Paris police find $25M in stolen jewels from 2008 heist in sewer

Paris police find $25M in stolen jewels from 2008 heist in sewer: Associated Press, the Toronto star

French investigators have found jewels valued at $25 million hidden in a Paris rain sewer — part of the spectacular 2008 heist from luxury jeweller Harry Winston’s Paris boutique. Nineteen rings and three set of earrings (one pair valued at $19.5 million) were dug up from a drain at a house in the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis. The jewels were hidden in a plastic container set in a cement mould inside the sewer, police said. The house belonged to one of the nine people charged in the heist. The bold Harry Winston robbery on Dec. 5, 2008, netted the thieves — some dressed as women and wearing wigs — gems and bejeweled watches worth up to $118.1 million, police said. More recently, police have set the figure at $85 million.

I think this is crazy that items with such great value could be stolen. I don't see how whoever did this thought they could get away with it. It might take a while to find them, but sooner or later someone was getting caught. I don't see what would possess a person to do this, but i guess 85 million dollars would help. Do you think the others will get caught?

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/950950--paris-police-find-25m-in-stolen-jewels-from-2008-heist-in-sewer

TTC drivers fired for harmless cellphone use, union says

TTC drivers fired for harmless cellphone use, union says: Liem Vu, the toronto star

TTC union president Bob Kinnear is claiming that the Toronto Transit Commission is going to “ridiculous” lengths to stop drivers from using cell phones on the job, including punishment for using cell phones on their break. Kinnear sent a message to all TTC employees Sunday informing them of increasing complaints over a supposed restriction on uniformed workers using cell phones, even when not behind the wheel. He estimates that 40-50 workers are out of a job due to cell phone use. Kinnear’s message warned workers they could be fired for dialling 911, calling their spouse to say they have to work overtime or even to check up on their sick child. Ross denied some of the allegations, saying that employees would not be punished for calling 911 as long as they pulled over the vehicle.

I personally believe that this is ludicrous that bus drivers be fired from talking on the phone, while on break, not even driving the bus! I have read articles about drivers being fired for talking on the phone, while driving passengers, which i understand, but this is totally different. I agree that it is important for bus drivers not to talk while driving, but they can on break. This crazy outbreak on reported drivers is probably due to spoiled snobby city folks, who have probably done the same crime on numerous occasions.

http://www.thestar.com/news/transportation/article/949724--ttc-drivers-fired-for-harmless-cell

GTA home prices remain high despite slower sales

GTA home prices remain high despite slower sales: Tony Wong, the toronto star



Canadian homes are slightly overprised, but this minor correction is not likley to change, says a report by the bank of montreal. Current home sales of this past February in the GTA or greater Toronto area, were down 14 percent from an earlier year. This information was reealesed by the Toronto Real Estate Board on Thursday, March 3rd.

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/948110--gta-home-prices-remain-high-despite-slower-sales

Report of iPad delay ‘simply not true’: source

Report of iPad delay ‘simply not true’: source: Michael Lewis, the Toronto star

Speculation about delays on the release of the new apple iPhone and iPad lead to poor results for Apple Inc. Tuesday, in an edgy market Tuesday. The stock dropped more than 3 percent on the New York Stock Exchange even after Apple denied a reporter saying the new iPad’s release date would be pushed back two months to June. Sources told blog sites including Apple Insider that suggestions of an iPad delay were “simply not true,” adding that Apple is planning an event next week in San Francisco that could include the debut of the new iPad. The release date for the “iPad 2” has not been announced, but the original iPad went on sale April 2010, and the new one is expected to be released in the next two months. Shares in Apple fell on the Nasdaq after Vincent Chen of Yuanta Securities said in a note that Chinese manufacturer Hon Hai is facing delays in accommodating new iPad features, including a slimmer, lighter design, dual cameras and improved screen resolution.

I think that even though apple stocks have gone down due to iPad rumors, it will still sell very well. This is because I feel when something comes out for the first time, people tend to let the company perfect this new product. As well, a thinner iPad, with a better screen will attracted more people. I believe that even though this new iPad seems pretty much the same as the first one (with a few shinny additions) it will sell very well. If I were to buy one it wouldn’t be because of a cooler look, but a better, possibly quicker machine. I also would like to see a iPad where you can write on it with a special pen.

http://www.thestar.com/business/companies/apple/article/942811--report-of-ipad-delay-simply-not-true-source

More than 200 dead in South Sudan ‘massacre’: officials

More than 200 dead in south Sudan 'Massacre": Officials: Jeremy Clarke, the Toronto star


Attacks by a renegade militia in Sudan's southern state of Jonglei, left 211 people dead. This violence has brought back concerns of security in the underdeveloped region, where last month an overpowering vote to declare independence from the north took place. South Sudan’s army said forces loyal to George Athor, a former army officer. This is said even after he launched a series of attacks on Jonglei last week. Two million people were killed and four million fled during the civil war fought over ideology, oil, ethnicity and religion. The fighting also set southern tribe against southern tribe, with the north backing militias from rival ethnic groups.

I find this very strange and there must be part of the story missing. I don't see how they can be loyal to him after he set a series of attacks. Besides that, I feel terrible about the number of people, many innocent and have nothing to do with it. What do you think will happen with this war?

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/938936--more-than-200-dead-in-south-sudan-massacre-officials

Revealed: Hidden tribe in the Amazon

Revealed: Hidden tribe in the Amazon: Antonia Zerbisias, the toronto star

Last June, Pictures were taken, over the northwest corner of Brazil, of a uncontacted tribe, who gazed up at the helicopters above. These pictures were reaeased last week by Survival International. The peculiar result was not running around or panicing, but total calmness, just observing the chopper directly above. This is not the first time they have seen similar objects from the unknown world around them. The Brazilian govenment has been monitoring this tribe for 20 years Says Tess Thackara, spokeswoman for Survival International. She says the same tribe was pictured in some famous pictures from 2008. Reaserchers have found that these tribes know more about us then we would think, and it is their choice to stay away from the outside world. I believe if they know as much as we think they do, its a good choice to stay away from the outside world, with the wars going on, and polution leading global warming. As well many tribe close to them have been wiped out due to desease and massacres. Brazil have given permission to build dams near similar uncontacted tribe and they have had to move due to nosie and pollution. Do you think they will be pushed out due to the expansion of out world? Do you feel they are truly a peacful tribe, or are they smart enough not to "attack tanks with bow and arrows"?

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/932496--revealed-hidden-tribe-in-the-amazon?bn=1

Cold weather means hot business for travel industry

Cold weather means hot business for travel industry: Josh Rubin, the toronto star

Not all are suffereing from the harsh weather southern ontario has had, as airlines and travel agents serving warm and tropical locations are expected to be high in the weeks to come. Allison Wallace, travel agency spokesperson says in cold times they'll see call increase by 50 percent, and at extremly cold times like these, it could double. Ranya Bakhit, communications manager for air Canada says with the expectency of as much as 30 cetimeters, they expect bookings to be up 20 to 30 percent. I believe that Air Canada souldnt expect too big of an increase because of the random weather souther Ontario gets, it could be in the "positives" in a week. Some of the popular spots as of right now are Aruba, Jamacia, and Curacao, says sunquest vacations spokesperson, Kerry Sharpe. It is for sure that canadians looking for that week off have gone up from last year, and seem to be going up in the weeks to come. Do you think this boom in business will continue through the cold weather or stop after a while. Do you think that because so many people are taking vacaations now, business will be down for march break?

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/931231--cold-weather-means-hot-business-for-travel-industry