Barclays investment deal with Qatar probed

Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched a probe into the 2008 investment deal between Barclays and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, the bank announced on Wednesday.

Barclays confirmed in a statement that the SFO -- an independent government department -- had commenced an investigation into payments "under certain commercial agreements between Barclays and Qatar Holding LLC".

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulator revealed in July it was investigating fees paid by Barclays to Qatar during the 2008 credit crisis.

Qatar invested more than ?2 billion ($3.1 billion, 2.5 billion euros) into the bank in June 2008, and five months later it raised a further ?6.8 billion from a group of Middle Eastern investors, allowing it to avoid being semi-nationalised.

British and US regulators fined Barclays ?290 million ($453 million, 369 million euros) in June after the bank admitted that it attempted to manipulate the Libor and the related European Euribor rates between 2005 and 2009.

The fallout risks becoming much wider, however, with analysts claiming that the lender could face massive lawsuits, since mortgage rates passed onto customers were influenced by Libor rates.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/barclays-investment-deal-qatar-probed-194115463.html

john l smith apple earnings the glass castle jennifer hudson trial north korea threat brandon jacobs brandon jacobs

The Talented Ms. Hornstein: How @Shirls Fooled The Valley

Silicon Valley is full of hustlers, and that's often a good thing. But there's a difference between hustling and flat-out lying, and when people deceive company after company, it's time to call them out. So: If you look up Shirley Hornstein online, you might get the idea that she's one of the most well-connected people in tech. Here she is at the THRIVEGulu party last month, where Silicon Valley types got a chance to meet Hollywood geek heroes Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku. Here she is at the Crunchies. And here she is on a list of the top women in venture capital and angel investing (which was republished in Forbes).

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/-21K5j5dnlc/

super bowl score madonna super bowl performance superbowl commercials best superbowl commercials madonna half time m.i.a super bowl coin toss

VERY long, sorry, long term relationship with no sex at all ...

Hi

Sorry this is long, but needed to get all the details in? The below covers from 1999 to 2012 I am 39 male shes 36 female (as of 2012)

As i am sure she isn?t a "normal" woman with a "sex" drive, i want to get the view on this before i start plotting or planning there might be something wrong (her sister is lesbian)

We have been together since 1999 (we are both from the UK, where we met), her parents moved to Canada (originally from the UK), she married a guy to get out of Canada and back to the UK as hated Canada, he used her for money (she earned he spent) she wanted a child, she miscarried then was depressed, got in to Cats (still has her first cat) now 14 years on).

She was depressed, was drinking, then i came along to "help" her, sex was never on the cards, not to say we didn?t play, but we never actually did sex, we were both mid 20's then. I am biased towards Asperger?s Syndrome so social skills don?t really exist.

Due to my upbringing with parents being highly religious that put sex on the back burner, however she was getting back on her feet (drinking above), moved homes, i helped her, would be over her house every day almost, she didn?t really have any friends in the UK (as schooled in Canada from 12, she left there at 18). I am sure she is also partial Asperger?s syndrome to a point (after doing some tests online).

She was very protective at those times, as i worked in nightclubs as a lighting engineer she would get very upset if i got home past 2am (assuming i would see others), she would ask for sex sometimes (as I find out she still wanted a child) it appears out of need rather than ?wanted? to do sex. When we played after first meeting she would say she doesn?t feel anything sexual in her boobs when played with

I collapsed 2005, fractured my skull which altered my personally abit, my parents died 3 months later, then she has a stroke (work stress) a year later which did damage her brain slightly.

We both decided to move (to Canada as her parents where hear (we are still here) as nothing is in the UK for us, this took from 2005 to 2009 to move, a lot of stress. 2008 she asked me to marry her (leap year), I said yes, which shocked her, we set a date of 2012 (see below why)

She really liked the idea of moving to Canada as her school friends are here, this is where the problem (which I am sure has always been there) started to show.

Now we are here, a lot of stress as living with parents, there was one female friend who she always talked to from the UK on the phone, facebook etc.. she gets here and will be out with her a lot, I got on with her husband (we went to the wedding early 2000?s. we flew over to Canada from the UK).

Her friend was very controlling, and as it turns out she didn?t really want to be married anymore (she had 2 kids), however this meant she was spending alto of time with her friend.

It came to a head when her friend and husband collected my partner (and deliberately didn?t collect me) and went away for a weekend to her friends parents, I went nuts over this. She said she didn?t feel comfortable about the whole thing, we got phones and agreed if this happened again we could contact (she was almost kidnapped to a point as it was a good 4 hour drive), her friend used her as a baby sitter it appears.

After she tells work colleges who agree that was very out of order of her friend to do she agrees to drop her friend, which she wasn?t happy about as she knew her from school.

Then I pointed out, she was more in a relationship with her friend than me, neither of us did sex with her, but she chooses to be with her friend almost all the time. This shocked her abit then realised it, work colleges agreed her friend was way out of line for taking her and not me. Shes never seen her again (she wasn?t happy about it), ive not checked to see if ANY contact has been made, however from what I hear on facebook it appears not, as her friend then put all her friends against her making her out to be the bad one.

I really believe she has never spoken to her again.

We now have our own place, and now as I can relax abit (in a new country etc..) I am now able to think more about sex, she just isn?t interested in sex (at least she says).

We have done sex twice (since we have been in Canada, about 3 months apart), it seems she didn?t enjoy it, the last time she ?says? she had pain for 3 days, her statement doesn?t agree with the noises she was making, ive done sex before, she was actking like she very much enjoyed it (from what I can tell). She seemed to use ?excuses? like we need our own place, we have our own place and it still hasn?t happened

Whenever I say things like ?you look very attractive? I get ?flattery will get you nowhere?, or ?you look sexy? she will say ?in your dreams?.

Now this is started to grate on me, not once has she ever said I look sexy or nice, never through any of the relationship (well ok, maybe ONCE)? so this leads me to believe this is really a convenience thing, she earns a lot of money and so do it.

However she has openly said ?why can?t we marry as friends? which for me I have said I will not marry if you don?t want sex.

She sort of assumed I would do sex with her, which she was shocked when I said ?I will not do sex unless you WANT sex? this was a first for her.

So, is this a case of abused around 18 (bad first relationship which she was married and was devoiced about 3 years later) a miscarriage then having cats like her kids (she admits to this), she gives them way more attention than me (have 3, one is orginal, the other had 9 years).

She doesn?t like me touching her sexually at all, she will hit my hand if I go near her boobs?.. I am at a loss here, she wont seek help as she says ?there?s no sex problem?, evidently not for her, however for me there is, she just isn?t interested. I have said this, which was met with ?I have made a lot of sacrifices for this, are you not happy? which I answer, ?not fully no?, then it sort of gets swept under the carpet.

I think these sacrifices will be, no child, resorted to no sex (early life problems), getting rid of her friend etc?.

She has said (as you can see above) she isn?t interested in sex, so is it possible someone can want to stay in a ?friends who don?t do sex? relationship and expect that to remain the case.

I will add we talked about moving to Canada once here, I had A LOT of problems, I sold my car to move (I loved my car), brought my 3 motorbikes which I cant ride here as insurance is 8 times more expensive than the UK, I had no car for 3 years (just replaced my car I sold in the UK, this is now 4 years later), not to happy as the house isn?t really liveable (no hot water since we moved in, and still none, was super cheap power of sale). Its more a fixer than a living house

She has said she is super happy here, she has said she didn?t want to tell me If I wasn?t happy I can move as she didn?t want to lose me, however seemed to be happy to let me go if I decided to move back to the UK.

This sounds like she just doesn?t ?need? a relationship! Your input would be good?

I will add, if I split up, I will likely not find someone else (above Asperger?s Syndrome puts stop to that), so it looks to be destined to not find sex, I haven?t done sex much at all (nearly 40 now)? maybe done it 10 times in my whole life?.

I look forward to some advice / comments, I don?t expect a fix, rather some outside input?

Source: http://talkaboutmarriage.com/sex-marriage/54627-very-long-sorry-long-term-relationship-no-sex-all.html

Fatboy Slim Rio de Janeiro Shark Week London 2012 closing ceremony Shark Week 2012 evelyn lozada UFC 150

Labor Day Special: Modern Manners' Recipe for the Perfect BBQ ...

pic courtesy of Twirling Clare

While the end of summer holiday, Labor Day, neither marks a change in the weather (curse you, climate change!) nor the autumnal equinox (curse you, solar calendar!), it does mean something everyone can support: barbeque.

The Labor Day Weekend BBQ is a great tradition of Americana, a last hurrah before school starts, or more appropriately for DC, Congress returns. Here are a few tips for throwing a Labor Day BBQ that will be the exclamation point to end your summer.

(I?ll leave it to far better informed sources to advise you on how to prepare Labor Day delicacies.)

Invitations?Digital Age Decisions

With so many different ways to issue an invitation now?Facebook, Evite, email, text, old fashioned paper?it can be hard to decide which method is best. My advice is to choose a way that all or nearly all your invitees use to communicate. If there are a few outliers that don?t use that method of communication, you can reach out to them separately. Don?t forget to provide a date by which you would like people to RSVP.

And a side note to everyone on the receiving end of the invitation: respond. Let the person know whether or not you can attend. It?s the bare minimum you can do to acknowledge that you have been invited into someone?s home.

For online invitations, I?m personally a fan of Paperless Post. They have the aesthetic appeal of paper invitations (Evite graphics are fug), are easy to use, and add a sense of gravitas to your event. You aren?t throwing some Natty Lite kegger in your backyard?you are having an event in your garden with microbrews.

Audience Participation?Clarity is Key

Some people assume that a barbeque means they should bring food or drink. Others don?t assume this at all. For the convenience of your guests, let them know clearly in the invitation whether or not they are invited to bring something of their own. (Of course, if you are hosting a potluck, say you are hosting a potluck. However, a potluck is different than a BBQ. Moving on.)

Use simple, straightforward language about bringing food, such as, ?We will have plenty of food and drinks, but please feel free to bring something if you wish.? Or if you prefer your guests do not bring anything, say ?All food and drink will be provided.? If you are? CRING? sending a text invite and that?s all too many words, ?BYOB? or ?NOT BYOB? should get the point across.

Preparations?The Boy Scout Way

There are some clutch items you?ll need to have a clean and comfortable BBQ:

• Plenty of plates, utensils, napkins and cups. Disposable ones are admittedly easier, but consider the environment and get recyclable materials or even use your own regular kitchen items.
• A few spare blankets or sheets for people to sit on the ground if you run out of chairs.
• Bug spray. Everyone will love you for this.
• Large coolers with plenty of ice.
• Clearly labeled bins for trash and recycling. Don?t forget the extra bags.
• Outside lighting if you are going into the late hours of the day?think tiki torches, Christmas lights or candles.
• Band-Aids for the random boo-boos.
• Sunscreen. You should have plenty left over from the pool.
• Extra TP and paper towels are critical for hosting.

Food & Refreshments?Om Nom Nom

MM makes no claims whatsoever about being a good cook, but I do have a few quick pieces of advice to make sure all your guests go home satisfied.

• Diversify. In the modern world of vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free eaters, it?s good to have options. Provide at least one main dish that can be enjoyed by the most restricted eater you know is coming. If it?s any good, everyone will have some.
• Have a plan B. Stash a couple frozen pizzas or keep a delivery number handy. In the unfortunate event that your planned cuisine goes caput or you run out of chow, you?ll have a low-stress solution ready to go.
• Wetness is the essence of beauty. Have plenty of water and nonalcoholic drinks available.
• Buy an extra case of inexpensive beer. If you get to the point where you need to delve into the cheapo case, no one will care by then what they are drinking.

Happy Labor Day, workers of Washington!

-MM

Source: http://dcstyleisreal.com/2012/08/27/labor-day-special-modern-manners-recipe-for-the-perfect-bbq/

bowls herman cain harry potter and the half blood prince city of ember city of ember virgin diaries kevin smith

BLOOMBERG: Ronald Reagan A 'Socialist!' - Business Insider

Taking a page out of?Newsweek's playbook,?Bloomberg Insider?went with a bold cover for Tuesday's edition of its daily magazine that it's distributing throughout the conventions:

Courtesy of Bloomberg Insider

The argument of the accompanying story, which will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation Tuesday at the Republican National Convention, is not that Reagan is actually a socialist. That term is used in a hyperbolic fashion, in a nod to the regular charges from Republicans that President Obama is a "socialist."

The argument of Michael Tackett's piece?is?that under today's Republican Party, Reagan would be considered too moderate for a party that has shifted further to the right.

From the story:

Ronald Reagan remains the modern Republican Party?s most durable hero. His memory will be hailed as The Great Uncompromiser by those who insist the GOP must never flag in its support for smaller government, lower taxes and conservative social values.

His record tells a different story.

During Reagan?s eight years in the White House, the federal payroll grew by more than 300,000 workers. Although he was a net tax cutter who slashed individual income-tax rates, Reagan raised taxes about a dozen times.

Read the full story here >

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/bloomberg-ronald-reagan-socialist-cover-newsweek-2012-8

katy perry divorce brock lesnar retires new years wake forest wake forest old dominion insync

Lawfare ? The Tallin Manual ? UPDATED

Just back from vacation I get to catch up on fun stuff that I missed while I was away.? At the top of my list is the Tallinn Manual recently released by a distinguished group of NATO experts.? The Manual is a first of its kind effort to codify the international laws applicable to cyber warfare.? The director of the project is the renowned Michael Schmitt of the Naval War College and his diverse group of experts from around the globe has made a great start on this herculean task.??? Here is a taste from the introduction [citations omitted]:

One of the challenges States face in the cyber environment is that the scope and manner of international law?s applicability to cyber operations, whether in offence or defence, has remained unsettled since their advent.? After all, at the time the current international legal norms (whether customary or treaty-based) emerged, cyber technology was not on the horizon.? Consequently, there is a risk that cyber practice may quickly outdistance agreed understandings as to its governing legal regime.

The threshold questions are whether the existing law applies to cyber issues at all, and, if so, how.? Views on the subject range from a full application of the law of armed conflict, along the lines of the International Court of Justice?s pronouncement that it applies to ?any use of force, regardless of the weapons employed?, to strict application of the Permanent Court of International Justice?s pronouncement that acts not forbidden in international law are generally permitted.? Of course, the fact that States lack definitive guidance on the subject does not relieve them of their obligation to comply with applicable international law in their cyber operations.

The community of nations is understandably concerned about this normative ambiguity.? In 2011, the United States set forth its position on the matter in the International Strategy for Cyberspace: ?[t]he development of norms for State conduct in cyberspace does not require a reinvention of customary international law, nor does it render existing international norms obsolete.? Long-standing international norms guiding State behaviour?in times of peace and conflict?also apply in cyberspace?.? Nevertheless, the document acknowledged that the ?unique attributes of networked technology require additional work to clarify how these norms apply and what additional understandings might be necessary to supplement them?.

This project was launched in the hope of bringing some degree of clarity to the complex legal issues surrounding cyber operations, with particular attention paid to those involving the jus ad bellum and the jus in bello.? The result is this ?Tallinn Manual?.

UPDATE:? To my profound consternation, I find that the version I was provided came with the caveat that it was not to be released publicly.? Had I realized that fact I would, of course, not have linked to the document.? I have, as a result, removed the link in this post and I extend my heartfelt apologies to those whose work I may have inadvertently disclosed prematurely.? Anyone who may have downloaded the paper from me is requested to not disseminate it further.

I understand from Prof. Schmitt that an approved version will be available in edited form on the NATO website soon. ? We should all look forward to that, as this is a wonderful piece of work.? Anyone who has an interest in international law, cyber war, or both will, I am sure, find this worth the time and energy.

Source: http://www.lawfareblog.com/2012/08/the-tallin-manual/

loretta lynn gene kelly zoe saldana zooey deschanel and joseph gordon levitt debra messing ayaan hirsi ali rachel uchitel

Isaac promises drought-relief in south/central U.S

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Fallout from Tropical Storm Isaac is likely to include drought-relieving rainfall for a big chunk of the central and southern U.S. Midwest, an agricultural meteorologist said on Monday.

Isaac was about 400 miles southeast of the mouth of the U.S. Mississippi River early on Monday and, according to Dee, should make landfall early Wednesday on either the Mississippi or Louisiana Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane with 90-mile-per-hour winds.

A side benefit to the storm will be welcome rainfall to parched U.S. crop land and grazing lands.

The worst drought in more than a half-century has already harmed much of the nation's corn and soybean crops. While the wet weather as a fallout from Isaac will be welcome, it is too little too late to be a huge benefit to this year's crop.

"The big question is how much will later planted soybeans benefit," said John Dee, meteorologist for Global Weather Monitoring. "It would have helped a lot more if the rainfall came two weeks ago."

Dee said from 3 to 5 inches or more rainfall was expected beginning on Wednesday and Thursday in Louisiana and Mississippi, from 1 to 4 inches by Friday in Arkansas and Missouri, and from 0.50 to 1.00 inch or more by Saturday and Sunday in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

"It will certainly add valuable soil moisture for fall planting of the winter wheat crop," Dee said. "Also, Kansas and Oklahoma received good rains of 1.00 to 2.00 inches over the weekend, which will help plantings of hard red winter wheat there."

Dee said the remnants from Isaac, while providing much-needed moisture, were not likely to harm mature crops in the southern or central U.S. Midwest.

"There will be some wind, but I don't think there will be much harm to crops," he said. "It will slow harvest for a few days."

The annual Pro Farmer tour of Midwest crops found signs of severe crop losses in the top-producing Midwest crops. On Friday it forecast the U.S. corn and soybean harvest smaller than the government is predicting, with production the lowest in nearly a decade.

Additionally, a Reuters poll of 11 analysts estimated the 2012 U.S. corn yield per acre at 121.5 bushels, the lowest in 16 years, and production at 10.5 billion bushels, an eight-year low.

In its first survey asking for estimates of the amount of corn to be harvested compared with plantings, the poll showed the percentage of harvested corn area at the lowest in nine years.

Analysts' expectations for corn production this season fell 3 percent below the U.S. government's forecast earlier in August and 6 percent below a similar poll of analysts taken by Reuters at the end of July.

Late on Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will release updated harvest progress reports in its weekly crop progress report. Last Monday, the USDA said 4 percent of the U.S. corn crop had already been harvested, the fastest start ever. The crop was planted early and then was pushed to maturity by relentless heat and drought over the summer.

(Reporting by Sam Nelson; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/isaac-promises-drought-relief-south-central-u-125019162.html

chanukah chanukah david archuleta david archuleta hobbit trailer greenhill nj plane crash