"A Russian businessman who was convicted in Israel as a KGB spy has been shot dead in Moscow, police say.
Investigators said Shabattai Kalmanovich, 60, was killed by gunmen who fired at his Mercedes from a passing car, Russian media reported.
His killing appeared to have been "carefully planned", a police official was quoted by ITAR-Tass news agency as saying.
In televised remarks, Moscow Investigative Committee chief Anatoly Bagmet said the killing could have been related to Mr Kalmanovich's business affairs or have been driven by "personal revenge."
Mr Kalmanovich emigrated from the former Soviet Union to Israel in 1971 and in 1988 was jailed for spying for the KGB, media reports said.
He was released after serving five years and relocated to Sierra Leone, where he made a fortune in the diamonds trade.
He later returned to Russia where he ran a large shopping centre in Moscow and promoted concerts for stars including Michael Jackson and Liza Minnelli.
Mr Kalmanovich also sponsored basketball clubs and in 2008 became general manager of the Russian women's basketball team."
Dead men tell no tales. These cold war spy games are still in play.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8339290.stm
"A Russian businessman who was... more
Some people might think just having an iPhone is bling enough but it seems these things can always be pimped just that little bit more.
So on eBay right now is one with 1240 diamonds stuck onto it. All for only $6,000. Bargain:
"At $6,000 on eBay, this 16GB iPhone "has a staggering 1240 diamonds on the front with clarity SI, Color F and Bezel carat approximately 12.4CT."Some people might think just having an iPhone is bling enough but it seems these... more
Millions of young people in West Africa live a life of poverty, unemployment and frustration- leaving them vulnerable to recruitment into crime and armed conflict. I travelled around one of Africa's poorest countries to find out what life is like for Sierra Leone's forgotten youth.
find out more http://faolanjones.wordpress.com/
Part 2 of 2
Watch Part 1 - http://current.com/items/90930352_sierra-leones-forgotten-generation-part-1.htmMillions of young people in West Africa live a life of poverty, unemployment and... more
Millions of young people in West Africa live a life of poverty, unemployment and frustration- leaving them vulnerable to recruitment into crime and armed conflict. I travelled around one of Africa's poorest countries to find out what life is like for Sierra Leone's forgotten youth.
find out more http://faolanjones.wordpress.com/
Part 1 of 2
watch part 2 coming soonMillions of young people in West Africa live a life of poverty, unemployment and... more
Fact regarding how diamonds are driving the worlds economic growth.
"Estimated 5 million people have access to appropriate healthcare globally because of revenues from diamonds. Revenues from diamonds have enabled governments and health organizations to greatly improve existing public health services and provide new health services to those who have never had them before.Fact regarding how diamonds are driving the worlds economic growth.
"Estimated 5... more
Every Monday is the “Wish List,” a blog entry dedicated to one online shopping site where a dream outfit is compiled editorial style from the site. This week pieces pieces include a $2000 clutch (wow!) and $800 shoes! Intrigued? Check it out.
The blogger is a magazine editor so the page is like her dream editorial spread as if she had complete creative rights without any Editor cutting her off! She gives you a great history about the brand, a little story about the look she compiled and then picks the outfit based on the theme of the spread adding captions explaining each item she’s chosen. Really fun and unique. This week it’s classic Ralph Lauren and she has chosen a Black Tie cashmere gown (open back with chains dangling-tres sexy) that would make any celebrity envious and make the room stop if you walked in. Ralph Lauren is all about classic elegance and our blogger has captured his essence with collection pieces that will stand the test of time and make you look as elegant has his clothing.
Really fun fashion page that shows off trends in a really eclectic way. Blogger has an amazingly eclectic site with everything from beauty, fashion, diary style entries, poetry, life in the magazine world----this girl has everything. Already winner of the prestigious “Blog Of The Day Award” (some people take years to earn this—she’s only had her blog up 6 weeks!) and on top level blog rolls of awesome bloggers, this girl is amazing. A+++++Every Monday is the “Wish List,” a blog entry dedicated to one online shopping... more
Every time British businessman Robert Charlton cheated on his wife, he bought her some extravagant jewelry to try to make amends. After 26 years of marriage, long-suffering Elizabeth Charlton had more than 40 glittering pieces.
(Master, F., & Casciato, P., 2009, August 18, par.2)
Charlton's infidelity cost him nearly 300,000 pounds ($492,400) it emerged last month, when his daughter auctioned off the late couple's jewelry collection.
(Master, F., & Casciato, P., 2009, August 18, par.3)
Over the course of his romances, Charlton, who died in 1974, bought his wife antique diamond earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces. One piece, a riviere necklace made up of 54 diamonds, was the most expensive item auctioned, fetching 50,000 pounds.
(Master, F., & Casciato, P., 2009, August 18, par.5)Every time British businessman Robert Charlton cheated on his wife, he bought her some... more
Need an iPod shuffle*? Nah, me neither - what good is 240 songs? Oh wait, but now it's covered in diamonds ...
*or cell phone, boxing gloves, skulls, toy car, tv, earphones, chess set, Mercedes SL ...Need an iPod shuffle*? Nah, me neither - what good is 240 songs? Oh wait, but now it's... more
The leading architect of the international system to stop the trade in blood diamonds has warned that the safety net is close to collapse with governments and the industry failing to act against gross violations.
Ian Smillie, the "grandfather" of the landmark Kimberley Process, that was agreed in response to appalling civil wars in Africa fuelled by illegal gems, said he had "stomped out" on his scheme as it was no longer working.
"It isn't regulating the rough diamond trade," the Canadian expert said yesterday. "It is in danger of becoming irrelevant and it's letting all manner of crooks off the hook."
The Kimberley safeguards came into effect in 2003 and helped restore consumer confidence in precious stones. Today they regulate 99.98 per cent of the rough diamond trade, but if the process loses credibility, experts say criminals will re-enter the trade with conflict diamonds quickly reappearing in shops in London, Paris and New York.The leading architect of the international system to stop the trade in blood diamonds... more
Now this is one killer diamond engagement ring! Literally! If you’re man’s not around, or he’s just a sally, you can fend for yourself as this diamond ring will cut someone down to the bone! Comes in a minimum of 1 carat (I’m sure the ladies like to here that)
click the picNow this is one killer diamond engagement ring! Literally! If you’re man’s not... more
Zimbabwe, a country beset by poverty, cholera and political violence, also possesses great mineral wealth, and lately there have been allegations of government involvement in the theft of mined diamonds and killings of local panners, CBC News has learned.
Under military control since late last year, the Marange diamond fields in Chiadzwa — potentially one of the richest diamond deposits in Africa — were seized by the government from a private mining company called African Consolidated Resources in 2006.
It is an alluvial field, meaning many of the stones just sit on the ground, ready to be scooped.
Tens of thousands of people — doctors, teachers, lawyers — impoverished by President Robert Mugabe's decades-long regime, had descended on the area, which lies near the border with Mozambique.
The fields are off limits to the media, but a CBC crew recently got in by joining the convoy of a local MP. They toured through the heavily guarded villages that surround the fields to meet with people who said they witnessed the killings, and their aftermath, first-hand last year.
Lovemore, a former telecom worker-turned diamond panner, said he saw soldiers shoot some of his fellow panners. "Yes, some were killed because of this diamond," he told the CBC's Adrienne Arsenault.
A cemetery worker near Chiadzwa showed Arsenault a mass grave that he said contained the bodies of 68 people who were allegedly slaughtered in that campaign. He produced dozens of burial orders filled in December — names unknown.
A local mortician also said he saw those bodies. "They were found in the field, beaten by soldiers, beaten by police," he said, adding he also observed gunshot wounds.
The Zimbabwe government vehemently denied the allegations.
"Only three people died as a result of infighting among the diamond panners, and the culprits have been arrested and they are actually going through our court of law now," said Obert Mpofu, the country's minister of mines.
He dismissed the idea of a mass grave. "It is totally fantasy. It is totally false. I don't know what people want to achieve by doing this."
The government also denied that military and other officials were benefiting directly from illegal panning in the fields.
"We are on top of the situation, and there is not even a single illegal diamond activity now because of the measures we are taking," Mpofu said.
However, a former military officer, who used to work in Chiadzwa, and was able to produce some industrial and gem-quality diamonds fresh from the fields with just a few hours notice, refuted that assertion.
"That's a lie.… It's only those with connections who are now able to dig and profit," he said. "It is the soldiers and police who are manning the area who allow you to go and dig, and when you dig, you show them what you have. Sometimes they take the diamonds and go sell them for their own profit."
His story was consistent with what other panners told the CBC.
The former officer also said that at night he had seen soldiers digging and then handing over their finds to powerful people.
"They come during the night, take the diamonds, and share them with senior government officials," he said.Zimbabwe, a country beset by poverty, cholera and political violence, also possesses... more
According to history this yellow diamond was cut into a cushion shaped diamond. The weight of Algeiba Star diamond is 133.03 Carats. The former name of this yellow diamond was Mahjal. There is no exact date available when the diamond was found but it is believed to be South African origin and it was sold in 1983. The present owner and location of Algeiba Star diamond is unknown.According to history this yellow diamond was cut into a cushion shaped diamond. The... more
If Stuart Hughes’ 22ct solid gold iPhone 3G wasn’t your thing, perhaps his latest exploit will appeal. It took 230 grams of platinum, 53 certified conflict-free VVS1 diamonds (meaning an expert needs to look at the bottom of the diamond using a 10X microscope to spot the imperfections) and four craftsmen to create the solid platinum iPhone 3G.
With a mere price of only $37,400!!! Oh Boy!!If Stuart Hughes’ 22ct solid gold iPhone 3G wasn’t your thing, perhaps his latest... more
Here is a "Recession, what recession?" story, a rare blue diamond, smaller than a size of a 1p coin and weighs 7.03 carats, goes on display at Sotheby's in Mayfair, London. The gem was discovered last year at the Cullinan mine in South Africa and there's only a handful existed in the world.
The ring will go into auction in Geneva, Switzerland in May, and it is estimated to be worth between £3.9m and £5.7m.Here is a "Recession, what recession?" story, a rare blue diamond, smaller than a size... more
Purchasing a diamond this Valentine's Day? Alex Yearsley of the diamond industry watchdog Global Witness gives some tips on how to be sure your stones are conflict --and guilt -- free.Purchasing a diamond this Valentine's Day? Alex Yearsley of the diamond industry... more
In this excerpt from "Blood Roses and Deadly Diamonds", Vanguard
Correspondent Mariana van Zeller discovers why some Sierra Leoneans feel
diamonds are a curse.
In a special Valentine's Day edition, Vanguard asks, "What's the true price
of love?" We're bringing you two very unromantic stories of two of the
great symbols of the holiday. First, Vanguard correspondent Kaj Larsen
heads to Colombia to look at the thorny side of the rose business. And for
the second act, Mariana van Zeller travels to Sierra Leone to see if the
diamonds that fueled the country's bloody civil war can now help it recover.
***Check out the premiere of "Blood Roses and Deadly Diamonds" on Wednesday,
Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. on Current TV. And join Mariana for a live chat during
the premiere by visiting http://current.com/vanguard***
Vanguard is Current's original documentary series, airing every Wednesday on
Current TV at 10 pm E/P, and online at current.com/vanguardIn this excerpt from "Blood Roses and Deadly Diamonds", Vanguard
Correspondent... more
Allison Berry from Phoenix, Arizona needed the help of a plumber, a miniature camera and several municpail workers after she managed to flush her $70,000 ring down the toilet!
'They always say diamonds are a girl's best friend. In this case, a plumber is a girl's best friend,' Roberts said. 'She was just so excited, she had tears in her eyes. She gave us a hug and said "Thank you so much."'
The Mr. Rooter bill came to $5,200 and the city's bill was $1,000.
Berry, of Eureka, California, and her husband also tipped Roberts and the technician $400 each and gave $200 to a diner employee for staying late.Allison Berry from Phoenix, Arizona needed the help of a plumber, a miniature camera... more
Bernard Madoff will not be sent to jail pending trial. Instead he will remain under house arrest. Madoff has been accused of violating his bail by sending out packages of diamonds, totaling more than $1 million dollars in worth. His defense layer claims the items were 'sentimental' and Madoff was unaware of his violation.Bernard Madoff will not be sent to jail pending trial. Instead he will remain under... more
You’ve fixed your hair, crammed into a dress two sizes too small and adorned your ears, neck and fingers with enough sparkly jewelry to blind Ray Charles. You’re ready for a night on the town. As a male, my stock response is to grunt and mumble, ‘You look lovely’, but I’m sure you do...really. But do you know where those shimmering rings and necklaces came from? Petty theft, you say? I’ll ignore that. Let’s pretend they were gifts from upstanding family members or a significant other who purchased them from a reputable local jeweler. But where did the jeweler procure its merchandise? With Wal-Mart’s new line of sustainable jewelry, Love, Earth , you can trace the history of your gems and charms from the mine to the display case. Traceable jewelry is the first step towards ushering in a new era of selling socially and environmentally responsible gold, silver and diamond pieces.You’ve fixed your hair, crammed into a dress two sizes too small and adorned your... more
