a lingerie model appearing on the covers of top fashion magazines. Now she has enlisted the help of top French designers including François Tamarin, Bruno Legeron, and Jean-Pierre Ollier to create the couture pieces for her collection. On her Twitter page, Zahia said that working with Lagerfeld had been a ‘dream come true’ while the designer was quoted as saying: “It was fun to do her.” He reportedly added: “She is very French courtesan, like Liane de Pougy or the Belle Otéro.” Ribery, 28, Benzema, 23, and Govou, 31, all faced three years in prison and fines of up to £40,000 for having underage sex. All three eventually escaped jail. Speaking after the scandal, the former prostitute said that Ribery, Benzema and Govou had all treated her “with utter respect” and should be left alone.