Madrid: Qatar Airways introduces Boeing 777 for the first time in Spain | Aviation

 Madrid: Qatar Airways introduces Boeing 777 for the first time in Spain | Aviation: "Commencing 1 January 2011, award-winning Qatar Airways will introduce its flagship Boeing 777 aircraft for the first time in Spain , operating on the daily non-stop Doha – Madrid route, Global Arab Network reports according to a press statement.

The Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft, featuring 42 seats in Business Class and 293 in Economy, offers more capacity than the Airbus A330s currently operating on the route.

Through the upgrade, Spanish travellers flying from Madrid via Doha to destinations such as Melbourne, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Bali will be able to travel and experience the entire journey onboard one of the most modern and ultra-comfortable aircraft in Qatar Airways’ fleet.

The two-class Boeing 777 offers Business Class seating in a 2–2–2 configuration, each with a seat pitch of 78-inches – or 6.5ft of leg room. Each seat converts into 180 degree horizontal flat beds. The aircraft also features a generous 3–3–3 configuration in Economy with up to 34-inch seat pitch. All seats provide personal touch screen seat back television screens with more than 900 interactive audio and video entertainment options, regardless of which class passengers are travelling in."

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Zara Phillips engaged to England rugby star Mike Tindall | Mail Online

Zara Phillips engaged to England rugby star Mike Tindall | Mail Online: "So understated is their romance, many people imagined they were engaged or married already. But today, the Queen's eldest grandchild Zara Phillips and her long-term boyfriend Mike Tindall finally announced their engagement.

Zara, the 29-year-old daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, has followed her cousin William in taking the plunge after a lengthy courtship.

In a statement this afternoon she said: 'I was really shocked when Mike proposed but I am very happy.'

Tindall, 32, added: 'I am delighted that Zara has agreed to marry me. We are both very excited about the next stage of our lives together.'"

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Tourbus fire at London's O2 Arena ahead of Kings Of Leon gig | News | NME.COM

Tourbus fire at London's O2 Arena ahead of Kings Of Leon gig | News | NME.COM: "Around 60 firefighters are dealing with a tourbus fire at London's O2 Arena on the day that Kings Of Leon are set to play there.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade told NME that the firefighters were called to the scene at 8:18am (GMT) this morning (December 21) to deal with the blaze, with two vehicles on fire.

No injuries have been reported.

The spokesperson explained that the fire is taking place in a loading bay at the arena and is not affecting the seating or viewing area."

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BA Launches New Flights To Morocco

BA Launches New Flights To Morocco: "British property investors looking to buy real estate in Morocco will be encouraged by news that British Airways (BA) is launching new flights to the country in March next year.

BA has identified Marrakech as its top destination of 2011, in acknowledgement of the city's potential for growth in the tourism sector.

Commenting, the company's chief executive Willie Walsh said: 'Tourism and leisure travel is a crucial focus for us, so growing our holidays business is a major part of our business plan.'

BA added that the early response to the launch of the new route to Marrakech 'has been incredible'.

Meanwhile, according to experts at Experience International, Morocco is one to watch as we head into 2011, with it boasting a booming tourism market.

The news is sure to interest potential buy-to-let investors looking to purchase property in Morocco who will be able to benefit from the rise in visitor numbers."

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Mountains of Morocco are source of new trees (From Worcester News)

Mountains of Morocco are source of new trees (From Worcester News): "WORCESTER walkers will be enjoying a host of new exotic trees in Worcester Woods Country Park next year after they were presented to the county as a prize.

The Rowan sapling trees, which can be found most abundantly in the mountains of Morocco, were given to Worcestershire County Council for its work on sustainable development in wider areas of county work.

The Council won the Eur-opean Social Fund Award for Mainstreaming Sustainable Development in recognition of sustainable principles in a scheme to help key stage four pupils across Worcestershire.

Coun Anthony Blagg, cabinet member for waste and sustainability, said: “This fantastic achievement is one example of how we apply sustainable development to everything we do.

“These attitudes and behaviours are evident in a great deal of our projects and will continue to benefit the county and its young people."

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Vegas rolls the dice on new casino | Stuff.co.nz

Vegas rolls the dice on new casino | Stuff.co.nz: "the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will need all that and more to keep the slot machines humming and its 3,000 rooms filled.

The $3.9 billion ($NZ5.2 billion) casino-hotel, which opened Wednesday night, debuts as Las Vegas still struggles to recover from a global recession that has led both leisure and business travellers to cut back on spending.

The new dual-tower resort sits on the west side of the Las Vegas Strip between MGM Resorts' Bellagio and CityCenter properties.

It has rooms with open-air terraces that offer stunning views of Vegas landmarks like the faux Eiffel tower across the street in front of Caesars Entertainment's Paris resort or the Bellagio's famous dancing fountains next door.

'People talk about the Strip and the views, but most of the buildings around here are so sealed off,' said Tammy Ayre, a visitor from Fort Myers, Florida. 'This looks really open - you can actually get outside.'"

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Rock of wages: online gaming keeps Gibraltar's residents at work | World news | The Guardian

Rock of wages: online gaming keeps Gibraltar's residents at work | World news | The Guardian: "Gibraltar's gambler-friendly laws and tax regimes are turning it into a virtual Las Vegas. The Rock has always had an eye for business that is not entirely mainstream, whether smuggling cigarettes or serving as a tax haven, but in online gambling it has hit the jackpot.

The industry employs 2,000 people , or 12% of the workforce, and has helped to insulate the local economy against Spain's harsh economic climate. Of 30,000 residents, only 600 people are unemployed. Across the border in La Línea de la Concepción, some 10,000 of the 65,000 inhabitants are out of work.

The low-tax regime attracts the industry but even so last year the government pocketed €12.4m (£10.5m) in online gambling taxes. Next year the Rock will receive 10 times as much when the gaming concerns are brought into the same tax regime as other businesses."

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Yuletide Fear: Europe cuts back amid Xmas gloom - BusinessWeek

Yuletide Fear: Europe cuts back amid Xmas gloom - BusinessWeek: "Greeks dodge riots to do their Christmas shopping. Italians planning holiday feasts quietly stuff freezers. And the needy in Ireland are literally selling the family silver.

This Christmas, Europeans are hunkering down to an uncertain future, as a debt crisis that erupted last year in Greece flares anew in Ireland, and has quickly threatened to engulf Portugal, Spain, and Italy.

A whole way of life appears to be at stake as Europe's cherished social welfare nets begin to unravel -- and the very survival of the common currency is thrown into doubt.

The new age of austerity is forcing jittery Europeans to tighten belts they've grown accustomed to loosening during the festive holiday season. But there's been as much Santa as Scrooge as families find ingenious ways to stay in the spirit of giving.

Here's how struggling Europeans are coping."

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Fulfilling a dream in Morocco | Stuff.co.nz

Fulfilling a dream in Morocco | Stuff.co.nz: "Tall and slender with a tousled head of fiery red hair, New Zealander Patricia Lebaud cuts an incongruous figure as she strolls through the narrow laneways of the Mouassine district of Marrakech in Morocco.

While men around her wear long-flowing biblical-style djellabas and the women-folk cover up in demure loose-fitting robes, securing their tresses under modest headdresses, this former Aucklander sports tight black leggings, over-sized tops, swing earrings and glittering sandals.

'Pat-ree-chia! Pat-ree-chia!' Children and adults call out in greeting, acknowledging this foreigner who has lived in the medina or old city now for almost 10 years.

She ducks motor-scooters and push-bikes, young lads kicking football and the odd donkey-drawn cart delivering goods to neighbours. And today, as we walk together to the nearest old city gate of Bab Laksour, we come across young lads carrying live sheep on their shoulders, trying to squeeze them into boots of cars or into hand-drawn carts to take home.

'For la Fete – Aid es-Seghir,' she explains. This 'grand festival' commemorates the day when Abraham, about to sacrifice his son, Ismail, was stopped by Allah who gave him a ram to sacrifice in his place. 'Muslim families save up to buy the biggest sheep,' she says, 'and then share it at a family meal.'"

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Gibraltar set to raise taxes on online gambling companies

 Gibraltar set to raise taxes on online gambling companies: "Gibraltar has always been a tax haven for many off-shore based online gambling companies due to its low rates but now, it seems, they are set to increase tax percentages from a meagre 1% to 10%.

Whilst this may seem like an un-reasonable hike it is unlikely to scare of gambling organisations already based there as they are simply being brought into line with other companies based in the country that already pay 10% tax. Value added tax will still not apply so it will still be more viable than being based in countries such as the UK or America.

The owner of one of the oldest bookmakers in the UK, Victor Chandler said that he believes this will not make any online gambling companies based there pick up shop and move elsewhere.

Despite having such low tax rates, it is reported that Gibraltar collected over £10.5 million from online gambling companies last year. It is reported that the government have made this move to come more into line with EU regulations."

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Marc Jacobs picks transgender model for campaign

Marc Jacobs picks transgender model for campaign: "Marc Jacobs has selected a transgender model for his 2011 campaign.

Blonde-haired Andrej Pejic has been chosen to front Marc by Marc Jacobs spring/summer campaign, reports Contactmusic.

Pejic recently shot the campaign in Marrakech, Morocco, with renowned photographer Juergen Teller and will appear alongside Ginta Lapina in the ads.

Andrej has become a poster boy for fashion androgyny, thanks to his long, platinum blonde hair and feminine features and has appeared in French and Italian Vogue as well as working with Daphne Groeneveld, Freja Beha Erichsen, Iselin Steiro and Iris Strubegger. (ANI)"

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Illegal Spanish villa of Vladimir Beniachvili demolished | Olive Press Newspaper | News Spain

Illegal Spanish villa of Vladimir Beniachvili demolished Olive Press Newspaper News Spain: "Malaga’s authorities started the demolition of a 3,500 square metre house in Pinares de San Anton after a 12-year legal battle with its absentee owner.
The demolition is expected to cost a massive 300,000 euros, which will be billed to Beniachvili.
The Russian promoter and former player of Dinamo Moscow football club is now in Moscow.
But his wife Ludmila Lavrina arrived at the villa right just as the demolition workers were getting to work, supervising the removal of her luxury possessions.
“My husband has five heart bypass operations and he’ll die if he sees this,” she told the press."

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Grab a taste of Kate's royal style | Herald Sun

Grab a taste of Kate's royal style Herald Sun: "Issa London, the label worn by Ms Middleton when announcing her engagement to Prince William last month, has captured the attention of Myer as a potential new addition to its designer stable.
Singer Katy Perry opted to wear Issa gear at a recent red carpet event, thanks to the Middleton effect.
Myer spokesman Mitch Catlin said the retail giant 'is always on the lookout for the hottest international brands'.
'We jumped on Balmain, Givenchy and Temperley London. There is no doubt Issa is on the radar for our buyers,' he said.
Issa is not yet stocked in Australia.
The $550 Issa navy wrap dress Ms Middleton stepped out in when she faced the media with her beau at St James's Palace sold out within 24 hours in Britain, and sparked cheaper chain store knockoffs."

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Prime London still appeals to Asian buyers | Easier

Prime London still appeals to Asian buyers Easier: "Despite the recession, the social and economic stability of the UK means that property in prime London areas, such as Knightsbridge, Mayfair and Kensington has retained its appeal for international buyers particularly those from Asia.
In the year from March 2009 to March 2010 London saw a 120 per cent increase in demand for UK property from Asian buyers (from Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and mainland China) who were responsible for 45.6 per cent of new-build purchases in central London.
Harrods Estates, the luxury property division of the Harrods Group, has seen increasing interest from Asian buyers, who now account for 38 per cent of their purchasers, compared with only 7 per cent in 2008.
Shirley Humphrey, Sales and Marketing Director at Harrods Estates comments: “We have seen a shift in international interest in the last two years. “The weak British pound and low interest rates all contribute to the appeal of investing in London property, and an increase in the level of prime new development London stock available, means there is more choice on the market.”
Another factor could be the increased numbers of Asian students studying in the UK. Over the last decade the number of Asian students studying in UK universities rose by 175 per cent with numbers of mainland Chinese students rising particularly steeply from just over 4,000 in 1999 to over 47,000 in 2009. Shirley comments:"

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Luxury apartment living in fail safe Chiswick | Easier

Luxury apartment living in fail safe Chiswick Easier: "looking for a safe investment, Chiswick, where Redeham Homes and Jansons West London and Thames Valley Ltd recently launched a range of luxury apartments at 520 Chiswick High Road is an ideal choice. Chiswick has experienced continuing growth throughout the recession, with property prices up by 11.3 per cent since 2009, according to Land Registry.
520 Chiswick High Road comprises just 12 two-bedroom apartments and two, two-bedroom penthouses and has already experienced excellent sales success since it launched in September 2010. Set on tree lined Chiswick High Road, the apartments complement the areas period houses and modern apartments.
Situated just 30 minutes from Central London Chiswick is not only an easy commute but boasts cafés, bars, restaurants, pubs, designer shops and boutiques. Acton Green Common runs opposite the main high street, offering a place to sit and relax and Turnham Green Park is also close by.
For families seeking homes near good schools, Chiswick has a mixture of state and public schools nearby including Chiswick and Bedford Park preparatory school, Cavendish primary school and Chiswick Community Secondary School"

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January Jones poses nude for Versace ad campaign (Photos) - Chicago Movie Reviews | Examiner.com

January Jones poses nude for Versace ad campaign- Chicago Movie Reviews Examiner.com: "'Mad Men' blonde bombshell January Jones is featured in the new Spring/Summer 2011 ad campaign for Versace. The Emmy-nominated actress appears almost completely nude, with the exception of a strategically placed purse and other accessories from the Italian luxury brand.
The retro-inspired shoot was photographed in London by famed photographer Mario Testino, who recently shot Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement photos, according to People."

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Lady Gaga`s meat dress tops Time`s fashion statement list

Lady Gaga`s meat dress tops Time`s fashion statement list: "Pop singer Lady Gaga's infamous meat dress has been named number one fashion statement of 2010 by Time magazine.
The singer had created a frenzy when she donned the dress made from hide and cuts of meat with a matching head piece and purse.
Singer M.I.A.'s psychedelic burqa that she wore for an awards function came second followed by tennis star Venus William's corset-style red-trimmed dress in French open on third position.
Singer Prince's tunic, which had an image of a man who looked very much like him and singer Rihanna's catsuit that she wore to a German music-award festival in March wrapped up the top five.
Britney Spears' see-through dress came sixth, while producer Rita Wilson's crystal-chandelier dress has got seventh spot.
'Gossip Girl' star Taylor Momsen's rhinestone necklace that spelled out the word slave along with a dog collar attached to it is on number eight."

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British Fashion Council names 18 rising London designers - Fashion, Life & Style - The Independent

British Fashion Council names 18 rising London designers - Fashion, Life & Style - The Independent: "The NEWGEN recipients for Autumn/Winter 2011 sponsored by Topshop are as follows:
Catwalk sponsorship:
David Koma, Holly Fulton, Louise Gray, Mary Katrantzou and Michael van der Ham.
Presentation sponsorship:
Christopher Raeburn, Craig Lawrence, JS Lee, JW Anderson (film presentation) and Nasir Mazhar.
Installation sponsorship:
Dominic Jones and Jordan Askill.
Exhibition sponsorship:
Chau Har Lee, Christopher Raeburn, Craig Lawrence, David Koma, Dominic Jones, Fannie Schiavoni, Felicity Brown, Heikki Salonen, Holly Fulton, Jordan Askill, JS Lee, JW Anderson, Louise Gray, Mary Katrantzou, Michael van der Ham, Nasir Mazhar, Thomas Tait and Yang Du."

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I decided to live in Marbella for two reasons. Firstly, they have the best climate in the world which attracts rich people from all over the world and also because Morocco is close by, where the most beautiful women in the world live.

Blic Online Boban Petrovic’s confession: "- “I decided to live in Marbella for two reasons. Firstly, they have the best climate in the world which attracts rich people from all over the world and also because Morocco is close by, where the most beautiful women in the world live. I had my yachts and planes in Marbella, hung out with the rich folk and agreed big deals at parties,” said Petrovic."

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Blic Online | Boban Petrovic’s confession

Blic Online Boban Petrovic’s confession: "- “I decided to live in Marbella for two reasons. Firstly, they have the best climate in the world which attracts rich people from all over the world and also because Morocco is close by, where the most beautiful women in the world live. I had my yachts and planes in Marbella, hung out with the rich folk and agreed big deals at parties,” said Petrovic."

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