The art insurance world has suddenly realised the scale of unforeseen risk in its market. Collectors are buying art on an unprecedented scale at astronomical prices and putting many of these works into storage in just a few free port warehouses (see sidebar). It has dawned on specialist art insurers that they face an unsuspected and unsustainable risk that could run to many tens of billions of pounds.
Art boom leads to insurance risk
May 18th, 2012Politician killed in Aceh
May 17th, 2012Aceh Party politician Syukri Abdullah and his female business colleague were shot dead on Tuesday night as they were driving through the district of Bireuen to their respective homes in the neighboring province of Lhokseumawe. A third passenger in the victim’s vehicle sustained minor injuries.
Terrorist sentenced in Indonesia
May 17th, 2012High-profile terrorism suspect Abu Umar was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday for smuggling firearms into Indonesia as well as staging a paramilitary training camp in 2008.
The group he led was said to be planning an attack on the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta and abductions and murders of Shiite Muslims.
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/lawandorder/terror-suspect-abu-umar-guilty-jailed-for-10-years/517940
Privacy breaches from IRD and ACC
May 17th, 2012A Christchurch man says the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) mistakenly sent him a document with so many private details about a person that he could easily impersonate them. The one-page document was buried amongst 200 pages that IRD sent to his address this month.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6936374/Personal-details-in-IRD-papers
There’s been another privacy breach at ACC. The corporation’s chief executive Ralph Stewart confirmed on One News that confidential information about more than 100 clients was mistakenly sent to the wrong people last Friday.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10806470
EU helicopters attack Somali pirate base
May 16th, 2012European helicopter gunships have attacked a pirate base on the Somali coast, destroying five speedboats, in the first such airborne strike on land by the anti-piracy force.
The Somali-based pirates responded by threatening to kill crew being held on more than a dozen hijacked vessels if they were attacked again.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/africa/6929021/EU-copter-gunships-attack-pirate-base
Armed police find baby in get away car
May 16th, 2012Armed police were horrified to discover a baby in a car being used in two attempted robberies in Ngaruawahia.
The 11-month-old boy was in his car seat while his teenage parents allegedly used their car as a getaway vehicle for a man who police say tried to rob two dairy owners at gunpoint on Monday.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10806189
“K Road” crime slashed through police clamp down
May 15th, 2012Alcohol-fuelled crime along Auckland’s iconic Karangahape Rd has been slashed by police who claim to have reduced serious assaults, liquor ban breaches and general disorder in the popular nightspot.
Drunken disorder led to police last year vouching to clamp down on crime in the area by boosting night time patrols, making security staff more visible and by working with other authorities and business owners.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/crackdown-k-rd-alcohol-fuelled-crime-4887973
Twister causes damage in Papamoa overnight
May 15th, 2012A twister ripped through Papamoa Beach last night, lifting up roof tiles and causing damage to property.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10806003