7 arrested in alleged SAT cheating scam

Authorities have arrested seven people in an alleged SAT cheating scam at a Long Island, New York, high school and are investigating whether the cheating extends to other schools.

Samuel Eshaghoff, 19, of Great Neck, New York, was arrested Tuesday on felony fraud charges that could result in four years in prison if he's convicted, the Nassau County District Attorney's Office said. Six students face misdemeanor charges. Their names are not being released because they are minors.

Samuel Eshaghoff

Prosecutors allege Eshaghoff impersonated six Great Neck North High students between 2010 and 2011, charging between $1,500 and $2,500 to take the SAT test for them. Eshaghoff would take the test at schools other than Great Neck, where proctors would not be familiar with the students' identity, and present fake, unofficial identification, prosecutors say.

Wall Street protests enter 11th day

Protests to draw attention to the power of Wall Street firms in the United States and world economies will continue for an 11th straight day in lower Manhattan Tuesday.

"Our main concern is the way that democracy is hijacked through wealth inequality," said Patrick Bruner, a spokesman for the protest group Occupy Wall Street. Bruner said protestors plan to present a list of demands, though they don't know when or to whom they will present them to.

The group, taking its inspiration from the Arab Spring protests that swept through Africa and the Middle East, has taken up residence in a park in New York's Financial District, calling for 20,000 people to flood the area for a "few months" to press home their point. Social media fueled those uprisings in places like Egypt and Libya and organizers are hoping it will work in the United States too.

"The rich are getting away with a huge crime," documentary filmmaker Michael Moore said Monday on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight." "Nobody's been arrested on Wall Street for the crash of 2008. They're not paying their fair share of the taxes."

"I do well," Moore acknowledged, but "we reward people for making money off money, and moving money around and dividing up mortgages a thousand times over, selling it to China ... and it becomes this shell game."

Moore spoke to the protesters before appearing on CNN, telling them that he'll be happy when "the real people in this country are in charge" and he doesn't have to make another movie or write another book on what he sees as the social and political ills of America.

Málaga court hears that Roca controlled money down to a mop Read more

 Malaga Court hears that Roca controlled money down to a mop.

The court heard that he paid for his art collection with four properties

As the Malaya corruption case has reached its first year in Málaga, the court has heard that Juan Antonio Roca paid for parts of his art collection with real estate via one of his companies. 

Inspection of commercial deals done on February 3 and April 15 2002, show that Roca valued a list of paintings at 1,153,943 €, and that he paid for them in exchange for four properties.

Mississippi storm causes damage

 possible tornado ripped through Cleveland, Mississippi, on Sunday night, damaging two department stores and a nearby subdivision, officials said Monday.

No injuries were reported.

The storm did knock out the county's communication network and the local hospital stopped taking patients, said Kimberly Broadwater of the Bolivar County Volunteer Fire Department said The storm also caused a gas leak that has since been capped, she said.

"We've got a mess on our hands," Broadwater said.

It was unclear Monday if the storm was a tornado. The National Weather Service sent out an alert that a tornado had touched down, but authorities were still trying to determine if the damage was done by a tornado or straight-line winds.

Lee Tedder of the Bolivar County Sheriff's Office said the Sears and Walmart stores in the northwestern Mississippi town of 12,000 people had lost their roofs in the storm, but Broadwater said the Sears store had been demolished.

U.S- Obama urges black community to 'march with me'

Obama urges black community to 'march with me'

While acknowledging the hard-hit black community and budding criticisms in its ranks, President Barack Obama said in a speech Saturday night to the Congressional Black Caucus that he wouldn't give up -- and urged members of the black community to join him to jump-start the still-sluggish economy.

"I expect all of you to march with me, and press on," Obama said. "... Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We've got work to do."

The unemployment rate among African-Americans is 16.7%, nearly double the national average, while 40% of black children live in poverty. Such facts have made fiscal reforms a priority for caucus members, some of whom -- most of them Democrats -- have criticized Obama for not doing enough on the issue.

They include Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California, who at a caucus "jobs' tour town hall" in Detroit this month described the unemployment rate among blacks "unconscionable." She said the strategy to fix it was unclear, adding that the caucus was "getting tired" of waiting for one.

U.S - Suspected serial killer arrested on the Costa del Sol.

Suspected serial killer arrested on the Costa del Sol
Suspected serial killer arrested in Costa del Sol

An alleged serial killer, who has been operating on the Costa del Sol and who is believed to be responsible for the deaths of two women, has been arrested.

The crimes were on August 11 and September 10 in Calahonda and San Pedro de Alcántara, and in both cases the women had Spanish nationality but were of Latin American origin, and both were stabbed. Preliminary reports from the autopsies show certain similarities between the crimes.

Gr- Pope in Germany 'to speak about God,' not politics

Pope in Germany 'to speak about God,' not politics

On his first state visit to his homeland, Pope Benedict XVI met Thursday with Germany's prime minister and president and spoke to legislators, but insisted that his purpose was not economic or political, but spiritual.

"Even though this journey is an official visit which will reinforce the good relations existing between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Holy See, I have not come here primarily to pursue particular political or economic goals," he said during remarks at Bellevue Castle, the president's official residence, "but rather to meet people and to speak about God."

"The Federal Republic of Germany has become what it is today thanks to the power of freedom shaped by responsibility before God and before one another."

The pope arrived Thursday morning at Berlin's Tegel airport for a visit marked by heavy police presence and, in some places, protests. Many see the papal itinerary as an encroachment on church-state separation; others in the increasingly secular nation are critical of the church's more conservative teachings.

World - 10 commandments of dressing for work

10 commandments of dressing for work

1. Modesty is a virtue.

Get noticed for your great work, not your tight pants, overdone makeup, short skirt or cleavage-revealing shirt.

"Nothing undermines how you are perceived in business as leaving nothing to the imagination," says Chris Hauri, founder of Mirror Image, a Chicago-based image and identity consultancy.

2. Keep holy the casual Friday.

Yes, the workweek is almost done -- the key word being almost. "Casual Fridays are a recipe for fashion disasters," says Lizandra Vega, author of "The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want." Don't jump the gun by wearing your weekend plans, whether that be catching some rays in a halter top and short shorts or cleaning out the garage in your college sweatshirt and cut-offs.

3. Thou shalt wear the right shoes.

Your feet should look prepared for work. Vega suggests skipping flip-flops and other open-toe shoes, while Hauri notes, "High high heels may be fashionable, but not for actually working. Image conveyed: I can't pitch in and do any work because I really can't walk in these things. Want to be a team player? Wear flats."

4. Honor thy leaders.

Not sure what is appropriate for casual Friday or a client meeting? Look around. "The wisest employees often observe and take cues from the most respected individuals within their organization on what is appropriate workplace attire," Randall says.

5. Thou shalt not steal thy boss's tie.

Keep in mind that taking cues from those above does not mean replicating their wardrobe piece for piece. Instead of coming off as a lemming, find comparable styles, colors and accessories that work for you.

6. Control thy festiveness.

Wearing seasonal colors is one thing, looking like Santa's elf is another. Randall recalls a story about a co-worker who exuberantly over-accessorized her outfits to fit the holidays. "Her overzealousness caused her co-workers to snicker, and she became unofficially known as 'the walking calendar.' Moral of the story: Your workplace wardrobe should enhance your professional skills and qualities, not detract from them."

7. Remember the good book.

Whether you are questioning what constitutes an acceptable variation of a uniform or wondering about the company's stance on jeans, chances are the employee handbook has the answer. Still trying to decide if you should cover up a tattoo? Seek the advice of a trusted mentor, human resources representative or immediate supervisor.

8. Thou shalt notice what year it is.

Congratulations on taking such good care of your clothing that items from 1983 are still "fine" today. Now put these relics in the Goodwill box where they should have landed years ago. While one need not be a fashionista, looking outdated can give the impression that you lack fresh ideas.

9. Err on the side of caution.

Worried that your casual Friday outfit might be too relaxed or that a bright orange shirt might not be received well by a new client? Avoid the guesswork -- and the corresponding nervousness -- by making safer choices when in doubt.

10. Dress for the job thou want.

A final tidbit: "My advice for everyone, no matter what age or gender, is to dress for the job you want, not the one you're in," Hauri says. "Unless you're happy with where you are, which is just fine."

World - Apple secures patents on China stores

Apple secures patents on China stores

Apple has been granted patents on some of the distinctive elements of its store designs in China as the US company moves to better protect itself against rampant copying of not only its products but also its sales channels on the Chinese mainland.

The three recently granted design patents cover the architecture of Apple's stores in Shanghai and were awarded in May, according to state media reports, suggesting the company registered them after it began its expansion in China last year. One was announced on Wednesday by the state intellectual property office, covering a glass dome such as the one that is a distinctive feature of one of the company's Shanghai stores.

Apple has a patchy record in securing patents and trademarks in this fast-growing but challenging market. The gaps in the company's intellectual property rights protection were highlighted by the revelation in July of a fake Apple store in Kunming, the capital of the south-western Chinese province of Yunnan.

The technology company is preparing to open another Apple store in Shanghai on Friday, joining two others in the city and one in Beijing, and is also poised to open its first store in Hong Kong before the end of the month. On Wednesday, Apple started selling the 3G version of the iPad 2 in China.

World - Lawyer: Accused UBS bank trader 'sorry beyond words'

Lawyer: Accused UBS bank trader 'sorry beyond words'

A bank trader has been recently accused of fraud in connection with a  $2.3 billion loss in unauthorized trading, reported by Swiss giant UBS is "sorry beyond words," his lawyer said Thursday.

Kwaku Adoboli was remanded in custody until 20 of October, by the Mgistrate Court of Londong 

I a statement in the court that , lawyer Patrick Gibbs maid, he stated  that his client was " sorry behond words for what had happened here" 

His client "went to UBS himself," the lawyer said.

Adoboli faces a charge of fraud by abuse of position between January and September 2011, causing losses in excess of $1.5 billion, and two counts of false accounting.

Two men drown on western Costa del Sol.

Two men drown on western Costa del Sol


Two men have drowned simoultaneously on the beaches of Costa del Sol on Wednesday.Two men drowned on the beaches of the western Costa del Sol on Wednesday.

The first drowned at 2pm on Playa de La Carihuela in Torremolinos, where a 65 years old man was rescued by the people swimming on the beachh after he began to experience difficulty in getting out of the water. He unfortunately died, and emergency services who arrived on the scene could do nothing more than certify his death.

The second man was a 45 year old who drowned just a few hours later on Playa de Las Gaviotas in Fuengirola. He and another swimmer were also having trouble reaching the beach and he died after they were both rescued and taken to the shore

U.S - California cop pleads not guilty in homeless man's death

California cop pleads not guilty in homeless man's death

 A Fullerton police officer pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony use of excessive force in the beating death of a mentally ill homeless man who died after a police arrest.

Cpl. Jay Patrick Cicinelli was released Wednesday on $25,000 bail, according to his attorney and a spokeswoman for the prosecutor.

Meanwhile, the arraignment of the officer facing more serious charges, Manuel Anthony Ramos, was continued to September 26 at the request of his attorneys. Ramos was being held Wednesday after Orange County Superior Court Judge Erick L. Larsh set his bail at $1 million.

Ramos, who is 37 and a 10-year veteran of the Fullerton police, is charged with second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the July beating death of Kelly Thomas, who was unarmed.

Thomas' father, Ron, urged the judge not to reduce Ramos' bail from $1 million because of "the horrible manner in which my son was murdered."

Owner of marijuana plantation caused Ibiza fire by negligence

Owner of Marijuana plantation caused Ibiza fire for negligence.

A Spanish man who was arrested for starting the fire which broke out on Ibiza on Sunday night is believed to have started it through negligence while he was caring for his marijuana plantation nearby.

Civil Guard sources have told the EFE news agency that the cause is thought to be either a cigarette he was smoking or a fire he had lit to cook food.

The suspect had spent the past few days caring for his crop in the area where the blaze broke out. He spent his nights in a home-made shelter and used a nearby cave to dry out his plants. The Civil Guard seized marijuana plants and dried leaves at the site, amounting to almost 6 kilos of the drug.

U.K - Supermarket levy plan in Scottish budget

Supermarket levy plan in Scottish budget

The measure is part of the Scottish goverment´s spending plans for the coming year.

Mr Swinney also confirmed a five-year freeze in council tax and said public sector pay would be frozen for the next year.

The opposition at Holyrood accused Mr Swinney of moving the effect of UK-wide cuts to Scotland's local authorities.

The plans included a boost to government-backed capital investment, intended to support economic recovery.

More than £750m will be transferred from resource expenditure into the capital investment programme.

Mr Swinney told MSPs: "This spending review contains tough choices because of the cuts from Westminster that go too far, too fast.

"We have had to restrict pay costs, reluctantly implement pensions increases on public sector staff, and maximise the income gained from asset sales."

WORLD- Man to be executed for dragging death of James Byrd

Man to be executed for dragging death of James Byrd

One of three men convicted for his involvement in the infamous dragging death of a black man 13 years ago is scheduled to be executed Wednesday.

Lawrence Russell Brewer, 44, is scheduled to die by lethal injection for killing James Byrd.

Brewer and two other white men chained the 49-year-old black man to the back of a pickup truck and dragged him to death on a country road near Jasper, Texas.

Accomplice John William King also was sentenced to death and is awaiting an appeal. A third man, Shawn Berry, received life in prison.

Lawrence Russell Brewer, 44, is scheduled to die Wednesday by lethal injection in the killing of James Byrd.

A prosecutor called Brewer a racist psychopath during his 1999 trial.

During the trial, Brewer took the witness stand and contended that he was a bystander, not a killer.

He tearfully admitted being present when Byrd was dragged to his death but, he said, "I didn't mean to cause his death. I had no intentions of killing anybody."

world - Authorities investigate killing of Mexican congressman

Authorities investigate killing of Mexican congressman

 A day after authorities announced that the body of a Mexican congressman was found along a highway in the coastal state of Guerrero, lawmakers from his political party called Monday for a swift investigation of his killing.

Authorities found Moises Villanueva de la Cruz near the same highway when he went missing after a party September 4. News of the federal lawmaker's death left investigators wondering whether the motive for his slaying was connected with organized crime or extortion.

"It could be simply a personal matter, we don't know, but whatever it is, we want to know soon," said Rep. Carlos Flores Rico of the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

Members of the party, which Villanueva belonged to, said authorities must investigate whether his death had something to do with his political activities.

"It is very unfortunate...the climate of instability which is engulfing the country," said Fausto Vallejo Figueroa, who is running for governor in the central state of Michoacan.

Villanueva disappeared after going to a party with other politicians in Tlapa, Guerrero, according to local authorities and lawmakers.

SPA - Spain Business Brief - Tuesday September 20 2011

Spain Business Brief - Tuesday September 20 2011

The International Monetary Fund has reduced their forecast for the growth of Spain for 2012 by half a point. The latest forecast from the body led by Christine Lagarde is for growth for Spain of 0.8% in this year and down from 1.6% to 1.1% for 2012. The forecast comes in their latest report on World Economic Growth published today, Tuesday.
Both the 2011 and 2012 numbers for Spain are below the forecasts of the Government which has them at 1.3% and 2.3%.
The IMF also considers that there will be more unemployment than that forecast by the Government, with 20.7% at the end of this year and 19.7% at the end of next year.
It says that ‘Spain has still to identify new measures to reach its fiscal objectives in the medium term’
.

U.S - To save postal jobs, end Saturday mail - White House

President Obama on Monday unveiled a plan to save the U.S. Postal Service and its employees from insolvency -- a plan that includes the possible end of Saturday mail service.

The White House plan, which is part of a larger proposal to cut $3 trillion from deficitsover the next decade, would first allow the U.S. Postal Service to use $7 billion from an overfunded pension account to avoid financial collapse.

It would also give the agency more breathing room by postponing a giant $5.5 billion payment due to a health care retiree fund in two weeks, as required by law.

Then it would also allow the U.S. Postal Service to bypass its regulatory commission to give it the option to raise stamp prices 2 cents to 46 cents for a first-class letter. It would also give the post office the green light to slash Saturday mail service.

SPA - Thirteen arrested for child pornography in Spain

Thirteen arrested for child pornography in Spain

The National Police have arrested 13 people in four simultaneous operations across the country against child pornography. Another 7 people are suspected of distributing and possessing pornographic images.

Seventeen addresses were searched in Valencia, Madrid, Tarragona, Murcia, Cáceres, Vigo, Logroño, Barcelona and Asturias. Officers seized three computers, 27 hard discs, almost 300 CDs and DVDs, a memory card and files containing pornographic material.

EU - German police: Teen says he's lived in woods 5 years

German police are investigating after a 17-year-old boy turned up at Berlin City Hall earlier this month, claiming he has been living in the woods for four to five years, authorities said Sunday.

The teen, who calls himself Ray, was discovered September 5, said German police spokesman Martin Otter. The boy speaks English and a little German. He told authorities he had been living in the woods with his father, but decided to come out after his father died.

Authorities were working with Interpol to establish the boy's identity, authorities said. He was staying at a Berlin youth center.

The story has drawn comparisons to the "Piano Man," who was found wandering aimlessly near a beach on the isle of Sheppey, Kent, in southern England in 2005. The man was wearing a waterlogged dinner suit with all its labels cut out and a tie. It initially was reported that he stunned witnesses with a "virtuoso performance" on the piano.

The man was identified as a 20-year-old German national from Bavaria after telling staff at a hospital that he had been attempting suicide when found by police, the Times of London reported in August 2005. The man could not play the piano as well as initially reported, the newspaper said.

U.S - Hikers' release from Iran prison delayed again, lawyer says

Hikers' release from Iran prison delayed again, lawyer says

 The lawyer trying to get two American hikers freed from prison in Iran was not able to get a signature on bail paperwork because a judge is on vacation until Tuesday, he told CNN Sunday.

Bail has been paid for Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, lawyer Masoud Shafiee said, but he needs the signatures of two judges to prove it.

He went to a judge's office Sunday, when he was in court on a separate case, to see if he could get the second signature, but was told that the judge is on vacation until Tuesday and that Shafiee will have to return then, the lawyer said.

Separately, a delegation of American Muslim and Christian leaders asked Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to release the hikers, his office said Sunday.

U.S - Police: Parishioners tackle gunman after church shooting

Police: Parishioners tackle gunman after church shooting

 Parishioners at a Lakeland, Florida, church tackled a gunman who allegedly shot the pastor and associate pastor on Sunday, holding the suspect until police arrived, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Jeremiah Fogel, 57, was taken into custody following the incident at the Greater Faith Christian Church, the sheriff's office said in a statement. Fogel is also suspected of shooting and killing his wife at their residence before going to the church, police said.

Fogel walked to the front of the church during a prayer meeting between the morning services and specifically opened fire on church clergy, said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

"Pastor William Boss was shot once in the head," Judd said. "At that time everyone jumped up, and he went over to the left side of the church and shot the assistant minister Carl Stewart three times."