WEB BUZZ MAFIA

Wealthy Russians, including mafiosi , would most benefit from an EU bailout to Cyprus, Der Spiegel magazine reported Monday, quoting a German intelligence agency report. "The BND report shows who will profit most from the billions in European taxpayer funds -Russian oligarchs, businesspeople and mafiosi who have parked their illegal earnings in Cyprus," the magazine said. The magazine reported that a large number of Russian businessmen have placed large sums of money in Cypriot banks, attracted by lower tax rates, even if Cyprus has shed its reputation as a tax haven since joining the EU in 2004. In total, around €20 billion ($26 billion) was deposited in Cyprus in 2011 by Russian oligarchs, which is more than the island nation's gross domestic product of €17.8 billion, the BND report found. These deposits will be guaranteed if a European bailout is approved to shore up the island's banks. The BND, Germany's federal intelligence service, also ...

THIS is with reference to the news item ‘Vested interests scuttled crucial medical project’ (Oct, 24) whereby a project of local production of interferon was scuttled at an advanced stage, allegedly at the behest of multi-national companies. I am a social worker who is actively engaged in holding free medical camps for screening of hepatitis patients and am very much aware of the woes of hapless patients who cannot afford costly interferon. The current market of hepatitis is worth about two billion rupees, and multinational companies have captured more than 70 per cent of the market. The local availability of interferon at Rs70, as claimed by renowned molecular biologist Dr Riazuddin, would have caused a telling blow to the interest of multinational companies. This story makes me believe that in the Third World countries the multinational companies are reigning in connivance with corrupt bureaucrats under the patronage of dishonest ministries. The ministry offici...

KARACHI: Following reduction in CNG prices, the issue of a proportionate cut in transport fares still could not be resolved, while the hapless public is forced to pay the high fares to the transporters using cheap CNG, but unwilling to pass on some benefit to the passengers as well. Meanwhile, Sindh Transport Minister, Akhtar Jadoon talking to Geo News on phone expressed his helplessness against the powerful transport mafia said that the announcement of a cut in transport fares was easy, but very difficult to get it implemented. Admitting his inability to get the bus fares reduced, he further said that the department hasn’t its own force, which could be used for a crackdown against the transporters. Akhtar Jadoon said that the traffic police should take action against the transporters over-charging the public and they should be challaned. Shifting his responsibility, he said that the traffic police was under the home ministry. On the other hand, Karachi Transport...

KARACHI – The chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi, Muhammad Hussain Mehnati has expressed deep concern over obstacles that deprived masses to enjoy the fruits of the apex court’s decision regarding price of the compressed natural gas (CNG). According to the statement, Mehanti said that reportedly, majority of CNG stations remained illegally closed in the city, which was condemnable. He demanded of the government to get the judiciary’s verdict implemented in letter and spirit. He also urged the government to get all the CNG stations opened and demanded strict actions against those who disobeyed apex court’s ruling. He said that the judiciary had given a ruling as per the aspirations of masses, which triggered a fling of happiness for people but brought discontentment for CNG mafia. He further said that it was regrettable that the government was not serious in taking any solid measure against those disobeying the court’s verdict.Mehnati said that citizens were facing...

Orange police tape surrounds the driveway in Blainville where mafia second-in-command Joe Di Maulo was assassinated A prominent member of the Montreal mafia was assassinated Sunday evening. Police have confirmed that the man shot and killed in front of his Blainville home was Joe Di Maulo, who was widely regarded as the second-in-command of the mob. Blainville police began the investigation but they transferred the file to the Surete du Quebec once the man's identity was confirmed. So far it appears that an assassin was hiding in bushes near the residence on Blainvillier St., shooting and killing Di Maulo when he walked outside around 9 p.m. Di Maulo was in his early 70s. Di Maulo was the brother-in-law of Raynald Desjardins, another man with reputed mafia links who is known to be a close associate of Vito Rizzuto. Desjardins, along with four others, was charged late last year with the 2011 murder of Salvatore Montagna. Montagna was shot and killed in th...

* Position-holders raise concern over ‘end’ to inter-board paper marking LAHORE: Position-holder students have raised a grave concern over the purposed ending of inter-board marking and paper checking, terming it a conspiracy hatched by a powerful mafia. Four position-holders of Gujranwala Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education have filed a written appeal with Punjab chief minister’s office, requesting him to stop the purposed ending of inter-board marking in Punjab Board Chairman Committee’s meeting, which was started in 1998 during the PML N rule. The appeal, a copy of which is available with Daily Times, has been scribed by the female position-holders of matriculation, including Hadiqa Aijaz (first position in 2012), Nabila Younus (second position in 2011), Rabia Munir (third position in 2011) and Aqsa Muhammad Ali. The copies of the appeal have also been sent to senior officials, including Punjab education minister, Punjab chief secretary, secretary of high...