1969-Dec-31 - Two firms face 'toxic waste du

TWO firms and four men are facing possible heavy fines and jail sentences over the alleged illegal dumping of toxic sediment during the development of a luxurious marina in Cornwall.

Falmouth Docks owner A&P, the town's biggest employer, a waste management company and four named individuals are being prosecuted under tough environmental laws.

The charges, the result of an investigation lasting more than two years, relate to silt said to contain highly poisonous chemicals shifted from the seabed during catalog printing the development of Falmouth Marina.

The Western Morning News understands the matter revolves around the removal of two wharves to make way for the prestigious world- class facility, which will provide 300 berths.

Sediment is said to have been shifted from the seabed which was contaminated with poisons, including a now banned marine paint containing the biocide TBT, which experts say is the most toxic substance ever deliberately introduced into the marine environment.

The charges have been brought by the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA), an agency of the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under the Food and Environmental Protection Act (FEPA).

According to papers seen by the Western Morning News, A&P Ports and Properties, the arm of the firm developing Falmouth Marina, is charged with allowing contaminated silt to be dumped without a licence between March and December 2007.

Steven Lewis, then A&P site manager at Falmouth Docks, Michael Reynolds, then port operation director at Falmouth tag heuer replica Docks for Falmouth Dock and Engineering Company Ltd, and Jonathan Thomas, of JT Project Management Ltd, are also individually charged.

Dorset-based hazardous waste management specialist Oil and Water Ltd is charged on this count, together with its operations director David Cobern. A&P is also charged with failing to declare a number of vital issues when applying for a licence in November that year, including providing an environmental impact assessment with elements it knew to be false.

The FEPA is designed to protect the environment by strictly regulating work which may damage fragile ecosystems. Projects permitted under the act are subject to regular inspections by officers from the MFA. According to the MFA website, punishments for breaches are fines of up to Pounds 50,000 or two years imprisonment.

A&P, Oil and Water Ltd and the four men have been sum-moned to appear replica rolex before Camborne magistrates on March 11. A&P managing director Peter Child said: "We are surprised there is a (court) date because we have not seen any evidence."

An Oil and Water Ltd spokesman said the firm would vigorously defend the claims.

1969-Dec-31 - Two Former regulators hired by

By Jeff Green, Margaret Cronin Fisk, Angela Greiling Keane and Alan Ohnsman

Bloomberg News

Former regulators hired by Toyota Motor Corp. helped end at least four U.S. investigations of unintended acceleration by company vehicles in the past decade, warding off possible recalls, court and government records show.

Christopher Tinto, vice president of regulatory affairs in Toyota's Washington office, and Christopher Santucci, who works for Tinto, helped persuade the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to end inquiries including those of 2002-03 Toyota Camrys and Solaras, court documents show. Both men joined Toyota directly from NHTSA, Tinto in 1994 and Santucci in 2003.

While all automakers have employees who handle NHTSA issues, Toyota might be alone among the major companies in employing former agency staffers to do so. Spokesmen for General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Chrysler Group LLC and Honda Motor Co. all said their companies have no ex-NHTSA people who deal with the agency on defects. Possible links between Toyota and NHTSA might fuel mounting criticism of their handling of defects in Toyota and Lexus models tied to 19 deaths between 2004 and 2009. Three congressional committees have scheduled hearings on the recalls.

"Toyota bamboozled NHTSA or NHTSA was bamboozled by itself," said Joan Claybrook, a former NHTSA administrator. "I think there is going to be a lot of heat on NHTSA over this."

In one example of the Toyota aides' role, Santucci testified in a Michigan lawsuit that the company and NHTSA discussed limiting an examination of unintended acceleration complaints to incidents lasting less than a second.

In an e-mailed response to questions about possible influence of former NHTSA employees on agency Toyota decisions, Transportation Department spokeswoman Olivia Alair said NHTSA "currently has three open investigations involving Toyota and is monitoring two major safety recalls involving Toyota vehicles. NHTSA's record reflects that safety is its singular priority."

Toyota on Jan. 21 recalled 2.3 million U.S. cars and trucks with potentially defective accelerator pedals. That followed Toyota's decision in November to recall 4.48 million vehicles in the United States and Canada because floor mats might trap gas pedals while they were depressed.

Toyota on Friday also recalled a small number of 2010 model year Tacomas to fix potential problems with their drive shaft that could cause the pickups to lose control. The recall involves 8,000 trucks.

Combined worldwide recalls for pedals, floor mats and a software fix to adjust brakes on the Prius and other hybrid models rose to more than 8 million vehicles as of Feb. 8. All four of the investigations the Toyota aides helped end were into complaints that the unintended acceleration was caused by flaws in the vehicles' electronic throttle systems. Toyota has denied that the system is a problem. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Feb. 3 that NHTSA is reviewing the electronics.

Toyota spokeswoman Martha Voss declined to make Santucci and Tinto available for comment.

"Anything Mr. Tinto and Mr. Santucci did was in the interest of full disclosure, transparency and openness with regulators and safety experts," Voss said in an e-mailed statement.

Tinto, 46, came to Toyota after about four years at NHTSA. He hired Santucci,
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1969-Dec-31 - Two found injured after early-

City police continued Friday to search for the gunman who shot two men in Homewood.

The shooting occurred at 2:45 a.m. in the 500 block of North Braddock Avenue where a 37-year-old man from the Versailles area was found with multiple postcard printing gunshot wounds to the upper torso, police spokeswoman Diane Richard said. A 21-year-old man from Homewood was found sitting in a snowbank with a gunshot wound to the foot, Richard said. The 37-year-old man remains hospitalized in guarded condition at UPMC replica rolex Presbyterian hospital in Oakland, Richard Replica prada wholesale said.

The gunman was described as a black man with light skin and long braids who was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and black pants. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call city homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

1969-Dec-31 - BU men score upset

The Brandon University men's volleyball team still has hopes of hosting a first-round playoff series and last night the Bobcats did themselves a huge favour.

The BU men scored their second straight Friday-night upset, sweeping the No.4-ranked Calgary Dinos, handing the Canada West conference leaders their first sweep defeat of the season, winning 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-19) in Calgary.

The ninth-ranked Bobcats, who upset Alberta last weekend at home, moved to 9-6 on the season and temporarily into fourth place in the conference, half a match ahead of Trinity Western, which played late on Friday.

Paul Sanderson tied a conference high for kills in a three-set match with 22 to lead the Bobcats, who also got 12 kills from Kevin Miller.

David Egan and Oleg Podporin had seven kills to lead Calgary, which hit just .181 for the match while Brandon hit .370.

In the women's match, the fourth-ranked Bobcats held a two-point lead late in the fifth set but eventually fell 3-2 (25-17, 20-25, 25-23, 19-25, 15-13) and replica rolex dropped to 12-5 on the season.

Brandon led 11-9 in the fifth but couldn't close the deal as Calgary pulled away.

"It took us a long time to get going and we just couldn't close the door," Brandon head coach Lee Carter said. "We needed to settle down a little bit, but we have to rebound (tonight). This is like a playoff game for us - we're down one and now we've gotta come back and win."

Teagan Hunter matched a season-high with 20 kills for Brandon, which got 16 more from Jaryn Ruether and 11 from Nicole Ban. Middle blocker Erin Visch-Krahn had a match-high 13 digs.

Raynell Lavertu led eighth-ranked Calgary (7-9) with 17 kills while middle blockers Ali Sandholm and Laura Spence added 14 and 10, respectively.

1969-Dec-31 - Buffett agrees bailout will pa

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson predicted the U.S. government will regain every penny given to the nation's banks during the economic meltdown -- Cartier Replica Watches and may even profit.

Billionaire Warren Buffett agreed with Paulson Tuesday that the bank bailout will eventually be profitable for the nation. The two men spoke at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting.

1969-Dec-31 - budget red herring, The

Two days from now, life can return to normal after having seen the last of the budgets that create some excitement this part of the year; wholly unnecessary in the view of many. Like finance minister Pranab Mukherjee did in the Union budget, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, too, will juggle around various pieces in his replica bag wholesale basket when he presents the state budget, to give us the impression that he was doing his best to make life better for us and, inevitably, that required some sacrifice in the form of higher payouts from us.

Budgets are not easy to understand. Deconstructing the proposals can at best let you acquire a deeper appreciation of the fable of the five blind men and an elephant. Depending on whether you are looking at it as an individual (salaried, homemaker or pensioner), or as an investor, a businessman or an economist concerned with the macro picture, the budget appears in a shape and colour that may lead you to draw your own conclusion of whether it is good, bad or ugly. If you try wearing different hats to look at the budget in order to get a well-rounded perspective, it could be more confusing and lead you to hem and haw, that it is good in parts and that the not-so-good parts could have been better if the finance minister had done this or not done that.

Honestly, at the end of the day, one is not sure whether one will have more money in the pocket or less after all that the finance minister has done. All the discussions that one has heard, all the number-crunching that one has seen, still do not tell us for sure whether we will be better off or worse. If all this sounds somewhat opaque, the minions in the finance ministry will be happy, because the beauty of a budget actually lies in what it hides. For instance, Pranabda tells us that the impact of increased levies will actually add only 0.4% to our current costs. Damn good if that is true but the entire mechanism of indirect taxation is such that even if it were 4.0%, instead of 0.4%, you would find it hard to discover the truth.

In any case, if you try telling that to the master of the house controlling expenditure, you will get a singeing glare because runaway inflation has already done sufficient damage and there is no sign of its abating. No matter what the finance minister says, brace yourself for some marginal increase in prices all around; from bus, auto and air fares to higher costs of transport of goods and services. That would mean virtually everything that we consume and use. The increase for each of those items may be incremental, but cumulatively it might add up to be hurtful.

The big culprit, apparently, is the hike in petrol and diesel prices. Everyone is agitated on this score and if Fendi Replica Handbags only it were to be rolled back, all politicians would go back home happy. One is not sure if this is a red herring that finance ministers generally love. Keep everyone focussed completely on one issue and have the rest of the budgetary proposals sail past without serious questions. It looks like everyone has played into Pranabda's hands. For him it is a kind of win-win situation. Wait till April, replica breitling when the finance bill will be taken up for voting to figure out the mood of the nation, which could actually be somewhat different from the mood of the political parties and leaders. Drop or modify the proposal as a trade off because, in any case the petroleum ministry can, on its own, revise the price later without being subject to a vote in Parliament.

The chief minister's锟?task two days from now could be a bit more difficult. Given the current state of finances - there is reportedly a shortfall in revenue collection and spending is
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1969-Dec-31 - Higher retirement age must be

I REMIND readers that from this year the retirement age for women will gradually rise from 60 to 65 by 2020, and by 2046 the retirement age for both men and women will be 68. At the Conservative Party conference shadow Chancellor George Osborne said that if the Conservatives win the election they would seek to bring the higher retirement age even closer.

They have said men should retire at 66 by 2015 and they would possibly raise the retirement age to 70.

If this comes to fruition the clock would be turned back 100 years to when the first state pension was introduced in 1909.

The argument is that people are living longer, and in the main they are, but the question is why? It is a known fact within the insurance industry that the longer people work the shorter their life expectancy, and the earlier they retire the longer they can expect to live.

Some of today's pensioners were fortunate enough to retire in their 50s, and at most 60 for women and 65 for men; perhaps this is one reason why we are told that we are living longer.

When the new legislation, brought in by New Labour comes into force, I wonder if the population will be constantly told that the mortality age is decreasing? I think not.

I hope the younger generation realise that working longer because of the decisions made by today's politicians will curtail their life expectancy. They must campaign now to get their message heard, because they will find, like those of us campaigning for a fairer deal for today's pensioners, that those in power do not listen and do not care.

Ever since Margaret Thatcher's government stopped the state pension being linked to earnings 30 years ago, successive governments have eroded it. It is now well below poverty level, making pensioners reliant on means-tested benefits that are limited for only a few to enjoy. There has been constant campaigning to right this wrong - to no avail.

Pensioners, as ever, are an easy target when public spending cuts have to be made.

Bernard Endacott Member, Devon Pensioners' Action Forum Silverton

1969-Dec-31 - High-flying Jets soar to big w

LICHFIELD Jets remain unbeaten at the top of Division Three of the Tamworth and District Table Tennis League.

They defeated TYC China Whites 9-1 at home with maximums from Cameron Sykes and Mike Smith plus a double from Harry Emberson.

Pat Baker prevented the whitewash with a single victory.

Second-placed Lichfield Barons drew 5-5 with Netherseal Cedar.

Pete Collins and John Henson both scored twice for the Barrons and combined to narrowly take the doubles 11-9 in the fifth match.

Graham Clarke and Roger Whiting both replied with doubles, while John Pope chipped in with a single win.

TYC Lambs narrowly defeated Kingsbury Rockets 6-4 thanks to a Matt Thompson triple, a James Shaw double and a doubles win.

Alex Guzder scored twice for the Rockets with Ronnie Woolaston and Kiel Jones each adding a point.

Burntwood Hawks claimed an excellent 6-4 home win over Kingsbury Cruisers despite another Johnathon Piling treble. Braces from Tom, Daniel and Bob Aldridge Michele Watch Replica secured the triumph.

In Division Four, leaders Lichfield Top Spinners comprehensively beat Kingsbury Noodles 10-0 with Jake Westwood, Jack Hill and Euan Hammond all hitting maximums.

Second place TYC Noobs also completed a whitewash over Burntwood Juniors B. Michael Bree, David Bree and Ryan Coady were on top form for the Noobs.

The two-man team of TYC Kenya, Tom Hargreaves and Archie Hartshorn remained unbeaten in their clash with twoman Lichfield Lions.

Elsewhere, TYC Terrorisers had a comfortable 9-1 win over Kingsbury Villains. Player of the match Lauren Evans played extremely well for her three wins, as did Michael McNaught for his maximum.

James Coley added a further two victories for the Terrorisers, while Alex Thompson clawed a point back for the Villains.

TYC Cactus defeated TYC Noobs 7-3 in their derby match.

Braces from Sam Bernstein, Jamie Cunningham and Shawn Crest secured the victory despite a superb maximum from Noobs' Michael Bree.

Kingsbury Challengers drew 5-5 with Lichfield Lions.

William Green scored an impressive hat-trick and Jake Baller earned a double for the Challengers.

The Lions points came from Jonathon Davis (2), Morgan Sykes and Rebecca Davis.

Sykes and Davis also secured a doubles victory.

1969-Dec-31 - High-flying Hibs come down to

HIBS gaffer John Hughes believes his side must show more commitment if they are to put the 5-1 mauling by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park behind them.

The Easter Road men remain in third place in the SPL but face a tough trip to Craig Brown's rejuvenated Motherwell this weekend.

Yogi said: "The boys have been absolutely fantastic for me since I came to the club. But maybe that defeat is a blessing in disguise. I felt we didn't go and earn the right to play. It's all about legs, tackling, desire, commitment.

"Do Replica Seiko that first and that gives you the platform to go and play your football. I just felt we came up, wanted to play football and forgot to compete.

"But I'm hoping it hurts them, and if it does, hopefully we can get a response on Saturday."

Doubles from on-loan Celtic forward Cillian Sheridan and midfielder Liam Craig, plus a Kenny Deuchar header, sealed an emphatic victory with Anthony Stokes pulling one back but a night of woe for the visitors was confirmed by a second-half red card for sub Colin Nish for an off-the-ball kick at Michael Duberry.

Hughes was also sent to the stand for protesting too strongly about Saints' fourth goal to the Fake Jimmy Choo Handbags referee's assistant.

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes said: "I thought the boys were magnificent and I'm delighted with their performance."

Meanwhile, Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne has handed under fire gaffer Mark McGhee a vote of confidence after the Dons' shock midweek Scottish Cup defeat by Division One Raith Rovers at Pittodrie.

Milne said: " We said we would back Mark in any way we can and that continues. The reality is that Mark has the squad until the summer and has to deliver, but he has shown he is capable of doing that.

"I believe the response has been extremely positive, but Mark knows he has to work on it."

1969-Dec-31 - Cole stokes it up by getting t

THE Maldon Table Tennis Club dominated the Men's Singles event at the M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Closed Table Tennis Tournament at the weekend providing three of the four men's Singles semi-finalists.

The 2008 Men's Singles winner Neil Charles qualified comfortably for the semi-finals powering his way past Robert Burton (11-7, 11- 6, 11-3) and Kevin Read (11-7, 11-5, 11-4). Charles will play teammate and 2003 champion Keiran Lally. Lally was an impressive 11- 8, 11-2, 7-11, 11-6 winner over Anthony Grenwood and he beat Gary Young with a very clever and controlled display to book his Rolex Replica Watch semi- final place.

Impressive Joining Charles and Lally on Finals Night will be four times Champion and the holder David Cole, who never looked comfortable in beating defender Duncan Taylor 13-11, 13-11, 11-7, having earlier disposed of Hamish Innes 11-5, 11-8, 11-6. Cole will play impressive newcomer Mindaugas Sinkus, the third seed, who beat Ian Whiteside 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 and then overcame Peter Hayden 15- 13, 11-8, 12-14, 4-11, 11-8 . The Ladies Single's Competition was more clear-cut. The top two players - 16 times champion Julie Vansertima and Debby Auvache both qualified comfortably for the final.

Debby Auvache capped her first season in the league by capturing a title.

Paired with Linda Attridge they beat Julie Vansertima/Jean Chasmer 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 in a closely fought Ladies Doubles Final.

The Men's Doubles Final will be contested by top seeds Dave Cole/ Anthony Greenwood, an event in which Dave Cole will be bidding for an amazing eleventh title.

Top seeds Julie Vansertima/ Dave Cole are on course to take the Mixed Doubles title for a fifth time as they beat Trevor Carter/ Debby Auvache, they will meet Melanie Bonnett/Steve Kerns in the final.

Rik James - Veterans' Singles Champion in 2006 and 2008 will be at finals night. He beat Peter Hayden in a gruelling semi-final and will play two time champion Steve Kerns.

David Cole won the Veterans' Doubles for the third time with Rik James with a final win over Steve Kerns/Peter Hayden . Ian Whiteside retained his title in the Over 60s Singles. His final opponent was again the hardhitting and aggressive Bill Smith and again the final went to a fifth end. Whiteside triumphed 9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 5-11, 11- 5. As expected Brandon Crouchman dominated the Junior events winning the Junior Boys' semi-final and final.

Sarah Austin became the Under 14 Singles Champion.

Brandon Crouchman / Scott Dowsett were heavy favourites to win the Junior Doubles, perhaps the clearest favourites of the whole weekend. They did not disappoint although James Austin/ Adam Pitt made them fight in the Final but they pulled through 11-9, 11-6, 7- 11, 11-8.

Rebecca Denyer took the title in the largest of the Junior events, beating Josh Watts by a last gasp margin in the Handicap Singles Final.

Finals night is on Monday February 15 at Old Chelmsfordians Association, Lawford Lane, Chelmsford at 7.30pm - admission is free.

1969-Dec-31 - Cold-caller warning as woman i

RESIDENTS have been warned nor to hand over cash to cold-calling tradesmen after they targeted the home of a woman in the city.

Celia Harris, 57, paid for what she believes was bogus gardening work last year and said the same suspects have just tried to get her to part with her money Replica Blancpain Watches again.

The mother-of-four, of Chestnut Avenue, Wonford, recognised the men and contacted police. Officers questioned the group but no arrests were made.

Mrs Harris has warned other residents in the Burnthouse Lane area of the city to be on their guard against cold-callers.

She said: "I recognised them as the same men who charged me Pounds 120 for work Chloe Handbags they didn't do last year.

"They made up some excuse but I wasn't happy and called the police after taking down the registration number of their white van.

"Last year, they promised to level my garden and lay turf and I gave them Pounds 120 but they then cleared off and I didn't see them again until last Friday.

"This time they tried to get me to pay for a new set of gates for my drive. Police arrived and spoke to them.

"I'm worried they will try the same thing with other people and get money from elderly residents."

Bulgari Replica Watches Mrs Harris was told by the police they could not make arrests because no money had changed hands.

Police have warned residents to be wary of strangers arriving on the doorstep promising to carry out work in return for instant cash, and advised people to ask for identification.

1969-Dec-31 - cold weather can be fun, but h

IN January 2009, an 18-foot boat with six men aboard swamped in 45-degree water in the Chesapeake Bay not far from the Lynnhaven Inlet. The men, ages 62 to 89, were recovered within 30 minutes, but two died as a result of the cold and four were treated at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for hypothermia.

This incident was a stark reminder of how quickly cold water can result in hypothermia and death. Wearing a flotation device any time you are on the water, especially in winter, improves your chances of survival.

While cold water immersion causes the most acutely lethal form of hypothermia, any outdoor activity in winter can cause more subtle symptoms that develop more slowly, though they can also be deadly.

Each year at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, we treat several patients with severe hypothermia. Patients at high risk for hypothermia include the elderly and the very young; alcoholics; and patients with poor nutritional status.

Knowing the signs, symptoms and treatment methods for hypothermia can help you avoid injury or death.

Dr. Frank Counselman is past president of the medical staff for Sentara Hospitals Norfolk. He is chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, a member of Emergency Physicians of Tidewater, and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

What is hypothermia?

Put simply, hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops to 95 degrees (35 degrees Centigrade ) or below. As your core temperature drops and vital organs cool, symptoms of hypothermia range from simple shivering while waiting for a bus with too few clothes on to delirium and shutdown of your heart.

On the lower end of the symptom scale, more clothes and a warmer environment can take care of it. As hypothermia progresses, however, the threat to your life increases and medical intervention may be called for.

Being wet and cold causes more rapid heat loss than being dry and cold.

Wind chill hastens the loss of body heat. Uncovered skin loses heat more rapidly than covered skin, so wear a hat and gloves and cover your neck in the cold.

Hypothermia symptoms

The Princeton University Web site says to watch for the "umbles." These include stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles that tell you someone is showing symptoms of hypothermia.

Mild (90 to 95 degrees )

Shivering. This is your body's attempt to increase your core body temperature. Shivering can increase your basal metabolic rate fivefold. However, you can only shiver for so long - usually a few hours at most.

Can't perform complex functions such as skiing but can still walk and talk.

Numb fingers and toes from restriction of peripheral blood flow.

Dazed appearance and behavior.

Replica Bertolucci Watch Loss of coordination, especially in the hands - can't zip your jacket.

Slurred speech.

Flattened affect; "I don't care" attitude.

Severe (core temperature below 90 degrees )

Shivering in violent waves until shivering ceases.

Victim can't walk, f
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1969-Dec-31 - Policeman stabbed in undercove

Byline: STEPHEN WRIGHT

A DETECTIVE was knifed during an undercover hunt for a gang targeting celebrities in the West End, it emerged yesterday.

The officer - posing as a wealthy Arab and wearing a fake Rolex watch - was slashed three times after resisting his attacker.

The knifeman leapt into a [pounds sterling]25,000 Mercedes which was rammed by an unmarked police car. A high-speed chase followed, but the two robbers escaped.

Detective Constable Shaid Ali, 31, was treated at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, for head wounds. He was later allowed home.

Scotland Yard last night revealed that the attack was being linked to a string of muggings at exclusive addresses in the capital in the last 18 months.

The victims have included Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, the wife of millionaire publisher Lord Weidenfeld and the wife of financier Chris Moran.

Carlton TV chief Michael Green and his wife Tessa may also have been targeted by the same gang. They were attacked by three hooded men in a [pounds sterling]30,000 BMW in the West End in April.

The thugs escaped with cash and jewellery after slashing Mr Green across the face and hands with a 12in knife.

The latest attack happened late on Tuesday night in Cur-zon Street, Mayfair, where police officers had set up a surveillance operation to combat street robbery.

In particular, they were attempting to lure the gang dubbed the Who's Who Robbers - behind the attacks on celebrities.

Gang members pair up in different teams for each assault and normally use a stolen high-performance car to escape.

Detective Constable Ali was attacked at around 11.20pm by a man who had been a passenger in a blue, L-registered Mercedes 320.

The suspect - about 6ft tall, in his twenties and wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap - tried to mug the officer.

The policeman, who was wearing a stab-proof vest, was slashed across the face and head after fighting back. The knifeman jumped into the Mercedes which was then rammed by the police vehicle.

Part of the rear door of the Mercedes was ripped off, but the robbers managed to Michele Replica Watch drive away.

The two men who were both black - escaped after racing down Park Lane to Buckingham Palace at 80mph.

The getaway car was found abandoned yesterday in Knightsbridge. It was unclear whether it had been stolen.

Detective Inspector Bob Davidge, leading the investigation into the attack on the officer, said: 'The man who used this knife must be caught.

'The police officer could easily have been blinded, if not worse.'

1969-Dec-31 - Political instability in Nepal

NEW DELHI: The much awaited revised extradition treaty with Nepal is likely to remain hostage to the political instability in the country. During foreign minister S M Krishna's visit to Nepal last week, Kathmandu coveyed to the Indian side that Dolce & Gabbana Bags while it is not averse to signing the treaty, it is yet to build up a political consensus in the country which is imperative for any such treaty with India to come into force.

India and Nepal had agreed in principle to have an extradition treaty when then foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Nepal in 2008. According to highly placed sources, India has no option but to wait as any attempt to force things could unsettle the precariously poised relationship with Nepal, a country China has unabashedly courted in the past few years.

India is now waiting for Nepal to move forward. "Our preference would be to work at a pace which is convenient and comfortable for Nepal. We understand that there is a need for political consensus in Nepal which is passing through a phase of transition,'' said a source, adding that India wants to sign another deal on mutual legal assistance with Nepal to combat terrorism.

During Krishna's visit to Nepal, deputy PM and foreign minister Sujata Koirala had reiterated that Nepal will not allow its territory to be used for any activity against India. The two ministers discussed security concerns and agreed that terrorism and extremism were a threat to both countries. They Replica Miu Miu Handbags also discussed ways to enhance bilateral security cooperation to control cross-border crimes such as smuggling of fake Indian currency, human trafficking and arms smuggling. Krishna assured Nepal that India was willing to provide all possible assistance to the Nepalese security agencies.

The Maoists led by Prachanda, who protested against alleged land encroachment and interference by India even during Krishna's visit, have warned Kathmandu that any attempt to sign an agreement on extradition would be opposed tooth and nail. The signing of a new border map that will end all border disputes also doesn't seem possible in the current political situation. Krishna, in fact, also met Prachanda during his visit and expressed his displeasure over "baseless'' attacks on Fake Activa Watches India.

The Indo-Nepal Extradition Treaty was first signed in 1855 and revised in 1953. India is pressing for a new treaty to keep up with the changing times and looking at the inclusion of a clause for the deportation of third-country nationals wanted for terrorism, crime and economic offences.

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1969-Dec-31 - Polish ISAF reserve ready for

Polish ISAF reserve ready for Afghanistan mission

WARSAW, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- An almost 200-strong reserve unit to reinforce Poland's ISAF force in Afghanistan is ready for the mission, local media reported on Thursday.

A symbolic farewell ceremony for the troops took place Wednesday in a military complex in the Warsaw suburb Wesola.

In his address to the men, Deputy Defense Minister Stanislaw Komorowski reminded that Afghanistan was "a priority for all NATO allies."

"European and U.S. security is linked to the situation in Afghanistan. We must all remember that the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington were planned in this Taliban-ruled country, " Komorowski said.

The reserve unit will depart to Afghanistan at the turn of February and March. Its task will be to aid regular ISAF units in view of reports that the country's rebel forces will raise their activity in spring.

Currently around 2,000 Polish ISAF troops are stationed in Afghanistan, part of the NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force Technomarine Watch International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

1969-Dec-31 - Nothing new

WHAT is Prince Charles trying to imply when he asks "why is it that around the globe sea levels are more than six Skagen Replica Watches inches higher than 100 years ago?" With all due respect, if he was well acquainted with the history of the planet he would not ask such a question, as the oceans have been rising, in fits and starts, since the last glaciation, albeit at a much slower rate now.

For sure, during the peak of the last glaciation global sea level was about 400 feet below its present position. The Bristol Channel was dry land in the past and so was the North Sea, as witnessed by artefacts being brought up in fishermen's nets.

Therefore sea level rise is nothing new and highly unlikely to be a result of the works of men.

Dave Haskell Boncath, Pembrokeshire

1969-Dec-31 - NPC vice chairman meets Indian

NPC vice chairman meets Indian delegation

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Han Qide, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee Replica Christian Louboutin of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, met Tuesday with a cross-party delegation of senior Indian statesmen, led by Rao Inderjit Singh, chairman of India- China Forum of Parliamentarians, in Beijing.

China and India had no fundamental conflicts of interest, but shared broad common interests, said Han.

Maintaining peace and friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development not only conformed to the interests of both countries and their peoples, but also had a significant impact on Replica Bulova Watch world peace and development, he said.

As this year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic ties, both sides should take it as an opportunity to advance their strategic and cooperative partnership, said Han.

The delegation is visiting China from Jan. 10 to Jan. 16 at the invitation of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

1969-Dec-31 - Now, 'Eiffel Tower' in Darbhan

DARBHANGA: Sansad Bhawan, Akshar Dham temple and now Eiffel Tower. The replicas of architectural marvels have always fascinated devotees on the eve of Durga Puja here.

Amidst its religious significance, the arrival of Navratri festival is a rejuvenating experience for the people.

Healthy competitions among different puja committees are being delightfully watched by the enthusiastic crowed, ranging from hardcore devotees to a mere kowtow. Hence, puja organisers apply their innovative ideas in best possible manner.

About four dozen organising committees in Darbhanga town have been gearing up to celebrate Durga Puja in religious fervour and gaiety.

Sarvajanik Durga Puja Samiti, Laxmi Sagar, is going to install a replica of Eiffel Tower of Paris this year, said a committee member, adding that during the previous years, our efforts to put up models of Sansad Bhawan and Akshar Dham temple had been appreciated by one and all.

While different Puja committees have already completed the spade works to aesthetically decorate their respective pandals, the final preparations are going to complete only on Saptami, the seventh day of Navratri.

According to sources, Puja celebrations under the banners of various committees in Hasan Chouk, Chuna Bhatti, Kathalbari, Bhagat Singh Chouk, Maula Ganj, Rahem Ganj, Benta Chouk, Naka Number 6, Donar Chouk, K M Tank and Musa Shah School will attract a large number of crowed for displaying pomp and show this year.

Meanwhile, Bengali community under the banner of Vichitra Club has once again decided to observe the Puja as per its traditional practice at its designated venue at Pitambri Bengali Middle School here.

Club secretary Atanu Sinha said the Puja festivity provides an opportunity to the community members to mingle with one another hair extensions wholesale and renew personal contacts.

1969-Dec-31 - Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summa

Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1000 GMT, Feb. 24

KABUL -- Unknown armed men shot dead a government official in Taliban birthplace Kandahar in south Afghanistan on Wednesday, a senior police officer Mohammad Shah Farooq said.

"Director of Cultural Department Abdul Majed Babai was shopping in Kandahar city the capital of Kandahar province this morning when two armed men riding a motorbike opened fire and killing him on the spot," Shah Farooq told Xinhua. (Afghanistan-Shooting)

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BALI, Indonesia -- The United Nations on Wednesday launched " Safe Planet Campaign for Responsibility on Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes" on the side lines of the 11th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum held in Nusa Dua of Bali province in Indonesia.

Fatoumata Keita Ouane, United Nations Environment Program's Senior Scientific Officer of Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, said that countries must not delay to act now collectively. (Indonesia-Save Planet)

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SEOUL -- South Korea's top automaker Hyundai Motor Co. said Wednesday it will recall the new version of its Sonata sedan in the United States due to a faulty door latch, local media reported.

"Acting on a handful of customer complaints, Hyundai Motor will carry out a voluntary recall of its new Sonatas produced in (South) Korea and the United States to replace some front door latches," Hyundai Motor said in a statement. (S.Korea-Hyundai-Recall)

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JAKARTA -- Rescuers have found 17 dead bodies after the landslide in West Java of Indonesia on Tuesday morning, and struggled to find 26 others predicted to be buried under the rabbles, Head of National Disaster Management Agency Syamsul Ma' arif said on Wednesday.

Ma'arif who has just returned from the scene along with Vice President Boediono said that two heavy machinery equipment had arrived in the scene for the further evacuation of those still buried at the depth of about 10 meters. (Indonesia-landslide-Toll)

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MANILA -- Two Philippine Air Force personnel died Wednesday after the aircraft used for flight training crashed,a military spokesman said.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that the OV-10 bomber crashed at around 02: 55 p.m. local time in Crow Valley, Tarlac, northern Philippines, according to the local online media site Inquirer.net. ( Philippines- Aircrash)

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ISLAMABAD -- At least three people were killed and another two injured on Wednesday in another U.S. drone strike in northwest Pakistan's tribal area, local TV channels reported.

The private Express News said a U.S. unmanned plane Wednesday morning fired two missiles to the area of Dargah Mandi in Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan Agency near the Afghan border. (Pakistan-Drone Strike)

1969-Dec-31 - Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summa

Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1000 GMT, Jan. 25

SEOUL -- A trilateral meeting among three Northeast Asian countries is slated for Tuesday in Seoul as the three countries seek to launch a joint research on a free trade pact, Seoul's trade ministry said Monday.

Breitling Replica Watches According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the three Northeastern countries are set to discuss on terms of reference on the joint research, as well as the schedule for holding next rounds of dialogue, the ministry said. (SKorea-China- Japan)

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SEOUL -- South Korea is strongly considering holding the G20 summit on Nov. 15, immediately following the summit of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Japan, local media said, citing government officials on Monday.

"We think it would be desirable to have delegations fly in to Seoul immediately following the APEC forum in Yokohama of Japan, which will finish on Nov. 14," a finance ministry official was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. (SKorea-G20)

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ISLAMABAD -- At least five people were injured in a blast in west Pakistan's Balochistan province on Monday, local TV channel reported.

A loud blast rocked the central market of Panjgoor area of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, the private TV Express reported. (Pakistan-Blast)

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Technomarine Replica Watch TOKYO -- Japan's Nikkei Stock Average fell 0.74 percent on Monday on renewed concerns about the health of the global economy and Japan's exporters slid on a stronger yen. The key benchmark Nikkei lost 77.86 points from Friday, to a four-week closing low of 10,512.69.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dropped 6.35 points, or 0.67 percent, to 934. 59. (Japan-Stocks)