A drunken mistake turned out to be the best experience of a man's life after he booked a £520 flight to Brazil.
Jamie Ather, 22, woke up after a night of clubbing to find he had booked a flight from Glasgow to Rio de Janeiro.
"I had absolutely no memory of doing it because I was drunk, and it had honestly never even crossed by mind to go to South America," he said.
Showing posts with label Ben Strickland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben Strickland. Show all posts
Monday, October 26, 2015
Drug Tunnels Along the U.S.-Mexico Border: High Costs, High Rewards
Drug Tunnels Along the U.S.-Mexico Border: High Costs, High Rewards
BY POLLY MOSENDZ 10/25/15 AT 12:00 PM
drug tunnel
Tunnels of this kind have been found numerous times between Mexico and the U.S. Above, batteries are stacked next to rails inside a tunnel in this undated photograph provided by Mexico's Federal Police October 22. MEXICO'S FEDERAL POLICE/REUTERS
FILED UNDER: U.S., drug tunnels
More than 80 tunnels have been discovered between Mexico and the United States since 2006, most recently this past Thursday after a six-month investigation by the U.S. government resulted in a large smuggling tunnel being uncovered, as well as 22 arrests and the recovery of 12 tons of marijuana.
The tunnel, about 32 feet underground, runs about 2,880 feet, between the Otay Center Warehouse in San Diego and another warehouse in Tijuana. In a statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Finn said the tunnel is believed to have a railroad system, lighting and electricity throughout.
The investigation that led to this bust included agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol. An undercover agent allegedly offered to transport drugs for Isais Enriquez-Acosta, 53, one of the men arrested as a result of the investigation. Enriquez-Acosta and the agent met at a San Diego restaurant on Wednesday evening to discuss moving the drugs through the tunnel, authorities said. This meeting was the catalyst for moving forward with the bust.
BY POLLY MOSENDZ 10/25/15 AT 12:00 PM
drug tunnel
Tunnels of this kind have been found numerous times between Mexico and the U.S. Above, batteries are stacked next to rails inside a tunnel in this undated photograph provided by Mexico's Federal Police October 22. MEXICO'S FEDERAL POLICE/REUTERS
FILED UNDER: U.S., drug tunnels
More than 80 tunnels have been discovered between Mexico and the United States since 2006, most recently this past Thursday after a six-month investigation by the U.S. government resulted in a large smuggling tunnel being uncovered, as well as 22 arrests and the recovery of 12 tons of marijuana.
The tunnel, about 32 feet underground, runs about 2,880 feet, between the Otay Center Warehouse in San Diego and another warehouse in Tijuana. In a statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Finn said the tunnel is believed to have a railroad system, lighting and electricity throughout.
The investigation that led to this bust included agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol. An undercover agent allegedly offered to transport drugs for Isais Enriquez-Acosta, 53, one of the men arrested as a result of the investigation. Enriquez-Acosta and the agent met at a San Diego restaurant on Wednesday evening to discuss moving the drugs through the tunnel, authorities said. This meeting was the catalyst for moving forward with the bust.
Solar leads green energy growth in Mexico
Solar leads green energy growth in Mexico
This 10-part series looks at key potential growth areas around the world.
With its long history as a petroleum producer, Mexico might not be the first place people think of when it comes to cleantech and renewables.
Yet over the past few years the country has become a magnet for companies in the sustainable energy sector, companies as interested in its solar, wind and geothermal resources as its oil and gas. And with recent changes to laws governing power generation, experts say, that interest will only increase.
This 10-part series looks at key potential growth areas around the world.
With its long history as a petroleum producer, Mexico might not be the first place people think of when it comes to cleantech and renewables.
Yet over the past few years the country has become a magnet for companies in the sustainable energy sector, companies as interested in its solar, wind and geothermal resources as its oil and gas. And with recent changes to laws governing power generation, experts say, that interest will only increase.
Mexico mops up after Patricia; ‘nature was kind,’ official says
MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Mexico is mopping up after Hurricane Patricia hit its Pacific Coast with Category 5 strength, but left surprising little damage and few deaths, given the severity of the storm.
An official with Caritas Mexico, the church’s charitable arm, says the storm left a mess in parts of the dioceses serving the western states of Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit with flooding and property damage, but mostly impacted small settlements and rural areas — which were being provided with assistance from parishes diocesan collections.
“The evaluation that they’re doing at this time says that there is not a crisis situation,” said Jose Luis Lopez, director of emergency responses for Caritas Mexico, relaying information provided by local Caritas chapters.
The aftermath came as a relief for Mexico, which was bracing for the worst. Hurricane Patricia was predicted to bring unprecedented destruction. It also showed the country’s capability in responding to strong storms — which crash both coasts frequently — especially as experts say climate change is likely to cause more intense hurricanes with increased frequency.
An official with Caritas Mexico, the church’s charitable arm, says the storm left a mess in parts of the dioceses serving the western states of Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit with flooding and property damage, but mostly impacted small settlements and rural areas — which were being provided with assistance from parishes diocesan collections.
“The evaluation that they’re doing at this time says that there is not a crisis situation,” said Jose Luis Lopez, director of emergency responses for Caritas Mexico, relaying information provided by local Caritas chapters.
The aftermath came as a relief for Mexico, which was bracing for the worst. Hurricane Patricia was predicted to bring unprecedented destruction. It also showed the country’s capability in responding to strong storms — which crash both coasts frequently — especially as experts say climate change is likely to cause more intense hurricanes with increased frequency.
Hurricane Patricia Recap: Strongest Landfalling Pacific Hurricane on Record
Hurricane Patricia Recap: Strongest Landfalling Pacific Hurricane on Record
Published Oct 25 2015 08:08 AM EDT
weather.com
Storm Chaser Describes Horror of Patricia
Storm chaser Josh Morgerman experienced the worst of Hurricane Patricia as it made landfall in Mexico Friday night.
Hurricane Patricia was a tropical cyclone that formed in the eastern Pacific and rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane. Even more quickly than the storm strengthened, it rapidly weakened over the rugged terrain of Mexico.
Patricia initially formed on Oct. 20, 2015 and dissipated on Oct. 24, 2015.
Published Oct 25 2015 08:08 AM EDT
weather.com
Storm Chaser Describes Horror of Patricia
Storm chaser Josh Morgerman experienced the worst of Hurricane Patricia as it made landfall in Mexico Friday night.
Hurricane Patricia was a tropical cyclone that formed in the eastern Pacific and rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane. Even more quickly than the storm strengthened, it rapidly weakened over the rugged terrain of Mexico.
Patricia initially formed on Oct. 20, 2015 and dissipated on Oct. 24, 2015.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Brazil on the outside, looking in on ‘very negative’ effects of TPP deal
The provisional agreement on a Trans-Pacific Partnership on trade has rattled Brazil, further threatening an already battered economy and eroding the country’s status as the economic and political leader in South America.
“Everyone in Brazil has been sleeping at the wheel while the negotiations have been going on – and it’s suddenly sinking in and people are realizing this could be very, very negative,” economist Monica de Bolle said. “There was no sense of urgency.”
The TPP would create the world’s largest free-trade zone among 12 countries around the Pacific, including Chile and Peru. South America’s other hot economy, Colombia, has observer status to the pact and is expected eventually to become a full member.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Deal Reached
ATLANTA — The United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations on Monday agreed to the largest regional trade accord in history, a potentially precedent-setting model for global commerce and worker standards that would tie together 40 percent of the world’s economy, from Canada and Chile to Japan and Australia.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership still faces months of debate in Congress and will inject a new flash point into both parties’ presidential contests.
But the accord — a product of nearly eight years of negotiations, including five days of round-the-clock sessions here — is a potentially legacy-making achievement for President Obama, and the capstone for his foreign policy “pivot” toward closer relations with fast-growing eastern Asia, after years of American preoccupation with the Middle East and North Africa.
Mr. Obama spent recent days contacting world leaders to seal the deal. Administration officials have repeatedly pressed their contention that the partnership would build a bulwark against China’s economic influence, and allow the United States and its allies — not Beijing — to set the standards for Pacific commerce.
The Pacific accord would phase out thousands of import tariffs as well as other barriers to international trade. It also would establish uniform rules on corporations’ intellectual property, open the Internet even in communist Vietnam and crack down on wildlife trafficking and environmental abuses.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership still faces months of debate in Congress and will inject a new flash point into both parties’ presidential contests.
But the accord — a product of nearly eight years of negotiations, including five days of round-the-clock sessions here — is a potentially legacy-making achievement for President Obama, and the capstone for his foreign policy “pivot” toward closer relations with fast-growing eastern Asia, after years of American preoccupation with the Middle East and North Africa.
Mr. Obama spent recent days contacting world leaders to seal the deal. Administration officials have repeatedly pressed their contention that the partnership would build a bulwark against China’s economic influence, and allow the United States and its allies — not Beijing — to set the standards for Pacific commerce.
The Pacific accord would phase out thousands of import tariffs as well as other barriers to international trade. It also would establish uniform rules on corporations’ intellectual property, open the Internet even in communist Vietnam and crack down on wildlife trafficking and environmental abuses.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Guatemala vice president resigns amid customs corruption scandal
Guatemala vice president resigns amid customs corruption scandal
By Sofia Menchu
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala's vice president resigned on Friday to face an investigation over her alleged involvement in a customs corruption racket, amid a scandal that has hurt the ruling party ahead of elections.
President Otto Perez Molina announced the decision after reports linked Vice President Roxana Baldetti to a ring accused of taking bribes to avoid levying customs taxes that was purportedly led by her personal secretary.
Baldetti has denied any wrongdoing, but her chief aide disappeared after joining her on a trip to South Korea in April.
Opposition lawmakers have demanded Baldetti face a probe, and angry Guatemalans have spilled into the streets calling for her resignation.
"This is a personal decision to submit to the needed investigations..." Perez Molina said. "Her decision is personal, thoughtful and courageous."
Around 500 people gathered in the capital's central plaza to celebrate, waving the country's blue and white flag.
"Baldetti's resignation was necessary because we don't want more corruption. Now the government knows that we are not going to tolerate more abuses against the people," said Rodrigo Alvarez, a university student.
Baldetti was elected in 2011 with Perez Molina, a former general who had led forces during the country's three-decade-long civil war that ended in 1996. Their Patriot Party has been hurt by the scandal ahead of a presidential election in September.
The U.S. State Department said in a statement that is supported the government's efforts to fight corruption and urged officials to keep working with a United Nations-backed office that played a key role in the current customs case.
"Strengthening transparency and government accountability is a central element of the Alliance for Prosperity," said U.S. State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke, referring to a U.S. aid plan for Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
Guatemala's Supreme Court this week ruled lawmakers could revoke the vice president's immunity from prosecution.
Twenty-four people, including the country's top tax agent, have already been arrested in the scandal and authorities are looking for Baldetti's former top aide, Juan Carlos Monzon.
(Writing by Michael O'Boyle; Editing by Ken Wills & Kim Coghill)
Friday, September 11, 2015
After 9/11: Linking Migration to Terrorism, Militarizing the US-Mexican Border teleSur English
At a conservative border security conference in August 2014, Texas Governor Rick Perry cautioned that the US-Mexican border is “insecure” and has seen “historic high levels of individuals from countries with terrorist ties.”
Perry was referring to unfounded suspicions that the Islamic State group was plotting ‘terrorist’ attacks against the U.S. from Mexico; a rather paradoxical statement, given the billions of U.S. dollars that have gone into militarizing the U.S.-Mexican border, as well as the fact security officials claim the border with Canada, not Mexico, is in fact much more vulnerable to “terrorist” operations.
Friday, September 4, 2015
Frozen Conflict
IN 2007 a Russian-led polar expedition, descending through the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean in a Mir submarine, planted a titanium Russian tricolour on the sea bed 4km (2.5 miles) beneath the North Pole. “The Arctic has always been Russian,” declared Artur Chilingarov, one of the polar explorers. In the event, fears that the action would set off a scramble for Arctic territory and riches proved unfounded. Over the next few years the Arctic Council (a talking shop for governments with territories inside the Arctic Circle, and others who attend as observers) became much more influential and one of the few remaining border disputes there (between Norway and Russia) was settled.
Now Denmark has staked a claim to the North Pole, too. On December 15th it said that, under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), some 900,000 square kilometres of the Arctic Ocean north of Greenland belongs to it (Greenland is a self-governing part of Denmark). The timing was happenstance. Claims under UNCLOS have to be made within ten years of ratification—and the convention became law in Denmark on December 16th 2004. But its claim conflicts with those of Russia, which has filed its own case under UNCLOS, and (almost certainly) Canada, which plans to assert sovereignty over part of the polar continental shelf (see map).
In this section
The new local
Frozen conflict
Reprints
The prize for these countries is the mineral wealth of the Arctic, which global warming may make more accessible. Temperatures in the region are rising at twice the rate of the rest of the Earth. According to the United States Geological Survey, the area has an eighth of the world’s untapped oil and perhaps a quarter of its gas.
Hitherto most people have assumed that competition to develop these resources would be gentlemanly. The Arctic, a Norwegian admiral told a big conference two years ago, is “probably the most stable area in the world”. Drilling for oil and gas there is extremely expensive, and falling oil prices have made the economics of Arctic energy even less favourable. This gives would-be prospectors an interest in co-operating, not in adding to the risks and costs.
Now Denmark has staked a claim to the North Pole, too. On December 15th it said that, under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), some 900,000 square kilometres of the Arctic Ocean north of Greenland belongs to it (Greenland is a self-governing part of Denmark). The timing was happenstance. Claims under UNCLOS have to be made within ten years of ratification—and the convention became law in Denmark on December 16th 2004. But its claim conflicts with those of Russia, which has filed its own case under UNCLOS, and (almost certainly) Canada, which plans to assert sovereignty over part of the polar continental shelf (see map).
In this section
The new local
Frozen conflict
Reprints
The prize for these countries is the mineral wealth of the Arctic, which global warming may make more accessible. Temperatures in the region are rising at twice the rate of the rest of the Earth. According to the United States Geological Survey, the area has an eighth of the world’s untapped oil and perhaps a quarter of its gas.
Hitherto most people have assumed that competition to develop these resources would be gentlemanly. The Arctic, a Norwegian admiral told a big conference two years ago, is “probably the most stable area in the world”. Drilling for oil and gas there is extremely expensive, and falling oil prices have made the economics of Arctic energy even less favourable. This gives would-be prospectors an interest in co-operating, not in adding to the risks and costs.
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