Money manager arrested over alleged threats to US regulatory officials

What is the matter with some people?

The FBI has arrested the head of an asset management firm for allegedly threatening 47 government officials with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

Officials said Vincent McCrudden posted a $100,000 reward on a website for information that proved these officials had been "punished." Federal prosecutors also said he sent numerous emails threatening individual workers.

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Berlusconi may face trial for sex with underage prostitute

If it was anyone else besides the richest man in Italy, this would be very serious. In his case, even with his recent loss in court it would be surprising to see him prosecuted for this alleged crime. Either way, considering his past does this really come as a surprise? Somehow the political class in many western democracies (including the US) almost always walk away from crimes that would mean a prison sentence to others. Just ask Bush or anyone in his administration.

Silvio Berlusconi was tonight facing the potentially devastating possibility that he might be put on trial as an alleged sex offender.

The chief prosecutor in his home city of Milan said the Italian prime minister had been formally placed under investigation on suspicion of having sex with an underage prostitute. He was also accused of abusing his position to pressure the police.

The offences carry sentences totalling up to 15 years in jail. Berlusconi had not been charged, but had been invited to present himself for questioning, according to the prosecutor's statement.

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Two bull sharks spotted 30 km inland following Aussie floods

When I was diving in Africa, great white sharks made people nervous, but bull sharks terrified people. In southern Africa they are known as Zambezi sharks because they are often reported miles inland on the Zambezi River along with crocodiles, hippos and other dangerous animals. Yikes.

Butcher Steven Bateman spotted two bull sharks swimming near his Goodna shop yesterday - one of several reports of a sharks in Goodna's main street.

Ipswich local councillor Paul Tully confirmed it was a bizarre but true story out of Queensland's flood disaster.

"It would have swum several kilometres in from the river, across Evan Marginson Park and the motorway,'' Cr Tully told The Queensland Times.

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87% in Congress who received Comcast money will vote in favor of merger with NBC

But remember, corruption is only something that happens in other countries.

Comcast gave money to the vast majority of the 97 members of the US House of Representatives that signed a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging approval of a merger between cable company Comcast and broadcaster NBC Universal, according to research.

The 5 January letter, linked here [pdf] and circulated by nonprofit group Public Knowledge urged the merger be approved quickly and without conditions that could harm investment. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 84 of the 97 received money from Comcast, Public Knowledge said. The amounts range from token contributions of about $1,000 up to $25,100.

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The Pretenders - Message of Love

It's always a bit funny to watch videos from the early 1980s and see how much Japan was part of the discussion. Remember when Japan was going to take over the world? After the bubble burst, not so much.

Following a painfully cold (for Paris) December, January has been very mild. Temperatures have mostly been in the 40s and low 50s which is unusually warm. Winter will surely be returning but in the mean time, we're not complaining and taking advantage of it while it's here. For starters, it means I can ride without too many layers. Read the rest of this post...

Tunisia's president flees to Saudi Arabia following protests

Tunisia didn't have the same level of extreme violence as it's neighbor Algeria and women were generally not subjected to the humiliation of the burka, but Tunisia still suffered from a dictator with little regard for anyone besides himself. He won't be missed.

Ben Ali had taken refuge in Saudi Arabia, at the end of an extraordinary day which had seen the declaration of a state of emergency, the evacuation of tourists of British and other nationalities, and an earthquake for the authoritarian politics of the Middle East and north Africa.

After hours of conflicting reports had him criss-crossing southern Europe by air, the Saudi state news agency confirmed he had arrived in the kingdom together with his family. Earlier, French media reported that Nicolas Sarkozy had refused Ben Ali refuge, although France denied that any request had been received.

In Tunisia, prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announced that he had taken over as interim president, vowing to respect the constitution and restore stability for Tunisia's 10.5 million citizens. "I call on the sons and daughters of Tunisia, of all political and intellectual persuasions, to unite to allow our beloved country to overcome this difficult period and to return to stability," he said in a broadcast.

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