| In depth: Beware the skimmers
Dubai: Banks in the UAE have undertaken strict security measures ever since fraudsters stole millions of dirhams from ATMs here in 2003. But no system is foolproof and there is a constant battle between financial institutions and thieves to gain the upper hand. We speak to security and banking expertise to see what measures they are undertaking to safeguard your money and future The latest attempt to hack an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at a bank branch and steal customer data is a reminder of how vulnerable bank customers are to these attempts. Although the bank was quick to detect the attempt and managed to minimise the damage, one cannot remain aloof, especially when it involves one's money, savings and future. A group of Malaysian fraudsters stole a few million dirhams from some banks in the UAE in 2003, prompting banks and customers to take extra precautions.
Trump tower tenants sue over deal changes
More condo buyers in the new Trump tower are griping about promises the flamboyant developer allegedly has failed to keep, according to lawsuits.
Four buyers of hotel-condo units in the still-under-construction Chicago skyscraper developed by Donald Trump charge in one suit that just before closing on their properties the developer took away their ownership stake in the meeting rooms and other common areas of the hotel and reneged on contract terms related to usage of their units. At the end of January, a Cook County judge granted their request to postpone their closings.
They are not the only ones unhappy with the Trump project. At least two other would-be condo purchasers, including former Chicago Sun-Times Publisher F. David Radler, have sued the Trump-related entity developing the 92-story hotel and residential tower claiming it rescinded on pre-construction deals.
Minister dismisses more tax power for Holyrood
The Scotland Office minister yesterday said there is no case for giving Holyrood major new tax powers, putting him on a collision course with Labour colleagues north of the border. In an exclusive interview with The Herald, David Cairns made it clear Labour had to "reclaim" devolution from Alex Salmond and an ascendant SNP. Yet he brushed aside talk of substantial new powers for Holyrood as an inward-looking "McChattering classes" issue, saying Labour should be concentrating on how best to deliver core services and on creating a superior vision for Scotland's future to those of the Nationalists, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. His intervention will ruffle feathers north of the border, particularly those of Wendy Alexander, the party's beleaguered leader in Scotland, who is a driving force behind the Scottish Constitutional Commission, which brings together the three major unionist parties.
Hillary Clinton hails victory as Barack Obama cries spin
Mr Obama's campaign cried foul, insisting that Mrs Clinton was trying to capitalise on an illegitimate election. John Kerry, the Democrats' 2004 presidential nominee who has endorsed Mr Obama, told reporters in a conference call that Mrs Clinton was using "spin" to profit from a bogus ballot. Meanwhile, Mrs Clinton sought to further barge Mr Obama out of the limelight with the endorsement of an influential black congresswoman in California, the biggest prize on offer in next Tuesday's nationwide contests and a state where she enjoys a double-digit lead over her rival. She also has a similar poll advantage in two other delegate-rich states, New York and New Jersey. The strength of Mrs Clinton in California, where fully a fifth of the delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination will be elected next week, was reinforced by the endorsement of Maxine Waters - a veteran African American congresswoman from Los Angeles and an influential member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
China's market for financial data worth more than $100-million
However, this latest dispute is largely a fight for money. The Chinese market for financial information was estimated to be worth more than $100-million in 2006, and has continued to grow since then. James McGregor, a former chief executive officer of Dow Jones's businesses in China, said Xinhua "began to lust" over the obvious profits in the financial news and data business in the 1990s, which led to its power grab in 1996. But even China's banks did not want Xinhua to dominate the information supply, Mr. McGregor recalled in a book published in 2005. "China's banks and commodity trading firms didn't want Xinhua in the middle of their information flow," he wrote in the book, One Billion Customers. "They figured that Xinhua's censors would slow news delivery and kill controversial stories that China found distasteful but nonetheless moved financial markets where Chinese traders had positions to defend." .
Holiday Lights: Use Them Wisely
In the good old days, you plunked down your money, hauled home 50 or 60 strands of big-bulb lights, and encrusted the house pretty much at random. Now, you need an engineering degree just to pick the right lighting scheme. It can get ugly if you don't know your products. It seems like every year there's a new "hot" lighting product that no self-respecting decorator can be without. I blame Tim Allen. This didn't happen before his sitcom's hilarious episodes centered on the coating of his house with enough lights to blind any passing alien saucers. Rest easy, gentle reader. I'm here to take you by the hand and lead you through the horror that can be the lighting aisle at your local supermegahugemart. Let's take a look at the major categories, and what they're good for.
EU to remove cost disparities in cross-border payments
Despite the introduction of the European common currency in 1999, cross-border payments have remained more expensive than equivalent domestic transactions. Tofill this gap, the European Commission in 2001adopted an immediately bindingregulation that eliminated cost unbalances for payment card transactions, withdrawals from cash machines and credit transfers. The result is that the same bank cannot apply higher fees if these operations are carried out by a customer in another EU member state. At the same time, EU institutions are moving towards harmonisation of payment rules across the European Union. In 2007 thePayment Services Directive was adopted with a view to entering into force by the end of 2009. Since January 2008, the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA)hasbeen in operation.
Fallout for Sabres, Wild, Sens; Also: the best trades
Simon is a complex character, but also the kind of player and person you root for in that you hope he can solve his issues because he is genuinely liked by teammates and has a caring for and commitment to them. But his last two over- the-top actions had him cross-checking Ryan Hollweg in the face with a two-handed swing that A Rod would be proud to call his own and then skate-stomping Jarkko Ruutu in an act that could have earned him a role in Sweeny Todd, the Butcher of Fleet Street. Simon says he's ready to move past all that. Commissioner Gary Bettman has stated that he'll be watching with interest. How much interest is debatable as Bettman has never permanently barred a player from the game -- not even Bryan Marchment. who racked up 13 suspensions in a career best known for knee on knee hits.
Suspicion runs deep about Anderson council member’s use of public ...
ANDERSON COUNTY Anderson County is changing how it handles condemnation settlements based on the county administrator's belief that a County Council member interfered with right-of-way negotiations for the Beaverdam Creek sewer line. The three-phase Beaverdam Creek sewer line runs from Interstate 85 and S.C. 81 to Long Road, then follows Big Beaverdam Creek to the city of Anderson's Rocky River Wastewater Treatment Plant off White Street. Thirty-seven properties were affected by the construction, which was approved in 1998. Twenty-one landowners donated or gave the county rights of way for the sewer line. Sixteen properties were condemned, and the owners settled out of court. Only one went to trial. Six of the 16 condemned properties belonged to relatives of Anderson County Council member Cindy Wilson.
Alexander tycoon up for honour
Weird indeed that one of the most famous film stars in the world, who set up an educational charity in Scotland, should get a knighthood. Sean Connery has of course done less for Scotland than Mr P Green, Address listed as Jersey (or so his address is listed on Wendy Alexander's computer..... not that she knew about it of course....) A fiddle, not a muddle? .
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