Life, Nature, Society

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A German bank manager who secretly transferred millions of pounds from rich clients to debt-ridden customers has been spared jail.

The 62-year-old, dubbed the "Robin Hood banker", was found guilty of moving a total of 7.6 million euros (£6.85m) between 2003 and 2005. The bank's rich clients reportedly hadn't touched their accounts in years. She carried out 117 separate transfers to try and stop people's accounts closing due to lack of funds.

As a rule, the banker - whose name was not reported under German media conventions - moved the money back when the indebted clients were solvent again. But 1.1 million euros (£991,000) was lost when certain customers were unable to pay their debts. The banker has begun reimbursing the bank through her pension.  read more »

TimeAhead^TM Calendar
"To Health of Earth"
January 2010 - December 2010

Click here to view larger image and download the 8.5"x11" letter-size printable calendar (pdf file).

From the publisher: if "habit is the nursery of errors", let ThinkAhead™ Calendar be the nursery of greatness, particularly as the coming new year is greeted by an increasing urgency to save the planet - our Home.

On the left are links to the three calendars in this release, our New Year’s gift to all, free to download.

TimeAhead^TM Calendar
"To Health of Earth"
January 2010 - December 2010

Click here to view larger image and download the 8.5"x11" letter-size printable calendar (pdf file).

TimeAhead^TM Calendar
"To Health of Earth"
January 2010 - December 2010

Click here to view larger image and download the 8.5"x11" letter-size printable calendar (pdf file).

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The prototype of a solar-powered plane, the size of an Airbus and the weight of a mid-sized car, destined for a record round-the-world journey has made its 1st trip across a runway. The plane covered at least 2km at speeds of up to 5 knots on the landing strip in Switzerland. This test run saw the Solar Impulse plane outside its hangar for the first time, with tests of its motors and computer. As wide as a jumbo jet but weighing just 1,500 kg, the plane's maiden flight is scheduled for February in 2010, and a final version will attempt to cross the Atlantic in 2012. HB-SIA’s mission is to demonstrate the feasibility of a night flight making sole use of solar energy. It is a “no frills” plane built solely for verifying our technological choices. It is a true “flying lab”. The results gained from it will be used for optimizing the construction of the HB-SIB, whose mission it will be to fly around the world without fuel and with zero emissions as from 2012.

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Runaway Snow. Cold spell: very cold Arctic weather from the North Sea & 1st white Christmas in last 10 years since London and the South-East last saw snow on Christmas Day

Air passengers are facing delays and cancellations as freezing temperatures and heavy snow sweep across Britain and much of Northern Europe. Many flights in and out of Manchester airport were cancelled today as staff cleared the runway of snow and ice. Many homes have been without power since Thursday night as a result of snow, an energy supplier said today. About 330 homes in the east of England were still without power supplies this morning, an EDF Energy spokesman said. He said staff had worked tirelessly to restore the power for thousands of homes affected by the severe weather. 'With snow and ice still across the region, travel between faults remains difficult,' he added.

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