Two bombs have killed 49 people, unofficial sources report, with the death toll rising as many of the scores of injured are in critical condition, in Lahore Pakistan. It is unclear if the blasts were two suicide bombs or one, followed by a remote-control device exploding in the heart of Lahore’s commercial centre. One bomb went off in a crowded market, where shops and motorcycles quickly caught fire, and the other near a bank, late Monday 7 December.
Christie's unmounted flawless 62.3 carat diamond sold for CHF8.01 million (click on image to view larger)
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Forget the girl’s best friend, diamonds that investors love are dazzling the jewelry world this week. Christie’s big November precious gems and jewelry sale in Geneva Wednesday 18 November ended on a high note, with the sale of a 62.3 carat diamond going for CHF8.01 million at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues.
Overall, the sale brought in CHF32.28m, another strong sign that the market has recovered, after Sotheby’s sold CHF37 million in jewels Monday. The buyer was Aleks Paul of Essex Global Trading in New York, a dealer who also walked off with two other lots of diamonds worth more than CHF5m.
And down the street at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel the Antiquorum sale of fine watches set a record price for watches sold in 2009: CHF5.12m for the Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Calibre 89, one of only four in the world, each unique.
A day after a bomb ripped through a crowded popular market in the old town of Peshawar, capital of Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province, and killed over a hundred people, mainly women and children, rescuers were still pulling bodies from the rubble. Over 200 people were wounded in the attack. It was the worst such attack since 2007, and no one has claimed responsibility for it yet, although the Taliban denies responsibility.
October has been the bloodiest month in Pakistan, with casualties from bombings around the country reaching 300 dead and many more wounded. Most believe the bomb attacks are in retaliation for the Pakistani army’s ongoing incursion into South Waziristan, a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban. Some commentators believe this latest attack could turn the people against the Taliban. Al-Jazeera, AP, BBC
Title: Seasonal market in La Chaux
Location: La Chaux, Vaud
Link out: Click here
Description: One day seasonal produce and artisans market, music, activities and fun for the whole family.
Date: 05 Sep 2009
Statues of "peace" and "justice" flank the entrance to the WTO, Geneva: artist Luc Jaggi sculpted them in 1925
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - China reacted with disappointment Thursday 13 August to the report issued by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva on its publications and audiovisual materials dispute with the US. The WTO ruled that China must open its market more to the import of US films, DVDs, books and music downloads to respect commitments made when it joined the WTO in 2001.
Title: Flea market in Morges
Location: Morges, Vaud
Link out: Click here
Description: Over 120 sellers, food, music and more at the monthly flea market in the Halles CFF in Morges.
Date: 27 Sep 2009
