A Paris court on Tuesday approved a drastic plan for the struggling fashion house Christian Lacroix to cut nearly all its staff and shut down its main clothes designing activities. The Paris bankruptcy court approved the plan, which will end production of the classic label’s haute couture
Archive for December, 2009
Swiss minaret ban draws worldwide criticism
December 1st, 2009 |
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World opinion condemned Switzerland Monday for approving a ban on the building of minarets , with neighbouring governments attacking what they called a demonstration of fear-driven prejudice. “It’s an expression of quite a bit of prejudice and maybe even fear,” said Swedish Foreign Minister
Obama orders Afghan strategy into force
December 1st, 2009 |
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President Barack Obama has given fateful orders likely to send thousands more troops to Afghanistan in a political gamble meant to forge an eventual US exit from a costly and gruelling war. “The commander in chief has issued the orders,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday, as
India stops work on road after China objects
December 1st, 2009 |
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Authorities in Indian Kashmir have stopped work on a mountainous road near the border with China after objections from the Chinese army, an official said, underlining a festering row over the border. The 8 km (5 miles) road was being built in the remote Demchok area of Buddhist-dominated
South Korea knocks down rumour North leader dead
December 1st, 2009 |
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South Korea’s Unification Ministry dismissed rumours on Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had been attacked and killed, which prompted financial markets to slide briefly in what one analyst said was a reflection of fragile sentiment. “That’s the first I’ve heard of this,” ministry
Five Britons held in Iran after yacht seized in Gulf
December 1st, 2009 |
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Five British sailors are being detained in Iran after Tehran’s navy seized their yacht when it apparently strayed into Iranian waters, deepening tensions Tuesday between the two nations. The five were sailing to the start of a race in Dubai when their yacht was stopped on November 25 in the
Scion of powerful clan charged with murder in Philippine massacre
December 1st, 2009 |
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Philippine prosecutors have filed murder charges against the heir of a powerful clan for the massacre of 57 people, including journalists and the family and supporters of an election candidate. Prosecutor Al Calica said Tuesday they have least 10 witnesses who will testify they saw Andal
Ben Kingsley woos Bollywood star for ‘Taj’ dream
December 1st, 2009 |
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British actor Ben Kingsley, whose portrayal of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi in 1982 won him an Oscar, has his sights set on another Indian story — and a Bollywood heroine. Kingsley is trying to raise finances to make a film titled “Taj” about Shah Jahan, the Mogul emperor and
Robert Reich: “Shame Won’t Work. Only Political Muscle and Courage Will”
December 1st, 2009 |
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Obama is planning to “shame” the big banks who are not agreeing to modify mortgages.This is a repeat of Bernanke’s play book … scold the giant banks for failing to lend, but then give them a pat on the back and a wink.As Robert Reich points out:Shame…
Europe’s No1 tees up for capital challenge
December 1st, 2009 |
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Hot on the heels of his success at the Dubai World Championship, Lee Westwood returns to the UAE for next month’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship determined to start his 2010 season in the same vein of form in which he closed 2009. The Englishman ended the year as Europe’s No1, having seen off the
Imam urges calm after a decision to ban minarets in Switzerland
December 1st, 2009 |
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The imam at Switzerland’s biggest mosque yesterday urged the Islamic world to respect a decision to ban minarets in the country, saying any backlash would harm the Muslim community. “The message is one of calm. It will not help to abandon trade or ties with Switzerland,” said Youssef Ibram, imam
Classic display from Barca boy
December 1st, 2009 |
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Lionel Messi is poised to collect the Ballon D’Or today and the Argentine showed why with a fine display to help Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1-0 in El Clasico at the Nou Camp on Sunday. Substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the winning goal, but Messi stole the show with his mazy runs, clever
World win nets Russian a share of fame game
December 1st, 2009 |
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Nikolay Davydenko insists he is happy to go under the radar after the Russian defeated all four Grand Slam champions to win the World Tour Finals crown on Sunday. The 28-year-old defeated Juan Martin del Potro to clinch the title at the O2 Arena in London and, when asked afterwards if he’d been
India have top spot in sights
December 1st, 2009 |
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India will reach the top of the ICC Test rankings for the first time if they win the final Test against Sri Lanka, which starts tomorrow. The hosts lead the series 1-0 after thumping their opponents by an innings and 144 runs in last week’s second Test in Kanpur and have been given an added