Gibraltar Bank’s Rothstein defenses

Gibraltar Bank’s Rothstein defenses | South Florida Business Journal: "Gibraltar is being sued for $60 million in the bankruptcy of Rothstein’s now-defunct law firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler. The bank filed a motion Monday, asking that the case be moved out of bankruptcy court and into federal district court.
The motion, written by attorneys for Gibraltar at Tew Cardenas LLP in Miami, is a real gem. Basically, the bank says that a district judge would be better to decide the kind of issues at stake in the suit, including: “Whether the banking laws and regulations at issue provide a private right of action to banking customers when a federal banking regulation – such as provisions of the Patriot Act designed to safeguard the United States from terrorists and criminals – is not strictly complied with by a banking institution. Gibraltar submits that there is no such private right of action.”
It almost sounds as if Gibraltar admitted that it doesn’t follow federal regulations about money laundering controls."

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Farmland costs soar to record high

 Farmland costs soar to record high: "The cost of farmland soared to a record high during the second half of 2010 as commercial farmers looked to cash in on rising commodity prices, research has suggested.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said 55% more surveyors reported a rise in demand for commercial farmland during the period than those who saw a fall, as farmers were keen to expand their production, while a balance of 6% more reported an increase in demand for residential farmland.
But the supply of both types of land has been falling steadily for the past two-and-a-half years, pushing prices up to a new high."

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Graffiti Artist Banksy Banned From Oscars | Neon Tommy

Graffiti Artist Banksy Banned From Oscars | Neon Tommy: "Banksy, star and director of the Oscar nominated documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” was banned from attending the Academy Awards Sunday after he insisted on being in disguise.

The Academy’s executive director Bruce Davis barred Banksy, a notorious British graffiti artist, from attending the ceremony in disguise because of potential issues with imposters and party crashers, according to Yahoo.com contributor Susan Montag.

In “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” which is nominated for best documentary, Banksy’s face is shadowed and he is wearing a hoodie to mask his identity, and the Academy does not want someone wearing a monkey suit accepting an award on stage.

'The fun but disquieting scenario is that if the film wins and five guys in monkey masks come to the stage all saying, 'I'm Banksy,' who the hell do we give it to?' said Davis.

If the film, which follows guerilla artists and collectors, wins, its producer Jaimie D’Cruz will accept the award for he and Banksy, according to Elle.com writer Brooke Bobb.

Other people have been banned from the Oscars, including “The Hurt Locker” producer Nicolas Chartier who broke the Academy’s rule against “creating a negative impression of a rival nominee,” according to Montag. "

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A round the world sailing rally, due to set off from Gibraltar this October has been cancelled due, in part, to the threat from pirates.

The 2011-2013 Blue Water Rally would have been the company's ninth global cruise via the Trade Winds route. This route takes in the northern sector of the Indian Ocean into the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden.

BWR's decision was taken before the killing of the four kidnapped American yachtsmen at the hands of pirates.

The yachtsmen, skipper Scott Adam, 68, and his wife Jean, from California and their crew Phyllis Mackay, 59, and Bob Riggle, 67, of Seattle were sailing Quest, a 58ft Davidson a pilot house double-headsail cutter, as part of the current BWR round -the-world rally.

But they dropped out of the rally at the crucial moment: just as it was about to cross the Indian Ocean. Adam, described as ‘very independent' may have become frustrated travelling in convoy, but whatever the reason it was a fateful decision.

The first alert that the Quest might not be alone came from a helicopter flying from a Danish warship which spotted the yacht towing a skiff. This meant only one thing: that pirates had boarded.

Three US warships - the guided missile cruiser USS Sterett, guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley and a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise deployed in the area - then steamed towards the yacht.

Negotiations were taking place between the military and the pirates when gunshots were heard. It seems a row had broken out between the pirates: one theory being examined is that the gunmen were from different warlord clans - there were an incredible 19 pirates on the yacht - and that a ‘surf war' - as opposed to a turf war - had broken out and two pirates were killed in a rival shoot-out.

Whatever the truth, the stand-off then escalated into a boarding by US Navy Seals who shot one and stabbed another pirate to death. They then made the grim discovery that all four yachtsmen had been attacked. Two were already dead and two more died later.
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Jennifer Aniston Debuts New Haircut in Spain

Jennifer Aniston Debuts New Haircut in Spain: "Jennifer Aniston welcomed her 42nd year with a new hair style. The actress, who celebrated her birthday on February 11, has shown off her new lock when attending a photo call for her film 'Just Go with It' in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday, February 22.

She chopped her signature long-layered hair into a shorter, chin-length bob. Debuting the new look, the ex-wife of Brad Pitt donned an outfit consisting of a clingy black Theory tank top, Celine pants, Fred Leighton jewels and Pierre Hardy shoes which made her look more energetic."

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Carlos Slim: At home with the world's richest man

Carlos Slim: At home with the world's richest man You have to be brave to take on the traffic in Mexico City. But the world’s richest man, at the wheel of his car, certainly relishes a challenge. With a convoy of bodyguards following closely behind in blacked-out 4x4s, his navy Mercedes darts across the lanes.
“Would you like me to scare you?” he says with a twinkle in his eye, accelerating suddenly and laughing at my braced position as we jostle through the congested streets.
This is not what I had expected when I was granted a rare interview with Carlos Slim Helú.
But Mr Slim is no ordinary multi-billionaire. His 42-year-old son Marco Antonio – “Tony” – sitting in the back of the car, laughs when I ask if his father normally drives himself around. “Always,” he replies.
Despite his $53.5 billion (£32.9 billion) fortune, the 71-year-old lives in a modest six-bedroom house a mile from his office, and has no interest in flashy super-yachts or palatial houses around the world."

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NEW gangster film about the Costa del Crime is being recorded.

 NEW gangster film about the Costa del Crime is being recorded. In May, starts filming Shill in Marbella. The screenplay was written by Paul Grimshaw who for 20 years worked as an estate agent in Marbella and Estepona.

For many British citizens, the Costa del Sol is synonymous with gangsters and a refuge for fugitives Britons. Very often we read about how the police managed to arrest wanted persons from Great Britain. Recently, it was about Christopher Karnihan, a criminal Irishman who was arrested in Estepona.

Now the film industry reflect the Costa del Crime. Previously, the movie Sexy Beast with Ben Kingsley in the game. Although it was recorded in Cadiz would show life in Marbella.

Paul Grimshaw is behind the script for next film says that the film is based on his own experience of having worked on the Costa del Sol for 20 years.

Over the years it has shot several films about the criminal Costa del Sol. In the 1980s, was the movie The Business, which was filmed in Málaga, directed by Nick Love. The comedy 'Oh Marbella' and 'La de la costa history más caliente' are other films that have had the Costa del Sol and the Costa del Crime by themes."

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Marilyn Monroe's dresses on show in Granada

Marilyn Monroe's dresses on show in Granada: "Marilyn Monroe is more alive than ever in Granada thanks to the Retroback International Classic Film Festival which opened on Friday and which continues until April 3.

Along with all the films being shown, two parallel exhibitions show 30 dresses, photographs and 83 other personal objects from Marilyn the legend. The dresses on show were used from the films ‘Gentlemen prefer blonds’, ‘The Seven Year Itch’, ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’ and ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’ and
Retroback poster

include the famous billowing white dress from the street scene with the up-draught.

The exhibitions can be found in the Caja Granada Centro Cultural and the Sala Zaida in the Caja Rural."

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Suspect linked to East End gangster

The Press Association: Suspect linked to East End gangster: "Police want to trace the grandson of one of Britain's most notorious East End gangsters over a drug-smuggling conspiracy.
Anthony Fraser, grandson of former gangland enforcer 'mad' Frankie Fraser, is believed to be hiding on the Costa del Sol in Spain.
The 39-year-old Londoner is wanted over the importation of two tonnes of cannabis, hidden in a lorryload of frozen chicken, from Holland in 2009.
He is one of 10 suspected villains whose faces will be unveiled by Crimestoppers on Monday in Alicante, Spain.
Investigators want the public to help them trace fugitives thought to be on the run in the Costa del Sol region of the country.
Among those on the latest 'most wanted' list are men suspected of murder, child sex offences, kidnapping, robbery and drug smuggling.
Anthony Fraser went on the run after several people were arrested at a storage unit in Grays, Essex, as cannabis worth £5 million was uncovered in March 2009.
Five people were subsequently convicted of drugs offences and jailed for between six and seven years at Southwark Crown Court. A second suspect, Neil Mulligan, 39, is awaiting trial in Britain after he was arrested in Spain last December."

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Morocco Holidays Thrown into Doubt by Protests

Morocco Holidays Thrown into Doubt by Protests: "The unease has thrown holidays to the whole region in doubt with some of the world’s most popular tourism spots affected. First it was the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia, then Cairo, Egypt’s capital and gateway to the Pyramids of Giza.

Over the weekend a number of largely peaceful protests took place but similar protests in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya quickly turned violent.

While the Tunisians and the Egyptians were successful in forcing out their leaders, the Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi shows no signs of giving up just yet and has been willing to massacre his own people.

Most of the protestors are confined to the Moroccan capital of Rabat although there are also a number of protests in Casablanca, that romantic North African city made famous by the movie of the same name. Around ten thousand Rabat protestors marched through the streets chanting ‘down with autocracy’.

There are also thought to be smaller protests taking place in popular tourist destinations such as Tangiers, Fez and Marrakech with a few violent clashes with police having been reported. Tour operators are currently monitoring the situation, as should car hire Morocco customers.

But commentators do not believe that Morocco will witness a major uprising on the scale of what happened in Egypt."

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Unspoilt Spanish beauty in Tarifa

Unspoilt Spanish beauty in Tarifa - The National: "Tarifa dangles like a tiny pendant from the southernmost tip of the Spanish coast. It's almost an island, hanging on to Spain by a thin thread of land. Crossing the Gibraltar Strait from Morocco, the final tip of Europe emerges, leaving African territory behind as the ferry ploughs between two continents. Tarifa holds Europe above her head while North Africa is so close that from Tarifa's port, I can still see Morocco's Rif mountains drawing a jagged skyline only 14 kilometres away.

Tarifa is Spanish territory, yet the town bears traces of Arab civilisations that left indelible footprints on Iberia, centuries ago. The Muslim victory over Andalusia, which continued for centuries, began in 710 CE in this tiny town, 100 kilometres from Cadiz and 200 from Seville.

Tarif Ibn Malik gave the town its name. This powerful Berber warrior led the initial invasion under the notorious Muslim conqueror of North Africa, Musa Ibn Noussair, taking much the same route as I am now, across the Gibraltar Strait, the circumstances being admittedly rather different. Many towns still bear names of Arabic origin in Andalusia. Yet it was this pinhead-sized town of Tarifa, welcoming travellers into Southern Spain, that first saw some 400 men and 100 horses embark from Maghreb before pushing through the region to take Cordoba, Granada and Seville."

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To celebrate the firm's 125th anniversary, Triumph International will break new ground

"To celebrate the firm's 125th anniversary, Triumph International will break new ground on Tuesday by becoming the first lingerie brand to hold a catwalk show at one of the most prestigious events in the fashion calendar.

Shape-seekers will be captivated by the four new ranges from the highly innovative AW11 Shape Sensation collection.

Conceived and designed as a new lingerie concept for everyday wear, Shape Sensation is the sensational solution for flawless, fashionable shaping — a real curve creator.

Hero pieces from the range, uniquely customised by Felder + Felder, will also be hitting the runway.

Triumph has dedicated its 125 years of expertise in understanding women's curves to create new levels of everyday shapewear sophistication by combining innovative fabric technology with contemporary fashion styling."

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Elle News | London Fashion Week Starts | Elleuk.com

Elle News | London Fashion Week Starts Tomorrow! | Elleuk.com: "The New York shows wrap up today which can mean only one thing - London Fashion Week begins tomorrow.

Over the next five days we will be hitting all the shows and presentations, writing reviews, uploading pictures, going to as many parties as we can manage and surviving on no sleep, lots of adrenaline and even more coffee. We can't wait. In the midst of all the last minute preparations and wardrobe anxiety we thought we'd share with you the things that we're looking forward to the most:

Carrie Gorman, Editor:

I can’t wait to see Anna Della Russo’s fashion week outfits. She’s filming a documentary this season which surely means stepping up the already Kerazee looks.

There’s always a frisson of excitement before the Kane show. If last season was neon Princess Margaret and the one before was embroidered leather, I think maybe Miami Tramp this time? Whatever, we’ll all be wearing it come September.

And I always look forward to catching up with my bi-annual show friends."

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Cheryl Cole doesn't send Rolls Royce for Derek Hough as he jets into London

Cheryl Cole doesn't send Rolls Royce for Derek Hough as he jets into London | Mail Online: "With news that Cheryl Cole will be taking her place on the judging panel of US X Factor, her long distance are-they-or-aren't-they relationship with Derek Hough will get a whole lot closer.

Until she makes the move Stateside though, the rumoured couple have to make do with jetting back and forth to spend time together.

Hough arrived in London today and was whisked straight to Cheryl's north London home - but instead of sending her Rolls Royce to fetch Derek in style, the dancer was forced to hail a black cab just like everyone else."

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start of the Marbella Classic Poker series 2011

 "start of the Marbella Classic Poker series 2011. There is a change in the structure to a two day event instead of the previous 3 days it ran over in the past. This I feel is a good move on the part of the Marbella Casino, as we demonstrated at last year’s Marbella Mob Open, a two day event with a good structure and earlier starting times is a far more attractive game for the seasoned poker player than a 3 day slog.

The cost of the buy-in remains the same at €350 for which you get a starting stack of 10,000 chips. You also have the option to take a re-buy for another €350 for the same number of chips.

So depending on whether you get off to a flying start or not, may influence your option, but the unlucky players who suffer bad beats and get their Aces cracked in the first few levels, can still come back in to fight again, but at a cost of course.

Starting time with cards in the air on Saturday is now 4.30pm and doors to the casino open at 4pm.

You could take a shot at winning a seat into the weekend’s tournament on Thursday night."

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Marbella restaurant to auction €4,200 bottle wine for charity | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain

Euro Weekly News | Marbella restaurant to auction €4,200 bottle wine for charity | Costa del Sol | News | The Largest English Language Newspapers in Spain: "SANDRO MORELLI, owner of Marbella’s Villa Tiberio is to raffle one of the rarest bottles in his cellar at a starting price of €4,200 in aid of Cudeca. The 1973 Romanée-Conti Grand Cru will be auctioned during a charity gala to be held at his restaurant on Sunday, March 6.

Decanter considers that “Among the 100 wines which it is necessary to taste before dying, three of the ten first would come from the Domaine of Romanée Conti.”"

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Lawyer Giovanni di Stefano held in Spain

 Lawyer Giovanni di Stefano held in Spain: "An Italian lawyer dubbed the 'devil's advocate' for representing a variety of high-profile criminals has been arrested in Spain on a British warrant.

Giovanni di Stefano, 55, was held in a mansion in Palma, on the island of Majorca, on Monday evening.

Mr Stefano has represented train robber Ronnie Biggs and advised the team that defended Saddam Hussein.

He is wanted by detectives at City of London police in connection with a lengthy fraud inquiry.

A City of London Police spokesman said: '[The arrest] was the result of a European Arrest Warrant issued at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on 31 January on matters relating to fraud, theft and money laundering."

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The Birthday of the Infanta at the Unicorn Theatre

Destination News - London, Florida, Geneva & South Africa Luxury Hotels - Red Carnation Hotels: The Birthday of the Infanta"The Infanta does not get many opportunities to play with other children but families enjoying a stay at the luxury London hotel the Rubens at the Palace are invited to her 12th birthday celebrations at the Unicorn Theatre in March.

This is the one time of year when she is allowed to have other children come to her home and run and play like kids do, however, all is not as straightforward as it seems when it comes to the young Spanish princess.

Having a royal bloodline brings its own pressures, especially for kids, and the Infanta faces a stark choice for someone of such tender years.

Her parents pull out all of the stops for her birthday party, with no expense spared.

The final act is a small, deformed boy who while being a figure of ridicule to others, has a profound effect on the young princess and she on him.

Their meeting changes both their lives and they find themselves in a transitional moment when the heart could melt or freeze."

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Bvlgari Signs Hotel in Knightsbridge, London

Bvlgari Signs Hotel in Knightsbridge, London: "Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts has signed a new hotel in London.

The luxury hotel, scheduled to open in spring 2012, is located in Knightsbridge, a prestigious area of Central London close to Hyde Park.

It is the third hotel project of Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, following the opening of the Bvlgari Hotel in Milan in 2004 and of the Bvlgari Resort in Bali in 2006.

The Bvlgari Hotel in London was designed for Bvlgari by the renowned architectural firm Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel & Partners, with Squire and Partners as the local architect for the project.

The hotel, with its 85 rooms and suites - including seven Bvlgari suites, each more than 200 square meters large - will offer a unique combination of refined amenities and exclusive services."

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The Return of PartyGaming

Gambling Online Magazine | News | The Return of PartyGaming: "With the recent revelation that Florida is planning to legalise online poker, and many other states considering taking advantage of the massive financial benefits of legalising online poker, it seems that some online gaming firms are way ahead of the curve.

Partygaming has reportedly signed a deal with at least one of the behemoths of US casinos to provide an online poker platform for the US market when it is regulated.

According to the Daily Mail, it has been alleged that Gibraltar-based Partygaming, has signed a deal with one or more of the major US casinos – Boyd Gaming, MGM, Las Vegas Sands and Caesars.

Ahead of the curve they are, as not only are they about to become the biggest firm in the industry after their merge with Austrian firm Bwin, this deal would give it a strong foothold in the US market when, and more importantly, if, online poker and gambling are legalised by the US government.

Many European gaming companies left the US after they were effectively outlawed in 2006, after the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act."

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Charlie Mullins, star of Channel 4's Secret Millionaire, has bought a £1 million villa in Marbella

Charlie Mullins, star of Channel 4's Secret Millionaire, has bought a £1 million villa in Marbella, Spain, for his four children and seven grandchildren.

The founder of Pimlico Plumbers, whose customers include Hugh Grant, already owns the four-bedroom house next door in the gated complex.

Charlie, 56, and wife Lynda, 50, spend half the year at their Spanish home.

'We need a place for them when they come out here,' says Charlie, who also owns a five-bedroom pile in Keston, Kent. "

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Sir Fred Goodwin and Jackie Stewart jet off for a £25k shooting trip

Sir Fred Goodwin and Jackie Stewart jet off for a £25k shooting trip | Mail Online: "His disastrous time in charge of The Royal Bank of Scotland resulted in 20,000 of his staff losing their jobs.

But disgraced banker Sir Fred Goodwin seems to have put all that pain behind him as he was spotted enjoying a £25,000 shooting trip in Spain, hosted by another bank boss.

And he still appears to have his celebrity friends, as he was joined by former Formula One driver Sir Jackie Stewart who the banker hired as a 'brand ambassador' for RBS."

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Baftas 2011: The King's Speech sweeps the board

Baftas 2011: The King's Speech sweeps the board | Film | The Guardian: "a bumbling king and his wretched speech impediment – but the story worked to spectacular effect with The King's Speech last night, triumphing above all others at the Baftas.

The King's Speech was nominated in 14 categories and won in seven, including best film and best British film. An extremely good tally. Not quite a record: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has nine, The Killing Fields eight, but equal to Slumdog Millionaire's seven, two years ago.

But it is the subject matter – 'two men in a room,' said the winning writer David Seidler last night – that makes its global success remarkable. The film tells the story of stuttering George VI, who became king reluctantly because his brother abdicated.

The awards included probably the least surprising film announcement: Colin Firth winning best leading actor, his second consecutive Bafta. Last year it was for a bereaved gay lecturer in A Single Man – this year it was for Bertie, the king who has to make the speech of his life."

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Planet Zydeco to Perform at New London Main Street Fundraiser | Zip06 - Community News from Southeastern Connecticut

Planet Zydeco to Perform at New London Main Street Fundraiser | Zip06 - Community News from Southeastern Connecticut: "Come have a ball at New London Main Street’s Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball on Saturday, February 26 from 6 – 10pm at the New London Elks Lodge at 81 Washington Street. Planet Zydeco - a lively and popular Zydeco band from New England, will perform at the event. This incredible sextet performs all throughout the Northeast. Planet Zydeco captures the essence of traditional rural-style accordion-driven dance music as it is played in clubs and dance halls in southwest Louisiana. Band mates hail from southern Vermont, western Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Their funky syncopated sound includes Rose Sinclair on accordion, Peter Pettengill and Nick Keil on twin electric guitars and harmony vocals, Alan Bradbury on bass, Doug Plavin on drums and Suzanne Wozniak on rubboard. They give nod to both Creole and Cajun tradition with covers such as Keith Frank tunes, the Ardoin Brothers, Geno Delafose and then toss in a “Jolie Blonde” and a Dewey Balfa song. Their album is recorded all live in the studio and their tunes are sure to keep folks moving on the dance floor! In addition to performing, they will conduct a free Zydeco beginner’s dance class for all those interested in learning the traditional dance. Bring your friends – no partner necessary!"

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Jordan`s life turned into Shakespeare-style drama

Jordan`s life turned into Shakespeare-style drama: "Jordan's stormy life is all set to be portrayed on stage in form a Shakespeare-style drama.

'Latter-day' writer Chris Hannan has written 'The God of Soho', inspired by Kate's marriage and divorce from Peter Andre.

It will be staged at the famous Globe Theatre in London. And the audience will be able to jeer, boo, hiss, cheer and even throw rotten fruit at the actors.

'We're all drawn to fame and magnetised by it,' the Daily Star quoted Hannan as saying."

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Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1 - Reviews, Food & Drink - The Independent

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1 - Reviews, Food & Drink - The Independent: "There's a slim chance that a couple of people reading this may have missed the hoo-ha surrounding the opening of Heston Blumenthal's new restaurant, Dinner, at the beginning of last week. Booking lines were swamped, tables booked up until some time in the next millennium, journalists stole in for sneak previews before the official launch, and overnight reviews were splashed by several newspapers– including this one.

So, like a weary battlefield messenger staggering back to base from the front line, only to find that someone has already phoned ahead with all the news, I will assume you already know the basics. That Heston Blumenthal, Britain's most brilliant and experimental chef, held out for years against opening in London, before agreeing to take over the prime space formerly occupied by Foliage in Knightsbridge's Mandarin Oriental Hotel. And that Dinner, only Blumenthal's second restaurant proper, is very much not The Fat Duck 2.0. The cutting-edge scientific techniques and madcap playfulness which characterise both his cooking style and his TV work have been set aside, in favour of a scholarly drilling down into British food tradition."

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Elizabeth Taylor treated in hospital for heart failure

BBC News - Elizabeth Taylor treated in hospital for heart failure: "Actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor has been admitted to a Los Angeles hospital to treat symptoms of congestive heart failure, her spokesperson said.

The 78-year-old was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for the 'ongoing health problem', spokesperson Sally Morrison said.

It is not clear how long she will be in hospital, Ms Morrison added.

Dame Elizabeth has a long history of medical problems and underwent heart surgery in 2009.

'Her family and close friends are appreciative of the warm support and interest of her loyal fans but have asked that people respect her privacy and allow her medical team the time and space to focus on restoring her back to health,' a statement issued on Friday said."

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Kate Moss forgets all about Topshop with latest range of Longchamp handbags | Mail Online

Kate Moss forgets all about Topshop with latest range of Longchamp handbags | Mail Online: "Philip Green must be kicking himself.

The Topshop owner who replaced his most famous designer, Kate Moss, with his daughter, Chloe, will be rueing his decision when he sees the supermodel's latest shoot for Longchamp.

The Seventies-style photos were taken by Alasdair McLellan in Morocco and mark Kate's eighth season as the face of the French luxury bag company."

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'Epic' romance on award shortlist

The Press Association: 'Epic' romance on award shortlist: "A former rough sleeper on the streets of London is in line for a prestigious literary prize for romantic novelists.
Tom Gamble is the only man on the shortlist for the Romantic Novelists Association Novel of the Year Award for his fiction debut set in 1930s Morocco.
He said: 'I'm thrilled and honoured to be included on this shortlist.
'I've always wanted to be a writer and this turn of events is a dream come true. And to be the only man on the shortlist is even more exciting.'
Gamble, who now lives in France, said the period he spent living on the streets in London ended when he met an American girl who put him 'back on the road to recovery'.
Publisher Simon Petherick said Gamble's novel, called Amazir, was an 'epic'.
He said: 'We're so thrilled that Tom has been shortlisted for this fantastic award. It's rightly deserved.'
The other shortlisted writers for the award are Elizabeth Chadwick; Jojo Moyes; Rebecca Dean; Kate Furnivall and Sarah Duncan.
More than 200 books were submitted with the shortlist being chosen by readers.
Three judges, including Foyle's War actor Jay Benedict, will choose the winner which will be announced on March 7."

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Rolls-Royce celebrates the Flying Lady's birthday with London procession - Autoblog UK

Rolls-Royce celebrates the Flying Lady's birthday with London procession - Autoblog UK: "Many automotive anniversaries pass unnoticed, or at best get a press release and a series of pictures to mark the occasion.

But Rolls-Royce is different. This weekend saw a procession of 100 cars paraded through central London, and all in honour of the little mascot that sits proudly on the bonnet of its luxury cars.

The figurine, of a lady leaning forwards with her cloak billowing out behind her, was created by Charles Sykes in 1911.

The Spirit of Ecstacy, as the figure is called, was supposedly modelled on Eleanor Thornton, the secretary and mistress of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu."

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Thin Lizzy Star Gary Moore Dies on holiday on the Costa Del Sol

Thin Lizzy Star Gary Moore Dies | Gigwise: "Gary Moore, the rock guitarist who performed with Thin Lizzy, has died at the age of 58.

Moore died on holiday in the Costa Del Sol, Spain in the early hours of Sunday morning (February 6).

A statement on his website said: 'It is with deep sorrow and regret, that we have to announce that Gary Moore passed away while on holiday in Spain last night.

'Our thoughts are with his children, family and friends at this sad time.'"

 Celebrated rock guitarist and former Thin Lizzy star Gary Moore was found dead in a Spanish hotel room, the band's manager confirmed.

Moore, 58, started out in Irish band Skid Row before being drafted into Thin Lizzy by frontman Phil Lynott to replace the outgoing Eric Bell.

"I still can't believe it," Bell told the BBC. "He was so robust, he wasn't a rock casualty, he was a healthy guy.

"He was a superb player and a dedicated musician."

Belfast-born Moore started learning the guitar at eight and went on to forge a successful solo career between his two stints in Thin Lizzy, collaborating with George Harrison, the Beach Boys and Ozzy Osbourne.

Original Lizzy founding member Brian Downey paid tribute to his bandmate.

"I am in total shock," he said. "He will always be in my thoughts and prayers and I just can't believe he is gone."

Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham added his own respects.

"Playing with Gary during the Black Rose era was a great experience, he was a great player and a great guy," he said. "I will miss him."

Moore received critical praise for his contribution to the 1974 Thin Lizzy album, Nightlife, and scored chart success in Britain with singles, Parisienne Walkways and Out In The Fields.

Legendary singer Lynott died in 1986 after battling alcohol and drug addiction.

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Win London Fashion Weekend tickets! | heatworld.com

Win London Fashion Weekend tickets! | heatworld.com: "Fashionistas will have had the date in their diaries for months but if you haven’t managed to get your hands on tickets yet we’ve a pair of front row tickets to the style extravaganza that is London Fashion Weekend up for grabs.

As well as feeling like Anna Wintour in your front row seat there’s also over 100 different shopping stalls all offering discounts of up to a staggering 70% and whether you’re a designer addict or a high street girl there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets.

And when you’re exhausted of shopping there’s hair and beauty makeovers and treatments to enjoy too.

To be in with a chance of winning follow the link to the Vodafone VIP club"

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Central Park Hotel London Is the Ultimate Place for Luxury and Comfort - Travel - Hotels and Lodging

Central Park Hotel London Is the Ultimate Place for Luxury and Comfort - Travel - Hotels and Lodging: "If you are planning a visit in London then choose to stay at the Central Park Hotel London. It is located in Bayswater and is very near the stations Queensbay and Bayswater. You can easily reach the hotel and hence you will have no problem. It is very well connected. It will take only a few minutes for you to walk from the station to the hotel.
Central Park Hotel is very close to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park and is situated in Bayswater. It is also very close to the underground stations at Bayswater and Queensbay. The facilities that are available at this hotel are surely going to satisfy you. You need to check in the hotel by three in the afternoon and you can check out by 12 pm. You should make your reservations ahead of time by calling them or making your bookings online. If you book early, you may be able to avail discounts and offers.
The rooms at the Central Park Hotel London are well designed and furnished with light coloured furniture that blends well with décor of the room. All the rooms at this hotel are non-smoking. The rooms are available with attached bath and are well lit and spacious"

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Luxury homes ‘like London gold’

Luxury homes ‘like London gold’ | Irish Examiner: "The latest data shows how the number of sales of central London homes costing more than €5.8m follows a similar pattern as the three-month percentage change in gold prices."

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Avatar director tops Vanity Fair Hollywood rich list

BBC - Newsbeat - Avatar director tops Vanity Fair Hollywood rich list: "Avatar director James Cameron has topped a Hollywood rich list for 2010.

Actor Johnny Depp came in second place, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Sandler and Robert Downey, Jr. also making the top 10 in the annual Vanity Fair magazine rich list.

The highest ranked woman was Twilight star Kristen Stewart, who was in 13th place, with Marley & Me actress Jennifer Aniston in 18th.

James Cameron made an estimated $257m (£159m) in 2010 according to the list.

Second placed Depp made $100m (£73.3m), earning his cash for roles in The Tourist, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Alice In Wonderland.

Kristen Stewart's Twilight co-stars also make it into the top 20 with Taylor Lautner at number nine and British actor Robert Pattinson in 15th place."

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Top End Of The Property Market Performing Well In Morocco

Top End Of The Property Market Performing Well In Morocco: "Property buyers in Morocco are looking at prime sites located just on the outskirts of Marrakesh, it has been claimed.

According to Philip Arnott, of Morocco Properties, the strongest growth in the country's real estate sector is within the top end of the market.

This in turn has fuelled the number of major developments which are taking place on the outskirts of the city, Mr Arnott told Overseas Property Professional.

'We are finding that the middle market, in which people were looking for a second home or a small riad has gone very flat since the financial crisis,' he said.

'Our clients are looking at properties in the €2.3 million to €4.6 million bracket, particularly those which are further out in places like the Palmeraie.'"

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Freshinfo | News | All set for dinner and celebration of Morocco

Freshinfo | News | All set for dinner and celebration of Morocco: "I am delighted that we have a capacity crowd attending our 65th Annual Dinner at the Savoy, with Morocco as the guest nation. We have a great evening planned with a troupe of musicians flying in from Rabat to add a truly authentic dimension to the evening – add to this outstanding floral/produce displays by the talented Sophie Hanna of New Covent Garden Market, and a five course menu especially designed by Savoy chefs with a subtle Moroccan influence, and we have the makings of a spectacular evening. I look forward to seeing so many of you at this event and we are privileged to host HH Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, Ambassador of the King of Morocco to the Court of St James as our guest of honour, along with members of Maroc Export and friends from key exporting companies such as Delassus and Geda. The evening will be a true celebration of our trading relations, showcasing the culture and vibrancy of this great nation."

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