| Asus auctions unique red laptop for Comic Relief
There's literally only one red Asus S6F laptop on the planet, and if you want to avail yourself of the opportunity to win it - and do some good into the bargain - visit eBay or Harrods this weekend. Asus is offering the machine for auction, with bidding taking place online at ebay.co.uk and at retailer MicroAnvika's store-in-a-store on Harrods' third floor. The one-of-a-kind laptop will go to the highest bidder while all the proceeds go to Comic Relief. The notebook is clad in red leather and comes bundled with a suitably hued mouse, mousemat and carrycase. The auction kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, 31 March at 3pm BST and ends on Monday, 9 April at 3pm BST. .
LOCH SHOCK FOR PONTE PUNTERS
Loch Jipp gave John Wainwright his first winner for six months when causing a 50-1 upset in the Went Edge Median Auction Maiden Fillies' Stakes. The American-bred filly, bought by jockey Dean McKeown for 16,000, made a winning debut in good style by two lengths from Far Gone, who pipped Lake Sabina by a short head for second place. "She's done nothing wrong at home, but I was worried about the high draw. I'd love to win my first Hilary Needler at Beverley with her," said Wainwright. Varinia, who finished fourth, was relegated to eighth place for causing interference. Her jockey, 7lb claimer Patrick Donaghy, was banned for a total of four days for careless riding and not riding to his draw. There was another shock when A Big Sky Brewing (20-1) took the Subscribe Online @ Racinguk.tv Maiden Stakes.
Tax raids on art auction houses in city
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The income tax department on Tuesday conducted raids and surveys on two prominent art auction houses—Osian's and Saffronart—and the Sakshi Art Gallery in Colaba for alleged tax violations.
Raids were also conducted at their residences and their Delhi offices. With the art market witnessing an unprecedented price boom, trading in art has come under the scrutiny of the taxman.
The growth in the market has not only seen the rise of auction houses, but also the setting up of art funds such as those started by Osian's and Sakshi (Yatra Art Fund).
Art funds operate on the principle of mutual funds except that investors' money is used to buy art, not shares.
In this year's budget, the government has also decided to tighten the tax norms by proposing to levy tax on the gains made through sale of art work.
EU warns Netherlands against interference in ABN Amro bids
(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission warned The Netherlands on Thursday against breaking new EU rules against political interference in cross-border banking takeovers, which The Hague played a key role in drawing up. Noting that The Netherlands "is known for its open and progressive economy," the country's free-market credentials could be put at risk if authorities sought to discourage a foreign takeover of Dutch bank ABN Amro, Commission spokesman Oliver Drewes said. While the Commission regretted any EU member "going down the road of protectionism" it would be "even more disappointing" if the Dutch did because they were the driving force behind new rules on cross-border banking takeovers, he said. Those rules, which were adopted last month, were drawn up largely in reaction to former Bank of Italy's Antonio Fazio's attempts to block ABN Amro's takeover in 2005 of an Italian bank.
Browne leads delegation bidding to save Hydro
LOCAL MP Jeremy Browne is leading a cross-party delegation to the Ministry of Defence on Thursday morning in a bid to keep the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton. They will argue for either rebuilding the sea chart maker on its current Admiralty Way site or relocating in the town. At the 45-minute meeting they will ask Defence Minster Derek Twigg to drop a third option of transferring to offices beside the MetOffice in Exeter. .
|
